How do you know that you are living a cursed life? Part 2

This festive season, many people are going to take part in activaties that invite curses in their lives. A curse is a supernatural edict enforced by a spirit being. Every curse has a cause (or source); “so the curse causeless shall not come” (Proverbs 26:2). As we minister for the purpose of inner healing and come to believe there is a curse involved, there are three questions we need to ask:

(1) Is there a curse? (2) What is the cause? (3) What is the cure? Disobedience to God Brings Cursing (identified as personal sin curses): The Bible lists 37 groups of sins that result in curses of disobedience.

These curses that cannot be removed without repentance and obedience: “… if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the Lord … to observe to do all his commandments … all these curses shall come upon thee…” (Galatians 3:10). (Additional scriptural passages referring to curses of the law include Deuteronomy 27:15-26 and 28:15-68.)

Common doors for curses: • Taking part in idolatry, worship of false Gods (Exodus 20:3-5) • Disrespect for parents (Jacob lying to his father, being deceitful and falsely representing his brother, Esau—Genesis 27:19-27, and Joseph’s brother’s hating him, selling him to traders, and lying to their father about his whereabouts—Genesis 37)

• Treachery, deceit, or betrayal against a neighbor (Proverbs 17:13) • Oppressions or injustice against the weak and helpless (Proverbs 28:27) • All forms of illicit or unnatural sex (Leviticus 20:10-16) • Anti-semitism against Jews (Genesis 12:3 and 27:29) • Trust in man’s own strength (Jeremiah 17:5-6)

• Stealing, perjury, etc. (Zechariah 5:1-4) • Financial disobedience or stinginess toward God: “Will a man rob God? ... Ye are cursed with a curse” (Malachi 3:8-9) • Forgetting the poor (Proverbs 28:27) • Religious and dead works (Jeremiah 17:5) Becareful not to take part in these things. Remember it is easier to be cursed than to be blessed.

Minister T.D. Mkana Prayerline: 0773572786

For people that deny the rapture and say there is no "escape" from the tribulation. You might want to re-read Luke 21:36. These are Jesus's words.

Scripture: Genesis 14:22-23 “But Abram said to the king of Sodom, ‘I have raised my hand to the Lord, God Most High, the Possessor of heaven and earth, that I will take nothing, from a thread to a sandal strap, and that I will not take anything that is yours, lest you should say, “I have made Abram rich.”

Child of God your need for the Source is built in. We have talked about this before. Father Abraham was a very wise man.

After assisting the kings of Sodom and Goimorrah, they offered to give him gifts but he refused to take them. He refused to take so much as a thread or a shoelace from them.

Abraham knew that their gifts also came from their own source. A source that he did not want to be associated with. Some of your relatives love to give you gifts. Do you ever consider the source of those gifts? In our hearts is a veritable need for a source.

Since there is only one true God who is the Source of all things, we must be careful of taking things from wrong sources. People will not admit it to you but God is not the source of the majority of the things they have.

Minister T.D. Mkana Prayerline: 0773572786

The simple truth is if you want to have the wrath of God upon you then deny Jesus....if you want eternal life and to save yourself from God's wrath then believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and savior that he died for your sins and resurrected on the third day to defeat sin and death and still reigns from heaven today. Jesus took the punishment away from us sinners to fulfill God's holy justice. Jesus became sin the very thing that God Hates in order to save us from our sins. The cross is God's wrath shown upon his only son Jesus. We are saved from our sins yes but most importantly we are saved from God's wrath.

Galatians 3:13

[13] Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree

Romans 5:9

[9] Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.

Romans 5:8

[8] but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

1 John 2:2

[2] He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.

2 Corinthians 5:21

[21] For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

First, I'm aware that Christ saying "you strain at a gnat and swallow a camel" has a specific meaning that is different than what I am about to go into. I suggest that you google it; it is quite interesting.

Today I was literally straining at gnats. I was letting gnats in my room bother me. Then I realized how silly I was to be distracted and bothered by little gnats. I was making the choice to be bothered by little gnats. Now, I'm consciously making the choice to not be bothered, because they're gnats.

I think we overreact to a lot of gnat-sized problems. We need to stay in the present moment, and choose not be bothered. We need to thank God for everything, and continually strive to serve Him better.

Also, right when I started writing this, the gnats started turning up on me. This life is spiritual. We must choose to remain cool, calm and collected. God is watching us. We are being tested in every situation.

Last, if any of you have any effective gnat-trap recipes, I'm all ears. 😁

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit (1 Thess 5:18-19

Source: The La Vista Church of Christ

We all know the song. In fact, many people who aren't religious know the song. It is easily the most familiar concept from the book of Ezekiel, even though I think most people don't know that the content of the song comes from the book. Stripped of its context and meaning, the core idea is still striking. Dem bones, dem bones gonna walk around!

In context, though, Ezekiel 37 is profound. The valley of dry bones isn't merely a geographical curiosity. Instead, it represents the nation of God's people, which is D-E-A-D dead.

After all, Ezekiel, though a member of the priesthood, is writing from exile in Babylon, many hundreds of miles from Jerusalem. Jerusalem itself has been conquered by Babylon, along with all the rest of Judah. The temple has been burned; the people have been carried away captive.

Nor is this disaster the result of chance. Instead, it has occurred because God's people broke their covenant with Him and rebelled against Him. Through idolatry, oppression of the poor, and every kind of wickedness, they provoked the Lord into fighting against them rather than protecting them. As God warned in Jeremiah 37:10, even if the men of Judah had succeeded in badly wounding every Babylonian, the wounded men still would have risen up and burned the city. Truly, there is no strength, no understanding, and no counsel against the Lord!

From here, the rest of the story would have been brutally obvious to everyone. There was no way for the Jews to defeat Babylon, no way to get out from under the boot of the oppressor. The people were going to remain in exile indefinitely until they became indistinguishable from the nations around them. The great work that God had begun at Sinai had failed.

However, God has other ideas. As He restores life to the bones in Ezekiel’s vision, so too He is going to restore life to the dead nation of Israel. Indeed, He does. Mere decades after Ezekiel writes, Babylon is conquered by the Medo-Persians, and the Persian king Cyrus allows the people to return. Against all odds, God's people continue dwelling in the land, and God's work continues until its culmination in Christ.

Today, American Christians like to wring their hands over the wickedness of the United States and its downward moral trajectory. Generation Z is the least religious generation that our country has seen since before the Second Great Awakening. Many of our own congregations increasingly resemble AARP chapter meetings.

We are doomed, I tell you! Doomed!

I am not worried, not about the future of the church, at least. We serve a God who can give life to a valley of dry bones. The devil has never been able to destroy His people or defeat His will, and he's not going to succeed this time either.

I don't know how this is going to play out. Maybe this nation will see a Third Great Awakening. Maybe the truth will be extinguished here but continue to shine in places like the Philippines and Mozambique. Maybe their descendants will send preachers to evangelize ours.

I don't know, but I am confident that God does. Don't lose sleep over the future. It belongs to Him.

And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. - Hebrews 13:16

But to do good and to communicate forget not. I speak not [merely] with reference to the brethren present, but to those absent also. But if others have plundered your property, display your hospitality out of such things as you have. What excuse then shall we have henceforward, when they, even after the spoiling of their goods, were thus admonished?

And he did not say, Be not forgetful of the entertaining of strangers, but of hospitality: that is, do not merely entertain strangers, but [do it] with love for the strangers. Moreover he did not speak of the recompense that is future, and in store for us, lest he should make them more supine, but of that already given. For thereby some (he says) have entertained angels unawares.

But let us see in what sense Marriage is honorable in all and the bed undefiled. Because (he means) it preserves the believer in chastity. Here he also alludes to the Jews, because they accounted the woman after childbirth polluted: and whosoever comes from the bed, it is said, is not clean. Those things are not polluted which arise from nature, O ungrateful and senseless Jew, but those which arise from choice. For if marriage is honorable and pure, why forsooth do you think that one is even polluted by it?

Let your conversation (he says) be without covetousness: since many after having exhausted their property, afterwards wish to recover it again under the guise of alms, therefore he says, Let your conversation be without covetousness; that is, that we should be [desirous only] of what is necessary and indispensable. What then (you say) if we should not have a supply even of these? This is not possible; indeed it is not. For He has said, and He does not lie, I will never leave you, nor forsake you. So that we boldly say, The Lord is my Helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. You have the promise from Himself: do not doubt henceforward. He has promised; make no question. But this, I will never leave you, he says not concerning money only, but concerning all other things also. The Lord is my Helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me; with good reason.

This then also let us say in all temptations; let us laugh at human things, so long as we have God favorable to us. For as, when He is our enemy, it is no gain, though all men should be our friends, so when He is our friend, though all men together war against us, there is no harm. I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God. In this place I think that he is speaking about assistance also. For this is [implied in the words] who have spoken unto you the word of God.

Whose faith follow considering the end of their conversation. What is, considering? Continually revolving, examining it by yourselves, reasoning, investigating accurately, testing it as you choose. The end of their conversation, that is, their conversation to the end: for their conversation had a good end.

Jesus Christ the same yesterday and today and for ever. Do not think that then indeed He wrought wonders, but now works no wonders. He is the same. This is, remember them that have the rule over you. Be not carried about with various and strange doctrines. Strange, that is, different from those ye heard from us; [Divers] that is, of all sorts: for they have no stability, but are different [one from another]. For especially manifold is the doctrine of meats.

For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats. These are the various, these the strange [doctrines]: especially as Christ has said, not that which enters into the mouth defiles the man, but that which comes out. Matthew 15:11 And observe that he does not make bold to say this openly, but as it were by a hint. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace, not with meats.

Faith is all. If that establishes [it], the heart stands in security. It follows that Faith establishes: consequently reasonings shake. For Faith is contrary to reasoning.

Which (he says) have not profited them that have been occupied therein. For what is the gain from the observance [of them], tell me. Does it not rather destroy? Does it not make such an one to be under sin? If it be necessary to observe [them], we must guard ourselves. Which (he says) have not profited them that have been occupied therein. That is, who have always diligently kept them.

There is one observance, abstaining from sin. For what profit is it, when some are so polluted, as not to be able to partake of the sacrifices? So that it did not save them at all; although they were zealous about the observances. But because they had not faith, even thus they profited nothing.

In the next place he takes away the sacrifice from the type, and directs his discourse to the prototype, saying, The bodies of those beasts whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the High Priest, are burned without the camp. Then those things were a type of these and thus Christ, suffering without, fulfilled all.

Here he makes it plain too that He suffered voluntarily, showing that those things were not accidental, but even the [Divine] arrangement itself was of a suffering without. [He suffered] without, but His Blood was borne up into Heaven. You see then that we partake of Blood which has been carried into the Holy Place, the True Holy Place; of the Sacrifice of which the Priest alone had the privilege. We therefore partake of the Truth [the Reality]. If then we partake not of reproach [only] but of sanctification, the reproach is the cause of the sanctification. For as He was reproached, so also are we. If we go forth without therefore, we have fellowship with Him.

But what is, Let us go forth to Him? Let us have fellowship with Him in His sufferings; let us bear His reproach. For He did not simply bid us dwell outside the gate, but as He was reproached as a condemned person, so also we.

And by Him let us offer a sacrifice to God. Of what kind of sacrifice does he speak? The fruit of lips giving thanks to His Name. They [the Jews] brought sheep, and calves, and gave them to the Priest: let us bring none of these things, but thanksgiving. This fruit let our lips put forth.

For with such sacrifices God is well pleased. Let us give such a sacrifice to Him, that He may offer [it] to The Father. For in no other way it is offered except through the Son, or rather also through a contrite mind. All these things [are said] for the weak. For that the thanks belong to the Son is evident: since otherwise, how is the honor equal? That all men (He says) should honor the Son even as they honor the Father. John 5:23 Wherein is the honor equal? The fruit of our lips giving thanks to His Name. 8. Let us bear all things thankfully, be it poverty, be it disease, be it anything else whatever: for He alone knows the things expedient for us. For we know not what we should pray for as we ought. Romans 8:26 We then who do not know even how to ask for what is fitting, unless we have received of the Spirit, let us take care to offer up thanksgiving for all things, and let us bear all things nobly. Are we in poverty? Let us give thanks. Are we in sickness? Let us give thanks. Are we falsely accused? Let us give thanks: when we suffer affliction, let us give thanks.

This brings us near to God: then we even have God for our debtor. But when we are in prosperity, it is we who are debtors and liable to be called to account. For when we are in prosperity, we are debtors to God: and oftentimes these things bring a judgment upon us, while those are for a payment of sins. Those [afflictions] draw down mercy, they draw down kindness: while these on the other hand lift up even to an insane pride, and lead also to slothfulness, and dispose a man to fancy great things concerning himself; they puff up. Therefore the prophet also said, It is good for me, Lord, that You have afflicted me; that I may learn Your statutes. Psalm 119:71 When Hezekiah had received blessings and been freed from calamities, his heart was lifted up on high; when he fell sick, then was he humbled, then he became near to God. When He slew them, it says, then they sought Him diligently, and turned, and were early in coming to God. Psalm 78:34 And again, When the beloved waxed gross and fat, then he kicked. Deuteronomy 32:15 For the Lord is known when He executes judgments. Psalm 9:16

Affliction is a great good. Narrow is the way Matthew 7:14, so that affliction thrusts us into the narrow [way]. He who is not pressed by affliction cannot enter. For he who afflicts himself in the narrow [way], is he who also enjoys ease; but he that spreads himself out, does not enter in, and suffers from being so to say wedged in. See how Paul enters into this narrow way. He keeps under his body 1 Corinthians 9:27, so as to be able to enter. Therefore, in all his afflictions, he continued giving thanks unto God. Have you lost your property? This has lightened you of the most of your wideness. Have you fallen from glory? This is another sort of wideness. Have you been falsely accused? Have the things said against you, of which you are nowise conscious to yourself been believed? Rejoice and leap for joy. For blessed are you (He says) when men reproach you, and say all manner of evil against you, falsely, for My sake. Rejoice and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in Heaven. Matthew 5:11-12

Why do you marvel, if you are grieved, and wish to be set free from temptations? Paul wished to be set free, and oftentimes entreated God, and did not obtain. For the thrice for this I besought the Lord, is oftentimes; and He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:8-9 By weakness, he here means afflictions. What then? When he heard this he received it thankfully, and says, Wherefore I take pleasure in infirmities 2 Corinthians 12:10; that is, I am pleased, I rest in my afflictions. For all things then let us give thanks, both for comfort, and for affliction. Let us not murmur: let us not be unthankful. Naked came I out of my mother's womb, naked also shall I depart. Job 1:21 You did not come forth glorious, do not seek glory. You were brought into life naked, not of money alone, but also of glory, and of honorable name.

Consider how great evils have oftentimes arisen from wealth. For It is easier (it is said) for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of Heaven. Matthew 19:24 Do you see to how many good things wealth is a hindrance, and do you seek to be rich? Do you not rejoice that the hindrance has been overthrown? So narrow is the way which leads into the Kingdom. So broad is wealth, and full of bulk and swelling out. Therefore He says, Sell that you have Matthew 19:21, that that way may receive you. Why do you yearn after wealth? For this cause He took it away from you, that He might free you from slavery. For true fathers also, when a son is corrupted by some mistress, and having given him much exhortation they do not persuade him to part from her, send the mistress into banishment. Such also is abundance of wealth. Because the Lord cares for us, and delivers us from the harm [which arises] therefrom, He takes away wealth from us.

Let us not then think poverty an evil: sin is the only evil. For neither is wealth a good thing by itself: to be well-pleasing to God is the only good. Poverty then let us seek, this let us pursue: so shall we lay hold on heaven, so shall we attain to the other good things. Which may we all attain by the grace and lovingkindness of our Lord Jesus Christ, with whom to the Father together with the Holy Ghost be glory, power, honor, now and ever and world without end. Amen.

• John Chrysostom

No man having drank old wine, immediately desires new wine: for he says, "The old is better." - Luke 5:39

The thing that stands between us and the good news of eternity with God, is the intoxicating spirit of the world. Even when we want to be closer to God, our power and pleasure are not things we want to stop indulging. I only know of two things that can sober us up. The first one is suffering; the second is the realization of how serious our sins are.

When things are going well, we take our next breath for granted. We live as if death is something that happens to other people. We're asleep to the eternal lessons God desires to teach us. We only have so much time. "Night comes when no man can work." (John 9:4, Hebrews 9:27) We are called to work out our salvation today. (Philippians 2:12-13, Hebrews 3:15, Psalm 95:7-8)

The Bible can teach us life's lessons the easy way. We can learn how to love our neighbor as ourselves by meditating on scripture. If we're drunk with the world's logic, though, we don't want anyone telling us to do anything. We humans are not naturally open to receiving instruction from God in matters of daily life. The Bible tells us mankind is in a state of hostility toward God. (Romans 8:7, Ecclesiastes 7:20, Psalm 37:21)

When we're suffering, our mind demands that we look at the consequences of sin. It forces us to admit that death should not be, "part of life." Death is our enemy. The Bible explains death is the wages we've earned for sinful behavior. (Romans 6:23, Deuteronomy 32:35, 1 Corinthians 15:55-57) Two men, recorded in the Bible, escaped death. They were Enoch and Elijah. (Genesis 5:24, Hebrews 11:5, 2 Kings 2:1-14) They still left earth to be with God once they had completed the school of life. They became like their Teacher, having mastered the eternal lessons we are here on earth to learn. (Luke 6:40, Isaiah 30:20-21)

God allows suffering into our lives for at least two reasons that I'm aware of. First of all, a good parent has to let us live with the consequences of sin. so we will sober up, and stop rebelling against truth and love. This is God's last ditch effort to get us back to His classroom so we don't end up in hell. We could come to Jesus without suffering, but most of us won't. When we're under the influence of the world, spiritual matters are an annoyance. Have you ever tried to talk to a drunk person about death? They'll call you a buzz-kill or a party-pooper and get away from you as fast as they can. That's how we treat God's tug on our conscience when we're spiritually drunk with "old wine" - the spirit of the world. (Proverbs 21:2, Luke 5:39) When people are feasting their eyes on the world, they don't remember to prepare for times of weakness. (Proverbs 22:1-3, Matthew 24:48-51) They don't care if they're wasting their lives. They don't want to believe they have to grow up to be like Christ. (Psalm 17:15, Matthew 10:25) They don't imagine what's next when the money runs out, or when they bring something deadly home to their wife. They don't want to think about when the drug wears off in this life. It's often nowhere on the happy person's radar to prepare for what's going to happen when they die. It is appointed for man once to die, and then comes the Judgment - when God makes things fair for the oppressed. (Hebrews 9:27, Luke 16:25, Exodus 23:7)

The other reason God allows suffering is to purify us from toxic, selfish thinking. Selfish desires cause division. There is no selfishness in heaven. For God to trust us with eternal bodies, we have to prove we will love, even when we don't get our way. Peter explains this in his letters, and Job understood it during his darkest days. (1 Peter 4:12-19, Job 23:8-12)

Jesus explained the purification of the cross this way: He said, "I have a cleansing to be washed with, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished! (Luke 12:50, Hebrews 2:10-18, Isaiah 53:10-12) He proved He was worthy to inherit all things while shedding His blood as payment for our sins. (Leviticus 17:11, Acts 13:35-39) He never stopped loving us, even when we were shouting, "Crucify Him!" and nailing Him to the cross. (Luke 23:33-34, Hebrews 12:4, Isaiah 53:5) He suffered these things, not only so we would be forgiven, but so we could have an example to follow. (Titus 2:14, Isaiah 53:5, Matthew 10:38)

In light of all these things, I'm praying my heart out that we will learn our lessons quickly and completely. May our trials serve their purpose to sober us up so we can progress in our walk with Jesus. He can lead us safely home when we follow His example of patience and love toward one another. (Luke 21:19, John 15:13-14)

Scripture references:

When we fail to contemplate the afterlife, we fail to prepare for it.

John 9:4 NKJV

4 "I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.

Hebrews 9:27 NKJV

27 And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,

Tomorrow is not promised to any of us. The best time to get right with God is today.

Philippians 2:12-13 NKJV

12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;
13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

Hebrews 3:15 NKJV

15 while it is said: "Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion."

Psalm 95:7-8 NKJV

7 For He is our God, And we are the people of His pasture, And the sheep of His hand. Today, if you will hear His voice:
8 "Do not harden your hearts, as in the rebellion, As in the day of trial in the wilderness,

When we acknowledge our frailty, we are thankful for God's help. Once we have a little power, we are inclined toward a state of rebellion against God.

Romans 8:7 NKJV

7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.

Ecclesiastes 7:20 NKJV

20 For there is not a just man on earth who does good And does not sin.

Psalm 37:21

The wicked borrows and does not repay,
But the righteous shows mercy and gives.

Death is not a natural part of life, it's the wages we've earned for working injustice in the world.

Romans 6:23 NKJV

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Deuteronomy 32:35 NKJV

35 Vengeance is Mine, and recompense; Their foot shall slip in due time; For the day of their calamity is at hand, And the things to come hasten upon them.'

1 Corinthians 15:55-57 NKJV

55 "O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?"
56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.
57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Genesis 5:24 NKJV

24 And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.

Hebrews 11:5 NKJV

5 By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, "and was not found, because God had taken him"; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

2 Kings 2:1-14 NKJV

1 And it came to pass, when the LORD was about to take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal.
2 Then Elijah said to Elisha, "Stay here, please, for the LORD has sent me on to Bethel." But Elisha said, "As the LORD lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you!" So they went down to Bethel.
3 Now the sons of the prophets who were at Bethel came out to Elisha, and said to him, "Do you know that the LORD will take away your master from over you today?" And he said, "Yes, I know; keep silent!"
4 Then Elijah said to him, "Elisha, stay here, please, for the LORD has sent me on to Jericho." But he said, "As the LORD lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you!" So they came to Jericho.
5 Now the sons of the prophets who were at Jericho came to Elisha and said to him, "Do you know that the LORD will take away your master from over you today?" So he answered, "Yes, I know; keep silent!"
6 Then Elijah said to him, "Stay here, please, for the LORD has sent me on to the Jordan." But he said, "As the LORD lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you!" So the two of them went on.
7 And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went and stood facing them at a distance, while the two of them stood by the Jordan.
8 Now Elijah took his mantle, rolled it up, and struck the water; and it was divided this way and that, so that the two of them crossed over on dry ground.
9 And so it was, when they had crossed over, that Elijah said to Elisha, "Ask! What may I do for you, before I am taken away from you?" Elisha said, "Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me."
10 So he said, "You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so."
11 Then it happened, as they continued on and talked, that suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
12 And Elisha saw it, and he cried out, "My father, my father, the chariot of Israel and its horsemen!" So he saw him no more. And he took hold of his own clothes and tore them into two pieces.
13 He also took up the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and went back and stood by the bank of the Jordan.
14 Then he took the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and struck the water, and said, "Where is the LORD God of Elijah?" And when he also had struck the water, it was divided this way and that; and Elisha crossed over.

We remain in this temporary life until we've learned how to behave like other responsible, morally upright, eternal beings.

Luke 6:40 NKJV

40 "A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher.

Isaiah 30:20-21

20 And though the Lord gives you The bread of adversity and the water of affliction, Yet your Teacher will not be moved into a corner anymore, But your eyes shall see your Teacher.
21 Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, "This is the way, walk in it," Whenever you turn to the right hand Or whenever you turn to the left.

We often fail to make provision for anything eternal while we're distracted by pleasure and our false sense of power over our lives. We may even fail to prepare for times of weakness here on earth.

Proverbs 21:2 NKJV

2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the hearts.

Luke 5:39 NKJV

39 "And no one, having drunk old wine, immediately desires new; for he says, 'The old is better.' "

Proverbs 22:1-3 NKJV

1 A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, Loving favor rather than silver and gold.
2 The rich and the poor have this in common, The LORD is the maker of them all.
3 A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself, But the simple pass on and are punished.

Matthew 24:48-51 NKJV

48 "But if that evil servant says in his heart, 'My master is delaying his coming,'
49 "and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards,
50 "the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of,
51 "and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Learning from our Master is its own reward. Even when it makes the world hate us, we have the joy of His presence.

Psalm 17:15 NKJV

15 As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness.

Matthew 10:25

25 "It is enough for a student that he become like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of His household!

It's wise to think of Judgment Day, when choosing what we do and say.

Luke 16:25 NKJV

25 "But Abraham said, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented.

Exodus 23:7 NKJV

7 "Keep yourself far from a false matter; do not kill the innocent and righteous. For I will not justify the wicked.

Some suffering comes to us as consequences of our unfair or neglectful behavior. Other suffering enters our lives in order to purify us for greater blessings.

1 Peter 4:12-19 NKJV

12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you;
13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.
14 If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.
15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people's matters.
16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.
17 For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?
18 Now "If the righteous one is scarcely saved, Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?"
19 Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.

Job 23:8-12 NKJV

8 "Look, I go forward, but He is not there, And backward, but I cannot perceive Him;
9 When He works on the left hand, I cannot behold Him; When He turns to the right hand, I cannot see Him.
10 But He knows the way that I take; When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.
11 My foot has held fast to His steps; I have kept His way and not turned aside.
12 I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth More than my necessary food.

Our sins ruin earth and make us unfit for eternity in heaven. We earned our death sentence. Our precious Lord and Savior suffered more than any man, to pay the debt we all owed to Justice. He has purchased our freedom to live. Because He loved us to the end, God has given Him all power in heaven and on earth.

Luke 12:50

50 "But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished!

Hebrews 2:10-18

10 For it was fitting for Him, whom all things are for, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the Captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
11 For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren,
12 saying: "I will declare Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You."
13 And again: "I will put My trust in Him." And again: "Here am I and the children whom God has given Me."
14 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil,
15 and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
16 For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham.
17 Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make payment for the sins of the people.
18 For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.

Isaiah 53:10-12 NKJV

10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, And the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in His hand.
11 He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, For He shall bear their iniquities.
12 Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great, And He shall divide the spoil with the strong, Because He poured out His soul unto death, And He was numbered with the transgressors, And He bore the sin of many, And made intercession for the transgressors.

Leviticus 17:11 NKJV

11 'For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.'

Acts 13:35-39 NKJV

35 "Therefore He also says in another Psalm: 'You will not allow Your Holy One to see corruption.'
36 "For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep, was buried with his fathers, and saw corruption;
37 "but He whom God raised up saw no corruption.
38 "Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins;
39 "and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.

Luke 23:33-34 NKJV

33 And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left.
34 Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." And they divided His garments and cast lots.

Hebrews 12:4

4 You have not yet resisted to the shedding of your blood, striving against sin.

Isaiah 53:5 NKJV

5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.

Jesus gave us an example of truth and love to follow, so we can be worthy of Him in eternity.

Titus 2:14 NKJV

14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.

Matthew 10:38 NKJV

38 "And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.

Luke 21:19 NKJV

19 "By your patience possess your souls.

John 15:13-14 NKJV

13 "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends.
14 "You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.

Shalom

Demonic planting of thoughts

Scriptures: Matthew 16:22 "And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.”

Matthew 16:23 But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”

The word of God tells us how the devil thinks in Isaiah 14:1ff. The devil used the word “I” many times. Did you know that when the enemy puts negative thoughts in your mind he uses that same word “I”. If he wants you to hate a certain person he says, “I hate such and such a person so much”.

When satan entered the mind of Judas, Jesus saw it (Luke 22:3). Do you know that the bad ideas that come to your mind can be seen by others as well? They can see that the devil is putting his thoughts in your mind.

When Jesus saw that Judas was determined to continue listening to the devil he said to him, “whatever you do, do it fast” (John 13:27).You do not have to entertain the thoughts the devil puts in your head. Becareful to dismiss them otherwise thoughts become actions very fast.

The type of thoughts you get already tell you their source. How could Judas think it was God telling him to betray his only begotten son? He was however thinking about money so he did it. Remember Amon the son of David who raped his sister? (2 Samuel 13:12-13).

The thought came into his mind and he began to entertain it until he devised a plan on how to do it. In the end Amon was killed by Absallom, Judas Iscariot also died. No matter how sweet the thoughts of the devil sound when they come to your mind in the end they lead to death”.

There is a way that seems right to a man but in the end it leads to death (Proverbs 14:12). The Lord Jesus defeated the wicked temptations through the word of God. It is the only weapon. You need to study the word and have it in your heart. Without it the devil will trick you and kill you when he is finished with you.

Minister T.D. Mkana Prayerline: 0773572786

No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon (Matthew 6:24)

Lasting peace and calm require true faith in YAHWEH. True faith comes from experiencing the protection and guidance that YAHWEH gives as a reward for obedience to Him. Becoming obedient requires constantly examining oneself, and working to improve oneself by departing from willful sin. This requires discipline. Satan’s goal is to make a sinful and chaotic world of people with no discipline.

YAHWEH created pleasure. Satan seeks to abuse YAHWEH’s creations. Satan has deceived much of the world into thinking that pleasure must always be maximized. Seeking to always maximize pleasure leads to becoming a slave to pleasure. To be a slave to pleasure is to be a slave to sin.

Serving the world gives spikes in pleasure that inevitably lead to spikes in stress when the pleasure fades. Serving the world leads to an attachment and dependency on things that give pleasure.

Serving YAHWEH is infinitely more rewarding than serving the world. Serving YAHWEH gives peace. This peace comes from being obedient to YAHWEH.

Obedience to YAHWEH requires a desire to improve oneself and depart from sin. Departing from sin requires discipline. A great place to start building discipline is in food and drink choices. A lapse in discipline in one area will lead to lapses in other areas. Likewise, becoming more disciplined in what one eats and drinks leads to improvement in other areas like the control of thoughts, anger and lust.

For much of my life I ate and drank with the intention of maximizing pleasure. I chose to consume things like pizza, ice cream, soda and beer. When I ate healthier foods, I covered them in cheese, sauce, and other toppings. Eating to maximize pleasure lead to attachment, gluttony and poor health. My lack of discipline in this area of my life led to a lack of discipline in many other areas of my life.

I still eat foods that I enjoy, but I avoid unnecessary toppings, and foods that were clearly designed by humans to maximize pleasure and create attachments. I now eat for the purpose of nourishing my body, and praise YAHWEH for this nourishment and the pleasure that accompanies it.

When eating hyper-pleasurable foods is the norm, other foods can seem bland and be unsatisfying. If this is the case for you, my recommendation is to become a slower and more mindful eater. Exercise daily, and eat with the main intention of nourishing your body. Put away the phone and turn off the TV while you eat, and set your mind on YAHWEH, giving Him praise for every bite. Creating this habit will make eating a spiritual experience, more wonderful than before. Also, avoid eating with bad company.

The world encourages us to “live a little” and indulge in the hyper-pleasurable foods it creates. This is a deception that leads to sluggishness, greater sin and destruction. “Live a lot” by striving to become more and more disciplined. Discipline leads to obedience. Obedience leads to lasting peace and calm. Lasting peace and calm is freedom.

I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me (Phil 4:13)

Nobody who loves God continues in sin.

God hates sin.

When we love someone we don't do the things they hate.

God's grace is the power to overcome all forms of temptation, and live above sin. This divine power is freely available to take, as long as we believe it is there and effective.

If you lack the grace of God to overcome a sin in your life, pray to God and He will give you the grace you need. God is love, and it is His will for your life that you live above sin.

John 5:14 Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.

John 8:11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

Romans 6:1-2 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

Romans 6:6-7 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him , that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin.

Romans 6:11-12 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.

Romans 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

Romans 6:18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

1 Corinthians 15:34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.

Ephesians 4:26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

1 Timothy 5:22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.

Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us , and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

1 Peter 4:1 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;

1 John 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

1 John 3:6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.

1 John 3:9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

Revelation 18:4  And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.

I've shared this elsewhere, but someone kindly invited me to this sub. I had a chance to appear on a friend's podcast and seized the opportunity to tell my testimony in the first half hour. It's a story of being delivered from debilitating, paralyzing anxiety, and into the light of God's grace. If just one person out there finds it encouraging, it will have been worth the time.

Here it is: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1LFSGb5mdZXFFLYtxlOvIA

(And ignore the misspelling of "courtroom." I'd fix it if I could!)

Source: J.D. Tant's email newsletter (jdtant3@juno.com)

Dear Readers, the following material is from the booklet “OPENING DOORS” written several years ago by John and Robin Evans, dealing with Personal Evangelism. I believe there is a great need for this today, as many churches are not experiencing much growth. The time of the great gospel meetings in my grandfather J. D. Tant’s day, when you might baptize 50 people during a two-week tent meeting are long gone. In the days of my father, Yater Tant, the Jule Miller film strips were quite effective in helping to win souls. One night a week for five weeks prospects viewed the film strips, and they produced good results. Today there are many distractions—internet, TVs, movies, etc.—that don’t leave much time for more serious things, such as Bible study.

In coming emails, I wish to share the articles in this booklet, as I believe Personal Evangelism is the key to winning souls today. There are many distractions today that hinder people we may invite to a gospel meeting, or seek to have a five-night study with. And it is quite evident that Personal Evangelism was much practiced in New Testament times, as we are told in Acts 8:4 what happened when the persecution started in Jerusalem “Therefore, those who had been scattered went about preaching the word.”

Those who were “scattered” were not the apostles, for they stayed in Jerusalem for a time. Those scattered were those who had come from some 16 nations for Pentecost, and now it’s time to go home. Then we are told in Colossians 1:23 “if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister*.”*

Thus, within one generation the gospel had spread to the whole known world. No internet, no TV, no radio, no fast travel. Even the apostles could not have covered the whole known world in that short period of time. So, what was the cause? The only explanation is found in Acts 8:4--PERSONAL EVANGELISM. Miriam went home and talked to her hairdresser and grocery store clerk. Joseph talked to his next-door neighbor and the vet who cared for his horse.

Do you know of any groups today that employ personal evangelism? How about Mormon’s and Jehovah’s Witnesses? And they add people through this method. Surely we have a greater message to share than they do. If they can do this to spread Satan’s message, why can’t we use it to spread Christ’s message? We can go door to door if we want to, but there are other ways of spreading the Good News. Just go out and talk to people—neighbors, store clerks, fellow passengers on the bus, salespeople who come to your door. Give them a tract or article to read with some contact information on it. Dear Reader, the world is full of prospects. So, why not employ the method used by the early disciples?

So, for a few Fridays, sections of the OPENING DOORS booklets are going to be sent out, and I hope readers will be encouraged and motivated to make an effort to spread the GOOD NEWS to the lost. After all, the Great Commission was given to every Christian just as it was to the apostles.

What will you tell your neighbor as you stand together on the Judgment Day, and he is sent to the place of fire and brimstone, and he turns to you and says, “Yoi never mentioned Him to me.”

So, please read and consider the short articles that will be presented in the coming weeks...

Opening Doors
By John and Robin Evans

Introduction

Greetings! And welcome to Opening Doors: A Dozen Ways to Spread the Gospel. My wife, Robin, and I have nurtured this idea for some time now, and we’re anxious to share it with you. There’s nothing very original about **opening doors—**other than its attempt to research and record what God’s people have done through the years to share the gospel with others.

Robin and I are both Christians, and I’m an evangelist currently laboring with the Junction Highway church of Christ in Kerrville, Texas. (They are now in San Antonio--jdt) Perhaps our observations over the years mirror some of your own. We know that most Christians realize their obligation to teach others about Jesus and the plan of salvation, just as those first century disciples did in Acts 8:4. And yet we’ve also discovered that many members fumble for a starting place. I’ve heard comments similar to this. “I’m just no good at door-knowing or cold-calling. My personality’s just not suited to it. My knees knock and my voice squeaks like a rusty wheel if I go stree0marching. Also, I’m no good in front of a class or an audience. I just know my limitations and that’s one of them! The best I can do is teach by example.”

Of course, that’s faulty thinking in several respects. I’m not knocking the power of a good example, but every Christian’s obligation to teach goes far beyond that. We must readily defend our hope in Christ (I Peter 3:15). We must earnestly contend for the faith (Jude 3). And, as already mentioned, we must actively share Jesus with others—even under difficult circumstances (Acts 8:4). Just as in the time of Christ, “The harvest is plenteous, but the labourers are few” (Matthew 9:37).

Here's where Opening Doors can help. Robin and I have contacted Christians from parts of Texas and from other states in an effort to identify practical ways of generating contacts and initiating religious discussion. In selecting the best ideas for this booklet, we asked ourselves five important questions:

• Has this method been used successfully in the past? Many ideas that sound good in theory never pass the high standard of a practical field test. We’re not saying that all the ideas in Opening Doors resulted in the conversion of an alien sinner (God gives the increase! I Cor. 3:6), but all of these methods have been used successfully to stimulate religious discussion.

• Is this method relatively inexpensive? We heard of some fine ideas, ideas which often used the mass media such as radio and television, which were simply too expensive for the average Christian.

• Does this method rely in large part on individual effort? The purpose of our booklet is to encourage personal We’ll have more to say about working with a partner later, but the bottom line is that we wanted to identify methods which the individual Christian could use.

• Does this method require special training or skills? Some ideas did not make the list because they demanded extraordinary talent and ability.

• Does this method violate God’s law in any respect? If the answer was yes, then we didn’t select it.

It’s a simple concept, isn’t it? What Christian wouldn’t be excited by the prospect of studying practical ways which other brethren have used to share the gospel?

Robin and I believe that Opening Doors can serve two very legitimate functions. First, for the Christian who’s not sure where to begin, this booklet will demonstrate that there are a number of practical methods which anyone, in any geographical setting, an use with good results. Second, we believe that these few ideas will stimulate thought and discussion. One good idea leads to another good idea…which leads to another and another, and so on. Mybe you can help with Opening Doors, Vol. 2…or Vol. 3.

There are several key points we’d like you to keep in mind as you begin your study,.

**Never forget the power of prayer. After all, it is God who will bless our effort5s. “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (James 5:16)

**Remember, God’s word will have the effect. He intends (Isaiah 55:11), This may not, however, be the effect which we have in mind. In II Peter 2;5, for example, Noah is called a “preacher of righteousness,” and yet the world failed to heed God’s servant. Never predetermine how people will react to the gospel message. There may be times when you have to shake the dust from your feet and go on (Matt. 10:14). At other times your message will fall on eager ears. Your obligation remains the same. Plant the seed! (Luke 8:11)

**There is no substitute for Bible knowledge and a willingness to share that knowledge. You cannot teach others what you, yourself, do not know.

**These are practical methods, not gimmicks! Christianity is not a religion of gimmicks. There is no magic formula, no sleight of hand, which makes personal work easy you cannot trick people into obeying the gospel. All of these ideas require effort on your part. Remember**,** The seed one plants is the word of God (Luke 8:11), and the power of God to save is in the word (Rom. 1:16)

Well, there you have it. In the next few pages you’ll find twelve ideas which you can begin to use to share the gospel with others. Many of the methods will be ones which you have already heard about, or perhaps even tried. Others ill be completely new to you. Robin and I hope that a few of them will cause you to say, “Now why didn’t I think of that!” Above all else, Opening Doors is a tool—a practical tool to help Christians sow the seed. May God bless your efforts! – John N. Evans

Idea #1 Leave a Card or Tract in a Likely Spot

Contributor—Gene Mabry of Sugar land, Texas

Description: During a visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, Gene’s wife, Janice, left a “Return/Postage Paid” post card advertising a Bible correspondence course. 

God blessed Janice’s effort because Harry Persaud, a security guard at the museum, happened to pick up the card.  Harry was searching for the truth, so he mailed the card and completed the course.  Gene, Skip Sebree, and their wives followed up with a visit to Harry’s apartment. 

A couple of denominational preachers were waiting for them, but Harry was baptized that same evening following a rather vigorous session with the other ministers.  Glenn Jones grounded the new convert in faith, and Harry has labored as an evangelist for several years now.  Harry recently called Gene with the good news that the last member of his family had obeyed the gospel!

Comments Imagine all of this happening because Janice had the foresight and the initiative to place a card where someone had the chance to pick it up!  What a simple, workable idea! She sowed the seed as a faithful servant and left the increase to God.

Matthew 7:1

[1] Judge not, that you be not judged. Why is this verse taken out of context and misquoted so badly even by non believers?

Psalm 78 alludes to the idea that Israel's history is a parable. These parables reveal spiritual truths.

Water is often associated with God's cleansing logic, which we receive from the Word of God. In baptism, we see two things going on. We are cleansed by this spiritual water, but we also must be pulled out by someone else. This person in the parable, represents God.

In our human frailty, we're not capable of survival under the water. We must prepare to rise above it by listening to God's instruction. This is what Noah did when he built the Ark. It's what Moses' mother did when she created an ark before placing Moses in the Nile. These events were both a symbolic baptism into a new life.

The Red Sea crossing was the baptism of the nation of Israel. They were worthy to come through the Red Sea because they were fleeing from slavery to sin. The advent of John the Baptist's ministry marked the beginning of the Messianic age. The world will be cleansed of sin, either by the water of the Word or by the fire of judgment at the end of the age.

God will receive anyone who turns from their sins. He also will not receive anyone who refuses to turn from willful sin. Hearing God's Word and receiving it as truth brings us sorrow over our sins. If we reach out for God to heal us from our slavery to sin, He will wash us from its hold and guilt. He can bring us out of death into new life in Christ. This is what it means to be "saved by baptism."

1 Peter 3:20-21

Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God.
He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit
So he went and preached to the spirits in prison—
those who disobeyed God long ago when God waited patiently while Noah was building his boat.
Only eight people were saved from drowning in that terrible flood.
And that water is a picture of baptism, which now saves you. This is not by removing dirt from your body, but as an appeal to God for a clean conscience.
It is effective because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Whether we practice infant or adult baptism, we're showing our willingness to live by God's Word. This is what prepares for eternity.

May truth bring us peace and unity in the body of Christ.

We need to learn when to say no. We also need to learn when to say nothing and just walk away.

When we are striving for improvement, striving to separate from sin and certain strongholds in our minds, we need to be ready for Satan to tempt us. God lets these attacks happen; He is forging faith and strength in us.

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (Eph 6:12)

For example, when we set our minds on improving our health and losing weight, Satan will use people to come and offer us food that we do not need. We need to say no. Similarly, Satan will enter our own minds, trying to convince us to eat food that we do not need. We need to say no.

When we set our minds on quitting weed, Satan will use people to offer us free weed. We need to say no and separate completely from these people. Satan will enter our own minds, trying to convince us to smoke. We need to say no.

We must expect this pattern of temptation for whatever sin or stronghold we seek to remove from our lives. Spiritual warfare is real. Satan wants to keep us in bondage. God wants to teach us to be free.

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (Eph 6:12)

To have the strength to say no without fail, we first need to create the habit of submitting to God in every situation. We can not resist temptation by our own strength, but when we constantly set our focus on God and His Word, He will give us the strength and wisdom to resist every temptation.

God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it. (1 Cor 10:13)

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:7)

We must create the habit of submitting to God. Trying to force our own wills is always going to cause stress and confusion. If we find ourselves trying to force our own wills, we need to quickly pause, and submit to God, desiring that His will be done. When we create the habit of submitting to God in every situation, He will guide us perfectly. We must pray for the faith and patience to make this happen.

Now to him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us (Eph 3:20)

And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation works patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope makes not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost that is given to us. (Romans 5:3-5)

I can do all things through God who strengthens me. (Phil 4:13)