• Mystery of the Living God's Church

    Preface

    In every generation, people have wrestled with the same questions: What is the true Church? Where can it be found? Who belongs to it? These questions are not new, yet they remain as urgent today as they were in the days of the apostles.

    We live in a world filled with countless groups that call themselves “churches.” Each has its own teachings, traditions, and practices. Each claims to represent God. Yet, when we look closely, we see division instead of unity, contradiction instead of harmony. This raises a profound mystery: if there is one God, why are there so many churches?

    This Chapter, Mystery of the Living God’s Church, is written to guide the reader into the heart of that question. It is not a work of human speculation or denominational defense. Rather, it is an exploration of the Scriptures themselves, where God reveals the truth about His Church.

    The Gospel ahead will uncover the Church as the Body of Christ, the blessed Bread of life, and ultimately, as Christ Himself. We will see that the true Church is not a building, an institution, or a human organization, but a living reality founded, owned, and sustained by Jesus Christ.

    Part One:
    What Is the Church of God?

    The Question of Many Peoples
    In every city, town, and village, one cannot help but notice the multitude of groups that call themselves “churches.” Each belongs to a different denomination or religious movement, each with its own teachings, traditions, and ways of worship. Yet, despite their shared claim of serving God, they do not walk together in unity.

    Every group insists on its own truth. Every group defends its own doctrine. And though nearly all of them speak about God, they do not agree with one another. This reality raises deep and troubling questions in the hearts of many:

    - How many churches does God truly have?
    - What exactly is a church?
    - Which one is the true church?
    - Who is the owner and builder of the church?
    - How can we find the true church?

    These are not small questions. They go to the very heart of faith and salvation. To answer them, we must turn not to human traditions or institutions, but to the Word of the Living God.

    The Church as the Body of Christ
    The Scriptures reveal that the Church is not a building, a denomination, or an earthly organization. Instead, it is described as the Body of Christ.

    - Colossians 1:18 — “And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning, the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything He might have the supremacy.”
    - Ephesians 4:4–5 — “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism.”

    The Church is one body, with Christ as its Head. Believers are united to Him and to one another as members of this living body. This is the first great truth: the Church is not many, but one.

    ---

    The Church as Blessed Bread
    The Scriptures also reveal another mystery: the Church is represented as bread.

    - Matthew 26:26 — “While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘Take and eat; this is my body.’”

    Here, bread symbolizes the Body of Christ. Since the Body is the Church, the bread also represents the Church. Before giving it to His disciples, Jesus blessed the bread—showing that the Church is blessed food for His followers.

    Thus, the Church is not only the Body of Christ but also the spiritual nourishment of His disciples. It is food for the soul, blessed and given by Christ Himself.

    Jesus Christ Is the Church
    The mystery deepens further: Jesus Himself declares that He is the Bread of Life.

    - John 6:35 — “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”
    - John 6:48 — “I am the bread of life.”

    If the bread is the Body, and the Body is the Church, then the Church is Christ Himself. He is the foundation, the head, the life, and the very substance of the Church. To understand the Church is to understand Christ. To belong to the Church is to belong to Him.

    The Rock and the Builder
    Jesus confirmed this truth when He spoke to Peter:

    - Matthew 16:17–18 — “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”

    Notice: Jesus says “my church”—singular, not plural. He is the builder, the owner, and the foundation. His Church is not a man-made institution but a spiritual building established on the Word of God. And it cannot be destroyed by the powers of hell.

    Entering Into Christ (the Church)
    How then does one enter this true Church?

    1. The Key Understanding
    - Jesus Christ is the Church. To enter the Church is to enter the Son of God (1 John 5:20).

    2. The Gift of God
    - John 3:16 — God gave His Son as a gift. A gift is not earned; it is received. Salvation is not by human effort but by grace.

    3. The Truths of Salvation
    - The world did not ask for the Son, yet He came to save.
    - The world was unbelieving, yet salvation requires faith in Him.

    4. Christ the Way
    - John 14:6 — Jesus is the only way to the Father.
    - John 5:24 — Hearing His Word and believing brings eternal life.

    → Hearing the Word → Faith → New Birth → Entry into God’s family.

    5. The Family Picture
    - Just as you did not choose your earthly family, you do not place yourself into God’s family. Christ Himself brings you in (John 10:16).

    6. The Blood of Christ
    - Ephesians 2:13 — We are brought near by His blood. It is His blood that places us into His Church.

    7. The Great Truth
    - Christ is revealed.
    - The Word is heard.
    - Faith is born.
    - By His blood, we are placed in Him.

    Summary of the Mystery
    - The Church is the Body of Christ, with Christ as its Head.
    - The Church is blessed Bread, spiritual food for His disciples.
    - The Church is Christ Himself, the Bread of Life.
    - Jesus is the builder and owner of His one true Church.
    - Entry into the Church is not by human effort but by faith, new birth, and the blood of Christ.

    Therefore, to belong to the Church is to belong to Christ. To understand the Church is to understand Him. To be born again.

    THE CHURCH IS A DWELLING, NOT A PLACE YOU GO

    “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.” — John 5:24

    • If you read and understand the Gospel, you will see that you do not “go” to church — rather, you dwell in it.
    • The Church is an eternal dwelling place.
    • You do not put yourself into this Church; you are placed into it by God.
    • You are taken out of another church(Kingdom of Darkness-Death), which belongs to Satan, and transferred into the true Church of Christ. (John 5:24)

    This is what Jesus meant when He said you have passed from death into life.

    ───
    Placed Into Eternal Life
    • You are placed into this Church through faith in Jesus Christ (John 3:16).
    • This Church is the true life, and it exists forever.
    • To be in the Church is to be in Christ — a spiritual reality, not a physical location.

    ───
    Do Not Be Mistaken
    • If you say you “go” to church, you misunderstand.
    • The true Church is not a building you visit, but a spiritual dwelling where you abide forever.
    • These are things that happen in the Spirit, not in human structures.

    ───
    Summary
    1. The Church is eternal, not temporal.
    2. You are placed into it by faith, not by human effort.
    3. The Church is the dwelling of eternal life in Christ.

    Let’s Grow Together in Faith, Wisdom, and the Grace of Jesus Christ

    Follow our WhatsApp channel for more sermons

    Click the link below
    https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaEKxaVG3R3exEJg2b1D
    Mystery of the Living God's Church Preface In every generation, people have wrestled with the same questions: What is the true Church? Where can it be found? Who belongs to it? These questions are not new, yet they remain as urgent today as they were in the days of the apostles. We live in a world filled with countless groups that call themselves “churches.” Each has its own teachings, traditions, and practices. Each claims to represent God. Yet, when we look closely, we see division instead of unity, contradiction instead of harmony. This raises a profound mystery: if there is one God, why are there so many churches? This Chapter, Mystery of the Living God’s Church, is written to guide the reader into the heart of that question. It is not a work of human speculation or denominational defense. Rather, it is an exploration of the Scriptures themselves, where God reveals the truth about His Church. The Gospel ahead will uncover the Church as the Body of Christ, the blessed Bread of life, and ultimately, as Christ Himself. We will see that the true Church is not a building, an institution, or a human organization, but a living reality founded, owned, and sustained by Jesus Christ. Part One: What Is the Church of God? The Question of Many Peoples In every city, town, and village, one cannot help but notice the multitude of groups that call themselves “churches.” Each belongs to a different denomination or religious movement, each with its own teachings, traditions, and ways of worship. Yet, despite their shared claim of serving God, they do not walk together in unity. Every group insists on its own truth. Every group defends its own doctrine. And though nearly all of them speak about God, they do not agree with one another. This reality raises deep and troubling questions in the hearts of many: - How many churches does God truly have? - What exactly is a church? - Which one is the true church? - Who is the owner and builder of the church? - How can we find the true church? These are not small questions. They go to the very heart of faith and salvation. To answer them, we must turn not to human traditions or institutions, but to the Word of the Living God. The Church as the Body of Christ The Scriptures reveal that the Church is not a building, a denomination, or an earthly organization. Instead, it is described as the Body of Christ. - Colossians 1:18 — “And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning, the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything He might have the supremacy.” - Ephesians 4:4–5 — “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism.” The Church is one body, with Christ as its Head. Believers are united to Him and to one another as members of this living body. This is the first great truth: the Church is not many, but one. --- The Church as Blessed Bread The Scriptures also reveal another mystery: the Church is represented as bread. - Matthew 26:26 — “While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘Take and eat; this is my body.’” Here, bread symbolizes the Body of Christ. Since the Body is the Church, the bread also represents the Church. Before giving it to His disciples, Jesus blessed the bread—showing that the Church is blessed food for His followers. Thus, the Church is not only the Body of Christ but also the spiritual nourishment of His disciples. It is food for the soul, blessed and given by Christ Himself. Jesus Christ Is the Church The mystery deepens further: Jesus Himself declares that He is the Bread of Life. - John 6:35 — “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” - John 6:48 — “I am the bread of life.” If the bread is the Body, and the Body is the Church, then the Church is Christ Himself. He is the foundation, the head, the life, and the very substance of the Church. To understand the Church is to understand Christ. To belong to the Church is to belong to Him. The Rock and the Builder Jesus confirmed this truth when He spoke to Peter: - Matthew 16:17–18 — “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” Notice: Jesus says “my church”—singular, not plural. He is the builder, the owner, and the foundation. His Church is not a man-made institution but a spiritual building established on the Word of God. And it cannot be destroyed by the powers of hell. Entering Into Christ (the Church) How then does one enter this true Church? 1. The Key Understanding - Jesus Christ is the Church. To enter the Church is to enter the Son of God (1 John 5:20). 2. The Gift of God - John 3:16 — God gave His Son as a gift. A gift is not earned; it is received. Salvation is not by human effort but by grace. 3. The Truths of Salvation - The world did not ask for the Son, yet He came to save. - The world was unbelieving, yet salvation requires faith in Him. 4. Christ the Way - John 14:6 — Jesus is the only way to the Father. - John 5:24 — Hearing His Word and believing brings eternal life. → Hearing the Word → Faith → New Birth → Entry into God’s family. 5. The Family Picture - Just as you did not choose your earthly family, you do not place yourself into God’s family. Christ Himself brings you in (John 10:16). 6. The Blood of Christ - Ephesians 2:13 — We are brought near by His blood. It is His blood that places us into His Church. 7. The Great Truth - Christ is revealed. - The Word is heard. - Faith is born. - By His blood, we are placed in Him. Summary of the Mystery - The Church is the Body of Christ, with Christ as its Head. - The Church is blessed Bread, spiritual food for His disciples. - The Church is Christ Himself, the Bread of Life. - Jesus is the builder and owner of His one true Church. - Entry into the Church is not by human effort but by faith, new birth, and the blood of Christ. Therefore, to belong to the Church is to belong to Christ. To understand the Church is to understand Him. To be born again. THE CHURCH IS A DWELLING, NOT A PLACE YOU GO 📖 “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.” — John 5:24 • If you read and understand the Gospel, you will see that you do not “go” to church — rather, you dwell in it. • The Church is an eternal dwelling place. • You do not put yourself into this Church; you are placed into it by God. • You are taken out of another church(Kingdom of Darkness-Death), which belongs to Satan, and transferred into the true Church of Christ. (John 5:24) 🔥 This is what Jesus meant when He said you have passed from death into life. ─── 📌 Placed Into Eternal Life • You are placed into this Church through faith in Jesus Christ (John 3:16). • This Church is the true life, and it exists forever. • To be in the Church is to be in Christ — a spiritual reality, not a physical location. ─── ⚠️ Do Not Be Mistaken • If you say you “go” to church, you misunderstand. • The true Church is not a building you visit, but a spiritual dwelling where you abide forever. • These are things that happen in the Spirit, not in human structures. ─── 📝 Summary 1. The Church is eternal, not temporal. 2. You are placed into it by faith, not by human effort. 3. The Church is the dwelling of eternal life in Christ. 🌱 Let’s Grow Together in Faith, Wisdom, and the Grace of Jesus Christ Follow our WhatsApp channel for more sermons Click the link below https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaEKxaVG3R3exEJg2b1D
    WHATSAPP.COM
    LIVING WORD OF GOD - INTERNATIONAL
    Channel • 138 followers • 🌱 Let’s Grow Together in Faith, Wisdom, and the Grace of Jesus Christ. 📖 Mission Statement “We preach and speak only about Jesus Christ. We testify about Jesus Christ in the Word. Our teaching is only of Jesus Christ. Come and hear the Gospel.” ✨ Vision To make the Gospel of Jesus Christ accessible, vibrant, and transformative for communities in Zimbabwe and beyond — through teaching, publishing, and outreach. 🎯 Core Values - Christ-centered teaching — Every message focuses on Jesus Christ. - Scriptural accuracy — Faithful to the Word of God. - Community outreach — Engaging people through teaching, publishing, and digital platforms. - Bilingual accessibility — Sharing the Gospel in Shona and English for inclusivity. - Creative engagement — Using posters, flyers, and audio lessons to reach diverse audiences. Contact :+263778103973 whatsaap only
    0 Comments 0 Shares 33 Views
  • VISION FOR CHRIST WORLD https://visionforchristworld.com/programs/
    We now have a listener report from Russia! This is the very first from Russia.
    ----------------------------------------------------------
    Hello,
    Tuned in to the Vision for Christ World broadcast on Saturday, Aug 08, on the shortwave via WRMI in Florida. The signal was poor to fair, but still audible here in Eastern Europe. I would be happy if you confirm my reception in a reply email! Thanks in advance.
    = = = = =
    CONTACT DATA AND EQUIPMENT
    Listener: Dmitry Mezin
    Email: dm65dx@gmail.com
    Addr: Blyuhera 6-59, Kazan, 420095, Russia
    Receiver: Airspy HF+ Discovery
    Antenna: K-180WLA active loop
    RECEPTION REPORT -- VISION FOR CHRIST WORLD
    Date: August 08, 2026
    Time: 19:00-19:15 UTC
    Frequency: 15770 kHz
    Signal quality: SINPO 25432, varying in strength from poor to fair, but without any interference from other stations.
    Program details:
    Overview of history of God dealing with people. God was there before the world and stars. In the beginning He created the Heavens and the Earth. Sin of Adam. Flood: only Noah and his family were saved. Faithfulness of God never failed. Young virgin Mary gave birth to Jesus. Jesus healed the sick, gave sight to the blind. Jesus willingly went to the cross. 3 days later he rose from the dead and returned to heavens. One day he will return!
    = = = = =
    I hope this report is useful for you. Good luck broadcasting!
    Kind regards and stay safe,
    Dmitry Mezin
    Kazan, Russia
    VISION FOR CHRIST WORLD https://visionforchristworld.com/programs/ We now have a listener report from Russia! This is the very first from Russia. ---------------------------------------------------------- Hello, Tuned in to the Vision for Christ World broadcast on Saturday, Aug 08, on the shortwave via WRMI in Florida. The signal was poor to fair, but still audible here in Eastern Europe. I would be happy if you confirm my reception in a reply email! Thanks in advance. = = = = = CONTACT DATA AND EQUIPMENT Listener: Dmitry Mezin Email: dm65dx@gmail.com Addr: Blyuhera 6-59, Kazan, 420095, Russia Receiver: Airspy HF+ Discovery Antenna: K-180WLA active loop RECEPTION REPORT -- VISION FOR CHRIST WORLD Date: August 08, 2026 Time: 19:00-19:15 UTC Frequency: 15770 kHz Signal quality: SINPO 25432, varying in strength from poor to fair, but without any interference from other stations. Program details: Overview of history of God dealing with people. God was there before the world and stars. In the beginning He created the Heavens and the Earth. Sin of Adam. Flood: only Noah and his family were saved. Faithfulness of God never failed. Young virgin Mary gave birth to Jesus. Jesus healed the sick, gave sight to the blind. Jesus willingly went to the cross. 3 days later he rose from the dead and returned to heavens. One day he will return! = = = = = I hope this report is useful for you. Good luck broadcasting! Kind regards and stay safe, Dmitry Mezin Kazan, Russia
    0 Comments 0 Shares 20 Views
  • I'm struggling with anger, sadness and unforgiveness because of my mother. A couple of months ago she told me for the hundredth time she didn't love me and I've always done something to make her dislike me. From the time I was an infant to 62 years of age I've been a horrible person according to her. I took myself to church at 4, I made stash A's and B's, my teachers and neighbors loved me, I have always been the person God said to be. My mother has abused me in every way,, she's talked about me to the people who respected me, like the police cheif and officers, she told them I was on drugs and not to trust me, she reported me to children family services so much they were going to file charges against her, she tried to take my child away from me, she moved her father into her home that had molested my siblings, cousins, myself and only God knows who else, she tried to keep me from going to college by taking my car away over asking for $30 to help with my loan. She's told me that she was going to get an abortion with me, that she didn't want any of her kids but most of all me. She's been cruel my whole life and damaging to my soul. I've tried to by the daughter Hod said to be but I can't anymore. She had me ready to kill myself 2 months ago and I can't live like that. I've cut her out of my life. But I feel bad that I've disappointed God. please pray for me. My health is awful, my home is falling apart and I am beyond btoke.I was injured on the job where I broke my neck and back and can't work or fix my home. I need help. And I don't ask for help because I have been rejected from birth and learned to take care of myself. Please, pray for me. I know God loves me but life is really hard right now.
    I'm struggling with anger, sadness and unforgiveness because of my mother. A couple of months ago she told me for the hundredth time she didn't love me and I've always done something to make her dislike me. From the time I was an infant to 62 years of age I've been a horrible person according to her. I took myself to church at 4, I made stash A's and B's, my teachers and neighbors loved me, I have always been the person God said to be. My mother has abused me in every way,, she's talked about me to the people who respected me, like the police cheif and officers, she told them I was on drugs and not to trust me, she reported me to children family services so much they were going to file charges against her, she tried to take my child away from me, she moved her father into her home that had molested my siblings, cousins, myself and only God knows who else, she tried to keep me from going to college by taking my car away over asking for $30 to help with my loan. She's told me that she was going to get an abortion with me, that she didn't want any of her kids but most of all me. She's been cruel my whole life and damaging to my soul. I've tried to by the daughter Hod said to be but I can't anymore. She had me ready to kill myself 2 months ago and I can't live like that. I've cut her out of my life. But I feel bad that I've disappointed God. please pray for me. My health is awful, my home is falling apart and I am beyond btoke.I was injured on the job where I broke my neck and back and can't work or fix my home. I need help. And I don't ask for help because I have been rejected from birth and learned to take care of myself. Please, pray for me. I know God loves me but life is really hard right now.
    4 Comments 0 Shares 23 Views
  • August 15, 2026 (day 227/365)
    SATURDAY

    GOD'S WORD FOR THE DAY

    “Set Apart for God”

    Leviticus 12:7

    “He shall offer them before the Lord to make atonement for her, and then she will be ceremonially clean from her flow of blood. “ ‘These are the regulations for the woman who gives birth to a boy or a girl.”

    This is the Word of God. Leviticus 12 describes the purification process after childbirth and reminds Israel that approaching God was to be taken seriously. The required offering also shows God's provision for restoration and renewed fellowship.

    For us, it points to the importance of recognizing our need for God's cleansing and grace. We do not approach Him because of our own perfection, but because He graciously provides a way for us to draw near.

    May God help us value His holiness, depend on His grace, and live each day set apart for Him. Amen.

    Have a blessed day with the Lord.

    -- Pastor Emmanuel Serto
    August 15, 2026 (day 227/365) SATURDAY GOD'S WORD FOR THE DAY “Set Apart for God” Leviticus 12:7 “He shall offer them before the Lord to make atonement for her, and then she will be ceremonially clean from her flow of blood. “ ‘These are the regulations for the woman who gives birth to a boy or a girl.” This is the Word of God. Leviticus 12 describes the purification process after childbirth and reminds Israel that approaching God was to be taken seriously. The required offering also shows God's provision for restoration and renewed fellowship. For us, it points to the importance of recognizing our need for God's cleansing and grace. We do not approach Him because of our own perfection, but because He graciously provides a way for us to draw near. May God help us value His holiness, depend on His grace, and live each day set apart for Him. Amen. Have a blessed day with the Lord. -- Pastor Emmanuel Serto
    0 Comments 0 Shares 15 Views
  • Gods Creation, 100 / evolution, 0
    THE MIRACLE OF WHALE MILK

    Whale calves nurse in the open ocean, where ordinary milk would quickly disperse into the surrounding water. Instead, whale milk is extraordinarily rich, containing roughly 35-50% fat depending on the species, compared to about 3-5% fat in human milk. Its thick, paste-like consistency helps it stay together underwater so the calf can consume it rather than watching it wash away. This nutrient-dense milk fuels incredible growth. A blue whale calf can gain 150-200 pounds every day, drinking well over 100 gallons (400+ liters) of milk daily during its first months of life.

    A whale calf is typically born tail first, helping prevent drowning during delivery while its head remains inside the mother until the final moments of birth. From birth to feeding, every detail is perfectly suited for life in the sea.

    These coordinated systems had to work together from the very beginning. They point to the wisdom, planning, and foresight of our Creator, not to countless unguided accidents over time.

    "O Lord, how manifold are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all." Psalm 104:24
    Gods Creation, 100 / evolution, 0 THE MIRACLE OF WHALE MILK Whale calves nurse in the open ocean, where ordinary milk would quickly disperse into the surrounding water. Instead, whale milk is extraordinarily rich, containing roughly 35-50% fat depending on the species, compared to about 3-5% fat in human milk. Its thick, paste-like consistency helps it stay together underwater so the calf can consume it rather than watching it wash away. This nutrient-dense milk fuels incredible growth. A blue whale calf can gain 150-200 pounds every day, drinking well over 100 gallons (400+ liters) of milk daily during its first months of life. A whale calf is typically born tail first, helping prevent drowning during delivery while its head remains inside the mother until the final moments of birth. From birth to feeding, every detail is perfectly suited for life in the sea. These coordinated systems had to work together from the very beginning. They point to the wisdom, planning, and foresight of our Creator, not to countless unguided accidents over time. "O Lord, how manifold are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all." Psalm 104:24
    0 Comments 0 Shares 9 Views
  • Guidelines for living.
    August 13th, 2026

    Where Is God in Times of Trouble?

    When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you; and when you walk through the fire, you will not be burned, neither shall the flame kindle upon you, for I am the LORD, thy God, the Holy One of Israel. Isaiah 43:2‑3 KJV



    When I was in Jerusalem years ago, our Jewish guide began to tell about his birth in Germany and the persecution that followed in the early days of World War 2. With growing emotional intensity, he told how his father had been seized by the Gestapo and never heard from again. The family escaped to another country in Europe. With growing anger, the tempo of his conversation increased, and then almost as though he was venting some of his wrath, he said, “Where was God when the 6 million Jews were cremated?” It’s an old question. Where is God in times of disaster? Where was God when 4 million Cambodians were slaughtered in 1975 and 1976? Where was God when men and women were slaughtered in the other conflicts?

    Thousands of years ago some of my Jewish friends’ ancestors were facing a very difficult time. The Jewish people faced the prospect of captivity in Babylon. Families were being torn apart. Lives were disrupted. And God said, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you; and when you walk through the fire, you will not be burned, neither shall the flame kindle upon you, for I am the LORD, Kama Emma God, the Holy One of Israel” (Isaiah 43:2‑3 KJV).

    During another time of national disaster, the prophet Nahum said, “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows them HILARY OKWUDE trust in Him” (Nahum 1:7 KJV). Right here, you can find a key that will help you understand God’s position in times of disaster. “He knows them HILARY OKWUDE trust in Him.” What does that mean? Well certainly, it doesn’t imply that some are spared suffering while others who are less righteous are confronted with it. When a nation suffers, the righteous, or the good man or woman, alongside the evil, suffer the same fate; but there is a difference. The individual who trusts in the Lord has a strength—a help—an answer that unbelievers do not have. One man, one person in simple faith throws himself on the mercy of God. He discovers Nahum is right—God is a stronghold in the day of trouble; the other man, or person, not having anyone to turn to, curses the difficulty.

    Where is God in times of suffering? When my Jewish friend asked about God’s presence when 6 million Jews were cremated, I responded by saying, “He was in the same place that He was in when His Son was crucified outside the walls of Jerusalem.” There are some questions that will never fully be answered until we stand in the presence of God, but to turn from Him in the day of trouble leaves only darkness and despair. Christ never promised deliverance from all the difficulties of life, but He did promise His presence in the times of trouble. He said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” So, we may say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:5-6).

    Bottom line: how does the truth of what I have shared today relate to your life? Who knows? Nonetheless, it is certain that you will eventually face suffering and challenges, for they come to all of us. You will be confronted with pressure, and when trouble knocks at your door, you either turn to Him as a refuge and strength or face difficulty alone.



    Resource Reading: Psalm 23:1-6
    Guidelines for living. August 13th, 2026 Where Is God in Times of Trouble? When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you; and when you walk through the fire, you will not be burned, neither shall the flame kindle upon you, for I am the LORD, thy God, the Holy One of Israel. Isaiah 43:2‑3 KJV When I was in Jerusalem years ago, our Jewish guide began to tell about his birth in Germany and the persecution that followed in the early days of World War 2. With growing emotional intensity, he told how his father had been seized by the Gestapo and never heard from again. The family escaped to another country in Europe. With growing anger, the tempo of his conversation increased, and then almost as though he was venting some of his wrath, he said, “Where was God when the 6 million Jews were cremated?” It’s an old question. Where is God in times of disaster? Where was God when 4 million Cambodians were slaughtered in 1975 and 1976? Where was God when men and women were slaughtered in the other conflicts? Thousands of years ago some of my Jewish friends’ ancestors were facing a very difficult time. The Jewish people faced the prospect of captivity in Babylon. Families were being torn apart. Lives were disrupted. And God said, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you; and when you walk through the fire, you will not be burned, neither shall the flame kindle upon you, for I am the LORD, [your] God, the Holy One of Israel” (Isaiah 43:2‑3 KJV). During another time of national disaster, the prophet Nahum said, “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows them [who] trust in Him” (Nahum 1:7 KJV). Right here, you can find a key that will help you understand God’s position in times of disaster. “He knows them [who] trust in Him.” What does that mean? Well certainly, it doesn’t imply that some are spared suffering while others who are less righteous are confronted with it. When a nation suffers, the righteous, or the good man or woman, alongside the evil, suffer the same fate; but there is a difference. The individual who trusts in the Lord has a strength—a help—an answer that unbelievers do not have. One man, one person in simple faith throws himself on the mercy of God. He discovers Nahum is right—God is a stronghold in the day of trouble; the other man, or person, not having anyone to turn to, curses the difficulty. Where is God in times of suffering? When my Jewish friend asked about God’s presence when 6 million Jews were cremated, I responded by saying, “He was in the same place that He was in when His Son was crucified outside the walls of Jerusalem.” There are some questions that will never fully be answered until we stand in the presence of God, but to turn from Him in the day of trouble leaves only darkness and despair. Christ never promised deliverance from all the difficulties of life, but He did promise His presence in the times of trouble. He said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” So, we may say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:5-6). Bottom line: how does the truth of what I have shared today relate to your life? Who knows? Nonetheless, it is certain that you will eventually face suffering and challenges, for they come to all of us. You will be confronted with pressure, and when trouble knocks at your door, you either turn to Him as a refuge and strength or face difficulty alone. Resource Reading: Psalm 23:1-6
    Like
    1
    0 Comments 0 Shares 31 Views
  • HOW TO KNOW GOD'S WILL FOR IMPORTANT DECISIONS IN YOUR LIFE. Part 5 of 6.
    How God Makes Known His Will for Specific Decisions and Needs. Continued.
    God is under no obligation to fulfill the promise in James 1:5 to give us wisdom unless we are willing to meet the conditions for obtaining it. Moreover, God declares that He only answers prayer when the motive is right, and that mere asking is not sufficient (Jam. 4:3). Frequently the Christian prays for guidance, or a revelation of God's will about some matter, but already has his mind made up as to what he wants to do, or how he would like for God to answer. Some people have been known to lie awake all night pleading with God to answer their prayer with no higher motive than the desire to persuade Him to come over to their side and give them their own way.

    Therefore, it is just as great a fallacy to emphasize the notion which is so popular today that prayer is the solution to all our problems, as it is to neglect prayer, using it only in an emergency. That is to say, we find the unscriptural idea being promoted on every hand that mere prayer is supposed to be the panacea for all our needs. In every time of crisis, when problems or troubles arise, when a difficult or seemingly impossible situation confronts us, the first thing most people advise is prayer.

    "Have you tried prayer?" they will ask. Or we are told, quite sincerely, "Did you know, prayer changes things?" They do not tell us, of course, just how prayer will change things, nor do they
    teach us how to pray about the problem confronting us. We are not advised, furthermore, as to whether or not God requires anything from us in the matter. "Just pray" we are told, "for prayer usually helps."

    However, as we have seen, God clearly states that He does not answer every prayer, in fact, He emphatically declares that He does not even hear our prayers unless they meet the conditions
    He has set forth in His Word. One of the most important conditions we must meet when asking for divine wisdom and guidance is that we must ask in faith, believing, without any reservations, that God will answer our request. This is clearly stated in James 1:5-7: "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraids not; and it shall be given him. But how? Let him ask in faith, nothing doubting; for he that doubts is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord."

    The prayer of faith is simply a prayer of expectation. What God tells us here in James 1:5-7 is that when we ask for divine wisdom and guidance we should pray expecting Him to grant
    our desire.
    Moreover, the prayer of faith is to be offered but once, for Jesus tells us in Mark 11:24, 'What things soever you desire, when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you shall have them." Faith asks but once for God to fulfill a promise. To continue to pray, pleading with God to answer, is our confession that I do not really believe that He has answered when we pray as He tells us to do (Mark 11:24).

    In view of this fact, if we pray ten times for the same promise, we have prayed nine times in unbelief, for faith knows when to stop praying about the promise and start praising God for the
    answer. There is a time to stop praying or you will pray yourself out of faith. When is this? You should always stop praying for a promise when you believe you have received the answer. Since
    Jesus tells us to believe we have received when we pray, quite obviously we should do our believing and receiving when we pray. Then we should cease praying for the answer and begin
    praising God that the manifestation of the answer is on the way.

    Jesus does not say in Mark 11:24 that the symptoms will improve immediately when we pray, or that the circumstances will show immediate change, but that we are to believe that He has both heard and granted our petition when we pray and that we shall have it. Faith keeps a distinction between accepting the answer and receiving it to our sight. We are to accept the answer when we pray (believe that God has granted our petition), and we shall have it (manifested to our sight). Merely because we do not see it immediately does not mean that God has not heard our petition and granted the answer, but only that He has not manifested the answer as yet.

    The question often arises concerning the widow and the judge in Luke 18, as to whether or not Jesus here approves of repetition in prayer for the same thing. This is not, however, an instance of repetition prayer, for Jesus would not contradict Himself elsewhere, but here He is stressing the need of persistence and perseverance in prayer; that is, holding onto a promise by faith, reaffirming daily, by praise and thanksgiving, that we believe that He has heard and granted our petition. In Matthew 6:7-8, Jesus condemns repetition prayer as typical of the prayers of
    the heathen, saying, "But when you pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking," but "when you pray believe that you receive" (Mk. 11:24).

    Our first concern, therefore, when guidance from heaven is needed is not merely to resort to the shallow suggestion we so often hear today that one should "try prayer" as it may help, but
    it should be a time of searching the Word, and then our hearts, to see if we are fulfilling the conditions for God hearing our prayers and granting our petitions.

    As A. W. Tower once remarked, the popular notion that God always answers prayer (with "yes" or "no") is a device of Satan to deceive the carnal or indifferent Christian whose request was not answered because of his failure to meet God's conditions. To think that God always answers prayer, even if He says "no," is to take God's refusal to answer a disobedient Christian as the answer itself, contending, "Well, after all, God did answer me - He said 'no'." Such a view of prayer is contrary to Scripture, for God clearly states that He does not even hear those prayers which are not in harmony with His will (1 Jn 5:14-15; Ps. 66:18). Moreover, if an individual erroneously believes the popular notion that God always answers any prayer, and that "no" can also be an answer, then this person is never challenged to face the fact that his failure to receive an answer was due to his disobedience, lack of faith, or his failure to meet some other condition.

    I can personally testify to the fact that when we are careful to meet the scriptural requirements, then God delights in directing our steps, giving divine guidance and wisdom concerning those
    matters we place before Him. Thank God it is true, if any man lacks wisdom he may ask of
    God and it shall be given to him. Do you need wisdom or guidance in some important matter?
    Have you tried asking God, and in faith expecting Him to answer you? You are invited to do so in James 1:5.

    By Direct Revelation;
    As stated at the beginning of Chapter 2, there are eight scriptural methods by which God's will is revealed - three are active, in which we take the initiative, and five are passive, whereby we become the recipients of divine revelation concerning God's will for us. Passive revelation always comes to us unsought.

    Direct revelation may be either by vision, as in the case of Paul's vision in Acts 16 which was revelation of God's will for him to carry the Gospel into Europe; by direct voice, as seen in the case of God's call of Samuel (1 Sam. 3); by angelic visitation, as, for example, in the angel's visit to Mary and his revelation to her of the birth of Christ; or by dream, as we find, for instance in God's revelation to Daniel of the establishment of His Kingdom (Dan. 7).

    Jesus promised to continue revelation to the Church after His ascension, saying, Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself, but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak; and he will show you things to come (Jn. 16:13).
    When the Church lost the experience of the baptism in the Holy Spirit, she closed the channel and source of revelation. As a consequence, the Church changed her theology to conform
    with her experience, and there arose the erroneous concept that God purposed that all revelation was to cease with the apostles in the first century. It is interesting that there is not a word in the Scriptures to support this theory, but, on the contrary, God clearly states in 2 Corinthians 12-14 and Ephesians 4:11 that He has set in the church the gifts and ministries of revelation. In Romans 12:3-6 and 1 Corinthians 14 He admonishes us to ask for and use the gift of prophecy. In Joel 2 He clearly promises that in the last days "I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams" (2:17); While He promised in John 16:13, quoted above, to continue revelation to the Church through the Holy Spirit whom He would send. The various methods by which He would give His people direct revelation are stated to be by means of prophecy, vision and dream (Num. 12:6; Acts 2:17-18; 1Cor. 12; 14), by direct voice and vision (Jn. 16:13), "speak"' and "show" and on occasion, by angelic visitation (e.g. Luke 1; Acts 10:12; 27:23-24; cf. Heb. 13:2).

    It is important that we understand that although God occasionally uses each of the passive methods of revelation to unveil His will to us when He so chooses, we should not seek guidance by these means.

    Why does God choose the direct means of revelation, as, for example, through visions and dreams as a method of communication of His will and purpose? Why does He not merely illumine our minds as to His will as we pray or read His Word seeking guidance?

    Among other reasons, occasionally He must speak directly to us because of the urgency of the matter about which we are seeking guidance which must be dealt with immediately, or in a certain way, often contrary to what our wisdom and logic might tell us to do. At other times He speaks directly, imparting instruction or guidance, not concerning some matter about which we are praying, but about some important purpose which He wants to accomplish in or through us, which could only be made known to us by direct revelation. Again He speaks to us in visions for the obvious reason that one picture is worth a thousand words.

    God sometimes communicates His will to us through dreams, inasmuch as the state of sleep has certain definite advantages. At this time the conscious mind is at rest and is free from distractions. The spirit, of course, remains awake and can accept without analyzing and questioning what God desires to impart to us. Moreover, through the medium of vision and dream God can impress upon us revelation which transcends the sense realm and the ability of the intellect alone to comprehend. In some instances, God speaks directly in an audible voice
    in order to instruct us or reveal His will in some matter.

    By Indirect Revelation:
    God speaks to us occasionally by direct means, but generally He communicates His will to us indirectly. It may in the form of an inward knowing or witness in our spirit, or it may come as an inner witness to our spirit, or it may come as an inner witness from the Holy Spirit. At other times the Holy Spirit may give the guidance we need by the illumination of our minds to understand and interpret some portions of scripture which He will direct us to, or by giving the necessary wisdom and insight we require to make the correct decision concerning some matter about which we have prayed for direction.

    It is in the realm of indirect revelation that the importance of being completely yielded to the Holy Spirit is so evident, as was pointed out in the first chapter. To the extent one is yielded to the Spirit will he be sensitive to His voice when He speaks, and to the extent one is sensitive to His voice will he be able to respond. Moreover, there are many voices seeking to influence the believer, some of which are from God and some are not. Unless one is fully yielded he may be insensitive to the voice of the Spirit, or be deceived and ensnared by that which is false. A small puppy will respond to anyone who calls or offers it a crust of bread, but a well trained mature dog will not do so. It is sensitive only to the voice of its owner. It did not get this way by spending all its time running and playing with the other dogs, but it is the result of devoting long hours in discipline and training, learning to obey and respond to the voice of its master. We become sensitive to the influence and leading of the Spirit in the same manner.

    God is preparing His children for spiritual warfare ahead which will consist of men and women who will be so sensitive to the voice of the Spirit they will respond immediately and obey without question. Like a computer, they will be able to filter out that which is false and sense any error immediately. They will not have to call the pastor and ask if this or that doctrine is scriptural, or whether the prophecy which they heard is true or false, or whether or not some task they feel led to undertake is from God, the flesh, or the devil. However, the only way the believer will become sensitive will be through total consecration to Jesus and fully yielding to the Spirit.

    At present we find Christians so untrained in the Scriptures and so insensitive to the voice of the Spirit that many frequently will reject what God is saying and allow themselves to be deceived by that which is false and unscriptural, just as Jesus predicted would occur in these last days (Matt 24; 2 Tim 4:1-4). Again and again we are hearing of those who are falling victim to various errors, such as ultimate reconciliation where God will save everyone regardless if they repent or not including the devil and his demons, false hyper-grace gospel where a Christian does not need to confess sin after he is saved or does not need repentance to stay in fellowship with God, errors on the Godhead where they deny that the Father, Son, Holy Spirit are co-eternal and co-equal, once saved always saved that it does not matter how a person lives his life after salvation, we are all sinners even after salvation and no need to live a consecrated life, the give to get carnal prosperity gospel where you give me money and 100 fold comes back so you will be rich. Or the heresy taught by some that Jesus had to become a sinner on the cross to redeem us and suffered three days in hell tormented by demons.

    We find others, in a time where we are witnessing the revival of all forms of the occult, being deluded by believing everything supernatural is from heaven, and everyone who prophesies, has a vision, or predicts the future is from God. We find men and women calling themselves Apostles and Prophets commonly now who were never appointed or anointed from heaven but self-appointed deceiving many. As Jesus said, take heed lest YOU be deceived. (Matt 24:4)

    DISCERNING THE VOICE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
    AND RECOGNIZING THE WITNESS WITHIN;

    In order to mature in faith and become effective instruments in God's hands so that we will be in the right place at the right time, doing the right thing, it is necessary for us to learn how to
    recognize the inner witness of the Spirit, as well as discern the voice of the Holy Spirit. These are the two basic ways by which God leads and directs His people, whether in answer to some prayer for guidance, or in order to fulfill His will and purpose in their lives. We find that God frequently endeavors to speak to His people by means of the voice of His Spirit in order to
    direct guide, teach, or influence them along some line, but since they have not been taught how to discern His voice He often goes unheeded. Jesus said, "My sheep hear my voice and they follow me" Jn. 10:27). How can they follow Him if they do not know how to discern His voice? He certainly did not mean that He intended to shout down out of heaven in order to direct them, but He did promise that He would speak to them by His Spirit which would be within them: "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you in all truth" (John 16:13), and "he shall teach you in all things" (14:26).

    Some Christians are waiting for God to give them a revelation through a vision or prophecy concerning His will for them, or regarding some important matter about which they are praying,
    when, if they only realized it, God is already trying to communicate His will to them by His Spirit within them. If they would spend a little more time in His Word and in prayer, and be willing to get still before Him for a while, then they would begin to discern His voice and hear Him speaking inwardly to their spirits.

    The inner voice of the Holy Spirit is the voice of God speaking directly to your spirit in order to guide, admonish, teach, warn, or influence you concerning some matter (about which you may or may not be praying).

    God also enables us to know His will regarding some matter about which we are praying, or about some question which concerns us, by means of a witness within. This is an inward
    knowing in your spirit that a certain contemplated action on your part, or some doctrine, or revelation, for example, is right or wrong. Not only is the Christian the temple of the Holy Spirit,
    Who abides within to speak the direct revelation of God's will to him (Jn 16:13; 1 Cor. 2:10-13), but he also has, by virtue of the new birth, a new heart to discern spiritual things himself, and know the will of God intuitively by his own spirit (1 Cor. 2:14-16). He has received an anointing which abides in him and teaches him all things (1 Jn. 2:27).

    Thus, we find that it is also through his own enlightened spirit that the Christian is able by an inward knowing or witness to discern whether or not something is right or wrong. Let us say, for example, that you are praying about some matter about which you must make a decision, such as whether or not to buy a certain piece of property, marry a particular individual, or accept an invitation to speak to some religious group. If after thinking and praying about the question you find that inwardly there is a positive confirmation in your spirit to go ahead in the matter, or, you find that you experience a sense of uncertainty, reluctance, or heaviness of spirit, then this is an inner witness in your spirit informing you of God's will in the matter.

    In the former instance, your spirit was witnessing to you to go ahead, and in the latter, it was a warning not to take the proposed action. The witness within is an inward knowing intuitively, through the enlightened spirit of a Christian, that a certain contemplated action, a doctrine, some individual, or a ministry, for instance, is right or wrong, whereas the inner voice of the Holy Spirit is God speaking directly by His Spirit within you concerning some matter. It must be stressed, however, that the inward witness and the inner voice of the Spirit are not merely some "feeling" we may have about a matter. They have nothing to do with what one feels either with the physical senses or the emotions. It is either an inward knowing (inner witness) that something is right or wrong, or it is an inner awareness that the Spirit of God is speaking directly to our spirit about some matter (inner voice of the Spirit). Edited. Shared.
    To be Continued.

    God willing, more will be posted soon. All glory to Jesus alone.
    ❤️HOW TO KNOW GOD'S WILL FOR IMPORTANT DECISIONS IN YOUR LIFE. Part 5 of 6. How God Makes Known His Will for Specific Decisions and Needs. Continued. God is under no obligation to fulfill the promise in James 1:5 to give us wisdom unless we are willing to meet the conditions for obtaining it. Moreover, God declares that He only answers prayer when the motive is right, and that mere asking is not sufficient (Jam. 4:3). Frequently the Christian prays for guidance, or a revelation of God's will about some matter, but already has his mind made up as to what he wants to do, or how he would like for God to answer. Some people have been known to lie awake all night pleading with God to answer their prayer with no higher motive than the desire to persuade Him to come over to their side and give them their own way. Therefore, it is just as great a fallacy to emphasize the notion which is so popular today that prayer is the solution to all our problems, as it is to neglect prayer, using it only in an emergency. That is to say, we find the unscriptural idea being promoted on every hand that mere prayer is supposed to be the panacea for all our needs. In every time of crisis, when problems or troubles arise, when a difficult or seemingly impossible situation confronts us, the first thing most people advise is prayer. "Have you tried prayer?" they will ask. Or we are told, quite sincerely, "Did you know, prayer changes things?" They do not tell us, of course, just how prayer will change things, nor do they teach us how to pray about the problem confronting us. We are not advised, furthermore, as to whether or not God requires anything from us in the matter. "Just pray" we are told, "for prayer usually helps." However, as we have seen, God clearly states that He does not answer every prayer, in fact, He emphatically declares that He does not even hear our prayers unless they meet the conditions He has set forth in His Word. One of the most important conditions we must meet when asking for divine wisdom and guidance is that we must ask in faith, believing, without any reservations, that God will answer our request. This is clearly stated in James 1:5-7: "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraids not; and it shall be given him. But how? Let him ask in faith, nothing doubting; for he that doubts is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord." The prayer of faith is simply a prayer of expectation. What God tells us here in James 1:5-7 is that when we ask for divine wisdom and guidance we should pray expecting Him to grant our desire. Moreover, the prayer of faith is to be offered but once, for Jesus tells us in Mark 11:24, 'What things soever you desire, when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you shall have them." Faith asks but once for God to fulfill a promise. To continue to pray, pleading with God to answer, is our confession that I do not really believe that He has answered when we pray as He tells us to do (Mark 11:24). In view of this fact, if we pray ten times for the same promise, we have prayed nine times in unbelief, for faith knows when to stop praying about the promise and start praising God for the answer. There is a time to stop praying or you will pray yourself out of faith. When is this? You should always stop praying for a promise when you believe you have received the answer. Since Jesus tells us to believe we have received when we pray, quite obviously we should do our believing and receiving when we pray. Then we should cease praying for the answer and begin praising God that the manifestation of the answer is on the way. Jesus does not say in Mark 11:24 that the symptoms will improve immediately when we pray, or that the circumstances will show immediate change, but that we are to believe that He has both heard and granted our petition when we pray and that we shall have it. Faith keeps a distinction between accepting the answer and receiving it to our sight. We are to accept the answer when we pray (believe that God has granted our petition), and we shall have it (manifested to our sight). Merely because we do not see it immediately does not mean that God has not heard our petition and granted the answer, but only that He has not manifested the answer as yet. The question often arises concerning the widow and the judge in Luke 18, as to whether or not Jesus here approves of repetition in prayer for the same thing. This is not, however, an instance of repetition prayer, for Jesus would not contradict Himself elsewhere, but here He is stressing the need of persistence and perseverance in prayer; that is, holding onto a promise by faith, reaffirming daily, by praise and thanksgiving, that we believe that He has heard and granted our petition. In Matthew 6:7-8, Jesus condemns repetition prayer as typical of the prayers of the heathen, saying, "But when you pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking," but "when you pray believe that you receive" (Mk. 11:24). Our first concern, therefore, when guidance from heaven is needed is not merely to resort to the shallow suggestion we so often hear today that one should "try prayer" as it may help, but it should be a time of searching the Word, and then our hearts, to see if we are fulfilling the conditions for God hearing our prayers and granting our petitions. As A. W. Tower once remarked, the popular notion that God always answers prayer (with "yes" or "no") is a device of Satan to deceive the carnal or indifferent Christian whose request was not answered because of his failure to meet God's conditions. To think that God always answers prayer, even if He says "no," is to take God's refusal to answer a disobedient Christian as the answer itself, contending, "Well, after all, God did answer me - He said 'no'." Such a view of prayer is contrary to Scripture, for God clearly states that He does not even hear those prayers which are not in harmony with His will (1 Jn 5:14-15; Ps. 66:18). Moreover, if an individual erroneously believes the popular notion that God always answers any prayer, and that "no" can also be an answer, then this person is never challenged to face the fact that his failure to receive an answer was due to his disobedience, lack of faith, or his failure to meet some other condition. I can personally testify to the fact that when we are careful to meet the scriptural requirements, then God delights in directing our steps, giving divine guidance and wisdom concerning those matters we place before Him. Thank God it is true, if any man lacks wisdom he may ask of God and it shall be given to him. Do you need wisdom or guidance in some important matter? Have you tried asking God, and in faith expecting Him to answer you? You are invited to do so in James 1:5. By Direct Revelation; As stated at the beginning of Chapter 2, there are eight scriptural methods by which God's will is revealed - three are active, in which we take the initiative, and five are passive, whereby we become the recipients of divine revelation concerning God's will for us. Passive revelation always comes to us unsought. Direct revelation may be either by vision, as in the case of Paul's vision in Acts 16 which was revelation of God's will for him to carry the Gospel into Europe; by direct voice, as seen in the case of God's call of Samuel (1 Sam. 3); by angelic visitation, as, for example, in the angel's visit to Mary and his revelation to her of the birth of Christ; or by dream, as we find, for instance in God's revelation to Daniel of the establishment of His Kingdom (Dan. 7). Jesus promised to continue revelation to the Church after His ascension, saying, Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself, but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak; and he will show you things to come (Jn. 16:13). When the Church lost the experience of the baptism in the Holy Spirit, she closed the channel and source of revelation. As a consequence, the Church changed her theology to conform with her experience, and there arose the erroneous concept that God purposed that all revelation was to cease with the apostles in the first century. It is interesting that there is not a word in the Scriptures to support this theory, but, on the contrary, God clearly states in 2 Corinthians 12-14 and Ephesians 4:11 that He has set in the church the gifts and ministries of revelation. In Romans 12:3-6 and 1 Corinthians 14 He admonishes us to ask for and use the gift of prophecy. In Joel 2 He clearly promises that in the last days "I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams" (2:17); While He promised in John 16:13, quoted above, to continue revelation to the Church through the Holy Spirit whom He would send. The various methods by which He would give His people direct revelation are stated to be by means of prophecy, vision and dream (Num. 12:6; Acts 2:17-18; 1Cor. 12; 14), by direct voice and vision (Jn. 16:13), "speak"' and "show" and on occasion, by angelic visitation (e.g. Luke 1; Acts 10:12; 27:23-24; cf. Heb. 13:2). It is important that we understand that although God occasionally uses each of the passive methods of revelation to unveil His will to us when He so chooses, we should not seek guidance by these means. Why does God choose the direct means of revelation, as, for example, through visions and dreams as a method of communication of His will and purpose? Why does He not merely illumine our minds as to His will as we pray or read His Word seeking guidance? Among other reasons, occasionally He must speak directly to us because of the urgency of the matter about which we are seeking guidance which must be dealt with immediately, or in a certain way, often contrary to what our wisdom and logic might tell us to do. At other times He speaks directly, imparting instruction or guidance, not concerning some matter about which we are praying, but about some important purpose which He wants to accomplish in or through us, which could only be made known to us by direct revelation. Again He speaks to us in visions for the obvious reason that one picture is worth a thousand words. God sometimes communicates His will to us through dreams, inasmuch as the state of sleep has certain definite advantages. At this time the conscious mind is at rest and is free from distractions. The spirit, of course, remains awake and can accept without analyzing and questioning what God desires to impart to us. Moreover, through the medium of vision and dream God can impress upon us revelation which transcends the sense realm and the ability of the intellect alone to comprehend. In some instances, God speaks directly in an audible voice in order to instruct us or reveal His will in some matter. By Indirect Revelation: God speaks to us occasionally by direct means, but generally He communicates His will to us indirectly. It may in the form of an inward knowing or witness in our spirit, or it may come as an inner witness to our spirit, or it may come as an inner witness from the Holy Spirit. At other times the Holy Spirit may give the guidance we need by the illumination of our minds to understand and interpret some portions of scripture which He will direct us to, or by giving the necessary wisdom and insight we require to make the correct decision concerning some matter about which we have prayed for direction. It is in the realm of indirect revelation that the importance of being completely yielded to the Holy Spirit is so evident, as was pointed out in the first chapter. To the extent one is yielded to the Spirit will he be sensitive to His voice when He speaks, and to the extent one is sensitive to His voice will he be able to respond. Moreover, there are many voices seeking to influence the believer, some of which are from God and some are not. Unless one is fully yielded he may be insensitive to the voice of the Spirit, or be deceived and ensnared by that which is false. A small puppy will respond to anyone who calls or offers it a crust of bread, but a well trained mature dog will not do so. It is sensitive only to the voice of its owner. It did not get this way by spending all its time running and playing with the other dogs, but it is the result of devoting long hours in discipline and training, learning to obey and respond to the voice of its master. We become sensitive to the influence and leading of the Spirit in the same manner. God is preparing His children for spiritual warfare ahead which will consist of men and women who will be so sensitive to the voice of the Spirit they will respond immediately and obey without question. Like a computer, they will be able to filter out that which is false and sense any error immediately. They will not have to call the pastor and ask if this or that doctrine is scriptural, or whether the prophecy which they heard is true or false, or whether or not some task they feel led to undertake is from God, the flesh, or the devil. However, the only way the believer will become sensitive will be through total consecration to Jesus and fully yielding to the Spirit. At present we find Christians so untrained in the Scriptures and so insensitive to the voice of the Spirit that many frequently will reject what God is saying and allow themselves to be deceived by that which is false and unscriptural, just as Jesus predicted would occur in these last days (Matt 24; 2 Tim 4:1-4). Again and again we are hearing of those who are falling victim to various errors, such as ultimate reconciliation where God will save everyone regardless if they repent or not including the devil and his demons, false hyper-grace gospel where a Christian does not need to confess sin after he is saved or does not need repentance to stay in fellowship with God, errors on the Godhead where they deny that the Father, Son, Holy Spirit are co-eternal and co-equal, once saved always saved that it does not matter how a person lives his life after salvation, we are all sinners even after salvation and no need to live a consecrated life, the give to get carnal prosperity gospel where you give me money and 100 fold comes back so you will be rich. Or the heresy taught by some that Jesus had to become a sinner on the cross to redeem us and suffered three days in hell tormented by demons. We find others, in a time where we are witnessing the revival of all forms of the occult, being deluded by believing everything supernatural is from heaven, and everyone who prophesies, has a vision, or predicts the future is from God. We find men and women calling themselves Apostles and Prophets commonly now who were never appointed or anointed from heaven but self-appointed deceiving many. As Jesus said, take heed lest YOU be deceived. (Matt 24:4) DISCERNING THE VOICE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AND RECOGNIZING THE WITNESS WITHIN; In order to mature in faith and become effective instruments in God's hands so that we will be in the right place at the right time, doing the right thing, it is necessary for us to learn how to recognize the inner witness of the Spirit, as well as discern the voice of the Holy Spirit. These are the two basic ways by which God leads and directs His people, whether in answer to some prayer for guidance, or in order to fulfill His will and purpose in their lives. We find that God frequently endeavors to speak to His people by means of the voice of His Spirit in order to direct guide, teach, or influence them along some line, but since they have not been taught how to discern His voice He often goes unheeded. Jesus said, "My sheep hear my voice and they follow me" Jn. 10:27). How can they follow Him if they do not know how to discern His voice? He certainly did not mean that He intended to shout down out of heaven in order to direct them, but He did promise that He would speak to them by His Spirit which would be within them: "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you in all truth" (John 16:13), and "he shall teach you in all things" (14:26). Some Christians are waiting for God to give them a revelation through a vision or prophecy concerning His will for them, or regarding some important matter about which they are praying, when, if they only realized it, God is already trying to communicate His will to them by His Spirit within them. If they would spend a little more time in His Word and in prayer, and be willing to get still before Him for a while, then they would begin to discern His voice and hear Him speaking inwardly to their spirits. The inner voice of the Holy Spirit is the voice of God speaking directly to your spirit in order to guide, admonish, teach, warn, or influence you concerning some matter (about which you may or may not be praying). God also enables us to know His will regarding some matter about which we are praying, or about some question which concerns us, by means of a witness within. This is an inward knowing in your spirit that a certain contemplated action on your part, or some doctrine, or revelation, for example, is right or wrong. Not only is the Christian the temple of the Holy Spirit, Who abides within to speak the direct revelation of God's will to him (Jn 16:13; 1 Cor. 2:10-13), but he also has, by virtue of the new birth, a new heart to discern spiritual things himself, and know the will of God intuitively by his own spirit (1 Cor. 2:14-16). He has received an anointing which abides in him and teaches him all things (1 Jn. 2:27). Thus, we find that it is also through his own enlightened spirit that the Christian is able by an inward knowing or witness to discern whether or not something is right or wrong. Let us say, for example, that you are praying about some matter about which you must make a decision, such as whether or not to buy a certain piece of property, marry a particular individual, or accept an invitation to speak to some religious group. If after thinking and praying about the question you find that inwardly there is a positive confirmation in your spirit to go ahead in the matter, or, you find that you experience a sense of uncertainty, reluctance, or heaviness of spirit, then this is an inner witness in your spirit informing you of God's will in the matter. In the former instance, your spirit was witnessing to you to go ahead, and in the latter, it was a warning not to take the proposed action. The witness within is an inward knowing intuitively, through the enlightened spirit of a Christian, that a certain contemplated action, a doctrine, some individual, or a ministry, for instance, is right or wrong, whereas the inner voice of the Holy Spirit is God speaking directly by His Spirit within you concerning some matter. It must be stressed, however, that the inward witness and the inner voice of the Spirit are not merely some "feeling" we may have about a matter. They have nothing to do with what one feels either with the physical senses or the emotions. It is either an inward knowing (inner witness) that something is right or wrong, or it is an inner awareness that the Spirit of God is speaking directly to our spirit about some matter (inner voice of the Spirit). Edited. Shared. To be Continued. ❤️ God willing, more will be posted soon. All glory to Jesus alone.
    Like
    Love
    10
    1 Comments 0 Shares 446 Views
  • RANCH HAVEN
    The idealistic world is gone. Welcome to Ranch Haven—the hidden outpost where "God’s Men" are preparing for a world-altering war.

    While the nation debates the truth, the shadows are moving in the Texas brush. With satanic rituals, college riots, and a local community infiltrated by an enemy that crosses every line, there is no longer a neutral ground. Jake Johnson is calling the Remnant to stand up, but how do you fight a silent war when you can’t even trust the police?

    This is NOT your momma’s Christian fiction. It is raw, gritty Kinetic Christian Realism where the truth isn't always pretty, but it’s still the truth.

    The line has been drawn. The gloves are off. Who will you serve?

    Grab Book 3: Ranch Haven on Amazon and join the Alliance

    • The Challenge: "Can you handle the Brutal Truth? Download Book 1 at no cost and join the 200 million potential listeners of the Total Freedom Show."

    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CVFBSV7M?binding=kindle_edition&searchxofy=true&ref_=dbs_s_aps_series_rwt_tkin&qid=1781835762&sr=8-1

    #TotalFreedom #Rina Lynn #A Safe Haven # Prepare For The End # Jake Johnson # The Alliance # Supernatural Thriller #Kinetic Christian Realism # Free Book # Drop A Review On Amazon # Gathering the Sheep #Strengthened & Honed #Birth Pangs #The Kingdom War
    RANCH HAVEN The idealistic world is gone. Welcome to Ranch Haven—the hidden outpost where "God’s Men" are preparing for a world-altering war. While the nation debates the truth, the shadows are moving in the Texas brush. With satanic rituals, college riots, and a local community infiltrated by an enemy that crosses every line, there is no longer a neutral ground. Jake Johnson is calling the Remnant to stand up, but how do you fight a silent war when you can’t even trust the police? This is NOT your momma’s Christian fiction. It is raw, gritty Kinetic Christian Realism where the truth isn't always pretty, but it’s still the truth. The line has been drawn. The gloves are off. Who will you serve? Grab Book 3: Ranch Haven on Amazon and join the Alliance • The Challenge: "Can you handle the Brutal Truth? Download Book 1 at no cost and join the 200 million potential listeners of the Total Freedom Show." https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CVFBSV7M?binding=kindle_edition&searchxofy=true&ref_=dbs_s_aps_series_rwt_tkin&qid=1781835762&sr=8-1 #TotalFreedom #Rina Lynn #A Safe Haven # Prepare For The End # Jake Johnson # The Alliance # Supernatural Thriller #Kinetic Christian Realism # Free Book # Drop A Review On Amazon # Gathering the Sheep #Strengthened & Honed #Birth Pangs #The Kingdom War
    Like
    1
    0 Comments 0 Shares 52 Views
  • Brothers and sisters in Christ,
    Please hear my heart: this is not an attack on anyone, nor am I telling you to leave church. No, no I am still in church, and I am still part of what we call church in this modern day.
    For a very long time, God has been showing me clearly through His Word that much of what we see today is not His original design. Many have come against me and tried to convince me that these modern setups are from God, but when I open the Scriptures, I see something completely different.
    I am not telling you what to do with what I share in this group. All I know is that revelation does not mean leave, and revelation does not mean attack.

    Revelation means:
    Question and search the Word (Acts 17:11).
    Test all things (1 Thessalonians 5:21).
    Read and study the Scriptures (2 Timothy 2:15).

    Most importantly, PRAY.
    When the disciples walked with Jesus, received all His wisdom, knowledge, and revelation, they didn't go out to fight the religious leaders or destroy the system the Pharisees had built. Instead, they asked Jesus one specific thing: "Lord, teach us to pray" (Luke 11:1). They knew that prayer is the ultimate source of power, the answer, and the only thing that brings true change from our Heavenly Father.
    So yes, if you want to do something about what you read here, you have my full support: pray for the Body of Christ and for HIS Church not mine, not yours, but the Church of King Jesus Christ.
    Amen, brothers and sisters

    Exposing Religion, Restoring Covenant, and Understanding the True Body of Christ

    THE ROOT PROBLEM: ADAM'S BLOODLINE VS. THE LAST ADAM
    To understand what the Church is supposed to be, we must first understand why we needed Jesus in the first place.

    The Inherited Condition: In Genesis 2:21-23, Eve was taken out of Adam’s side they shared the same life and blood. When Adam sinned, spiritual death and corrupted iniquity entered the human spiritual DNA.

    The Transmitted Curse: Just like a child born with a condition inherited from their parents through no fault of their own, every human born of human seed inherited Adam’s fallen nature (Psalm 51:5, Romans 5:12).

    The Pure Virgin Birth: This is why Jesus could not have an earthly human father. The Holy Spirit overshadowed Mary (Luke 1:35). Jesus was born with pure, heavenly, undefiled blood bypassing Adam's fallen seed.
    "The first man Adam became a living being. The last Adam became a life-giving spirit."
    1 Corinthians 15:45

    Key Insight: Salvation through Holy Communion and the Blood of Jesus acts like spiritual dialysis filtering out the toxicity of Adam's sin and replacing it with the pure, incorruptible life of King Jesus!

    GOD’S DESIGN FOR MARRIAGE AND COVENANT
    Why did God create marriage, forbid sex outside of it, and tell us not to be unequally yoked (2 Corinthians 6:14)?

    God is Eternal Community: God exists as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Love requires relationship. When God said, "It is not good that man should be alone" (Genesis 2:18), He wasn't just fixing Adam's loneliness He was creating humanity to reflect His relational, self-sacrificial nature.

    Godly Offspring: Sex inside marriage creates a covenant shield over the home. Malachi 2:15 asks why God made two into one: "He seeks godly offspring." Born-again parents create a holy atmosphere covered by prayer (1 Corinthians 7:14).

    Important Note: Born-again parents give their children a spiritual foundation, but every child must still reach an age where they personally accept Jesus as their Savior. God has children, not grandchildren!

    Marriage as a Prophetic Picture: In Ephesians 5:31-32, Paul reveals that marriage between a husband and wife was created from Genesis to be a prophetic mirror of Christ and the Church.

    THE TRAP OF MODERN RELIGION, CULTURE, AND TRADITIONS
    In Matthew 15:6–9, Jesus confronted the religious leaders of His day with a severe warning:

    "You have nullified the word of God for the sake of your tradition. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules."

    When the modern Church strays from the Holy Spirit, it falls into three traps:

    Religion: Replaces raw intimacy with God with mechanical checklists and outward appearances.

    Culture: Waters down the Gospel to avoid offending people offering a soft "love" without Truth that leaves people bound in sin.

    Tradition: Protects "how we've always done it," defending empty human routines even when the Holy Spirit wants to move.
    The Pool of Bethesda Warning (John 5)
    A paralyzed man lay by the pool for 38 years. He said, "Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up." He was inside a place called the "House of Mercy," yet he was totally isolated by religious crowds pursuing their own blessings. Jesus bypassed the crowd, spoke Kingdom power, and commanded him to rise! The Holy Spirit does not need a human run-sheet; He needs obedient vessels.

    TRUTH AND LOVE: THE GREAT PHYSICIAN
    Modern churches often preach Truth without Love (Legalism) or Love without Truth (Compromise). Jesus came full of Grace and Truth (John 1:14).

    Truth without Love - Brutality: Uses Scripture like a hammer to condemn people without helping them.

    Love without Truth - Deception: Tells a drowning person they are fine while they perish in their sin.

    The Doctor Analogy: A good doctor hates the cancer, but loves the patient.

    To the woman caught in adultery (John 8): Jesus offered unconditional Grace ("Neither do I condemn you") AND uncompromising Truth ("Go and sin no more").
    Why Jesus Acted Differently with Different People:

    To the broken, lost, and hurting sinner: Jesus was gentle, patient, and merciful (Zacchaeus, the woman at the well).

    To the hypocritical religious leaders: Jesus was sharp, bold, and uncompromising ("Woe to you, hypocrites! White-washed tombs!" - Matthew 23:27).

    WHAT IS THE TRUE CHURCH (EKKLĒSIA)?
    If Jesus walked into our towns today, He wouldn't look for a brand name, a denomination, or a big building. The word "Church" in Greek is Ekklēsia, meaning "the called-out ones."

    The Origin of the Setup: For the first 300 years, the early Church met from house to house as a family (Acts 2:46). When Emperor Constantine legalized Christianity in 313 AD, church life was merged with Roman pagan structures building giant basilicas, introducing altars, and turning active believers into passive spectators watching a priest or pastor perform on stage.

    What is a "Saint"? In Scripture, every born-again believer is a saint (Ephesians 1:1). The "assembling of the saints" (Hebrews 10:25) was never meant to be watching a weekly 90-minute show. 1 Corinthians 14:26 says: "Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation."
    Whose Church Does Jesus Visit?

    Where believers gather in HIS Name (not human brand names - 1 Corinthians 1:12-13).

    Where people worship in Spirit and in Truth (John 4:24).

    Where genuine Love is shown to the broken (John 13:35).

    Where Jesus is not locked outside the door by human programs (Revelation 3:20).

    REVELATION IS A CALL TO PRAYER, NOT REBELLION
    Testing what we hear against Scripture is biblical the Bereans were praised because they searched the Scriptures daily to verify what Paul taught (Acts 17:10-11).
    When God gives you revelation to see the flaws in religious traditions:

    Do not use it to destroy or attack: Revelation is not a weapon to throw rocks at the Bride of Christ.

    Use it as an assignment to intercede: In Luke 11:1, the disciples didn't ask Jesus how to preach or do miracles they asked, "Lord, teach us to pray."

    Follow Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer (John 17): Right before the cross, Jesus prayed for the protection and supernatural unity of His believers ("that they all may be one as We are one").

    OUR CALLING AS STEWARDS
    We do not own the Church; we are only stewards of what Jesus built. It was already perfect in the New Testament. We don't need to reinvent it with human business models or cultural traditions.
    It is time to be soft and compassionate toward the broken sheep, but bold and uncompromising against the religious spirit that keeps people trapped.
    Let us return to the original blueprint: living in the pure bloodline of Jesus, worshipping in Spirit and Truth, loving one another, and being His living Body on the earth! Amen!
    Brothers and sisters in Christ, Please hear my heart: this is not an attack on anyone, nor am I telling you to leave church. No, no I am still in church, and I am still part of what we call church in this modern day. For a very long time, God has been showing me clearly through His Word that much of what we see today is not His original design. Many have come against me and tried to convince me that these modern setups are from God, but when I open the Scriptures, I see something completely different. I am not telling you what to do with what I share in this group. All I know is that revelation does not mean leave, and revelation does not mean attack. Revelation means: Question and search the Word (Acts 17:11). Test all things (1 Thessalonians 5:21). Read and study the Scriptures (2 Timothy 2:15). Most importantly, PRAY. When the disciples walked with Jesus, received all His wisdom, knowledge, and revelation, they didn't go out to fight the religious leaders or destroy the system the Pharisees had built. Instead, they asked Jesus one specific thing: "Lord, teach us to pray" (Luke 11:1). They knew that prayer is the ultimate source of power, the answer, and the only thing that brings true change from our Heavenly Father. So yes, if you want to do something about what you read here, you have my full support: pray for the Body of Christ and for HIS Church not mine, not yours, but the Church of King Jesus Christ. Amen, brothers and sisters Exposing Religion, Restoring Covenant, and Understanding the True Body of Christ THE ROOT PROBLEM: ADAM'S BLOODLINE VS. THE LAST ADAM To understand what the Church is supposed to be, we must first understand why we needed Jesus in the first place. The Inherited Condition: In Genesis 2:21-23, Eve was taken out of Adam’s side they shared the same life and blood. When Adam sinned, spiritual death and corrupted iniquity entered the human spiritual DNA. The Transmitted Curse: Just like a child born with a condition inherited from their parents through no fault of their own, every human born of human seed inherited Adam’s fallen nature (Psalm 51:5, Romans 5:12). The Pure Virgin Birth: This is why Jesus could not have an earthly human father. The Holy Spirit overshadowed Mary (Luke 1:35). Jesus was born with pure, heavenly, undefiled blood bypassing Adam's fallen seed. "The first man Adam became a living being. The last Adam became a life-giving spirit." 1 Corinthians 15:45 Key Insight: Salvation through Holy Communion and the Blood of Jesus acts like spiritual dialysis filtering out the toxicity of Adam's sin and replacing it with the pure, incorruptible life of King Jesus! GOD’S DESIGN FOR MARRIAGE AND COVENANT Why did God create marriage, forbid sex outside of it, and tell us not to be unequally yoked (2 Corinthians 6:14)? God is Eternal Community: God exists as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Love requires relationship. When God said, "It is not good that man should be alone" (Genesis 2:18), He wasn't just fixing Adam's loneliness He was creating humanity to reflect His relational, self-sacrificial nature. Godly Offspring: Sex inside marriage creates a covenant shield over the home. Malachi 2:15 asks why God made two into one: "He seeks godly offspring." Born-again parents create a holy atmosphere covered by prayer (1 Corinthians 7:14). Important Note: Born-again parents give their children a spiritual foundation, but every child must still reach an age where they personally accept Jesus as their Savior. God has children, not grandchildren! Marriage as a Prophetic Picture: In Ephesians 5:31-32, Paul reveals that marriage between a husband and wife was created from Genesis to be a prophetic mirror of Christ and the Church. THE TRAP OF MODERN RELIGION, CULTURE, AND TRADITIONS In Matthew 15:6–9, Jesus confronted the religious leaders of His day with a severe warning: "You have nullified the word of God for the sake of your tradition. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules." When the modern Church strays from the Holy Spirit, it falls into three traps: Religion: Replaces raw intimacy with God with mechanical checklists and outward appearances. Culture: Waters down the Gospel to avoid offending people offering a soft "love" without Truth that leaves people bound in sin. Tradition: Protects "how we've always done it," defending empty human routines even when the Holy Spirit wants to move. The Pool of Bethesda Warning (John 5) A paralyzed man lay by the pool for 38 years. He said, "Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up." He was inside a place called the "House of Mercy," yet he was totally isolated by religious crowds pursuing their own blessings. Jesus bypassed the crowd, spoke Kingdom power, and commanded him to rise! The Holy Spirit does not need a human run-sheet; He needs obedient vessels. TRUTH AND LOVE: THE GREAT PHYSICIAN Modern churches often preach Truth without Love (Legalism) or Love without Truth (Compromise). Jesus came full of Grace and Truth (John 1:14). Truth without Love - Brutality: Uses Scripture like a hammer to condemn people without helping them. Love without Truth - Deception: Tells a drowning person they are fine while they perish in their sin. The Doctor Analogy: A good doctor hates the cancer, but loves the patient. To the woman caught in adultery (John 8): Jesus offered unconditional Grace ("Neither do I condemn you") AND uncompromising Truth ("Go and sin no more"). Why Jesus Acted Differently with Different People: To the broken, lost, and hurting sinner: Jesus was gentle, patient, and merciful (Zacchaeus, the woman at the well). To the hypocritical religious leaders: Jesus was sharp, bold, and uncompromising ("Woe to you, hypocrites! White-washed tombs!" - Matthew 23:27). WHAT IS THE TRUE CHURCH (EKKLĒSIA)? If Jesus walked into our towns today, He wouldn't look for a brand name, a denomination, or a big building. The word "Church" in Greek is Ekklēsia, meaning "the called-out ones." The Origin of the Setup: For the first 300 years, the early Church met from house to house as a family (Acts 2:46). When Emperor Constantine legalized Christianity in 313 AD, church life was merged with Roman pagan structures building giant basilicas, introducing altars, and turning active believers into passive spectators watching a priest or pastor perform on stage. What is a "Saint"? In Scripture, every born-again believer is a saint (Ephesians 1:1). The "assembling of the saints" (Hebrews 10:25) was never meant to be watching a weekly 90-minute show. 1 Corinthians 14:26 says: "Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation." Whose Church Does Jesus Visit? Where believers gather in HIS Name (not human brand names - 1 Corinthians 1:12-13). Where people worship in Spirit and in Truth (John 4:24). Where genuine Love is shown to the broken (John 13:35). Where Jesus is not locked outside the door by human programs (Revelation 3:20). REVELATION IS A CALL TO PRAYER, NOT REBELLION Testing what we hear against Scripture is biblical the Bereans were praised because they searched the Scriptures daily to verify what Paul taught (Acts 17:10-11). When God gives you revelation to see the flaws in religious traditions: Do not use it to destroy or attack: Revelation is not a weapon to throw rocks at the Bride of Christ. Use it as an assignment to intercede: In Luke 11:1, the disciples didn't ask Jesus how to preach or do miracles they asked, "Lord, teach us to pray." Follow Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer (John 17): Right before the cross, Jesus prayed for the protection and supernatural unity of His believers ("that they all may be one as We are one"). OUR CALLING AS STEWARDS We do not own the Church; we are only stewards of what Jesus built. It was already perfect in the New Testament. We don't need to reinvent it with human business models or cultural traditions. It is time to be soft and compassionate toward the broken sheep, but bold and uncompromising against the religious spirit that keeps people trapped. Let us return to the original blueprint: living in the pure bloodline of Jesus, worshipping in Spirit and Truth, loving one another, and being His living Body on the earth! Amen!
    0 Comments 0 Shares 26 Views
  • God's Creation, 100 / evolution,0
    INSTINCTS ARE PROGRAMMED, NOT LEARNED

    Have you ever thought about the fact that certain animal behaviors appear fully formed at birth, with no training, imitation, or trial and error? This alone creates a problem for the idea that behavior slowly evolved through experimentation trial and error over millions of years. Learning requires time, failure, and correction. Instincts do not. They activate on schedule, execute correctly the first time, and often determine survival within minutes or hours of birth.

    Sea turtle hatchlings, moments after emerging from the sand, orient themselves toward the ocean using light reflection and magnetic cues they have never encountered before. No parent teaches them. No rehearsal occurs. The neural circuitry is already in place. Likewise, newly hatched cuckoo birds instinctively push rival eggs out of the nest within hours of hatching, despite being blind and featherless. This behavior is precise, timed, and goal directed without learning.

    Salmon raised in hatcheries and released into rivers still return years later to the exact stream of their birth to spawn, guided by an internal navigation system that includes olfactory memory and geomagnetic sensing. Orb weaving spiders spin mathematically precise webs the very first time they attempt it. Honeybees perform waggle dances that encode distance and direction before they have ever observed another bee do it. And these are just a few examples among many!

    These behaviors require integrated sensory systems, motor control, timing, and interpretation from the start.

    Programmed behavior points to preloaded information. Information does not arise from chance. Instincts are evidence of foresight, not improvisation. Scripture aligns with what we observe. Job 38 asks who gives the ibis wisdom and who gives the rooster understanding. Proverbs 30 speaks of creatures that act wisely though they are small. These animals do not learn their roles. They are equipped for them. Instinct is not evolution practicing. It is design executing.
    God's Creation, 100 / evolution,0 INSTINCTS ARE PROGRAMMED, NOT LEARNED Have you ever thought about the fact that certain animal behaviors appear fully formed at birth, with no training, imitation, or trial and error? This alone creates a problem for the idea that behavior slowly evolved through experimentation trial and error over millions of years. Learning requires time, failure, and correction. Instincts do not. They activate on schedule, execute correctly the first time, and often determine survival within minutes or hours of birth. Sea turtle hatchlings, moments after emerging from the sand, orient themselves toward the ocean using light reflection and magnetic cues they have never encountered before. No parent teaches them. No rehearsal occurs. The neural circuitry is already in place. Likewise, newly hatched cuckoo birds instinctively push rival eggs out of the nest within hours of hatching, despite being blind and featherless. This behavior is precise, timed, and goal directed without learning. Salmon raised in hatcheries and released into rivers still return years later to the exact stream of their birth to spawn, guided by an internal navigation system that includes olfactory memory and geomagnetic sensing. Orb weaving spiders spin mathematically precise webs the very first time they attempt it. Honeybees perform waggle dances that encode distance and direction before they have ever observed another bee do it. And these are just a few examples among many! These behaviors require integrated sensory systems, motor control, timing, and interpretation from the start. Programmed behavior points to preloaded information. Information does not arise from chance. Instincts are evidence of foresight, not improvisation. Scripture aligns with what we observe. Job 38 asks who gives the ibis wisdom and who gives the rooster understanding. Proverbs 30 speaks of creatures that act wisely though they are small. These animals do not learn their roles. They are equipped for them. Instinct is not evolution practicing. It is design executing.
    0 Comments 0 Shares 13 Views
More Results