Sharing the life changing Gospel message found in Jesus Christ
Tag: Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. Its adherents, known as Christians, believe Jesus is the Son of God and savior of humanity, whose coming as the Messiah (Christ) was prophesied in the Old Testament of the Bible, and chronicled in the New Testament.
The scripture tells us that, the teachers of the law and the Pharisees, were the leading citizens among the Jews. They knew what God’s law said, and they could tell people how to apply it. But they were hypocrites. They added 615 of their laws on top of God’s laws, thinking that would “protect” the law of God from being disobeyed. But in doing so, they violated the spirit of the law, which is love.
Today’s Christians can do the same as the Pharisees if they add their social and religious standards to God’s law. “Surely a Christian would never listen to that, or wear those clothes, or dance, or eat that meat…”. We might think we are being especially zealous for the law of God by adding such restrictions when the bible doesn’t – but God desires love, not legalism.
Today, following human standards while ignoring God’s call to love, can lead to terrible results – “hypocrisy”. It has led to racism like apartheid. It has led to sexism with statements like “she should have known better than to wear that”. It has led to nationalism where we look down on immigrants and refugees. Such hypocrisy will condemn us on the day of judgment. Laws that do not aim at love for all people are not God’s laws. The Ruler of Heaven and Earth is not fooled by distorted rule-following and fake self-centred Christianity.
“Do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.” (Matthew 23:3).
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, forgive us when we set up false standards. Father, forgive us if we have judged others unlovingly. Help us to follow your laws and not add our own trying to protect yours. Please show us how to love everyone as you do. In Jesus’s name, Amen.
Christian apparel refers to clothing and accessories that feature religious symbols, messages, or themes, specifically those related to the Christian faith. This type of clothing is worn by individuals who wish to express their faith and make a statement about their beliefs.
Some examples of Christian apparel include t-shirts with Bible verses or religious symbols, crosses, and Jesus fish. These clothing items can be worn as a way to share one’s faith with others and start conversations about Christianity.
Christian apparel can also be worn as a way to identify oneself as a member of a particular religious community. This can be especially important for youth groups and church groups, as well as for Christian events such as retreats and conferences.
There are many different types of Christian apparel available, from casual wear to formal wear, and it is often made by companies that specialize in creating religious clothing. Some Christian apparel companies also donate a portion of their profits to charitable causes, such as missions and disaster relief.
Overall, Christian apparel is a way for individuals to express their faith and to build a sense of community among believers. It can also be a powerful tool for spreading the message of Christianity and encouraging others to learn more about the faith.
Marketing your book can be a difficult task, especially if you’re trying to appeal to a specific audience. Christian authors face their own set of challenges in getting people to buy their books, but there are also plenty of ways they can capitalize on their existing fan base and find new buyers. This article will walk you through some of the best ways to market your Christian book, whether you’re an author who just published his or her first book or one who has been writing for years.
1. Outreach Via Social Media
As a Christian author, you have a unique opportunity to reach out to potential readers via social media. By sharing your faith and your love of writing, you can connect with readers who may be interested in your work. You can market your books on social media platforms, such as Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest. Use hashtags like #writeyouheartout and #faithreads. Share quotes from the Bible or inspirational messages that relate to your book. Inspire other writers by sharing social media posts or blog posts on how God has used the craft of writing to change you and others around you. I was blessed when i found an inspiring Christian blog such as “when we need God”. Outreaching and being published on these type of Christian blogs can also help book authors to be found by Christian audience.
2. Reach Out With Newsletters
You can let people know about your book by sending out newsletters. This is a great way to connect with potential readers and let them know what you’re doing. You can also include a link to your book’s sales page in the newsletter. You should have an opt-in form on your website that encourages people to sign up for the newsletter. In addition, make sure that when someone subscribes, they receive a confirmation e-mail.
3. Call Other Believers
One of the best things you can do as a Christian author to market your book is to call other believers and let them know about it. You can also ask them to help spread the word by sharing your book with their friends and family. If you’re not sure who to contact, there are many free tools online that will list all the churches in your area. Send out some invitations if you find one with a lot of attendees.
4. Speak at Your Church
Start by marketing your book at your church. This is a great way to get started because you already have a built-in audience of people who know, like and trust you. You can do this by giving a short talk about your book during service, setting up a table in the lobby with information about your book or passing out flyers. Ask your pastor to mention your book when they mention you as a Christian author who attends their church. Once again, this will be another opportunity to connect with your congregation. You could also pass out copies of your book before and after sermons so that those in attendance will read it on their own time and write a review for you.
5. Market Your Book in Christian Conferences and Seminars
If you want to market your book to Christians, one of the best places to start is by attending Christian conferences and seminars. Here, you’ll be able to connect with potential readers and other authors and professionals in the industry. When attending these events, be sure to have plenty of business cards and bookmarks on hand to promote your work. You can also create a special offer or discount code to encourage people to buy your book.
6. Give Away Freebies Related to Your Book
If you’re a Christian author, chances are good your book is about Christianity in some way. A great way to market your book is by giving away freebies that are related to your book’s topic. For example, if your book is about marriage, you could give away a free e-book on “10 Tips for a Happy Marriage.” Freebies related to your book like bookmarks and notepads with quotes from the book on them will help you attract readers who are interested in what you have to say.
7. Write About Your Book on Your Website
If you have a blog or website, make sure to mention your book on there and include a link to where people can buy it. Write blogs on your website. This will help you connect with potential readers and give them a taste of your writing style. Plus, it’s a great way to build up your platform and get people interested in what you have to say. Ensure you optimize your site by making sure your keywords are present throughout the content so search engines will be able to find it. You should also consider writing guest posts on other blogs in your niche and do webinars that are related to the topic of your book.
8. Post Your Book’s Cover on Pinterest
There’s a section on this list about marketing your Christian book on social media platforms, but Pinterest is more than a social media platform. It’s also an easy way to promote your book with visuals.
Create a free account and pin the cover of your book to one of the boards you create.
Write a short description and include the link to buy your book to generate sales.
Use keywords that are related to religion or Christianity to make it easier for people who are searching for these topics or terms to find you.
Include links from other places where your readers can find you such as Facebook, Google.
9. Share Your Work on Online Christian Forums
One great way to market your book is by sharing it on Christian forums online. This will help get your work in front of potential readers who are interested in reading material from a Christian perspective. When posting on forums, be sure to include a link to your book’s sales page so that interested readers can easily find and purchase your work. Get involved with online communities related to your book’s topic. Share your expert insights and connect with potential readers.
10. Give Podcast Interviews
Podcast interviews allow you to share your faith with others and talk about your book in a natural way. If you have no idea how to start the interview, give them some background information on yourself, like where are you from, what is your favorite food? Once the interviewer knows who you are, he or she will likely ask about your book. When it comes time to promote the interview, be sure that you send out an e-mail and tweet. These tools can help get people interested in what is happening.
11. Reach Out to Influential Bloggers
Hiring or consulting influential bloggers is a great way to market your Christian book. These bloggers have already established themselves as experts in their field, and they can help you reach a larger audience. Reach out to influencers and bloggers who have been featured in major publications like Christianity Today or RELEVANT Magazine. They may be able to help promote your work too!
12. Give Away Books
Book giveaways allow potential readers to sample your work and see if they like it. You can give away copies through social media, your website, through Amazon or in person. Be sure to let people know how to get in touch with you to claim their prize. There are a number of sites where you can host a book giveaway, such as Listy and Goodreads. If you have a website or blog, you can do one of these. After that, you’d urge anyone who has received the book to post a review or testimonial in support of it online.
13. Go Door to Door
Start by going door to door in your neighborhood and asking people if they would be interested in reading your book. You can also offer a short summary of the book. If you get a positive response, leave them with a business card or contact information so they can reach you when they’re ready to purchase.
14. Submit Book Reviews on Amazon
As an author, you can submit book reviews on Amazon, which can help generate interest in your book and also help with its ranking. When submitting a review, be sure to include the title of the book, the author’s name and why you would recommend it to others. Also make sure that you write a detailed review that includes what the book is about, what was good about it, and what wasn’t so great.
15. Review Your Book on YouTube
As a Christian author, one great way to market your book is by creating a YouTube review. This is a great way to get your name and face out there, giving potential readers a taste of your book. Plus, if you have good production values and an engaging personality, your YouTube review could go viral, reaching hundreds or even thousands of people.
Closing Thoughts
If you’re a Christian author, marketing your books can be one of the most difficult parts of the process. Book marketing is more than just advertising. You also need to promote yourself and your brand as an author so that people know who you are and what you wrote.
In a moment, everything changed. Life, as usual, ceased and Christianity and the world plunged into a time of fear and uncertainty.
This sounds like our current situation during a pandemic, war, and major growth in anti-social behaviour, but it also speaks to a time of “great persecution” the early Church faced. The vibrant new Christian Church was forced to splinter apart. They were under siege. New believers, untethered from their apostolic anchor, fled through the Judean countryside and into the surrounding nations. What did they feel? Fear? Confusion? That this new, seemingly fragile faith was threatened with eradication?
They felt a mixed bag of many things. But after a brief time, the scattered believers regained their bearings and “went about preaching the word”. The crisis turned out to be a vehicle that God, in His sovereignty, used to further His purposes. The Gospel entered new nations and began its inexorable march to the ends of the earth.
God has repeated this process throughout history. Plagues, persecution, and disasters all have come and gone, appearing as threats but proving to be the kindling that has stoked the fires of the mission.
Today as in the early Christian Church we have become scattered in a different way, what might God do? Instead of gathering physically on Sabbath mornings and various weeknights, we journey on digital roads, streaming church services and Gospel messages wherever we go. Might this moment be another watershed moment in Church mission history? How can we move past our own fear and uncertainty to proclaim Christ when we’re physically and digitally scattered? Maybe God has scattered us on purpose so that this gospel can be preached into all the world…
“And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.” Acts 8:1 ESV
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, thank you for your sovereign control of all things, even still through the chaos of today. I give my anxieties to you and pray that you’d give me the peace, wisdom, and creativity to proclaim your greatness to those around me, both digitally and physically. Father, revive my heart During this time and use me to help bring the Gospel to the very ends of the earth. Amen.
I could have very easily let my thoughts be on the worst possibilities and worry the day away. Instead, I slowed down to ask myself “how can I overcome my fear and anxiety?” The only biblical way I could see to handle the fear was to choose to trust God, and “bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ”. (2 Corinthians 10:5) I had to control my thoughts, rather than letting them run away and paralyze me with fear.
Jesus teaches acceptance, both of the world and oneself. Acceptance starts by understanding your anxiety further and recognizing the causes and solutions for your anxiety symptoms.
One of the reasons that people find Christianity helps them overcome anxiety is because at the core of anxiety is fear. Fear over the unknown and the belief that specific things in your life are important. Christianity teaches values that promote less anxiety, specifically because the belief in Christianity runs directly counter to the issues that cause anxiety. For example:
The bible teaches that fear of the unknown shows a lack of faith in God. Everything is supposed to be the result of God’s plan. If you’re allowing yourself to be overcome by anxiety and fear, then you’re showing that you don’t have total trust in God. The more trust you have, the more confidence you have in God’s ability to turn things around.
Christianity also teaches that death isn’t something to fear. A life lived in God’s path is designed to help you get to heaven, which is the ultimate goal of Christianity. This is seen in many Christians that adopt the religion after experiencing profound stress. Jesus gives their life purpose, which helps them overcome the belief that death is something to fear.
Today, many people also have personal fears that affect them. For example, someone may fear embarrassment, or they may fear spiders, or they may fear socializing. All these personal fears go against the belief in God, which is that your fears are selfish thoughts when God has a plan for you. Personal fears can be hard to control, but a healthy consistent belief in God can help you overcome anxiety. The core of believing in God is about trust over every uncertainty and fear in life and so this belief can be used to allow people to stop anxiety.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Philippians 4:6)
Let’s Pray Yahweh, I come before You to lay my panic and anxiety at Your feet. Father, when I’m crushed by my fears and worries, remind me of Your power and Your grace. God, fill me with Your peace as I trust in You and You alone. I know I can’t beat this on my own, but I also know that I have You, Lord, and You have already paid the ultimate price to carry my burdens. For this, I thank you, in Christ’s name Amen.
Prayer rooms offer a time for reflection, a place to reflect on our faith and a place to pray. The decor can be a simple reminder of our faith, or it can be a beautiful room that offers a place for our prayers. If you want to create an inviting and comforting environment that enhances your spirituality and prayer time, it is important to create a space that feels like home. This is the reason why prayer room decor should always reflect individual taste. Whether you are a fan of modern or traditional decor, the companies such as Christian walls have a great selection of inspiring and inspirational Christian prayer room decor, to help you create the space you need to enjoy your daily prayer habit.
The prayer room is a special place of worship for Christians, a place to get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life and to spend time with Him. A good prayer room should be quiet, serene, and peaceful. It should be comfortable, not cold, and not too hot. It should be decorated in a manner that is pleasing to the eye, and should contain all the right elements, so that your soul can be at peace, for example footprints in the sand wall art & decor can really put your focus back on God. The prayer room will become a place that is special to you. You will look forward to entering it, and you will enter it with joy, and you will leave it with a feeling of peace and contentment.
The goal of Christian wall art or decor is to give you an atmosphere that you feel is safe and inviting, while still holding a sense of church.
A prayer room is one of the most important parts of a church building. It is the room used by Christians to pray in, and it is where they want to focus on God. This is a room that is filled with religious symbols. The symbol that is used the most is the Cross, next to the Bible. This is because Christianity is about following God’s word and keeping his word, and the Cross is the symbol of His word.
Snowflakes to decorate the Prayer Room
In Winter, we can use snowflakes to decorate the Prayer Room. Winter is a time of year that offers many opportunities to decorate your Prayer Room. Since snowflakes are not only beautiful, but also special and meaningful, you can use them in a variety of ways to decorate your Prayer Room.
Snowflakes just look amazing when we hang them on the ceiling. You can decorate your prayer room for Christmas or during any other holiday season. Snowflakes can be used to decorate the walls with posters and pictures that you want to share with your friends and family.
There are some great options that you can choose from to decorate your prayer room. It is very easy to make a snowflake with paper. If you have the courage to learn, you’re gonna make it!
Religious symbols on the wall
Crosses are used in prayer rooms because of their association with Jesus Christ. There is a common misconception that Jesus only performed miracles, but in reality Jesus fulfilled all the requirements to be considered a true Messiah, including being a great moral teacher and having a unique relationship with God.
Crosses are commonly used in Christian religious buildings for our inspirational meaning. Crosses have been made to be a variety of shapes and sizes, but the most common is the Latin cross. Historically, the cross has been used as a symbol of the Christian faith, symbolising both the crucifixion of Jesus, and his resurrection.
A cross in a Christian prayer room is a symbol of the Christian faith. It can be found in churches, homes, or on the walls of a Christian prayer room. It is a strong Christian symbol that has also become a popular item for other interior design items for homes and businesses. It is a beautiful design that can be found in many homes, as it is a well-loved symbol of Christianity. In the prayer room, a cross is used to create a connection with God.
Bible Verses hangings on the wall
There are many different ways to decorate your Prayer Room, but most of them are much the same. There are, of course, inspirational quotes, like those from the Bible, in the room. The Christian tradition has always been about sharing the Bible’s love and authority with others. Throughout Sacred Scripture, the Bible is represented by art, music, and other works of the imagination. This is because the Bible is the Word of God, an invitation to higher consciousness, a lifelong journey with how grace is the center of all.
We can use Candles for decor
Candles have been used to decorate for centuries, but did you know that they can also be quite useful for prayer, particularly in the Christian faith? Christian candle decor can help you express your faith in Christ, and also help you to live out your faith by using the symbolism of light and symbolically burning a candle to commemorate or celebrate a rite or special occasion.
You may be aware that when the temple was being built, there were many special candles that were used as part of the ceremony. In fact, many of the special candles used were made from pure frankincense and myrrh, which can still be used today in the Church. However, you may not know how these candles were used for worship and prayer.
There are many reasons to get a candle as a way to decorate your Prayer room. The candles are excellent for lighting up the room and helping you to focus on your intentions. They can also help in setting a mood for the room.
As a Christian, it is important to know that you are a child of God and that God wants the best for you. Understanding what God expects from you can help you do more with your life. You can be a better Christian. Christianity is a large and diverse faith, which means there are many different ways to be a better Christian. Some people find meaning in the Bible, in prayer, in rituals or even in their relationship with God. But no matter what your beliefs, these are all good things to do. They will make you a better Christian.
There are times when we get so wrapped up in all the things that God allows us to do that we forget to do the things that are most important. We fail to memorize scripture or we fail to pray regularly even though prayer is the very foundation of our faith. What is the best thing about being a Christian? It is the ability to know that the Almighty God created us in His perfect image. We know that He loves us and wants the best for us. He wants us to be strong, healthy and happy. He wants us to be happy in our relationships, be able to serve others and to live a life of peace.
For many believers, the idea of being a better Christian is a rather abstract one. The Christian life is, in fact, one that is not all that easy to describe because it is about the transformation of the heart, mind and soul. Being a better Christian starts with becoming a better Christ-follower.
Read the Bible
God is the ultimate answer to everything we face in life. However, some people do not always believe this is true. We all know that we could probably do a lot better in our lives, but most of us fail to take the first step in making the changes we need to make. The Bible is the most influential book in the world, and it’s actually the most shared book of all time on the Internet. While we can’t all be scholars, we can all learn from the Bible and the principles it teaches.
Pray
One of the most important things in life is to communicate with God and listen to him in return. Praying is a way to communicate with God. We must also pray. We must pray every day. You can pray in the morning and in the evening, but true Christians pray throughout the day as well. Sometimes, singing praise is a form of prayer. Listening to music on the radio can be a prayer. Talking to God when you are alone or with others is prayer. To become a better Christian, you must increase the number of times you pray and the number of times you listen to Him speaking to you.
Be Humble
We don’t have control over a lot of things that happen to us or around us. We do have control over how we respond to them. To become a better Christian, think about how you respond to situations. Jesus does not want us to be anxious or panicked. When Jesus was hung up on a cross, people mocked and made fun of him. He chose not to respond with anger. He has told us to turn the other cheek and to give our burdens to Him. He also does not want us to judge others. Let go of your stress and humbly ask God for help. Ask God for patience. Ask God for peace.
Be a Regular Member of the Church
The Christian church is called to be a people who are “the church”. We are called to bring people to Jesus Christ and help them experience a new life in Christ. We are called to share the Good News about Jesus Christ with others when we are engaged in them. We are called to be a community of believers. The church is a place for people of all walks of life to come together and be with one another. The church exists to help us grow in our faith, and that means we need regular reminders of its values, its teachings and guidance. A few simple steps to becoming a regular member of the church: 1. Be an “everyday member” of the local church. 2. Share the gospel with others. 3. Study the Bible and other Christian books to learn the Bible’s message. 4. Experience the love and peace of God by participating in the life of the church.
Being a good Christian, or a member of any church, is a huge goal that many of us have. However, there is much more to being a Light for Christ than just attending church and going through the motions. It’s a place where you can meet new friends, take part in meetings and activities, and grow in faith.
The most difficult thing for me in Christianity is waiting on God. I’ve had to learn that God doesn’t always work on our timetable. He rarely does. But in a single moment, God can change your life! In the Bible, we see God instantly turning things around for His people. Scripture tells us He is the same yesterday, today and forever, which means if He did it for them, He can instantly turn things around for us, too!
Right now You may be going through a difficult trial, be encouraged because your times are in God’s hands. Trust that He has your best interests at heart. He wants to pour out His favour in your life. He wants to take you further than you dreamed possible, and work in your life in ways beyond what you have ever imagined.
Today, resist discouragement by speaking His Word over your future. Keep standing, keep hoping and keep believing, because He is working on your behalf. Have faith because your timings are in His hands, and He will lead you in the amazing life He has for you!
“My times are in Your hand…” (Psalm 31:15, NASB)
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, I humbly come before You giving You my all. Father, I trust that my times are in Your hands. I trust that You are working things out in my favour. God, I set my focus on You, knowing that You are working things out for my good, in Christ’ Name! Amen.
On a daily basis, there are things that come against us and distract us, and attempt to pull us away from Christ. That’s why every day we have to make the choice to follow Him. Sometimes it’s easy to think, “well, I go to church regularly,” or “I read my Bible.” The Christian life isn’t about how we live on the weekends, it’s how we live every single day. Are you spending time with God daily? Are you reaching out and putting others first? Are you sowing seeds to help those in need?
Today, if you know you need to make some adjustments in your daily walk with God, the good news is that you can start right now. Simply turn to Him and make the commitment to follow Him moment by moment. Let Him direct your steps and follow that inner prompting of the Holy Spirit. Make the choice every day to follow God’s will, and watch what He will do on your behalf!
“Then he said to them all: ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.’” (Luke 9:23, NIV)
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, thank You for another day to serve and follow You. Father, search my heart and mind right now, and remove anything that would keep me from You. God, make me Your disciple, not just on the weekend but daily. I commit to set my mind on You daily, following Your steps and Your will, in Christ’s Name! Amen.
“Hallelujah to the Lord” is now the unofficial anthem of crowds protesting against the controversial proposed law that would allow people accused of crimes in Hong Kong to be extradited to the mainland. The hymn was picked up by other protesters – soon even non-Christians were singing it.
Fears and uncertainty
If enacted, this controversial bill will permit authorities to detain and extradite people who are wanted in territories where Hong Kong does not have extradition agreements. Many fear that the bill will restrict citizens’ rights.
“The Church has taken a particular interest in fighting the bill. “
On June 9th, Patrick pastor of Yan Fook Church, which is home to about 10,000 members that normally sides with the government made a comment on its Facebook page calling for the extradition bill to the shelved. Edwin Chow, 19, acting president of the Hong Kong Federation of Catholic Students, told the BBC. “There’s only one line: ‘Sing Hallelujah to the Lord’.” And Yan Fook Church isn’t the only Christian group that has publicly announced its opposition to the extradition bill.
Religion on the forefront of Hong Kong’s protests
On June 11th, the Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong issued an appeal to the government requesting the government not pass the Extradition Bill “hurriedly before adequately addressing the queries and worries of the legal sector and of the general public.”
Not only is this a show of devotion to Jesus in the midst of tumult and political tyranny, but the singing of this worship song also offers the community a level of immunity, thanks to a Hong Kong law of public assembly that makes exceptions for religious gatherings.
In these volatile days of Chinese agents, facial recognition and mass arrests, this protection is a welcome comfort for the Christian community, who not only stand in unity with their fellow protesters but also solidarity with the much-persecuted Christian community back in mainland China.
On Sunday, Melissa Strzala posted another awe-inspiring video on Facebook revealing the ‘Great Awakening’ happening in China.
“The below video is very special to me,” added Strzala. “It gives me chills every time I watch it. Thousands of Hong Kong citizens are singing their Hallelujah anthem in defiance of Communist China. It’s truly a Great Awakening happening in China. It’s exciting!”
Watch the video in full below, and be sure to SHARE it with your friends to rally them around this cause in prayerful support:
Christians make up some 11 per cent of the population but they remain influential, especially among the elite — pro-Beijing leader Carrie Lam is herself a devout Catholic.
A group of Christians and youngsters have gathered on a footbridge outside #HK gov HQ, facing dozens of police behind barricades. Some of them singing "Sing hallelujah to the lord". Placards read "Stop shooting HK student. Stop treating HK citizens violently."#ExtraditionBillpic.twitter.com/2MWcrQIhbu
Hong Kong has about 480,000 Protestants and 380,000 Catholics — including Chief Executive Carrie Lam. Non-Christians have also come to be familiar with Christian culture due to Christian-run schools, hospitals and charitable groups.
“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.” Galatians 5:16-17 (KJV)
If you’ve accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you’re born-again, glory to God! This is the most decisive action we as Christians have made for the rest of our lives.
However, how many of us born-again Christians still struggle with the lusts of the flesh? Countless, and this is true for the leaders and the ordinary members in our churches and communities.
Thank God who always has an answer to every impediment we’re facing. In today’s theme verse, Paul gives a tip on how to dominate our old man (the flesh). I can feel you’re asking how is the old man the flesh?
Just a quick answer just for you. Before you were born-again, you were flesh and leaving by the promptings and knowledge of the flesh. However, when you were born-again, you became spirit (new man) but that notwithstanding, you still have the old or former man (the flesh) and sad to say for a lot of Christians, the flesh still rules through its desires and above all the knowledge that promotes it.
The answer to dominating the flesh is to walk in the Spirit. What does this mean? In a bid to dominate the flesh, we must practice a new knowledge which impoverishes our flesh (human nature which is inherently selfish or self-seeking)
What does it mean to "walk" as mentioned in our opening verse? This doesn’t mean we start trekking in the Spirit ?. The verb “to Walk” is the Greek word peripateo which means to live(to regulate one’s life, or to conduct one’s self)
What is "Spirit" in this context? Spontaneously we will say "Spirit" refers to the Holy Spirit. This is correct, but we can go deeper. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth (the Word). The Holy Spirit has no opinion of Himself but takes from Jesus Christ and reveals to us (John 16:13-15)
Added to this, Jesus says, “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.” John 6:63 (ESV). The Spirit, therefore, refers to the Words of Jesus Christ (The Word).
Therefore, the key to dominating the lust of the flesh (old man) is to regulate our lives and conduct one’s self according to the Word and yield to the promptings of the Holy Spirit which we get at the place of bible study and meditation.
There are tendencies we can’t change because they hail from the blood; they are inherent. However, “…the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 (NKJV)
The Word of God is the only knowledge in Heaven and under the heavens which can modify our genes and infuse in us a brand-new character even that of Jesus Christ. Let’s live and practice the Word, and we’ll dominate our old selves and radiate the perfection of Christ.
DAILY ACTION ITEMS
I commit myself today onwards to apply the Word in every area of my life; my thoughts, speech, and actions.
The way my Heavenly Father treats me is the standard on how to treat others and respond to situations. Amen.
PRAYER FROM ME WITH YOU
Father thank you for giving up your very best for me when I was least deserving. Thank you for recreating in Christ Jesus. Thank you for showing me this day how to dominate my old self and radiate your perfect character. I commit to regulating my life, business and career by your Word and the guiding of the Holy Spirit.
Read more Christian articles from the author at https://wordlyglobal.com/acumen-for-life/
As the Chaplain of a Christian School, often I see more potential in the students than they see in themselves. When you speak vision into your youth, when you tell them what they can become, you can help set the direction for their life. Your words have the power to push people into their divine destiny.
I believe that the reason some youth are not living at their full potential, is because no one has ever spoken faith into them. No one has taken the time to say, “hey, you’re great at this. You’ve got a gift here. You’re going to do something amazing.” I believe that one of our assignments in life is to call out the seeds of greatness in our youth.
Today, look at the young people God has placed in your life. They’re not there by accident. Take time to study them. See what they’re good at. What are their gifts? What do they excel at? Don’t just think about it, speak into their lives vision and greatness. Tell them what they can become. Let your encouragement ignite greatness on the inside of them. Help them rise up in confidence, so they can be all God has called them to be!
“”¦God”¦calls those things which do not exist as though they did.”
(Romans 4:17, NKJV)?
Pray With Me Yahweh, thank You for the young people You’ve placed in my life. Father, I want to be faithful to our youth, give me the power, despite their behaviour, to speak life and call forth greatness in them. God, thank You for putting them on my mind today, and for bringing them to new levels by faith, as we help them rise higher. Please divorce them from the enemy, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.
Whiles laws governing abortion continue to be debated in many parts of the world, heated conversations around the issue of abortion has increased in recent months as countries have continued to pass “heartbeat bills” and other laws restricting abortions.
Voters in Ireland removed a 35-year-old constitutional ban on abortion, one of the strictest in Europe.
And in Poland, politicians are making a renewed push to restrict abortion.
From relief to regret: Readers’ experiences of abortion
Celebrities around the world have weighed in on the matter through sharing personal antidotal stories of relief to regret rallying for boycotts, and starting movements championing for and against change on social media.
Children’s lives outside the womb matter just as much as those inside. I won’t pretend I’m fully educated on the policy nuances or women’s experiences. I just don’t seem to hear the voices crying against the murder of children inside the womb, that are crying about those outside the womb.
Lecrae Devaughn Moore
Recently, Christian rapper Lecrae Devaughn Moore took to Twitter Social Media to share his conventions about what it means to be pro-life, arguing that children’s lives inside the womb matter just as much as those outside which prompted ‘amens’ and ‘hallelujahs’ in support across Twitter
Lecrae also admitted that he paid for an abortion in the past which went from being a relief to a lifetime of regret. Lacrae also said:
“I found a photo of the girlfriend I asked to abort my baby and I ‘just broke down”.
Lecrae Devaughn Moore
Lecrae’s public message sparked a wide range of responses, both from those who agree and disagree and felt the comment was completely out of line.
“Haven’t seen the same support for the marginalized communities I’ve served in for 15 years. Most of my friends in urban ministry lack support. They are dealing with the families and societal injustices AFTER the kids are born.”
Many were surprised and grateful when they saw the video clip from Passion Life Ministries on January 9th described as “A conversation with Lecrae, John Piper, and John Ensor on the story behind Good, Bad, Ugly, the remorse of abortion, and the healing of the gospel of Christ.
Lecrae is seen by millions as a relevant leader with a voice worth listening to. John Piper and John Ensor are powerful leaders as well. Both Christian ministers have faithfully spoken out against abortion for years.
In the video, Lecrae shares the meaning behind the lyrics of his song “Good, Bad and Ugly,” which shares his personal experience with abortion. Live Action wrote about this song when it was first released. Lecrae goes even deeper in this new video clip, sharing details of the pain he suffered years after the abortion of his child. Lecrae tells of the time he found a picture of his ex-girlfriend, the mother of his aborted child.
NFL tight end Benjamin Watson also joined in on the conversation and said in response to Lecrae’s comment:
here I am bruh “In the womb, outside the womb, conception to grave count me in. Standing for life does not have to be a mutually exclusive event.”
Benjamin Watson
Watson has also been a vocal opponent of abortion and spoke at the 2017 March for Life.
As a husband and father of seven children (two currently in the womb), the NFL star explained that men should “step up and lead,” which could “eradicate” many of the abortions occurring today.
He added that abortion is “the ultimate form of sexism against women.”
“And that’s a challenge to myself, that’s a challenge to all men who are listening, that’s a challenge to men everywhere to step up and be men.
“A lot of the issues that we face in our country, whether it’s the abortion issue, or education, or whatever it may be, sometimes incarceration, whatever it may be, if men were doing their job, these things would be eradicated.
“My message to men is a lot of times, me looking in the mirror and encouraging myself as a father, as a husband, to do what it takes to stand in the gap, to step out, and to lead, because manhood is really falling by the wayside.
“The crazy thing is that abortion itself is really the ultimate form of sexism against women. And if men were standing up doing what they were supposed to do, much of this would be eradicated.”
The battle between life and choice is being fought one story at a time.
Abortion facts:
Abortion i`s the #1 cause of death for African-Americans. Abortion disproportionally targets minority babies. Whatever the intent of the abortion industry may be, by functional standards, abortion is a racist institution. In the United States, black children are aborted at 5 times the rate of white children and Hispanic children don’t fare much better. Abortion is the leading cause of death among black Americans. We can debate the racial intent of Planned Parenthood past and present, but we cannot debate the results. Abortion is by no means an equal opportunity killer.
Every new life begins at conception. This is an irrefutable fact of biology. It is true for animals and true for humans. When considered alongside the law of biogenesis — that every species reproduces after its own kind — we can draw only one conclusion in regard to abortion: every single abortion ends the life of an innocent human being.
Abortion is more dangerous than childbirth. Among the physical risks of abortion are infection, perforation of the uterus, hemorrhage, cervical incompetence, cancer, and even death. Among the psychological risks are depression, nervous disorders, sleep disturbances, sexual dysfunction, alcohol and drug abuse, eating disorders, child neglect or abuse, divorce or chronic relationship problems, and suicide. The Elliot Institute. “Research on the Psychological and Physical Effects of Abortion.” Accessed October 17, 2013.
The 8 week+ unborn baby feels real physical pain during an abortion. Yes, every abortion kills an innocent human being. Even more alarming is the fact that beginning at the 8th week of development, an unborn baby that is aborted feels pain during the abortion. The baby feels both psychological and real physical, organic pain. Let that sink in. Of course, whether or not abortion is a painful experience to the unborn child being aborted, the child is left no less dead as a result. In talking about the question of fetal pain, we must remember that it ultimately has no bearing on the morality of abortion.
70,000 women world-wide die each year from back-street abortions.One in three women in the UK have an abortion in their lifetime.
Abortion has become a form of gendercide, shrinking the global female population at an alarming rate. On top of the fact that every abortion kills an innocent human being, abortion has also become the driving force in eliminating females around the globe. Estimates put the global gender gap somewhere between 100 and 200 million people. Abortion has become the most effective means of sexism ever devised, ridding the world of multitudes of unwanted females.
Around 180,000 abortions a year take place in England. About 10,000 are on women from other parts of the UK including Ireland, where it is illegal. 10,000 are performed in Scotland. Source: Abortion Rights, UK
Women between 20- and 24-years-old are the largest users of abortion services. Source: Abortion Rights, UK
Since being legalised under the 1967 Abortion Act, on average around one fifth of all pregnancies in the UK have ended in abortion.
World-wide, around one quarter of pregnancies end in abortion – nearly half are illegal. Source: Abortion Rights, UK
Almost 90% of abortions take place in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.
76% of adults in the UK are pro-choice. Source: Abortion Rights, UK
The NHS is not required by law to perform abortions. Source: Abortion Rights, UK
In England nearly a quarter of women pay for their abortions because NHS services are restricted. Source: Abortion Rights, UK
Abortion on request is the general rule in most European countries and in the US but not in the UK where the permission of two doctors is required. Source: Abortion Rights, UK
In a saline abortion, amniotic fluid is removed from the uterus and replaced with a saline solution, which the fetus swallows. The fetus is killed by salt poisoning, dehydration, brain hemorrhage and convulsions. Saline abortions, typically performed in the second and early third trimester, are rarely used today, due to the risk of particularly serious health complications to the woman. Clowes, Brian, PhD. The Facts of Life. Front Royal, VA: Human Life International, 2001.
Suction aspiration, the most common abortion method, is typically performed at 6-12 weeks gestation, but can be used up to 16 weeks. The cervix is dilated, and a hollow plastic tube with a sharp tip is inserted into the cervix and then into the uterus. An aspirator attached to the tube tears the body of the fetus apart and suctions the pieces through the tube. Willke, John, MD and Barbara Willke. Abortion: Questions & Answers. Cincinnati: Hayes, 2003.
Since the legalization of abortion in 1973, there have been approximately 56 million abortions performed in the United States. Guttmacher Institute. “Facts on Induced Abortion in the United States.” July 2013.
Science
* The average length of a full-term pregnancy is 38 weeks. Obstetricians normally use a figure of 40 weeks, but this is actually the time between the first day of the last menstrual period and childbirth. On average, the first day of the last menstrual period occurs 2 weeks before fertilization.[
* The following scientific facts about human development are organized according to the number of weeks since fertilization. The number of weeks after the first day of the last menstrual period (LMP) are shown in parentheses.
Fertilization (2 Weeks Post-LMP)
* Fertilization normally takes place within one day of intercourse but can occur up to six days later.
* At fertilization, the genetic composition of humans is formed.[ This genetic information determines gender, eye color, hair color, and facial features. It also influences characteristics such as intelligence and personality.
* The medical textbook The Developing Human: Clinically Oriented Embryology states that “fertilization” creates “a new combination of chromosomes that is different from that in the cells of either of the parents,” and this “is the beginning of a new human being.”[
* The four defining characteristics of life are present at fertilization:[
growth
reproductioN
metabolism
response to stimulI
* Genetically speaking, with the exception of identical twins, once a woman conceives a preborn human, the odds against her conceiving the same one again are greater than 10600 to one.[ In comparison, there are roughly 1080 atoms in the known universe.
* Identical twins are biologically unique from each other due to epigenetic differences that affect the expression of their genes.[
3 Weeks After Fertilization (5 Weeks Post-LMP)
* The eyes and spinal cord are visible and the developing brain has two lobes.
4 Weeks After Fertilization (6 Weeks Post-LMP)
* The heart is beating and a circulatory system is in place.[ Specific brain components and internal organs such as the lungs are beginning to develop and can be identified.
7 Weeks After Fertilization (9 Weeks Post-LMP)
* Muscles and nerves begin working together. When the upper lip is tickled, the arms move backwards. The cerebrum has divided into hemispheres.
* More than 90% of the body structures found in a full-grown human are present. The medical classification changes from an embryo to a fetus. This dividing line was chosen by embryologists because from this point forward, most development involves growth in existing body structures instead of the formation of new ones. The preborn human moves body parts without any outside stimulation.
10 Weeks After Fertilization (12 Weeks Post-LMP)
* All parts of the brain and spinal cord are formed. The heart pumps blood to every part of the body. The whole body is sensitive to touch except for portions of the head. The preborn human makes facial expressions.[
11 Weeks After Fertilization (13 Weeks Post-LMP)
12 Weeks After Fertilization (14 Weeks Post-LMP)
* Electrical signals from the nervous system are measurable. After an abortion, efforts to suckle will sometimes be observed.
13 Weeks After Fertilization (15 Weeks Post-LMP)
14 Weeks After Fertilization (16 Weeks Post-LMP)
* The preborn human makes coordinated movements of the arms and legs.[
* The preborn human sleeps, awakes and can hear sounds.[
* For detailed facts about the capacity of humans to feel pain at this stage of development, read Just Facts’ article, “When Do Humans Begin to Feel Pain?”
* Up through approximately this point in time, according to the Supreme Court’s rulings in Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, a pregnant woman can abort at will. (More details in the section on Constitution and Law.)
24 Weeks After Fertilization (26 Weeks Post-LMP)
* The blink-startle reflex and taste buds are functional. The preborn human will swallow more amniotic fluid if a sweetener is added to it. The grip is strong enough to hold onto an object that is moving up and down.[ If born and given specialized care, the survival rate is more than 80%.
28 Weeks after Fertilization (30 weeks Post-LMP)
* If exposed to an 85 decibel noise while sleeping (about as loud as a blender), preborn humans exhibit the “motor behaviors that accompany the crying state.”Premature infants born at this time are more sensitive to pain than infants who are born at 38 weeks, and infants who are born at 38 weeks are more sensitive to pain than infants at 3—12 months after birth.[
* If born and given specialized care, the survival rate is more than 95%.[
32 Weeks After Fertilization (34 Weeks Post-LMP)
(Premature infant 3 days after birth)
38 Weeks After Fertilization (40 Weeks Post-LMP)
* Average point in time when humans are born. At birth, the medical classification changes from a fetus to a neonate.[
* At any point prior to birth, according to the Supreme Court’s rulings in Roe v. Wade, Doe v. Bolton, and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, a pregnant woman can abort to preserve her “health.” One example from Roe v. Wade of what may be considered harmful to a mother’s health is the work of caring for a child. (More details in the section on Constitution and Law.)
An honest mistake? Maybe he did not think before posting the tweet?However, thats not justification. Life is full of choices. You will reap what you sow. The tweet was very upsetting, and disturbing. You should never speak of a non-white or mixed-race child in the same breath as a chimp.
Radio DJ Danny Baker has been fired from BBC Radio 5 Live after for posting tweet about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex‘s baby son that featured an image of a monkey
The broadcaster said: ‘Sorry my gag pic of the little fella in the posh outfit has whipped some up’
Danny Baker has issued an apology, but unfortunately, that apology isn’t worth a grain of sand as the only person he seems to feel sorry for is himself?
On Wednesday, the BBC Radio 5 Live presenter tweeted a black and white photo of a man and woman holding hands with a chimpanzee in a suit and a top hat, with the caption, “Royal baby leaves hospital.”
The above picture was branded “racist” and people urged Mr Baker to quit from his show on the radio station with immediate effect. Danny Baker has since apologised for the tweet and said it was intended as a joke.
Good morning, everyone. Following one of the worst days of my life I just want to formally apologise for the outrage I caused and explain how I got myself into this mess. I chose the wrong photo to illustrate a joke. Disastrously so.
Danny Baker has since been fired from 5 Live on Thursday 09th of May 2019.
Twitter users were outraged by the post with one user tweeting:
“I used to think Danny Baker was funny as too, but if a monkey is the first thing you ‘think’ about regarding a mixed race baby, you’ve got issues clearly!.”
Another wrote: “Is there a petition going to get Danny Baker sacked? My pen is ready #racist.”
The BBC wrote:
“This was a serious error of judgment and goes against the values we as a station aim to embody.”
The BBC
That’s an understatement. It’s the second time Baker has been axed by 5 Live and is the third time he has left the BBC. Clearly the BBC has as problem.
Lack of Diversity in the BBC
The lack of diversity in the BBC is still in stark contrast to their vision for a “diverse and gender balanced senior leadership team” by 2020.
THESE are the faces of the chiefs of the BBC – despite attempts by Auntie to make its workforce more diverse. PUBLISHED: 13:59, Sat, Jun 4, 2016.
White, Oxbridge educated and middle-aged: THESE are the faces of the ‘diverse’ BBC in 2019. As you can see, no noticeable changes since 2016. Could this be the reason why people like Danny Baker were re-hired again and again? And if so what does this really say about the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)?
In 2019 the overwhelmingly middle-aged Oxbridge educated men each earning at least £250,000 a year still make up the majority of the BBC’s Executive Board.
I hope it will become a teachable moment. I now hope to see a stronger commitment to diversity and a series of unconscious bias training for all staff. #AlanSugar
Labour MP Brent Central | Opposition SOS for Women & Equalities | UK’s first elected female African-Caribbean Government Minister
Danny Baker's 'joke' about the royal baby was deeply racist and simply wrong. Here's my letter to the @BBC I hope it will become a teachable moment. I now hope to see a stronger commitment to diversity and a series of unconscious bias training for all staff. #AlanSugarpic.twitter.com/yad1x7NmbB
The photograph is a picture of famous 1920s chimpanzee Joe Mendi “the gentleman chimpanzee”.
The primate was the most popular animal entertainer of the time.
He was billed as having “the intelligence of a five-year-old child” and toted around Broadway, New York by circus-owner Lew Backenstoe.
Tricks included playing a miniature piano, posing for photographs and drinking Coca-Cola at the local soda counter.
The picture shows the primate dressed to the nines as he attended “Trial of the Century,” the Scopes Monkey Trial in 1925.
Thousands watched as Clarence Darrow defended high school science teacher John Scopes for teaching evolution in his classroom while William Jennings Bryan argued for the prosecution.
Time magazine described the proceedings as ”the fantastic cross between a circus and a holy war.”
A Biblical Preceptive on the Danny Baker Post
From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things, and the work of their hands brings them reward.
When our words help and benefit our people, we honor God. People who experience kindness and encouragement will surely bear good fruit. Many leaders do not realize that what is in their hearts comes out of their mouths, In other words, “What is in a man comes out of the man.” If one’s heart is filled with evil, then he will speak evil.
If Jesus is in his heart, then Jesus is what will come out
This is why we should, as Christian and Business Leaders, be constantly filling ourselves to the brim with goodness, not despair and disaster or things that are not wholesome. How do we do this? Here are a few suggestions:
Spend time reading God’s Word
Have a relationship with God by fellowshipping with other believers
Volunteer in a Ministry in which you can impact the world
Devote time with your family sharing your life with Christ
It’s a problem of putting the cart before the horse. We too often launch off into man-made solutions that can never produce the interior transformation that is necessary for lasting freedom. Such “solutions” often teach us (overtly or covertly) to rely on a “system” rather than on God.
Worldly solutions are “maintenance programs” that teach us to keep ourselves from falling by our own wisdom, discipline and power. They can be helpful in a secondary way, but should never be offered as the primary solution.
In contrast, God offers a “transformation program” by which He heals the underlying wounds, transforms the will and keeps us from falling by His power and love (Jude 24; Psalm 37:23-24, 55:22; 1 Peter 1:5).
True freedom comes not from focusing on the bondage, but on the Savior. In 2 Peter 1:3, the Holy Spirit says that through our knowledge of Him, God’sdivine power has already given us everything we need for life and godliness.The solution, therefore, is not found in the wisdom of the world. It is foundthrough intimate knowledge of Him and the appropriation of the power that already resides within us by virtue of His divine presence.
Self-Deception
Some people don’t want to change because they receive too much sympathy, affirmation and attention by staying broken. Others recoil because of the pain that results from revisiting the wounds that have contributed to their dysfunctional behavior.
Our inclination is to deceive ourselves into believing that we want freedom from something when we really don’t. Our hearts are deceitful and duplicitous (Jeremiah 17:9; Matthew 15:19). For example, I used to regularly cry out to God for freedom from a particular bondage. One night the power of God fell on me and I knew that He was finally answering my prayer. But to my utter shock, my first thought was “Oh no!” In that moment, I realized that I had been begging for deliverance from something that I still wanted. Hidden within the recesses of my mind, I didn’t think I could live without it. Deep in the interior of my heart, I still loved it. My pleas for help had not been coming from a desire to walk in holiness, but from self-deluded, performance-based religion.
Primary Reasons for Failure to Find Freedom
1. Failure to Make an Across-the-Board Commitment to Holiness
The Kingdom of God is not a supermarket. We cannot say that we want freedom from one sin without being willing to be freed from them all.
God wants us to commit to holiness at every level. Thankfully, He does not lay them all upon us at once, but brings them up as we are ready to deal with each one. As we forsake the things of the world and fix our heart permanently toward the things of God, He then responds with revelation and empowerment.
2. Failure to Believe In and Act Upon God’s Power to Deliver and Keep Us
Most of us haven’t a clue just how much power God has and how little power Satan has. We need to pursue God in His Word to understand and believe who we are in Christ and the authority He has given us (Luke 10:18-19).
I recommend “truth therapy” – regular meditation on the truths of Scripture,even when they seem to contradict what we feel and experience in our battle with sin (Hebrews 11:1).
Some of us are so enslaved to our feelings that we are incapable of believing anything else. When I fail to become planted in the ground of my identity in Christ, His call on my life, and His empowerment of that call, I’m a sitting duck for the lying thoughts and feelings that invade my soul.
3. Failure to Undergo a Transformation of the Will Through a Belief In and Embracing of God’s Unconditional Love (Jeremiah 31:3b-4a)
We are in a partnership with God. His part is to provide the grace, love and power that changes our heart and makes us willing to obey. Our part is to pursue His presence. As we believe in His unconditional love, we’re empowered and motivated to forsake sin.
One day, I was in the midst of committing a besetting sin when the Lord spoke to my heart, saying, “If you turn to me right now, I will love you, forgive you and embrace you.” Ignoring the voice, I continued with my sin until satisfied, at which time the Lord repeated the same words to me.
It was a moment I’ll never forget as I realized that His focus was not on my sin, but on His desire to communicate to me that all He really wanted was for me to turn to Him and receive His love. In that moment, He had so taken my heart by this otherworldly love that I now wanted to do His will. In essence, He changed my will through the repeated experience of His grace and love. For the first time, I chose to do His will, not because I was supposed to, but because I wanted to (Titus 2:14). “For it is God who is at work in us both to will and to do that which is according to His good purpose” (Philippians 2:13). In essence, we just need to get under the spout where the glory comes out!
4. Failure to See Healing as a Process with a Purpose
As we live in intimacy with Him, God shows us the root causes of our behavior, the needs that we have been trying to meet, and His more perfect provision to meet those needs. Through our pursuit of healing, we develop a relationship of love and dependence on God because we have need to turn to Him often for power over temptation and healing from brokenness.
Bondage is essentially a problem of broken relationships — first with God, and second, with human beings. We must come to know Him as He really is and forsake the fiction that our minds have created that has convinced us to run from Him and not to trust Him.
5. Failure to Develop an Intimate Relationship with God the Father
Many of us fear intimacy. It is where we’ve been hurt. But intimacy with ourperfectly loving Father is another matter. Jesus said that if we have seen Him, we have seen the Father (John 14:9). Do you love Jesus? The Father is just like Him!
Another fear is that we intuitively know that intimacy with someone means commitment and a loss of independence. But we soon learn that intimacy is the deepest level of knowing, of loving and of feeling. It produces the fruit of inner joy. Foundationally, it has to do with our response of love to the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross.
6. Failure to Humble Ourselves in Absolute Dependence on God
The pride of self-sufficiency and independence is the fruit of ignorance. The truth is that we are already, completely dependent on God’s power and wisdom in order to have any kind of meaningful existence.
In our culture, humility is considered a weakness. We think that life’s problems are challenges that God expects us to deal with on our own. However, without continual dependence on God, we’re like infants left outin the middle of a freeway. We are completely dependent on God to reveal to us what is true as distinguished from what the world says is true (1 Corinthians 1:18-31).
Jesus said that without Him, we can do nothing (John 15:5). Consequently, the closer I get to Him, the longer I sit at His feet and allow Him to uncover the depths of my heart, the more I am going to grow in the humility of understanding the grace that I stand in, and I will love Him even more. And so, our first response to bondage, brokenness or temptation must always be one of utter dependence that turns to God for power, wisdom and strength.
7. Failure to Learn & Practice Spiritual Warfare
The Bible teaches that the weapons of our warfare are mighty to pull down strongholds — but only when employed in the ongoing reality of these first six pillars of incarnational relationship and empowerment. In other words, spiritual warfare involves using the power of God, the wisdom of God, the discernment of God, the peace of God, the faith of God and the love of God to proclaim the will of God at any given moment.
Those of us who live in the defeat of habitual sin have not yet fully fallen in love with Jesus. We have not received the depth of the revelation of His love and awesome beauty that transforms the heart and mind. Once that has been accomplished, without even realizing it, we will find that we are already wearing the weapons of our warfare (Ephesians 6:10-18) and have beenmarked by the evil one as dangerous.
First Things First
The primary reason that so many of us do not experience victory over the sin and brokenness that so easily besets us is that we do not put these spiritual principles first when attempting to find freedom. In fact, one second of revelation from the God who loves us is worth a lifetime of therapy. This is not to say that therapeutic approaches are unimportant in some cases. It is simply a matter of placing first things first so that any help that we receivefrom men will bear fruit that will last (John 15:16).
Adapted from the Sexual Healing Reference Edition by David Kyle Foster.Dr. David Kyle Foster (M-Div, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School; D-Min, Trinity School for Ministry) is the author of Transformed Into His ImageandLove Hungerand is the founder/director of Pure Passion Media.
The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) in England and Wales was announced by the British Home Secretary, Theresa May, on 7 July 2014. The inquiry was established to examine how the country’s institutions handled their duty of care to protect children from sexual abuse. The (IICSA) in England and Wales has been investigating claims against local authorities, religious organisations, the armed forces and public and private institutions – as well as people in the public eye.
In May 2019 the IICSAannounced it was widenening its inquiries scope to include a review of child protection and policies in organisations belonging to religious organisations across the country.
(IICSA) recently announced it was widenening its inquiries scope to include a review of child protection and policies in organisations belonging to religious organisations across the country.
Investigation will include Christian, Islamic, Jewish and Buddhist organisations
Set up in 2015 the IICSA investigates institutions which failed to protect children from sexual abuse. The investigation prior to the announcement yesterday only dealt with Christian cases when probing religion.
The new investigation will review the current child protection policies, practices and procedures in religious institutions in England and Wales and is separate from the IICSA investigations into the Anglican and Roman Catholic churches.
Religious groups falling under the scope of this new investigation will include non conformist Christian denominations such as the Jehovah’s Witnesses, Methodists, Islam, Judaism, Sikhism, Baptists, Hinduism and Buddhism.
Mosques, synagogues, churches and temples also fall within the scope of the investigation together with places of faith teaching such as Muslim madrassahs and Christian Sunday schools and places where children and young people gather in connection with their religious beliefs, including but not limited to youth groups and camps.
Last year, several people contacted the Guardian with allegations of child sexual abuse and other mistreatment in Jehovah’s Witness communities in the UK.
More than one in 10 survivors of child sexual abuse (11 per cent) who shared their accounts with the Inquiry’s Truth Project reported sexual abuse in a religious institution. Of this group, almost a quarter (24 percent) told the Inquiry they were abused in institutions in scope of this new investigation, including Jehovah’s Witnesses, Baptists, Methodists, Judaism and Islam. Not all participants provided details about the religious denomination of the institution or perpetrator.
They described a culture of cover-ups and lies, with senior members of the organisation, known as elders, discouraging victims from coming forward for fear of bringing “reproach on Jehovah” and being exiled from the congregation and their families.
Dino Nocivelli, a specialist child abuse solicitor at BoltBurdonKemp and an ambassador for the Survivors Trust, welcomed the move. “Finally!” he tweeted. “IICSA has agreed to look into #childabuse in a number of religions to include Jehovah’s Witnesses, Islam, Judaism and others #BreakTheSilence #StopChildAbuse.”
Justin Welby, the archbishop of Canterbury and leader of the Church of England, and Vincent Nichols, the archbishop of Westminster and most senior Catholic cleric in England and Wales, have both given evidence in person, apologising for abuse and its cover-up.
A preliminary hearing will take place at 2pm on 23 July 2019 and public hearings will take place in 2020.
What is the IICSA investigating?
The inquiry’s public hearings consist of 13 separate investigations, which are expected to last until 2020.
What have we learned so far?
Three of the investigations are now complete, along with a case study of abuse in Ampleforth and Downside Roman Catholic schools.
They found:
thousands of people forcibly sent abroad as children, many of whom were abused in institutions, should receive compensation. The government has subsequently opened a compensation scheme to pay £20,000 each to about 2,000 eligible survivors
It is highly likely that you know a child who has been or is being abused.
Experts estimate that 1 in 10 children are sexually abused before their 18th birthday.
30% of children are abused by family members.
As many as 60% are abused by people the family trusts.
About 35% of victims are 11 years old or younger.
Nearly 40% are abused by older or larger children.
Stranger danger is a MYTH.
Research shows that the greatest risk to children doesn’t come from strangers, but from friends and family. People who abuse children look and act just like everyone else. In fact, they often go out of their way to appear trustworthy, seeking out settings where they can gain easy access to children, such as sports leagues, faith centers, clubs, and schools.
