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BAD DREAMS ARE NOT FATAL

“So, the LORD relented concerning this. “It shall not be, said the LORD.” ~ Amos 7:1   REFERENCE: Amos 7:1-3   Our fallen nature makes us quick to read negative meanings to things that don’t instantly signify good. It is the same approach many have to their dreams, especially bad ones; they conclude that they are doomed, evil will befall them, and satan (or God) is out to kill them. ‘Ministries’ are built on these fears, which make people run to and fro, seeking interpreters of dreams. God intended to punish Israel; He showed Amos a vision of locusts He formed as...
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KINDNESS

A COVENANT OF KINDNESS

“So, David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father’s sake, and will restore to you all the land of Saul your grandfather; and you shall eat bread at my table continually.” – 2 Samuel 9:1   REFERENCE: 2 Samuel 9:1-10   A beautiful bond of friendship existed between David and Jonathan. I Sam 18:1 says, “The soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.” He further made a covenant of friendship and kindness with David; he stripped himself of his robe,...
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BETHEL THEN OR BETHEL NOW?

“But do not seek Bethel, nor enter Gilgal, nor pass over to Beersheba; for Gilgal shall surely go into captivity, and Bethel shall come to nothing.” ~ Amos 5:5   REFERENCE: Amos 5:4-7   Bethel had a rich history; Abraham pitched his tent there (Gen 12:8) and later called on the name of the Lord there (Gen 13:3-4). Years later, it got its spiritual significance and name (Bethel was formerly called Luz) when Jacob had a vision of a ladder reaching from earth to heaven with angels ascending and descending it. Jacob said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the...
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THAT IS NOT WHO YOU ARE: IDENTITY LOST

“And He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?” ~ Genesis 3:4   REFERENCE: Genesis 3:4-11   Satan’s most effective weapon is corrupting a person’s sense of identity. If he can make you see yourself less than as God sees you, he can keep you perpetually defeated. Your identity matters so much that God had to make you in His image; He wants you to see yourself as ‘Daddy’s son or daughter.’ God’s image is your divine robe. Hence, satan likes to ‘disrobe’ God’s children. Adam...
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THAT IS NOT WHO YOU ARE: PEER PRESSURE

“…your former friends will be very surprised when you don’t eagerly join them anymore in the wicked things they do, and they will laugh at you in contempt and scorn.” ~ I Peter 4:4 (TLB) REFERENCE: I Peter 4:1-5 (TLB) A gospel singer once sang, “Living in a modern world is not an easy thing to do; imagination rules the heart.” The world exerts much pressure to compromise on today’s Christian. The change in the world’s social make-up is happening at the speed of light; things that were once taboos are now widely accepted, and trying to oppose them will earn you the...
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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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