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THAT IS NOT WHO YOU ARE

“But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.” ~ Matthew 5:44 REFERENCE: Matthew 5:43-48 The sermon on the mount is believed to be the greatest ever spoken by any man. It is Jesus’ longest recorded sermon; it teaches practical Christianity and good human relations. His teaching was counterculture: He said there is blessedness in desiring God, showing mercy, mourning, meekness, etc. He redefined sin as a state of the heart, not just an act. He said harboring anger...
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A GOOD FINISH

“Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the evening and the morning were the sixth day.” – Genesis 1:31   REFERENCE: GENESIS 1:27-31   God finished the work of creation in six days; when He looked at everything He did, it was good and satisfactory. Everything He started on day one, He brought to a good finish on day six. There was nothing He forgot to do or wished He could have done. Everything was perfect – light, the sun, moon, stars, mountains, vegetation, the animal kingdom, the firmament, and man. Six days were sufficient...
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PETER’S PRISON BREAK

“…and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, “Arise quickly!” And his chains fell off his hands” – Acts 12:7b   REFERENCE: ACTS 12:5-11   Herod’s harassing hand eventually reached Peter and kept him locked up in prison. A prison represents bondage, limitation, and loneliness. In addition to these, Peter had a death sentence hanging over his head; Herod planned to move him from prison to the executioner. It is satan’s modus operandi: steal, kill and destroy. He begins with bondage, a little pain, depression, fear, negative thoughts or words, or an addiction, but the ultimate goal...
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WHAT YOU PERMIT WILL PERSIST

“…and because he (Herod) saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also.” – Acts 12:3   REFERENCE: ACTS 12:1-5   Herod beheaded James and proceeded to take Peter; the illusion that the 12 apostles enjoyed 'unique' protection was shattered. Satan takes no prisoners and has no sacred cows; he comes for whoever is ‘exposed.’ Over the years, he has employed various agents to trouble God’s people: Pharaoh, Haman, Sanballat, Saul, Pharisees, Sennacherib, etc. They were all just satan’s tools, and today there are still many harassing hands stretched out against God’s people. Satan will use a pen, phone,...
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HEROD’S HARASSING HAND

“…and because he (Herod) saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also.” – Acts 12:3   REFERENCE: ACTS 12:1-4   Herod Agrippa was an enemy of the Church. History reveals that he was a self-seeking king who loved popularity and courted the favor of the Jewish people. Hence, he attacked the Church, a threat to Judaism at the time, to score some points with the Jews. Different versions describe what Herod did to the Church differently; ERV says, “King Herod began to do harm to some of those…of the church,” while the Passion translation says, “King Herod incited persecution against the church,...
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praise

CONTINUAL PRAISE

“I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” – Psalm 34:1   REFERENCE: Psalm 34:1-6   We have journeyed quite far into the year. This time comes with mixed feelings for different people. Some people are counting their wins or mourning their alleged losses, and some regret delayed hopes. What they do have in common, however, is life – life to count wins, mourn losses, or smart over delays. Life is our greatest achievement; it is God’s best gift to us. The Living Bible in Psalm 34:1 says, “I will praise the Lord no...
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DUMPED BY DEMAS: WHO IS LEFT?

“Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry.” ~ II Timothy 4:11   REFERENCE: II Timothy 4:5-11   When people walk out on you, their exit seemingly spells doom for your life, mission, ministry, or business. They seem to leave with your investments of time, training, and emotions in them. They understand the culture, and play a vital role in your system. They know what makes you tick. It is as if a part of you is gone, and moving on beyond that point looks quite daunting. Demas dumped Paul,...
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FAULT

DUMPED BY DEMAS: IT’S NOT YOUR FAULT

“For Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica…” ~ II Timothy 4:10   REFERENCE: II Timothy 4:5-11   Demas was on Apostle Paul’s missionary team both as a friend and a co-laborer (Philem 1:24). They must have done so much together for God’s kingdom – traveling, ministering, and sharing meals. However, Paul woke up one day to Demas’ goodbye note on his bedside drawer, “Fed up. Gone to Thessalonica…In search of new things.” This ‘desertion’ stung Paul deep; it came unexpectedly. Why would anyone want to leave the ministry or tutelage of Apostle Paul? He was...
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HUSBAND

A HUSBAND’S PLEA

“Now Isaac pleaded with the LORD for his wife, because she was barren; and the LORD granted his plea, and Rebekah his wife conceived.” ~ Genesis 25:21   REFERENCE: Genesis 25:19-23   Isaac was one man whom the bible gives a detailed account of his finding a wife and marriage. His father, Abraham, sent his servant under oath on an expedition to find a wife for Isaac. Miraculous coincidences, answers to prayers, and divine favor marked this journey. Everything pointed to the fact that Rebekah was God’s appointed wife for Isaac and the future mother of his children. Sadly, like her...
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PROPHESY

PROPHESY AND SAY

“Again He said to me, Prophesy to these bones and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of the LORD.” –Ezekiel 37:4    REFERENCE: Ezekiel 37:1-14   We may not know it, but as God’s children, our deliverance is often in our mouths. Jesus said, “Whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.” Scripture reveals that all things are created by the spoken word of God and respond to it. The fig tree...
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