Tag: God

In theism, God is the creator and sustainer of the universe, while in deism, God is the creator, but not the sustainer, of the universe. In pantheism, God is the universe itself. In atheism, there is an absence of belief in God. In agnosticism, the existence of God is deemed unknown or unknowable.

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Two Common Myths about Spiritual Gifts

Two Common Myths about Spiritual Gifts

I may not have made it through Seminary without my friend who had the spiritual gift of encouragement. Encouragement? Yes, that is a spiritual gift (Romans 12:8). Sometimes people believe the myth that spiritual gifts are only things that are dramatic and spectacular, but there is more to spiritual gifts than miracles.

Certainly things like healing can be gifts of the Spirit, but the New Testament describes many different spiritual gifts (Romans 12:6—8; 1 Corinthians 12:8—10, 27—28; 1 Peter 4:8—11; and perhaps Ephesians 4:7—11).

Ordinary Gifts

Giving is also a spiritual gift–anyone can give (and all the pastors said, “Amen”), but the Spirit enables some people to thrive when they are giving. I see the gift of serving present in people who regularly and cheerfully stay behind after a church event to stack chairs and mop the floor. I see people using the gifts of helping, mercy, administration, leadership, and hospitality at the community center my church has started.

None of these gifts sound all that supernatural. In fact, they sound quite normal. But these spiritual gifts are all supernatural in the sense that the Spirit is involved. The Bible affirms, “All these are the work of one and the same Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:11).

Hidden Gifts

Sometimes people aren’t aware of the gifts the Spirit has given them. After all, when people have the gift of administration, or any other less dramatic gift, they don’t start shaking, talking funny, and speaking like the King James Version of the Bible–“thus saith the Lord.” Instead, they just serve with excellence as enabled by the Spirit.

I hope this will be encouraging to some of you who thought you had no spiritual gift just because you don’t have a more noticeable gift, like prophecy or speaking in tongues. Perhaps you thought you didn’t measure up to those whose gifts were more dramatic.

We don’t all have the same gifts, and that is the way it is supposed to be. The Scripture says, “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us” (Romans 12:6).

Gifts Galore

You can find a lot of spiritual gifts in the New Testament. There could be even more. Some people from church history have claimed to have the gift of prayer, tears, and visions.[1]

It is evident from looking at the lists in the Bible that none of the biblical authors intend to provide a list outlining what all the spiritual gifts are. For example, teaching and prophecy appear in three of the passages, whereas encouragement only shows up in Romans 12, and healing only in 1 Corinthians 12.

Instead of providing an exhaustive list of spiritual gifts, the biblical authors simply explain some of the many ways the Holy Spirit works through people. And the Spirit clearly works in both dramatic ways, and in ways that we might even say are ordinary.

Prophecy

In addition to believing the myth that spiritual gifts are only dramatic activities, many people in Pentecostal-Charismatic circles define the spiritual gift of prophecy too narrowly. When they say someone “prophesied over” them, they usually mean that someone told them something about their future. This shows that they belief the myth that prophecy is only about the future.

More than the Future

Prophecy can refer to much more than the future. In fact, when Paul mentions prophecy in his discussions of spiritual gifts in Romans and 1 Corinthians, he doesn’t mention any predictive element.

Furthermore, when we look at the content of prophecy in the Old Testament, we find that prophecies were generally more concerned with contemporary events than with the future. Their message was usually something like, “Turn from your evil ways and your evil practices” (Zechariah 1:4).

Prophecy, then, can also occur when someone speaks up when they see a problem of sin. Moreover, Paul added that prophecy takes place when “the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort” (1 Corinthians 14:3).

Everyday Prophecy

I once had a student sitting in my office, slouched over on a chair. He was feeling worthless and insecure about his abilities as a student, though I could see he was doing good work. I could tell by the marks on his arms that his depression had plagued him previously in life.

As I spoke with him I encouraged him and reminded him of his identity as a child of God and as someone who is made in the image of God. I did not shake or speak in a strange voice, which many people seem to think is a necessary marker of prophecy.

I never told the student I was prophesying. Yet when the student left, I was certain God had used me to prophesy to him. I had a sense of the Spirit’s presence, and I knew the words I shared were not something I had come up with on my own. And my experience fit well with Paul’s description of prophecy occurring spontaneously when “a revelation comes to someone” from God (1 Corinthians 14:30).

Prophecy is not always about the future. And like the other gifts of the Spirit, it might not always appear so dramatic and spectacular. That’s no myth!

*This is an edited excerpt from, Simply Spirit-Filled: Experiencing God in the Presence and Power of the Holy Spirit, by Dr. Andrew K. Gabriel, © 2019 by Emanate Books, an imprint of Thomas Nelson. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson.

[1] Yves Congar, I Believe in the Holy Spirit, vol. 2, He is Lord and Giver of Life, trans. David Smith (New York: Crossroad, 1983), 165, 173.

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Which Spirit Is It?

Which Spirit Is It?

Every Christian needs to exercise spiritual discernment in these last days.

When I’m uneasy inside about a teaching I hear, I ask Holy Spirit to bring something from the Bible to my remembrance to help me know if it is true or not.

For “the Spirit of truth … will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13).

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Godinterest: A Return to the Web of Old, While Pushing the Internet Forward

Godinterest: A Return to the Web of Old, While Pushing the Internet Forward

The million-dollar question of the hour is: How does the future of Godinterest look beyond 2019? So, we hopped on the time machine, and we just came back from the future.

Now, it’s your turn to take the ride, so buckle up amigo, we’re hot in 3, 2, 1”¦

It’s 8am on a Thursday, early morning by cybre.space’s standards. Few have logged on to Godinterest’s microblogging social network, and it shows a follower feed filled with less than 50 users updates at a snail’s pace. It’s much slower than one would expect on a social network. But then again, cybre.space isn’t Godinterest. It runs off a CMS called WordPress, and is part of a much larger network of Godinterest MicroBlogs.

Have you ever blogged? How about microblogged? You might say no to the latter, but if you’ve ever posted something on social media, surprise! You’re a microblogger.


“Microblogging is an online broadcast medium that exists as a specific form of blogging. A microblog differs from a traditional blog in that its content is typically smaller in both actual and aggregated file size. Microblogs “allow users to exchange small elements of content such as short sentences, individual images, or video links”, which may be the major reason for their popularity. These small messages are sometimes called microposts.”

There’s no reason to think that Jesus wouldn’t have used Facebook, Google, Twitter if it existed back when he was on earth.

The fundamental problem of religious communication is how best to represent and mediate the sacred. (O’Leary 787) What would Jesus tweet?

Historically, the quest for sacred connections has relied on the mediation of faith communication via technological implements, from the use of the drum to mediate the Divine, to the use of the mechanical clock by monks as reminders to observe the canonical hours of prayer (Mumford). Today, religious communication practices increasingly implicate Web 2.0, or interactive, user-generated content like blogs and microblogs “like” status updates of no more than 500 characters sent via Web-based applications like Godinterest, text messaging, instant messaging, e-mail, or on the Web.


According to the Pew Internet and American Life Project’s latest report in October 2009, 19% of online adults said that they used a microblogging service to send messages from a computer or mobile device to family and friends who have signed up to receive them (Fox, Zickuhr & Smith).


Pew Internet

The ascendency of microblogging leads to interesting questions of how new media use alters spatio-temporal dynamics in peoples’ everyday consciousness, including ways in which tweeting facilitates ambient religious interactions. The notion of ambient strikes a particularly resonant chord for religious communication: many faith traditions advocate the practice of sacred mindfulness, and a consistent piety in light of holy devotion to an omnipresent and omniscient Divine being.

Godinterest is a free social networking and micro-blogging service based on the WordPress software, using the Activity Streams and seeks to provide the potential for open, inter-service and distributed communications between its microblog and has grown steadily in the last couple of months, and with it the community. The platform enjoys an engaged pressence on the internet.

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The Outpouring of the Holy Spirit

A Precious Promise: The Outpouring of God’s Spirit

Instead of being worked by the Holy Spirit, many, even among those engaged in the solemn work of God, are barring the way against its holy, life-giving influences. They freely criticize and judge their brethren, and yet they do not realize the necessity of earnestly looking into the divine mirror to see what spirit they themselves are manifesting. Their defects of character they regard as virtues, and cling to them….


“”¦when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord”


 (Acts 3:19)


How Can We Be Filled with the Holy Spirit?

Let there be a work of reformation and repentance. Let all seek for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. As with the disciples after the ascension of Christ, it may require several days of earnestly seeking God and putting away of sin.


Hope, Joy, Love, and Being Filled with the Holy Spirit

When God’s people are worked by the Holy Spirit, they will manifest a zeal that is according to knowledge…. They will reflect the light that God has been giving for years. The spirit of criticism will be put away. Filled with the spirit of humility, they will be of one mind, united with one another and with Christ.

When a man is filled with the Spirit, the more severely he is tested and tried, the more clearly he proves that he is a representative of Christ. The peace that dwells in the soul is seen on the countenance. The words and actions express the love of the Saviour. There is no striving for the highest place. Self is renounced. The name of Jesus is written on all that is said and done.


Pour the Word into Your Mind and Heart

When the truth in its simplicity is lived in every place, then God will work through His angels as He worked on the day of Pentecost, and hearts will be changed so decidedly that there will be a manifestation of the influence of genuine truth, as is represented in the descent of the Holy Spirit.

God’s Promise in Isaiah 44:1—5

Isaiah 44:1—5 is a promise which ought to fill us with hope and with the Holy Spirit.

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Selling the Moon

Selling the Moon

An Amazing Fact: In 1967, the United Nations signed the international Outer Space Treaty, which forbids any government from claiming the moon, or any part of space, as their territory. The treaty failed to mention anything about private individuals or corporations, so this left a loophole in international law as big as the expanse of space itself.


In 1980, Dennis Hope of Gardnerville, Nevada, sent letters to the United Nations, the United States government, and the government of the Soviet Union, informing them that he was officially claiming ownership of all planetary and lunar surfaces in our solar system (aside from Earth). He even gave them the opportunity to respond if they had objections, and as crazy as it sounds, he hasn’t heard a word from any of them since. 


So, for over 20 years Dennis Hope has been selling plots of acreage on the moon, Mars, and other heavenly bodies for a pretty reasonable price–about $20 an acre! And he’s been pursuing this not just as a novelty sale but a serious real estate transaction (complete with covenants and bylaws that prevent the unsightly or trivial usage of the property). His sales are accelerating, and within a couple of years he anticipates he’ll have a constituency in the millions–enough to put serious pressure on the U.N. and the U.S. to recognize the government of Luna. 


In the meantime, Dennis Hope, now 55, continues to operate his company selling people “official” title to land on the moon, Mars, and Venus. Although others are in the same business, Hope has earned about $6.5 million since he began his heavenly real estate business. That averages out at $270,000 a year, selling land on planets he has never been to and that he does not possess. Very clever! 
But did you know that the Bible teaches there is some heavenly real estate you can truly own? And the price is already paid! Before Jesus left this earth, He told His disciples, “I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also” (John 14:2, 3). I sure look 

forward to the heavenly real estate Jesus is planning for us, don’t you? 

KEY BIBLE TEXTS

“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”
1 Corinthians 2:9

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WISE WORDS

Wise Words

In life, some may walk, others may run, but remember the Lord gave the tortoise and the horse the same days to reach Noah’s ark. Your journey might be rough and tough but you will definitely get to your destination.

Jacob looked at Joseph and saw a good son! The ten brothers looked at Joseph and saw a useless dreamer! The travellers looked at Joseph and saw a slave!! Potiphar looked at Joseph and saw a fine servant!! Potiphar’s wife looked at Joseph and saw a potential boyfriend! The prison officers saw in Joseph a prisoner! How wrong were all of them! God looked at Joseph and saw a Prime Minister of Egypt in waiting!! Don’t be discouraged by what people see in you!! Be encouraged by what God sees in you!! Never underrate the person next to you because you never know what the Lord has deposited in that person. (Remember David got the anointing of becoming a King while he was a simple child herding sheep. Esther was a simple orphaned girl yet she was a Queen in waiting). Let’s share God’s love and make the world a better place to live. Show that love by sharing this message with those you love.

IT DOESN’T MATTER HOW PEOPLE SEE YOU, IT MATTERS HOW GOD SEES YOU

God is God:

He doesn’t care about *age*, no wonder he blessed Abraham.

He doesn’t care about *experience*, no wonder he chose David.

He doesn’t care about *gender,* no wonder he lifted Esther.

He doesn’t care about *your past*, no wonder he called Paul.

He doesn’t care about *your physical appearance*, no wonder he chose Zacchaeus

(the shortest one).

He doesn’t care about *fluency in speech* , no wonder he chose Moses.

He doesn’t care about *your career*, no wonder he choose Mary Magdalene; a prostitute.

All I know is that my God never changes

He never made *a promise he wouldn’t keep*

He never saw *a person he wouldn’t help*

He never heard *a prayer he wouldn’t answer*

He never found *a soul he wouldn’t love*

He never found *a sinner he wouldn’t forgive*

This is the kind of God I would like to commune with every day the moment I wake up. I strongly recommend Him to you.

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Ah Oceans of blue: A Poem For The Brokenhearted

Ah Oceans of blue by Jacqui Julyan

Ah Oceans of blue
Whose waves toss and curl shouting in the wind
You who spit and foam out onto the seashore
Your depths no one can fathom
Ah Oceans of blue
Your roars shatter out all other sounds
Yet, you calm the tempest of my soul
Your depths so impenetrable
Ah Oceans of blue
The winds have abated your presence is calm
Yet, who can tell what direction lies ahead?
Who can know of your intent?
Ah Oceans of blue
You whose waves when provoked
Crash constantly
Incessantly
Your mouth opens and spews out its salty substance
Who can rein in your majestic temperament?
Ah Oceans of blue
Whose waters mirror the colours of the heavens
Whose sea is as glass like unto crystal
Your Maker on His Throne
Ah Oceans of blue
You who raised up Jonah at the LORD’s command
Whose home shelters all living moving creatures
From Him who spoke His Word of blessing and life
Ah Oceans of blue
You who bowed to the Messiah’s words ‘Be Still’
Your Master, Jesus, walked upon your back
Calm in belief whilst others sank in unbelief
Ah Oceans of blue
Gathered together from the beginning of time
The waters He called Seas
The One who saw you and proclaimed ‘it was good’
Ah Oceans of blue
You whose waves continue to toss and curl
Your depths no can fathom
Who can know of your intent?
Ah Oceans of blue
You whose purpose is good
Gathered together from the beginning of time
For the LORD is your Maker
Ah Oceans of blue
The voice of the LORD roars
Who can know of His intent?
Only Jesus as He walks and declares
‘Be Still and know that I am God’

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For He Alone Is Worthy: A Poem For The Brokenhearted

(Chapter One) Growing up as a "Born In" Jehovah's Witness - Bio

Oh, blackened calloused hearts of men
Who mock the children of God
Innocent are they that are redeemed of the LORD
For He alone brings mercy unto salvation
Blue hearts, frozen in pride
Eyes shut, ears closed to the cries of the poor
Yet, those who give to the poor lend to the LORD
For He alone brings hope unto peace
Destruction is swift and sure
For those who fear not the One who alone is Holy
False whispers of peace hide in dark places
Yet, He alone, omnipotent, sees into every heart
Oh, children of God, born from above
Fear not!
For He alone is with thee
Fear not!
Though the bells ring peace
Know destruction will suddenly come
Fore He alone
Is your Rock
Your salvation
On Him you stand
The time is drawing near
The trumpets are ablaze with holy fire
The wrath of God is revealed to those bent on evil
All creation groans together waiting for that glorious Day
For He alone is El Shaddai
For He alone paid for your sins with His own blood
For He alone is the Alpha and Omega
For He alone is your only Saviour
Jesus who was, and who is and who is to come
Amen

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Blogging Theology

Blogging Theology

Godinterest Launches WordPress Blogging Portal For Students And Teachers of Religion

Over a week ago, using the fully hosted version of the popular open-source WordPress content management system, Dean Jones introduced a blog portal that focuses specifically on religion to help people share their faith online.

Jones, a 36-year-old ex-lecturer from London argues that Godinterest gives occasion to a whole new set of conversations about religion in public life and represents the possibility of a common conversation among a diverse set of voices. “

There is no doubt that WordPress is one of the most popular blogging platforms so when asked what’s special and about Godinterest, Jones stated the following points: “

– Only for Religion – Godinterest is targeted at those in Religion rather than general blogging. We envision blogs being used to facilitate discussion, replace paper newsletters, encourage students to blog, post videos podcasts and presentation and create class publications.

– Accounts – Godinterest offers a range of accounts not limited to an individual. The basic version is a free account which gives you features comparable to WordPress but without some of the themes and Adverts (a nice incentive to an educator) after that there will be pro accounts which opens up more options like the ability to set up, and monitor, blogs for students, custom domains and visitor stats. Godinterest will also offer free upgrades for students when attached to a Pro blog.

– Privacy – students might be more conscious about their work than your average blogger. The built in privacy features (including password protection) are a great way to help students to build up their confidence.

Modules – We also plan to implement modules in Scripture, Worship (including Sacraments), Church History and Beliefs on Theology Challenges and provide a variety of resources to help teachers and students explore many aspects of religious knowledge. “

The future of education is with online technology and there are fewer and better things to be innovating on than just that right now, Godinterest offers that opportunity for any religious educator or faith blogger with specific themes and features that will make learning even more effective.

About us

Godinterest Sites is a blog-publishing service built with WordPress for Religion that lets you share your faith online

For a limited time Godinterest Sites will be offering free Pro upgrades for religious educational institutions worldwide.

For more information visit http://sites.godinterest.com

Note to Editors: To arrange an interview with Dean Jones, please contact Dean Jones at +44(0)7939024086 or via e-mail at pr@godinterest.com

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‘Who Am I’ to You Lord? Speak to Me My True Identity”¦..

There are times in the hills and valleys of life we lose our way and lose who we are.  This has been my experience after leaving the highly controlled religious group- The Jehovah’s Witnesses. As a Jehovah’s Witness, we were discouraged from making friends outside of the religion, the pursuit of higher education and/or pursuing hobbies outside the rigid schedule that was set before us from the leadership. After years of indoctrination and following orders of the religious leaders who dare set themselves in the place of Christ, I  left and had trouble making friends outside of the religion and really did not know how to express Christlike love.

Then Jesus came into my life and began to help me learn who I am:I am redeemed, loved and seated with Christ in the heavenly realms above.

Sitting with Christ in the heavenlies is a reality right now for children of God -not a promise for the future! It is because of the resurrection of Jesus that we have the privilege to eternally be one in the Spirit with Jesus Christ. Being seated with Him keeps us grounded in the sphere of heaven as we set our minds and hearts on the heavenly things above. (Colossians 3:1-2) We have been given a position of victory because our King reigns over us victoriously. Knowing this, we can reign over and overcome trying circumstances while resting in the arms of the Everlasting God.

Although we may never be whole on this side of heaven God will always step into the broken places to raise us up by the same Spirit and power that raised Christ from the dead! He will raise us above the problems in our lives, He will raise us above our own hearts and minds to be with Him. He will raise us above our own carnality to pass over into the spiritual so that we may enjoy the rich blessings of loving Him for all eternity.

Agape,

Spencer Tyler

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Christians Are Not Perfect, Jesus Is

Do not take your troubles to human beings. Take them to the Lord. You may think that others ought to sympathize with you in your trials, but you will sometimes be disappointed. Jesus never disappoints the one who comes to Him for help. He is saying to you today, “Come unto me, … and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). He will give you rest in Him. No one who comes to Him goes away unhelped. Take your burdens to the divine Burden Bearer and leave them with Him, knowing that He will carry them for you.


Act your part in helping yourselves, as all must do who would be blessed. Do not dwell upon the hardships of the Christian life. Do not talk of your trials…. Do not utter one despondent word, for such words please Satan. Talk of Christ’s goodness and tell of His power. Words of hope and trust and courage are as easily spoken as words of complaint…


When the enemy tells you that the Lord has forsaken you, tell him that you know He has not; for He declares, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5). Dismiss the enemy. Tell him you will not dishonor the Lord by doubting His love….


There is no limit to the help that the Saviour is willing to bestow on us. He asks us to bring into our lives the grace that will keep us from sin. From the cross of Calvary there comes to us liberty, hope, and strength. Do not dishonor your Redeemer by doubting His power. Trust Him all the time. Take hold of the riches of His grace, saying, “I will believe; I do believe that Jesus died for me.” The way before you may seem dark, but Jesus can make it light.


Be joyful in God. Christ is light and in Him is no darkness at all. Look toward the light. Accustom yourselves to speak the praise of God. Make others happy. This is your first work. It will strengthen the best traits of character. Throw the windows of the soul wide open heavenward and let the sunshine of Christ’s righteousness in. Morning, noon, and night your hearts may be filled with the bright rays of heaven’s light.

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Faith Matters

‘Have Faith in God’ Mark 11:22 Have ‘the God type of faith’ Says Jesus in Verse 22 of Mark chapter 11, not some man made, mind over matter rubbish but the type of faith that believes for the impossible. Not wishful thinking, not some dream but faith that is based on the never changing word of God.

You can never base faith on things or on people for things and people die away, but God is eternal as is his word, so you can take his word as gospel truth.

’For truly I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be you removed, and be you cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he says shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he says. Therefore I say unto you, What things so ever you desire when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you shall have them’ Mark 11:23, 24

Now that’s what I call faith’ it is not a man-made pie in the sky, wishing for something to happen kind of faith, it is the God type of faith which truly believes for the impossible, it’s the same faith that created the world we live in by the Word. That’s the kind of faith that creates something out of nothing.

These are days when we need to have our faith strengthened, when we need to know God. God has designed that ‘the just shall live by faith (Hebrews 10:38) Any man or woman can be changed by faith, no matter how much bondage they may find themselves in, God’s word is sufficient.

One word from God can change an individual and it can change a nation, His word is from everlasting to everlasting it’s unchanging and as such you can trust it completely.  It is through the entrance of this everlasting Word, this incorruptible seed, that we are born again, and come into His wonderful and complete and free salvation.

Its Gods word that creates this new life in us and this new life needs feeding ‘Man cannot live by bread alone, but must live by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God’ Matthew 4:4 ‘Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God’ Romans 10:17

If we want to see miracles we need to walk in the Spirit and that way we will not fulfil the lusts of the flesh (Galatians 5:16 ‘whatsoever is not of faith is sin’ Romans 14:23 It’s not your flesh that believes it is your born again spirit, it’s your spirit that will enable faith to take a leap and believe for the miraculous.

It’s not something that your mind dreams up, it is the word of the living God seeking release in order to bring glory to His name, you cannot pray it in, you can’t pray it down but you can read and hear it and hear it until you believe it enough to take your dream and make it a reality.

We need to be renewed in the spirit of our minds, Ephesians 4:23 in other words when we were in the world we were brainwashed by the lies of Satan now as Christians we need to be renewed from all the rubbish that was sown there. Walking in faith is easy; it comes by choosing Christ instead of the world, it comes by choosing to read and digest Gods word instead of TV soaps, it costs but the rewards are clean hands and a pure heart, Psalm 24:4

Everywhere people even so called ordained ministers are trying to discredit the Bible and take from it all the miraculous.

They have ‘forms of godliness but deny the power thereof, 2nd Timothy 3:5 they ‘feast themselves in the church, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withers without fruit twice dead plucked up by the roots. Raging waves of the sea, foaming out of their shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever’ Jude 1:12

These so called ministers are among the church spreading dissention, deceiving the weak and destroying the weary. They look the part yet ‘inwardly they are ravening wolves, false prophets who come in sheep’s clothing’ Matthew 7:15 they are easy to recognize for as Jesus said ‘you shall know them by their fruit’

Look for the fruit of righteousness in men, do not judge them by their clothes or their speech, for ‘a good tree brings forth good fruit and a corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit’ ‘not everyone who say unto Christ, Lord, Lord shall enter into the kingdom of Heaven but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven’ Matthew 7:17- 21

It’s not fine words that mark out the man of God, it’s his love of Christ and his utter dependence on God’s word out of which flows the fruits of the Spirit.

It’s not even the works that mark the man of God for there are many who will say to the Lord ‘have we not prophesied in your name? And in your name cast out devils? And in your name done many wonderful works? For even so Christ will say ‘I never knew you, depart from me you that work iniquity’ Matthew 7:22-23

Today  foolish men may deny the virgin birth, the atoning sacrifice of Christ and his resurrection, some may even say that healing is not for today, they may say that God glories in sickness but God has the final say, they will die but the word of the Lord abides forever 1st Peter 1:23

We have a wonderful God, a God whose ways are past finding out, and whose grace and power are limitless.

’What things so ever you desire, when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you shall have them’

See for yourself these truths, ‘God has placed no limit to his giving’ the truths here are eternal they are life changing to anyone who would dare to take God at his word.

I remember well one evening sitting reading in my office when a knock came to the door, it was an elderly gentleman who said he needed help.  He was in serious pain with arthritis and so I began to speak to him about Christ the great saviour. Son he said; I have been saved 40 years I asked him how his faith was.  He replied ‘I have great faith’

After prayer he was able jump up and down with no pain but he was not satisfied and complained, “I feel a little bit of trouble just there,” pointing to a certain place. ‘Do you know what your problem is’ I said?” He answered, “No.

I said, ‘Imperfect faith’ We went to Marks Gospel and read, ‘What things so ever you desire, when you pray, believe that you receive there, and you shall have them’ the dear man saw it and said ‘If God said it that settles it, I am healed for that’s what I came for’ Immediately every pain, even the trouble spot disappeared back to hell where it was birthed.

Did you believe before you were saved? You see feelings do not come into the realm of the spirit; there was never a man who ‘felt’ saved before he believed. God’s plan was always, if you can believe, all things are possible’ Mark 9:23

In these last closing days before Christ comes I believe God wants to bring us all to a definite place of unswerving faith and confidence in Himself, if ever the body of Christ needed to walk in Holy Ghost power it is now because ‘the night is soon coming when no man can work’ John 9:4

There is a dirty rainy day coming, a day when we will need all the power of heaven on our side, you may have already experienced the dirty rain from hell’s kitchen if so you will know what I mean. Sickness which seems incurable, debt that is beyond your ability, wounds that seem impossible to heal, broken hearts all need the power of God’s anointing to destroy them.

It may be too late to seek an answer from heaven when you are dying unless your faith is built up and you know the will of God for your life. It never ceases to amaze me how many of God’s children leave him out in the early stages of their problems, like Adam and eve they hide from God and almost run away from Him until there is no more place to run.

They come to our home after spending weeks or even months in agony weak in strength and in spirit and we have to start to build their faith up to receive, what a foolish thing, leaving the great physician out of the picture until they face death.

Why does Jesus use a mountain when he is teaching his followers about faith? Simply because if you have faith to remove a mountain, you can remove anything you see the plan of God is so awesome, that ‘if you will only believe, all things are possible’ Mark 9:23

In Mark 11:23 we read, ‘And shall not doubt in his heart’ you see it’s the heart were faith grows, it’s not that your head gets full of God’s word it’s from your heart (spirit) that all the issues of life flow. It’s from your heart that faith springs forth and reveals the saving, Healing Christ; it’s from your heart that life changing power flows so ‘guard your heart with all diligence’ Proverbs 4:23

As we continue to have heart fellowship with our LORD our faith cannot be dented, we cannot doubt in our hearts and as such we receive, because He has given us an impartation of His very life and nature within.

As we read His Word and believe the promises that He by His grace has given to us, we are made partakers of His very essence and life and nature 2nd Peter 1:4 The Lord is made to us a Bridegroom, and we are His bride Revelation 21:2

His words to us are spirit and life (John 6:63) transforming us and changing us, expelling that which is natural and bringing into that which is divine.

‘Gods love heals’

It is impossible to comprehend the love of God as we think on natural lines we need to have the revelation of the depth of His great love from the Spirit of God.

If we do not have a revelation of Gods all-embracing love we can never find true liberty we will always be tempted to work for our salvation we will never truly believe that He is willing to forgive all and to heal all. We need to see that God gives liberally, it was Jesus who said ‘he that asks, receives, he that seeks finds and he that knocks the door will be opened unto him’ Luke 11:10

God is willing to bestow on us all things that pertain to life and godliness 2nd Peter 1:3 It was the love of God that sent Jesus, it was His love that caused Christ to be made sin who knew no sin that we might become the righteousness of God in Him 2nd Corinthians 5:21 This same love helps you and I to believe in a saviour we have never seen except in pictures for in every weakness God is our strength.

You who need His touch but in order to receive it you need to remember that He loves you even if your wretched, helpless, sinful and sick, its time to turn to the God of all grace, whose very essence is love, who delights to give liberally all the inheritance of life and strength, health and power that you are in need of.

God brings us into a place of perfect love and perfect faith anyone who is born of God is brought into an inward love, a deep desire to serve the Lord only, ‘he that is forgiven much loves much’ Luke 7:47

Me? I am a product of love just like a child is a product of the love between his parents only His love takes no count of wrongs, it is pure and undefiled, a ‘perfect love which casts out fear for fear is made perfect in love’ 1st John 4:18

We serve a saviour that heals the broken-hearted, who sets the captives free, and who saves the very worst from the darkest of destinies. How foolish it is to turn your back on this glorious Gospel of God for spirit, soul and body?

This full Gospel has in great measure been hidden, this Gospel that brings liberty, this Gospel that brings souls out of bondage, this Gospel that brings perfect health to the body, this Gospel of entire salvation, watered down by foolish men with carnal minds.

Listen again to this word of Him who left the glory of heaven to bring us this great salvation, “Verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, be thou removed, he shall have whatsoever he says’

‘Hindrances to living faith’

God can never bless us if we are hard-hearted, critical or unforgiving for these abominable acts will hinder faith quicker than anything.

I believe there are a great many people who would be healed, but they are harbouring things in their hearts that are like a cancer eating away at every ounce of ground breaking faith they receive, I urge you let these things go no matter what the reason for your bitterness and resentment they are not worth dying over are they? Forgive, and the Lord will forgive you

I have met many good people, people that mean well, but they have no power to do anything for God, in most cases it’s over some little thing that came in their hearts years ago, an angry exchange, a word of rebuke that offended and their faith has been paralyzed ever since.

If you wish to receive from God bring everything to the light and allow God to wash it all away, let the precious blood of Christ cleanse you from all sin. If you will but believe, God will meet you and bring into your lives the very power of His love to forgive and to restore your broken relationships.

In 1 John 1verse 7 we read this promise; ‘If we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another and the blood of Jesus Christ cleans us from all sin’ what is being reported here needs to be understood for when a brother has anything against us we can have no fellowship with God.

Sin breaks fellowship with God, it destroys the very essence of our new life, we walk in darkness and not light, is it then any wonder we stumble around in doubt and fear? is it any wonder then that our bodies get sick?

Clear the decks, set things to right between you and those who have offended you and then you will grow into a man or woman of faith, well able to do mighty exploits in His name; Daniel 11:22

WITH CHRIST you truly can do all things!

David Robinson

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Touched by the Love of God

‘Touched by the Love of God’ Chapter 1

GOD IS LOVE: 1st John 4:16

‘The love of God never fails; it will never come to an end. Prophecies will fail, speaking in unknown tongues will cease and the gift of knowledge shall vanish away.’ but ‘God’s love will never fail.’ 1st Corinthians 13: 4-7

To those who would accuse Jesus of doing evil, of causing them harm, allow me to ask; would such love kill an unborn child or take the life of a teenage son or daughter?

Would Jesus destroy the very life he created? Would he send poverty, would he abuse or hurt the very child he formed in its mother’s womb?

Would Jesus crush the broken hearted, would he oppress his own or leave and forsake his own child?

No! Jesus died for the unlovable and the ungodly. He willingly ‘laid down his life for you’ 1st John 3:16 and for all those who would reject him?

Have you not heard that, ‘while you were still sinners Christ died for you?’ Romans 5:8 Have you not read that, ‘he washed you from your sins in his own blood’ Revelations 1:5.

‘Jesus was despised and rejected of men a man of sorrows acquainted with grief, he carried your griefs and your sorrows,

‘Christ was wounded for your transgressions, he was bruised for your iniquities, the chastisement of your peace was upon him and by his stripes you are healed’ Isaiah 53:3-5

He took your infirmities and carried your sicknesses’ Matthew 8:17 and again he declares, by his stripes you were healed; 1 Peter 2:24, because that’s what real love does.

Jesus ‘died for you when you were ‘without strength,’ ‘while you were still an ungodly sinner, he died for you’ Romans 5:6-8 He loved his own which were in the world, indeed he loved them to the end’ John 13:1

Jesus, ‘left you another comforter’ the Holy Ghost who will teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever he said unto you’ John 14:26

He left you ‘peace so that you need not be troubled’ John 14:27 and Joy that’s unspeakable and full of glory.

He ‘gave eternal life to you’ 1 John 5:11 and to all who would simply, believe.

Jesus healed all that came to him, Matthew 12:15 indeed he healed every sickness and every disease among the people Matthew 9:35

He fed the multitudes, Matthew 15:32-38 and cleansed the leper. Matthew 8:1-3

He raised the widows’ dead son and gave sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf and a voice to the dumb. Luke 7:12-15

He preached good news to the poor, he delivered the captives and gave recovery of sight to the blind and brought liberty to those who were bruised (downtrodden and abused) Luke 4:18

Jesus took upon himself the sins of the whole world, 1st John 2:2

He was beaten until his appearance was like no other man, Isaiah 54:14 ‘they made his back like a ploughed field they laid long their furrows’ Psalm 129:3

He was crowned with thorns, spat upon, mocked and laughed at. Matthew 27: 29-31

He was nailed to a cross and even when in agony, even while forsaken (Matthew 27:46) and he forgave the dying repentant thief and, he forgave you and I. Luke 23:42-43 all because that’s what love would do…

Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost, Luke 19:10 he adopted you; indeed he gave you the Spirit of adoption whereby you can call God your Abba, your daddy, your Father and your God. Romans 8:15 Forever!!

Today is the very day that the Lord has chosen to give you a new life, a new beginning and all you have to do is to repent of your sins, ask him to rescue from sins power and to be your personal Lord and saviour”¦

This is your day to be touched by the love of God

‘Touched by the love of God’ Chapter 2

‘God is love’ 1st John 4:16

It is God’s nature to love; there is not one evil thought, word or action that can come from Gods heart.

He is love personified, he is love in action for true love itself is from him, ‘the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts through Christ (Romans 5:5) such love in Christ died for us while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8)

It was love that formed man out of the red dust of the garden of Eden and it was love that pursued Adams fallen race all the way to Calvary and on that lonely hill love purchased a pardon for all who would simply believe on Christ.

Some deluded bible teachers would tell us that God sends sickness or that God allows someone to have an accident, how foolish to make such a statement of a good God, a God who is love.

Thank God for his word that never changes, praise God for faithful witnesses like James the apostle who wrote, ‘Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God; for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempts he any man’ (James 1:13)

I remember one occasion being at a meeting when one young man stood up to give his testimony, he began with words that struck me like a fiery dart; he declared ‘God broke my back and put me into hospital for months so that he could speak to me’

I was stunned and ached against such an accusation for I knew it was accusing a good God of an evil deed. I sought the Lord and he brought me to the scripture above, the young man was awestruck at the word when I revealed it to him and said it was a revelation of truth to him.

Look at the next few verses of James chapter 1 and see that ‘Every man is tempted when he is drawn away by his own lusts and enticed’ (v.14) ‘then when lust has conceived, it brings forth sin, and sin when it is finished, brings forth death` (v.15) Instead of blaming God we need to look to ourselves and our own actions which bring about accidents and injuries and indeed sometimes sickness.

When we blame God we are as guilty as Adam was when he blamed God for making Eve who Adam in turn blamed for sin.

When we ask, ‘why me God’ we are accusing Him of some evil thing which has touched our lives, when we say God allowed it we do the same thing, it’s time we realized that God is good all the time instead of just singing about it.

God is not into evil works; see verse 16-17 ‘Do not err, my beloved brethren. Every good and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the father of lights with whom is no variableness neither shadow of turning’

Its good things that come down from above, they come from an unchanging God of light not from the god of darkness, Satan.

Ask your self would you as a mother or father hurt your children in order to teach them something? Would you allow them to get cancer? Or would you allow someone to abuse them? Of course not, then why accuse a good God of hurting those he loves?

Jesus put it this way ‘What man is there of you if a son asks bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish will he give him a serpent?’ If you then being evil know how to give good things unto your children, how much more shall your father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?’ (Matthew 6:9-11)

Does that sound like God wants you to suffer?

No; goodness cannot flow from an evil heart a good tree brings forth good fruit because it is its nature, goodness flows from a heart so full of love that it overflows and gives good things to all that ask. Is sound health a good thing? Then it is a love gift, is sufficient finances a good thing? Are peace and joy good things? Then they are a love gift from a good God.

If you still doubt that God is good then ‘Christ coming into the world to save sinners’ 1st Timothy 1:15 must surely convince even the most hard hearted that He is love.

Surely a glimpse of the cruellest of deaths, a mere glimpse of Calvary’s butchered saviour would open the eyes of the most blinded of eyes”¦ for there even the most foolish could not help but be touched by the Love of God

‘Touched by the love of God’ Chapter 3

Love and Compassion go hand in hand, if love is the glove then compassion are the fingers that reach into the dark recesses of human misery and sets men and women free.

Compassion is not pity for pity is a source of many fine words while compassion works to remove suffering whatever its root.

In Psalm 86 David writes about the Lord’s nature saying; ‘ For you Lord, are good and ready to forgive; plenteous in mercy to all them that call upon you’ ‘But you O lord are full of compassion and gracious, longsuffering and plenteous in mercy and truth’

God’s word reveals our sinful nature but it always balances it with good news about a loving God who forgives all our iniquities and heals all our diseases (Psalm 103:3)

Every time the psalmist bemoaned his sinful nature, every time he spoke of his sufferings he spoke of Gods great mercy (Psalm 86:13) and reminded himself of Gods compassion, his grace and long suffering.

Love is like that, I mean true love; it always is willing to forgive and to show mercy and compassion, true love does not hold grudges, it runs to help the wounded even though they are suffering at their own hands.

Psalm 103 tell us that when we deserved death, love redeemed our lives from destruction, when we deserved wrath it crowned us with loving kindness and tender mercies (v.4) when we deserved Gods anger and wrath he poured out mercy and grace (v.8) for as high as the heaven is above the earth so great is his mercy toward them that fear him’ (v.11)

In the Old Testament we see a Father who loves his children, who would do anything to save them from their sins, a Father who gave them a blue print for living while warning them that departing from it would cause them great pain and death.

In the New Testament we see the Son Jesus doing exactly the same because ‘He worked the works of God who sent him (John 9:4) in the same measure as the Father loved, he loved, he showed the same mercy and grace, he revealed the Fathers compassion and healed the sick and fed the hungry.

Matthew (9:35) records that, ‘Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people’ that’s what love does, it heals the sick, it never walks away shaking its head or hides its eyes from the hurts of others. Love reaches out and touches the deepest need of every human being; the need to be loved, the need to feel wanted; the need to be counted worthy of someone’s time.

Compassion goes deeper than the physical needs of the human soul; it digs deeper and goes to the root of the problem desiring to bring us total freedom.

Jesus was ‘moved with compassion on the multitude because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd’ He had fed the people who had come seeking his help but the thing that moved him most was their spiritual hunger, their need of salvation, their need of a saviour.

Religion offers laws instead of grace and mercy, manmade offerings of impure grace and purchased mercy, it offers freedom in chains, shackled liberty and false hope.

Christ on the other hand shows compassion,

In Matthew 15:32 we read that ‘Jesus called his disciples and said ‘I have compassion on the multitude, for they have been with us three days, and have nothing to eat, I will not send them away fasting in case the faint in the way’

That’s what compassion does, it does more than just talk, it feeds the hunger in every heart, it meets a person’s deepest desire and fulfils his greatest need, the need to be forgiven and to be loved.

Compassion like love cares nothing for itself, it cares only for the needs of others,

Compassion is the divine nature of God revealed in Christ and in every believer whose heart has been melted by Christ’s love,

Compassion is an unworthy sinner being touched by the love of God

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Dont Miss Out On Gods Plans & Promises!

The story of the twelve spies in Numbers 13-14 is one of the more popular stories from the Old Testament we may usually hear in church.  In Numbers 13:30-32 (NASB), we read: Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, We should by all means go up and take possession of it, for we will surely overcome it. 31 But the men who had gone up with him said, We are not able to go up against the people, for they are too strong for us. So they gave out to the sons of Israel a bad report of the land.

As we look over some details on this story of doubt and faith, we can draw lessons to apply in life.

Valid Concerns

From verses 1-17 of chapter 13, we see God commanding Moses to send out twelve spies (one chosen from each tribe) to spy out the promised land. As Moses sent them, he instructs them in verses 18-20 to:

  • check out what kind of people there were and how many they were (v.18),
  • check out what visible prospects there were in the land (v.19-20),
  • check out what provisions were readily available (v.20), and
  • check out what possible problems they might face when they tried to conquer (v.19).

All of these concerns were valid. To know what kind of oppositions to face and address and what opportunities are foreseeable and available are legitimate concerns for anyone making a plan of action for whatever endeavor.

Different Perspectives

As the mission of the twelve spies ended and they have gone back to report, the Israelites then faced two conflicting conclusions. All twelve spies agreed that the land was rich and full of opportunities but ten spies believed it was impossible for them to conquer, overwhelmed by the size, strength, and number of the opposition along with the difficulty of the fortifications they will need to deal with (13:28-29, 31-33).  Only two of the spies (Caleb and Joshua) were confident that God will deliver on His promise to them (13:30; 14:6-9).

Ten spies strongly doubted their chances because they focused on their own natural abilities. Joshua and Caleb knew they could’ve conquered right then because they believed in Gods supernatural assistance.

Consequences of Doubt

When you doubt you miss out! But in this story, we might as well say, when you chicken out you miss out!’

The Israelites rejection of God (another way to understand the word Å“spurn in 14:11) resulted in everyone from that generation (except Caleb and Joshua) not being able to claim for themselves what God had promised them as a nation (14:22-23, 29-30). Entering the promised land was a privilege they could’ve experienced right then if they had only believed God.

Consequences Worsen

After the ten spies were judged (14:36-37), the Israelites then decide to supposedly follow Gods first command by disregarding the judgment God had placed upon them.  Their sudden effort to conquer the land against Gods will resulted in their utter defeat (14:39-45).

This part of the story is a reminder for Christians who try to follow God by their own terms. No amount of sacrifice that does not follow Gods designed path or process can ever make up for continued disobedience.  God desires simple, plain obedience to what He commands us to do (1 Samuel 15:22).

Faith Rewarded

The ten believe they couldn’t because they didn’t have the ability. Joshua and Caleb knew also they couldn’t that’s why they believed in God who had all the ability (14:8-9). Joshua and Caleb believed in God and trusted His promise and they were rewarded graciously (14:24, 30, 38).

Our fears of taking steps of faith (like the ten spies) is a reflection of how much we do not know God and how we’ve neglected the kind of relationship He desires of us.

Let’s Ponder

Remember, God’s guidance and His call for obedience will always lead us to where His grace abounds.  Obedience is a step of faith that looks to God for confidence and banks on Who He is. Don’t miss out on what God has planned for you and what

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Is Wikipedia Biased Against Christian Content?

Wikipedia

From its home page, Wikipedia describes its site as “the free encyclopedia [that] anyone can edit’. On a self-described page of what it is and what it is not, Wikipedia claims that it is not censored. For content guidelines, there are only 3:

  1. Content must be neutral in form. It must not take sides, rather, it should explain sides fairly and without editorial bias.
  2. Content must not be original research. It should be attributable to an existing source or reference material.
  3. Content must be verifiable. It must be verifiable from a reliable, published source. The information presented must not be made up.

Reading all these causes us to believe that Wikipedia is an unbiased platform. Indeed, you may come across Wiki pages that need updating and correcting. But as a whole, the site seems to be an open resource site that makes room for all kinds of useful and relevant information, especially such that are Christian in nature or theme.

Then we come across news of a Christian page being taken down and we start to wonder how often Wikipedia removes Christian pages. More importantly, why? Is there unfairness in the upholding of standards or policies?

Let’s cite one Wikipedia page about Gunter Bechly. The original page written in German is up and online still. However, the English translation looks to have been erased. Gunter Bechly is a reputable paleontologist and entomologist. He was once an atheist and a supporter of Richard Dawkins. But, comtinued studies will open his eyes towards a strong belief in intelligent design. A complete reading on the German Wikipedia page will show you that the entry is purely biographical. There is no bias towards a certain viewpoint. The facts are verifiable and there is no original research presented. So, why isn’t an actual English page available for access?

Let’s cite three more Wikipedia pages. We can find a Wikipedia page that talks about “Lists of Atheists’. We can also find a Wikipedia page that talks about “List of Atheists in Politics and in Law’ But, check out a Wikipedia page that talks about “Christian Wikipedians’ and you’ll only read this disclosure there: “This page is being considered for deletion’.

It is true that as anyone can just edit Wikipedia, anyone can just report a page for violation. But when it comes to deciding to finally delete a page, who makes the decision? And, are the same standards applied on both Christian and non-Christian content? We won’t know for sure. We can only maintain our hopes and prayers for equal opportunity and fairness for Christianity, online.

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Abortion: Is it Really Necessary?

In the nearing end of 2018, and in the coming day of Thanksgiving, we need to be thankful that everything this Christian Nation has built is not yet destroyed. Though hard to picture or even think of anything to be thankful for due to this Age of the End Times, it is healthy for a Christian man, woman, teen and child to remember what we do have left. But this article is not talking about Thanksgiving, this article was made to remind us what the bible says about sin and mercy, and I will cover both in this article about Abortion.

Abortion is manually and scientifically removing an unborn-developed organism or removing the chance of any life in the belly of a woman.

The Bible says that life is precious, and detrimental if we choose to murder or play like we are “gods of our life.” For God is the only Lord of our life. However, just as in the Garden of Eden, God did not kill Adam and Eve he showed mercy. So God will not say to you young teen, single parent, or rapist survivor, to teach the child, but to give the baby life. The best you can do is to send the newborn to adoption/foster care. If you are a married couple who only want sex or a prostitute, well, you need to rethink what society has fantasize to you about sex. In all kindness I plead you get purity counseling, perhaps a pastor or a Christian counselor to rearrange what you think about love and adulting.

For love is more than sex.

Sincerely,

BGM LIfe

 

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