• God's Word creates reality
    YOU WANT TO SEE THE SCRIPTURE THAT TALKS ABOUT AMERICA, THE USA!!!! THIS GREAT NATION THAT GOD PROMISED TO EXIST JUST BECAUSE HE SAID IT!!!!!!
    Isaiah 18:1-7 (KJV)
    Woe to the land shadowing with wings, which is beyond the rivers of Ethiopia:
    The Hebrew word is HO not WOE, as in hello to the land shadowing with wings. A symbol of our great bald eagle with it's outstretched wings, that mighty bird that represents our nation. Hello to a land beyond Africa.
    That sendeth ambassadors by the sea, even in vessels of bulrushes upon the waters, saying, Go, ye swift messengers, to a nation scattered and peeled, to a people terrible from their beginning hitherto; a nation meted out and trodden down, whose land the rivers have spoiled!
    America which sends out great warships upon the waters of the world carrying ambassadors of peace and goodwill. Go to this nation, to a people whose land has been sectioned and paved over, to a people terrible from there beginnings, America founded on revolt against tyranny and oppression. These people are mighty even to this day. Their land divided up and meted out into states, trodden down with roads and concrete highways. Their land spoiled with mighty rivers and lakes and streams.
    All ye inhabitants of the world, and dwellers on the earth, see ye, when he lifteth up an ensign on the mountains; and when he bloweth a trumpet, hear ye.
    GOD IS TELLING THE WHOLE WORLD, AND HE MEANS EVERYONE LIVING UPON THE FACE OF THE EARTH. WHEN YOU SEE AMERICA LIFT UP HER FLAG TO THE WORLD, WHEN AMERICA DECLARES WAR YOU HAD BEST BE PAYING ATTENTION AND BE LISTENING TO WHAT AMERICA PROCLAIMS.
    THIS IS AMERICA IN SCRIPTURE. AMERICA IS OF GOD BECAUSE GOD CREATED IT HIMSELF!!! AMERICA IS NOT GOING ANYWHERE AND AS MR. T WOULD SAY, I PITY THE FOUL WHO WOULD TRY AMERICA.
    www.whythewhitemanrules.com
    God's Word creates reality YOU WANT TO SEE THE SCRIPTURE THAT TALKS ABOUT AMERICA, THE USA!!!! THIS GREAT NATION THAT GOD PROMISED TO EXIST JUST BECAUSE HE SAID IT!!!!!! Isaiah 18:1-7 (KJV) Woe to the land shadowing with wings, which is beyond the rivers of Ethiopia: The Hebrew word is HO not WOE, as in hello to the land shadowing with wings. A symbol of our great bald eagle with it's outstretched wings, that mighty bird that represents our nation. Hello to a land beyond Africa. That sendeth ambassadors by the sea, even in vessels of bulrushes upon the waters, saying, Go, ye swift messengers, to a nation scattered and peeled, to a people terrible from their beginning hitherto; a nation meted out and trodden down, whose land the rivers have spoiled! America which sends out great warships upon the waters of the world carrying ambassadors of peace and goodwill. Go to this nation, to a people whose land has been sectioned and paved over, to a people terrible from there beginnings, America founded on revolt against tyranny and oppression. These people are mighty even to this day. Their land divided up and meted out into states, trodden down with roads and concrete highways. Their land spoiled with mighty rivers and lakes and streams. All ye inhabitants of the world, and dwellers on the earth, see ye, when he lifteth up an ensign on the mountains; and when he bloweth a trumpet, hear ye. GOD IS TELLING THE WHOLE WORLD, AND HE MEANS EVERYONE LIVING UPON THE FACE OF THE EARTH. WHEN YOU SEE AMERICA LIFT UP HER FLAG TO THE WORLD, WHEN AMERICA DECLARES WAR YOU HAD BEST BE PAYING ATTENTION AND BE LISTENING TO WHAT AMERICA PROCLAIMS. THIS IS AMERICA IN SCRIPTURE. AMERICA IS OF GOD BECAUSE GOD CREATED IT HIMSELF!!! AMERICA IS NOT GOING ANYWHERE AND AS MR. T WOULD SAY, I PITY THE FOUL WHO WOULD TRY AMERICA. www.whythewhitemanrules.com
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  • WHY DO THE RIGHTEOUS SUFFER? Part 1 of 2.
    I would like to address one of the most puzzling and perplexing problems confronting the Christian today and that is why do the righteous suffer? In order to deal with this adequately, we're going to be looking at the book of Job. We read in Job Chapter 1:1f There was a man in the Land of Oz whose name is Job and that man was perfect and upright and one that feared God and turned away from evil. We continue to read in the book of Job how he lost everything, his family, his property, his possessions, and then lost his health with a loathsome disease. The universal problem of whether or not suffering is a sign of divine displeasure, and thus presupposes sin on the part of the sufferer, is the theme of the book of Job.

    The central problem of the book of Job is the central problem of humanity. Why do men suffer the way they do, and especially, why do the righteous suffer? Why are not godly, righteous, faithful obedient men and women always blessed? Why does it seem many of the ungodly prosper and are never in trouble? A Christian wonders why must I suffer this or that, or why must I go through this trial, or why do I have to experience all of this pain and adversity? I'm a Christian, I study the Bible, I love the Lord. I feel that I'm obedient, so why do I go through such long trials, hardships, and personal attacks? To make things even worse, many times there is no immediate answer and it's a real test of your faith as with Job.

    Is all adversity and suffering the direct result of sin? What is the basis upon which prosperity and adversity, blessing and misfortune, affliction and health happen to people? What is the basis upon which these things are distributed to men in this life? The principal aim of the book of Job is to disprove the popular theory that was held by many of the Jews and it's still popular today, that all suffering is a sign of God's displeasure and presupposes sin on the part of the sufferer. Inseparably related to the problem of suffering is the greater problem of evil and to consider one necessitates the consideration of the other. The problem of evil results from the clear fact that within the world that God created good according to Genesis 1, it was created very good! Within this world that God created good there is much that is now imperfect. It has become a world of suffering, sin, hate, warfare, oppression, evil and death. Now even a superficial observer will note that these two facts present somewhat of a dilemma. On the one hand Genesis 1 shows that God created all things good and he hates evil. On the other hand, we've seen the widespread evil and suffering that's in this world of imperfection. Now how can we explain this: what has happened? Some suggest that either God cannot remove evil nor could he have prevented its entrance into his world.

    Others say God does not will to prevent it and did not will to prevent its entrance into the Garden of Eden. Now the first conclusion will be rejected by all who believe in the Sovereign God of the Bible but neither is the second alternative any help in solving the apparent dilemma. It doesn't give us a satisfactory solution and so believers and Christians have always sought a third alternative to explain the problem of evil in a good universe. Now the book of Job is in reality the source material for a study of some of the most profound theological questions of the Bible- the problem of the righteous suffering adversity and the meaning of the presence of evil in a world God created good. It gives us the source of sickness and adversity. It's not God as some think and is often implied today. It's Satan who is behind the scenes doing this. No book in the Bible gives more insight into the problem of why the righteous suffer and the meaning and purpose of evil in the world. Now we will examine that question.

    There are three basic solutions that have been given to the problem of evil.
    First there's a denial of its existence. We're told all evil is only an illusion. This is fundamentally the doctrinal position of the Christian Scientists. All evil experienced, meaning sin, suffering, pain, and the like are purely subjective, existing only in the mind of the observer. They have no objective reality. Christian science teaches that since God is good, he could not permit evil to exist and therefore evil is not real. Suffering, evil, sin, and Satan and death are the imagination of man's finite mind. They're only an illusion. They have no reality and would disappear if man would by faith and self-discipline deny their existence. Of course, the objections to this hypothesis are almost self-evident.

    Even if this hypothesis were accepted as valid, which it isn't, one is still faced with the question of how the appearance of evil and suffering is to be explained. I mean what's the origin and meaning of the illusion of pain and suffering and death? The illusion of pain and suffering is as real to the sufferer as real pain and suffering. A world in which the majority of its inhabitants are deceived with respect to the presence of suffering needs as much explaining as one in which evil is a genuine reality. It doesn't solve the problem, it only changes the terminology from reality to illusion. The suffering and the evil remain. It is quite obvious that this view is unbiblical and is out of harmony with the facts of experience. I mean Christian Scientists yell just as loudly as anyone else when they mashed their finger with a hammer. They go right on dying like the rest of humanity.

    Another suggested solution is the error is finitism. We're told God's power is limited. The doctrine of the finite God is the solution that we must choose, we are told. The fact that God is not completely good and that he is not omnipotent is an unscriptural attempt to explain the presence of moral and natural evil. The limitation doctrine argues that God made the best kind of world that he could but that even God could not prevent the presence of evil. Finitism, we are told, preserves the goodness of God and recognizes that God is not the source of all things. He is the source of all that is good and He is an opposition to all that is evil. Finitism seems to be a solution to some people.

    But again, this theory is unbiblical. The doctrine of a finite God cannot stand in view of the testimony of Scripture. See Daniel 4:35 Jeremiah 32:17, Matthew 19:26, Romans 9, Job 1 and 2. We're told that God is in control of all events and governments in heaven and earth. Nothing is too hard for God and with God nothing is impossible. As we read Job chapters 1 & 2 we see that Satan had to get God's permission to afflict Job. The concept of an eternal principle of evil against which God is engaged in some cosmic struggle and the outcome of which is by no means certain is platonic dualism pure and simple. It's not Biblical. The doctrine of finitism is no solution at all to the problem but simply a sophisticated shortcut to avoid what appears to be a dilemma. It results from the fallacy that one must either give up the goodness of God or His omnipotence and power since there appears to be an alleged conflict. The only solution seems to be to sacrifice his omnipotence according to this unscriptural view.

    Now a third solution which we believe to be the biblical one, is that a moral world involves the possibility of evil. In a moral universe of free creatures, the possibility of moral development involves the possibility of the entrance of moral evil and its consequences into the world. For example, we see in the narratives of Genesis that God did not intend to compel moral obedience, but that a holy moral character could only be developed by voluntary free choice on Adam's part. Hence, a world without the possibility of disobeying God would not present the necessary means of developing moral character. Adam was not born with a holy moral character, but he was innocent. He was pure, but you're not born with character. This must develop and grow as you respond to the experiences of life. Trials, adversities, and so forth are designed to shape one's character.

    Someone has pointed out that these sufferings sometimes crush the person who experiences it. There are times when the final result is more glorious than would be conceivable in any other kind of universe. Therefore, this view does give us a workable solution to the problem of evil and helps explain the purpose of suffering. It is the suffering of the righteous and the allowance of the entrance of sin into the world. This view involves a possibility of the entrance of evil and also helps explain God's self-imposed limitations. Now those terms are important. We see God is presented in Scripture as omnipotent and all-powerful. But it is also true that, at the moment He created something outside himself, man who is a free moral creature, who could have the power at least temporarily to say no to God, that there was to some degree a self-imposed limitation which God placed upon Himself.

    This does not mean that God has limited His sovereignty, power, or His rule by creating a being in his own image who had the power to rebel against him. But it does mean that God chose to exercise his sovereignty in a universe filled with creatures who could temporarily rebel against that sovereignty. Notice it's only temporary, and so we see a moral world involves the possibility of the entrance and presence of moral evil. This brings us to the basic question that we're going to discuss. The perplexing problem of why the righteous suffer and biblical solutions. It's not unusual that trials and sufferings of the child of God may involve several purposes. We shall explore these next.

    Part 2.) First, we see that trials and sufferings have an educational purpose. We will see from this study that the righteous suffering trial and affliction is not always evidence that they have sinned or evidence that God is displeased with them. There may be some deeper purpose in God allowing it and that is to bring them into conformity to the image of Jesus Christ. Examining these purposes is necessary because the Christian goes through trials and sufferings of many kinds. Therefore, they need to know whether or not these are chastisements, are things to be resisted as from the devil, or if these things are from the hand of God! This way we will not be resisting when we should be submitting so we will benefit from our trials and testings. We mentioned that trials and sufferings have an educational purpose. We see Job's misfortunes and sufferings at first of all as a teaching and educational purpose. We see spiritual wisdom and discernment do not automatically come to the believer but they are gained through the times of hardship and suffering and of trial and testing.

    Job learned the meaning of an abiding faith in God. He received an education along the line of an abiding and steadfast faith. See chapter 13 in verses 15-18. Job said though he slay me yet will I trust him. He came to know what genuine faith was and he was willing to trust God in spite of circumstances and appearances. He came to know in a more meaningful way God as his Redeemer in chapter 19. He has come through a great valley of testing and trial and affliction and there's one thing he says. I don't understand all of this, but I do know my redeemer lives and then he became confident in his future of vindication. We see that in chapter 9 verses 32-35, chapter 16 verse 19, chapter 13 verse 18. He said I know that I will be justified and this suffering of mine is not the result of sin, but I will be vindicated.

    Almost beside himself from grief and suffering, he came into a deeper assurance of a future life beyond the grave and this present world of inequality, injustice, and affliction. He came into a deeper understanding of the sovereignty of God. In chapters 38 to 41 where the Lord addresses him in two discourses of speeches, Job said, I've heard of You in the hearing of the ear and now my eye has seen You. I abhor myself and I repent in dust and in ashes. He said, I lay my hand over my mouth and I'll not speak again. I've spoken once, I've spoken twice but now, he says I'll not speak again. God revealed to him his sovereignty. God doesn't answer job's perplexities or questions. He just reminds him that He is God and that whatever he does is righteous.

    So, the educational purpose and significance of suffering is evident throughout the Bible especially in the book of Job as Job progressively moves from one valley of doubt and mystery to another. Each time climbing to a mountain peak of faith as he conquers his fears and his doubts and he comes to a new understanding and appreciation of the promises of God. The meaning of suffering is first and foremost of all for the express purpose of developing within the heart of the saint the assurance and understanding of his trust in God. In psalm 119 verses 65-72. The psalmist said there that he praises the Lord for afflicting him because then he came to know how to obey the Lord as he should. He said I thank You for the correction of my affliction because now I've come to understand better how to obey your precepts and your law. Our trials and tests, persecutions and the like have an educational purpose.

    When Jesus saves you, he sends you to His school. That is the school of the trial of your faith. Sadly, most Christians have not been taught this. They do not profit from their lessons so they keep taking the same course over and over. This is because they're flunking the tests. They've not been taught to submit to the trials but instead resist them. They think trials are something to be avoided at all costs. The Bible says we are to rejoice in our trials, James 1, because it is working in us the steadfast endurance we need to mature. Jesus told us that trials are to be a cause of rejoicing in Matthew 5, because when we're persecuted he said, rejoice because great is your reward in heaven. We are not to resist these things.

    Again, in Acts 14:22, for we must by much tribulation enter the kingdom of God. If you're trying to get off the pathway of trial and if you're trying to get out of that school, then you are on the wrong path. Realize you will not be able to graduate because you're flunking the course or you become a spiritual dropout from the school of the trial of your faith. Trials and sufferings are designed by God because He loves you and desires to educate you in an abiding faith in knowing that He is able to deliver and protect you keeping you to the end. You come to trust Him in spite of circumstances as Job. You come to the place where you can say though He slay me yet will I trust Him. That doesn't make any sense to your head or your intellect, but if you stay in God's school and learn your lessons as you should, it will make sense to your spirit and to your heart. Trials and sufferings of the believer for righteousness' sake have an educational purpose. Stay in God's school long enough for him to teach you something and you'll find you'll be blessed for it with a mature faith and trust in the plans and purposes of God in your life!

    Part 3.) Next, we see that sometimes sufferings and trials have a punitive purpose. This is the solution, by the way, to the problem suggested by Job's friends. You'll notice this as you read the book and although it is by no means the whole answer, yet it does have its place in the total picture. This is the law of sowing and reaping Galatians 6:7 - for whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap. There are natural consequences of sin and so sometimes trials and sufferings have a punitive purpose. Punitive means punishment. Some of these things we endure and suffer are because we've not heeded the law of sowing and reaping Galatians 6:7. We see this throughout the Bible that this works for the saint as well as the sinner.

    We have to obey this law. If we don't sow to the Spirit and sow to the flesh, we're going to reap the consequences. We see this in the case of David. He had to reap what he sowed in his sin with Bathsheba. We read the sword never departed from his house, although he did receive forgiveness. We also see this in the New Testament in 1st Corinthians 5 and 1st Corinthians 11. Some of the Christians were not partaking of the communion the Lord's Supper as they should. Therefore, Paul says you don't discern the Lord's body, you're not eating this supper worthily, and therefore some of you are sick and some of you are dying prematurely.

    This is the law of sowing and reaping. For example, if a Christian girl allows herself to get into trouble and becomes pregnant, she may repent of that sin and be forgiven but she'll still suffer the stigma of bearing an illegitimate child. She's still going to suffer the consequences of what she sowed, for whatsoever you sow you reap. Galatians 6:7. So there's no way to get around the fact that you're going to reap what you sow. This is why sometimes we suffer trials and afflictions. We should examine our lives to see whether or not God is judging us because of something we have disobeyed him about or not getting our lives corrected about some matter. Now what's the significance of Job's suffering in relation to the punitive purpose? Remember this is the suggested solution of Job's three friends. The principle upon which all suffering is based they said is this- that suffering is a direct result of sin and a just recompense for it.

    Job's sufferings, they insisted, were a sign of divine displeasure and presupposed sin on his part. Now of course the Bible does set forth this principle. It's the law of sowing and reaping where righteousness will bring prosperity and blessing, disobedience and wickedness will bring adversity. This is a principle set forth throughout the Bible as Deuteronomy 28 which is a good example of that. Psalm 1 is another example. But what of the righteous individual who often is the victim of misfortune and suffering, and why so often do the ungodly seem to prosper? What's the explanation for the suffering of the innocent and the prosperity of the wicked? Was the popular notion that the innocent do not suffer and the wicked are always afflicted contrary to the facts, even as Bildad and Zophar dogmatically insisted it was true? They insisted the principle was immutable and that Job, though outwardly righteous, nevertheless must be guilty of some heinous secret sins.

    Their philosophy was this, that all sin causes suffering. Job is suffering. The conclusion, Job must be a sinner! Job's sufferings, they argue, convict him implicitly of some grave sin and they plead with him to acknowledge it and repent. Job protests his innocence throughout the book and so we still are faced with the perplexing question. Why then is Job suffering? Remember he didn't have chapters 1 and 2 which give us the explanation. He had to endure this experience before the answer came. What then is the explanation for those instances which seemed by the Scriptures, show the moral principle of cause and effect, sowing and reaping, that they could not always be forced into a neat logical system? The laws governing society did not guarantee that in some individual cases the innocent might not suffer and that wickedness might not elude temporary judgment.

    No, throughout the scriptures we see that suffering is not necessarily the direct result of prior sins. This is proven in many passages as Jeremiah 19, Ezekiel 21, Amos chapter 2, In John 9, the case of the blind man, Jesus said this man was not blind because of his parent's sin or his own sin but that God might be glorified in his healing. So, also, in the case of Job, we see he suffered innocently. What the Scriptures do teach is this - that in the light of eternity it is the righteous who will be blessed and the wicked who will suffer. We should not judge too soon. The conclusion is this, suffering and adversity may sometimes be the result of sin and therefore the purpose is punitive, but this is not always the case. Don't follow Job's friends' rigid thinking in condemning someone when you do not have all the facts.

    Part 4.) Sometimes trials and suffering have a disciplinary purpose. There are times afflictions are the chastisements of a loving Father. This is in harmony with Hebrews 12, 1st Corinthians 5, 1st Corinthians 11 and proverbs 3 verses 11-12. Who the Lord loves He chastens. The Scriptures tell us in Job chapter 33, that God speaks to man and the purpose for that is he may withdraw man from his purpose and hide pride from man. He keeps back his soul from the pit and his life from perishing by the sword. He is chastened also with pain upon his bed and the multitude of his bones with strong pain. God chastens his children because he doesn't want His children going on a path of destruction from disobedience to His Word and will for their lives.

    We read in Hebrews 12 that who the Lord loves He chastens and He scourges every son He receives. Job 33 speaks of one form of chastisement being sickness. In Hebrews 12 it doesn't say anything about sickness being a form of chastisement. God has many ways to chasten His children. Sometimes he just withholds his blessings. Testing has a way of humbling man's pride. You see, many of Job's utterances under the weight of his afflictions gave indication that his trials had not yet fully accomplished their purpose. You will see this as you read the book of Job. Job sometimes questions God's purposes and in his questioning of God's purpose and his control of human affairs, it implied that Job knew more than God. Sometimes Christians, under the weight of their trials and afflictions, will cry out to God in such a way and try to use their logic and reason to such an extent that they even question God's wisdom in allowing them the trials and afflictions.
    To be Continued. Edited. Shared.

    God willing, more will be posted soon. All glory to Jesus alone.
    ❤️WHY DO THE RIGHTEOUS SUFFER? Part 1 of 2. I would like to address one of the most puzzling and perplexing problems confronting the Christian today and that is why do the righteous suffer? In order to deal with this adequately, we're going to be looking at the book of Job. We read in Job Chapter 1:1f There was a man in the Land of Oz whose name is Job and that man was perfect and upright and one that feared God and turned away from evil. We continue to read in the book of Job how he lost everything, his family, his property, his possessions, and then lost his health with a loathsome disease. The universal problem of whether or not suffering is a sign of divine displeasure, and thus presupposes sin on the part of the sufferer, is the theme of the book of Job. The central problem of the book of Job is the central problem of humanity. Why do men suffer the way they do, and especially, why do the righteous suffer? Why are not godly, righteous, faithful obedient men and women always blessed? Why does it seem many of the ungodly prosper and are never in trouble? A Christian wonders why must I suffer this or that, or why must I go through this trial, or why do I have to experience all of this pain and adversity? I'm a Christian, I study the Bible, I love the Lord. I feel that I'm obedient, so why do I go through such long trials, hardships, and personal attacks? To make things even worse, many times there is no immediate answer and it's a real test of your faith as with Job. Is all adversity and suffering the direct result of sin? What is the basis upon which prosperity and adversity, blessing and misfortune, affliction and health happen to people? What is the basis upon which these things are distributed to men in this life? The principal aim of the book of Job is to disprove the popular theory that was held by many of the Jews and it's still popular today, that all suffering is a sign of God's displeasure and presupposes sin on the part of the sufferer. Inseparably related to the problem of suffering is the greater problem of evil and to consider one necessitates the consideration of the other. The problem of evil results from the clear fact that within the world that God created good according to Genesis 1, it was created very good! Within this world that God created good there is much that is now imperfect. It has become a world of suffering, sin, hate, warfare, oppression, evil and death. Now even a superficial observer will note that these two facts present somewhat of a dilemma. On the one hand Genesis 1 shows that God created all things good and he hates evil. On the other hand, we've seen the widespread evil and suffering that's in this world of imperfection. Now how can we explain this: what has happened? Some suggest that either God cannot remove evil nor could he have prevented its entrance into his world. Others say God does not will to prevent it and did not will to prevent its entrance into the Garden of Eden. Now the first conclusion will be rejected by all who believe in the Sovereign God of the Bible but neither is the second alternative any help in solving the apparent dilemma. It doesn't give us a satisfactory solution and so believers and Christians have always sought a third alternative to explain the problem of evil in a good universe. Now the book of Job is in reality the source material for a study of some of the most profound theological questions of the Bible- the problem of the righteous suffering adversity and the meaning of the presence of evil in a world God created good. It gives us the source of sickness and adversity. It's not God as some think and is often implied today. It's Satan who is behind the scenes doing this. No book in the Bible gives more insight into the problem of why the righteous suffer and the meaning and purpose of evil in the world. Now we will examine that question. There are three basic solutions that have been given to the problem of evil. First there's a denial of its existence. We're told all evil is only an illusion. This is fundamentally the doctrinal position of the Christian Scientists. All evil experienced, meaning sin, suffering, pain, and the like are purely subjective, existing only in the mind of the observer. They have no objective reality. Christian science teaches that since God is good, he could not permit evil to exist and therefore evil is not real. Suffering, evil, sin, and Satan and death are the imagination of man's finite mind. They're only an illusion. They have no reality and would disappear if man would by faith and self-discipline deny their existence. Of course, the objections to this hypothesis are almost self-evident. Even if this hypothesis were accepted as valid, which it isn't, one is still faced with the question of how the appearance of evil and suffering is to be explained. I mean what's the origin and meaning of the illusion of pain and suffering and death? The illusion of pain and suffering is as real to the sufferer as real pain and suffering. A world in which the majority of its inhabitants are deceived with respect to the presence of suffering needs as much explaining as one in which evil is a genuine reality. It doesn't solve the problem, it only changes the terminology from reality to illusion. The suffering and the evil remain. It is quite obvious that this view is unbiblical and is out of harmony with the facts of experience. I mean Christian Scientists yell just as loudly as anyone else when they mashed their finger with a hammer. They go right on dying like the rest of humanity. Another suggested solution is the error is finitism. We're told God's power is limited. The doctrine of the finite God is the solution that we must choose, we are told. The fact that God is not completely good and that he is not omnipotent is an unscriptural attempt to explain the presence of moral and natural evil. The limitation doctrine argues that God made the best kind of world that he could but that even God could not prevent the presence of evil. Finitism, we are told, preserves the goodness of God and recognizes that God is not the source of all things. He is the source of all that is good and He is an opposition to all that is evil. Finitism seems to be a solution to some people. But again, this theory is unbiblical. The doctrine of a finite God cannot stand in view of the testimony of Scripture. See Daniel 4:35 Jeremiah 32:17, Matthew 19:26, Romans 9, Job 1 and 2. We're told that God is in control of all events and governments in heaven and earth. Nothing is too hard for God and with God nothing is impossible. As we read Job chapters 1 & 2 we see that Satan had to get God's permission to afflict Job. The concept of an eternal principle of evil against which God is engaged in some cosmic struggle and the outcome of which is by no means certain is platonic dualism pure and simple. It's not Biblical. The doctrine of finitism is no solution at all to the problem but simply a sophisticated shortcut to avoid what appears to be a dilemma. It results from the fallacy that one must either give up the goodness of God or His omnipotence and power since there appears to be an alleged conflict. The only solution seems to be to sacrifice his omnipotence according to this unscriptural view. Now a third solution which we believe to be the biblical one, is that a moral world involves the possibility of evil. In a moral universe of free creatures, the possibility of moral development involves the possibility of the entrance of moral evil and its consequences into the world. For example, we see in the narratives of Genesis that God did not intend to compel moral obedience, but that a holy moral character could only be developed by voluntary free choice on Adam's part. Hence, a world without the possibility of disobeying God would not present the necessary means of developing moral character. Adam was not born with a holy moral character, but he was innocent. He was pure, but you're not born with character. This must develop and grow as you respond to the experiences of life. Trials, adversities, and so forth are designed to shape one's character. Someone has pointed out that these sufferings sometimes crush the person who experiences it. There are times when the final result is more glorious than would be conceivable in any other kind of universe. Therefore, this view does give us a workable solution to the problem of evil and helps explain the purpose of suffering. It is the suffering of the righteous and the allowance of the entrance of sin into the world. This view involves a possibility of the entrance of evil and also helps explain God's self-imposed limitations. Now those terms are important. We see God is presented in Scripture as omnipotent and all-powerful. But it is also true that, at the moment He created something outside himself, man who is a free moral creature, who could have the power at least temporarily to say no to God, that there was to some degree a self-imposed limitation which God placed upon Himself. This does not mean that God has limited His sovereignty, power, or His rule by creating a being in his own image who had the power to rebel against him. But it does mean that God chose to exercise his sovereignty in a universe filled with creatures who could temporarily rebel against that sovereignty. Notice it's only temporary, and so we see a moral world involves the possibility of the entrance and presence of moral evil. This brings us to the basic question that we're going to discuss. The perplexing problem of why the righteous suffer and biblical solutions. It's not unusual that trials and sufferings of the child of God may involve several purposes. We shall explore these next. Part 2.) First, we see that trials and sufferings have an educational purpose. We will see from this study that the righteous suffering trial and affliction is not always evidence that they have sinned or evidence that God is displeased with them. There may be some deeper purpose in God allowing it and that is to bring them into conformity to the image of Jesus Christ. Examining these purposes is necessary because the Christian goes through trials and sufferings of many kinds. Therefore, they need to know whether or not these are chastisements, are things to be resisted as from the devil, or if these things are from the hand of God! This way we will not be resisting when we should be submitting so we will benefit from our trials and testings. We mentioned that trials and sufferings have an educational purpose. We see Job's misfortunes and sufferings at first of all as a teaching and educational purpose. We see spiritual wisdom and discernment do not automatically come to the believer but they are gained through the times of hardship and suffering and of trial and testing. Job learned the meaning of an abiding faith in God. He received an education along the line of an abiding and steadfast faith. See chapter 13 in verses 15-18. Job said though he slay me yet will I trust him. He came to know what genuine faith was and he was willing to trust God in spite of circumstances and appearances. He came to know in a more meaningful way God as his Redeemer in chapter 19. He has come through a great valley of testing and trial and affliction and there's one thing he says. I don't understand all of this, but I do know my redeemer lives and then he became confident in his future of vindication. We see that in chapter 9 verses 32-35, chapter 16 verse 19, chapter 13 verse 18. He said I know that I will be justified and this suffering of mine is not the result of sin, but I will be vindicated. Almost beside himself from grief and suffering, he came into a deeper assurance of a future life beyond the grave and this present world of inequality, injustice, and affliction. He came into a deeper understanding of the sovereignty of God. In chapters 38 to 41 where the Lord addresses him in two discourses of speeches, Job said, I've heard of You in the hearing of the ear and now my eye has seen You. I abhor myself and I repent in dust and in ashes. He said, I lay my hand over my mouth and I'll not speak again. I've spoken once, I've spoken twice but now, he says I'll not speak again. God revealed to him his sovereignty. God doesn't answer job's perplexities or questions. He just reminds him that He is God and that whatever he does is righteous. So, the educational purpose and significance of suffering is evident throughout the Bible especially in the book of Job as Job progressively moves from one valley of doubt and mystery to another. Each time climbing to a mountain peak of faith as he conquers his fears and his doubts and he comes to a new understanding and appreciation of the promises of God. The meaning of suffering is first and foremost of all for the express purpose of developing within the heart of the saint the assurance and understanding of his trust in God. In psalm 119 verses 65-72. The psalmist said there that he praises the Lord for afflicting him because then he came to know how to obey the Lord as he should. He said I thank You for the correction of my affliction because now I've come to understand better how to obey your precepts and your law. Our trials and tests, persecutions and the like have an educational purpose. When Jesus saves you, he sends you to His school. That is the school of the trial of your faith. Sadly, most Christians have not been taught this. They do not profit from their lessons so they keep taking the same course over and over. This is because they're flunking the tests. They've not been taught to submit to the trials but instead resist them. They think trials are something to be avoided at all costs. The Bible says we are to rejoice in our trials, James 1, because it is working in us the steadfast endurance we need to mature. Jesus told us that trials are to be a cause of rejoicing in Matthew 5, because when we're persecuted he said, rejoice because great is your reward in heaven. We are not to resist these things. Again, in Acts 14:22, for we must by much tribulation enter the kingdom of God. If you're trying to get off the pathway of trial and if you're trying to get out of that school, then you are on the wrong path. Realize you will not be able to graduate because you're flunking the course or you become a spiritual dropout from the school of the trial of your faith. Trials and sufferings are designed by God because He loves you and desires to educate you in an abiding faith in knowing that He is able to deliver and protect you keeping you to the end. You come to trust Him in spite of circumstances as Job. You come to the place where you can say though He slay me yet will I trust Him. That doesn't make any sense to your head or your intellect, but if you stay in God's school and learn your lessons as you should, it will make sense to your spirit and to your heart. Trials and sufferings of the believer for righteousness' sake have an educational purpose. Stay in God's school long enough for him to teach you something and you'll find you'll be blessed for it with a mature faith and trust in the plans and purposes of God in your life! Part 3.) Next, we see that sometimes sufferings and trials have a punitive purpose. This is the solution, by the way, to the problem suggested by Job's friends. You'll notice this as you read the book and although it is by no means the whole answer, yet it does have its place in the total picture. This is the law of sowing and reaping Galatians 6:7 - for whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap. There are natural consequences of sin and so sometimes trials and sufferings have a punitive purpose. Punitive means punishment. Some of these things we endure and suffer are because we've not heeded the law of sowing and reaping Galatians 6:7. We see this throughout the Bible that this works for the saint as well as the sinner. We have to obey this law. If we don't sow to the Spirit and sow to the flesh, we're going to reap the consequences. We see this in the case of David. He had to reap what he sowed in his sin with Bathsheba. We read the sword never departed from his house, although he did receive forgiveness. We also see this in the New Testament in 1st Corinthians 5 and 1st Corinthians 11. Some of the Christians were not partaking of the communion the Lord's Supper as they should. Therefore, Paul says you don't discern the Lord's body, you're not eating this supper worthily, and therefore some of you are sick and some of you are dying prematurely. This is the law of sowing and reaping. For example, if a Christian girl allows herself to get into trouble and becomes pregnant, she may repent of that sin and be forgiven but she'll still suffer the stigma of bearing an illegitimate child. She's still going to suffer the consequences of what she sowed, for whatsoever you sow you reap. Galatians 6:7. So there's no way to get around the fact that you're going to reap what you sow. This is why sometimes we suffer trials and afflictions. We should examine our lives to see whether or not God is judging us because of something we have disobeyed him about or not getting our lives corrected about some matter. Now what's the significance of Job's suffering in relation to the punitive purpose? Remember this is the suggested solution of Job's three friends. The principle upon which all suffering is based they said is this- that suffering is a direct result of sin and a just recompense for it. Job's sufferings, they insisted, were a sign of divine displeasure and presupposed sin on his part. Now of course the Bible does set forth this principle. It's the law of sowing and reaping where righteousness will bring prosperity and blessing, disobedience and wickedness will bring adversity. This is a principle set forth throughout the Bible as Deuteronomy 28 which is a good example of that. Psalm 1 is another example. But what of the righteous individual who often is the victim of misfortune and suffering, and why so often do the ungodly seem to prosper? What's the explanation for the suffering of the innocent and the prosperity of the wicked? Was the popular notion that the innocent do not suffer and the wicked are always afflicted contrary to the facts, even as Bildad and Zophar dogmatically insisted it was true? They insisted the principle was immutable and that Job, though outwardly righteous, nevertheless must be guilty of some heinous secret sins. Their philosophy was this, that all sin causes suffering. Job is suffering. The conclusion, Job must be a sinner! Job's sufferings, they argue, convict him implicitly of some grave sin and they plead with him to acknowledge it and repent. Job protests his innocence throughout the book and so we still are faced with the perplexing question. Why then is Job suffering? Remember he didn't have chapters 1 and 2 which give us the explanation. He had to endure this experience before the answer came. What then is the explanation for those instances which seemed by the Scriptures, show the moral principle of cause and effect, sowing and reaping, that they could not always be forced into a neat logical system? The laws governing society did not guarantee that in some individual cases the innocent might not suffer and that wickedness might not elude temporary judgment. No, throughout the scriptures we see that suffering is not necessarily the direct result of prior sins. This is proven in many passages as Jeremiah 19, Ezekiel 21, Amos chapter 2, In John 9, the case of the blind man, Jesus said this man was not blind because of his parent's sin or his own sin but that God might be glorified in his healing. So, also, in the case of Job, we see he suffered innocently. What the Scriptures do teach is this - that in the light of eternity it is the righteous who will be blessed and the wicked who will suffer. We should not judge too soon. The conclusion is this, suffering and adversity may sometimes be the result of sin and therefore the purpose is punitive, but this is not always the case. Don't follow Job's friends' rigid thinking in condemning someone when you do not have all the facts. Part 4.) Sometimes trials and suffering have a disciplinary purpose. There are times afflictions are the chastisements of a loving Father. This is in harmony with Hebrews 12, 1st Corinthians 5, 1st Corinthians 11 and proverbs 3 verses 11-12. Who the Lord loves He chastens. The Scriptures tell us in Job chapter 33, that God speaks to man and the purpose for that is he may withdraw man from his purpose and hide pride from man. He keeps back his soul from the pit and his life from perishing by the sword. He is chastened also with pain upon his bed and the multitude of his bones with strong pain. God chastens his children because he doesn't want His children going on a path of destruction from disobedience to His Word and will for their lives. We read in Hebrews 12 that who the Lord loves He chastens and He scourges every son He receives. Job 33 speaks of one form of chastisement being sickness. In Hebrews 12 it doesn't say anything about sickness being a form of chastisement. God has many ways to chasten His children. Sometimes he just withholds his blessings. Testing has a way of humbling man's pride. You see, many of Job's utterances under the weight of his afflictions gave indication that his trials had not yet fully accomplished their purpose. You will see this as you read the book of Job. Job sometimes questions God's purposes and in his questioning of God's purpose and his control of human affairs, it implied that Job knew more than God. Sometimes Christians, under the weight of their trials and afflictions, will cry out to God in such a way and try to use their logic and reason to such an extent that they even question God's wisdom in allowing them the trials and afflictions. To be Continued. Edited. Shared. ❤️ God willing, more will be posted soon. All glory to Jesus alone.
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  • DEMYSTIFYING THE DEMON OF MASTURBATION

    By Pastor Jonathan O. Ubah

    «“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds.)” — 2 Corinthians 10:3–4»

    Introduction

    There are certain battles people fight in silence. They smile in public, worship in church, preach powerful messages, and yet return home to fight a private war that leaves them feeling ashamed, condemned, and spiritually weak. Masturbation is one of those subjects that many people are afraid to discuss openly.

    Unfortunately, silence has sometimes allowed fear, ignorance, condemnation, and misinformation to grow around the issue. Some people believe every case of masturbation means a demon has entered their body. Others dismiss the matter completely and refuse to acknowledge the possibility of sexual bondage, lust, addiction, or spiritual oppression.

    We must approach this subject with both truth and compassion.

    To demystify something means to remove unnecessary mystery, fear, exaggeration, and confusion surrounding it. Therefore, when we speak about what some describe as the demon of masturbation, we must understand that the issue is often more complex than simply saying, “There is a demon inside me.”

    The real question is: What is driving the behaviour?

    Is it lust? Is it pornography? Is it loneliness? Is it a habit developed over many years? Is it emotional pain? Is it an addiction? Is there genuine spiritual oppression involved?

    Until we understand the root, we may continue fighting the wrong battle.
    In this write-up, twelve points on how to demystify the demon of masturbation and stay free from it have been examined carefully.

    God bless you as you read through it, and I pray you get your freedom from reading it in Jesus name amen.

    1. Masturbation Is Not a Person's Identity

    The first thing I want to say to anyone struggling with masturbation is this:

    You are not masturbation. You are not your addiction. You are not your worst moment.

    A person may struggle with a sexual habit without that habit becoming their identity.

    The devil loves to move people from conviction into condemnation.

    Conviction says:

    «“What you are doing is wrong. Come back to God.”»

    Condemnation says:

    «“You are dirty. You are hopeless. God does not want you anymore.”»

    But Romans 8:1 declares:

    «“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus...”»

    The enemy knows that a person drowning in shame will often continue doing the very thing that is destroying them.

    Shame says, “Hide from God.”

    Grace says, “Run to God.”

    When Adam and Eve sinned, they hid themselves. Sin makes people hide. But God came looking for them.

    That is still the heart of God.

    2. The Real Battle Often Begins in the Mind

    Jesus said:

    «“But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” — Matthew 5:28»

    Sexual sin rarely begins with the physical act. It often begins in the mind.

    A thought is entertained.

    A fantasy is repeated.

    An image is watched.

    A memory is revisited.

    A desire is fed.

    Eventually, what was once a thought becomes a stronghold.

    This is why Proverbs 4:23 says:

    «“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”»

    The hand may be involved in masturbation, but the battlefield is often much deeper than the hand. The battlefield may be the mind, imagination, appetite, emotions, and habits.

    You cannot consistently feed lust and expect purity to grow.

    You cannot continually consume sexually explicit content and expect your mind to remain unaffected.

    What you repeatedly feed becomes stronger.

    3. Is There Really a “Demon of Masturbation”?

    We need balance here.

    The Bible does not specifically name a spirit called the demon of masturbation. Therefore, we must be careful not to give unscriptural names and descriptions where Scripture is silent.

    However, the Bible clearly teaches that human beings can experience temptation, bondage, strongholds, sinful desires, and spiritual oppression.

    Ephesians 6:12 reminds us that:

    «“We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers...”»

    At the same time, James 1:14–15 teaches that people can also be drawn away by their own desires.

    Therefore, not every struggle should automatically be blamed on a demon.

    Sometimes it is:

    - A habit that has been practised repeatedly.
    - An addiction strengthened over time.
    - Exposure to pornography.
    - Sexual fantasies.
    - Loneliness and isolation.
    - Emotional pain.
    - Curiosity that developed into bondage.
    - Lack of discipline.
    - Unresolved wounds.
    - A genuine spiritual attack that exploits an existing weakness.

    The wise believer does not oversimplify the problem.

    Sometimes a demon may exploit a habit, but the habit itself must still be broken.

    You can cast out an evil spirit, but if you return to the same environment, the same pornography, the same fantasies, the same secret lifestyle, and the same triggers without renewing your mind, the cycle may continue.

    Deliverance without discipline can produce temporary relief without lasting transformation.

    4. Lust Is a Fire That Must Not Be Fed

    One of the greatest fuel sources for masturbation is lust.

    Paul instructed Timothy:

    «“Flee also youthful lusts...” — 2 Timothy 2:22»

    Notice that Paul did not say, “Negotiate with youthful lusts.”

    He said, “Flee.”

    There are some battles you overcome by standing and fighting. There are others you overcome by refusing to remain in the environment.

    Joseph did not stay in Potiphar's wife's room to prove his spiritual strength. He ran!

    Sometimes your deliverance begins with leaving the room.

    Turning off the phone.

    Blocking the website.

    Deleting the videos.

    Changing your sleeping pattern.

    Avoiding isolation.

    Refusing to entertain fantasy.

    You cannot pray against a fire while continuously pouring petrol on it.

    5. Pornography Is Often a Major Doorway to Sexual Bondage

    We must be honest: pornography has become one of the greatest enemies of sexual purity in this generation.

    What previous generations struggled to access is now available within seconds on a mobile phone.

    Pornography trains the mind to seek repeated stimulation. It can create unrealistic expectations, intensify fantasies, and strengthen unhealthy patterns of sexual behaviour.

    For many people, masturbation did not become a serious struggle until pornography became a regular companion.

    Therefore, if you sincerely desire freedom, you must address the source.

    Do not merely pray:

    «“Lord, take away this habit.”»

    Also pray:

    «“Lord, give me the courage to remove what is feeding this habit.”»

    Psalm 101:3 says:

    «“I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes...”»

    Freedom requires honesty.

    What are you watching?

    What are you saving?

    Who are you chatting with?

    What happens when you are alone?

    What time are you most vulnerable?

    Until you identify the trigger, you may keep repeating the cycle.

    6. Repetition Can Become a Stronghold

    A stronghold is something that has gained unusual influence over a person's thinking or behaviour.

    What you repeatedly practise can become easier to repeat.

    This is why some people sincerely hate the habit and still find themselves returning to it.

    The cycle may look like this:

    Trigger → temptation → fantasy → masturbation → temporary relief → guilt → shame → promise to stop → another trigger → relapse.

    The answer is not merely making stronger promises.

    Many people have said:

    «“This is the last time.”»

    Then repeated it again.

    Why? Because willpower alone is often not enough to break a deeply established pattern.

    Real freedom requires a combination of:

    - Repentance.
    - Renewing the mind.
    - Spiritual discipline.
    - Removing triggers.
    - Accountability.
    - Healthy habits.
    - Prayer.
    - Filling your life with the Word of God.

    7. Do Not Fight a Spiritual Battle Without Spiritual Weapons

    If there is a spiritual dimension to your struggle, you must engage spiritual weapons.

    Ephesians 6:17 speaks about:

    «“The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”»

    When temptation comes, do not remain mentally passive.

    Speak the Word.

    Pray.

    Worship.

    Change your environment.

    Call someone you trust.

    Go for a walk.

    Read Scripture aloud.

    Refuse to sit in darkness and negotiate with temptation.

    The devil is not afraid of your good intentions. But he recognizes the authority of a believer who stands firmly in the truth of God's Word.

    8. Your Body Must Come Under the Government of the Spirit

    Paul said:

    «“But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection...” — 1 Corinthians 9:27»

    Your body has desires, but your desires must not become your master.

    There is a difference between having an urge and surrendering to every urge.

    Maturity means learning to say no to yourself.

    The Christian life is not simply about casting out devils. It is also about crucifying the flesh.

    Galatians 5:24 says:

    «“And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.”»

    There are things prayer will empower you to overcome, but you must still make a decision to walk away.

    God gives grace, but grace is not permission to remain comfortably in bondage.

    Grace empowers us to live differently.

    9. Stop Fighting Alone

    Secrecy is one of the greatest strengths of addiction.

    The enemy tells you:

    «“Don't tell anyone. They will judge you.”»

    But James 5:16 says:

    «“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed.”»

    This does not mean you should announce your private struggle to everybody.

    Wisdom is necessary.

    Find a mature and trustworthy spiritual leader, counsellor, or accountability partner who can help you without shaming or exploiting you.

    Sometimes freedom begins when you finally say:

    “I need help.”

    There is no shame in seeking help.

    The shame is allowing pride to keep you in chains when help is available.

    10. Replace, Don't Just Remove

    Jesus taught important principles about an empty house in Matthew 12:43–45. The lesson is clear: a life must not merely be emptied of destructive influences; it must be filled with what is good and godly.

    Do not simply say:

    «“I will stop masturbating.”»

    Ask yourself:

    “What will I replace this habit with?”

    Fill your life with:

    - Prayer.
    - Scripture meditation.
    - Productive work.
    - Exercise.
    - Healthy friendships.
    - Fellowship.
    - Service to God.
    - Purposeful activities.
    - Accountability.

    An idle mind can become a playground for temptation.

    When your life has no structure, temptation can easily find space.

    11. If You Fall, Get Up Again

    Perhaps you are reading this and saying:

    «“Pastor, I have tried many times and failed.”»

    Hear me: Do not surrender to failure.

    Proverbs 24:16 says:

    «“For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again...”»

    The righteous person is not necessarily the person who never faces temptation or never stumbles. The righteous person is the one who refuses to remain on the ground.

    Repent genuinely.

    Receive God's mercy.

    Learn from what happened.

    Identify the trigger.

    Strengthen your boundaries.

    And rise again.

    Micah 7:8 says:

    «“Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise...”»

    Your last failure does not have to become your permanent address.

    12. Freedom Is More Than Deliverance

    True freedom is not simply shouting during a deliverance service.

    Freedom is being able to return home and make different choices.

    Freedom is controlling your thoughts.

    Freedom is turning away when nobody is watching.

    Freedom is honouring God with your body.

    Freedom is saying no when temptation says yes.

    Freedom is developing the discipline to live in the light.

    Jesus said:

    «“If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” — John 8:36»

    Christ can break chains.

    Christ can heal wounds.

    Christ can renew the mind.

    Christ can restore purity.

    Christ can strengthen weak places.

    But you must cooperate with the process of freedom.

    A WORD TO PARENTS, PASTORS AND CHURCH LEADERS

    We must stop addressing sexual struggles only with insults and condemnation.

    Calling everyone possessed without understanding their struggle may create more fear than freedom.

    We need truth, but truth must be spoken with love.

    Some people need deliverance.

    Some need discipleship.

    Some need accountability.

    Some need counselling for deep emotional wounds.

    Some need to break free from pornography.

    Some need all of the above.

    The church must become a place where people can seek help without being publicly humiliated.

    Holiness should be preached, but restoration must also be available.

    Jesus never lowered God's standard, but He also lifted people who had fallen.

    PRACTICAL STEPS TOWARD FREEDOM

    1. Repent sincerely before God. Do not justify what you know is feeding lust and impurity.
    2. Destroy your triggers. Delete pornography and sexually explicit materials.
    3. Control your private environment. Avoid situations and times when you are consistently vulnerable.
    4. Renew your mind daily with God's Word.
    5. Pray before temptation becomes overwhelming.
    6. Fast and develop spiritual discipline where appropriate.
    7. Exercise self-control in other areas of life.
    8. Get a trusted accountability partner.
    9. Avoid isolation when you know you are vulnerable.
    10. If the struggle feels compulsive or severely distressing, seek appropriate professional support alongside spiritual guidance.
    11. Never give up on your journey toward purity.

    PRAYER FOR FREEDOM

    Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, I come before You with humility and honesty. I acknowledge every habit, lust, fantasy, addiction, and practice that has tried to bring me into bondage. I ask for Your mercy and forgiveness.

    Lord Jesus, cleanse my heart and renew my mind. Break every ungodly pattern that has gained control over my life. I renounce every connection with pornography, lust, immoral fantasies, and every practice that dishonours You.

    Holy Spirit, strengthen me where I am weak. Give me the grace to discipline my body, control my thoughts, and flee every appearance of sexual immorality. Let the power of the Holy Spirit break every spiritual oppression and every stronghold operating in my life.

    I declare that sin shall not have dominion over me. My body belongs to the Lord. My mind belongs to Christ. My future will not be destroyed by a secret habit. I receive grace to walk in purity, discipline, and freedom.

    I will rise again. I will not be condemned. I will not remain in bondage. Through Jesus Christ, I am empowered to overcome. In Jesus' name, Amen.

    CONCLUSION

    Masturbation should neither be surrounded by unnecessary fear nor treated casually when it has become connected to lust, pornography, guilt, compulsive behaviour, or spiritual bondage.

    Let us demystify the issue.

    Not every struggle is automatically a demon. Not every demon can be blamed for choices we repeatedly make. But neither should we deny that spiritual warfare can exploit human weaknesses.

    The answer is a balanced pursuit of freedom through repentance, truth, spiritual discipline, renewal of the mind, accountability, wise boundaries, and the transforming grace of Jesus Christ.

    You are not beyond redemption.

    You are not too dirty for grace.

    You are not too weak for God's strength.

    And no chain is stronger than the power of Jesus Christ.

    Your struggle may be private, but your freedom can become your testimony.

    By Pastor Jonathan O. Ubah
    DEMYSTIFYING THE DEMON OF MASTURBATION By Pastor Jonathan O. Ubah «“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds.)” — 2 Corinthians 10:3–4» Introduction There are certain battles people fight in silence. They smile in public, worship in church, preach powerful messages, and yet return home to fight a private war that leaves them feeling ashamed, condemned, and spiritually weak. Masturbation is one of those subjects that many people are afraid to discuss openly. Unfortunately, silence has sometimes allowed fear, ignorance, condemnation, and misinformation to grow around the issue. Some people believe every case of masturbation means a demon has entered their body. Others dismiss the matter completely and refuse to acknowledge the possibility of sexual bondage, lust, addiction, or spiritual oppression. We must approach this subject with both truth and compassion. To demystify something means to remove unnecessary mystery, fear, exaggeration, and confusion surrounding it. Therefore, when we speak about what some describe as the demon of masturbation, we must understand that the issue is often more complex than simply saying, “There is a demon inside me.” The real question is: What is driving the behaviour? Is it lust? Is it pornography? Is it loneliness? Is it a habit developed over many years? Is it emotional pain? Is it an addiction? Is there genuine spiritual oppression involved? Until we understand the root, we may continue fighting the wrong battle. In this write-up, twelve points on how to demystify the demon of masturbation and stay free from it have been examined carefully. God bless you as you read through it, and I pray you get your freedom from reading it in Jesus name amen. 1. Masturbation Is Not a Person's Identity The first thing I want to say to anyone struggling with masturbation is this: You are not masturbation. You are not your addiction. You are not your worst moment. A person may struggle with a sexual habit without that habit becoming their identity. The devil loves to move people from conviction into condemnation. Conviction says: «“What you are doing is wrong. Come back to God.”» Condemnation says: «“You are dirty. You are hopeless. God does not want you anymore.”» But Romans 8:1 declares: «“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus...”» The enemy knows that a person drowning in shame will often continue doing the very thing that is destroying them. Shame says, “Hide from God.” Grace says, “Run to God.” When Adam and Eve sinned, they hid themselves. Sin makes people hide. But God came looking for them. That is still the heart of God. 2. The Real Battle Often Begins in the Mind Jesus said: «“But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” — Matthew 5:28» Sexual sin rarely begins with the physical act. It often begins in the mind. A thought is entertained. A fantasy is repeated. An image is watched. A memory is revisited. A desire is fed. Eventually, what was once a thought becomes a stronghold. This is why Proverbs 4:23 says: «“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”» The hand may be involved in masturbation, but the battlefield is often much deeper than the hand. The battlefield may be the mind, imagination, appetite, emotions, and habits. You cannot consistently feed lust and expect purity to grow. You cannot continually consume sexually explicit content and expect your mind to remain unaffected. What you repeatedly feed becomes stronger. 3. Is There Really a “Demon of Masturbation”? We need balance here. The Bible does not specifically name a spirit called the demon of masturbation. Therefore, we must be careful not to give unscriptural names and descriptions where Scripture is silent. However, the Bible clearly teaches that human beings can experience temptation, bondage, strongholds, sinful desires, and spiritual oppression. Ephesians 6:12 reminds us that: «“We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers...”» At the same time, James 1:14–15 teaches that people can also be drawn away by their own desires. Therefore, not every struggle should automatically be blamed on a demon. Sometimes it is: - A habit that has been practised repeatedly. - An addiction strengthened over time. - Exposure to pornography. - Sexual fantasies. - Loneliness and isolation. - Emotional pain. - Curiosity that developed into bondage. - Lack of discipline. - Unresolved wounds. - A genuine spiritual attack that exploits an existing weakness. The wise believer does not oversimplify the problem. Sometimes a demon may exploit a habit, but the habit itself must still be broken. You can cast out an evil spirit, but if you return to the same environment, the same pornography, the same fantasies, the same secret lifestyle, and the same triggers without renewing your mind, the cycle may continue. Deliverance without discipline can produce temporary relief without lasting transformation. 4. Lust Is a Fire That Must Not Be Fed One of the greatest fuel sources for masturbation is lust. Paul instructed Timothy: «“Flee also youthful lusts...” — 2 Timothy 2:22» Notice that Paul did not say, “Negotiate with youthful lusts.” He said, “Flee.” There are some battles you overcome by standing and fighting. There are others you overcome by refusing to remain in the environment. Joseph did not stay in Potiphar's wife's room to prove his spiritual strength. He ran! Sometimes your deliverance begins with leaving the room. Turning off the phone. Blocking the website. Deleting the videos. Changing your sleeping pattern. Avoiding isolation. Refusing to entertain fantasy. You cannot pray against a fire while continuously pouring petrol on it. 5. Pornography Is Often a Major Doorway to Sexual Bondage We must be honest: pornography has become one of the greatest enemies of sexual purity in this generation. What previous generations struggled to access is now available within seconds on a mobile phone. Pornography trains the mind to seek repeated stimulation. It can create unrealistic expectations, intensify fantasies, and strengthen unhealthy patterns of sexual behaviour. For many people, masturbation did not become a serious struggle until pornography became a regular companion. Therefore, if you sincerely desire freedom, you must address the source. Do not merely pray: «“Lord, take away this habit.”» Also pray: «“Lord, give me the courage to remove what is feeding this habit.”» Psalm 101:3 says: «“I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes...”» Freedom requires honesty. What are you watching? What are you saving? Who are you chatting with? What happens when you are alone? What time are you most vulnerable? Until you identify the trigger, you may keep repeating the cycle. 6. Repetition Can Become a Stronghold A stronghold is something that has gained unusual influence over a person's thinking or behaviour. What you repeatedly practise can become easier to repeat. This is why some people sincerely hate the habit and still find themselves returning to it. The cycle may look like this: Trigger → temptation → fantasy → masturbation → temporary relief → guilt → shame → promise to stop → another trigger → relapse. The answer is not merely making stronger promises. Many people have said: «“This is the last time.”» Then repeated it again. Why? Because willpower alone is often not enough to break a deeply established pattern. Real freedom requires a combination of: - Repentance. - Renewing the mind. - Spiritual discipline. - Removing triggers. - Accountability. - Healthy habits. - Prayer. - Filling your life with the Word of God. 7. Do Not Fight a Spiritual Battle Without Spiritual Weapons If there is a spiritual dimension to your struggle, you must engage spiritual weapons. Ephesians 6:17 speaks about: «“The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”» When temptation comes, do not remain mentally passive. Speak the Word. Pray. Worship. Change your environment. Call someone you trust. Go for a walk. Read Scripture aloud. Refuse to sit in darkness and negotiate with temptation. The devil is not afraid of your good intentions. But he recognizes the authority of a believer who stands firmly in the truth of God's Word. 8. Your Body Must Come Under the Government of the Spirit Paul said: «“But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection...” — 1 Corinthians 9:27» Your body has desires, but your desires must not become your master. There is a difference between having an urge and surrendering to every urge. Maturity means learning to say no to yourself. The Christian life is not simply about casting out devils. It is also about crucifying the flesh. Galatians 5:24 says: «“And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.”» There are things prayer will empower you to overcome, but you must still make a decision to walk away. God gives grace, but grace is not permission to remain comfortably in bondage. Grace empowers us to live differently. 9. Stop Fighting Alone Secrecy is one of the greatest strengths of addiction. The enemy tells you: «“Don't tell anyone. They will judge you.”» But James 5:16 says: «“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed.”» This does not mean you should announce your private struggle to everybody. Wisdom is necessary. Find a mature and trustworthy spiritual leader, counsellor, or accountability partner who can help you without shaming or exploiting you. Sometimes freedom begins when you finally say: “I need help.” There is no shame in seeking help. The shame is allowing pride to keep you in chains when help is available. 10. Replace, Don't Just Remove Jesus taught important principles about an empty house in Matthew 12:43–45. The lesson is clear: a life must not merely be emptied of destructive influences; it must be filled with what is good and godly. Do not simply say: «“I will stop masturbating.”» Ask yourself: “What will I replace this habit with?” Fill your life with: - Prayer. - Scripture meditation. - Productive work. - Exercise. - Healthy friendships. - Fellowship. - Service to God. - Purposeful activities. - Accountability. An idle mind can become a playground for temptation. When your life has no structure, temptation can easily find space. 11. If You Fall, Get Up Again Perhaps you are reading this and saying: «“Pastor, I have tried many times and failed.”» Hear me: Do not surrender to failure. Proverbs 24:16 says: «“For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again...”» The righteous person is not necessarily the person who never faces temptation or never stumbles. The righteous person is the one who refuses to remain on the ground. Repent genuinely. Receive God's mercy. Learn from what happened. Identify the trigger. Strengthen your boundaries. And rise again. Micah 7:8 says: «“Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise...”» Your last failure does not have to become your permanent address. 12. Freedom Is More Than Deliverance True freedom is not simply shouting during a deliverance service. Freedom is being able to return home and make different choices. Freedom is controlling your thoughts. Freedom is turning away when nobody is watching. Freedom is honouring God with your body. Freedom is saying no when temptation says yes. Freedom is developing the discipline to live in the light. Jesus said: «“If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” — John 8:36» Christ can break chains. Christ can heal wounds. Christ can renew the mind. Christ can restore purity. Christ can strengthen weak places. But you must cooperate with the process of freedom. A WORD TO PARENTS, PASTORS AND CHURCH LEADERS We must stop addressing sexual struggles only with insults and condemnation. Calling everyone possessed without understanding their struggle may create more fear than freedom. We need truth, but truth must be spoken with love. Some people need deliverance. Some need discipleship. Some need accountability. Some need counselling for deep emotional wounds. Some need to break free from pornography. Some need all of the above. The church must become a place where people can seek help without being publicly humiliated. Holiness should be preached, but restoration must also be available. Jesus never lowered God's standard, but He also lifted people who had fallen. PRACTICAL STEPS TOWARD FREEDOM 1. Repent sincerely before God. Do not justify what you know is feeding lust and impurity. 2. Destroy your triggers. Delete pornography and sexually explicit materials. 3. Control your private environment. Avoid situations and times when you are consistently vulnerable. 4. Renew your mind daily with God's Word. 5. Pray before temptation becomes overwhelming. 6. Fast and develop spiritual discipline where appropriate. 7. Exercise self-control in other areas of life. 8. Get a trusted accountability partner. 9. Avoid isolation when you know you are vulnerable. 10. If the struggle feels compulsive or severely distressing, seek appropriate professional support alongside spiritual guidance. 11. Never give up on your journey toward purity. PRAYER FOR FREEDOM Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, I come before You with humility and honesty. I acknowledge every habit, lust, fantasy, addiction, and practice that has tried to bring me into bondage. I ask for Your mercy and forgiveness. Lord Jesus, cleanse my heart and renew my mind. Break every ungodly pattern that has gained control over my life. I renounce every connection with pornography, lust, immoral fantasies, and every practice that dishonours You. Holy Spirit, strengthen me where I am weak. Give me the grace to discipline my body, control my thoughts, and flee every appearance of sexual immorality. Let the power of the Holy Spirit break every spiritual oppression and every stronghold operating in my life. I declare that sin shall not have dominion over me. My body belongs to the Lord. My mind belongs to Christ. My future will not be destroyed by a secret habit. I receive grace to walk in purity, discipline, and freedom. I will rise again. I will not be condemned. I will not remain in bondage. Through Jesus Christ, I am empowered to overcome. In Jesus' name, Amen. CONCLUSION Masturbation should neither be surrounded by unnecessary fear nor treated casually when it has become connected to lust, pornography, guilt, compulsive behaviour, or spiritual bondage. Let us demystify the issue. Not every struggle is automatically a demon. Not every demon can be blamed for choices we repeatedly make. But neither should we deny that spiritual warfare can exploit human weaknesses. The answer is a balanced pursuit of freedom through repentance, truth, spiritual discipline, renewal of the mind, accountability, wise boundaries, and the transforming grace of Jesus Christ. You are not beyond redemption. You are not too dirty for grace. You are not too weak for God's strength. And no chain is stronger than the power of Jesus Christ. Your struggle may be private, but your freedom can become your testimony. By Pastor Jonathan O. Ubah
    0 Commentaires 0 Parts 19 Vue
  • Called Before You Begin

    Scripture

    Judges 13:5 (NKJV)
    For behold you shall conceive and bear a son And no razor shall come upon his head for the child shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines

    God’s Purpose Starts Before You See It

    Judges chapter 13 introduces the birth announcement of Samson during another season of Israel’s oppression. Before Samson is born God declares his calling. His life would be set apart to God from the womb and he would begin to deliver Israel from the Philistines.

    This chapter reveals that God’s purposes often begin long before visible results appear. Samson had not yet taken a step yet God had already spoken destiny over him. The calling came before the struggle. The assignment was declared before the battle began.

    God’s word to Manoah and his wife shows that calling requires consecration. Samson was to live as a Nazirite set apart to God. Purpose and separation went together. God’s plan for deliverance required a life committed to Him.

    For believers today Judges 13 reminds us that God sees purpose before we see progress. He calls shapes and prepares long before the world notices. Our responsibility is to live set apart trusting that God’s design is unfolding according to His timing.

    Reflection Questions

    1. Do I trust that God has purpose even in seasons of waiting

    2. Am I living set apart in response to God’s calling

    3. How can I prepare faithfully for what God has spoken over my life

    Prayer

    Lord God thank You that Your purposes are established before I understand them. Help me to live set apart and committed to You. Shape my life according to Your calling and prepare me to fulfill what You have planned. In Jesus name Amen.
    Called Before You Begin Scripture Judges 13:5 (NKJV) For behold you shall conceive and bear a son And no razor shall come upon his head for the child shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines God’s Purpose Starts Before You See It Judges chapter 13 introduces the birth announcement of Samson during another season of Israel’s oppression. Before Samson is born God declares his calling. His life would be set apart to God from the womb and he would begin to deliver Israel from the Philistines. This chapter reveals that God’s purposes often begin long before visible results appear. Samson had not yet taken a step yet God had already spoken destiny over him. The calling came before the struggle. The assignment was declared before the battle began. God’s word to Manoah and his wife shows that calling requires consecration. Samson was to live as a Nazirite set apart to God. Purpose and separation went together. God’s plan for deliverance required a life committed to Him. For believers today Judges 13 reminds us that God sees purpose before we see progress. He calls shapes and prepares long before the world notices. Our responsibility is to live set apart trusting that God’s design is unfolding according to His timing. Reflection Questions 1. Do I trust that God has purpose even in seasons of waiting 2. Am I living set apart in response to God’s calling 3. How can I prepare faithfully for what God has spoken over my life Prayer Lord God thank You that Your purposes are established before I understand them. Help me to live set apart and committed to You. Shape my life according to Your calling and prepare me to fulfill what You have planned. In Jesus name Amen.
    0 Commentaires 1 Parts 118 Vue
  • The Unstoppable Hour.. Why Our Fight is Not with This World

    There is a palpable anxiety in the air. We see it in the news, on social media, and in the hushed conversations at our kitchen tables. People are scrambling. They are organizing, petitioning, and protesting. They are trying to stop the political shift, the moral decline, and the geopolitical chaos. They are fighting against the current of the world, attempting to "save" a system that was always destined to collapse. But as believers, we must stop and take a sobering look at the reality of our calling. We are not here to stop the inevitable. We are here to walk through it.

    The Apostle Paul made it crystal clear in Ephesians 6:12: "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness." When we see the governments of the world aligning, when we see corruption at every level, and when we see nations turning away from the truth, we are witnessing the fulfillment of prophecy, not the failure of humanity. The Bible predicted a time of great corruption (2 Timothy 3:1-5). It predicted that evil would be called good and good evil (Isaiah 5:20).

    The tragedy of our time is not that the world is becoming corrupt; the tragedy is that the Church is wasting its energy trying to fix a world that is already under judgment. Those who are the most "active" in trying to save the culture are often the ones inadvertently bringing these things to pass, because they are fighting in the flesh, trying to build a Kingdom on Earth that was never meant to exist here permanently. To understand our role, we must look back at the history of our faith. The Scriptures are full of people who tried to "help" God fulfill His promises, and the results were devastating.

    Consider Abraham and Sarah. God promised Abraham a son. But when the years dragged on, Sarah decided to "help" God by giving her servant Hagar to Abraham. The result? Ishmael was born. This decision did not bring the promise sooner; it brought discord, bitterness, and a conflict that has spanned millennia, a conflict we still see in the Middle East today. God did not need Abraham's "help" in the physical realm to bring about the spiritual miracle. He needed Abraham's faith and waiting.

    Consider Moses. When Moses saw the oppression of his people, he acted in his own strength. He killed an Egyptian taskmaster, thinking he was delivering his people. Instead, he became a fugitive and delayed God's plan by forty years. Moses had to unlearn his own strength in the desert before God could use him to free Israel. In these times, it will be no different. We are prone to run ahead of God, to create political kingdoms, to try to legislate morality into the hearts of the unregenerate. We call it "saving the nation," but God calls it "strange fire", our own effort offered on His altar, a sacrifice He never asked for.

    If we are not to fight the political tide, what are we to do? Good question. We are to be Witnesses. Jesus didn't tell us to take over the world; He told us to preach the Gospel to every creature. He said, "You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8). We are ambassadors of a Kingdom not of this world. We are to be Lighthouses. In a time of corruption, we are called to be blameless and pure, shining as lights in a dark world (Philippians 2:15). Our focus is not on changing the behavior of the world, but on offering the soul of the world a way out.

    We are to Pray. Instead of protesting the darkness, we should be praying for the souls of those in power, while trusting that God is sovereign over the rise and fall of nations. The spiritual battle is won on our knees, not on the streets. Look at the world today. Technology is advancing at a rate that allows for the global control and surveillance spoken of in Revelation. Nations are aligning in ways eerily reminiscent of the prophecies of Ezekiel and Daniel. The push for a one-world order, the moral relativism, and the hostility toward absolute truth are all box-checking the signs of the times.

    When we try to stop this, we are fighting God's timeline. We are acting like children trying to stop the rain by screaming at the clouds. The rain is coming. The question is: have you built your house on the Rock? The times are serious. The world is racing toward a conclusion that has been written since the foundation of the earth. We must stop panicking over the headlines and start preparing our hearts. We are not called to be reformers of a dying world; we are called to be rescuers of dying souls. Don't waste your energy trying to stop the ship from sinking. Use your energy to get people into the lifeboats. The hull is breached. The prophecies must be fulfilled. But you, you have a job to do.

    Do not be deceived by the illusion that you can fight the spiritual battle with physical weapons. The only thing that will save a soul is the Gospel. The only way to stand in the coming storm is to be rooted in the Word. Stop trying to save the world. Start trying to save the lost. The hour is late. The time is now. Choose your side and dig in.
    Alonso Buford.
    The Unstoppable Hour.. Why Our Fight is Not with This World There is a palpable anxiety in the air. We see it in the news, on social media, and in the hushed conversations at our kitchen tables. People are scrambling. They are organizing, petitioning, and protesting. They are trying to stop the political shift, the moral decline, and the geopolitical chaos. They are fighting against the current of the world, attempting to "save" a system that was always destined to collapse. But as believers, we must stop and take a sobering look at the reality of our calling. We are not here to stop the inevitable. We are here to walk through it. The Apostle Paul made it crystal clear in Ephesians 6:12: "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness." When we see the governments of the world aligning, when we see corruption at every level, and when we see nations turning away from the truth, we are witnessing the fulfillment of prophecy, not the failure of humanity. The Bible predicted a time of great corruption (2 Timothy 3:1-5). It predicted that evil would be called good and good evil (Isaiah 5:20). The tragedy of our time is not that the world is becoming corrupt; the tragedy is that the Church is wasting its energy trying to fix a world that is already under judgment. Those who are the most "active" in trying to save the culture are often the ones inadvertently bringing these things to pass, because they are fighting in the flesh, trying to build a Kingdom on Earth that was never meant to exist here permanently. To understand our role, we must look back at the history of our faith. The Scriptures are full of people who tried to "help" God fulfill His promises, and the results were devastating. Consider Abraham and Sarah. God promised Abraham a son. But when the years dragged on, Sarah decided to "help" God by giving her servant Hagar to Abraham. The result? Ishmael was born. This decision did not bring the promise sooner; it brought discord, bitterness, and a conflict that has spanned millennia, a conflict we still see in the Middle East today. God did not need Abraham's "help" in the physical realm to bring about the spiritual miracle. He needed Abraham's faith and waiting. Consider Moses. When Moses saw the oppression of his people, he acted in his own strength. He killed an Egyptian taskmaster, thinking he was delivering his people. Instead, he became a fugitive and delayed God's plan by forty years. Moses had to unlearn his own strength in the desert before God could use him to free Israel. In these times, it will be no different. We are prone to run ahead of God, to create political kingdoms, to try to legislate morality into the hearts of the unregenerate. We call it "saving the nation," but God calls it "strange fire", our own effort offered on His altar, a sacrifice He never asked for. If we are not to fight the political tide, what are we to do? Good question. We are to be Witnesses. Jesus didn't tell us to take over the world; He told us to preach the Gospel to every creature. He said, "You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8). We are ambassadors of a Kingdom not of this world. We are to be Lighthouses. In a time of corruption, we are called to be blameless and pure, shining as lights in a dark world (Philippians 2:15). Our focus is not on changing the behavior of the world, but on offering the soul of the world a way out. We are to Pray. Instead of protesting the darkness, we should be praying for the souls of those in power, while trusting that God is sovereign over the rise and fall of nations. The spiritual battle is won on our knees, not on the streets. Look at the world today. Technology is advancing at a rate that allows for the global control and surveillance spoken of in Revelation. Nations are aligning in ways eerily reminiscent of the prophecies of Ezekiel and Daniel. The push for a one-world order, the moral relativism, and the hostility toward absolute truth are all box-checking the signs of the times. When we try to stop this, we are fighting God's timeline. We are acting like children trying to stop the rain by screaming at the clouds. The rain is coming. The question is: have you built your house on the Rock? The times are serious. The world is racing toward a conclusion that has been written since the foundation of the earth. We must stop panicking over the headlines and start preparing our hearts. We are not called to be reformers of a dying world; we are called to be rescuers of dying souls. Don't waste your energy trying to stop the ship from sinking. Use your energy to get people into the lifeboats. The hull is breached. The prophecies must be fulfilled. But you, you have a job to do. Do not be deceived by the illusion that you can fight the spiritual battle with physical weapons. The only thing that will save a soul is the Gospel. The only way to stand in the coming storm is to be rooted in the Word. Stop trying to save the world. Start trying to save the lost. The hour is late. The time is now. Choose your side and dig in. Alonso Buford.
    0 Commentaires 0 Parts 21 Vue
  • HEALING,& DELIVERANCE, PRAYER! JST BELIEVE AND TYPE AMEN & SEE GLORY OF GOD NOW!

    Praise God...

    Uganda+Nations all. I thx God that l received fresh grace of being a faithful servant &a true witness of Jesus appointed by Jesus/ son to testify to what I have seen him. in the visions l saw of this last age. Acts 26:16, Joel 2:28-31, heb1:1-2.

    Noticing living ones in this last age Abt the visions, l saw with their divine warning,& revelation. So that they prepare & live pure through faith in Christ Jesus. Eg Red7 vision in the sky Green 7 vision on the wall & skeleton vision l saw after they vanished.Acts 26:16, Acts1:8.

    Let's pray!

    Whoever is willing to have healing, deliverance, forgiveness now, type AMEN , to this prayer & see God's power working now in thy life.

    Remember to give testimony after seeing the miracle done in thy life.
    PRAYER FOR HEALING, AND DELIVERANCE:

    "Father, l come in the blood of Jesus Red7 vision, the blood that presents me clean now & daily before thy throne. Heb10:22, col1:22, with no condemnation. Rom8:1.

    I stand on Heb12:24, to Jesus the mediator of the covenant.

    And to the sprinkled blood of Jesus that speaks a BETTER word, than the blood of Abel. Let that blood speak forgiveness, Healing, Deliverance, protection & victory over lives of all those who've come in faith in thy name. Right now.

    Your word says in isa53:5, " By His stripes we are healed."

    Luke 10:19, "l have given you authority over all the power of the enemy."

    Mark16:17, "in my Name they will lay hands on the sick and they will recover."

    And John 14:13-14, "whatever you ask in my name, this l will do."

    Lord, l speak to every sick body now, to have healing now& be made whole from crown of its head to the soles of its feet. Body be healed now, Mind be renewed. Rom 12:2, spirit be set free now. John 8:36,

    Every sickness & disease, tormenting thy life or body , now, l command it now in Jesus name to leave now. And be set free. Now. "For a prayer of faith will save the one who is sick it's written." James5:15.

    Holy Spirit, Green 7, fill every broken place with life. Rom 8:11, Jesus, you are the Healer . Touch now, manifest your power. & Thy name & father be glorified now amongst all who believe now& receive miracle by typing Amen. Let every blind see now, deaf hear now, & crippled stand up now & Walk in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.

    Lord , l thank you to whoever receives a miracle, in Jesus name.

    And, l come against every evil spirit in you. l bind it & l command it that unclean spirit, spirit of fear, infirmity, torment, oppression, to come out of you now & Go in Jesus name. You have no right here. The blood of Jesus , Red7, vision has washed them. That body is the temple of the holy spirit. Green 7 vision. 1cor6:19.

    For, mark16:17, " in my name they will cast out demons."

    And Acts16:18, Paul said, " l command you in the name of Jesus to come out of her!"

    Holy Spirit, Green 7 vision, fill every empty place now. Flood with your peace and power. Jesus, set free and make them whole. In Jesus name AMEN

    Key moments:

    If you've seen miracle, remember to obey. John 5:14, "sin no more , that nothing worse may happen."

    Follow up: keep believing, some miracles are instant. Some grows/ progressive. mark8:24-25
    HEALING,& DELIVERANCE, PRAYER! JST BELIEVE AND TYPE AMEN & SEE GLORY OF GOD NOW! Praise God... Uganda+Nations all. I thx God that l received fresh grace of being a faithful servant &a true witness of Jesus appointed by Jesus/ son to testify to what I have seen him. in the visions l saw of this last age. Acts 26:16, Joel 2:28-31, heb1:1-2. Noticing living ones in this last age Abt the visions, l saw with their divine warning,& revelation. So that they prepare & live pure through faith in Christ Jesus. Eg Red7 vision in the sky Green 7 vision on the wall & skeleton vision l saw after they vanished.Acts 26:16, Acts1:8. Let's pray! Whoever is willing to have healing, deliverance, forgiveness now, type AMEN 🙏 , to this prayer & see God's power working now in thy life. Remember to give testimony after seeing the miracle done in thy life. PRAYER FOR HEALING, AND DELIVERANCE: "Father, l come in the blood of Jesus Red7 vision, the blood that presents me clean now & daily before thy throne. Heb10:22, col1:22, with no condemnation. Rom8:1. I stand on Heb12:24, to Jesus the mediator of the covenant. And to the sprinkled blood of Jesus that speaks a BETTER word, than the blood of Abel. Let that blood speak forgiveness, Healing, Deliverance, protection & victory over lives of all those who've come in faith in thy name. Right now. Your word says in isa53:5, " By His stripes we are healed." Luke 10:19, "l have given you authority over all the power of the enemy." Mark16:17, "in my Name they will lay hands on the sick and they will recover." And John 14:13-14, "whatever you ask in my name, this l will do." Lord, l speak to every sick body now, to have healing now& be made whole from crown of its head to the soles of its feet. Body be healed now, Mind be renewed. Rom 12:2, spirit be set free now. John 8:36, Every sickness & disease, tormenting thy life or body , now, l command it now in Jesus name to leave now. And be set free. Now. "For a prayer of faith will save the one who is sick it's written." James5:15. Holy Spirit, Green 7, fill every broken place with life. Rom 8:11, Jesus, you are the Healer . Touch now, manifest your power. & Thy name & father be glorified now amongst all who believe now& receive miracle by typing Amen. Let every blind see now, deaf hear now, & crippled stand up now & Walk in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. Lord , l thank you to whoever receives a miracle, in Jesus name. And, l come against every evil spirit in you. l bind it & l command it that unclean spirit, spirit of fear, infirmity, torment, oppression, to come out of you now & Go in Jesus name. You have no right here. The blood of Jesus , Red7, vision has washed them. That body is the temple of the holy spirit. Green 7 vision. 1cor6:19. For, mark16:17, " in my name they will cast out demons." And Acts16:18, Paul said, " l command you in the name of Jesus to come out of her!" Holy Spirit, Green 7 vision, fill every empty place now. Flood with your peace and power. Jesus, set free and make them whole. In Jesus name AMEN 🙏 Key moments: If you've seen miracle, remember to obey. John 5:14, "sin no more , that nothing worse may happen." Follow up: keep believing, some miracles are instant. Some grows/ progressive. mark8:24-25
    0 Commentaires 0 Parts 31 Vue
  • GOD SEES YOU: HIS JUDGMENT IS CERTAIN
    Shalom, shalom, shalom, people of God!
    This morning, I bring you a simple but powerful message:
    God sees you. God sees your actions. God knows your heart.
    Do not think that violence, hatred, war, oppression, and the destruction of innocent lives will remain without consequences. You may hide your actions from people, but you cannot hide them from God.
    God did not create this world for destruction. He created it for life, love, justice, peace, and human dignity.
    While some prepare wars and develop weapons capable of destroying entire populations, innocent people are suffering and families are simply asking for peace.
    So I say to those who promote hatred and destruction:
    Do not be deceived. God sees you.
    The power of human beings has limits, but God is the final Judge.
    To those who believe in God: do not answer evil with evil. Continue to love, forgive, bless, serve, and build peace.
    And to those who are doing evil: repent while there is still time.
    One day, every person will give an account before God.
    The world was not created only to destroy.
    We were created to build.
    We were created to love.
    We were created to serve.
    We were created to live in peace.
    May God awaken the conscience of leaders, nations, and every human being. May He give us wisdom, discernment, compassion, and the courage to choose peace over destruction.
    God sees you. God knows you. His judgment is certain.
    This is your servant from Bagamangevangelist’sministry, speaking to you this morning.
    **May God bless you, protect the innocent, and bring peace to our world.
    Shalom, shalom, shalom!**
    GOD SEES YOU: HIS JUDGMENT IS CERTAIN Shalom, shalom, shalom, people of God! This morning, I bring you a simple but powerful message: God sees you. God sees your actions. God knows your heart. Do not think that violence, hatred, war, oppression, and the destruction of innocent lives will remain without consequences. You may hide your actions from people, but you cannot hide them from God. God did not create this world for destruction. He created it for life, love, justice, peace, and human dignity. While some prepare wars and develop weapons capable of destroying entire populations, innocent people are suffering and families are simply asking for peace. So I say to those who promote hatred and destruction: Do not be deceived. God sees you. The power of human beings has limits, but God is the final Judge. To those who believe in God: do not answer evil with evil. Continue to love, forgive, bless, serve, and build peace. And to those who are doing evil: repent while there is still time. One day, every person will give an account before God. The world was not created only to destroy. We were created to build. We were created to love. We were created to serve. We were created to live in peace. May God awaken the conscience of leaders, nations, and every human being. May He give us wisdom, discernment, compassion, and the courage to choose peace over destruction. God sees you. God knows you. His judgment is certain. This is your servant from Bagamangevangelist’sministry, speaking to you this morning. **May God bless you, protect the innocent, and bring peace to our world. Shalom, shalom, shalom!**
    0 Commentaires 0 Parts 11 Vue
  • 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.
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    1 Commentaires 0 Parts 495 Vue
  • https://youtube.com/live/O9lbEYNYSjc A redeemer is someone entrusted with securing one’s release from oppression, harm, evil, enslavement, or some other binding obligation. A redeemer restores the lost rights and freedoms of another by avenging any wrongs and paying whatever price is required to set that person free. The role of “Redeemer” is uniquely assigned to Jesus Christ, who rescues believers “from the dominion of darkness” and delivers them into God’s kingdom of light (Colossians 1:13–14). Throughout the Bible, God’s work of redemption points to Jesus as the supreme Redeemer of humanity (Isaiah 63:16). Christ is the fulfillment of Scripture’s redemptive theme (Romans 3:25). #JesusChrist #Redeemer #ChristianFaith #BibleStudy #Salvation
    Kindly join us on Word, Spirit & Prayers at 10AM West Africa Time
    Blessings!
    https://youtube.com/live/O9lbEYNYSjc A redeemer is someone entrusted with securing one’s release from oppression, harm, evil, enslavement, or some other binding obligation. A redeemer restores the lost rights and freedoms of another by avenging any wrongs and paying whatever price is required to set that person free. The role of “Redeemer” is uniquely assigned to Jesus Christ, who rescues believers “from the dominion of darkness” and delivers them into God’s kingdom of light (Colossians 1:13–14). Throughout the Bible, God’s work of redemption points to Jesus as the supreme Redeemer of humanity (Isaiah 63:16). Christ is the fulfillment of Scripture’s redemptive theme (Romans 3:25). #JesusChrist #Redeemer #ChristianFaith #BibleStudy #Salvation Kindly join us on Word, Spirit & Prayers at 10AM West Africa Time Blessings!
    0 Commentaires 0 Parts 21 Vue
  • Lifeline Today
    Saturday August 15
    Very Far from Evil
    In righteousness you shall be established; You shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; And from terror, for it shall not come near you. Isaiah 54:14 (NKJV)

    God putting you right with Him puts you at a distance from oppression as far as the east is from the west and the north from the south. It is not only your spirit that is at distance, even your mind and your physical body. You are far from oppression because you are no longer in the territory of the oppressor; you are in the kingdom of light by reason of your salvation.

    You are also far from terror because of your right standing with God. Terror means overwhelming feeling of fear and anxiety. It is the instrument the terrorist uses to paralyse faith and neutralise confidence in God. It is when the terrorist succeeds in instilling fear that he hands over the person to the oppressor. Your salvation which is divine visitation is a limitation to the terrorist whether from hell or from the world. This is your day.

    Wisdom Fountain: “Divine freedom from oppression is the spiritual truth that no human chains can bind a soul aligned with the Divine.”
    Prayer: Heavenly Father, I come with a heart full of thanks. You broke my chains and lifted the heavy weight of oppression. You are my strong tower, and I praise You for your saving power and sweet release in Jesus’ name.


    Lifeline Today Saturday August 15 Very Far from Evil In righteousness you shall be established; You shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; And from terror, for it shall not come near you. Isaiah 54:14 (NKJV) God putting you right with Him puts you at a distance from oppression as far as the east is from the west and the north from the south. It is not only your spirit that is at distance, even your mind and your physical body. You are far from oppression because you are no longer in the territory of the oppressor; you are in the kingdom of light by reason of your salvation. You are also far from terror because of your right standing with God. Terror means overwhelming feeling of fear and anxiety. It is the instrument the terrorist uses to paralyse faith and neutralise confidence in God. It is when the terrorist succeeds in instilling fear that he hands over the person to the oppressor. Your salvation which is divine visitation is a limitation to the terrorist whether from hell or from the world. This is your day. Wisdom Fountain: “Divine freedom from oppression is the spiritual truth that no human chains can bind a soul aligned with the Divine.” Prayer: Heavenly Father, I come with a heart full of thanks. You broke my chains and lifted the heavy weight of oppression. You are my strong tower, and I praise You for your saving power and sweet release in Jesus’ name.
    0 Commentaires 0 Parts 14 Vue
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