• "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us." - Romans 8:37 KJV.

    https://www.facebook.com/share/14jhN267Yo9/

    ☆☆☆ Looking at this verse with a perfect understanding; "more than a conqueror could only mean that there are 3 categories of conquerors

    1. Those who are less than a conqueror. For they cannot or simply refuse to fight.
    2. Those who are conquerors because they decided to fight, they fought and won.
    3. Then the more than the conquerors group are those of us who didn't have to fight because Jesus has taken over our battles. He fought and won on our behalf.

    ☆☆☆ No wonder the bible says
    "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." - 1 Peter 5:7 KJV.
    ☆☆☆ This verse can also be put this way "casting all your battles upon him for his is fighting for you."
    ☆☆☆ When the Lord is fighting for you, he will make a total destruction of all your enemies and you will simply become a spectator. Read 2 Kings 19:35, 2 Chronicles 20:20-24.

    For you this day I therefore decree, may you not be less than a conqueror in Jesus name.
    In the name of Jesus I decree, may you never be comfortable being just a conqueror until you become more than a conqueror.
    In the battles of life, I decree and declare, the Lord shall give you total victories in Jesus name.
    May you not find yourself stranded in the battles of life.
    When and where men have withdrawn from you, may you gain the support of the most high God in Jesus name.
    As you walk through life, may you not be alone.
    The presence of Jehovah God shall see you through in Jesus name.

    You are not alone, God is on your side.

    Happy day

    Shalom.

    Daily Prophetic Prayers and Messages by Pastor, Dr Olutimehin Isaac.
    "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us." - Romans 8:37 KJV. https://www.facebook.com/share/14jhN267Yo9/ ☆☆☆ Looking at this verse with a perfect understanding; "more than a conqueror could only mean that there are 3 categories of conquerors👇 1. Those who are less than a conqueror. For they cannot or simply refuse to fight. 2. Those who are conquerors because they decided to fight, they fought and won. 3. Then the more than the conquerors group are those of us who didn't have to fight because Jesus has taken over our battles. He fought and won on our behalf. ☆☆☆ No wonder the bible says👇 "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." - 1 Peter 5:7 KJV. ☆☆☆ This verse can also be put this way "casting all your battles upon him for his is fighting for you." ☆☆☆ When the Lord is fighting for you, he will make a total destruction of all your enemies and you will simply become a spectator. Read 2 Kings 19:35, 2 Chronicles 20:20-24. For you this day I therefore decree, may you not be less than a conqueror in Jesus name. In the name of Jesus I decree, may you never be comfortable being just a conqueror until you become more than a conqueror. In the battles of life, I decree and declare, the Lord shall give you total victories in Jesus name. May you not find yourself stranded in the battles of life. When and where men have withdrawn from you, may you gain the support of the most high God in Jesus name. As you walk through life, may you not be alone. The presence of Jehovah God shall see you through in Jesus name. You are not alone, God is on your side. Happy day Shalom. Daily Prophetic Prayers and Messages by Pastor, Dr Olutimehin Isaac.
    0 Σχόλια 0 Μοιράστηκε 11 Views
  • OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL
    DATE: SUNDAY, AUGUST 16TH, 2026
    TOPIC: THE GAINS OF GOD'S COVENANT I

    AUTHOR: PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE

    MEMORISE: "Keep therefore the words of this covenant, and do them, that ye may prosper in all that ye do." Deuteronomy 29:9

    BIBLE READING: DEUTERONOMY 28:1-14
    1 And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:
    2 And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.
    3 Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field.
    4 Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.
    5 Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store.
    6 Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out.
    7 The LORD shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways.
    8 The LORD shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
    9 The LORD shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, and walk in his ways.
    10 And all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the LORD; and they shall be afraid of thee.
    11 And the LORD shall make thee plenteous in goods, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers to give thee.
    12 The LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.
    13 And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them:
    14 And thou shalt not go aside from any of the words which I command thee this day, to the right hand, or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them.

    MESSAGE:
    In Proverbs 31:1-9, one of the things King Lemuel's mother taught him was that there were certain things that kings should not do. She told him that kings should not give their strength to women, nor should they follow the ways that destroy kings, nor should they drink wine or strong drink. If a fellow does the things that kings shouldn't do, it is expected that such a person would either never become a king or would be dethroned if he or she is already a king.

    To fully enjoy the gains of any covenant with God, you must be ready to fulfil its terms and conditions by surrendering totally to Him and obeying all His instructions. Once you decide to serve God with all your life and do whatever He says, sooner or later, people will come to you and say, "Tell us your secret; how are you flourishing in every area of your life?!"

    Many people attribute the remarkable progress of RCCG to my academic background; however, they are unaware that we are reaping the benefits of the founder's covenant with God. God called the founder of the church, Pa Josiah Akindayomi, a man who never attended school, and told him that if he could meet certain conditions, He would establish a church through him that would spread around the world. God helped Pa Akindayomi, and before his death, he fulfilled all the conditions that God gave him. Today, the RCCG is present in over 195 nations worldwide.

    The church is where it is today because of God's covenant with my Father in the Lord. God cannot be mocked. Anyone who obeys the terms of His covenant will reap its gains. In today's memory verse, Moses told the Israelites that if they kept God's commandments, they would prosper in all that they did.

    Prosperity is a major gain that those who keep God's covenant will enjoy. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob all enjoyed abundant prosperity as a result of God's covenant with Abraham. Father Abraham was described as a man who was blessed in all things (Genesis 24:1), Isaac was described as being very great (Genesis 26:13), and Jacob was described as a prosperous man (Genesis 30:43).

    Beloved, God has given His children all things to enjoy richly (1 Timothy 6:17). However, you must fulfil the terms and conditions of God's covenant with His children to truly enjoy prosperity in all areas of your life. May your life reflect the gains of God's covenant abundantly, in Jesus' name.

    KEY POINT:
    Anyone who obeys the terms of God's covenant wil reap its gains.

    BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: JEREMIAH 40-43

    HYMN 30: WHEN WE WALK WITH THE LORD
    1 When we walk with the Lord
    in the light of His word,
    what a glory He sheds on our way!
    While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
    and with all who will trust and obey.

    Refrain:
    Trust and obey, for there's no other way
    to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

    2 Not a shadow can rise,
    Not a cloud in the skies,
    But His smiles quickly drives it away;
    Not a doubt nor a fear,
    Not a sigh nor a tear,
    Can abide while we trust and obey.

    3 Not a burden we bear,
    Not a sorrow we share,
    But our toil He doth richly Repay;
    Not a grief or a loss,
    Not a frown or a cross,
    But is blest if we trust and Obey.

    4 But we never can prove
    The delights of His love
    Until all on the altar we lay;
    For the favour He shows,
    For the joy He bestows,
    Are for them,
    Who will trust and obey.

    5 Then in fellowship sweet
    We will sit at His feet,
    Or we'll walk by His side
    In the way;
    What He says we will do,
    Where He sends we will go;
    Never fear, only trust and obey..
    OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL DATE: SUNDAY, AUGUST 16TH, 2026 TOPIC: THE GAINS OF GOD'S COVENANT I AUTHOR: PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE MEMORISE: "Keep therefore the words of this covenant, and do them, that ye may prosper in all that ye do." Deuteronomy 29:9 BIBLE READING: DEUTERONOMY 28:1-14 1 And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: 2 And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God. 3 Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field. 4 Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep. 5 Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store. 6 Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out. 7 The LORD shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways. 8 The LORD shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. 9 The LORD shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, and walk in his ways. 10 And all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the LORD; and they shall be afraid of thee. 11 And the LORD shall make thee plenteous in goods, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers to give thee. 12 The LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow. 13 And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them: 14 And thou shalt not go aside from any of the words which I command thee this day, to the right hand, or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them. MESSAGE: In Proverbs 31:1-9, one of the things King Lemuel's mother taught him was that there were certain things that kings should not do. She told him that kings should not give their strength to women, nor should they follow the ways that destroy kings, nor should they drink wine or strong drink. If a fellow does the things that kings shouldn't do, it is expected that such a person would either never become a king or would be dethroned if he or she is already a king. To fully enjoy the gains of any covenant with God, you must be ready to fulfil its terms and conditions by surrendering totally to Him and obeying all His instructions. Once you decide to serve God with all your life and do whatever He says, sooner or later, people will come to you and say, "Tell us your secret; how are you flourishing in every area of your life?!" Many people attribute the remarkable progress of RCCG to my academic background; however, they are unaware that we are reaping the benefits of the founder's covenant with God. God called the founder of the church, Pa Josiah Akindayomi, a man who never attended school, and told him that if he could meet certain conditions, He would establish a church through him that would spread around the world. God helped Pa Akindayomi, and before his death, he fulfilled all the conditions that God gave him. Today, the RCCG is present in over 195 nations worldwide. The church is where it is today because of God's covenant with my Father in the Lord. God cannot be mocked. Anyone who obeys the terms of His covenant will reap its gains. In today's memory verse, Moses told the Israelites that if they kept God's commandments, they would prosper in all that they did. Prosperity is a major gain that those who keep God's covenant will enjoy. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob all enjoyed abundant prosperity as a result of God's covenant with Abraham. Father Abraham was described as a man who was blessed in all things (Genesis 24:1), Isaac was described as being very great (Genesis 26:13), and Jacob was described as a prosperous man (Genesis 30:43). Beloved, God has given His children all things to enjoy richly (1 Timothy 6:17). However, you must fulfil the terms and conditions of God's covenant with His children to truly enjoy prosperity in all areas of your life. May your life reflect the gains of God's covenant abundantly, in Jesus' name. KEY POINT: Anyone who obeys the terms of God's covenant wil reap its gains. BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: JEREMIAH 40-43 HYMN 30: WHEN WE WALK WITH THE LORD 1 When we walk with the Lord in the light of His word, what a glory He sheds on our way! While we do His good will, He abides with us still, and with all who will trust and obey. Refrain: Trust and obey, for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey. 2 Not a shadow can rise, Not a cloud in the skies, But His smiles quickly drives it away; Not a doubt nor a fear, Not a sigh nor a tear, Can abide while we trust and obey. 3 Not a burden we bear, Not a sorrow we share, But our toil He doth richly Repay; Not a grief or a loss, Not a frown or a cross, But is blest if we trust and Obey. 4 But we never can prove The delights of His love Until all on the altar we lay; For the favour He shows, For the joy He bestows, Are for them, Who will trust and obey. 5 Then in fellowship sweet We will sit at His feet, Or we'll walk by His side In the way; What He says we will do, Where He sends we will go; Never fear, only trust and obey..
    0 Σχόλια 0 Μοιράστηκε 22 Views
  • OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL
    DATE: SUNDAY, AUGUST 16TH, 2026
    TOPIC: THE GAINS OF GOD'S COVENANT I

    AUTHOR: PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE

    MEMORISE: "Keep therefore the words of this covenant, and do them, that ye may prosper in all that ye do." Deuteronomy 29:9

    BIBLE READING: DEUTERONOMY 28:1-14
    1 And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:
    2 And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.
    3 Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field.
    4 Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.
    5 Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store.
    6 Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out.
    7 The LORD shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways.
    8 The LORD shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
    9 The LORD shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, and walk in his ways.
    10 And all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the LORD; and they shall be afraid of thee.
    11 And the LORD shall make thee plenteous in goods, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers to give thee.
    12 The LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.
    13 And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them:
    14 And thou shalt not go aside from any of the words which I command thee this day, to the right hand, or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them.

    MESSAGE:
    In Proverbs 31:1-9, one of the things King Lemuel's mother taught him was that there were certain things that kings should not do. She told him that kings should not give their strength to women, nor should they follow the ways that destroy kings, nor should they drink wine or strong drink. If a fellow does the things that kings shouldn't do, it is expected that such a person would either never become a king or would be dethroned if he or she is already a king.

    To fully enjoy the gains of any covenant with God, you must be ready to fulfil its terms and conditions by surrendering totally to Him and obeying all His instructions. Once you decide to serve God with all your life and do whatever He says, sooner or later, people will come to you and say, "Tell us your secret; how are you flourishing in every area of your life?!"

    Many people attribute the remarkable progress of RCCG to my academic background; however, they are unaware that we are reaping the benefits of the founder's covenant with God. God called the founder of the church, Pa Josiah Akindayomi, a man who never attended school, and told him that if he could meet certain conditions, He would establish a church through him that would spread around the world. God helped Pa Akindayomi, and before his death, he fulfilled all the conditions that God gave him. Today, the RCCG is present in over 195 nations worldwide.

    The church is where it is today because of God's covenant with my Father in the Lord. God cannot be mocked. Anyone who obeys the terms of His covenant will reap its gains. In today's memory verse, Moses told the Israelites that if they kept God's commandments, they would prosper in all that they did.

    Prosperity is a major gain that those who keep God's covenant will enjoy. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob all enjoyed abundant prosperity as a result of God's covenant with Abraham. Father Abraham was described as a man who was blessed in all things (Genesis 24:1), Isaac was described as being very great (Genesis 26:13), and Jacob was described as a prosperous man (Genesis 30:43).

    Beloved, God has given His children all things to enjoy richly (1 Timothy 6:17). However, you must fulfil the terms and conditions of God's covenant with His children to truly enjoy prosperity in all areas of your life. May your life reflect the gains of God's covenant abundantly, in Jesus' name.

    KEY POINT:
    Anyone who obeys the terms of God's covenant wil reap its gains.

    BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: JEREMIAH 40-43

    HYMN 30: WHEN WE WALK WITH THE LORD
    1 When we walk with the Lord
    in the light of His word,
    what a glory He sheds on our way!
    While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
    and with all who will trust and obey.

    Refrain:
    Trust and obey, for there's no other way
    to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

    2 Not a shadow can rise,
    Not a cloud in the skies,
    But His smiles quickly drives it away;
    Not a doubt nor a fear,
    Not a sigh nor a tear,
    Can abide while we trust and obey.

    3 Not a burden we bear,
    Not a sorrow we share,
    But our toil He doth richly Repay;
    Not a grief or a loss,
    Not a frown or a cross,
    But is blest if we trust and Obey.

    4 But we never can prove
    The delights of His love
    Until all on the altar we lay;
    For the favour He shows,
    For the joy He bestows,
    Are for them,
    Who will trust and obey.

    5 Then in fellowship sweet
    We will sit at His feet,
    Or we'll walk by His side
    In the way;
    What He says we will do,
    Where He sends we will go;
    Never fear, only trust and obey..
    OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL DATE: SUNDAY, AUGUST 16TH, 2026 TOPIC: THE GAINS OF GOD'S COVENANT I AUTHOR: PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE MEMORISE: "Keep therefore the words of this covenant, and do them, that ye may prosper in all that ye do." Deuteronomy 29:9 BIBLE READING: DEUTERONOMY 28:1-14 1 And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: 2 And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God. 3 Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field. 4 Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep. 5 Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store. 6 Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out. 7 The LORD shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways. 8 The LORD shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. 9 The LORD shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, and walk in his ways. 10 And all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the LORD; and they shall be afraid of thee. 11 And the LORD shall make thee plenteous in goods, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers to give thee. 12 The LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow. 13 And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them: 14 And thou shalt not go aside from any of the words which I command thee this day, to the right hand, or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them. MESSAGE: In Proverbs 31:1-9, one of the things King Lemuel's mother taught him was that there were certain things that kings should not do. She told him that kings should not give their strength to women, nor should they follow the ways that destroy kings, nor should they drink wine or strong drink. If a fellow does the things that kings shouldn't do, it is expected that such a person would either never become a king or would be dethroned if he or she is already a king. To fully enjoy the gains of any covenant with God, you must be ready to fulfil its terms and conditions by surrendering totally to Him and obeying all His instructions. Once you decide to serve God with all your life and do whatever He says, sooner or later, people will come to you and say, "Tell us your secret; how are you flourishing in every area of your life?!" Many people attribute the remarkable progress of RCCG to my academic background; however, they are unaware that we are reaping the benefits of the founder's covenant with God. God called the founder of the church, Pa Josiah Akindayomi, a man who never attended school, and told him that if he could meet certain conditions, He would establish a church through him that would spread around the world. God helped Pa Akindayomi, and before his death, he fulfilled all the conditions that God gave him. Today, the RCCG is present in over 195 nations worldwide. The church is where it is today because of God's covenant with my Father in the Lord. God cannot be mocked. Anyone who obeys the terms of His covenant will reap its gains. In today's memory verse, Moses told the Israelites that if they kept God's commandments, they would prosper in all that they did. Prosperity is a major gain that those who keep God's covenant will enjoy. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob all enjoyed abundant prosperity as a result of God's covenant with Abraham. Father Abraham was described as a man who was blessed in all things (Genesis 24:1), Isaac was described as being very great (Genesis 26:13), and Jacob was described as a prosperous man (Genesis 30:43). Beloved, God has given His children all things to enjoy richly (1 Timothy 6:17). However, you must fulfil the terms and conditions of God's covenant with His children to truly enjoy prosperity in all areas of your life. May your life reflect the gains of God's covenant abundantly, in Jesus' name. KEY POINT: Anyone who obeys the terms of God's covenant wil reap its gains. BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: JEREMIAH 40-43 HYMN 30: WHEN WE WALK WITH THE LORD 1 When we walk with the Lord in the light of His word, what a glory He sheds on our way! While we do His good will, He abides with us still, and with all who will trust and obey. Refrain: Trust and obey, for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey. 2 Not a shadow can rise, Not a cloud in the skies, But His smiles quickly drives it away; Not a doubt nor a fear, Not a sigh nor a tear, Can abide while we trust and obey. 3 Not a burden we bear, Not a sorrow we share, But our toil He doth richly Repay; Not a grief or a loss, Not a frown or a cross, But is blest if we trust and Obey. 4 But we never can prove The delights of His love Until all on the altar we lay; For the favour He shows, For the joy He bestows, Are for them, Who will trust and obey. 5 Then in fellowship sweet We will sit at His feet, Or we'll walk by His side In the way; What He says we will do, Where He sends we will go; Never fear, only trust and obey..
    0 Σχόλια 0 Μοιράστηκε 21 Views
  • HOW TO KNOW GOD'S WILL FOR IMPORTANT DECISIONS IN YOUR LIFE. Part 6 of 6.
    How God Makes Known His Will for Specific Decisions and Needs. Continued.
    In both instances, what we experience by-passes the mind or intellect. Both the witness within our spirits, and the inner voice of the Holy Spirit may at times go contrary to our personal feelings and emotions" regarding some matter but we will know, nevertheless, what God's will is concerning the situation and what we should do. Feelings and emotions can deceive or confuse us if we rely entirely upon them, for this is the realm in which both Satan and the intellect reign; whereas the enlightened spirit of a Christian, and the voice of God's Spirit within will always guide us correctly if we will listen to them (Jn. 16:13) 1 Cor. 2:10-16; 1 Jn. 2:27).

    Of course, usually what we feel about a situation will be in harmony with what we are inwardly impressed to do, but it is not our feelings or emotions through which God's will is imparted to us.
    Inasmuch as God frequently desires to alert us to some spiritual or physical danger, prepare us with regarding some event that is about to occur, or inform us concerning His will about some present or future matter, then it is imperative that we become sensitive to the inner voice of the Spirit if we are to hear Him when He speaks.

    It is a real blessing to be so sensitive to the Spirit's voice that you know when you are moving in the will of God. Being yielded to the Spirit is the secret of being "fruitful in every good work."
    When we are fully yielded to Him, and sensitive to His voice, then we can always move with Him, fulfilling God's will, and we will not have to waste time planning and scheming, or running all over the place hoping that we are doing God's will and fulfilling His purpose.

    By Prophecy
    Occasionally God will inform us of His will regarding some matter, or concerning some problem about which we are praying, through prophecy or the ministry gift of the prophet. Generally, this will be a confirmation of what He has already been speaking inwardly to us about, and not the giving of guidance by prophecy as such.

    It cannot be overemphasized that it is God's purpose to lead the Christian inwardly by His Spirit or the inward witness (Rom. 8:14; 1 Cor. 2:14-16). Christians are not to seek guidance through prophecy or visions, inasmuch as some people have been misdirected or led astray, sometimes with serious consequences, on the basis of an alleged prophecy or revelation given to them by some overzealous individual who felt that he (or she) had an anointing to "prophesy" to them. In one case a minister who was sure that he had been led of the Spirit to leave a certain church to minister in another place was then prophesied to by a self-appointed prophetess and told that the Lord wanted him to return to the former church which he had recently left.

    This left him thoroughly confused as to what he was supposed to do, not knowing which of the two conflicting "revelations" was from the Lord. In two other instances, certain individuals who were seeking guidance were informed by overzealous Christians with an "anointing" that they were to move to a certain city and state as this was God's will for them. In neither case was the guidance from the Lord. Some Christians have actually been appointed to some office such as prophet, teacher, elder, or evangelist, and some Christian groups have been set in "divine order" by misguided individuals who interpret emotional feeling, spiritual enthusiasm, or actual delusion by Satan, as an anointing to prophesy. In other instances, a genuine anointing to speak in tongues or to minister the simple gift of prophecy to the church for "edification, and exhortation, and comfort" (1 Cor. 14:3) was misdirected to some particular individual and ended up as personal guidance coming forth from their own spirits instead of the Holy Spirit.

    In another instance, a woman "prophesied" to the leader of a group that it was time to discontinue teaching them, as God wanted them to begin to stand on their own feet without teaching. Shortly after his ministry was terminated, the leader of the group realized the mistake and contacted him three times wanting to know if he thought the prophecy had been genuine, inasmuch as it was obvious to all that they had not reached such a place of spiritual maturity where they no longer needed Biblical teaching.

    Christians should not seek guidance by prophecy or visions. We have reference here only to the attempt to seek or give guidance by means of personal prophecy or revelation through some over zealous individual, not to prophecy and visions in general which God does give to His Church for edification, exhortation, and comfort (1 Cor.14:3; Joel 2:28-29). Occasionally, God Himself chooses to speak to us through prophecy and vision in order to lead us, but in every case it will be in harmony with His Word, and it will authenticated by the fact that it is usually a confirmation of what the Spirit has already shown to us personally. Also, occasionally, prophecy becomes the means by which God leads us in order to fulfill His will about some important matter.

    By Scriptural Teaching;
    One of the most important channels through which God desires to speak to His people and reveal His will to them is one that few people recognize and appreciate as they should, and that is through the ministry of biblical teaching.

    Frequently, in a meeting people will come and ask for an appointment for spiritual counseling concerning some question or problem confronting them. Instead, they should first plan to attend all the teaching sessions, inasmuch as God has sent this ministry into their midst at this time to help solve such problems as this for which they feel they need counseling, and that He often gives the necessary guidance through the teaching.

    On several occasions people who have taken such advice have come afterward and stated that they no longer were in need of counseling as God had given them the answers they needed through the teaching ministry. Certainly God knows the various problems and needs of His people, and that it would be impossible for any one minister to deal with everyone individually who requests counseling and help. Therefore, through the teaching ministry He provides the solution for those who are willing to pay the cost of sacrificing some of their time and interest in other things to avail themselves of it. Sadly, there are some individuals who will not do this. They will insist that you give them individual attention and special time, as they believe that their problems are of such a nature to warrant it, but at the same time they will not avail themselves of the ministry God has sent into their midst to help them.

    It is useless to expect God to give you special guidance and revelation about some matter when you do not avail yourself of the biblical ministry that He is sending into your locality for precisely this purpose. Your problems and the decisions you must make are not really much different from those of most other Christians. It is only because they affect you personally that you think this. And even if your problems were unusually different, nevertheless, there are certain spiritual principles set forth in God's Word which can be brought forth through teaching which will show you how to deal with your situation and what your responsibility is with regard to it. We have found this to be true time and again. For example, some faith principle which can be applied for healing a disease can also be used to solve a financial or marital problem, if you know what it is and how to apply it. But one must be willing to avail himself of the teaching ministry and literature available in order to learn these truths, for "faith cometh by hearing the Word" (Rom. 10:17).

    For instance, such passages as Matthew 18:19, Mark 11:22-24; John 14:14; 1 John 5:14-15; Philippians 4:19, and Psalm 37:4 have almost limitless potential for fulfilling practically any need
    of every description when the believer knows how to apply them and accepts their validity for today. For the thousands who accept the responsibility of learning how to live and walk by
    faith themselves, they discover that they are able, not only to help themselves, but also liberate others from their problems and oppression. God desires for us to mature to the place where we do not constantly need to be ministered to, but can minister to others and their needs.

    Through Circumstances;
    Sometimes God confirms His will to us through circumstances, controlling or changing events in such a way that we are able to recognize His providential hand at work to fulfill His purpose
    in our lives.

    God informed Abraham that his descendants would spend 400 years in Egypt before He would bring them forth to inherit the Promised Land (Gen. 15). At the time God told him this, Abraham did not have a single descendant, for as yet Isaac had not been born. From this time, we see God beginning to bring His will for Israel to pass through the providential control of circumstances and events. Twenty-five years later Isaac is born by a miracle to Sarah, who is barren. His son Jacob in turn has twelve sons, one of whom is Joseph, his favorite.

    Because of envy his brothers sell him into slavery into Egypt, which begins a new phase of the fulfillment of God's plan to get Abraham's descendants into Egypt, a famine later compelling Jacob and all of his descendants to migrate there to live. After several years of hardship and adversity, Joseph had been miraculously elevated to a high position in Egypt by Pharaoh, a divine foresight to prepare the way for the Israelites. Thus, their arrival in Egypt was no accident, nor were they merely victims of circumstances, but we are clearly shown the providential control of God throughout, a fact which Joseph himself discerned (Gen. 50:20).

    The fulfillment of God's plan for our lives often depends, to some degree at least, upon our awareness of His providential working and controlling our daily affairs and experiences.
    As stated previously, God's plan for your life did not begin when you were born or when you were converted, but the Scriptures declare that the believer was chosen in Christ before the
    foundation of the world and called to fulfill His glorious plan and purpose (Rom. 8:28-30, Eph. 1:3-6), Moreover, God has often been working in the circumstances of your life for months or years before He reveals some aspect of His purpose to you. We are not to seek guidance by asking God to reveal His will to us through outward circumstances generally, but as we pray for His leading, usually He will impress upon us what course of action to take. Frequently, He will then confirm this inward leading through circumstances and events in our lives, which, if we are spiritually observant enough, can be discerned.

    CONCLUSION.
    We do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge
    of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding (Col. 1:9) The Apostle prays.
    It is not sufficient just to have a knowledge of God's will, but as the quotation above indicates, we must also have spiritual wisdom and understanding to be able to apply it and profit from it. Wisdom is the ability to use knowledge correctly and effectively. Solomon knew God's will for his life - he was chosen to be the King of Israel. But he was also aware that if he was to succeed in this task and fulfill God's will as he should, then he would need more than mere human wisdom and the limited understanding man acquires through study and by experience so he prayed for the impartation of divine wisdom, discernment, and understanding.

    Thus, it is one thing to know God's will; it is another to have the wisdom and understanding to apply it. A man may know a very great deal, and yet not be a wise man. Occasionally, for example, we see a student who graduates from college with a high academic standing sometimes fail completely in some career or profession which he has chosen, simply because he lacks the wisdom to apply his knowledge in a practical way to his life.

    A wise Christian, therefore, is not just one who knows His Lord's will, but he is one who also understands how to use this knowledge in the proper place, in the proper way, and at the
    proper time. For instance, every believer knows, on the basis of Jesus' clear teaching in John 15, that the Christian is called to "bear fruit." But the mere possession of the knowledge of this fact does not impart to the believer the wisdom to accomplish it, for the churches are literally exhausting themselves in all manner of religious programs and activities in an effort to accomplish God's will in this regard, without any significant achievement.

    It is one thing for the Christian to know that he has been called to bear fruit, but only the Holy Spirit can reveal to him the understanding that it is not in doing, but in dying that we bear fruit (Jn. 12:24). Paul's prayer is that "you might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding ... being fruitful in every good work" (Col. 1:9-10), revealing, thereby, that fruitfulness does not lie merely in knowing God's will, but also in possessing the spiritual wisdom and understanding to apply it. As was shown earlier, fruitfulness is not merely religious activity, such as serving in two or three offices in the church, visiting as many homes as possible in the
    community to invite people to church, giving out tracts, busyness with churchwork, attending all the services, reading the Bible through at least once a year, and so on. Fruitfulness does not come by religious commotion, but through crucifixion; not by doing, but by dying. God calls no one to work for Him, but to learn to move with Him. This truth is not something one can discern with reason or intellect, but comes as a result of the impartation of divine wisdom and understanding to those who ask for it, "For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding" (Prov. 2:6 ).

    Again, it is one thing to know that the believer is called to experience a measure of trials and tests of his faith (1 Pet. 2:19f; Jam. 1:2-4), but human wisdom will never help him to see the eternal purpose in those trials, nor enable him to respond in such a way that he will profit and not lose by such sufferings and testing. It requires divine wisdom and understanding to meet temptations, and to bear trials, so that such testing, instead of depressing and defeating the believer, will be able to accomplish God's will and purpose in his life. It requires divine understanding for him to see that Romans 8:28 is valid for him in time of trial and adversity, as well as in time of prosperity and blessing.

    Thus, when you seek a knowledge of God's will for your life, and for making decisions in important matters, also ask Him for wisdom and spiritual understanding to apply the knowledge He imparts to you, for the Scriptures tell us–
    Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding (Prov. 4:7). Amen and amen! Edited. Shared.

    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 6 of 6. How God Makes Known His Will for Specific Decisions and Needs. Continued. In both instances, what we experience by-passes the mind or intellect. Both the witness within our spirits, and the inner voice of the Holy Spirit may at times go contrary to our personal feelings and emotions" regarding some matter but we will know, nevertheless, what God's will is concerning the situation and what we should do. Feelings and emotions can deceive or confuse us if we rely entirely upon them, for this is the realm in which both Satan and the intellect reign; whereas the enlightened spirit of a Christian, and the voice of God's Spirit within will always guide us correctly if we will listen to them (Jn. 16:13) 1 Cor. 2:10-16; 1 Jn. 2:27). Of course, usually what we feel about a situation will be in harmony with what we are inwardly impressed to do, but it is not our feelings or emotions through which God's will is imparted to us. Inasmuch as God frequently desires to alert us to some spiritual or physical danger, prepare us with regarding some event that is about to occur, or inform us concerning His will about some present or future matter, then it is imperative that we become sensitive to the inner voice of the Spirit if we are to hear Him when He speaks. It is a real blessing to be so sensitive to the Spirit's voice that you know when you are moving in the will of God. Being yielded to the Spirit is the secret of being "fruitful in every good work." When we are fully yielded to Him, and sensitive to His voice, then we can always move with Him, fulfilling God's will, and we will not have to waste time planning and scheming, or running all over the place hoping that we are doing God's will and fulfilling His purpose. By Prophecy Occasionally God will inform us of His will regarding some matter, or concerning some problem about which we are praying, through prophecy or the ministry gift of the prophet. Generally, this will be a confirmation of what He has already been speaking inwardly to us about, and not the giving of guidance by prophecy as such. It cannot be overemphasized that it is God's purpose to lead the Christian inwardly by His Spirit or the inward witness (Rom. 8:14; 1 Cor. 2:14-16). Christians are not to seek guidance through prophecy or visions, inasmuch as some people have been misdirected or led astray, sometimes with serious consequences, on the basis of an alleged prophecy or revelation given to them by some overzealous individual who felt that he (or she) had an anointing to "prophesy" to them. In one case a minister who was sure that he had been led of the Spirit to leave a certain church to minister in another place was then prophesied to by a self-appointed prophetess and told that the Lord wanted him to return to the former church which he had recently left. This left him thoroughly confused as to what he was supposed to do, not knowing which of the two conflicting "revelations" was from the Lord. In two other instances, certain individuals who were seeking guidance were informed by overzealous Christians with an "anointing" that they were to move to a certain city and state as this was God's will for them. In neither case was the guidance from the Lord. Some Christians have actually been appointed to some office such as prophet, teacher, elder, or evangelist, and some Christian groups have been set in "divine order" by misguided individuals who interpret emotional feeling, spiritual enthusiasm, or actual delusion by Satan, as an anointing to prophesy. In other instances, a genuine anointing to speak in tongues or to minister the simple gift of prophecy to the church for "edification, and exhortation, and comfort" (1 Cor. 14:3) was misdirected to some particular individual and ended up as personal guidance coming forth from their own spirits instead of the Holy Spirit. In another instance, a woman "prophesied" to the leader of a group that it was time to discontinue teaching them, as God wanted them to begin to stand on their own feet without teaching. Shortly after his ministry was terminated, the leader of the group realized the mistake and contacted him three times wanting to know if he thought the prophecy had been genuine, inasmuch as it was obvious to all that they had not reached such a place of spiritual maturity where they no longer needed Biblical teaching. Christians should not seek guidance by prophecy or visions. We have reference here only to the attempt to seek or give guidance by means of personal prophecy or revelation through some over zealous individual, not to prophecy and visions in general which God does give to His Church for edification, exhortation, and comfort (1 Cor.14:3; Joel 2:28-29). Occasionally, God Himself chooses to speak to us through prophecy and vision in order to lead us, but in every case it will be in harmony with His Word, and it will authenticated by the fact that it is usually a confirmation of what the Spirit has already shown to us personally. Also, occasionally, prophecy becomes the means by which God leads us in order to fulfill His will about some important matter. By Scriptural Teaching; One of the most important channels through which God desires to speak to His people and reveal His will to them is one that few people recognize and appreciate as they should, and that is through the ministry of biblical teaching. Frequently, in a meeting people will come and ask for an appointment for spiritual counseling concerning some question or problem confronting them. Instead, they should first plan to attend all the teaching sessions, inasmuch as God has sent this ministry into their midst at this time to help solve such problems as this for which they feel they need counseling, and that He often gives the necessary guidance through the teaching. On several occasions people who have taken such advice have come afterward and stated that they no longer were in need of counseling as God had given them the answers they needed through the teaching ministry. Certainly God knows the various problems and needs of His people, and that it would be impossible for any one minister to deal with everyone individually who requests counseling and help. Therefore, through the teaching ministry He provides the solution for those who are willing to pay the cost of sacrificing some of their time and interest in other things to avail themselves of it. Sadly, there are some individuals who will not do this. They will insist that you give them individual attention and special time, as they believe that their problems are of such a nature to warrant it, but at the same time they will not avail themselves of the ministry God has sent into their midst to help them. It is useless to expect God to give you special guidance and revelation about some matter when you do not avail yourself of the biblical ministry that He is sending into your locality for precisely this purpose. Your problems and the decisions you must make are not really much different from those of most other Christians. It is only because they affect you personally that you think this. And even if your problems were unusually different, nevertheless, there are certain spiritual principles set forth in God's Word which can be brought forth through teaching which will show you how to deal with your situation and what your responsibility is with regard to it. We have found this to be true time and again. For example, some faith principle which can be applied for healing a disease can also be used to solve a financial or marital problem, if you know what it is and how to apply it. But one must be willing to avail himself of the teaching ministry and literature available in order to learn these truths, for "faith cometh by hearing the Word" (Rom. 10:17). For instance, such passages as Matthew 18:19, Mark 11:22-24; John 14:14; 1 John 5:14-15; Philippians 4:19, and Psalm 37:4 have almost limitless potential for fulfilling practically any need of every description when the believer knows how to apply them and accepts their validity for today. For the thousands who accept the responsibility of learning how to live and walk by faith themselves, they discover that they are able, not only to help themselves, but also liberate others from their problems and oppression. God desires for us to mature to the place where we do not constantly need to be ministered to, but can minister to others and their needs. Through Circumstances; Sometimes God confirms His will to us through circumstances, controlling or changing events in such a way that we are able to recognize His providential hand at work to fulfill His purpose in our lives. God informed Abraham that his descendants would spend 400 years in Egypt before He would bring them forth to inherit the Promised Land (Gen. 15). At the time God told him this, Abraham did not have a single descendant, for as yet Isaac had not been born. From this time, we see God beginning to bring His will for Israel to pass through the providential control of circumstances and events. Twenty-five years later Isaac is born by a miracle to Sarah, who is barren. His son Jacob in turn has twelve sons, one of whom is Joseph, his favorite. Because of envy his brothers sell him into slavery into Egypt, which begins a new phase of the fulfillment of God's plan to get Abraham's descendants into Egypt, a famine later compelling Jacob and all of his descendants to migrate there to live. After several years of hardship and adversity, Joseph had been miraculously elevated to a high position in Egypt by Pharaoh, a divine foresight to prepare the way for the Israelites. Thus, their arrival in Egypt was no accident, nor were they merely victims of circumstances, but we are clearly shown the providential control of God throughout, a fact which Joseph himself discerned (Gen. 50:20). The fulfillment of God's plan for our lives often depends, to some degree at least, upon our awareness of His providential working and controlling our daily affairs and experiences. As stated previously, God's plan for your life did not begin when you were born or when you were converted, but the Scriptures declare that the believer was chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world and called to fulfill His glorious plan and purpose (Rom. 8:28-30, Eph. 1:3-6), Moreover, God has often been working in the circumstances of your life for months or years before He reveals some aspect of His purpose to you. We are not to seek guidance by asking God to reveal His will to us through outward circumstances generally, but as we pray for His leading, usually He will impress upon us what course of action to take. Frequently, He will then confirm this inward leading through circumstances and events in our lives, which, if we are spiritually observant enough, can be discerned. CONCLUSION. We do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding (Col. 1:9) The Apostle prays. It is not sufficient just to have a knowledge of God's will, but as the quotation above indicates, we must also have spiritual wisdom and understanding to be able to apply it and profit from it. Wisdom is the ability to use knowledge correctly and effectively. Solomon knew God's will for his life - he was chosen to be the King of Israel. But he was also aware that if he was to succeed in this task and fulfill God's will as he should, then he would need more than mere human wisdom and the limited understanding man acquires through study and by experience so he prayed for the impartation of divine wisdom, discernment, and understanding. Thus, it is one thing to know God's will; it is another to have the wisdom and understanding to apply it. A man may know a very great deal, and yet not be a wise man. Occasionally, for example, we see a student who graduates from college with a high academic standing sometimes fail completely in some career or profession which he has chosen, simply because he lacks the wisdom to apply his knowledge in a practical way to his life. A wise Christian, therefore, is not just one who knows His Lord's will, but he is one who also understands how to use this knowledge in the proper place, in the proper way, and at the proper time. For instance, every believer knows, on the basis of Jesus' clear teaching in John 15, that the Christian is called to "bear fruit." But the mere possession of the knowledge of this fact does not impart to the believer the wisdom to accomplish it, for the churches are literally exhausting themselves in all manner of religious programs and activities in an effort to accomplish God's will in this regard, without any significant achievement. It is one thing for the Christian to know that he has been called to bear fruit, but only the Holy Spirit can reveal to him the understanding that it is not in doing, but in dying that we bear fruit (Jn. 12:24). Paul's prayer is that "you might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding ... being fruitful in every good work" (Col. 1:9-10), revealing, thereby, that fruitfulness does not lie merely in knowing God's will, but also in possessing the spiritual wisdom and understanding to apply it. As was shown earlier, fruitfulness is not merely religious activity, such as serving in two or three offices in the church, visiting as many homes as possible in the community to invite people to church, giving out tracts, busyness with churchwork, attending all the services, reading the Bible through at least once a year, and so on. Fruitfulness does not come by religious commotion, but through crucifixion; not by doing, but by dying. God calls no one to work for Him, but to learn to move with Him. This truth is not something one can discern with reason or intellect, but comes as a result of the impartation of divine wisdom and understanding to those who ask for it, "For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding" (Prov. 2:6 ). Again, it is one thing to know that the believer is called to experience a measure of trials and tests of his faith (1 Pet. 2:19f; Jam. 1:2-4), but human wisdom will never help him to see the eternal purpose in those trials, nor enable him to respond in such a way that he will profit and not lose by such sufferings and testing. It requires divine wisdom and understanding to meet temptations, and to bear trials, so that such testing, instead of depressing and defeating the believer, will be able to accomplish God's will and purpose in his life. It requires divine understanding for him to see that Romans 8:28 is valid for him in time of trial and adversity, as well as in time of prosperity and blessing. Thus, when you seek a knowledge of God's will for your life, and for making decisions in important matters, also ask Him for wisdom and spiritual understanding to apply the knowledge He imparts to you, for the Scriptures tell us– Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding (Prov. 4:7). Amen and amen! Edited. Shared. ❤️ God willing, more will be posted soon. All glory to Jesus alone.
    Like
    Love
    5
    1 Σχόλια 0 Μοιράστηκε 277 Views
  • LOOKING BACK ON Battle FOR BRITAIN.. IT INVOLVES BREAKING OF NEW GROUNDS.
    Those who can remember, we all know Battlefield Of Britain ain't for the weak or those who faint but its victory is in the hands of those who keep digging.
    Yes leaving the distraction behind.

    Genesis 26:11–31 — #2024.
    Great message to run with through Isaacs Journey in relation to Britain right now.

    Isaac's journey shows a clear progression. He dug a well, and it was disputed — he named it Esek, meaning contention. He dug another, and it was disputed again — he named it Sitnah, meaning opposition. He did not stop or turn back; he moved on and dug a third well, and this time no one contended over it — he named it Rehoboth, the room God provided. There, at Beersheba, God established him, and even those who had opposed him came and recognised that the LORD was with him.

    When Isaac first reopened the wells his father Abraham had dug, and no one contended over them. It was only when he broke new ground — Esek, then Sitnah — that opposition rose against him. Britain has restored what former generations laid down in the faith, yet in pressing forward into new ground for Christ in this generation, the nation has met contention and now stands in Sitnah. One of the Sitnahs' instruments is law. Isaac did not return to the old wells or retreat; he kept digging new ground until he reached Rehoboth.

    Britain the race is not for the Swift but for them who are able to keep going without fainting.
    So, do not stop digging because of Sitnah. Keep digging, keep praying, keep contending for the faith, keep standing for righteousness, and keep proclaiming Christ — until there is a Rehoboth, a place where God makes room to establish His purposes in this nation; until God is recognised in the land and peace reigns.

    It is written about you.. Are you part of the tribe..
    Hebrews 10:7 And Psalms 40;7-8 reads
    Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come— In the volume of the book it is written of Me— To do Your will, O God.’ ”
    Are his laws written in your hearts?

    Keep This Word In Mind.
    ‭Galatians 6:9 NIV‬
    Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
    #hallelujah
    LOOKING BACK ON Battle FOR BRITAIN.. IT INVOLVES BREAKING OF NEW GROUNDS. Those who can remember, we all know Battlefield Of Britain ain't for the weak or those who faint but its victory is in the hands of those who keep digging. Yes leaving the distraction behind. Genesis 26:11–31 — #2024. Great message to run with through Isaacs Journey in relation to Britain right now. Isaac's journey shows a clear progression. He dug a well, and it was disputed — he named it Esek, meaning contention. He dug another, and it was disputed again — he named it Sitnah, meaning opposition. He did not stop or turn back; he moved on and dug a third well, and this time no one contended over it — he named it Rehoboth, the room God provided. There, at Beersheba, God established him, and even those who had opposed him came and recognised that the LORD was with him. When Isaac first reopened the wells his father Abraham had dug, and no one contended over them. It was only when he broke new ground — Esek, then Sitnah — that opposition rose against him. Britain has restored what former generations laid down in the faith, yet in pressing forward into new ground for Christ in this generation, the nation has met contention and now stands in Sitnah. One of the Sitnahs' instruments is law. Isaac did not return to the old wells or retreat; he kept digging new ground until he reached Rehoboth. Britain the race is not for the Swift but for them who are able to keep going without fainting. So, do not stop digging because of Sitnah. Keep digging, keep praying, keep contending for the faith, keep standing for righteousness, and keep proclaiming Christ — until there is a Rehoboth, a place where God makes room to establish His purposes in this nation; until God is recognised in the land and peace reigns. It is written about you.. Are you part of the tribe.. Hebrews 10:7 And Psalms 40;7-8 reads Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come— In the volume of the book it is written of Me— To do Your will, O God.’ ” Are his laws written in your hearts? Keep This Word In Mind. ‭Galatians 6:9 NIV‬ Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. #hallelujah
    Like
    Love
    2
    0 Σχόλια 0 Μοιράστηκε 18 Views
  • "When the poor and the needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I The Lord will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them."
    [18]. "I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys: I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water." - Isaiah 41:17-18 KJV.

    https://www.facebook.com/share/1cY4uzNnK5/

    ☆☆☆ Beloved, the poor and the needy are not just those who lack money or the material things of life.
    ☆☆☆ Somebody may have money, very wealthy and yet still be poor.
    ☆☆☆ Somebody who has any need in his/her life yet to be met, is poor. It doesn't have to be financial or material needs alone.
    ☆☆☆ For example, a very rich woman with million of dollars in her account but still trusting God for the fruit of the womb, is poor when it comes to childbearing.
    ☆☆☆ The fellow who is sick and yet to be free from that sickness is surely poor health wise.
    ☆☆☆ Beloved, I don't know your own area of needs but I have a God who knows and can meet all needs.

    For you this day I therefore decree, every need of your life shall encounter God's divine provision from today in Jesus name.
    I decree and declare, where the help of man has failed you, the Lord shall arise to meet your needs in Jesus name.
    Once again I decree, fountains of manifold blessings shall spring forth to replace your valleys in Jesus name.
    In the name of Jesus I prophesy, your dry land shall enjoy springs of water from today.
    Every need in your life that has hitherto experienced delay, shall be promptly met from today in Jesus name.
    No more delay for you are now unstoppable in Jesus name.
    This is your season of joy and laughter.
    It's your set time to manifest.

    Happy day

    Shalom.

    Daily Prophetic Prayers and Messages by Pastor, Dr. Olutimehin Isaac.
    "When the poor and the needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I The Lord will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them." [18]. "I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys: I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water." - Isaiah 41:17-18 KJV. https://www.facebook.com/share/1cY4uzNnK5/ ☆☆☆ Beloved, the poor and the needy are not just those who lack money or the material things of life. ☆☆☆ Somebody may have money, very wealthy and yet still be poor. ☆☆☆ Somebody who has any need in his/her life yet to be met, is poor. It doesn't have to be financial or material needs alone. ☆☆☆ For example, a very rich woman with million of dollars in her account but still trusting God for the fruit of the womb, is poor when it comes to childbearing. ☆☆☆ The fellow who is sick and yet to be free from that sickness is surely poor health wise. ☆☆☆ Beloved, I don't know your own area of needs but I have a God who knows and can meet all needs. For you this day I therefore decree, every need of your life shall encounter God's divine provision from today in Jesus name. I decree and declare, where the help of man has failed you, the Lord shall arise to meet your needs in Jesus name. Once again I decree, fountains of manifold blessings shall spring forth to replace your valleys in Jesus name. In the name of Jesus I prophesy, your dry land shall enjoy springs of water from today. Every need in your life that has hitherto experienced delay, shall be promptly met from today in Jesus name. No more delay for you are now unstoppable in Jesus name. This is your season of joy and laughter. It's your set time to manifest. Happy day Shalom. Daily Prophetic Prayers and Messages by Pastor, Dr. Olutimehin Isaac.
    Like
    2
    0 Σχόλια 0 Μοιράστηκε 22 Views
  • "Satan doesn't do what he WANTS to do. He does what he is ALLOWED to do."--Isaac Pitre
    "Satan doesn't do what he WANTS to do. He does what he is ALLOWED to do."--Isaac Pitre
    0 Σχόλια 0 Μοιράστηκε 19 Views
  • Did you know?
    Isaac Never Married Again
    The only man loyal to his wife, even after death. Let's find out why.
    In this era, multiple wives weren't scandalous they were expected. Abraham remarried after Sarah died, and had six more sons. Jacob married two wives, plus two concubines. David and Solomon had wives beyond counting. Nobody would have blinked if Isaac did the same. He had every right, every custom, every precedent in his own family to remarry.
    He didn't.
    Isaac lived 180 years, the longest of the three patriarchs. Scripture never even tells us when Rebekah died. No death scene, no age, no mourning. She simply vanishes from the story after Genesis 27, and only reappears once buried in a cave, alongside Abraham, Sarah, and Isaac himself.
    Go back to Genesis 24:67. The moment Isaac brings Rebekah into his mother's tent, scripture says he "was comforted." The only place in the Bible where a wife is described as healing that kind of grief.
    Scripture never records his final words to her. But somewhere between that comfort and that silence, one thing is certain he never looked for another.
    Some promises are never written down. They're just kept.
    Did you know? Isaac Never Married Again The only man loyal to his wife, even after death. Let's find out why. In this era, multiple wives weren't scandalous they were expected. Abraham remarried after Sarah died, and had six more sons. Jacob married two wives, plus two concubines. David and Solomon had wives beyond counting. Nobody would have blinked if Isaac did the same. He had every right, every custom, every precedent in his own family to remarry. He didn't. Isaac lived 180 years, the longest of the three patriarchs. Scripture never even tells us when Rebekah died. No death scene, no age, no mourning. She simply vanishes from the story after Genesis 27, and only reappears once buried in a cave, alongside Abraham, Sarah, and Isaac himself. Go back to Genesis 24:67. The moment Isaac brings Rebekah into his mother's tent, scripture says he "was comforted." The only place in the Bible where a wife is described as healing that kind of grief. Scripture never records his final words to her. But somewhere between that comfort and that silence, one thing is certain he never looked for another. Some promises are never written down. They're just kept.
    0 Σχόλια 0 Μοιράστηκε 13 Views
  • The Mice in the Piano

    Pastor Joseph Clark
    August 12, 2026

    “He who denies the existence of God, has some reason for wishing that God did not exist.”

    —Saint Augustine

    “Whoever acknowledges Me before others, I will also acknowledge before My Father in heaven. But whoever disowns Me before others, I will disown before My Father in heaven.”

    —Matthew 10:32–33

    The Mice in the Piano

    Once upon a time, there were two little mice. They were brothers, and they had lived their entire lives inside a piano. It was the only world they had ever known.

    Their parents and siblings had died of old age, leaving the two brothers as the last members of their family. They spent their days exploring their strange little world and listening in wonder to the beautiful music that constantly filled the piano.

    They could not see where the music came from.

    Their parents had taught them that the music was produced by a great and mysterious being who lived beyond their understanding—the one who played the piano.

    The two mice loved to think about this great player. They talked about him, wondered about him, and delighted in the beautiful music he produced.

    Then, one day, one of the mice went exploring.

    When he returned, he was thoughtful and unusually serious.

    “There is no great player,” he told his brother. “It is all a myth. I have seen the inside of this piano. The music is produced by wires, hammers, strings, and mechanisms. I have seen them with my own eyes!”

    The brothers abandoned their belief in the great player.

    They were convinced that they had finally discovered the truth. They understood the mechanisms of the piano, and therefore they believed they had explained away the musician.

    They examined the wires, hammers, strings, and mechanical workings repeatedly. The more they learned about how the piano worked, the more confident they became that there was no need to believe in a player.

    But they had overlooked something very important.

    Knowing how the piano works does not explain who is playing it.

    And so, while the two mice congratulated themselves on their newfound wisdom, the great player continued to play.

    The mice simply could not see him.

    The Limits of Human Understanding

    There is an important lesson in this little story.

    Human beings are intelligent. We have learned extraordinary things about the universe. We have explored the depths of the oceans, walked on the moon, examined the microscopic world, mapped the human genome, and discovered astonishing laws governing the physical universe.

    But our ability to understand something does not mean that we understand everything.

    The Bible repeatedly reminds us that humility is essential when approaching God.

    Jesus said:

    “Unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

    —Matthew 18:3

    He also said:

    “Let the little children come to Me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”

    —Matthew 19:14

    And again:

    “Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”

    —Luke 18:17

    Jesus is not telling us to abandon reason or become intellectually childish. Rather, He is calling us to humility, trust, and dependence upon God.

    Scripture says:

    “Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

    —Matthew 18:4

    The Christian life begins with recognizing that God is God—and we are not.

    “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.”

    —Ephesians 2:8

    And:

    “The righteous shall live by faith.”

    —Romans 1:17

    Faith is not a rejection of reason. Faith recognizes that human reason has limits.

    Living in a Skeptical Age

    In 1897, Francis Pharcellus Church wrote his famous response to eight-year-old Virginia O'Hanlon concerning her question about Santa Claus. Church observed that people can become skeptical of anything they cannot see or fully comprehend.

    Although Church was writing about Santa Claus—not God—the broader observation is worth considering.

    We live in an age that often treats what can be measured as though it were the only thing that can be real.

    But there are many things we accept as real without seeing them directly.

    We cannot see gravity.

    We cannot see thoughts.

    We cannot see love.

    We cannot see electricity itself.

    Yet we observe their effects.

    Likewise, Christians believe that although God cannot be placed under a microscope or reduced to a laboratory experiment, His existence can be considered through the evidence of creation, reason, morality, human consciousness, history, and ultimately the revelation of Jesus Christ.

    The fact that we cannot see God with our physical eyes does not prove that God does not exist.

    The mice could not see the piano player either.

    That did not mean he wasn't there.

    When People Mock Our Faith

    A close friend of mine, an Archbishop, once told me a humorous story from his childhood.

    He had been at a park with his mother when he ran over excitedly and told her that the sun was actually a star and that the stars in the sky were also suns.

    His mother, apparently overwhelmed by the complexity of the information, responded with a blunt declaration that, in essence, the sun was the sun and the stars were the stars—and that was the end of the discussion!

    Sometimes we can become uncomfortable when someone challenges what we believe.

    That is particularly true when people we respect dismiss Christianity as foolishness.

    Richard Dawkins, Woody Allen, Isaac Asimov, Mark Twain, Carl Sagan, and many others have expressed skepticism toward Christianity or belief in God.

    But Christians should not respond with anger or hatred.

    We should respond with grace.

    Forgive them. Pray for them. Love them. And share the Gospel with them.

    The Apostle Peter instructed Christians:

    “Always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks you for the reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.”

    —1 Peter 3:15

    That is an important distinction.

    We are called to defend the faith, but we are not called to be quarrelsome.

    Jesus said:

    “If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet.”

    —Matthew 10:14

    And He warned:

    “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls before swine.”

    —Matthew 7:6

    There comes a time when we must recognize that arguing louder will not make someone believe.

    Our responsibility is to faithfully proclaim Christ.

    The Holy Spirit is responsible for changing hearts.

    What About Suffering?

    One of the most common objections to belief in God is the existence of suffering.

    People ask:

    “How can I believe in a loving God when there is so much suffering in the world?”

    This is a serious question, and Christians should never dismiss it with a shallow answer.

    The Bible itself contains people crying out to God in the midst of suffering. Job asked difficult questions. David cried out in the Psalms. Even Jesus wept at the tomb of Lazarus.

    Christianity does not pretend that suffering is imaginary.

    Instead, Christianity tells us that suffering exists in a fallen world and that God entered that suffering Himself through Jesus Christ.

    The cross is Christianity's answer to the claim that God is indifferent to human suffering.

    God did not remain distant from our pain.

    He entered our world.

    He suffered.

    He died.

    And He rose again.

    The Apostle Paul writes:

    “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”

    —Romans 8:18

    C.S. Lewis famously described pain as God's “megaphone” to a deaf world.

    Suffering does not prove that God does not exist. For many people, suffering instead becomes the very circumstance that drives them to ask the deepest questions about meaning, morality, mortality, and God.

    What About Hell?

    Another question frequently asked is:

    “How can a loving God send people to Hell?”

    The Christian answer begins with the extraordinary love of God.

    Jesus said:

    “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”

    —John 3:16

    God offers salvation freely through Christ.

    The Gospel is not a message that God delights in condemning people. It is a message that God has provided a way of salvation.

    Jesus came to seek and save the lost.

    The seriousness of judgment is precisely what makes the offer of salvation so important.

    God does not force anyone to love Him.

    The Gospel calls us to repent, believe, and receive the grace of God.

    Faith and the Evidence of Creation

    The universe raises enormous questions.

    Why is there something rather than nothing?

    Why does the universe possess order?

    Why are the laws of nature intelligible?

    Why does human consciousness exist?

    Why do human beings possess an awareness of moral obligation?

    Science can investigate how many things work. But questions concerning ultimate meaning and purpose extend beyond the laboratory.

    The Christian does not believe that science is the enemy of faith.

    Quite the opposite.

    The universe is intelligible because Christians believe it was created by an intelligent God.

    The laws of nature can be investigated because Christians believe those laws reflect an ordered creation.

    The human capacity to reason can be used to explore the universe because Christians believe human beings were created by God.

    Science can tell us much about the mechanisms of the piano.

    But science alone cannot answer the question:

    Who is playing the music?

    Believers in the Scientific Community

    Christianity has never belonged exclusively to the uneducated or uninformed.

    Throughout history, many highly accomplished scientists have believed in God.

    Among them are figures such as:

    Isaac Newton, whose work transformed physics and mathematics.
    James Clerk Maxwell, one of the great figures in electromagnetic theory.
    Gregor Mendel, whose experiments established foundational principles of genetics and who was also an Augustinian friar.
    Georges Lemaître, a Catholic priest and physicist whose work on an expanding universe helped establish the foundation of what became known as Big Bang cosmology.
    Francis Collins, physician-geneticist and former director of the National Human Genome Research Institute, who has publicly identified as a Christian.
    Charles Townes, Nobel Prize-winning physicist and inventor of the maser and co-inventor of the laser, who was an openly religious Christian.

    These examples do not prove Christianity simply because these scientists believed.

    But they do demonstrate something important:

    Faith in God is not incompatible with intellectual achievement.

    A person does not have to abandon intelligence in order to believe in God.

    Nor does becoming a Christian require someone to stop asking questions.

    Christians should welcome honest questions.

    The Problem With the Piano Mice

    The two mice made a fundamental mistake.

    They confused an explanation of the mechanism with an explanation of the ultimate cause.

    They discovered the wires.

    They discovered the hammers.

    They discovered the strings.

    They discovered the machinery.

    And then they concluded:

    “Therefore, there is no piano player.”

    But that conclusion did not logically follow from their discovery.

    In fact, their discovery of the piano's complexity could have led them to ask an entirely different question:

    Who designed this?

    And that is the question we must ultimately ask about our universe.

    Where did everything come from?

    Why is there something rather than nothing?

    Why does the universe operate according to discoverable laws?

    Why does consciousness exist?

    Why do we have an innate sense that some things are genuinely right and others genuinely wrong?

    And perhaps the greatest question of all:

    Who are we, and why are we here?

    The Christian answer is that we are creatures made by our Creator.

    We are not accidents without purpose.

    We were created by God, for God, and ultimately for relationship with Him.

    We Are the Mice

    There is another lesson in the story that we must not miss.

    Perhaps the greatest danger is not being ignorant.

    Perhaps it is believing that we know everything.

    We are the mice in the piano.

    We live inside a universe vastly larger and more complicated than our minds can fully comprehend.

    We see only a fraction of reality.

    We understand only a fraction of what exists.

    And yet we sometimes look at the small portion we understand and confidently declare that nothing exists beyond it.

    The Bible reminds us:

    “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, declares the LORD.”

    —Isaiah 55:8

    And:

    “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and how inscrutable His ways!”

    —Romans 11:33

    The proper response to a God who is greater than our understanding is not arrogance.

    It is humility.

    It is worship.

    It is faith.

    The Music Continues

    The two mice eventually stopped believing in the piano player.

    They became convinced that they had explained everything.

    But outside their tiny world, the musician continued to play.

    The music never stopped.

    The fact that they could not see him did not mean he was absent.

    And perhaps that is where many people find themselves today.

    They have examined the mechanisms of the universe.

    They have learned about physics, biology, chemistry, mathematics, and astronomy.

    They have become fascinated by the machinery.

    But they have never stopped to ask whether there is a Creator behind it all.

    The Christian message is that there is.

    His name is Jesus Christ.

    He is not merely an idea, a philosophy, or a comforting story.

    He is the Son of God who entered human history, died for our sins, and rose from the grave.

    And He calls every one of us to respond.

    Jesus said:

    “Whoever acknowledges Me before others, I will also acknowledge before My Father in heaven.”

    —Matthew 10:32

    The question is not merely whether we believe that God exists.

    The deeper question is:

    What will we do with Jesus Christ?

    The piano is playing.

    The music is all around us.

    The question is whether we will remain convinced that there is nothing beyond the wires and hammers—or whether we will humble ourselves, listen carefully, and seek the One who is playing the music.

    Do not be so certain that you have explained the piano that you never look for the Player.

    —Pastor Joseph Clark
    The Mice in the Piano Pastor Joseph Clark August 12, 2026 “He who denies the existence of God, has some reason for wishing that God did not exist.” —Saint Augustine “Whoever acknowledges Me before others, I will also acknowledge before My Father in heaven. But whoever disowns Me before others, I will disown before My Father in heaven.” —Matthew 10:32–33 The Mice in the Piano Once upon a time, there were two little mice. They were brothers, and they had lived their entire lives inside a piano. It was the only world they had ever known. Their parents and siblings had died of old age, leaving the two brothers as the last members of their family. They spent their days exploring their strange little world and listening in wonder to the beautiful music that constantly filled the piano. They could not see where the music came from. Their parents had taught them that the music was produced by a great and mysterious being who lived beyond their understanding—the one who played the piano. The two mice loved to think about this great player. They talked about him, wondered about him, and delighted in the beautiful music he produced. Then, one day, one of the mice went exploring. When he returned, he was thoughtful and unusually serious. “There is no great player,” he told his brother. “It is all a myth. I have seen the inside of this piano. The music is produced by wires, hammers, strings, and mechanisms. I have seen them with my own eyes!” The brothers abandoned their belief in the great player. They were convinced that they had finally discovered the truth. They understood the mechanisms of the piano, and therefore they believed they had explained away the musician. They examined the wires, hammers, strings, and mechanical workings repeatedly. The more they learned about how the piano worked, the more confident they became that there was no need to believe in a player. But they had overlooked something very important. Knowing how the piano works does not explain who is playing it. And so, while the two mice congratulated themselves on their newfound wisdom, the great player continued to play. The mice simply could not see him. The Limits of Human Understanding There is an important lesson in this little story. Human beings are intelligent. We have learned extraordinary things about the universe. We have explored the depths of the oceans, walked on the moon, examined the microscopic world, mapped the human genome, and discovered astonishing laws governing the physical universe. But our ability to understand something does not mean that we understand everything. The Bible repeatedly reminds us that humility is essential when approaching God. Jesus said: “Unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” —Matthew 18:3 He also said: “Let the little children come to Me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” —Matthew 19:14 And again: “Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” —Luke 18:17 Jesus is not telling us to abandon reason or become intellectually childish. Rather, He is calling us to humility, trust, and dependence upon God. Scripture says: “Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” —Matthew 18:4 The Christian life begins with recognizing that God is God—and we are not. “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.” —Ephesians 2:8 And: “The righteous shall live by faith.” —Romans 1:17 Faith is not a rejection of reason. Faith recognizes that human reason has limits. Living in a Skeptical Age In 1897, Francis Pharcellus Church wrote his famous response to eight-year-old Virginia O'Hanlon concerning her question about Santa Claus. Church observed that people can become skeptical of anything they cannot see or fully comprehend. Although Church was writing about Santa Claus—not God—the broader observation is worth considering. We live in an age that often treats what can be measured as though it were the only thing that can be real. But there are many things we accept as real without seeing them directly. We cannot see gravity. We cannot see thoughts. We cannot see love. We cannot see electricity itself. Yet we observe their effects. Likewise, Christians believe that although God cannot be placed under a microscope or reduced to a laboratory experiment, His existence can be considered through the evidence of creation, reason, morality, human consciousness, history, and ultimately the revelation of Jesus Christ. The fact that we cannot see God with our physical eyes does not prove that God does not exist. The mice could not see the piano player either. That did not mean he wasn't there. When People Mock Our Faith A close friend of mine, an Archbishop, once told me a humorous story from his childhood. He had been at a park with his mother when he ran over excitedly and told her that the sun was actually a star and that the stars in the sky were also suns. His mother, apparently overwhelmed by the complexity of the information, responded with a blunt declaration that, in essence, the sun was the sun and the stars were the stars—and that was the end of the discussion! Sometimes we can become uncomfortable when someone challenges what we believe. That is particularly true when people we respect dismiss Christianity as foolishness. Richard Dawkins, Woody Allen, Isaac Asimov, Mark Twain, Carl Sagan, and many others have expressed skepticism toward Christianity or belief in God. But Christians should not respond with anger or hatred. We should respond with grace. Forgive them. Pray for them. Love them. And share the Gospel with them. The Apostle Peter instructed Christians: “Always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks you for the reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.” —1 Peter 3:15 That is an important distinction. We are called to defend the faith, but we are not called to be quarrelsome. Jesus said: “If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet.” —Matthew 10:14 And He warned: “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls before swine.” —Matthew 7:6 There comes a time when we must recognize that arguing louder will not make someone believe. Our responsibility is to faithfully proclaim Christ. The Holy Spirit is responsible for changing hearts. What About Suffering? One of the most common objections to belief in God is the existence of suffering. People ask: “How can I believe in a loving God when there is so much suffering in the world?” This is a serious question, and Christians should never dismiss it with a shallow answer. The Bible itself contains people crying out to God in the midst of suffering. Job asked difficult questions. David cried out in the Psalms. Even Jesus wept at the tomb of Lazarus. Christianity does not pretend that suffering is imaginary. Instead, Christianity tells us that suffering exists in a fallen world and that God entered that suffering Himself through Jesus Christ. The cross is Christianity's answer to the claim that God is indifferent to human suffering. God did not remain distant from our pain. He entered our world. He suffered. He died. And He rose again. The Apostle Paul writes: “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” —Romans 8:18 C.S. Lewis famously described pain as God's “megaphone” to a deaf world. Suffering does not prove that God does not exist. For many people, suffering instead becomes the very circumstance that drives them to ask the deepest questions about meaning, morality, mortality, and God. What About Hell? Another question frequently asked is: “How can a loving God send people to Hell?” The Christian answer begins with the extraordinary love of God. Jesus said: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” —John 3:16 God offers salvation freely through Christ. The Gospel is not a message that God delights in condemning people. It is a message that God has provided a way of salvation. Jesus came to seek and save the lost. The seriousness of judgment is precisely what makes the offer of salvation so important. God does not force anyone to love Him. The Gospel calls us to repent, believe, and receive the grace of God. Faith and the Evidence of Creation The universe raises enormous questions. Why is there something rather than nothing? Why does the universe possess order? Why are the laws of nature intelligible? Why does human consciousness exist? Why do human beings possess an awareness of moral obligation? Science can investigate how many things work. But questions concerning ultimate meaning and purpose extend beyond the laboratory. The Christian does not believe that science is the enemy of faith. Quite the opposite. The universe is intelligible because Christians believe it was created by an intelligent God. The laws of nature can be investigated because Christians believe those laws reflect an ordered creation. The human capacity to reason can be used to explore the universe because Christians believe human beings were created by God. Science can tell us much about the mechanisms of the piano. But science alone cannot answer the question: Who is playing the music? Believers in the Scientific Community Christianity has never belonged exclusively to the uneducated or uninformed. Throughout history, many highly accomplished scientists have believed in God. Among them are figures such as: Isaac Newton, whose work transformed physics and mathematics. James Clerk Maxwell, one of the great figures in electromagnetic theory. Gregor Mendel, whose experiments established foundational principles of genetics and who was also an Augustinian friar. Georges Lemaître, a Catholic priest and physicist whose work on an expanding universe helped establish the foundation of what became known as Big Bang cosmology. Francis Collins, physician-geneticist and former director of the National Human Genome Research Institute, who has publicly identified as a Christian. Charles Townes, Nobel Prize-winning physicist and inventor of the maser and co-inventor of the laser, who was an openly religious Christian. These examples do not prove Christianity simply because these scientists believed. But they do demonstrate something important: Faith in God is not incompatible with intellectual achievement. A person does not have to abandon intelligence in order to believe in God. Nor does becoming a Christian require someone to stop asking questions. Christians should welcome honest questions. The Problem With the Piano Mice The two mice made a fundamental mistake. They confused an explanation of the mechanism with an explanation of the ultimate cause. They discovered the wires. They discovered the hammers. They discovered the strings. They discovered the machinery. And then they concluded: “Therefore, there is no piano player.” But that conclusion did not logically follow from their discovery. In fact, their discovery of the piano's complexity could have led them to ask an entirely different question: Who designed this? And that is the question we must ultimately ask about our universe. Where did everything come from? Why is there something rather than nothing? Why does the universe operate according to discoverable laws? Why does consciousness exist? Why do we have an innate sense that some things are genuinely right and others genuinely wrong? And perhaps the greatest question of all: Who are we, and why are we here? The Christian answer is that we are creatures made by our Creator. We are not accidents without purpose. We were created by God, for God, and ultimately for relationship with Him. We Are the Mice There is another lesson in the story that we must not miss. Perhaps the greatest danger is not being ignorant. Perhaps it is believing that we know everything. We are the mice in the piano. We live inside a universe vastly larger and more complicated than our minds can fully comprehend. We see only a fraction of reality. We understand only a fraction of what exists. And yet we sometimes look at the small portion we understand and confidently declare that nothing exists beyond it. The Bible reminds us: “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, declares the LORD.” —Isaiah 55:8 And: “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and how inscrutable His ways!” —Romans 11:33 The proper response to a God who is greater than our understanding is not arrogance. It is humility. It is worship. It is faith. The Music Continues The two mice eventually stopped believing in the piano player. They became convinced that they had explained everything. But outside their tiny world, the musician continued to play. The music never stopped. The fact that they could not see him did not mean he was absent. And perhaps that is where many people find themselves today. They have examined the mechanisms of the universe. They have learned about physics, biology, chemistry, mathematics, and astronomy. They have become fascinated by the machinery. But they have never stopped to ask whether there is a Creator behind it all. The Christian message is that there is. His name is Jesus Christ. He is not merely an idea, a philosophy, or a comforting story. He is the Son of God who entered human history, died for our sins, and rose from the grave. And He calls every one of us to respond. Jesus said: “Whoever acknowledges Me before others, I will also acknowledge before My Father in heaven.” —Matthew 10:32 The question is not merely whether we believe that God exists. The deeper question is: What will we do with Jesus Christ? The piano is playing. The music is all around us. The question is whether we will remain convinced that there is nothing beyond the wires and hammers—or whether we will humble ourselves, listen carefully, and seek the One who is playing the music. Do not be so certain that you have explained the piano that you never look for the Player. —Pastor Joseph Clark
    0 Σχόλια 0 Μοιράστηκε 30 Views
  • The Story Behind the Hymns.
    THE STORY BEHIND "O GOD, OUR HELP IN AGES PAST"

    Few hymns have offered as much comfort across generations as O God, Our Help in Ages Past. Written by the English minister and hymn writer Isaac Watts in 1708, the hymn is based on Psalm 90, a prayer of Moses that reflects on God's eternal nature and humanity's brief existence.

    Before Watts began writing hymns, many churches in England sang only metrical versions of the Psalms. Watts believed Christians should sing hymns that expressed the fullness of the Christian faith in clear, heartfelt language. His work transformed English hymnody and earned him the title "Father of English Hymnody."

    Inspired by Psalm 90, Watts wrote this hymn to remind believers that while human life is fleeting, God remains constant through every generation. The opening line, "O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come," has become one of the most recognizable expressions of trust in God's unfailing care.

    The hymn gained even greater prominence in Britain after it was paired with the stately tune St. Anne, composed by William Croft around 1708. The tune's majestic character perfectly complements the hymn's message of God's everlasting faithfulness.

    Over the centuries, O God, Our Help in Ages Past has been sung at national services of thanksgiving and remembrance, royal occasions, funerals, memorials, and times of crisis. During both World Wars, it became a source of hope and strength for countless people facing uncertainty and loss.

    Today, the hymn continues to resonate with Christians around the world. Its timeless message reminds believers that while generations come and go, God remains the same, our refuge in the past, our strength in the present, and our hope for the future.
    The Story Behind the Hymns. THE STORY BEHIND "O GOD, OUR HELP IN AGES PAST" Few hymns have offered as much comfort across generations as O God, Our Help in Ages Past. Written by the English minister and hymn writer Isaac Watts in 1708, the hymn is based on Psalm 90, a prayer of Moses that reflects on God's eternal nature and humanity's brief existence. Before Watts began writing hymns, many churches in England sang only metrical versions of the Psalms. Watts believed Christians should sing hymns that expressed the fullness of the Christian faith in clear, heartfelt language. His work transformed English hymnody and earned him the title "Father of English Hymnody." Inspired by Psalm 90, Watts wrote this hymn to remind believers that while human life is fleeting, God remains constant through every generation. The opening line, "O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come," has become one of the most recognizable expressions of trust in God's unfailing care. The hymn gained even greater prominence in Britain after it was paired with the stately tune St. Anne, composed by William Croft around 1708. The tune's majestic character perfectly complements the hymn's message of God's everlasting faithfulness. Over the centuries, O God, Our Help in Ages Past has been sung at national services of thanksgiving and remembrance, royal occasions, funerals, memorials, and times of crisis. During both World Wars, it became a source of hope and strength for countless people facing uncertainty and loss. Today, the hymn continues to resonate with Christians around the world. Its timeless message reminds believers that while generations come and go, God remains the same, our refuge in the past, our strength in the present, and our hope for the future.
    0 Σχόλια 0 Μοιράστηκε 28 Views
Αναζήτηση αποτελεσμάτων