Godinterest

July 14, 2019

Transparency before God

A shiggaion of David, which he sang to the LORD concerning Cush, a Benjamite.

LORD my God, I take refuge in you;
save and deliver me from all who pursue me,
or they will tear me apart like a lion
and rip me to pieces with no one to rescue me.
LORD my God, if I have done this and there is guilt on my hands—
if I have repaid my ally with evil or without cause have robbed my foe—
then let my enemy pursue and overtake me;
let him trample my life to the ground and make me sleep in the dust.
Arise, LORD, in your anger; rise up against the rage of my enemies.
Awake, my God; decree justice.
Let the assembled peoples gather around you,
while you sit enthroned over them on high.
Let the LORD judge the peoples.
Vindicate me, LORD, according to my righteousness,
according to my integrity, O Most High.
Bring to an end the violence of the wicked and make the righteous secure—
you, the righteous God who probes minds and hearts ( Psalm 7:1-9, NIV).

Reflection
Have you ever been falsely accused? Have you been accused of wrong doing by someone you consider a friend? That can be a deeply hurtful experience. In the context of this psalm, that’s the situation that David found himself in. He stands accused of repaying his ally with evil.

How did David respond? Did he strike down his accuser? Remember that David is the king. It is within his power to act—to unleash his vengeance. Is that his just and righteous response? No, he takes his case before the LORD. In prayer he declares, “Let the LORD judge the peoples.” He invites God to judge him. He presents his case before the righteous God who probes minds and hearts

That takes some courage; that takes some integrity. That takes a level of faith and transparency that we often see lacking in men of position and power. Are you willing to let God probe your heart and your mind? What might He find hidden away in there? The writer of the Book of Hebrews reminds us about the power of God’s word, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).

David was a man of God. He submitted his heart and mind to the all-seeing eye of God. He wanted the sin source cut off within him. Right thinking and righteous judgment begin when God and His word gain entry to your heart.

Response: LORD, I open my heart and my mind to your probing. I have nothing to hide, since you see all and know all, even the hidden things of the heart. Help me repent where needed. Amen.

Your Turn: Are you transparent before God? Why do we think we can hide something from God?

July 14, 2019

Did All The Human Race Come from Adam & Eve?

One of the most-asked questions about the Bible is “Where’d Cain get his wife?” Sceptics have found that many Christians are easily stumped by this query, but the answer isn’t as hard as you might think.

Several years ago I purchased The Golden Children’s Bible to use with my young nieces Simone and Demi during devotion time. It was originally published in 1965, and I was attracted to the realistic illustrations that were reminiscent of those I had grown up seeing in Sunday school. The Bible was not a specific translation but rather a paraphrase of selected events from Scripture. When I got to the section entitled, “Cain and Abel, Sons of Adam,” I read,

After that (when God put a mark on Cain), Cain went out from the presence of the Lord, and dwelt in the land of Nod, to the east of Eden.

And later in the land of Nod, Cain took a wife and she gave birth to a son who was named Enoch.

This paraphrased account of Scripture highlights a very common misconception related to where Cain got his wife. Many Christians have been taught that Cain went to Nod, found a wife, got married, and had a son. But if Adam and Eve were the only two people that God created, where did the people of Nod come from?

What Does Scripture Say?

First, let’s read the actual words of Genesis 4:16—17, which The Golden Children’s Bible attempted to paraphrase:

Then Cain went out from the presence of the Lord and dwelt in the land of Nod on the east of Eden. And Cain knew his wife, and she conceived and bore Enoch. And he built a city, and called the name of the city after the name of his son–Enoch.

The Bible does not say that Cain went to Nod and later found a wife there. Rather, the implication in Scripture is that he already had a wife when he went to Nod. The event that took place in Nod was that he “knew” his wife, had sexual relations with her, and she conceived and gave birth to a son.

If Cain didn’t marry someone living in the land of Nod, we still have the question, “Where did Cain get his wife?” or, “Whom did Cain marry?” Again, we need to look to Scripture for the answer.

In Genesis 2:7 we read of the creation of Adam, “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.”

Genesis 2:21—22 recounts the creation of Eve, “And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man.”

And in Genesis 1:28 we read God’s command to Adam and Eve, “Then God blessed them, and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it.’”

Genesis 5:4 Makes it clear that Adam and Eve had muliple Sons and Daughters.

God created only two people, Adam and Eve, and told them to have lots of children “Fill the earth!” Scripture mentions only three of Adam and Eve’s children by name (Cain, Abel, and Seth). However, Genesis 5:4 makes it clear that they had multiple sons and daughters:

After he begot Seth, the days of Adam were eight hundred years; and he had sons and daughters.

In addition, Genesis 3:20 states,

And Adam called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all living.

Scripture is clear that every human being is descended from Adam and Eve. Although it is common to classify people into “races” based on skin tone, eye shape, and so on, there is actually only one race.

So, since we are “one blood” descended from Adam and Eve, the only person Cain could have married would have been a sister or a niece.

It’s true that the human race is now composed of multiple people groups. How did this happen? The later history in Genesis helps us understand why people now look so different from each other, even though they all came from only two people.

Adam and Eve’s offspring multiplied and filled the earth for approximately 1,500 years before Noah’s Flood. At that point, an important event happened in human genetics: the population was reduced to Noah’s family of eight aboard the Ark. After the Flood, the human race multiplied again, but in disobedience to God they did not fill the earth. So God judged their disobedience by confusing their language at the Tower of Babel, and from there they migrated, filling the earth, as God intended. As people became isolated in different groups around the world, certain physical characteristics became dominant, such as dark skin in Africa and almond-shaped eyes in Asia.

Regardless of the diversity in physical characteristics we see today, the Bible (and the science of genetics) confirms we are all one race. As Acts 17:26 states, “And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings.”

Can You Marry Your Relation?

The immediate reaction to Cain marrying his sister or niece is often shock or disgust. Today, marrying close relations is called incest. However, approximately 6,000 years ago God did not forbid marriage between close relatives. Why?

Adam and Eve were created perfect. It wasn’t until after the Fall that suffering and death affected mankind and every other living thing. One aspect of this suffering would have been mutations in the DNA that result in disease. Since Adam and Eve were created genetically perfect, their children would have had few mutations. Mutations in subsequent generations would have continued to increase and accumulate. Eventually, it became too dangerous to marry a close relation because of the increased likelihood of inherited disease.

During the time of Moses, approximately 2,500 years after creation, God forbade marriage between close relatives (Leviticus 18:6—18). It seems that one reason was health. Although the Israelites knew nothing of DNA, God did, and He knew close relatives were likely to have the same mutations. Since many diseases occur only when a child has two copies of the same mutation (one from Mom and one from Dad), marriage between close relatives would be harmful to the Israelites. This is one of the reasons that such marriages are prohibited today, too–to prevent diseases that can afflict children of this kind of union.

How Does the Answer to this Question Affect the Gospel?

I have often heard Christians say that it doesn’t matter whether Genesis presents true history, such as the marriage of Cain. Creation is a side issue, it’s not a primary doctrine, and the most important thing is to “trust in Jesus.” While I agree wholeheartedly that the gospel is our central message, people must depend on the Bible to know what the gospel is. If the Bible that relates the gospel is not accurate and truthful in Genesis, then how do we know it is telling the truth about Jesus Christ?

In addition, the history of Adam’s race in Genesis is foundational to understanding how the gospel applies to all people. Because all people are descendants of Adam and Eve, all people are sinners (Romans 3:23, 5:12). Christ died and rose again to redeem Adam’s race (Romans 5:15, 5:17; 1 Corinthians 15:21—22, 15:45). If Cain married someone other than a descendant of Adam and Eve, that would contradict the clear teaching of Scripture, not only in Genesis but also as it relates to the gospel. If there are other races, then how can the gospel be for all people (1 Timothy 2:4)? It can’t, the gospel depends in part on the accurate biblical answer to where Cain got his wife. So it’s not just a side issue, it’s part of the main issue!

Peter admonishes us to be ready always to give an answer for the hope that we have (1 Peter 3:15). The history in Genesis, including the identity of Cain’s wife, is crucial to understanding that we are all sinners and in need of the forgiveness and salvation offered through Jesus Christ.

July 14, 2019

It shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel……

Jesus Christ has always been here from the beginning, He is the first and the last chosen son who is God incarnate. (Revelation 1:8) I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. He shall return on His second coming.

No man can look a God and live (Exodus 33:18—20) And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.

(John 14:6) Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. He’s always the way.

The pre-existence of Christ asserts the existence of Christ before His incarnation as Jesus. One of the relevant Bible passages is John 1:1-18 where, in the Trinitarian interpretation, Christ is identified with a pre-existent divine hypostasis (substantive reality) called the Logos or Word.

Who walked in the garden if no man can see God and live? (Genesis 3:8) And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.

God exists on a level where Time and Space do not exist. They’re a triune God of Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. Thus the term: “Tri” meaning three, and “Unity” meaning one, Tri+Unity = Trinity. It is a way of acknowledging what the Bible reveals to us about God, that God is yet three “Persons” who have the same essence of deity.

From the beginning of creation in Genesis to the end of times in Revelation, God refers to Himself as “us” or “our” and thus describes the doctrine of the Trinity. God the Father, the Son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit — in one true God. The below Bible verses and Scriptures about the trinity will help you have a better understanding of who God is. It can be a difficult concept to grasp, yet we can believe God’s word and know that while His ways are higher than ours, we can trust in Him!

(1 Corinthians 8:6) But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

(2 Corinthians 13:14) The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.

(Colossians 2:9) For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

(1 Corinthians 12:12) For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

This scripture speaks of Jesus’ pre-existence (Isaiah 9:6) For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

The promise was not made to Eve, but to Satan (Genesis 3:14-15) And the Lord God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: (15) And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

Because from this point forward sin had entered the world, but Man had no knowledge of sin or how far sin would go. As time went on, sin increased so bad that God sent a flood to start again. God told Noah to be fruitful and Multiply (Genesis 9:1). And he did as God had asked, only as time went further, the Jews went into captivity where a Man called Moses was called by God to help bring them out of captivity. The Law was given (Hebrews 10) which would be the future revealer of sin and a saviour was needed, Jesus Christ, who came with a body chosen by God to be a sacrifice for their sin as animals and goats no longer covered their sin after Jesus came with His good news to take away sin forever through true repentance. Please read Hebrews 10 as highlighted above. “The Book of Hebrews explains all.” Have you read in the Old Testament The Angel of the Lord? This was Jesus before a body was chosen by God to sacrifice His son to take away the sins of the world. (Hebrews 10:1-18).

(Hebrews 10:9-10) Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. (10) By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. (11) And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: (12) But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; (13) From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.

Do you see the fulfilment of (Genesis 3:14-15) in this scripture?

Shalom

Esther

July 14, 2019July 14, 2019

Preparing For The Return Of Jesus……

THE ANTI-CHRIST

“Anti” can mean “instead of ” or “against” or “opposed to.” So “antichrist” can mean “instead of Christ,” “against Christ,” or “opposed to Christ.” The antichrist is the “man of lawlessness,” the “son of destruction,” who will lead the world into rebellion against God (2 Thessalonians 2:3-10; Revelation 11:7) and deceive multitudes (Revelation 19:20).

Anti-Semitism

Anti-Semitism can not only be implied to the hostility or prejudice or discrimination against the Jews. It also can be manifested in many ways. The kingdom of the anti-Christ hated “First” the commandments of God. Then they hated “the Chosen” people and “the Land” of God. (Israel). And they also hated those who worship the God of the Jews”¦ “The Church”.

(John 15:18-19) “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. {19} If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.”

THE EVENTS PRELUDE TO THE MIDDLE OF THE WEEK

Who is the rider on the White Horse (Revelation 6:1-2) in the Beginning of the week? And where did he come from?

The Anti-Christ Revealed in the Books of Daniel and Revelation.

The Four beasts are Instruments and Judgements of God to Bring the Jews Back to Repentance: (Revelation 17:17) “For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.”

(Daniel 7:1-25; Revelation 13:1-18)

(Revelation 17:8-18) “The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is. {9} And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth. {10} And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space. {11} And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition. {12} And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. {13} These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast. {14} These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful. {15} And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. {16} And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. {17} For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled. {18} And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.”

THE SEVEN KINGDOM

1st the Egypt-(Fallen)
2nd the Assyria-(Fallen)”¦First Temple was Built by king Solomon (827 BCE)
3rd the Babylonian (LION)-GOLD-(Fallen)”¦Destruction of the First Temple by Nebuchadnezzar (425 BCE)
4th the Mede Persian (BEAR)-SILVER-(Fallen)”¦Second Temple was built by King Cyrus (349 BCE) under the leadership of Ezra and Nehemiah.
5th the Greek (LEOPARD)-BRONZE-(Fallen)
6th the Roman (TERRIBLE BEAST)-IRON & CLAY-(Falling)”¦Destruction of the Second temple by the Roman Emperor Titus (70 CE)

(Revelation 17:11-12) “And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition. {12} And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.”

7th The New World Order (10 Nations under Rome in Perdition)
8th The Beast and The Dragon (Daniel 7:20-25 – The Kingdom of Anti-Christ – 1260 days)”¦Third Temple will be built.

THE RIDER ON THE WHITE HORSE?

The way God has dealt with the unrepentant Jews in the past is, He will get somebody that is worse than they are. When the Jews backslide and will not repent. In order to bring them back to repentance. The Almighty God will get somebody worse than them. Like as in the Book of Judges”¦ He gets Palestine to bring the Jews back to repentance by invading them. Then God will raise up a judge and subdue Palestine. Once Palestine is done by means of the will of God. God shall remove them. In 721 BC, which were the Assyrians! Once the Assyrians brought God’s people into judgement then the Babylonians brought judgement upon them through the hand of God. IN 585 BC came the Babylonians. Prophets were persecuted, Jerusalem was destroyed. God then destroyed the Babylonians”¦ The Persians went to war on them and prevailed. Ultimately now the Roman Empire rule! God always uses somebody who is worse than you are, as His instrument of judgement that He calls His armies. When His judgment is fulfilled, God then removes them.

BEFORE THE TRUMPET SOUNDS

The man on the White Horse in the first week of Daniel 9:27 prophecy is a political leader and the head of A Demonic Empire”¦ (The Two related entities: The Beast). A coalition of nations that rises to power (New World Order) to subdue the earth. Just liken their predecessor before them. God uses this End Time Empire as His instrument and judgement upon this backslidden and unrepentant people and to bring them back to repentance”¦ by the Apocalypse of the Four Horsemen. (Revelation 6:1-11); (Obadiah 1:15).

THE BEGINNING OF SORROWS”¦ (The Four Horsemen: 1st Seal — 4th Seal)

(Matthew 24:4-8) “And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. {5} For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. {6} And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. {7} For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. {8} All these are the beginning of sorrows.”

THE HOLY SPIRIT STOPS RESTRAINING”¦ and the revealing of Satan.

(2 Thessalonians 2:3-8) “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; {4} Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. {5} Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? {6} And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. {7} For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. {8} And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:”

THE CHURCH DIVIDED”¦ against itself shall not stand in these last days.

(1 Timothy 4:1) “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;”

THE FALLING AWAY

The term here “Apostasy” has an eschatological standpoint in the last days unambiguously for those who were of the same Faith in Christ or a fallen brethren. The Apostasy was never meant for the unsaved person for the reason that they never did have faith t begin within Christ to fall away from it”¦Apostasy in short, means a demonic infiltration in the Church or a fellow brethren in the Church by the false doctrines of the devils”¦i.e a little leaven can leaven the whole lump!

This phenomenon of the falling away will intensify until that man of sin be revealed and inevitably the persecutions of the Christians will also greatly intensify”¦.

The first three and the half years is known as the beginning of sorrows by…..The period of three and a half years when the Anti-Christ makes a covenant by Peace with the Jews and Israel”¦ (Also known as The Covenant of Death), the Anti-Christ will rise to power at the beginning of the 70th week of Daniel. Some believers call it the time of great tribulation but Christ says it’s only the beginning of sorrows. So as “he” advances in power, “he” will make war and destroy three nations, remember when the Anti-Christ ascends to power “he” must pluck down three horns or nations. (Daniel 7:20-24 / Rev 13:4) “he” will use his military forces in his power to wage war as Christ has prophesied “you will hear of Wars and Rumours of Wars” what comes after wars”¦ Famines, pestilences and martial law (Restriction) and these are repercussions of wars.

As a believer, it is important that in the last days we are not to be ignorant of Satan’s devices and his demonic doctrines which he takes great delight in deceiving the people, especially of those who are in the household of the Lord.

(Revelation 13:11-18) Notice he tries to look like a good person, the anti-Christ will try to look Christ like while the second person is the false prophet they both will counterfeit the tri-unity of the God Head of the Bible to deceive the world. One being a political leader and the other a religious leader.

The Anti-Christ will deceive all religions and replace himself above all gods as well as the true God. (2 Thess 2:3-4) A total legion to him will be required during this time. In ascent, he would be believed to be the fulfilment for whatever hope is laid out in any religion during this time period”¦ any at all. To the Christian, he will appear as their Christ. For the Jews, it will be their Messiah and for the Muslim. It will be their 12th Imam Mahdi.

So what does the Church believe?

(1 John 4:3) “And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.”

Undoubtedly the spirit of Anti-Christ is still in full swing since the day Yeshua was born during 6-4 BC and it has been intensifying relentlessly as the day draws to His Second Coming. Do not be confused with the spirit of lawlessness with the real one in the flesh. They are both the same but different in their character. You have Satan the serpent who deceives the world, and the heathens, and you have Satan the Dragon who is the persecutor of the Saints (Eschatologically- Rev 13:13-14). Just like John the Baptist who was the harbinger for the coming of Yeshua HaMashiach”¦ (The Hope for the Lost). Now you have the false prophet (he) mentioned in the Book of Daniel 9:27 the harbinger for the son of perdition”¦.

This is true biblical information which all need to know leading up to the Messiahs return!

July 13, 2019July 13, 2019

What are your gifts? Do you know?

Not too long ago, I did a song in church, and it turned out pretty good. Afterward, when the pastor said, “thank you, Laura, you are gifted” I must admit, I thought gifted? I had to work so hard to learn this song, I didn’t feel like it was a gift at all.

From the time I decided to learn to play music, it was always a struggle for me. I recently sang in church, the song I did, I had practiced for weeks, and I have to say it turned out awesome. But the achievement to me seemed to be hard-won, and I had to wonder, am I really gifted?

Recently, I spoke in church about gifts, using a passage in Ephesians, as my guide. “He gave gifts to men, ” it says. (Ephesians, 4:8, NKJV). I never have thought of myself as gifted. I’ve seen other people I thought were gifted, but I never have considered myself one of them.

Learning to speak in front of a crowd had taken a lifetime of overcoming, & facing fears.

Because I believe God called me to do it, I have overcome the fears, got back up and tried again when I seemed to have failed, and have finally come to a place where I have some confidence, both with speaking and singing in front of others. It was hard-won, but I did it, (with God’s help, and a willing mind!).

So, how do we know we are gifted? Does it mean we are just born “good at something?”. No, I don’t think so. My gift is encouragement under the calling of Pastor. I don’t have a church, but I’ve been Pastoring most of my life.

Many years ago, I had stuffed sheep, named after the people I prayed for. When people heard about it they started to bring me sheep, because they wanted to be included and have me pray over their lives. Music came about because I have a passion to encourage others. My prayer life was cultivated for the same reason. “I want to teach the world to sing” used to be one of my favorite songs when I was young. Our loves, passions, and desires, are very telling, concerning our giftings.

I am also gifted to be a visionary, I can see things in the future, what will happen if certain elements are put into place. Because God did not give me the gift of “being in charge,” I pray for those who are in charge, and the Lord shows me exactly how to pray for them.

My gifts are affirmed, (and acknowledged) by people affirming to me that yes, indeed, I did encourage them. I’ve been used in other areas too, Evangelism (back to encouragement again, “YES YOU CAN Come to Christ”! Yes, he does want you.” “No, you didn’t sin so much he won’t take you.”

See? encouragement, yet again. I believe there was an Apostle that his name meant “son of encouragement.” I can encourage with a smile, gifts, money, helping, serving, or singing a song.

What about you? What is your passion? I’ve seen people great at fixing cars, baking cakes, taking care of gardens, and those who are especially great at working with children.

They have heard too, “You are so talented!” We ought to say, well done, you’ve really developed your gift! For the truth is, if we take our calling seriously in Christ, we’ll cherish and develop those gifts he put within us. If we do that, we’ll become “talented,” Or should I say, developed?

More mature?

There we go, back to growing (Up) again and being all you can be, in Jesus, for Jesus, and for His Kingdom!

With love and affection, Laura Grace, Author, Grace to Grow.

July 13, 2019

Luke 10:20

However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." Luke 10:20

Be modest in your talentsand spiritual success God works through you. What God does for you is greater than what you could ever do for Him.

July 12, 2019July 12, 2019

Can I Recover from Alcohol Addiction Detached from God?

In 1998, my family organized an intervention to encourage me to seek help for my alcohol dependence.

I was shocked to know that all of them thought I needed help to stop drinking. The first question I blurted out after hearing them talk was: “Am I an alcoholic?”

It was an honest question because all the while I thought I just loved to drink to relieve stress, but not to the point that I was addicted. Apparently, most alcoholics do not recognize the problem themselves.

Long story short, I joined Alcoholics Anonymous and it completely changed my life.

Finding God in My Recovery

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is famous for its Twelve Steps which is the backbone of the fellowship. As a Christian who believes in God, albeit one who lost her way, these steps spoke to me because they stress the importance of relying on God as key to recovery.

Below are the specific six AA steps that helped me rediscover God, and in the process led me to discover the path to healing.

Step 2: “Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.”

Before joining AA, I tried several times to stop drinking. I told myself that it is just a matter of willpower, which is why I was in despair every time I failed. I hated myself for not being able to quit.

The second step of AA made me realize that I cannot quit without divine intervention. I had dug a hole so deep that I needed God’s help more than anything. As John 15:5 says, “… apart from me, you can do nothing.”

As I struggled with alcoholism, I learned to acknowledge my limitations. I was educated, well-off, and popular, yet I still was lured into the trap of alcohol dependence. How could I trust myself or other human beings as imperfect as me to restore my sobriety? Only an all-powerful and all-knowing God could make this happen.

Step 3: “Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.”

I went through a long process of denial, anger, and hopelessness before I finally admitted to myself that it is time to surrender my addiction and my whole life to God’s care once again. It dawned on me that steps 2 and 3 are actually related. If I accept God’s sovereign power then it makes perfect sense to yield myself completely to Him, right?

I soon admitted all my faults and weaknesses and acknowledged His power to turn my life around. The moment I surrendered every aspect of my life to God, it felt like a heavy load had been lifted off me.

I experienced Psalm 46:10, firsthand, “Be still and know that I am God.” It was a peace I hadn’t felt before.

Step 5: “Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.”

There’s a saying in AA that, “We are only as sick as our secrets,” and I found it to be true. The more I kept to myself, the more the guilt, fear, and shame ate me up.

Admitting our faults to God in prayer is different from telling another person of all our wrongdoings. When we only confess to God, we can still go on walking like we were high and mighty even if we are rotting inside.

It was a lesson in humility. This step was probably the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. But I felt liberated after doing it. I believed that God also used this time to chip at my ego and pride.

Step 6 & 7: “Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character” and “Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.”

I started my prayer journal during this time. I lifted up in prayer all the destructive things I had done because of my addiction and the sins I had committed. I wrote them down in detail and asked God to give me the grace to overcome each one of them.

This process gave me the chance to be sensitive to God’s moving in my life. I made it a point to record how God helped me, little by little, in overcoming my defects. Today, I still have my prayer journal to chronicle how God is helping me to persist in growing in virtue.

Step 11: “Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.”

Personally, this step is essential for the happiness and satisfaction of everyone, not just recovering alcoholics like me. Thanks to my recovery journey, I learned the power of prayer. Praying not to ask for favors but solely to ask God what He wants me to do and, more importantly, to listen to His prodding.

Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” For many years, I had tried living my life my way and it brought me to despair. Now I know that the One who created me should be in charge because He alone knows my purpose in life and how I can fulfill it.

Is Recovery Possible While Excluding God?

There are many studies that support the effectiveness of AA’s treatment approach. As the years go by, however, and as the world becomes more secularized, many non-believers are finding the “God part” in AA uncomfortable. As a result, there are alcoholic support groups now that pledge to offer the benefits of AA, minus the spiritual content of AA.

I find this odd. I have met countless alcoholics who were able to stop their alcohol dependency precisely because they relied on God’s healing power. Note that most of these people also tried “scientific” treatments and entered secular rehabs to no effect.

God is the missing key to successful and long-term recovery. How can one be healed without the ultimate Healer?

People who allegedly believe in science rather than “fairy tales” (God) would argue that the effectiveness of AA is due to non-religious factors: meetings, helping one another, etc. My response would be how can they be certain that it is not because of God’s power?

The original AA approach has been effective all over the world because of the God-factor. I am a living testament and so are many of my fellow recovering alcoholics. No study can “measure” God because if He is measurable then He is not God.

All good things come from God because HE is goodness Himself. Recovery from addiction is essentially good. How can it be possible to achieve this good without tapping into the source of goodness?

When one excludes God from the recovery journey, what’s the point? Without anchoring ourselves to our Creator, who shows us the real purpose of our lives, everything becomes meaningless.

I am grateful for the spiritual aspect of AA because it not only helped in my recovery but it also made me a better person. Paradoxically, I discovered that the more I surrendered my will and entire being to God Almighty, the more I had the strength to overcome my addiction. Indeed, His “grace is sufficient for us, for His power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

30 facts about alcohol

The “alcohol” in alcoholic beverages such as wine, beer, and spirits is actually ethanol, or ethyl alcohol. It’s the only type of alcohol that you can drink without causing serious damage to your body.
Alcohol is a depressant. This means that it slows down activity in the brain.
According to the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 86.4 percent of adults reported having drank alcohol at some point in their lifetime.
The NSDUH also found that 70.1 percent of American adults had had a drink in the previous year, and 56.0 percent had had one in the previous month.
Alcohol has a wide variety of effects. In the brain, it triggers the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that’s associated with pleasure and satisfaction.
Stress relief is another side effect of drinking alcohol. This is caused by an increase in the uptake of another neurotransmitter, called GABA.
Alcohol is among the most commonly misused addictive substances. About 12.7 percentTrusted Sourceof American adults meet the criteria for alcohol use disorder (AUD). That’s 1 in 8 adults.
According to a 2015 study, light-eyed Americans of European descent consume more alcohol than dark-eyed Americans of European descent.
The same study found that blue-eyed Americans of European descent had the highest levels of alcohol misuse, suggesting a genetic link that makes them more susceptible to AUD.
Alcohol is processed in the liver, where enzymes help break down ethanol into acetaldehyde and acetate.
The effects associated with drinking occur when ethanol enters your bloodstream and passes through the membranes of cells in your brain, heart, and other organs.
ResearchTrusted Source suggests that rates of alcohol use and high-risk use increased between 2001 and 2013.
AUD has a genetic component. Researchers estimate that genes account for approximately half of the risk.
Men are more likely to use alcohol than women.
Alcohol has different health consequences for men and women. Long-term drinking is more likelyTrusted Source to have negative health effects for women compared to men, even if the woman drinks less for a shorter period of time.
Women who are dependent on alcohol are 50 to 100 percent more likely to die from alcohol-related causes than men who are dependent on alcohol.
Alcohol-attributable deaths are the third-leading preventable cause of death in America. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 88,424 people die from alcohol-related causes each year in the United States.
Alcohol may be nearly as old as civilization. Residues from an alcoholic beverage that dates back to 7,000 to 6,600 B.C. have been found in China.
Archaeologists have also found evidence suggesting that the workers who built the Great Pyramids of Giza were paid in beer.
Binge drinking is a pattern of alcohol consumption that involves drinking a lot in a short period of time. For women, four or moreTrusted Source drinks in two hours is considered binge drinking. For men, it’s five or more drinks in two hours.
Teens who start drinking before the age of 15 are more likely to develop alcohol dependence later on in life.
Symptoms of acute alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) include hallucinations, seizures, and, in severe cases, even death. People who are dependent on alcohol should seek medical assistance to stop drinking.
Culture has a significant influence on how people consume alcohol. A study that explored family drinking in Italy found that Italians who drank at family meals while growing up were less likely to develop unhealthy drinking habits later on in life.
Alcohol use is a significant risk factor for dementia.
Drinking red wine in moderation is believed to be good for the heart. Red wine contains resveratrol, a substance which helps control cholesterol, prevent blood vessel damage, and stop blood clots.
Binge drinking can lead to a hangover the following morning. Hangovers are caused by chemical byproducts created during alcohol processing.
Hormonal changes lead to unpleasant hangover symptoms. For instance, hormonal changes cause you to urinate more, which can lead to dehydration.
Dark liquors, such as red wine or whiskey, are more likely to result in severe hangovers. White or clear liquors are less likely to result in a hangover.
Around the world, minimum legal drinking ages range from 10 to 21 years.
Muscles absorb alcohol faster than fat. As a result, people who have more muscles and less body fat have higher alcohol tolerance.

July 12, 2019July 12, 2019

The Spirit Of God

Have you been fighting a battle for a long time? The key is: don’t go around talking about your problem. Don’t go around confessing that you’re never going to make it. No, start declaring, “the Spirit of the Lord is upon my life!” When you realise God’s Spirit of favour is upon you, you will become bold and confident, and accomplish your dreams faster than you thought!

When doubt comes, declare the promises in God’s Word! “How are you going to get out of debt?” “The Spirit of God is upon my life.” “How are you going to get well?” “The Spirit of God is upon my life.” “How are you going to break that addiction?” “The Spirit of God.” “How are you going to accomplish your dreams?” “The Spirit of God!”

Today, the more you declare and believe God’s promises, the more you’ll see His favour. As you keep standing in faith, as You keep hoping in Him, you’ll see His promises manifest in your life. You’ll experience His favour and victory, and see every dream and desire come to pass! Not by your might and expertise, but by God’s Spirit.

“…’Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the LORD of hosts.”
(Zechariah 4:6, NASB)

Pray With Me
Yahweh, thank You for placing Your dreams and desires within me, and for creating a plan to bring them to pass by Your Spirit. Father, even when I can’t see a way, I trust and believe that You are making a way. God, You are good, and today I declare and decree Your Spirit upon every area of my life, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.

July 11, 2019July 11, 2019

Knowing When To”¦

One of the most difficult things in life is knowing when to”¦ When to stop or go. When to hold on or let go. When to turn away or fight on. Many of the challenges we face are simply distractions from the enemy to keep us from reaching our destiny. Maybe someone in the office isn’t as friendly to you as you’d like. Maybe you have a neighbour who always parks in front of your house and blocks your driveway. Those things may be frustrating, but they have little significance when you look at the big picture of eternity. You can’t allow the little things to cause strife in your life.

The old testament of the Bible tells us, just before David fought the giant Goliath, his brother Iliab tried to confront him. But David knew that arguing with Iliab wasn’t even worth his time and strength. He knew his real battle was with Goliath, and he didn’t want to be distracted. He simply “turned away” from Iliab and kept his focus on what he was called to do. This is how we should deal with distractions in life. Be clear on the destiny, know who is the real enemy, don’t lose focus, and know when to turn away.

Today, let’s be like David and keep our eyes on what’s most important in life. Instead of being led away by life’s frustrations, let’s stay focused on the bigger picture, not the little distractions. Know when to turn away from strife and the battles that will keep you from your God-given purpose and destiny, so that you will receive the mark of honour the Lord has for you!

“It is an honour for a man to cease from strife”¦”
(Proverbs 20:3, KJV)

Pray With Me
Yahweh, thank You for giving me victory in my life. Father, give me the wisdom and courage I need to know when to walk away from strife and useless distractions, so that I can focus on the purpose and destiny You have prepared for me. God, I love You and bless You today. Please make me more like you, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.

July 10, 2019July 10, 2019

Cultivating Fresh Faith Through Your Lifetime

Japan, Germany, and Monaco are countries approaching an aging population looking into retirement or settling in retirement homes. Among the older adults, this is probably the time to slow down, reflect, and take leisure time walking along the coast side, travel the world, or build and live in a wonderful lakeside home. The Millennials and Gen Z’s are picking up the weight and chase after the ‘American dream’ faster than ever. But, before technology became a staple in our lives, our forefathers made sure to look into the Word through meditation, mindfulness, and reflection. Looking for a fresh perspective in your walk with God? Each day provides an opportunity to an enriched life filled with a purpose.

The joy in ALL circumstances

A verse in Philippians 4 pointed, ‘Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice’. A worldview devoid of God would have only pinned joy as an event that lasts only for a moment. But life is a struggle and it doesn’t always go your way. It’s not always happy and it’s not always on time with whatever you asked of God. True joy in your life shouldn’t be dependent on your circumstances. Once we know our Savior, Jesus Christ, we look beyond the circumstances and into the face of the one who gives us substance and meaning. This is why it’s so important to meditate on the truth and joy available to us, as this simple daily practice will help us face our struggles and change our perspective for the better.

Whose image is on you?

In the Gospel of Mark, a man once asked if ‘it is right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?’ to which Jesus replied, ‘Bring me a denarius and let me look at it”¦ Whose image is this? And whose inscription?’ The man replied, ‘Caesar’s’ to which Jesus responded to give to Caesar what is due to his and to God which is due God’s. Ravi Zacharias, a renowned Christian apologist, made a poignant remark of the questioner’s ‘disingenuousness’ by not asking a follow-up question. If it wasn’t the case, the questioner would’ve asked, ‘What belongs to God?’ to which Jesus would have replied, ‘Whose image is on you?’. To have a calling, you first need to have a caller. Each of us is called for a holy life in Christ, to bear the image of his father, and fulfill the purpose He predestined since time immemorial.

Rethinking retirement

If you’ve never heard it before, more adults are retiring early. While there are many reasons people want to retire early, there’s an ugly truth to this ‘upside’.Adults retiring early experience loss of identity and security. The fear of the unknown may also set in once income dwindles, inflation rate shoots up, and the market crashes. Set scheduled time to reading inspirational texts to guide us in honoring our Creator and love of your neighbor. Living the faith does not come with an ‘expiration date’ and building a robust prayer life liberates you from material concerns.

Make every work matter

God cares for the world through us. Even the first task of man on earth is to ‘work and take care of’ the Garden of Eden. The Bible is replete of insinuations of God feeding His people. The only catch is that it has to be done through work. So what does this imply in your walk in the faith? From the grandest work of a CEO running a multi-billion company to washing dishes, no work is menial, and each work carries with it great dignity. As we are all parts of the body of Christ, we are called to become the ‘hands and feet’ of God.

July 10, 2019July 10, 2019

Troubles and Trials Are Momentary

Aren’t you glad that Scripture promises that our troubles and trial are only momentary? When compared with eternity, our troubles won’t last long, they are not eternal! The second part of today’s verse tells us, that when we stand strong in faith during times of adversity, we are building faith, which achieves eternal glory, which will always outlast our trials.

When you confess your trust and reliance on God, you are passing the test for eternal glory!

If you are in the middle of tough times today, look to God. The Bible says that Jesus is the author and finisher of your faith. He is the one who writes faith on your heart, and then develops it to completion on the inside of you, as you yield yourself to Him.

Today, your part is to seek Him. Follow His commands. Open your heart and choose to speak His Word which is alive and active. Remember, your trials are only momentary and light, but His eternal glory outweighs it all and last forever, from this world into the next. Hallelujah!

“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”
(2 Corinthians 4:17, NIV)

Pray With Me
Yahweh, thank You for preparing me for Your eternal glory. I cast my cares on You, knowing that my trials and troubles are momentary and light, compared to the wonderful eternity You have for me, according to Your Word. Thank You for Your eternal blessing on my life, which begins today and will last forever, beyond this life and into the next, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.

July 10, 2019July 10, 2019

I’ve Found A Great Hiding Place

As a child, one of my favourite games was hide and seek. We looked for the best place to hide in the house or back yard, and waited quietly for our friends to try to find us. It’s a great game for kids, but as adults, we also look for a good place to hide from time to time. A place of refuge, a place of safety, or a place to rest when we feel overwhelmed by the circumstances of life, a place where the enemy of our soul can never find us.

I’ve got good news. God has the perfect hiding place for you! You don’t have to hide at work. You don’t have to hide in relationships. You don’t have to hide in food or addictions, because God Himself promises to hide you! He freely offers you shelter from the storms of life, any time you call upon His name.

Today, remember there’s only one place the enemy cannot find you. There’s only one place where opposition cannot steal from you. There’s only one true place of safety and rest for your soul, and that is in the arms of Jesus. Know that He loves you, and He is ready to receive you when you call upon His name! Hallelujah!

“In the day of trouble He will keep me safe in His dwelling; He will hide me in the shelter of His sacred tent and set me high upon a rock.”
(Psalm 27:5, NIV)

Pray With Me
Yahweh, today I come humbly before You giving You all of me. Father, thank You for hiding me in Your shelter and keeping me safe from the storms of life. God, today my soul finds rest in You, please hide me from the enemy of my soul, as I seek You and praise Your Holy Name, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.

July 8, 2019July 8, 2019

Intentionally Taking Root

This weekend I attended a dear friend’s 50^thbirthday celebration. Amidst the laughter, fun and music, friends and family alike all agreed that she was a great spiritual person. A godly woman that God had planted a seed of greatness in. Someone that was able to bounce back from illness and adversity, someone who didn’t have a negative bone in her body, who is willing to help at all times. Person after person expressed what a wonderful person she was in Christ.

Today, I want to let you know God has planted seeds of victory on the inside of you. He’s wants to increase you. He’s wants to enlarge your vision. He wants to take you to new levels of victory. But before you see a harvest, the seed has to intentionally take root. You have to conceive it before you are going to receive it. In other words, before you’re ever going to be successful, you’ve got to see yourself successful. Before you’re ever going to have your dreams come to pass, you’ve got to look out through your eyes of faith and see them coming to pass. That’s how you allow the seed to intentionally take root.

Today, please examine your thought life. What are you allowing to take root? Are God’s seeds of victory and life growing in your heart and mind, or are you nurturing seeds of defeat and despair? The good news is that you can change your thoughts right now, at this very moment. Begin to dwell on God’s promises and His goodness. Let His good seeds take root in your mind and heart. It won’t be long before you’ll see that harvest of blessing come forth in every area of your life!

“He answered, ‘the one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man’.” (Matthew 13:37, AMP)

Pray With Me
Yahweh, today I surrender every area of my mind, will and emotions to You. Father, I dwell on Your goodness and faithfulness, so that the good seeds You’ve planted in my life will take root. God, keep me close to You and direct my steps, as I intentionally walk down the path You have prepared for me, in Jesus’ Name! Amen

July 5, 2019July 5, 2019

Same Power As Jesus

I read in the Bible that we have the same resurrection power that Jesus had. I found that so hard to believe, then this thought came to mind. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Saviour and get baptised, the Holy Spirit makes His home inside of us, just as He did at Christ’s baptism.

That same Spirit, with the same power that worked miracles and raised Christ from the dead, that resurrection power can do the same for you. It will bring back health, strength and life to your physical body. It will restore hope and breathe life into your dead dreams. In fact, the Spirit can resurrect any area that may seem dormant in your life today. The next time you feel overwhelmed by sickness, challenges or despair, remember, the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead dwells in you through Christ Jesus.

Today, you may be burdened by an addiction, fear or worry, but there’s nothing that can stand against the power of God. So rise up and declare by faith, “he whom the Son sets free is free indeed. I am restored and healed in the name of Jesus! No weapon formed against me can prosper!” Receive His truth, declare His Word, and activate His power within you!

“And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies, because of his Spirit who lives in you.”
(Romans 8:11, NIV)

Pray With Me
Yahweh, thank You for filling me with Your Holy Ghost power, the same power that raised Christ from the dead. Father, I will feed my faith by declaring Your Word. Father, I will walk in Your ways, and honour You in everything I do, and exercise your resurrection power in all the dead areas in my life, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.

July 4, 2019

John 15:18

July 4, 2019July 4, 2019

Beyond Your Ability Is Right Where God Wants You

Have you ever questioned God? Have you ever gone through a situation in your life that you don’t quite understand? During these uncertain seasons, it’s natural to question things in your mind. But in order to move forward, we have to look forward with our hearts. We have to look beyond the questions, and continue to trust in Almighty God.

As Christians we’re going to have some unanswered questions. You may never understand why a relationship ended too soon. You may never understand why someone died. You may never understand why you went through that illness, or why your prayers didn’t get answered. At some point, you have to decide to move beyond your questions and go with trusting God. We have to decide to trust His character even when our circumstances don’t make sense.

Today, God’s Word tells us that difficulties and adversities will come, but God is the one who promises to lead us into victory. He has promised that He’s going to turn that difficulty around and use it for your advantage. He is faithful to His Word and keeps all His promises, and you can be sure that He will fulfill them, and at some point He will make the answers clear. Ask question yes, but trust Him “for the just shall live by faith.”

“The secret things belong unto the Lord our God”¦”
(Deuteronomy 29:29, AMPC)

Pray With Me
Yahweh, I will trust You with all my unanswered questions. Father, I release any doubt and confusion to You. Help me to focus and trust You and Your Word, which is the truth that will set me free. Thank You for Your goodness and for the blessings You have in store for me. God, today I choose to look beyond my questions and doubts and believe You, in Jesus’ name! Amen

What Does Scripture Say?

Can You Marry Your Relation?

How Does the Answer to this Question Affect the Gospel?

More mature?

Finding God in My Recovery

Step 2: “Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.”

Step 3: “Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.”

Step 5: “Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.”

Step 6 & 7: “Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character” and “Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.”

Step 11: “Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.”

Is Recovery Possible While Excluding God?

Godinterest

Step 2: “Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.”

Step 3: “Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.”

Step 5: “Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.”

Step 6 & 7: “Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character” and “Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.”

Step 11: “Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.”