Good morning to everyone. Grace and Peace be with you. In preparation for my German littles, there has been a lot of activity around the house. I have two rooms left upstairs to complete, and two rooms downstairs to finish. Yesterday was an outside workday. A trip to town for supplies first thing, then mowing … two yards pristinely mowed (if I do say so myself…haha), then finishing up one of the three rooms upstairs. My back is telling me that I am not young anymore…haha. During my travels yesterday, I was listening to different songs and commentary from my phone. One person that I follow because I like their content was singing Are You Washed in the Blood; however, she changed it from Are you … to I am. It caught me off guard at first, thinking it was not the song I thought it was; however, I quickly found myself singing right along with her. The power that I felt by changing the lyrics just that little bit … magnificent. I got chills as I sang along, thinking about how blessed I am that I made that decision, so many years ago, and though I have fallen more times than I can count … I am washed in the blood of the Lamb. I will walk on the streets of gold one day. The last time that I talked to my father-in-law, I asked him if he knew where he was going after he died. He plainly and directly told me that he was going to the cemetery in a hole. (Before his passing, he did change his view and was baptized.) Unfortunately, his thought process is that of many walking beside us today … even some ‘Christians’. Those who attend church regularly or claim the title still struggle with overt feelings that are not truly washed. This pains me. Having the peace of His blood covering my soul, without a doubt knowing where I will spend eternity, that is what makes life so much easier to manage. Scripture says that His peace is incomprehensible to those who do not have it. This is because the enemy has his digs into the thoughts of those who are lacking. He plugs and picks away at what they think they know versus what they feel. He finds cracks and small entryways into their minds and reminds them of every little infraction they ever committed. He shouts out all ‘big’ sins and whispers the ‘little’ ones. He remembers every little thing that you did your entire life and reminds you of it to keep you down. HOWEVER, when you are washed in the blood, everything you did prior to your washing is washed away the minute you are baptized. Nothing you did prior to your conversion is held against you. You are genuinely washed in his blood for those sins. Now … the cool thing about after that day … after you are committed and washed in baptism, when you fall (and you will because you are human), all you need to do is go to Him in prayer and ask for forgiveness. Daily, I talk to Him, ask Him to show me my failings, ask Him to forgive me, and to fill me with His Spirit. Peace flows through me like a river. And it can you as well. Today I encourage you to go to Him in prayer. Have a lengthy conversation about your day, what is coming up that you already know will be a potential trip hazard, ask Him to steady your footsteps, and walk in His peace. If you have not yet committed to His offering of salvation, I encourage you to seek out His presence and sit with Him. Ask Him whatever is on your heart. Watch the birds of the air and ground animals play and know that if He will take care of them, as he does, then why wouldn’t He want to take care of his most precious commodity …YOU. My friend, seek His love, grace, and mercy. There is nothing like it. I promise. Be blessed. **My eyes will be on the faithful in the land, that they may dwell with me; he whose walk is blameless will minister to me. – Psalm 101:6

Thinking that one must say the name of Jesus in Hebrew or Aramaic or salvation is withheld and prayers won't be answered is just more legalistic rigamarole that contributes to the judaizing of the body of Christ. Names change in different languages, but God knows, understands and can speak all the languages. An English speaking person saying "Jesus" is just as acceptable to God as saying "Yeshua." My name is Stephen. Like all biblical names, Stephen has forms in other world languages. Among them are: Esteban – Spanish,[5] Filipino Estebão – Old Portuguese Estepan, Estebe, Extiban, Estevan – Old Spanish Estêvão – Portuguese[6] Esteve – Catalan[7] Estevo – Galician[8] Étienne[9] ("Estienne" is an archaic spelling), Stéphan, Stéphane [10] Stéphen, Stéfane, Stéphanne – French İstefanos, Stefan – Turkish İstfan, Stepan – Azeri István,[11] Stefán, Csépán – Hungarian Estebe, Eztebe – Basque[12] Sitiveni – Fijian Steafán, Stiofán[13], Steabhán – Irish Štefan – Slovak, Slovene[14] Stefan, Shtjefën, Fan – Albanian Stef, Stefan, Stephan, Steven, Stefanus, Steffen,[15] Stefaan, Stefans – Afrikaans, Dutch Stefan, Stephan, Steffen – German[16] Stefan, Stevan – Cornish, as in Eglosstefan, Lannstevan Stefan, Steven – Breton, as in Sant-Stefan-ar-Roudouz, Gwion Steven Ștefan,[17] with the diminutives Ștefănel, Ștefăniță, Ștefănuț – Romanian Stefan, Szczepan – Polish[18] Stefano[19] – Italian Language|Esperanto Stefans, Stepans, Stepons, Stīvens – Latvian Stefanus, Stephanus – Latin Stefán – Icelandic[20] Steven, Stephen, Stefanus, Stefan – Indonesian Staffan, Stefan – Swedish[21] Steffan,[22] Stifyn, Stîfyn – Welsh Steffen – Norwegian[23] Steffen,[23] Stephen, Stefan,[22] Stephan – Danish Steffeni, Stefani, Stiifaat – Greenlandic Štěpán – Czech[24] Steponas,[25] Stepas – Lithuanian Stiefnu – Maltese Stèaphan[26], Stìobhan, Stìophan – Scottish Gaelic Stjepan[27], Stijepo, Stepan, Stipan, Stipe, Stipo, Stipa, Šćepan, Šćepo, Štef, Stevko,[28] Stevo, Stefan, Stevan, Stevica – Serbo-Croatian as in Stefan the First-Crowned Tapani, Teppo, Tahvo[29], Teppana,– Finnish Têphanô, Stêphanô, Êtiên – Vietnamese Tehvan – Estonian Tipene – Māori[30] Στέφανος (Stephanos, Stefanos,[31] Stephanas, Stepfan, Stephano, Stephanus – Greek Степан (Stepan[32], the most common; Ukrainian), Стефан (Stefan) Степан/Stepan,[32] Stepa, Stepka, Stepanya, Stepashka – Russian Стефан (Stefan[33]), diminutive: Чефо (Chefo), Стефчо (Stefcho), Стефо (Stefo) – Bulgarian Стефан/Stefan,[33] Стеван/Stevan, Стево/Stevo,[34] Стефо/Stefo, Стефче/Stefche – Macedonian ⲥⲧⲉⲫⲁⲛⲟⲥ (Step(h)anos), ⲥⲧⲉⲫⲁⲛⲉ (Step(h)ana), ⲥⲉⲧⲉⲡⲫⲉⲛ (Sedephen) – Coptic Сцяпан/Sciapan – Belarusian Ычтапан/Içtapan – Tatar[35] სტეფანე (Stepane) – Georgian[36] Ստեփանոս (Stepan),[32] diminutive: Փանոս (Panos) – Armenian סטיבן (Stiven), סטפן (Stefan) – Hebrew እስጢፋኖስ (Estefanos) – Amharic[37] እስቲፋኖስ (Estifanos) – Tigrinya" Source: Stephen - Wikipedia https://share.google/XACGWhbhIIipAmNQp Stop making blood bought believers doubt their salvation with ridiculous theological conditions such as language use.

Life Of Charles G. Finney. Part 1 - A SENT OF GOD On 29th August 1792, in Warren, Litchfield County, Connecticut, was born ''Charles Grandison’' Finney, named after a character in a novel written by Richardson, with which his parents were better acquainted than with their Bible. One of his ancestors, seven generations back, came over in the Mayflower, which makes an illustrious pedigree in Massachusetts. His immediate parents were utterly godless. Finney had never owned a Bible till he bought one to hunt up the passages referred to in his law books. Strange origin this for "the prince of evangelists!” One of God’s great surprises—like Martin Luther, the famous Reformer, coming from a peasant-miner's home; and Abraham Lincoln, the greatest President of the world’s greatest Republic, coming from a pioneer’s log-cabin! Evidently when God wants a really great man, He knows how to produce him and where to find him. When Charles was but two years old, his parents moved into the wilderness of Central New York in Oneida County. ‘'There' he says, ‘I seldom heard a sermon, unless from some traveling minister, or some miserable holding forth of an ignorant preacher. I remember well how the people would return from meeting, and spend a considerable time in irrepressiblelaughter at the strange mistakes made and the absurdities which had been advanced." When Charles reached the age of sixteen, a meeting-house was erected in his neighborhood; but his parents, as if afraid of a sanctuary and Christian civilization, took their family, and made another plungeinto the wilderness, going to the extreme eastern end of Lake Ontario, and far to the north, approaching the line of Canada. Here again his life was unblessed by religious privileges. But the New England emigrants, true to their native instincts, planted their common schools even in the wilderness; and these the boy Charles attended until he was himself able to teach a country school. When he was twenty years old, he returned to Connecticut. He then went to New Jersey, to teach in a German community, returning twice to his native State to continue his studies under a graduate of Yale. He thus taught and studied for six years as best he could, until his teacher informed him that in two years more of private study he could complete the course of study then pursued at Yale. His teacher invited the earnest young student to go with him to some Southern State and open an academy. He was inclined to accept the proposal; but his parents, hearing of it, immediately came after him and persuaded him to go home with them to Jefferson County, New York. This was in 1818, when Finney was twenty-six. After making his parents a visit, he concluded to enter, as a student, the law office of Mr. Wright, in the town of Adams, of that county. ​He afterward wrote: ‘When I went to Adams to study law, I was almost as ignorant of religion as a heathen. I had been brought up mostly in the woods. I had very little regard for the Sabbath, and had no definite knowledge of religious truth. At Adams, for the first time, I sat statedly for a length of time under an educated ministry. ... I had never, until this time, lived where I could attend a stated prayer-meeting. As one was held by the Church near our office every week, I used to attend and listen to the prayers as often as I could be excused from business at that hour.'

The Mercy Seat Numbers 7:89 And when Moses was gone into the tabernacle of the congregation to speak with him, then he heard the voice of one speaking unto him from off the mercy seat that was upon the ark of testimony, from between the two cherubims: and he spake unto him INTRODUCTION: The Mercy Seat was on top of the lid of the Ark of Covenant. It was described by Martin Luther in his German Bible as the mercy seat because YHWH “sat” enthroned over it in mercy, invisibly present where the wingtips of two cherubim met above it, guarding the divine presence. So, the Ark represented for Israel the localized presence of YHWH in judgment, mercy, forgiveness, and love; and because it contained the Ten Commandments, it was a visible reminder that their life was to be lived in obedience to the expressed will of YHWH. The Showbread table was in the Holy Place. The Ark along with Mercy Seat was in the Holy of Holies or Most Holy Place. I. THE VEIL The manifest presence of YHWH is beyond the veil which separates the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. Only the High Priest could go into the Most Holy Place once a year AND only with the blood. Mark 15:38 The curtain of the temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom. We have access to the Manifest Presence of YHWH because the power of Messiah’s death, BUT only with and through the power of Messiah’s Blood. Messiah is our High Priest now. Hebrews 6:19-20 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. I enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, 20 where Messiah, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in order of Melchizedek. II. DANCING IN FRONT OF THE VEIL Sometimes we get into the Holy Place and get to the Veil, BUT we are satisfied with this. We don’t want to go any further. WHY? Several reasons come to my mind: 1. We are ONLY want the emotional high, not the life changing experience of YHWH, 2. We are AFRAID of going beyond where the veil was - we’re not sure what is in store for us OR better yet was what YHWH has in store for us. Occasionally somebody accidentally falls past the veil and then comes back with a wide-eyed stare. We get so overwhelmed with His Manifest Presence we can’t handle it. One of the reasons is sin. I believe we can go into the Holy Place (a little bit of His Manifest Presence) with sin in our lives, BUT not into the Holy of Holies. The High Priest had to prepare himself for a period of time with ceremonial washing. He, and what he wore, had to pure before entering. One reason we like to linger in the anointing is that it makes the flesh feel good. On the other hand, when the glory of YHWH comes, the flesh doesn’t feel very comfortable. III. THE ANOINTING Isaiah 6 The Purpose of the anointing is to help us make the transition from flesh into glory - the transition from the Holy Place to the Holy of Holies. When the glory of YHWH comes, we become like Isaiah. Our flesh is so weakened by YHWH’s presence that it is unnecessary for man to do anything other than behold Him in His glory. When we come into His Presence, we are: 1. convinced of His Holiness, 2. At the same time, we are convinced of our unholiness and our need to repent and live holy before Him, 3. We are aware of His worthiness to receive praise and worship, AND 4. we are seized by a driving desire to dive deeper and lead others into His presence! The Manifest Presence of YHWH makes changes in our lives - to live holy lives before Him. Jacob prayed and wrestled for a blessing, by what he received was a “changing.” His name, his walk, and his demeanor were changed. Isaiah received the hot coals on his lips, we receive the hot bread of His presence and are forever changed. When more of our flesh dies, more of our spirit lives. There is a cost of receiving YHWH’s Presence.  Jacob received the blessing, BUT he also received a bum hip.  Isaiah received hot coals to his lips.  They had to tie a rope around the High Priest’s ankle before he passed through the veil. They knew that if he entered YHWH’s presence in sin, then he wouldn’t be walking out of there. CONCLUSION: Exodus 25:22 There, above the cover between the two cherubim that are over the ark of the Testimony, I will meet with you and give you all my commands for the Israelites. Mark 15:38 The curtain of the temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom. We have access to the Manifest Presence of YHWH because the power of Messiah’s death, BUT only with and through the power of Messiah’s Blood. Are we going to be satisfied with the Holy Place and the occasion blessing from the Presence of YHWH? OR Do we want the Manifest Presence of YHWH? If the Manifest Presence of YHWH is what we truly want, then we NEED to remember that we can’t go into this Presence with sin.

The term poltergeist itself comes from two German words: polter, to make noise by throwing or tumbling around, and geist, ghost or spirit. The literal translation of the term is “noisy ghost.” These “noisy ghosts” are nothing new. - JOHN ANKERBERG

The Story Behind the Hymns THE STORY BEHIND "GOD OF MERCY AND COMPASSION" ✝️ “God of Mercy and Compassion” is a heartfelt hymn of repentance that captures the cry of a soul turning back to God after recognizing its need for mercy. The hymn was written in the 19th century by Edmund Vaughan (1827–1908), an English Catholic priest who would later become the Archbishop of Westminster. Vaughan had a deep pastoral concern for helping believers express their faith through prayerful reflection, and this hymn reflects his desire to lead worshippers toward humility, repentance, and trust in God’s forgiving love. The inspiration for the hymn is strongly rooted in the parable of the Prodigal Son found in the Gospel of Luke. In that parable, a young man leaves his father’s home, wastes his inheritance, and eventually finds himself in misery and regret. When he finally decides to return home, he does so with a broken heart, unsure of how he will be received. Instead of rejection, however, his father runs to him with compassion, embraces him, and restores him as a beloved son. This powerful story of forgiveness and restoration forms the emotional core of Vaughan’s hymn. The opening words immediately echo that spirit of repentance and return: God of mercy and compassion, Look with pity upon me. Father, let me call Thee Father, ’Tis Thy child returns to Thee. In these lines, the singer approaches God not as a distant judge but as a loving Father, pleading for mercy while trusting in divine compassion. The hymn beautifully expresses the tension between sorrow for sin and confidence in God’s willingness to forgive. Each verse continues this theme of humility, acknowledging human weakness while resting in the assurance that God’s love is greater than any failing. The hymn is most often sung to the solemn German melody “GOTT WILL’S MACHEN,” a tune that dates back to the 17th century. Its reflective and prayerful character gives the hymn a sense of deep reverence, making it especially fitting for Lenten services, when Christians are invited to reflect on repentance, forgiveness, and spiritual renewal. Over time, “God of Mercy and Compassion” has become one of the cherished hymns of the Lenten season. Its words resonate with believers who recognize their own need for grace and long to return to God with sincere hearts. The hymn gently reminds worshippers that no matter how far they may wander, the door of mercy remains open, and the loving Father is always ready to welcome His children home.

The Story Behind the Hymns THE STORY BEHIND "THINE BE THE GLORY" 🎶 The beloved Easter hymn “Thine Be the Glory, Risen Conquering Son” carries a remarkable story that stretches across centuries, languages, and nations before becoming one of the most triumphant songs of the Christian faith. The words were written by Edmond Louis Budry (1854–1932), a Swiss pastor serving in the Free Evangelical Church in Vevey. Budry originally penned the hymn in French under the title “À Toi la Gloire,” which means “To Thee Be the Glory.” He wrote it around 1884, during a deeply painful season of his life following the death of his first wife. In the midst of grief, Budry turned to the message of Christ’s resurrection for comfort. From that reflection came a hymn overflowing with hope, triumph, and reassurance that death does not have the final word. The hymn was later included in a collection of his works published in 1890, though at that time it had not yet reached the global audience it would later enjoy. Interestingly, the melody most people associate with the hymn is much older than the words. The tune, known as “Maccabaeus,” was composed in 1747 by the renowned German-born composer George Frideric Handel for his oratorio Judas Maccabaeus. In that work, the melody appears in the chorus “See, the Conqu’ring Hero Comes.” Handel designed it as a celebratory anthem welcoming a victorious hero, and its bold, majestic character made it a perfect musical partner for a hymn celebrating Christ’s triumph over death. For many years Budry’s hymn remained largely within French-speaking congregations. Its journey into the wider world began in 1923, when Richard Birch Hoyle, a British Baptist minister, translated the text into English. Hoyle’s translation captured the power and spirit of Budry’s original words while introducing the unforgettable opening line that Christians across the world now know: “Thine be the glory, risen conquering Son; Endless is the victory Thou o’er death hast won.” Once Hoyle’s English translation was paired with Handel’s majestic tune, the hymn quickly spread through churches across Britain and beyond. Congregations embraced it because it beautifully captures the heart of the Easter message. The opening verse proclaims Christ’s victory over death, the second recalls the touching moment when Mary Magdalene meets the risen Christ near the empty tomb, and the final verse lifts the believer’s gaze to the hope that the resurrection brings, declaring that Christ’s triumph assures eternal life for all who trust in Him. Over time, “Thine Be the Glory” became firmly established as one of the most cherished hymns of Easter. In many churches it is sung as a grand conclusion to Easter Sunday services, with congregations rising to their feet while the organ swells with Handel’s triumphant melody. From great European cathedrals to lively churches across the world filled with vibrant voices, the hymn continues to ring out each year as a joyful declaration of the resurrection. More than a century after its English translation and nearly three centuries after the melody was first written, the hymn still resounds with the same powerful message: through the resurrection of Christ, death has been defeated and victory belongs to Him forever!

❤️EVIDENCE OF OCCULT OPPRESSION AND SUBJECTION. Part 3 of 3. (7) Magic practices. Continued. In the neurotic person, for example, a symptom may be only the outward indication of more serious inner disturbances. An alcoholic may be suffering, not merely from a bad habit, but from a serious neurosis. Such nervous afflictions as stuttering may be relieved through hypnosis, only to be replaced by neurotic tensions which affect the entire personality. Migraine headaches relieved through hypnotherapy may be replaced by some form of psychosis. In the second place, contrary to popular opinion, there are many instances where criminal or immoral acts have been performed by a person subjected to someone else through hypnosis, which the subjected person would not have done in his conscious state of mind. When one thus surrenders his will to another individual, he then wills to do whatever the person who hypnotized him cares to suggest. He may even perform ridiculous or morally reprehensible acts, if the hypnotist uses the correct techniques of suggestion. For example, a hypnotized individual may be led to disrobe in public if told that he is in the privacy of his own bedroom. From time to time, the newspapers report cases such as the woman who plotted to murder her husband, while under hypnosis by her lover. Women have been abused, crimes committed, and other scandalous acts performed by individuals under hypnosis. To make matters worse, cheap literature on the newsstands today popularizes the subject, encouraging young people to practice hypnotism on one another, sometimes with serious mental, emotional, and psychic consequences. The danger of amateur hypnotism is that it can induce psychoneuroses or arouse deep-seated complexes, compulsions, phobias, and other permanent mental and emotional disturbances. Even professional therapists are not always able to cope with the results of hypnotherapy. How much less can a stage hypnotist or novice, who lack the knowledge of the functioning of the mind and emotions! When one thus surrenders his will to another, he becomes susceptible to hypnotic suggestion from then on. In fact, he may even become "psychically dependent" upon the other person. This danger is also encountered in telepathy, especially if these practices are carried on repeatedly. However, the greatest threat in the hypnotized state of the surrendered will is the fact that the individual is open to the invasion of evil spirits. In order to be hypnotized, he has set aside the one divinely endowed moral and spiritual safeguard against such intrusion: the free and independent exercise of his personal will. In other words, he has at that point forfeited his independent, moral right to say "yes" or "no." So-called medical or therapeutic hypnosis obviously has no more safeguards against this danger than does the amateur hypnotist. Demons have admitted through the lips of those possessed that Satan himself is the power behind the hypnotist! The moral and spiritual implications involved in hypnotism of any sort should be obvious to any concerned person. (8.) Spiritism and mediumistic powers. In addition to the extrasensory powers of clairvoyance, telepathy, divination, psychometry, and so forth, certain other paranormal or psychic abilities can result from occult subjection. These include self-induced trance states; spirit writing; levitation (the lifting or floating of objects) and table-tipping; astral projection (projection of the spirit or psyche out of the body to another place); spirit knockings or rappings; telekinesis (objects are caused to move mysteriously about the room; musical instruments play as by unseen hands); apports (articles made to appear in locked rooms); materializations (the power to materialize the alleged spirit of the dead, as well as other objects, into visible form); parakinesis (PK, or the ability to control objects by the power of the mind and will); and many other forms of psychic phenomena. Many of these occult and psychic powers are found, not only in those who are practicing mediums, but also in those who have had occult associations. Involvement in occultism often results in such total subjection to these powers that the individual is almost, if not entirely, dependent upon fortune tellers for information and advice; astrologers for guidance in the daily affairs of business and life; magical practices for healing, controlling the forces of nature, or influencing others; and so on, until the victim is hopelessly entangled in a labyrinth of evil influences and control. 2. Occult Oppression. The foregoing forms of psychic powers and extrasensory abilities, which result from occult involvement, are indicative of occult "subjection"; that is, such persons have been brought into subjection to the powers of darkness (although they do not always recognize their source). As a result of having opened themselves to these demonic forces, they have become "psychically" subjected. However, occult participation does not always result in such sensitivity; often only a form of "oppression" occurs. In any event, oppression in some form will be the final outcome; but those who have become "psychic" or clairvoyant will usually suffer the most. At this point we shall note the most significant forms of psychic oppression which result from occult involvement. (1) Poltergeist activity. Poltergeist (German for "noisy ghost") activity is not uncommon, and has been observed by many reliable witnesses. These are malicious works perpetrated by demonic spirits to terrify victims as a consequence of occult involvement. This form of oppression involves psychic attacks in the form of bizarre occurrences. The individual sees objects floating about the room. Sometimes they fall to the floor with a loud crash, as though thrown by some unseen power. Mysterious fires break out in his home. He hears strange noises, rappings, knockings, and often rattling chains, moaning, weeping or crying. Disembodied spirit voices speak threats and obscenities. Articles suddenly appear or disappear in closed and locked rooms. Furniture moves about the room. Unseen hands begin to play the piano in the middle of the night. The bed suddenly rises off the floor and the covers are unceremoniously yanked off the victim. Doors mysteriously open and slam shut. The doorbell begins to ring incessantly, but upon investigation, the frightful confusion ends as suddenly as it began. Light bulbs burst. Rocks, dirt, broken glass and other rubble pour down through the ceiling leaving no trace of how they entered, for the ceiling remains undisturbed. All the lights in the house suddenly flash on and off. Phantom footsteps are heard on the stairs, or strange noises, such as a trunk sliding across the floor, are heard in the attic. Stones and china are sometimes thrown about with abandon, or the furniture is upset. Personal objects disappear or are hidden from the owner, and it is not uncommon for violent and vicious attacks to be made upon the victim himself. Incredible as it may seem, few people seem to realize the relationship between this form of oppression and the occult involvement of the victim. As a result, even Christians have been unable to cope properly with it in their attempts to liberate the oppressed. Unless one deals with this oppression from an occult standpoint, there can be no assurance of deliverance and liberation from these psychic or poltergeist attacks. Poltergeist activities are sometimes confined to the particular residence or area in which they occur, often as a result of seances, Spiritualist meetings, or some other form of occult activity having been conducted there at some time. Nevertheless, it is the present or past occult involvement of the individual, or within his family, that makes him personally susceptible to these attacks. A certain pastor seen further evidence for this from their counseling experience in that, before liberation, one oppressed individual continued to suffer even after moving to other places of residence. (2) Apparitions, specters, monstrous phantasms. Appearances of ghostly figures, specters, and demonic creatures, such as headless figures, weird animals, or other hideous creatures (often dismissed as hallucinations), are frequently experienced by those who have had some kind of occult connection. One oppressed victim was almost driven insane when, upon smelling fire and brimstone in the room, turned and saw a filthy, slimy demonic creature. Another was confronted by a headless body. Another encountered a faceless specter upon opening the door. Such things as dwarfs; dark, ugly, leering faces; disembodied hands; serpents; and other fearsome phantasms are sometimes seen. The voice or apparition of a friend or relative of the oppressed individual may appear as a portent, warning of an impending accident or serious illness, or the death of the friend or relative, often at the moment of the tragedy or shortly thereafter. Others under occult oppression may sense the presence of an invisible intelligence or some oppressive, dark creature or power, which lurks about the room, or even follows its victim about. At times, malevolent spirits may actually attack an oppressed individual, choking, biting, throttling, or otherwise molesting the victim. Psychic attacks in the form of persistent nightmares are also common. (3) Incubi and succubi experiences. This is an attempted assault upon a human by an unclean spirit or demon of lust for the purpose of gratifying its sexual appetites. Women and men alike are known to have suffered such attempts at sexual molestation, as well as actual attacks. Both history and a certain pastor’s counseling experience confirm the reality of such experiences. II Peter 2:4, and Jude 6-7, taken literally, provide adequate Scriptural basis for the reality of such bizarre occurrences. C. Spiritual Subjection and Oppression. Occult involvement invariably affects one spiritually, frequently causing serious damage to one's spiritual life and faith. The spiritual effects and influence of the powers of darkness are readily apparent in the symptoms which follow, not all of which would necessarily be found in any one individual, nor to the same degree. Often there is progressive spiritual deterioration, and disintegration in the area of faith, unless deliverance is effected. Evil influences continue their destructive work even in the lives of Christians. This is true even if the occult participation was insignificant; regardless of how far in the past it took place; and even if it took place before the individual became a Christian. 1. Indifference to spiritual things. Spiritual deterioration is seen in a noticeable indifference to the Word of God, prayer, worship, and spiritual matters in general. Often this happens against the individual's own will, and he has little success in overcoming this state, though he may try repeatedly to reverse his increasing spiritual apathy. 2. Serious problems concerning doubt and unbelief. Extreme and persistent doubts concerning the teachings of Scripture, especially the supernatural, or difficulty in exercising faith, are clear evidence of spiritual deterioration as a result of occult associations. Often these individuals seem to be powerless to resist the temptation to doubt, waver, question, and distrust God, His promises, and His ministers. At times they feel almost overwhelmed by skepticism, suspicion, incredulity, disbelief, indecision, and other misgivings. 3. Religious aberrations. Religious delusions, heresies, and errors, ranging from agnosticism to affirming the doctrines of Spiritualism, Modernism, New Age religion, or other religious cults, indicate occult subjection. Other aberrations include pious self-righteousness, spiritual pride, and hypocrisy. Many religious extremes, such as abnormal aversion to certain foods (which the individual is well prepared to justify on personal, religious, or medical grounds), serious deviations from Scripture in doctrine or practice, asceticism, and extreme antagonism toward other religious bodies or Christian groups, are also found. 4. Inability to receive the Holy Spirit. Frequently, those with occult associations find a spiritual barrier when they wish to receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit, although some have earnestly desired and sought the experience for years. Liberation from occult powers, which act as hindrances, is the only solution we have found. Resistance. A very significant indication of the spiritual effect upon some who have had occult involvement is their resistance to the teaching concerning the reality of occult subjection and oppression, and their indifference to the dangers involved. This is one of the characteristic marks of occult delusion and enslavement in some who have been guilty of occult sins. Their hostile reaction is often the work of a spirit of pride which prevents them from admitting their gullibility, sin, and delusion. It may be motivated by their reluctance to sever occult connections. The powers of darkness struggle against being discovered and removed from their position of influence and control. The very resistance itself, in view of the plain teachings of Scripture condemning these practices, is evidence enough of occult subjection in such individuals. This resistance is often expressed as unwillingness on the part of the oppressed individual to accept the fact that a Christian can be oppressed by Satan-even though this individual is usually suffering such oppression at the time! Of course, he blames his problems, for which he is seeking help, on some other source or on causes unknown. Experience has shown that, unless the oppressed or subjected person recognizes and admits the source of resistance to the fact of occult oppression and subjection, and unless he personally resists in faith the powers of darkness at this point, deliverance from this condition is impossible. 6. Occult bondage and opposition to God. Where spiritual damage is severe, the person may be in such a state of bondage to the powers of darkness that severe forms of occult subjection are observed: . Inability to believe on or confess Christ, even where there is a desire to believe; . Difficulty in praying or reading the Word of God, often accompanied by extreme drowsiness or an inability to concentrate; .Too easily being distracted during the preaching or teaching of the Scriptures, or difficulty understanding them; . Inability to acknowledge the fact of the efficacy of the blood Atonement, or the Deity of Christ; . Unclean thoughts and sexual images entering the mind when trying to enter into a time of private devotions or prayer; . Dependence upon, or enslavement to, various forms of occultism. . Opposition to God, as seen in the following characteristics, is unmistakable evidence of demon possession: . Blasphemous thoughts against God, Christ, and the Trinity; . Opposition to the work of the Holy Spirit; Aversion to all references to the blood of Christ or His Deity; . Scorn, mockery, and ridicule toward the Bible, preaching, believers, Christianity, or divine and holy things in general. Such persons often manifest violent raging, cursing, and blasphemous opposition against all attempts at deliverance-even when this liberation is being sought by the subjected individual himself! Usually, however, their bondage to occultism is greater than their will power or desire for deliverance from such enslavement. D. Physical Oppression. Certain physical symptoms indicate the presence and activity of demonic powers. These are related to outward behavior, bodily appearance, and to the physical condition. Of course, the mere presence of just one of these symptoms is not conclusive proof of demonic oppression and activity, but could be the result of some other cause. Inexperienced individuals need to be warned against the temptation to evaluate the spiritual state of others on the basis of these symptoms alone. 1. Speech and behavioral abnormalities. The oppressed individual will frequently manifest one or more of the following symptoms, and usually in a noticeably abnormal manner: excessive talkativeness; unusual loudness of tone and voice; hysterical laughter; persistent restlessness and uneasiness; silliness; giddiness; unusually foolish talk and behavior; incongruity of actions; muttering to oneself; incoherence in speech and thought; compulsive shouting or screaming when provoked; the absence of certain normal reflexes, or the exaggeration of others; peculiar postures (e.g ., unrelaxed, abnormally rigid and ramrod straight; or exactly the opposite state of lethargic, sluggish droopiness); deep sighing, denoting despondency or feelings of self pity; shunning or withdrawal from public scrutiny; odd, annoyingly repetitious eccentricities of speech. In actual cases of demon possession, especially when the evil spirits in the individual feel threatened with exposure or expulsion, or when they find themselves in the presence of the power of the blood and the Name of Jesus, more violent physical manifestations are often seen, such as: foaming at the mouth; retching; screaming; cursing, blasphemy; raging against Christianity; physical resistance; threatened or attempted violence; and at times, convulsions, with pains and cramps, or a state of catalepsy. Often at such times spirits will speak through the possessed victim. An intelligence is manifested that does not belong to the individual himself. Sometimes a possessed individual can understand or speak a foreign language which he has not studied (not to be confused with Biblical tongues, since in demon possession it is the demon, who knows the language, speaking through the person). Frequently, there is knowledge of hidden facts, a prognostication of future events, a display of physical feats of supernormal strength, or other supernatural phenomena. 2. Abnormal facial characteristics. The face of an oppressed individual is often contorted by fear, chronic doubts, incredulity, or anxiety; his countenance maybe strained, uneasy, or tormented. Such individuals seldom smile, and have no joy in their conversation or life. They commonly wear a morbid expression, and often think of suicide. Others display a defiant, wicked, scowling, perverse, dark or sullen appearance. At times the complexion is also affected, being dark and somber, or pallid and corpse-like. Other extremes of facial expression are a stereotyped, frozen smile or grimace, or an impassive, stoical absence of expression. Some have abnormally bright and protruding eyes; others, a glazed, trance-like, or hunted, animal-like stare. In others there is a wicked, defiant glare, or a demonic leering in the eyes. 3. Abnormal physical ailments. Chronic, persistent physical ailments, diseases, or pains that do not respond to prayer or treatment of any kind, but which seem to linger on and on, may indicate occult oppression. Mere prayer for healing is insufficient, since one must deal with the occult cause of the affliction, not just the physical effect. In these cases, deliverance from occult bondage is a crucial step in receiving liberation. E. Material, Domestic, and Social Forms of Oppression. Most people are unaware of the far-reaching effects of occult participation. Occult associations can also result in oppression which affects the lives of others. It may, for example, produce serious marital problems, often culminating in divorce. One person traced the beginning of marital strife and incompatibility to the day following a visit to a seance. Discord between parents and children; disputes with neighbors; friction and strife between business associates or others; and church divisions and irreconcilable schisms can result. This form of oppression is the operation of divisive and factious spirits whose primary objective is to work in the affairs of men to divide, disrupt, confuse, deceive, distract, disturb, perplex, and disorganize. Their sole aim is in every way to destroy unity, harmony, and peace; to cause as much affliction, sorrow, agony, anguish, grief, misery, misfortune, privation, distrust, suspicion, doubt, anxiety, and confusion as possible in the daily circumstances of life. Persistent financial distress, material loss, and subjection to poverty, need, scarcity, and other material privations, can also result from occult involvement. Deliverance from all forms of oppression and subjection resulting from occult involvement can come only in one way, and it is to this that we now turn to in our next studies. Edited. Shared. To be Continued. ❤️ God willing, more will be posted soon. All glory to Jesus alone.

The Story Behind the Hymns THE STORY BEHIND "LET US WITH A GLADSOME MIND " 🎶 “Let Us with a Gladsome Mind” is a joyful hymn based on Psalm 136, the biblical psalm known for its repeated refrain: “For His mercy endureth for ever.” The hymn celebrates God’s enduring mercy, faithfulness, and mighty works in creation and history. The words were written by the famous English poet John Milton (1608–1674), best known for his epic work Paradise Lost. In 1624, when Milton was still a teenager studying at St. Paul’s School in London, he produced a poetic paraphrase of Psalm 136. His version retained the psalm’s spirit of gratitude while presenting it in elegant English verse. Milton opened the hymn with the well-known lines: Let us with a gladsome mind Praise the Lord, for He is kind; For His mercies aye endure, Ever faithful, ever sure. The hymn moves through the great acts of God described in the psalm, His creation of the heavens and earth, His guidance of His people, and His constant mercy that never fails. In the 19th century, the text was paired with the lively German melody “MONKLAND,” composed by John Antes (1740–1811), an American-born Moravian composer and missionary. The tune’s bright, rhythmic character perfectly matches the hymn’s call to joyful praise, helping it become a favorite in many hymnals. Today, “Let Us with a Gladsome Mind” continues to be sung in churches around the world. Its repeated theme reminds believers that God’s mercy endures forever, inviting worshippers in every generation to respond with gratitude and praise.

Good evening, brethren. 1. Evening devotion for today. ED.i. *DAILY WALK WITH CHRIST* (COCIN DEVOTIONAL) *DATE:* TUESDAY 7TH JULY, 2026. *SUB-THEME:* THE CONSEQUENCES OF REJECTING GOD'S GRACE. *TOPIC:* LOSS OF HARMONY. *TEXT:* GENESIS 3:6-10. 6. When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. 7. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. 8. Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as He was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 9. But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” 10. He answered, “I heard You in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.” *TOPIC:* LOSS OF HARMONY. *THE MESSAGE:* Harmony is a cordiality that exists between two or more groups of people. Adam and Eve enjoyed a harmonious living with God while in the Garden. Lo and behold, Satan cast doubt on God's instruction to them. In deception, they ate the forbidden fruit and sinned against God. They lost harmony with God and so went into hiding. But how can one hide from God, who knows and sees everything? The sin of Adam affected humanity (Rom. 5:14). Like Adam and Eve, some defy godly instructions and follow their sensuality, thereby affecting their relationship with God. Once a person loses harmony with God, they become a tool in the enemy's hands, causing confusion wherever they are. You were created to relate harmoniously with God and others. So, get rid of any attitude that distorts or breaks a relationship. *REFLECTION:* Live in harmony with God and others. *PRAYER:* Oh Lord, help me cherish harmonious living. Amen. *MEMORY VERSE FOR THE MONTH:* HEBREWS 10:29. 29 How much more severely do you think one deserves to be punished who has trampled on the Son of God, profaned the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and insulted the Spirit of grace? *TODAY'S BIBLE READING PLAN:* PROVERBS 22-24. ED.ii. ```DAILY Ⓜ️ANNA - (A DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE FOR ADULTS) TUESDAY 7TH JULY, 2026``` *SAYING A COSTLY NO* 🎚️📓📖🫵🏽🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️⚠️‼️🛑❌🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️🙏🏽 📜📜```TEXT:1 SAMUEL 22:11-23```📜📜 🔑📖```KEY VERSE:``` _*"And the king said unto the footmen that stood about him, Turn, and slay the priests of the LORD; because their hand also is with David, and because they knew when he fled, and did not shew it to me. But the servants of the king would not put forth their hand to fall upon the priests of the LORD" (1 SAMUEL 22:17).*_ *History is replete with accounts of men and women who had to say no even when they knew it would cost them a great deal. German pastor and theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer is one of such. Based on his faith and moral conviction, he dared to say no to Adolf Hitler's regime and the compromising "German Church." In the 1930s - 1940s, he openly opposed Nazi ideology and helped form the Confessing Church. He was eventually arrested and executed, but his stand remains a symbol of Christian courage.* *The footmen who worked with King Saul in his evil hunt for David's life dared to disobey the command of the king to kill Ahimelech, the priest of the Lord, for his supposed support for David. They could not bring themselves to partake in such injustice, cruelty, and ungodliness. Not many Bible readers have considered the bravery of these soldiers. To disobey a wicked King Saul was risky enough. But to disobey an outraged King Saul in such a circumstance amounted to a suicide bid. What became of them is not recorded, but these soldiers have earned a name among the 'greats'. They would rather obey the voice of their conscience than obey an evil command.* *As for Saul, his malice against David made him lose his mind, and so blinded him that he suspected anyone who did not openly support his misguided mission. Neither Ahimelech's plea of innocence nor his servants' caution could restrain him from his murderous resolve. It took a sycophantic and malicious Doeg, an Edomite overseer of Saul's flocks, to carry out Saul's execution of not only Ahimelech and eighty-four other priests, but also a whole town of Nob.* *As Christians living in a world full of contradictions and moral depravity, we often run into circumstances that demand we take a stand for the Lord. Here, many succumb to the popular options that hold little or no suffering and ridicule. But they become the real losers. Those who take their stand and dare to say 'no' to a King Saul on conscientious grounds are the real heroes. Their wages are paid in the currency of time and eternity. Will you dare for the Lord?* ✍🏽```THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:``` _*When saying no to man means saying yes to God, say yes!*_ 📜📜```THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:``` *GENESIS 21-23*📜📜 Saying A Costly No https://dailymanna.app// *RECOMMENDED GOSPEL HYMNS AND SONGS - GHS 246: O BROTHER, LIFE'S JOURNEY BEGINNING; GHS 6: YIELD NOT TO TEMPTATION; AND GHS 89: O JESUS, I HAVE PROMISED* *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter* *#DailyManna7thJuly2026* *#GCK* *#WorshipNuggets* *#BibleNuggets* *#LeadershipNuggets* *#RevivalNuggets* *#CrusadeNuggets* https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS]. 2. Evening Prayer for today. EP.i. Evening Prayer For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. ⏤ Romans 8:38-39 The love of Christ towards us is not measured by our love toward Him. ⏤ Charles Spurgeon Jesus, strong Son of God, bless us tonight. Forgive us our sins. We love You—You know that we love You—but sometimes our lives don’t show it. We admit that we fall short and often seem unfaithful. But we thank You that Your love isn’t based on ours. You love us despite our sins and failures. Your love is vast and overflowing, covering all our wrongs and filling the depths of our hearts. You love us to the end and beyond. You loved us so much that You gave Yourself to save and purify us. Tonight, we seek refuge in Your love. It’s the safest place to be, even more so than a mother’s embrace. We are tired, and we find rest in You. We are weak, but being close to You makes us stronger because Your strength flows into us. We are flawed, but Your pure love cleanses us. We are sometimes harsh, but Your love softens our hearts, warms us, and fills us with kindness. Draw us close to You, dear Savior—close to Your heart. John learned how to love by being close to You, and we want to learn that same lesson. May we be changed by spending time with You. Now, Jesus, we’re going to rest for the night. We’re not afraid because You will watch over us. Keep us safe and give us peaceful sleep. We ask all this in Your name. Amen. https://www.youdevotion.com/daily-prayer/miller/02/evening #taptapstudio #youdevotion.