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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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PILOT FISH

DUMPED BY DEMAS: PILOT FISH

“Only Luke is with me…” ~ II Timothy 4:11   REFERENCE: II Timothy 4:9-16   If you have sailed far out on an ocean, you may have seen a shark tailing your ship. A school of smaller fish (dark grey or deep blue with white stripes) often accompany the shark, called Pilot fish. They hang around the shark and feed off the parasites on it and its leftover meals. The pilot fish has a mutual relationship with sharks; the pilot fish is protected from predators, while the shark is relieved from parasites. No matter how hungry the shark is, it will...
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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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