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iamastrongchristian-blog · 6 years ago

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Four Types of Sons

The nature of a son is revealed by his response to his father. Often, the good, the bad and the ugly come out when sons have to relate to fathers. There are four types of sons that the Scripture speaks about – the prodigal son, the elder son, the beloved son and the stubborn and rebellious son.

1.CHARACTERISTICS OF A PRODIGAL SON And he said, A certain man had two sons: And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.

Luke 15:11-13

1. A prodigal son goes away from his father and his father’s house. 2. A prodigal son wants to be as far away from home as possible. 3. A prodigal son wastes his life’s opportunities. 4. A prodigal son recognizes his mistakes in the midst of his life and returns to his father. 5. A prodigal son suffers the loss of many things because of his foolishness and his rebellious ways.

CHARACTERISTICS OF AN ELDER SON

Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.” Luke 15:25-32

1. An elder son stays at home with the father. 2. An elder son never commits any major sins. 3. An elder son never strays off the straight and narrow path set for him by his parents. 4. An elder son does not live a life of pleasure and waste.

5. An elder son can develop a self-righteous and judgmental attitude towards people who stray away. Since he has never committed any of these sins himself he simply cannot understand why people should indulge in such foolishness. Pray that the father will be alive when the prodigal son finally returns. If the prodigal son is left to the mercy of the elder brother it will not turn out well for him.

CHARACTERISTICS OF A BELOVED SON

And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, THIS IS MY BELOVED SON, in whom I am well pleased. Matthew 3:16-17

And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, THIS IS MY BELOVED SON, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. Matthew 17:1-5

On two different occasions, the heavenly Father called Jesus Christ a beloved son; at the beginning of His ministry, (the baptism) and at the end of the ministry (the transfiguration).

Jesus Christ was called the beloved son before He preached a single message or healed one sick person.

1. A beloved son is someone who submits to authority. Jesus was called a beloved son at the very beginning of His ministry when He accepted the humble conditions of His call.

2. A beloved son is a humble son. Jesus was a beloved son because He bowed down before John the Baptist even though He was the Son of God.

3. A beloved son is someone who is obedient to all instructions. A beloved son will obey an instruction whether it makes sense or not. A beloved son will obey an instruction whether it is easy or difficult. Jesus Christ was not just obedient to nice and easy instructions. He was obedient at every level. Beloved sons are obedient at all the different levels of obedience.

Indeed, there are different levels of obedience but a beloved son will distinguish himself at every level. Each level of obedience leads to a different kind of blessing. Jesus Christ obeyed His father in coming to this earth to live amongst men and showing us God’s love. Jesus Christ did the ultimate and obeyed His father even unto the death on the cross. Most Christians would struggle with instructions that would lead to their certain death. But not Jesus Christ! He was the quintessential “beloved son”.

A STUBBORN AND REBELLIOUS SON

If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that, when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them: Then shall his father and his mother lay hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city, and unto the gate of his place;

And they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard. And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear. Deuteronomy 21:18-21

Now you, son of man, listen to what I am speaking to you; do not be rebellious like that rebellious house. Open your mouth and eat what I am giving you. Ezekiel 2:8 (NASB)

1. Stubborn and rebellious sons are resistant to instructions. 2. Stubborn and rebellious sons are opposed to the instructions. 3. Stubborn and rebellious sons dislike the person of their fathers. 4. Stubborn and rebellious sons dislike the methods of the father. 5. Stubborn and rebellious sons grow to dislike the ways of the father. 6. Stubborn and rebellious sons want a different profession from their father’s. 7. Stubborn and rebellious sons want a different lifestyle from their father’s. 8. Stubborn and rebellious sons want to dress, act and do everything differently from their father. 9. Stubborn and rebellious sons are angry at correction and need to be corrected for being angry at the correction.

by Dag Heward-Mills

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iamastrongchristian-blog · 6 years ago

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Assorted Biblical Principles 13-24

No. 13 Principle of Belonging to Each Other

My beloved is mine, and I am his: he feedeth among the lilies.

Song of Solomon 2:16

Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.

1 Corinthians 7:3,4

(a) “To belong to” means “to own”. When you own something, you can have it at anytime, and anywhere. So it is in marriage.

(b) You belong to each other and you must have that attitude that I belong to my wife and she belongs to me.

No. 14 Principle of Being Flexible and As Active As a Roe

Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, turn, my beloved, and be thou like a roe or a young hart upon the mountains of Bether.

Song of Solomon 2:17

(a) A roe is a flexible and active animal. The wife ought to be flexible and active during sexual intercourse.2 She should not play a passive role and wait for things to be done to her. Rather she should be active and flexible. She should move her body and waist during sex to bring pleasure to both herself and to her husband.3

(b) A dull and boring wife will drive away her husband. Don’t be a cadaver––yet!

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom in the grave, whither thou goest.

Ecclesiastes 9:10

No. 15 Principle of the Woman Initiating Sex and Longing after Sex

By night on my bed I sought him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not. I will rise now, and go about the city in the streets, and in the broad ways I will seek him whom my soul loveth...

Song of Solomon 3:1,2

(a) We have the mentality that sex is initiated only by the husband. This is untrue.

(b) A good Christian wife must at times initiate sex. Her husband must see her desiring and actually wanting sex.4

No. 16 Principle of Admiring and Speaking about Each Other’s Beauty

Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair; thou hast doves' eyes within thy locks: thy hair is as a flock of goats, that appear from mount Gilead. Thy teeth are like a flock of sheep that are even shorn, which came up from the washing; whereof every one bear twins, and none is barren among them.

Thy lips are like a thread of scarlet, and thy speech is comely: thy temples are like a piece of a pomegranate within thy locks. Thy neck is like the tower of David builded for an armoury, whereon there hang a thousand bucklers, all shields of mighty men. Thy two breasts are like two young roes that are twins, which feed among the lilies.

Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, I will get me to the mountain of myrrh, and to the hill of frankincense. Thou art all fair, my love; there is no spot in thee.

Song of Solomon 4:1-7

Thy teeth are like a flock of sheep that are even shorn, which came up from the washing; whereof every one bear twins, and none is barren among them. Thy lips are like a thread of scarlet, and thy speech is comely: thy temples are like a piece of a pomegranate within thy locks. Thy neck is like the tower of David builded for an armoury, whereon there hang a thousand bucklers, all shields of mighty men. Thy two breasts are like two young roes that are twins, which feed among the lilies.

Song of Solomon 4:2-7

(a) Take time to explore and search out the intricate details of your spouse’s body. Notice how the passage describes in details different parts of the woman’s body.

(b) Some couples have been married for a long time and have still not explored and discovered the various contours, “hills”, “valleys”, and sensitive spots of their partner’s body.

No. 17 Principle of Admiring and Enjoying Every Part of the Body

Song of Solomon 4:2-7

(a) Take time to explore and search out the intricate details of your spouse’s body. Notice how the passage describes in details different parts of the woman’s body.

(b) Some couples have been married for a long time and have still not explored and discovered the various contours, “hills”, “valleys”, and sensitive spots of their partner’s body.

No. 18 Principle of Your Body and Garments Smelling Nice During Sex

How fair is thy love, my sister, my spouse! how much better is thy love than wine! and the smell of thine ointments than all spices! Thy lips, O my spouse, drop as the honeycomb: honey and milk are under thy tongue; and the smell of thy garments is like the smell of Lebanon.

Song of Solomon 4:10,11

(a) A good body odour is conducive for having sex.6

(b) A bad body odour from sweat and dirt can put one off.

No. 19 Principle of the Private Parts Being a Sweet Smelling Garden with Pleasant Fruits

A garden enclosed is my sister, my spouse; a spring shut up, a fountain sealed. Thy plants are an orchard of pomegranates, with pleasant fruits; camphire, with spikenard, Spikenard and saffron; calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense; myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices: A fountain of gardens, a well of living waters, and streams from Lebanon. Awake, O north wind; and come, thou south; blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out. Let my beloved come into his garden, and eat his pleasant fruits.

Song of Solomon 4:12-16

(a) A wife should make sure that her vulva/vagina is always clean and sweet-smelling, like a sweet garden.

(b) The use of sweet smelling creams in this area in moderate amounts is encouraged. Since the vulva is likened to a garden, it must be kept neat and trim by occasional cutting or shaving, which even helps the garden to have different looks and appearances. This will enhance sexual excitement. An overgrown garden looks uninviting and dirty.

No. 20 Principle of Being Welcoming and Ever Ready

I am come into my garden, my sister, my spouse: I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk: eat, O friends; drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved. I sleep, but my heart waketh: it is the voice of my beloved that knocketh, saying, Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled: for my head is filled with dew, and my locks with the drops of the night. I have put off my coat; how shall I put it on? I have washed my feet; how shall I defile them?

My beloved put in his hand by the hole of the door, and my bowels were moved for him. I rose up to open to my beloved; and my hands dropped with myrrh, and my fingers with sweet smelling myrrh, upon the handles of the lock. I opened to my beloved; but my beloved had withdrawn himself, and was gone: my soul failed when he spake: I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer.

Song of Solomon 5:1-6

(a) The husband/wife must be ever ready and welcoming. Do not be angry, unwelcoming, or be grudging as you yield.8

(b) A naked woman with a smiling face is very different from a naked woman with an angry or unwilling face. After several sessions of unwilling sex, a man may withdraw. This can even lead to adultery, Note verse 6 above.

No. 21 Principle of Answering for Yourself Why Your Beloved Is Better than Others

What is thy beloved more than another beloved, O thou fairest among women? what is thy beloved more than another beloved, that thou dost so charge us?

Song of Solomon 5:9

(a) You must be convinced in yourself that you married the right person.

(b) Give yourself several reasons why your spouse is better than others.9

(c) Learn to see the advantages and benefits that he or she brings. DO NOT allow negative things to cloud out your appreciation of your spouse.

No. 22 Principle that Your Beloved Is the Best

My beloved is white and ruddy, the chiefest among ten thousand.

Song of Solomon 5:10

(a) Believe that your beloved is indeed the best amongst all the other options.

No. 23 Principle of Not Overwhelming Your Partner As You Look Upon Him/Her

Turn away thine eyes from me, for they have overcome me: thy hair is as a flock of goats that appear from Gilead.

Song of Solomon 6:5

(a) A modest partner may be embarrassed by staring eyes. Learn the beauty of having sex with different levels of lighting ranging from bright light, dim light, coloured light, twilight to no light. They have different effects.

(b) Do not embarrass your partner. It will reduce his/her confidence.

No. 24 Principle of Allowing Your Husband to Gaze on You

Return, return, O Shulamite; return, return, that we may look upon thee...

Song of Solomon 6:13

(a) Wives should practise nakedness at home.

(b) Become confident with undressing before your partner.10

(c) Experiment with sleeping naked, standing or walking naked around the house, and try different types of exposure, such as the lithotomy position.

by Dag Heward-Mills

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iamastrongchristian-blog · 6 years ago

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Deuteronomy

1. Deuteronomy 4:5-6 Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the Lord my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it. Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.

2. Deuteronomy 6:5 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

3. Deuteronomy 8:14 Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the Lord thy God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage;

4. Deuteronomy 8:18 But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.

5. Deuteronomy 29:29 The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.

6. Deuteronomy 30:19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live.

by Dag Heward-Mills

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iamastrongchristian-blog · 6 years ago

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Warning: Some People Are Married to Devils

Even so must their WIVES be grave, NOT SLANDERERS (DIABOLOS), sober, faithful in all things. 1 Timothy 3:11

In the scripture above, Paul warns wives not to be “diabolos”.

What is “diabolos”?

Diabolos is the devil. The devil is one of the names for satan. What are the other names of Satan? What are the titles of satan? Satan’s titles are well known - THE TEMPTER, THE ACCUSER, THE OPPOSER, THE ADVERSARY, THE DECEIVER, THE MURDERER and THE DESTROYER. These names and titles of satan can be used in place of “diabolos”, in the scripture above and can be applied to wives.

When a pastor or deacon’s wife becomes a devil, she becomes an adversary, an opposer, an accuser, a tempter, a liar and a murderer. There are many people who would describe their wives as the greatest deception of their lives because after marriage, they found that their wives were not who they thought they were. Outsiders are deceived by the beauty and charm of the deceptive wife.

(Marriage to a deceiver).

There are many people who would describe their wives as the greatest temptation in their lives. The temptation to commit adultery, to divorce, to be angry, to be frustrated, to be defeated are real in many marriages. (Marriage to a tempter). There are many people who would describe their wives as the greatest adversary in their lives. There are people who recognize their wives as their greatest opposition.

(Marriage to an adversary).

There are many people who would describe their wives as the greatest accuser in their lives. Sadly, some wives have taken up the job of accusing their husbands.

(Marriage to an accuser).

There are many people who could describe their wives as the greatest destruction to their lives and ministries. There are people who feel that their lives have been destroyed because of their marriages.

(Marriage to a destroyer).

There are people who would describe their wives as the reason for their stress, illness and eventual death. (Marriage to a murderer). Anyone who is married to an opposer, an accuser, a tempter and a liar is experiencing what it means to be married to a devil.

Why would I say such terrible things? Why would I use such strong words? These are not my words. These are the words found in the Bible.

Is the devil a destroyer? Yes, he is a thief and a destroyer (John 10:10).

Is the devil an opposer? Yes, he is an

opposer (1 Peter 5:8).

Is the devil an accuser? Yes, he is an accuser (Revelation 12:10)

Is the devil a tempter? Yes, he is a tempter (Matthew 4:3)

Is the devil a liar and a murderer? Yes, he is a liar and a murderer (John 8:44).

If you are a pastor’s wife, make sure that you are not an opposer.

If you are a pastor’s wife, make sure that you are not an accuser.

If you are a pastor’s wife, make sure that you are not a deceiver.

If you are a pastor’s wife, make sure that you are not a temptation.

If you are a pastor’s wife, make sure that you are not a destroyer.

If you are a pastor’s wife, make sure that you are not a devil.

If you are a pastor’s wife, make sure that you do not cause the death of your husband.

If you are any of these things to your husband, you are a devil to your husband!

Many great men of God have experienced terrible things at the hands of their powerful wives. When John Wesley was seventy-five years old, he wrote his very last letter to his wife Molly and said,

“IF YOU WERE TO LIVE A THOUSAND YEARS, YOU COULD NOT UNDO THE MISCHIEF YOU HAVE DONE.” John Wesley

This is an amazing message from a man of God to his wife. “If you were to live a thousand years, you could not undo the mischief you have done.” John Wesley did not intend his letter to his wife to become public. As usual, men of God try to give a good PDA (Public Display of Affection) to outsiders. Although women look angelic, they are clearly not angels. They are beset with weaknesses, sins, problems and failings just as men are.

Many ministers are spiritual, committed and driven men. Many times, they are married to women who are weaker and less committed to God. Many women are weak and do not have the physical and emotional strength needed to withstand the storms of life and ministry.

Even so must their WIVES be grave, NOT SLANDERERS (DIABOLOS), sober, faithful in all things. 1 Timothy 3:11

Indeed, women are not angels and Apostle Paul actually warned wives not to be a “diabolos”, a word which is translated to mean a “devil”. The word “diabolos” The word, “diabolos” is usually translated into the word “devil” and refers to the literal devil. The word “diabolos” is used thirty-eight times in the entire New Testament.

Thirty-five times, the word “diabolos” is translated into the word devil. For instance, “And Jesus was led into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil (‘ diabolos’).” That word “devil” is translated from the word “ diabolos”. (Matthew 4:1)

Three times, the word “diabolos” is used to refer to human beings. (Acts 13:10, 1 John 3:8, 1 John 3:10)

On one occasion, the word “diabolos” was used to describe Judas. Jesus said, “Have I not chosen you, and one of you is a devil ( diabolos).” (John 6:70)

On two other occasions, the word “diabolos” is used in a warning to Bishops’ and to deacons’ wives. I can understand that the translator did not have the boldness to translate the word “diabolos” into “devil” as he had done thirty-five times before. In any case , whether he translated the word “diabolos” as “devil” or not, it still means “devil”. (1 Timothy 3:11, Titus 2:3) 1. Paul warned pastors’ wives not to be devils.

Even so must their WIVES be grave, NOT SLANDERERS (DIABOLOS), sober, faithful in all things. 1 Timothy 3:11

This scripture should have read:

“Even so must their WIVES be grave, NOT DEVILS, sober, faithful in all things.” 1 Timothy 3:11

“Pastors and deacons” wives can turn into devils! That is why Paul warned pastors’ wives not to turn into devils. Deacons’ wives are warned not to turn into “ diabolos”. Why would Paul warn pastors’ wives not to turn into devils? Because a pastor’s wife can become a strong accuser of her husband. A pastor’s wife can also become a strong opposer to her husband. Through accusations and opposition, some women are transformed into literal human devils that their husbands have to contend with.

Not all pastors have good marriages! Some have really great marriages. Some have good and nice marriages. Some have average marriages and some have terrible marriages. Adoniram Judson was called “three times lucky” because he married three times and each marriage was good.

There are many men of God who are dealing with tangible, physical female devils in their homes. Some of them would tell you that the greatest opposition and challenge to their lives and ministry are the women they are married to.

2. Paul warned older women not to be devils.

But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: that the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. THE AGED WOMEN likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers (DIABOLOS), not given to much wine, teachers of good things; Titus 2:1-3

This scripture should have read: “But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: that the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. THE AGED WOMEN likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, NOT DEVILS, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;” Titus 2:1-3

Older women can also turn into “diabolos” and behave just like the devil. Older women are susceptible to turning into devils. Many ministers have wives who are not as nice as they were when they were younger. Some of these older wives have turned into devils with time.

I did not write the Bible. Neither do I want to re-write it. Let’s read it together and accept what we see. The scripture clearly says that these older women can become false accusers, which is “diabolos”. Why is that? Many older women are disappointed, disillusioned and disheartened about life. You will notice that younger women are generally more sweet, cheerful, happy, peaceful, flowing and nice. You will also notice that some older women are more stern, snappy, strict, unsympathetic and irritable. Disappointments of life may have opened the door to devils of bitterness in older women.

It is Wrong to Glorify a “Diabolos”

Because women are angelic and weak looking, they often attract support and sympathy instead of the rebukes that they need! Badly behaved wives must be rebuked and corrected. It is wrong to glorify a

“diabolos”! It is wrong to magnify a

“diabolos”! It is wrong to encourage a

“diabolos”! It is inappropriate to give a

“diabolos” more authority!

Many women do not have the spiritual strength to resist the devil. They must be counselled and controlled. It is wrong to elevate a “diabolos” pastor’s wife to even greater positions of authority.

by Dag Heward-Mills

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iamastrongchristian-blog · 6 years ago

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What it Means to be Married to The Patient

Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as THY SOUL PROSPERETH.

3 John 2

The Beauty

When your soul prospers, your mind, your emotions and your feelings are well. Many pastors marry apparently normal beautiful ladies. Unfortunately, some ladies do have a mental illness. Most of us see mental illness as something in which a person walks around naked and lives in a cemetery, speaking gibberish to everyone she meets. Most mentally ill people do not live in cemeteries! So, do not look in the cemetery for a mental patient. A mentally ill woman may be living in your bedroom with you. Some of the most famous missionaries who changed the face of Christianity were married to “ The Patient.”

William Carey, the famous missionary to India, married when he was only nineteen years old. He married a woman who was six years older than he was. His wife struggled with a certain kind of mental illness for many years, accusing him of many outrageous things over the years. In spite of this difficult marriage, he was able to accomplish great things for God.

There are a wide range of conditions that are considered to be mental illnesses. Only a trained eye can notice and diagnose these conditions. Mental illness is very much like bad behaviour. The bad behaviour of the person stems out of the mental pressure under which the person labours. Women are more prone to certain mental illnesses than men. Always remember that mental illness can present itself as bad behaviour.

The Beast: A Woman with Undiagnosed Mental Illness A Christian leader, who had been married to his beautiful and gentle wife for several years, began to contemplate divorcing his wife. This was because she was behaving very badly, accusing him of many evils. She had become impossible to live with and was constantly in a confrontation with him and his mother. It seemed as though she just hated her husband’s mother. Finally, he decided to leave his wife. He was certain that he would divorce her.

Before he could go ahead with the divorce, his wife attacked him physically. He defended himself as his wife physically assaulted him. Whilst she was attacking him, it occurred to him that his wife was behaving very abnormally. Right there in their home, for the first time in his life, it occurred to him that his wife could have a mental illness.

Even though he was a medical person, it had never occurred to him that his wife could have a mental illness. Being a good Christian brother, he decided not to divorce his wife but rather get treatment for her. Indeed, it became clear as time went on, that his wife was truly labouring under a real mental illness. She was admitted to the hospital shortly after that and had to go through several bouts of treatment.

This story illustrates the fact that many people are actually suffering from mental illness. In this case, the mental illness manifested as bad behaviour towards her mother-in-law.

The Beast: A Woman with Depression We use the terms anxiety and depression casually, but they are actually specific medical diagnoses. What is depression? When a pastor’s wife is depressed, she may have a very low mood, a loss of interest in life, and an inability to experience pleasure in activities that she once enjoyed.

This mood change may manifest as sadness or irritability. When a lady is depressed, she may lose weight. Some ladies put on weight when they are depressed. Depressed women may wake up very early; find it difficult to go to sleep, lying in bed for hours.

Indeed, such a depressed woman may be difficult to live with. The man of God may overreact in response to his chronically moody, unhappy and accusative wife.

Accusations and discontentment are symptoms of depression. Women suffering from “anxiety” or “depression” can also come up with symptoms such as general weakness, bodily pains and tiredness. These symptoms are often not clear enough to allow a doctor to make a definitive diagnosis. A depressed person may always seem to be unwell with one problem or another, constantly seeing the doctor. Some of the symptoms of illness may be so serious that extensive investigations are carried out to locate the source of the pain and to investigate the specific dangerous sounding symptoms that are put forth by the patient.

After several attempts to treat different illnesses, it may begin to occur to the doctors that they are dealing with a mental illness. Mental illness may lead to very bad behaviour and very unpleasant marriage problems. These problems, because of their chronic nature, can even lead to separation or divorce.

The ability to diagnose depression in a wife is very important. The proper diagnosis will help you to have compassion on your wife. With the proper diagnosis and treatment, you will have the grace to carry on with your marriage.

The Beast: A Woman with Anxiety Anxiety is a treatable psychiatric condition that many pastors’ wives have.

Amazingly, anxiety can have specific physical effects such as an increased blood pressure and increased heart rate. A person with anxiety has a sense of dread or panic.

People with anxiety disorders can have various symptoms that may seem as real as anything. For instance people with anxiety attacks may have chest pains and think they are having a heart attack. They may also feel that any pain they have in their head is as a result of a tumour. Women with anxiety are fearful, tense, irritable, restless, watching and waiting for signs of danger. Such people also have bad dreams, nightmares and are filled with the fear of dying or the fear of a loved one dying.

As you can see, these psychiatric symptoms could be applied to many people that you know. Indeed, many ordinary people walking around actually need a bit of psychiatric care.

The Beast: A Woman with a Personality Disorder Personality disorders occur when people exhibit behaviour that deviates markedly from what you would expect based on an individual’s culture and background. Personality disorders affect the person’s personality, life and existence. People with personality disorders are inflexible and unable to change their patterns and behaviour in spite of counselling and help offered.

Indeed, what a psychiatrist may call a personality disorder, a pastor may call stubbornness and disobedience to the Word of God. Indeed, there are several personality disorders that afflict and affect people that we know. A pastor or his wife could easily suffer from a personality disorder.

1. A lady with a Paranoid Personality Disorder has a pattern of mistrust and suspicion. Simply put, people with this disorder have a tendency to be sensitive, easily offended, guarded and suspicious.

2. A lady with a Schizoid Personality Disorder has a tendency towards a solitary lifestyle, secretiveness, emotional coldness and sexual apathy. She is detached from social relationships and has a restricted range of emotional expression.

3. A lady with a Schizotypal Personality Disorder has a need for social isolation. When a person has this kind of personality disorder, she displays odd behaviour in thinking and often holds unconventional beliefs. A person like this may have a poor rapport with others and tend to withdraw. Such a person is cold, unemotional and aloof. People may find her eccentric or peculiar.

4. A lady with an Antisocial Personality Disorder fails to conform to the law and repeatedly performs acts that could lead to his or her arrest. Deception, lying, irritability and aggressiveness are symptoms of this personality disorder. She may have repeated physical fights with others without regard for her own safety or that of others.

5. A lady with a Borderline Personality Disorder is unable to maintain interpersonal relationships. She will be insecure and have an unstable self-image and a poor sense of worth. She is likely to give herself to promiscuous sex and have eating disorders. Recurrent suicidal behaviour and self-injuring behaviour are also symptoms of this condition. Princess Diana was suspected of having this condition.

6. A lady with a Histrionic Personality Disorder shows excessive emotionality and attention seeking. She displays seductive behaviour and inappropriate dressing because she is seeking attention. Such people are lively, dramatic, enthusiastic and flirtatious. Such a lady may show an exaggerated display of emotions such as hugging someone she has just met or crying uncontrollably during a sad movie. Such people go through frequent job changes and become easily bored and frustrated. People with histrionic personality disorders therefore have numerous relationships.

7. A lady with a Narcissistic Personality Disorder. This type of person is preoccupied with power, prestige and vanity. You would easily describe such a person as self-centred. This type of woman pursues only selfish goals and is obsessed with herself. Such a woman will take advantage of others, always trying to exaggerate her own importance, achievements and talents. In her childhood, she may have received excessive praise for her good behaviour. She grew up requiring constant attention and admiration.

8. A lady with an Avoidant Personality Disorder. This is a lady who is hypersensitive to criticism and extremely sensitive to any negative comment or remark. She undergoes self-imposed social isolation. This means that she is shy, anxious and avoids physical contact because of her feelings of low self esteem. Such people also have a strong inferiority complex and are therefore difficult to relate with.

9. A lady with a Dependent Personality Disorder is a very submissive person who exhibits clinging behaviour. She always seems to have an excessive need to be taken care of. Such a person has difficulty in taking everyday decisions unless she has a lot of advice and reassurance from others. Such a person can easily be taken advantage of by men because she always needs someone to assume responsibility for the major areas of her life. Indeed, she cannot initiate projects and lacks the drive and energy for them.

10. A lady with an Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder is preoccupied with orderliness, perfectionism and control. A person with this disorder can pay attention to so many minute details and facts that this perfectionism would actually prevent the timely completion of tasks. This kind of person is also rigid and inflexible in her beliefs. Someone who is preoccupied with details, rules, lists, order and organization will be difficult to work with because of her unpleasant rigidity and stubbornness. Indeed, such people are also unduly preoccupied with productivity and fruitfulness to the exclusion of pleasure and interpersonal relationships.

I am sure that all of you who have read this list of personality disorders have found yourself in there somewhere. You will realise that most of us have personalities that can shift easily into the realm of a “disorder”. Often, when there is a mental illness of any sort, people spiritualise their misbehaviour, refuse the medical diagnosis and subsequently refuse counsel or treatment. The Beast: A Woman with Bipolar Disorder Some pastors are married to women with a bipolar disorder. You can understand the disease by understanding the word, ‘bipolar’. Bipolar speaks of two poles or two extremes. On one hand, the beautiful princess may be a calm, gentle, sweet and well-behaved hostess impressing the outside world with her charm. On the other hand, she may be violent, angry and uncontrollable. When the other extreme sets in, such a woman may go on spending sprees or engage in behaviour that is abnormal, such as taking drugs, alcohol or even becoming aggressive. One day, a great man of God’s wife ran through the house removing all the cutlery from the house because she believed an evil spirit was in the house. She then walked for miles with the children, covering them with a towel because she believed that the moon-god wanted to strike them. You can imagine the confusion in the pastor’s home as he saw this abnormal behaviour and hyperactivity in an apparently normal person. Later on, this unstable woman surprised everyone with an announcement that she was divorcing her husband.

These bouts of hysterical uncontrollable behaviour, along with depressed moods, show the picture of the bi-polar syndrome.

Behold, we have two people in one! Indeed, even the trained eye finds it difficult to diagnose some of these diseases. There are many doctors who cannot pick out mental illnesses. In such cases, the man of God and his children could be harmed by the wife who, in a moment of hysteria and violence, could inflict harm on the family.

One day, a man of God was sitting at a table with a medical doctor. The medical doctor knew the man of God and his family quite well. The doctor let out a bombshell that surprised the man of God. He said to him, “I think your wife has the bipolar mental illness.” The man of God was taken aback and asked, “Are you trying to say that my wife is a mental patient?”

Indeed, the entire family struggled to accept the diagnosis. You see , it is not easy to accept the reality that a seemingly normal person is actually mentally ill.

The Beast: A Woman with Schizophrenia

Some pastors are married to women with Schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is an unfortunate illness in which a person actually goes mad. Schizophre nic patients experience hallucinations in which they hear voices, have bizarre delusions and disorganized thinking and speech. Their bizarre thinking pattern leads them to speak in sentences that are not connected in meaning. Their speech is sometimes described as a “word salad”.

There was once a pastor of a very large church in a prominent city. He lived on the twenty-fourth floor of a high-rise apartment block. His marriage suffered terribly due to a developing mental illness in his wife. No one could understand the conflicts and problems that the pastor seemed to be beset with (nobody usually understands).

No one expected what was going to happen next. One day, whilst the pastor was away at work, his wife took two of her three children and threw them out of the window of their apartment complex. Both children died when they hit the ground. The third child was able to escape from her wild mother in the house.

Indeed, it was only after this violent episode that the family and the congregation realised that the pastor’s wife was actually mad. Before this incident, everyone thought the pastor had a bad marriage and did not love his wife. After this episode, the mentally ill wife was confined to a mental institution. A few years later, the pastor remarried amidst even more criticism. Was it right for him to marry when his wife was permanently mentally ill? Should he have remained unmarried and waited for her healing? A good question!

The Beast: A Woman with a Delusional Disorder

Many pastors are married to women with delusional disorders. A delusional disorder is a condition in which a person has a fixed delusion. Apart from this particular delusion, there are no other symptoms of mental illness in the person. A delusion is something one believes in, in spite of contrary evidence. The type of disorder that a woman with delusional disorder has is what we call a “non-bizarre delusion.’

A bizarre delusion is a belief that is incredible, out of this world and virtually impossible. A person who has a belief that the ceiling is about to drop on his head has a bizarre delusion.

A non-bizarre delusion is a belief that is plausible, possible and even likely. A person who has a belief that her husband is having an affair with his old girlfriend is having a non-bizarre delusion. It is non-bizarre because it is believable, it is possible and it may even be likely.

Indeed, some pastors are married to women with delusional disorders. I spoke to a lady who had a devoted husband. Her marriage was breaking down because she was constantly accusing him of being interested in another lady.

Somehow, I knew for sure that her husband was not having an affair with the lady. His wife was accusing her husband of having an affair with a virgin who was about to get married.

I asked her, “Do you think your husband is having an affair?” She said, “Yes, I do.” I asked again, “Do you think your husband is committing adultery with this virgin lady who is about to get married?” She answered, “I do.” I asked yet again, “Do you actually believe that your husband is having sexual intercourse with this virgin?” She said, “I do. He is having sex with her and I know it.”

No matter what I said, I could not convince this lady that she was believing the wrong thing and destroying her marriage. She maintained her stand, thereby reducing her marriage to a mere social co-existence.

This lady could easily have a delusional disorder because she had no other mental symptoms. She simply had one non-bizarre delusion, which she stuck to for many years, no matter what was said or done.

When you accuse a person of doing something that he is not doing, you greatly affect the relationship between yourself and the person. Marriages are changed forever when accusations begin.

John Wesley’s wife was a difficult person to live with. In fact, it was not possible to stay with her. Her mind was filled with the conviction that John Wesley was having affairs with other women. One day, she told John Wesley,

“DESIST FROM RUNNING AFTER STRANGE WOMEN FOR YOUR CHARACTER IS AT STAKE” Mrs Molly Wesley Some people said that the kindest way to look at her was to think of her as having had a mental illness.

John Wesley said of her, “IT WOULD TAKE MORE THAN A THOUSAND YEARS FOR HER TO UNDO THE MISCHIEF SHE HAS DONE TO ME”.

A sign of mental illness is the lack of insight, where the person is not aware of what she is doing. Even though Mrs Wesley mistreated her husband greatly, on her deathbed, she left him a ring as a token saying, “I DIE IN LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP TOWARDS HIM.” Mrs Wesley It is possible that Mrs Wesley never comprehended the extent of hurt and damage that she caused John Wesley by her behaviour. That is a clear sign of a Patient. A mental patient often has no insight. A Patient cannot grasp what she is doing and the effect it has. When you recognize this lack of insight, you are far more able to have compassion for the Patient.

by Dag Heward-Mills

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iamastrongchristian-blog · 6 years ago

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Signs of a Strange Woman

It is important for every Christian to be delivered from the snares and traps of strange people. In the Bible, particularly in the book of Proverbs, God has given us some of the signs by which we can identify a strange person and avoid her. I want to show you twenty signs of the strange woman. A strange woman may have some or all of these signs. Do not be deceived if a woman does not manifest some of the signs. This list of signs is just to help you pick out a strange woman from the crowd.

1. A strange woman has a group that she identifies with.

...a young man...Passing through the street near her corner... Proverbs 7:7, 8

This story in Proverbs tells us that the naive young man went to her corner. The strange woman had a corner. Strange people have their special corners. They also have special groups of friends who congregate with them at these special places. Everybody has a friend. There is basically nobody without a friend. I have my friends, who are mostly pastors.

We know the proverb, “Birds of the same feather flock together”, and “Show me your friend and I will show you your character.” These sayings are not in the Bible, but they are true.

People flow together in groups, the like-minded with the like-minded, friends with friends. The secular strange women have their special corners. The Red Light District is a popular corner for strange people in any country. These are places where you are sure to find them.

My wife told me about a group of strange girls she knew when she was in school. This particular group of girls were all involved with married men, and they frequently met to compare notes. Sometimes one of them would be heard asking, “Have you asked him for the shoes?” Another would also say, “I have told him to buy me the plane ticket.” They had something in common; therefore, they stuck together and influenced each other. Strange people always move in special groups.

2. A strange woman operates at special times.

Proverbs 7:9 says she operates “in the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night”. The secular strange women operate in the dark and black night. The evenings are times when evil can flourish. It is rare to find them at their corners in the afternoon, but in the night they abound. The black and dark night also speaks of the time of difficulty and stress. Many people encounter a strange woman when they are going through difficulties. The black and dark night speaks of times of pain, times of confusion, times of not knowing where to turn and what to do. Also, you are a young man; you must not be in the company of certain people at certain times. If you are in a relationship, there are certain times that you should not be with your beloved—(fiancée). If you are a married man, you are not supposed to be at certain places with certain people at certain times. A married lady should never have a twilight dinner with her boss. Never!

In the church situation, strange people usually do not attend evening Bible teaching meetings. They are more regular at Sunday services, because that is when a lot more people come to church, and they can show off their best clothes. You will never see such people at prayer and fasting meetings, especially if it is going to last all night, or several hours.

They will however be the first to get ready if the church is going to the beach or some place to have a good time. Some of these people are bold enough to say they only go to church to trap a Christian man or lady!

3. A strange woman has a particular way of dressing.

...there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot... Proverbs 7:10

A strange woman dresses in a suggestive and revealing way. You can pick them out by their dressing. The Bible did not say she was a harlot, but that, she came with the dress of a harlot. If you are a Christian there are certain dresses that you are not supposed to wear. A believer ought to dress decently. If you are not a prostitute but you often dress like one, then you have one of the characteristics of a strange woman.

Strange women often dress in suggestive and revealing ways. It is not only the dress that speaks, but their pose also says volumes. You can immediately see they are after something. If you dare come to church with such a dress, then there is no doubt that you are strange. Some of the dresses expose half of the breasts. But a woman’s breasts are not meant for public display. I know of only two reasons why breasts were made: 1. For breastfeeding, and 2. For husbands to enjoy!

Ladies, always dress decently—do not dress in suggestive or revealing ways! Make-up helps to enhance the beauty of women, but there is a limit. At a point the make-up becomes too much and other messages are loudly sent across.

Every Christian should look beautiful, but we should be careful not to cross the line into “strangeness”. The Bible says temptation shall surely come, but woe to him through whom the temptation comes.

4. A strange woman has had sexual and romantic relationships with a good number of men.

...MANY strong men have been slain by her. Proverbs 7:26

As Christians, we should not just set eyes on people, fall in love and marry them. No! There is more to Christian marriage than love at first sight! During a pastoral visit to New Jersey, I became acquainted with an elderly African-American woman. In her house, she pointed out photographs of her children to me. She said she was blessed with sons who were all preachers. However, she said she had lost one of her sons recently.

She said her son, a pastor in New York had gotten married to this beautiful lady. Before the marriage they had done the AIDS tests, but both were negative. So he went ahead and married the lady. However, some months into the marriage she developed full-blown AIDS, with terrible diarrhoea, weight loss and all the usual symptoms.

This old lady told me how she tried to make her son break up the marriage. He refused, and died a few months after his wife. Dear friend, this pastor married someone who probably had a bad history – a strange woman! And he did not even know it! He paid for it with his life.

Another Christian brother had a beautiful wedding, but later when he was alone at home with his wife, the Spirit of God revealed horrible things about his wife to him. He suddenly realized that she was not what he thought she was. He was shocked to find out that she had slept with many pastors and mighty men.

I am not saying that you should not marry somebody who has a history per se. But you must know about her past life in order to guard yourself. You should remember that a strange person can continue in the same ways even after marriage.

5.A strange woman is striking. You will notice her!

She is loud... Proverbs 7:11

Watch out for ladies you notice. They strike you and you remember them. She who strikes you has also struck many other men. The striking characteristics of this strange woman have made many men come after her like flying insects after a bright light. Strange women are loud and that is why they are noticeable. There are various ways of being loud. It could be verbally or in appearance. You will also notice such people through their loud dressing, giggling and loud laughter.

There is a type of dressing that literally shouts, making all eyes turn to look at you. In the church, there are those you just cannot help but notice. They probably want you to notice them anyway. Do remember, “She who strikes you has already been struck!”

When I was in Achimota School (a secondary school in my country), there were times when we had to walk from the eastern compound to the western compound. On some occasions I had to walk behind a group of girls. I often walked faster and overtook them. But as I walked a few metres ahead of them I would hear them giggling.

I had no idea what they were laughing about. I would often change the way I walked, but the giggling and laughter would only grow louder. After a few of such experiences, any time I saw these girls on the way, I would make no effort to overtake this loud and strange group. Remember that a woman with a meek and quiet spirit is considered precious in the sight of God.

6. A strange woman is stubborn.

She is...stubborn; Proverbs 7:11

Stubbornness is a symptom of witchcraft. A witch is usually stubborn and resistant to advice, instruction and input. She is unbending. She is unyielding and she does not give up. The strange woman syndrome goes along with this landmark symptom of stubbornness! The Bible says the wife should submit to her husband. The word submit means “to yield, bend, agree, or to obey”. A good wife is supposed to yield, but if she is a strange woman, she will be stubborn. God’s order is for the husband to lead, and the woman to follow. But in these days of women’s liberation and the Beijing Conference, you have all sorts of women rising up to fight every established authority!

Dear women, you are not wiser than God. No matter what you think and know, and no matter the theories you come up with, there can be only one head in a home. Any animal with two heads is abnormal and a freak.

A strange woman is a dangerous person to marry. She is stubborn in the church, stubborn at home and stubborn at work. She always has a reason or an excuse for not doing what she ought to do.

Watch out for ladies who cannot be convinced and do not change their minds. Watch out for the unyielding, unbending sisters. You may be dealing with a strange woman. Pharaoh was so stubborn that God had to speak to him through flies, frogs, deaths, tragedies and disasters! You do not need to go through similar experiences. Do not be too hard and do not be too stubborn. These are traits of a strange woman.

7.A strange woman is always going out.

...her feet abide not in her house: Proverbs 7:11

Strange people do not like staying at home. A woman is supposed to be “homely”, to be able to take care of and manage the home.

...that the younger women marry...guide the house... 1 Timothy 5:14

This also means the wife must know how to cook and supervise people in the house. There are some Christian sisters who do not know how to cook, because they are always in church, and are never at home. In fact, it is a tragedy to marry a woman who cannot cook! When your stew is set before you, you will not be able to tell the difference between that and soup! This is often the fate of the men who marry strange women. They are condemned to a life of eating in misery every day. One of the attractions of going home after a hard days’ work is the food at home.

8. A strange woman is a hunter. She wants a man!

Now is she without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.) Proverbs 7:12

When a woman wants a man she is always outside in the streets, lying in wait at every corner for an opportune time to strike. Such women can only be satisfied when they are with one man or another.

…the adulteress will HUNT for the precious life. Proverbs 6:26

In the Proverbs 7 story, the strange woman acts as if she was lying in wait for this particular man. However, if the naive young man refuses her, she will lie in wait for the next man and tell him the same story—as if she was waiting particularly for him.

9. A strange woman loves physical contact.

So she caught him and kissed him... Proverbs 7:13

Strange people like to touch others. They often hug, kiss and press some part of their body against the people they are after. When you are walking with them, they never want to leave you. They always want to hold or hug you.

The strange woman knows that generally, a man can be sexually aroused by sight. She is also aware that a man will find it difficult to resist a woman’s touch. In order to conquer her victim totally she will cause him to yield by touching him. Some Christian brothers and sisters also have the habit of holding on and hanging on to each other. Watch out!

10. A strange woman is bold and unlawfully familiar.

...kissed him...with an impudent face... Proverbs 7:13

The strange woman is very bold and unlawfully familiar with the man she wants to have. Why do you talk to somebody about intimate things, when you are a just an acquaintance?

Strange people try to get close—in fact too close for comfort. Unless you are at a certain level of closeness with the person, you do not even have the right to comment about their hair or body. As soon as you become unlawfully familiar with somebody, you have crossed certain borders. Strange women effortlessly move out of their boundaries.

11. A strange woman is not ashamed.

Now is she without, now in the streets, Proverbs 7:12

She comes out in the open, into the street to solicit, and is not shy or ashamed of her behaviour. I was in Geneva once with one of my associate ministers, and we were talking seriously with a brother in a restaurant. This happened to be near a place where prostitutes lurk, and there was this prostitute who was such a nuisance that we had to usher her out. Initially, she did not want to go out, so we called the police, and eventually she was driven away. Later on we were busy talking, when one of the other prostitutes came along in a coat. She stood right in front of the whole restaurant, and opened up her coat to reveal her stark naked body. This lady had no shame.

Unknown to us, when the first one went out, she told all the other prostitutes that we had sacked her and so this other strange woman had come to taunt us. Strange women have no shame. They have been naked and undressed with many men under many circumstances many times! The strange woman has no shame.

If you are a woman, and you do not mind exposing your body, your breasts, your thighs, or any part of your body, then you are strange! You may think you are being fashionable, but in reality, you are just what the Bible calls strange. Unfortunately, there are born-again Christians who are not ashamed to expose themselves this way.

12. A strange woman is full of deception.

With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him. Proverbs 7: 21

The lies of a strange woman are part of her arsenal. A lie is a window into the darkness of a malignant soul. A lie is a symptom of many hidden evils. A strange man may say to you, “I love you. You are everything to me. Look, I’m going to marry you anyway, so if you love me, show it! I love you, that’s why I want to sleep with you. I just want to express my love for you.” So with these and other such lies, a man can talk his way into your life.

My pastor used to say that if any man tells you he loves you and wants to express his love to you by sleeping with you, tell him he can express his love for you by buying you chocolates! On the other hand, there are women who also flatter men, especially powerful men. Some are very experienced in praising pastors. She will tell you that you are such an anointed man of God. With such seemingly harmless words, a strange woman can work her way into an unsuspecting man of God’s heart.

Faith comes by hearing, so when you continue to hear such words, you will eventually believe and yield.

13. A strange woman appeals to you through food.

I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry... Proverbs 7:16

The word “bed” in the Hebrew is “arsi”, which refers to a dining couch, and not a sleeping bed. She was saying that she had laid the table. So this strange woman was appealing to the young man through food. Such strange people will often invite those they target to eat with them. If you are a young single brother, you may be exposing yourself to such strange people if you just go about eating all over the place.

A pastor visiting his members must remember that his business with them concerns the salvation of their souls. You are not supposed to go around eating from home to home. To some extent the saying is true that, “The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.” Food is good, but it can be used to trap you.

Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye... Proverbs 23:6

Sometimes your stomach can contribute to your fall. As a Christian, a pastor, and a husband, I do not go out to lunch with just anybody. Once, I saw a Christian brother who already had a fiancée, sitting with another lady over a candlelit dinner. I was very surprised, because he was inviting trouble for himself. I really did wonder if he would still marry his fiancée.

14. A strange woman speaks of her interest in sex.

Come, let us TAKE OUR FILL OF LOVE UNTIL THE MORNING... Proverbs 7:18

Many husbands pray that their wives would come up to them and say, “Honey, I want you now!” Some Christian wives could learn a lesson or two from strange women! Many wives are not prepared for sex—or do not want it. So it is an exciting thing for a man to meet a woman who wants to have sex with him. If a woman comes to a man and indicates that she wants to have him, it appeals to him greatly.

15.A strange woman is a stranger.

Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman: That they may keep thee from the strange woman, from THE STRANGER which flattereth with her words. Proverbs 7:4-5

You genuinely do not know much about a strange woman. She is mystical about her past and gives vague answers to all your questions. When you ask her how many men she has slept with she will say “one or two” when in actual fact she has slept with one or two hundred. A strange woman is full of surprises. One secret leads to another. Your life with a strange woman will be a life of discoveries. You will make newer and more discoveries about your partner as the years go by. In the end you will discover you never really knew her. On the night of his engagement a man was told that his wife-to-be was actually a suicide bomber. He did not believe what he was being told. But as he reflected on this shocking information he realized that he knew hardly anything about her. Such is the world of a strange woman. She is indeed a stranger and you cannot know the life she has lived in the past or the world from which she has come.

16. A strange woman loves to appear to be spiritual or religious.

I have peace offerings with me...have I payed my vows. Proverbs 7:14

There are strange women in the most spiritual sections of a church. I once knew a top prayer warrior who was a senior strange woman. By her own count and in her own words, she had slept with over two hundred different boys. And yet this strange girl was the most prayerful sister in the church. People’s apparent spirituality does not mean that their holiness is real. The strange woman said, “I am also a believer.” She was using every means to convince him that she was also a believer—just like him. There are many strange believers in the churches, even the charismatic ones. She said she had paid her tithes.

This was a very cunning strange woman who knew that her victim was a religious person. She knew that she could never come near him unless she behaved like a spiritual person. So she presented herself as someone who was obedient to God’s commands: She had already paid her vows and made her peace with God.

17.A strange woman captivates with her beauty and eyes.

Lust not after her beauty...neither let her take thee with her eyelids. Proverbs 6:25

She is beautiful, and she knows it. A strange woman enhances her beauty in a striking way. You must not allow yourself to be taken in by her eyelids. When you make eye contact with somebody, you can speak to the person. It is a form of communication. That is why I look at peoples’ faces when I am preaching. I am communicating with them. The strange woman, with practice over the years, knows how to effectively communicate her carnal intentions to a man. The Bible warns us not to lust after her. So if you notice that she is beautiful, that should be the end of the story. Do not lust after her beauty! Lust is an animal desire for sexual indulgence.

18. A strange woman is slippery and sly.

...the lips of a strange woman...smoother than oil: ...her ways are moveable... Proverbs 5:3, 6

A strange woman is not straightforward; all her ways are movable and shaky. Ecclesiastes 7:26 says, “I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares and nets...” As a pastor, if you cannot identify the strange women you can easily fall prey to them. There are strange women who come to the pastor with their numerous problems. They are also easily given to tears. If you are not experienced, you will take out your handkerchief and try to comfort her. The strange woman is taking advantage of the pastor’s love and kindness. The Bible says her heart is full of ideas and traps. When you are a young man you sometimes do not know when you are walking in the midst of them. Some ladies come to church and in no time at all, a young man proposes to them. Sadly, many young men are looking for the most beautiful face. A young man can easily fall into these traps, and end up marrying a strange woman. In the same way, Christian ladies are impressed by the outward appearance of strange men, and accept their proposal, only to be taken on a strange tour!

19. A strange woman is attracted to great men.

...many strong men have been slain by her. Proverbs 7:26

Years ago, my pastor friend told me that girls were attracted to important or great men. He said to me, “When you play instruments, stand on stage, or are a leader, you are likely to be an attraction to strange women.” Each classification of great people—pastors, singers, businessmen, heads of states, and so on have their own kind of strange women who are attracted to them. Therefore, if God is raising you up, you must beware of these strange people. It is my prayer that God will deliver you from the snares of strange people!

by Dag Heward-Mills

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iamastrongchristian-blog · 6 years ago

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The Sins of the Daughters

And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

Genesis 3:6

1. The sin of disobedience

Many women fall into ugly sins. These are often difficult to talk about or even mention. Woman, you are loosed from the effect of your past mistakes! When you look around you, you may think that you are the only one. The devil’s plan is to isolate you and make you depressed.

2. The sin of covetousness

Many women fall prey to the sins of jealousy and covetousness. Woman, accept the blessings that God has given to your neighbour. Do not fight it because you cannot win! Gladly attend the wedding of your friend. As you rejoice with her today, people will rejoice with you one day.

Do not be covetous or think that you must have what everybody else has. Women commonly compare lifestyles and clothes. They want their children to attend certain schools because their neighbour’s child does. Woman, be content with your position! When you force yourself to possess things that are not yours you will only turn into a “Jezebel”.

3. The sin of being unequally yoked

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

2 Corinthians 6:14

Some women disobey God and marry unbelievers. But to marry an unbeliever is not the unpardonable sin. The Church must not drive away people who are married to unbelievers. It does not mean that you must not come to church anymore. The fact that you are married to an unbeliever, does not mean you are not a Christian. You are welcome in the church!

The pastor is not the one married to the unbeliever, you are! So don’t be worried. If you have any problems, see your pastor and he will counsel you and pray with you. Woman, the fact that you have made a mistake does not mean you should stay away!

4. The sin of influencing others to do evil

Woman, thou shall not make thy husband sin. Some women prevent their husbands from going to church. The man is the head, but the woman is surely the neck. Woman, you have a lot of influence. Use it wisely! Do not use your influence to make your husband stay away from God.

The Woman Who Made Her Husband Sin

I remember a woman whose husband was willing to donate some money to the church for some instruments. When the man raised up his hand, the woman pulled it down. She stopped him from giving to the Lord. She came up later to lie to the pastors about how stingy the husband was. Woman, do not make your husband sin.

Eve was the woman who made her husband fall into sin.

…and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

Genesis 3:6

Abraham knew how important it was for his son to have the right woman. He knew that she would influence him all the days of his life. He was very specific about whom Isaac could marry.

And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age: and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things. And Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh: And I will make thee swear by the Lord, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell:

But thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son Isaac.

Genesis 24:1-4

Abraham sent his servant Eliezer to look for a wife for his son Isaac. He knew how important it was to have the right kind of wife. So he went the extra mile to get a good wife for his son. Your role in your husband’s life is crucial to the fulfilling of his ministry. You are a very important element in his life. Even if your husband is not saved, you influence him spiritually. Perhaps you are married to an unbeliever; remember what the Scripture says in 1 Corinthians 7:14.

For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.

1 Corinthians 7:14

The Bible teaches that the believer sanctifies the unbeliever. Whatever that means, we know that the believing person has a spiritual influence on the unbeliever. This is the reason why Abraham went so far to get a wife for his son.

5. The sin of destroying God’s creation

And the Lord God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done?

Genesis 3:13

Through a woman, God’s creation was destroyed. God’s lovely creation was greatly deformed and destroyed through the pressure created by a wife. In the end, both she and her husband dwelt in the world that she had destroyed. That is why God asked her, “What is this that thou hast done?”

Woman, do not bring a curse on yourself or your loved ones. Please do not do it! If you hunt for somebody else’s husband, his wife and children may curse you. If you have a child with someone’s husband, you may disrupt a family and even break it up. Woman, do not attract curses into your life.

6. The sin of idle chatting

Woman, do not gossip and spread bad stories about God’s servants. Do not let your gossip and idle chatting destroy people’s faith in God’s servants. Many women speak about things that they shouldn’t speak about.

…they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.

1 Timothy 5:13

7. The sin of the strange woman

Woman, do anything you can to prevent yourself from becoming a curse. Do not become a strange woman. A strange woman is someone who deliberately goes after men. She hunts them down and has sexual affairs with them. She is a destroyer of churches. She comes with an agenda and carries with her a curse! Are you a stalker? Are you a predator of precious lives?

A strange woman brings down many mighty men of God. There are some ladies who specialize in sleeping with pastors.

For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her.

Proverbs 7:26

One of my pastors spoke in fear of a lady who had slept with all the pastors in his town. Woman, please do not be a strange woman. Allow God to use you for a good thing and not for evil. Decide never to be a Delilah to anyone! Woman, please do not bring a curse home with you.

Daughter, you can make it. In spite of all these sins, I see you making it! His grace will see you through.

by Dag Heward-Mills

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iamastrongchristian-blog · 6 years ago

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All about Abigailism

And there was a man in Maon, whose possessions were in Carmel; and the man was very great, and he had three thousand sheep, and a thousand goats: and he was shearing his sheep in Carmel. Now the name of the man was Nabal; and the name of his wife Abigail: and she was a woman of good understanding, and of a beautiful countenance: but the man was churlish and evil in his doings; and he was of the house of Caleb.

1 Samuel 25:2, 3

Abigail was a beautiful woman who was known for her role in curbing her husband’s foolishness. ‘Abigailism’, is the art of practising what Abigail did in order to prevent tragedy from coming to the family.

Abigail’s husband was a man called Nabal. Nabal comes from the Hebrew word “qasheh”, which means “foolishness or churlishness.” It is translated into different words in different parts of the Bible.

Some of these are: roughly, hard, cruel, stiff-necked, stubborn, grievous, obstinate, trouble, hard-hearted and impudent.

Many married women have husbands who fit this description. A woman with direction must use wisdom to co-exist peacefully. She must use the art of Abigailism to have a successful marriage and combine it with a good relationship with God.

Abigailism has six goals. A woman without Abigailism usually achieves one or two of these goals. When you develop the art of Abigailism you will be able to achieve all six goals simultaneously.

by Dag Heward-Mills

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iamastrongchristian-blog · 6 years ago

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Even More Symptoms...

Praying Less

The next symptom of backsliding I want us to consider is praying less. Jesus said, "Pray lest you fall into temptation".

Prayer keeps us from falling away from God. Anybody you spend time talking to becomes close to you. In the same way, any Christian who spends time talking to God will become close to Him. It follows that if you don't spend time praying to God, you will be far from Him.

This is one of the principles that explain how people can have extra-marital affairs. Many of us forget that if you continuously communicate with somebody, he or she becomes close to you.

You can unknowingly fall in love with a man or woman who is not your partner.

Spending time together with somebody makes you close, whether you intend to be close or not. So when a Christian spends less time praying, he is unknowingly moving away from God.

The Day I Met a Strange Woman

When you pray, God gives you strength to overcome temptations. He will strengthen you to do His will and you will not fall away. Many years ago, God knew I was going to experience a serious testing of my Christian faith so He woke me up early in the morning to pray.

Tongues were flowing out of my spirit like a river and I knew something was amiss, so I prayed the more. I laid down on the floor and continued in prayer. As a young Christian I was normally doing an hour a day in prayer, but this time I prayed for over three hours. And that day I met a strange woman.

The Bible tells us about a young man in Proverbs who met a strange woman. I had a similar experience.

And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart.

Proverbs 7:10

I had no idea what this Christian lady had in mind. But that day, I tell you my friend, God delivered me! I believe my deliverance was very much related to the prayer time I had had in the morning. I was very strong. Where did that strength come from? Jesus told His disciples to pray because they might fall into temptation.

The Lord gave me strength through prayer. If you see a Christian who doesn't pray, you are looking at a Christian who will fall into one temptation after another, until he eventually backslides.

Not Being Committed

The next symptom of backsliding I want us to consider is the symptom of not being committed. Anybody who does not want to be committed to a church will ultimately leave that church.

There are countless Christians who are just visiting churches, but are not committed to any of them. These are the 'watching Christians'. They are watching out for how things will turn out by the next month. If they don't feel too happy with the pastor or his sermons, they will move to the next church.

God expects the believer to be like a tree that is planted by the rivers of water. The rivers of water are the powerful, life-changing messages that flow from the pulpit every Sunday. Every Christian must be planted in the house of the Lord. You must have somebody to relate to as your pastor. God created us in a special way so that we are like sheep, who need a shepherd. You need to belong somewhere!

I remember one friend who finally came home after sojourning in Europe for sometime. He didn't want to join this church, or that church. He was just not committed anywhere. He would go here today and there tomorrow. At a point I had to remind him that it is only the devil who goes to and fro according to the Book of Job! An uncommitted Christian is a potential backslider.

Irregular Fellowship

The next symptom is the symptom of having irregular fellowship. I think this is one of the most important symptoms. It is actually one of the most common.

Your heart is supposed to beat at regular intervals. But unfortunately, some people have an irregular heartbeat. This means that when their hearts beat correctly once or twice, it is followed by a mis-timed beat. An irregular heartbeat may be regularly irregular or irregularly irregular. Please try and understand what I am saying.

Are You Irregularly Irregular?

A patient with an irregularly irregular heartbeat is suffering from what is called atrial fibrillation and experiences symptoms like fainting and palpitations. To prevent death such people's hearts need to be stabilized.

Unfortunately, there are many Christians who have this problem of being irregular in their spiritual walk. This irregularity is either regular or irregular. Their church attendance may be regularly (constantly) irregular. (For instance they constantly come to church once or twice a month).

For some, church attendance may be irregularly irregular. For such people their church attendance may be totally unpredictable throughout the year. The pastor cannot predict when they will next be in church. Can you imagine what it would be like if you didn't know when next your heart would beat?

Television and radio sermons cannot substitute regular fellowship. You must have a specific church, which you attend regularly. Observe the irregular Christians. You will notice how they tend to backslide. But the regular feeding of your spirit will keep you from backsliding.

Laziness and Excuses

The next symptom you must watch out for is laziness and excuses

The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.

Proverbs 22:13

The lazy Christian is full of amazing excuses. He would say he couldn't leave his bed because of an imaginary lion in the street. Such a person will not amount to much because anyone who wants to be successful must be prepared to work hard!

Hard Work Breeds Success

When I was in Achimota School I passed with distinction at the ordinary level exams. It didn't just happen. I had to work very hard. While some of the students were playing around, I was studying very hard.

In the third year of my medical schooling I earned another distinction. In preparation for that exam, I didn't sleep in the night for six weeks. I slept in the afternoons between 2p.m. and 6p.m. Then from 6 p.m. till the next day at 2 p.m., I wouldn't sleep. I would go for walks, memorizing and retaining some of the course material.

I remember walking up and down in the 'R' Block of the medical students' hostel, memorizing all sorts of information about worms, flies, and insects: this worm lays so many eggs per minute, that insect flies at this speed per second, it dives at this angle into the water, etc.

When other students were asleep, I was walking behind their rooms memorizing things about worms, crabs, scorpions and every other creature I had to learn about.

When you see somebody succeeding as a Christian, or doing well in any sphere, he must be working hard!

Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.

Proverbs 22:29

All those who are doing well are not magically blessed; their success comes out of working very hard. In the same way, those who are not backsliding are not just miraculously staying on course. They are working hard at their Christian lives!

The Lighthouse Chapel International is doing well because so many different people contribute towards church growth. There are pastors who work very hard and often leave the church premises very late. There are also unpaid volunteers who make great sacrifices of time. It is this great commitment that makes the church work.

Laziness will not take anybody to Heaven. Seest thou a man who is slothful; he can easily go to Hell! It takes hard work to stay on track with God.

Watch the lazy Christians in the church; they are prone to backsliding!

Coldness

Coldness is the next symptom of backsliding I want us to consider.

And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax COLD.

Matthew 24:12

You can detect coldness by first identifying “coolness” in church.

Christian Diplomats

Some Christians are very 'cool' in the house of the Lord. They refuse to be part of jubilant praise and worship. They don't join in shouting or clapping their hands to the Lord.

They just refuse to release themselves in the presence of the Lord. I call these people “Christian diplomats”. To all such people I say: there is no place for diplomacy in Christianity!

If you want God to be attracted to you, then be like King David. David lost all his inhibitions when he danced before the Lord. There was no coolness about the way he danced. In fact, he danced until his clothes fell off!

The backsliding Christian has no joy in expressing himself before the Lord. To him it is a bother to lift up his hands to the Lord, or shout with the voice of triumph. It is amazing that this same "cool" Christian would lose his 'coolness' when his favorite soccer team is playing. He will shout, scream and clap his hands when a goal is scored.

I have noticed that when Christians are backsliding they first become aloof, diplomatic and uninterested. They yawn, look bored and keep glancing at their watches during the service. These are manifestations of what I call “coldness” or “coolness”. Watch out for them; they are sure signs of imminent backsliding.

Foolish Questioning

Foolish questioning is another symptom of backsliding.

But foolish and unlearned questions avoid…they do gender strifes.

2 Timothy 2:23

Someone asked, "Who made God?"

Another person said, "I'll come to church if you can tell me who Cain's wife was" (Referring to Adam and Eve's first son).

The answer to this particular question is very simple. But it is a foolish question anyway. You see, the problem is not who married Cain; the real problem is with your backsliding tendency! You now want to find some reason to doubt the authenticity of the Bible!

You Have the Problem

Others would question "Why are the pastors driving nice cars?" Again, the problem is not with the pastor's car or how much the pastors are being paid. The problem is that you are backsliding and are trying to find some fault with your church. You desperately need to find a reason to justify your actions.

These are foolish questions, a classic symptom of a backsliding Christian. Of course, I am not against the asking of legitimate questions. But there is a difference between a genuine question and a foolish question. Watch out for those who come up with all sorts of criticisms and reviews of the church and its ministers. They often have a hidden motive.

Having No Spiritual Ambition

Another symptom of backsliding is having no spiritual ambition. As a believer if you don't go forward, you will go backwards. If you don't have in you an ambition to press forward in Christ, you will have a problem.

I have noticed that Christians who have no spiritual ambition have the tendency to grow “cold” and eventually fall away. Paul had a vision to keep pressing on.

…but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind…I PRESS toward the mark for the prize of the high calling...

Philippians 3:13, 14

We must forget the good and the bad and press on ahead. We have all had bad and good experiences in our lifetime. But we must forget about them and press forward. Some Christians are hooked on to the past. They tell tales of the great exploits God used them to do in the past.

You cannot just be content with what happened some years ago. What about the present?

What is God using you to do today? The time to minister to others is now.

For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again…

Hebrews 5:12

One thing that has kept me from falling away is my pursuit of spiritual achievements. You must have a spiritual heart, which will propel you to rise up and go ahead to minister to others.

The greatest blessing you can have is to become a blessing yourself. God promised Abraham that He would bless him so much that he would also become a blessing.

I Couldn't Preach

There was a time in my life when I couldn't preach. But I did not stay there. I knelt down before a mature Christian brother and asked him to lay hands on me so I would be able to preach. After that prayer I started preaching. I stood before little groups and began ministering to them.

Maybe you also have the same problem, or you feel very shy to speak in public. Act in faith by speaking the Word with a few people, and you will be surprised at what God can do. It will keep you from backsliding.

A Christian should have the ambition to be useful in God's house. Many people do not wish to be great in God's house. On the contrary, you will be surprised at the number of believers who crave to be millionaires.

They look for all the opportunities to be great in the secular world. However, when it comes to the things of God, they have no drive.

I have always wanted to be a preacher. I listened to and watched other preachers minister. I used to go home from the university to watch videos of preaching. I invested both time and money to achieve my goal. That is why I never backslid.

Pastors! Watch the sheep who have no spiritual drive.

Curiosity

The next symptom of backsliding to notice is the symptom of curiosity.

Curiosity Doesn't Only Kill Cats!

Curiosity, they say killed the cat. But in another sense curiosity also kills many Christians. Some Christians have been deceived by the devil into thinking that they are missing something. So they become curious and want to experiment with these forbidden areas.

Some would say, "I haven't tasted alcohol all my life. I want to know what it feels like to be drunk."

Others would say, "I have never used drugs before and I want to know what it feels like to be 'high'." You may only find out what it is like to be mad! You may acquire what we call marijuana-induced schizophrenia.

I was with my boss in a consulting room at the mental hospital one day when a mother brought in her son. This boy had been experimenting with marijuana.

The Psychiatrist took this young boy on a tour of the mental hospital. There were men in little cubicles making various strange noises. There were special places for very wild and mad men. It reminded me of the zoo.

The Psychiatrist warned this young boy that if he continued experimenting with drugs his curiosity would end him up in this “zoo”! I will never forget that tour.

It is this same kind of curiosity, which led the prodigal son out of his father's house to eat with pigs. What couldn't the prodigal son have had at home? He admitted that his own father's servants had more than enough to eat. He was just curious about what was going on out there.

You will notice men with very beautiful and charming wives, who still chase after other women. Some of these men are just curious. They think there is more to discover.

There is nothing new under the sun. There is nothing new to see. Curiosity killed the backslider!

Murmuring

The next symptom of backsliding is murmuring.

Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

Philippians 2:14

Murmuring means to complain, to grumble, to mumble and to criticize. There are Christians who murmur at home, at work and in church. God is against those who murmur. He was especially displeased with the people of Israel when they murmured against Him and Moses. Some complained and nagged so much that they never made it to the Promised Land.

People who murmur and complain never make it to the Promised Land. In my experience people who murmur and complain often leave their churches and eventually backslide.

When you complain against someone, it is likely that you are angry with the person or that you don't like that person anymore. Those who complain against their governments are often angry with their government. In the same way those who murmur against the church are often angry with God and are ready to leave Him.

Mark those who murmur and complain, because they are potential deserters of the ship.

Approval and Admiration of Evil or Wrongdoers

The next very important symptom is “approval and admiration of wrongdoers”. People usually become attracted to something before they go for it. In the same way, if you approve of somebody who is doing the wrong thing, then you are likely to want to do the same thing yourself.

God expects the Christian to disapprove of evil. Although Saul was Jonathan's father, Jonathan acknowledged that the King, his father, was wrong in trying to kill David. David had done no wrong, but out of jealousy, Saul attempted to kill him.

Jonathan disassociated himself from what his father was doing and associated himself with the right, which was David. That is what a real Christian must do. You must not approve of what is wrong. You must be bold and say, "This is wrong, and that is right!" "And I stand for what is right."

Woe unto them that call evil good…

Isaiah 5:20

You Become What You Admire

From experience I have noticed that if you praise evil, one day you will also commit the same evil. If someone is a rebel and you approve of the person, one day you may also be a rebel. I watch for people who do not condemn the evil going on around them. The christian should never approve of evil.

…Wherein have we wearied him? When ye say, Every one that doeth evil is good…

Malachi 2:17

Watch out for Christians who do not disapprove of evil; they are probably thinking of doing the same thing one day.

Poor Adaptation Reflexes

…How shall we sing the LORD'S song in a strange land?

Psalm 137:4

The children of Israel hung their harps upon the willows when they encountered their new circumstances. They packed up their instruments of praise because they had been carried away as captives.

Adapt Quickly to Your New Circumstances

Christians who find it difficult to adapt to their new circumstances often backslide in their walk with God. They cannot adapt themselves to their new roles as wives, husbands, mothers, fathers and so on. They are simply unable to adapt themselves to their new jobs, new husbands, new wives, new babies and so on.

Sometimes when a Christian relocates to another city, he changes from being a strong and vibrant Christian to being cold and indifferent. He cannot adapt to his new environment.

Why should you turn your back on God because of your new circumstance? Rise up in the name of Jesus! You wanted so much to have a wife, a husband and a job. Now you have it, so adapt quickly to your new circumstance, and do not backslide.

You Can Sing the Lord's Song

The LORD is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.

Psalm 118:14

Notice the relation between “my strength”, “my song” and “my salvation”.

You cannot separate your song from your strength. Neither can you separate your strength from your salvation. They go together. You need to sing the Lord's song whatever you do and wherever you find yourself.

Dear friend, even if you are married to an unbeliever, don't give up your walk with the Lord.

Marriage Can Affect Your Anointing

I once heard a “bachelor” pastor being challenged. He was told, "If you are still anointed after you marry, then you are really called of God." The message was clear! You will have a lot of adapting to do after you get married, otherwise you will backslide!

…and if thou marry…shall have TROUBLE in the flesh…

1 Corinthians 7:28

Nothing comes cheap. It was extremely difficult for me to become a doctor as well as a pastor. When you become a doctor your life changes. Your life becomes totally involved in the condition of your patients. But I had to quickly adapt to my new circumstance in order to continue with the ministry. You can't put the Lord aside just because you have traveled to a new country or to a new school.

The Christian who cannot adapt quickly to his new circumstances is likely to backslide. You must adapt in order to stay alive!

Learn how to identify these things. Do not be ignorant of the devil's devices. Why fall away now that you know the Lord? God has great plans for you; there is no doubt about it. He has plans to bless you, to prosper you and to increase you in this life. Remember, however, that such blessings are not meant to draw you away from God, but to establish your faith and confidence in Him.

Do not let the new circumstances which your blessings may bring cause you to backslide. Develop staying power!

by Dag Heward-Mills

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iamastrongchristian-blog · 6 years ago

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Confessions for Improving Yourself in Prayer

I declare boldly that my spiritual life is taking a new turn!

Prayer is no longer lacking in my life!

I pray on a regular basis!

I pray for at least one-hour everyday!

I speak in tongues on a regular basis!

When I am walking or driving I speak in tongues!

Whenever I pray in tongues, I am edified!

No one understands me, however, in the Spirit I speak mysteries to God!

Because I pray in tongues regularly, I am becoming a mighty spiritual warrior!

My spiritual life is improving at this very moment!

Because I pray regularly, I do not yield to temptation!

There is a great improvement in my prayer life!

I no longer find it difficult to wake up early enough to pray!

I pray the prayer of agreement and I experience results!

I pray for the nation and its leaders. Because of this I live a godly, peaceful, and honest life!

I regularly pray for the kingdom of God to come!

My mind and heart is always on the church of God and its leaders!

I pray for my pastor that God will establish him and have mercy on him!

I ask the Lord for whatever I need and He answers me!

I lack nothing in my life because I have one hundred percent answers to my prayer!

Whenever I pray I forgive those who have wronged me. Because I always forgive them, God is forgiving me everyday!

There is no bitterness in my heart when I pray!

I am definitely improving in my spiritual prayer life!

God delivers me from temptation everyday!

God delivers me from evil all the time!

A thousand are falling on my left and ten thousand on my right hand side, but nothing bad happens to me. This is because I pray that God should deliver me from evil and lead me not into temptation!

I can now pray for several hours. I can pray for one continuous hour. I can pray for two continuous hours. I can pray for three continuous hours. I can pray for four continuous hours. I can pray for five continuous hours. I can pray for six continuous hours. I can pray for seven continuous hours!

God is taking me to higher heights in spiritual things!

I fast on a regular basis because Jesus fasted!

Jesus Christ predicted that we would fast. Because of this I fast regularly!

Just like Apostle Paul, I fast often!

Whenever I fast, I make time to pray!

by Dag Heward-Mills

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iamastrongchristian-blog · 6 years ago

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Practical Claims and Positive Confessions! Introduction

In this chapter, I have simply written down some confessions that you can make. I want you to read these confessions aloud. Read them to yourself or lead others in a group confession. You will find that they inspire and generate great faith. Pastors should feel free to lead their congregations in repeating these words. I have also categorized the confessions into some familiar topics that often need the application of overcoming faith.

God called the things that were not as though they were. This chapter is full of things that may not be the case. It is your duty to call them out as though they are already in existence. This will cause them to come into manifestation.

…even God, who quickeneth the dead, and CALLETH THOSE THINGS WHICH BE NOT AS THOUGH THEY WERE.

Romans 4:17

Remember, you can have what you say! So speak on! Declare it! Proclaim it! You will have what you say.

…HE SHALL HAVE WHATSOEVER HE SAITH.

Mark 11:23

by Dag Heward-Mills

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iamastrongchristian-blog · 6 years ago

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You Don't Need the Aprocrypha, Stay with the Bible!

Apocrypha comes from the Greek word "apokrophos" meaning 'hidden or concealed'. The Apocrypha consists of the books added to the Old Testament that are not considered canonical by Protestants.

Four Reasons Why the Apocrypha Is Not Canonical

1. The Apocrypha abounds in historical and geographical inaccuracies and anachronisms.

2. The Apocrypha teaches doctrines which are false and fosters practices which are at variance with inspired Scripture.

3. The Apocrypha resorts to literary types and displays artificiality of subject matter and styling which is out of keeping with inspired Scripture.

4. The Apocrypha lacks distinctive elements which give genuine Scripture their divine character, such as prophetic power and poetic and religious feeling.15

Most Christians do not know what the Apocrypha is and what it contains so I have decided to include a short summary of its individual books.

A Summary of the Apocrypha

161 Esdras (150 BC)

This book tells about the restoration of the Jews to Palestine after the Babylonian exile. It draws considerably from Chronicles, Ezra and Nehemiah, but the author has added much legendary material. The most interesting item is the story of the three guardsmen. They were debating what was the strongest thing in the world. One said, "Wine." Another, "The king." The third, "Woman and truth." They put these three answers under the king's pillow. When he awoke he required the three men to defend their answers. The unanimous decision was: truth is greatly and supremely strong. Because Zerubabel had given this answer he was allowed to rebuild the temple at Jerusalem.

2 Esdras (AD 100)

Is an apocalyptic work, containing seven visions. Martin Luther was so confused by these visions that he is said to have thrown the book into the Elbe River.

Tobit (Early 2nd century BC)

Is a short novel. Strongly Pharisaic in tone, it emphasizes the Law, clean foods, ceremonial washings, charity, fasting and prayer. It is clearly unscriptural in its statement that almsgiving atones for sin.

Judith (About the middle of 2nd century BC)

Is also fictitious and Pharisaic. The heroine of this novel is Judith, a beautiful Jewish widow. When her city was besieged she took her maid, together with Jewish clean food, and went out to the tent of the attacking general. He was enamored of her beauty and gave her a place in his tent. Fortunately, he had imbibed too freely and sank into a drunken stupor. Judith took his sword and cut off his head. Then she and her maid left the camp, taking his head in their provision bag.

It was hung on the wall of a nearby city and the leaderless Assyrian army was defeated.

Additions to Esther (About 100 BC)

Esther stands alone among the books of the Old Testament in having no mention of God. We are told that Esther and Mordecai fasted but not specifically that they prayed. To compensate for this lack, the additions have long prayers attributed to these two, together with a couple of letters supposedly written by Artaxerxes.

The Wisdom of Solomon (About AD 40)

Was written to keep the Jews from falling into scepticism, materialism, and idolatry. As in Proverbs, Wisdom is personified. There are many noble sentiments expressed in this book.

Ecclesiasticus, or Wisdom of Sirach (about 180 BC)

Shows a high level of religious wisdom, somewhat like the canonical Book of Proverbs. It also contains much practical advice. For instance, on the subject of after-dinner speeches it says (32:8):

"Speak concisely; say much in few words…" "Act like a man who knows more than he says."

And again (33:4): "Prepare what you have to say, and then you will be listened to."

In his sermons John Wesley quotes several times from the Book of Ecclesiasticus. It is still widely used in Anglican circles.

Baruch (About AD 100)

Represents itself as being written by Baruch, the scribe of Jeremiah, in 582 BC. Actually, it is probably trying to interpret the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70.

The book urges the Jews not to revolt again, but to be in submission to the emperor. In spite of this the Bar-Cochba revolution against Roman rule took place soon after, in AD 132-135. The sixth chapter of Baruch contains the so-called "Letter of Jeremiah," with its strong warning against idolatry - probably addressed to Jews in Alexandria, Egypt.

Our Book of Daniel contains 12 chapters. In the first century before Christ a thirteenth chapter was added, the story of Susanna. She was the beautiful wife of a leading Jew in Babylon, to whose house the Jewish elders and judges frequently came. Two of these became enamored of her and tried to seduce her. When she cried out, the two elders said they had found her in the arms of a young man. She was brought to trial. Since there were two witnesses who agreed in their testimony, she was convicted and sentenced to death.

But a young man named Daniel interrupted the proceedings and began to cross-examine the witnesses. He asked each one separately under which tree in the garden they had found Susanna with a lover. When they gave different answers they were put to death and Susanna was saved.

Bel and the Dragon was added at about the same time and called chapter 14 of Daniel. Its main purpose was to show the folly of idolatry. It really contains two stories.

In the first, King Cyrus asked Daniel why he did not worship Bel, since that deity showed his greatness by daily consuming many sheep, together with much flour and oil. So Daniel scattered ashes on the floor of the Temple where the food had been placed that evening. In the morning the king took Daniel in to show him that Bel had eaten all the food during the night. But Daniel showed the king in the ashes on the floor the footprints of the priests and their families who had entered secretly under the table. The priests were slain and the temple destroyed.

The story of the Dragon is just as obviously legendary in character. Along with Tobit, Judith, and Susanna, these stories may be classified as purely Jewish fiction. They have little if any religious value.

The Song of the Three Hebrew Children follows Daniel 3:23 in the Septuagint and the Vulgate. Borrowing heavily from Psalms 148, it is antiphonal like Psalms 136, having 32 times the refrain: "Sing praise to him and greatly exalt him forever."

The Prayer of Manasseh was composed in Maccabean times (2nd century BC)

As the supposed prayer of Manasseh, the wicked king of Judah. It was obviously suggested by the statement in 2 Chronicles 33:19 - "His prayer also, and how God was entreated of him… behold, they are written among the sayings of the seers." Since this prayer is not found in the Bible, some scribe had to make up the deficiency!

1 Maccabees (1st century BC)

Is perhaps the most valuable book in the Apocrypha. It describes the exploits of the three Maccabean brothers - Judas, Jonathan, and Simon. Along with Josephus it is our most important source for the history of this crucial and exciting period in Jewish history.

2 Maccabees (same time)

Is not a sequel to 1 Maccabees, but a parallel account, treating only the victories of Judas Maccabeus. It is generally thought to be more legendary than 1 Maccabees.17

by Dag Heward-Mills

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iamastrongchristian-blog · 6 years ago

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How to Pray With All Kinds of Prayer

Praying always with all [kinds of] prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Ephesians 6:18

There are different kinds of prayer; different strokes for different folks, as they say. There are different types of prayers that must be used for different types of situations. In this life, you will experience a wide variety of situations. Thankfully, God has provided us with a wide variety of prayer types. Let us consider a few of these.

Eight Different Kinds of Prayers

1. The Prayer of Consecration

In this type of prayer you offer yourself to the Lord for His perfect will to be done. God loves His children who want His will to be done.

If you pray this prayer of consecration, God will be more likely to listen to your other prayers. Some people know only “give me, give me, give me” prayers. There are times God is not interested in answering such prayers. He wants to hear a prayer of consecration. Learn to spend hours asking the Lord for His will to be done. Jesus prayed in the garden of Gethsemane for three hours. He had only one prayer topic. He did not pray about seventeen different things.

…and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt. Matthew 26:39

Every Christian must have the prayer of consecration as one of his prayer topics. Pray that God will perform His will in your life. This prayer topic puts all other prayer topics in their right perspective. That is why I mentioned it as the first type of prayer that you need to pray.

2. Praying in the Spirit

But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Jude 20

What is praying in the Spirit? The answer is in the Bible.

For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. 1 Corinthians 14:2

Every Christian can speak to God in mysteries. Praying in tongues is praying in the Spirit. God wants you to pray in tongues. A large percentage of my prayer is prayer “in the Spirit”. I can give you many reasons why you should pray in tongues. One reason is that when you pray in the Spirit, God directs your prayer Himself. He leads you to ask Him for what is necessary. In Acts 2, the Bible says that the Spirit gave them utterance when they spoke in tongues. When the Spirit gives you utterance, it means the Spirit is giving you the words to say. What better deal could you have?

Another important reason why you should pray in the Spirit is that it builds you up. 1 Corinthians 14:4 tells us that he who speaks in an unknown tongue edifies himself. The word edify speaks of charging up yourself in the way a car battery is charged. We all need that regular spiritual charge up.

3. The Prayer of Faith

And the prayer of faith shall save the sick… James 5:15

The prayer of faith is a prayer which has a great expression of faith. In Mark 11:24, the Bible teaches us to believe that we have already received what we prayed for. Believing that you have already received is different from believing that you will receive it one day.

Prayers of faith are especially effective against sickness and disease. As I said earlier, different types of prayer can be used to solve different problems.

4. The Prayer of Confession of Sins

It is important for us to confess our sins on a regular basis. Prayer which does not include prayer for forgiveness is insufficient. We must always ask for mercy. We must pray for it! If we say that we are perfect, we are foolishly deceived.

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 1 John 1:8

5. The Short and Powerful Prayer

And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. Mark 4:36-39

In this Scripture, Jesus found Himself in a crisis situation. He and His disciples were caught up in the middle of a very dangerous storm, and their very lives were being threatened. There was no time to find a quiet place to pray for the hand of God to move on their behalf. He just prayed a short but powerful prayer and the storm ceased!

Also in John 11:41,42, Jesus encountered another situation that demanded an immediate response. He needed a miracle for his family friends. His old pal Lazarus had been dead for four days. Everyone was looking up to him. Could he go away and pray for three hours? The answer is no! He had to pray a short prayer and He needed results immediately. Listen to His prayer:

…And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. John 11:41,42

These types of prayers come in handy when you are faced with a crisis situation. There is no time to retreat and pray. Pray a short and powerful prayer when you need to and believe that God has heard you. After the short and powerful prayer, act boldly just like Jesus did! You will have one hundred per cent results.

6. The Long Prayer

There are times that it is important to spend a long time in prayer. Jesus did this very often.

And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. Luke 6:12 And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed. Mark 1:35

You will notice that in both cases Jesus spent long hours praying. A great while is a long time. All night is also a long time. Develop the art of praying for several hours. Start with one hour and graduate to three hours. Then progress to five and seven hours!

Learn to pray all day and all night long. You will experience one hundred per cent answers to your prayers. There are times you need to spend many hours in prayer.

If Jesus had to pray for long hours, then you will also have to. There are times you do not have to change the prayer topic. You can pray on the same topic for hours. Jesus did it! It is not useless repetition, it is praying like Jesus did.

7. Loud Prayers

Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard that in he feared; Hebrews 5:7

Jesus prayed with strong cries and so can you. There is a difference between meditation and prayer. Some people claim to pray in their minds. What is the difference between praying in your mind and meditation? I think there is no difference! I am not saying that you must always shout when you pray. Ninety per cent of the time you cannot hear me when I am praying. I usually pray very quietly. But there are times I pray with strong cries and tears. It is a dimension you must get into. There are some things that will only happen in your life when you pray like Jesus did.

8. Prayer of Thanksgiving

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

God wants us to give thanks. Apart from the usual “give me, give me, give me” prayers, God would love to hear some other types of prayers. He would love to hear you say “thank you”. Discover the power of thanking the Lord. As you thank Him you will experience many breakthroughs.

Paul and Silas were in jail but they prayed and sang praises at midnight. They gave thanks to God at midnight. Suddenly, there was an earthquake and their chains were broken. This is the power of the prayer of thanksgiving. Even in the midnight of your life, a prayer of thanksgiving is appropriate. There are times in which it will be the most powerful type of prayer you can offer. It is the prayer that leads to earthquakes and broken bands. Move into this type of prayer and experience God’s breakthrough for your life. There is no darkness that can keep you down. There is no “midnight” that can keep you bound when you learn how to give thanks.

It is my prayer that your prayer life will rise into the realm of answered prayer. God is your Father in Heaven. He has to answer your prayers. In fact, He loves to answer your prayers! This is your hour for answers to all your prayers. Indeed, there shall be a performance of all that God has said.

by Dag Heward-Mills

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iamastrongchristian-blog · 6 years ago

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Grow in Your New Life by Reading the Bible Regularly

4 Important Facts about the Bible

1. The Bible is God’s Word to mankind. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. 2 Timothy. 3:16,17

2. God’s Word gives us direction for our lives. The Word of God guides us in what to say, what to do and where to go. All our decisions and actions must be based on this all-important book. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Psalm 119:105

3. The Word of God helps to change our thinking and keeps us from the bad habits of our past like drinking, smoking, premarital and extra-marital sex, the practice of boyfriends/girlfriends, and other sins in our lives. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. Psalm 119:9

4. God’s Word will make you a strong believer. As you feed on the Word you grow in the Lord. Your spirit will grow and you will understand spiritual things. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. Acts 20:32

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirt of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Corinthians 2:14

3 Things You Must Do with the Word of God

1. Desire the Word. Just as babies survive and grow as they feed on milk daily, born-again Christians must survive and grow by daily feeding on the Word of God. As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: 1 Peter 2:2

2. You must have a daily quiet time to read the Bible. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Joshua 1:8

Quiet time is a regular daily time you keep with the Lord. It is a personal, unhurried time in Bible reading and praying. Quiet time is a time that God communicates with you through His word and prayer. In the next chapter I will share with you seven effective ways to have a quiet time.

3. Be determined to be a doer of the Word. As a born-again Chrisitan, you must fully obey every aspect of the Word of God. You must change your life in accordance to whatever the Bible says. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. James 1:22-25

by Dag Heward-Mills

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iamastrongchristian-blog · 6 years ago

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Read Your Bible: Twenty-Nine Reasons Why the Bible Is Superior to Every Other Book

Most people do not understand the uniqueness and superiority of this great book. It is a book like no other book. If someone asks you for the meaning of the word unique, you might as well say it means “Bible”. Unique in the dictionary is defined as: the one and only. It also means: to be different from all others, having no like or equal.

1. THE BIBLE IS SUPERIOR IN THE FACT THAT IT IS THE MOST RELIABLE HISTORIC DOCUMENT OF ALL TIME. When we do not have the original historical document, we must establish how reliable the copies are. This is done in two ways: I. The more identical manuscript copies of the original we have, the more sure we are that the copies reflect what is in the original document. II. The shorter the time interval between the copy and the original, the more sure we are that the copy reflects what is in the original.

“There are more than 5,300 known Greek manuscripts of the New Testament. Add over 10,000 Latin Vulgate and at least 9,300 other early versions (MSS) and we have more than 24,000 manuscripts copies of portions of the New Testament in existence today.” “No other document even begins to approach such numbers and attestation. In comparison, the book “Iliad” by Homer is second to the Bible and it has only 643 manuscripts that still survive. The first complete preserved text of Homer dates from the 13th century.” John Warwick Montgomery says that “To be sceptical of the resultant text of the New Testament books is to allow all of classical antiquity to slip into obscurity, for no documents of the ancient period are as well attested bibliographically as the New Testament.” Sir Frederic G. Kenyon, who was the director and principal librarian of the British Museum says, “…besides number, the manuscripts of the New Testament differ from those of the classical authors, and this time the difference is clear gain. In no other case is the interval of time between the composition of the book and the date of the earliest extant manuscripts so short as in that of the New Testament. The books of the New Testament were written in the latter part of the first century; the earliest extant manuscripts (trifling scraps excepted) are of the fourth century - say from 250 to 300 years later.” “This may sound a considerable interval, but it is nothing to that which parts most of the great classical authors from their earliest manuscripts. We believe that we have in all essentials an accurate text of the seven extant plays of Sophocles; yet the earliest substantial manuscript upon which it is based was written more than 1400 years after the poet’s death.”

Kenyon continues in The Bible and Archaeology: “The interval then between the dates of original composition and the earliest extant evidence becomes so small as to be in fact negligible, and the last foundation for any doubt that the scriptures have come down to us substantially as they were written has now been removed. Both the authenticity and the general integrity of the books of the New Testament may be regarded as finally established.”

2. THE BIBLE IS SUPERIOR TO OTHER BOOKS BECAUSE ARCHAEOLOGY HAS CONSTANTLY CONFIRMED ITS HISTORICAL ACCURACY AND VALIDITY. “Nelson Glueck, the renowned Jewish archaeologist, wrote: “It may be stated categorically that no archaeological discovery has ever controverted a biblical reference.” He continued his assertion of “the almost incredibly accurate historical memory of the Bible, and particularly so when it is fortified by archaeological fact.” William F. Albright, known for his reputation as one of the great archaeologists, states: “There can be no doubt that archaeology has confirmed the substantial historicity of Old Testament tradition.”

Albright adds: “The excessive scepticism shown toward the Bible by important historical schools of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, certain phases of which still appear periodically, has been progressively discredited. Discovery after discovery has established the accuracy of innumerable details, and has brought increased recognition to the value of the Bible as a source of history.”

3. THE BIBLE IS SUPERIOR IN ITS UNITY AND CONTINUITY. Over forty authors wrote sixty-six books over a period of 1,500 years. Many never saw the writings of the others and yet there is no contradiction between any two of them. It is very unlikely, if not impossible, to collect any group of books of any other forty men on any subject and find that they agree, as it is with the Bible.

Nine Facts about the Unity and Continuity of the Bible

1. The Bible was written over a 1,500 years span.

2. The Bible was written over 40 generations.

3. The Bible was written by over 40 authors from every walk of life:

§ Moses, a political leader, trained in the universities of Egypt § Peter, a fisherman § Amos, a herdsman § Joshua, a military general § Nehemiah, a cupbearer § Daniel, a prime minister § Luke, a doctor § Solomon, a king § Matthew, a tax collector § Paul, a rabbi 4. The Bible was written in different places:

§ Moses in the wilderness § Jeremiah in a dungeon § Daniel on a hillside and in a palace § Paul, inside prison walls § Luke, while travelling § John, on the isle of Patmos § Others in the rigors of a military campaign

5. The Bible was written at different times:

§ David in times of war § Solomon in times of peace 6. The Bible was written during different moods:

§ Some writing from the heights of joy and others writing from depths of sorrow and despair 7. The Bible was written on three continents:

§ Asia, Africa and Europe 8. The Bible was written in three languages:

§ Hebrew: The language of the Old Testament. It was called “the language of Judah” in 2 Kings 18:26-28 and in Isaiah 19:18, “the language of Canaan” § Aramaic: This was the “common language” of the Near East until the time of Alexander the Great (6th century BC - 4th century BC) § Greek: The New Testament language. This was the international language at the time of Christ 9. The Bible includes in its subject matter hundreds of controversial subjects. A controversial subject is one, which creates opposing opinion when mentioned or discussed.

Biblical authors spoke on hundreds of controversial subjects with harmony and continuity from Genesis to Revelation. The result is one unfolding story: “God’s redemption of man!”

What F.F. Bruce said about the Bible “Any part of the human body can only be properly explained in reference to the whole body. And any part of the Bible can only be properly explained in reference to the whole Bible.” “The Bible, at first sight, appears to be a collection of literature - mainly Jewish. If we inquire into the circumstance under which the various Biblical documents were written, we find that they were written at intervals over a space of nearly 1400 years.”

“The writers wrote in various lands, from Italy in the west to Mesopotamia and possibly Persia in the east.” “The writers themselves were a heterogeneous number of people, not only separated from each other by hundreds of years and hundreds of miles, but also belonging to the most diverse walks of life. In their ranks we have kings, herdsmen, soldiers, legislators, fishermen, statesmen, courtiers, priests and prophets, a tent-making Rabbi and a Gentile physician, not to speak of others of whom we know nothing apart from the writings they have left us.” “The writings themselves belong to a great variety of literary types. They include history, law (civil, criminal, ethical, ritual, and sanitary), religious poetry, didactic treatises, lyric poetry, parable and allegory, biography, personal correspondence, personal memoirs and diaries.”

4. THE BIBLE IS MORE DISTINCTIVE THAN EVERY OTHER BOOK EVER PUBLISHED. The Bible is superior to other books in its origin, formation, doctrines, principles, claims, moral tone, histories, prophecies, revelation, literature, present redemption and eternal benefits.

5. UNLIKE OTHER BOOKS PUBLISHED, THE BIBLE HAS A VAST INFLUENCE IN THIS WORLD. The Bible has blessed millions of people of every generation. The Bible has contributed to the creation of the greatest civilizations on earth. It has given man the highest hope and destiny.

6. THE WISEST MOST GODLY AND HONEST MEN IN THIS WORLD ACKNOWLEDGE THE BIBLE AS THE WORD OF GOD.

Only infidels and ungodly people reject the Bible. 7. UNLIKE MANY OTHER BOOKS, THE BIBLE WAS WRITTEN BY HONEST AND GODLY MEN.

This is because it condemns all sin and records the sins and faults of its writers as well as others. This is something evil men would not do. Even good men would not do this unless they were inspired to do so to help others. 8. THE BIBLE MEETS ALL THE NEEDS OF MANKIND.

All man’s present and eternal needs are met by the Bible.

9. THE BIBLE HAS BEEN PRESERVED THROUGH THE AGES.

Whole kingdoms and religions have sought in vain to destroy it. God has made the Bible indestructible and victorious. 10. THE BIBLE IS SUPERIOR TO OTHER BOOKS BECAUSE THE HEAVENLY AND ETERNAL CHARACTER OF ITS CONTENTS PROVE IT TO BE OF GOD.

11. THE PREACHING OF THE BIBLE CHANGES THE LIVES OF PEOPLE. The response of humanity to this great book shows that it is of a supernatural and superior nature.

12. THE BIBLE IS SUPERIOR IN ITS INFINITE DEPTHS AND LOFTY IDEALS.

13. THE BIBLE STANDS OUT IN SUPREMACY BY THE UNBELIEVABLE NUMBER OF PROPHECIES THAT IT CONTAINS. About three thousand three hundred prophecies have been fulfilled. Predictions made hundreds and even thousands of years earlier have been fulfilled. Not one detail has failed yet. About 2,908 verses are being fulfilled or will be fulfilled.

14. THE BIBLE IS SUPERIOR IN ITS MIRACULOUS NATURE. Hundreds of miracles are recorded in the scriptures. Miracles happen daily among those who pray and claim Bible promises.

15. THE BIBLE IS ALONE IN ITS FLAWLESSNESS. The Bible is scientifically and historically correct. No one man has found the Bible at fault in any of its many hundreds of statements of history, astronomy, botany, geology, geography or any other branch of learning.

16. THE BIBLE IS SUPERIOR IN ITS ADAPTABILITY. The Bible is always up to date on every subject. It can be applied to the lives of people who live in Africa, Asia, Europe or America. It was useful to people who lived a thousand years ago and it is still relevant to the people who live in the twenty first century.

17. THE BIBLE IS SUPERIOR IN ITS MORAL AND SPIRITUAL POWER. It meets perfectly every spiritual and moral need of man.

18. THE BIBLE IS SUPERIOR IN ITS DOCTRINES. The doctrines of the Bible surpass all human ideas or principles of relationships, religion and culture.

19. THE BIBLE IS SUPERIOR BECAUSE IT CLAIMS TO BE THE WORD OF GOD. Over three thousand eight hundred times, Bible writers claimed that God spoke what they wrote. In other words, the Bible itself claims to be the Word of God.

20. THE BIBLE IS SUPERIOR IN SECULAR HISTORY. Many pagan, Jewish and Christian writers confirm the facts of the Bible. They actually quote the Bible as being genuine, authentic and inspired of God.

21. THE BIBLE IS SUPERIOR IN ITS WORLDWIDE CIRCULATION.

Most authors have their books circulated within communities. You will be surprised to find that many authors who are very popular are not known at all in other parts of the world. Not so with the Bible! ”The Bible has been read by more people and published in more languages than any other book. There have been more copies produced of its entirety and more portions and selections than any other book in history. Some will argue that in a designated month or year more of a certain book was sold. However, over all there is absolutely no book that reaches or even begins to compare to the circulation of the Scriptures.”

What HY Pickering said about the Bible

Hy Pickering said that about 30 years ago, for the British and Foreign Bible Society to meet its demands, it had to publish: “One copy every three seconds day and night, 22 copies every minute day and night, 1,369 copies every hour day and night, 32,876 copies every day in the year.” It is deeply interesting to know that this amazing number of Bibles was dispatched to various parts of the world in 4,583 cases weighing 490 tons!

22. THE BIBLE IS SUPERIOR IN ITS WORLDWIDE TRANSLATIONS. The Bible was one of the first major books translated (Septuagint: Greek translation of the Hebrew Old Testament, ca 250 BC). It has been translated and retranslated and paraphrased more than any other book in existence. Encyclopaedia Britannica says, “By 1966 the whole Bible had appeared… in 240 languages and dialects… one or more whole books of the Bible in 739 additional ones, a total publication of 1,280 languages.” Three thousand Bible translators between 1950-1960 were at work translating the Scriptures. The Bible factually stands unique (“one of a kind; alone in its class”) in its translation.

23. THE BIBLE IS SUPERIOR IN ITS CONTINUED EXISTENCE THROUGH THE YEARS. Being written on material that perishes, having to be copied and recopied for hundreds of years before the invention of the printing press, did not diminish its style, correctness or existence. The Bible, compared with other ancient writings, has more manuscript evidence than any 10 pieces of classical literature combined. What John Warwick Montgomery said about the Bible “To be sceptical of the resultant text of the New Testament books is to allow all of classical antiquity to slip into obscurity, for no documents of the ancient period are as well attested bibliographically as the New Testament.” What John Lea said about the Bible John Lea in The Greatest Book in the World compared the Bible with Shakespeare’s writings. He had this to say: “It seems strange that the text of Shakespeare, which has been in existence less than two hundred and eight years, should be far more uncertain and corrupt than that of the New Testament, now over eighteen centuries old, during nearly fifteen of which it existed only in manuscript. …With perhaps a dozen or twenty exceptions, the text of every verse in the New Testament may be said to be so far settled by general consent of scholars, that any dispute as to its readings must relate rather to the interpretation of the words than to any doubts respecting the words themselves. But in everyone of Shakespeare’s thirty seven plays there are probably a hundred readings still in dispute, a large portion of which materially affects the meaning of the passages in which they occur.”

24. THE BIBLE IS SUPERIOR IN ITS ABILITY TO SURVIVE PERSECUTION. What Sidney Collett said about the Bible Voltaire, the noted French infidel who died in 1778, said that in one hundred years from his time Christianity would be swept from existence and passed into history. But what has happened? Voltaire has passed into history, while the circulation of the Bible continues to increase in almost all parts of the world, carrying blessing wherever it goes. Concerning the boast of Voltaire on the extinction of Christianity and the Bible in 100 years, Geisler and Nix point out that “only fifty years after his death the Geneva Bible Society used his press and house to produce stacks of Bibles.” What an irony of history! In AD 303, Diocletian issued an edict (Cambridge History of the Bible, Cambridge University Press, 1963) to stop Christians from worshipping and to destroy their Scriptures. “…An imperial letter was everywhere promulgated, ordering the razing of the churches to the ground and the destruction by fire of the Scriptures, and proclaiming that those who held high positions would lose all civil rights while those in households, if they persisted in the profession of Christianity, would be deprived of their liberty.” The historic irony of the above edict to destroy the Bible is that Eusebius records an edict given 25 years later by Constantine, the emperor of Diocletian, that 50 copies of the Scriptures should be prepared at the expense of the government.

25. THE BIBLE IS SUPERIOR IN ITS ABILITY TO ENDURE CRITICISM. What H.L. Hastings said about the Bible H.L. Hastings has forcibly illustrated the unique way the Bible has withstood the attacks of infidels and sceptics. “Infidels for eighteen hundred years have been refuting and overthrowing this book, and yet it stands today as solid as a rock. Its circulation increases, and it is more loved and cherished and read today than ever before. Infidels, with all their assaults, make about as much impression on this book as a man with a tack hammer would on the Pyramids of Egypt. When the French monarch proposed the persecution of the Christians in his dominion, an old statesman and warrior said to him, “Sire, the church of God is an anvil that has worn out many hammers.” So the hammers of infidels have been pecking away at this book for ages, but the hammers are worn out, and the anvil still endures. If this book had not been the book of God, men would have destroyed it long ago. Emperors and popes, kings and priests, princes and rulers have all tried their hand at it; they die and the book still lives.” What Bernard Ramm said about the Bible “A thousand times over, the death knell of the Bible has been sounded, the funeral procession formed, the inscription cut on the tombstone, and committal read. But somehow the corpse never stays put. No other book has been so chopped, knifed, sifted, scrutinized, and vilified. What book on philosophy or religion or psychology or belles letters of classical or modern times has been the subject to such a mass attack as the Bible? With such venom and scepticism? With such thoroughness and erudition? Upon every chapter, line and tenet? The Bible is still loved by millions, read by millions, and studied by millions.”

26. THE BIBLE IS SUPERIOR IN THE NATURE OF ITS PROPHECIES. Wilbur Smith who compiled a personal library of 25,000 volumes writes: “It is the only volume ever produced by man, or a group of men in which is to be found a large body of prophecies relating to individual nations, to Israel, to all the peoples of the earth, to certain cities, and to the coming of One who was to be the Messiah; The ancient world had many different devices for determining the future, known as divination, but not in the entire gamut of Greek and Latin literature, even though they use the words prophet and prophecy, can we find any real specific prophecy of a great historic event to come in the distant future, nor any prophecy of a Saviour to arise in the human race. “Mohammedanism cannot point to any prophecies of the coming of Mohammed uttered hundreds of years before his birth. Neither can the founders of any cult in this country rightly identify any ancient text specifically foretelling their appearance.” 27. THE BIBLE IS SUPERIOR IN ITS HONESTY. The Bible deals very frankly with the sins of its characters. Read the biographies today, and see how they try to cover up, overlook or ignore the shady side of people. Take the great literary geniuses; most are painted as saints. The Bible does not do it that way. It simply tells it like it is.

28. THE BIBLE IS SUPERIOR IN ITS INFLUENCE ON SURROUNDING LITERATURE. What Cleland B. McAfee said about the Bible Cleland B. McAfee writes in The Greatest English Classic: ”If every Bible in any considerable city were destroyed, the Book could be restored in all its essential parts from the quotations on the shelves of the city public library. There are works, covering almost all the great literary writers, devoted especially to showing how much the Bible has influenced them.” What Kenneth Scott Latourette Said about Jesus Kenneth Scott Latourette, former Yale historian, says: “It is evidence of His importance, of the effect that He has had upon history and presumably, of the baffling mystery of His being that no other life ever lived on this planet has evoked so huge a volume of literature among so many peoples and languages, and that, far from ebbing, the flood continues to mount.” A professor once remarked: “If you are an intelligent person, you will read the one book that has drawn more attention than any other, if you are searching for the truth!”

29. THE BIBLE IS SUPERIOR BECAUSE IT HAS SET UNUSUAL RECORDS. i. The Bible is the first religious book to be taken into outer space. ii. It is also one of the (if not the) most expensive books. Gutenberg’s Latin Vulgate Bible sold for over $100,000. The Russians sold the Codex Sinaiticus (an early copy of the Bible) to England for $510,000. iii. The longest telegram in the world was the Revised Standard Version of the New Testament sent from New York to Chicago.

by Dag Heward-Mills

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iamastrongchristian-blog · 6 years ago

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Prophetic Warnings against Forgetting God and Not Tithing

After the law was given by Moses, the children of Israel went right ahead and broke most of these laws. The prophetic books contain so many warnings of impending judgement that you get the impression that God just wants to kill, punish and burn His people.

This is an unfortunate impression that many people have of the Lord. How would you feel if you provided everything for your children who then referred to someone else as the source of all that they have? How would you feel if you were constantly forgotten and forsaken by the very ones you had blessed so much?

The following prophetic pronouncements were made against the children of Israel because they forgot the source of their blessing. The Lord showed them how He had provided their silver, gold, grain and wine. Yet they did not even know it or acknowledge it. Their gratitude was directed towards false gods who had nothing to do with their prosperity. Notice the severe punishment determined for people who forget the source of their blessings. Three prophets, Hosea, Jeremiah and Isaiah, warn the people not to forget the source of their blessings.

This is a warning that applies to us today. The Christians of today have experienced a level of prosperity and provision that no other generation has enjoyed. And yet Christians today have forgotten their God and the source of their blessings. It is time to return to God. It is time to honour the Lord for all that He has given us. If we indeed refuse to become grateful, tithing Christians we will fall into the same curses that the Israelite nation fell into. Notice the warnings of these three prophets. These are also warnings to this generation of believers.

1. The Prophetic Warnings of Hosea to Prosperous Believers FOR SHE DOES NOT KNOW THAT IT WAS I WHO GAVE HER THE GRAIN, THE NEW WINE AND THE OIL, AND LAVISHED ON HER SILVER AND GOLD, WHICH THEY USED FOR BAAL. THEREFORE, I WILL TAKE BACK MY GRAIN AT HARVEST TIME AND MY NEW WINE IN ITS SEASON. I will also take away My wool and My flax given to cover her nakedness. And then I will uncover her lewdness in the sight of her lovers, and no one will rescue her out of My hand. I will also put an end to all her gaiety, her feasts, her new moons, her sabbaths And all her festal assemblies. I will destroy her vines and fig trees, of which she said, 'These are my wages which my lovers have given me.' And I will make them a forest, and the beasts of the field will devour them. I will punish her for the days of the Baals when she used to offer sacrifices to them and adorn herself with her earrings and jewelry, and follow her lovers, so that SHE FORGOT ME," DECLARES THE LORD. Hosea 2:8-13 (NASB)

2. The Prophetic Warnings of Jeremiah to Forgetful Believers SURELY AS A WIFE TREACHEROUSLY DEPARTETH FROM HER HUSBAND, SO HAVE YE DEALT TREACHEROUSLY WITH ME, O house of Israel, saith the LORD.A voice was heard upon the high places, weeping and supplications of the children of Israel: for they have perverted their way, AND THEY HAVE FORGOTTEN THE LORD THEIR GOD. Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings. Behold, we come unto thee; for thou art the LORD our God. Jeremiah 3:20-22

3. The Prophetic Warnings of Isaiah for the People to Bring their Offerings to the Lord Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. The beast of the field shall honour me, the dragons and the owls: because I give waters in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen. This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise. BUT THOU HAST NOT CALLED UPON ME, O JACOB; BUT THOU HAST BEEN WEARY OF ME, O ISRAEL. THOU HAST NOT BROUGHT ME THE SMALL CATTLE OF THY BURNT OFFERINGS; NEITHER HAST THOU HONOURED ME WITH THY SACRIFICES. I have not caused thee to serve with an offering, nor wearied thee with incense. Thou hast bought me no sweet cane with money, neither hast thou filled me with the fat of thy sacrifices: but thou hast made me to serve with thy sins, thou hast wearied me with thine iniquities. Isaiah 43:19-24

by Dag Heward-Mills

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iamastrongchristian-blog · 6 years ago

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It is a Great Thing to Serve the Lord: You Will Serve and He Will Bless

1. It is a great thing to serve the Lord because YOU SHALL SERVE AND HE SHALL BLESS YOUR BREAD AND YOUR WATER. God gives diverse blessings to those who serve Him. The blessing on your bread and water results in sickness being taken away from you. God heals those who serve Him. God blesses them with healing. Expect to be healed because you are His servant. Your healing is an important blessing for serving the Lord. The contract is clear; you shall serve and He shall bless!

AND YE SHALL SERVE THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND HE SHALL BLESS thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee. There shall nothing cast their young, nor be barren, in thy land: the number of thy days I will fulfil. Exodus 23:25-26

Serving God is a blessing for you. “You shall serve the Lord your God, and He shall bless”. I want you to remember this phrase: And YE SHALL SERVE the Lord your God, and HE SHALL BLESS��! And YE SHALL SERVE the Lord your God, and HE SHALL BLESS…! And YE SHALL SERVE the Lord your God, and HE SHALL BLESS…! And YE SHALL SERVE the Lord your God, and HE SHALL BLESS…! And YE SHALL SERVE the Lord your God, and HE SHALL BLESS …! And YE SHALL SERVE the Lord your God, and HE SHALL BLESS…! And YE SHALL SERVE the Lord your God, and HE SHALL BLESS…!

To be called to serve God is to be called for a blessing. Stop thinking about what you can do for God. There is nothing that you can do for Him. Lift up your eyes and see the blessings that await those who serve the living God. God actually likes it when people expect blessings because they serve Him. 2. It is a great thing to serve the Lord because YOU SHALL SERVE AND HE SHALL BLESS: THERE WILL BE NO BARRENNESS AMONGST YOU.

And YE SHALL SERVE THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND HE SHALL BLESS thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee. THERE SHALL NOTHING CAST THEIR YOUNG, NOR BE BARREN, in thy land: the number of thy days I will fulfil. Exodus 23:25-26

Expect to have no barrenness in your midst. The blessing of having children is released abundantly in your life because you are His servant. Whatever causes barrenness in your life is destroyed today in the name of Jesus! When you pray, call on God and expect a miracle because you are a servant of God. God is with you and He will answer all your prayers. This is one of the divine blessings for serving the Lord.

I want you to remember this phrase: And YE SHALL SERVE the Lord your God, and HE SHALL BLESS…! And YE SHALL SERVE the Lord your God, and HE SHALL BLESS…! And YE SHALL SERVE the Lord your God, and HE SHALL BLESS…! And YE SHALL SERVE the Lord your God, and HE SHALL BLESS…! And YE SHALL SERVE the Lord your God, and HE SHALL BLESS …! And YE SHALL SERVE the Lord your God, and HE SHALL BLESS…! And YE SHALL SERVE the Lord your God, and HE SHALL BLESS…! 3. It is a great thing to serve the Lord because YOU SHALL SERVE AND HE SHALL BLESS: YOU WILL LIVE LONG.

And YE SHALL SERVE THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND HE SHALL BLESS thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee. There shall nothing cast their young, nor be barren, in thy land: THE NUMBER OF THY DAYS I WILL FULFIL. Exodus 23:25-26

You are going to serve the Lord and He is going to bless you with long life. Do not expect to die anytime soon. You will live to between eighty and one hundred and twenty years. You will be strong and healthy throughout your life. You will never be on admission in the hospital and you will never be put on a drip. God will take care of you because you are His servant. He will cause you to fulfil the dream of long life. Even though there are many evil things that are cutting men’s lives short, your life will be spared. Being a servant of God is no small thing. Remember: And YE SHALL SERVE the Lord your God, and HE SHALL BLESS…! And YE SHALL SERVE the Lord your God, and HE SHALL BLESS…! And YE SHALL SERVE the Lord your God, and HE SHALL BLESS…! And YE SHALL SERVE the Lord your God, and HE SHALL BLESS…! 4. It is a great thing to serve the Lord because YOU SHALL SERVE AND HE SHALL BLESS: THE BLESSING OF THE LORD WILL CAUSE YOU TO BECOME A BLESSING TO OTHERS. Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; AND THOU SHALT BE A BLESSING: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. Genesis 12:1-3

You shall serve and He shall bless! As Abraham served God, God blessed him. God blessed him so much that he became a blessing. Abraham, the servant of God, became a blessing! The greatest benefit of being blessed is to become a blessing. You are in a far better position in society if you are able to give a car to someone. Receiving a car is a great blessing. But being able to give a car is an even greater blessing! To receive a house is indeed a blessing. If you are ever able to give someone a house, you must indeed be a really blessed person. Only blessed people are able to give. God is changing your situation! Instead of opening your mouth wide like a newly born sparrow to only receive, God is turning things around. You are becoming a giver by the blessings of the Lord. If you do not have much, you simply cannot give.

5. It is a great thing to serve the Lord because YOU SHALL SERVE AND HE SHALL BLESS: BLESSINGS WILL COME ON YOU AND OVERTAKE YOU.

And it shall come to pass, if THOU SHALT HEARKEN DILIGENTLY UNTO THE VOICE OF THE LORD THY GOD, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy GOD WILL SET THEE ON HIGH ABOVE ALL NATIONS OF THE EARTH: And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God. Deuteronomy 28:1-2

You shall serve the Lord and He shall bless. As you obey His words and become His servant, expect many blessings to be upon you. He will set you on high! He will promote you! You will be above all your colleagues and contemporaries, just because you are a servant of God. So many blessings are determined for God’s servants who are resolute about obeying His voice and serving Him. What an honour it is to be a servant of God! You will be lifted on high above all your colleagues. Divine promotion is coming your way because you are a servant of God. Kings shall come to your rising because you are a servant of God.

by Dag Heward-Mills

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