R.D SOUZA Saved by faith

It is not easy to be Christian in tough times

Acts 4:29 - And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy 
servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,

When everything is well it is very easy to worship and witness the 
Kingdom of God but when there is opposition and oppression that comes 
our way then most Christians take the back seat and there are very few 
who dare to come out in the open and witness the Kingdom of God.

In today's message we see the Apostles too faced threat from the Jewish 
authorities telling them to restrain from preaching about Jesus Christ. 
This happens after they healed a person of about 40years who was born 
with disability of the lower limbs, yet this man was able to walk on 
these feeble feet. This great miracle drew many to listen to the Gospel 
of Jesus Christ and this caused the Jewish authorities to act against 
the Apostles. Since the Apostles Peter and John had support of the 
physical evidence of healing which was before the Jewish authorities and 
of the people who witnessed it, the Jewish authorities could not take 
action against the Apostles but released them after threaten them.

Fear comes due to lack of faith and lack of faith is due to lack of 
knowledge, understanding or boldness and also a person lacks faith when 
he or she is blinded in lust or under deceit. The Apostles were baptized 
in the Holy Spirit and had received the foundational understanding of 
the Kingdom of God (since Jesus had already given them the knowledge and 
through the Holy Spirit they understood it). Also note they had just 
experienced that which was done to their leader and now the same people 
threatened them too so this was not easy for them that is why they were 
disturbed. At this time they did not hide or go underground but prayed 
for boldness to preach. And we see the Lord answered the prayer of the 
people (Christians), that too with a manifestation of the place shaking. 
This shaking was not necessary but it helped to boost their confidence, 
since the Apostles needed a boost of confidence therefore the physical 
manifestation of the Lord's power helped.

We see here both Peter and John showed courage and faced the Jewish 
authority with boldness and after they witnessed to the people it was 
the people who prayed which resulted in the ground shaking. Most 
Christians at time of problems do the reverse they first shake and then 
pray and then wait to receive courage and boldness.

Prayer is very important and necessary but people do not have an 
understanding of pray and call senseless repetition of words, words 
filled with lack of faith, lack of knowledge or lack of understanding, 
repeated again and again with shouting, accompanied with physical 
postures like bowing, kneeling or prostrating on the floor face down as 
prayer. The fact that sometimes these prayers are heard makes them glad.

Jesus gave the example of a widow and mother who persistently follows up 
with a judge with regards her son and the judge gives in to the widow's 
pleading, so people think persistent pleading is what Jesus was trying 
to tell them as prayer, but they fall to read the very next scripture 
and the most important line which Jesus gave as part of this parable, 
that is 'nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on 
the earth?'.

People do not understand the most powerful prayer of Jesus was of just 3 
words thanking His Father and the longest prayer was when He struggled. 
God understands when we are disturbed we spend long hours in prayer but 
what does one say to a person who is always under struggle!

Let prayer be communication with God and not a pleading window. Let our 
faith be strong and thus believe and receive. Let our actions lead our 
words and surely God will sake the ground and things around us but we 
will be unshaken.

[Prayer Starter]

Lord, You are God and all good things come from You. Lord we pray our 
faith be strengthened and we be filled with more boldness. We pray we be 
unshaken but You shake the situation around us. We know nothing is 
impossible and all that is written will come to pass in our lives for we 
are your children held in your bosom...

This prayer we make in Jesus' Name, Amen.

[Reference Scriptures]

Acts 4:

19But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in 
the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.

20For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.

21So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding 
nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men 
glorified God for that which was done.

22For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing 
was shewed.

23And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all 
that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.

24And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one 
accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, 
and the sea, and all that in them is:

25Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen 
rage, and the people imagine vain things?

26The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together 
against the Lord, and against his Christ.

27For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, 
both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of 
Israel, were gathered together,

28For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be 
done.

29And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, 
that with all boldness they may speak thy word,

30By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may 
be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.

31And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were 
assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and 
they spake the word of God with boldness.

Luke 18:1-8

1And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to 
pray, and not to faint;

2Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither 
regarded man:

3And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, 
Avenge me of mine adversary.

4And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, 
Though I fear not God, nor regard man;

5Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her 
continual coming she weary me.

6And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.

7And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto 
him, though he bear long with them?

8I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son 
of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

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SavedbyFaith.info - Daily Mail

The written Word

Luke 24:27 - And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto
them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

Yesterday we were told about the falsehood of Peter being the head of
Universal (Catholic) Church. Through scriptures we saw there was no one
elected as head of the Universal Church but instead a team of select few
governed the Church with Peter heading the Jewish (Circumcised) Christian
Church and Paul heading the Gentile (Uncircumcised) Christian Church.

Authority is one of the 3 legs on which the Catholic Church stands and we
saw how this authority was not according to God but according the false
understanding of man. Today the Lord is touching the second leg of this
Church that is the written Word of God. In the Catholic Church the
Catholics are deceived to believe that the Catholic Church has authored
(complied) the whole Bible and the Bible did not exist before. It was they
who selected what went in so they have the total say over it.

Psychologist use terms imprinting and delusion and this Church has used
these technics to mass control the belief of its congregation over a long
period of time. The first thing it did was gave a delusion of the Word of
God (Bible) by misinformation and keeping the Bible away from the masses.
Then it lowered the importance of it among the 3 legs on which this Church
stands putting it lower than traditions thus taking the third place with
Church authority being first and traditions being second. Catholics are
made to believe this false fact that Peter was the first Pope anointed by
Jesus and the other Popes are anointed by a hand over process in which the
key is handed over. First they need to explain what this key they speak of
is; and when there were more than one Popes (sometimes 2 and sometimes even
3, who fought against each other) then who had the key and who gave whom
the key and how they were sure it was the right person. During those times
known as the dark ages the Pope had very notorious records uncalled for as
a simple Christian forget being an anointed person.

In today’s message we read when Jesus had to prove who He was He used the
help of scriptures and did so by expounding them. The Greek word translated
here as scriptures is the word ‘Graphous’ root word ‘Grapho’ which means
written or to write. Also the Greek word translated as expounded is a
compound word which means ‘through explanation’.

Here we see Jesus did not go by the spoken word or by that which was
believed by Jewish traditions but He gave value only to the written Word.
We see this not only in this incident but also in other places like when
Jesus had to fight off the temptation by Satan He refers to the written
Word saying ‘it is written’. He knew when God needed anything that was
important to passed down to His people over generations He made it a point
to make them write it down, and the people in people accurately copied in
down word to word (keeping the understanding same even in different
languages) down many ages.

Catholics are lied to on the Bible and dissuaded in studying the Bible
thoroughly or believing it as the infallible instructions from the Lord.
They are made to consider the words of the Pope as being infallible but not
the Word of God putting the Pope above God (and our current Pope is doing a
good job at showing how feeble is the understanding of man against the
understanding of God).

Catholics are told the Bible of the Believers is different from the
Catholic Bible without telling them the difference, thus Catholics refrain
from reading Bibles like KJV, NIC, ASV, ESV etc. Once a Catholic woman went
into her kitchen to bring a broom so as to chaste an Evangelist who had
come to her house, all because he was holding a Bible which was not of the
Catholic color. Good thing the Lord guided the Evangelist to leave the
house quickly before the woman came out. Later when the woman came to know
the Bible she confessed this incident to the Evangelist.

The main difference between the Catholic Bible and the Bible is that it
contains additional books. The New Testament is identical in both Catholic
and Believer Bibles. Even the books of the Old Testament of the Believer
Bibles are all there in the Catholic Bible. But the Catholic Bible has some
additional books which are not there in the Believer Bibles. These books
are referred to as Apocrypha (hidden). These books were not there in
Catholic Bible right until 1400 AD, they were added only later after the
Catholic Church failed to answer many of their traditions which were not
part of scriptures. Since the Catholic Church found some (presumed)
references in these books the insisted they be canonized (which were
considered okay for Bible study references but were not canonized till
then).

Today God is saying His Word is True and every attempt to tamper with it
will be exposed for He has protected His Word (instructions) from the
beginning. His Word is instruction of (eternal) life for His people whose
names are already written in the Book of Life and He has promised not one
of them will be lost.

[Prayer Starter]

Lord, Your Word says You lifted your Word above for You are true to your
Word and your Word can not be separated from You, that is why the Bible
says the Word became flesh when You humbled and came as man in the flesh.
Lord the people are deceived from knowing You by keeping your Word away
from them. We pray Lord your people receive your Written Word and this Word
is expounded to them by your Spirit and your glory be manifested on earth...

This prayer we make in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

[Reference Scriptures]

Exodus 24:12 - And the LORD said unto Moses, Come up to me into the mount,
and be there: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and
commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them.

Joshua 8:31 - As Moses the servant of the LORD commanded the children of
Israel, as it is written in the book of the law of Moses, an altar of whole
stones, over which no man hath lift up any iron: and they offered thereon
burnt offerings unto the LORD, and sacrificed peace offerings.

Acts 7:42 - Then God turned, and gave them up to worship the host of
heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets, O ye house of Israel,
have ye offered to me slain beasts and sacrifices by the space of forty
years in the wilderness?

Luke 24:44 - And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto
you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which
were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms,
concerning me.

2 Timothy 3:16 - All scripture [written] is given by inspiration of God,
and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for
instruction in righteousness:

Acts 5:19,20,25

19 But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought
them forth, and said,

20 Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this
life.

25 Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in
prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.

Revelation 22:18-19

18 (ASV) I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy
of this book [plural therefore not referring to just the book of
Revelation], if any man shall add unto them, God shall add unto him the
plagues which are written in this book:

19 (ASV) and if any man shall take away from the words of the book [plural
therefore not referring to just the book of Revelation] of this prophecy,
God shall take away his part from the tree of life, and out of the holy
city, which are written in this book.

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SavedbyFaith.info - Daily Mail

Christ is no man’s son

Luke 20:41-44

41 And he said unto them, How say they that Christ is David’s son?

42 And David himself saith in the book of Psalms, The LORD said unto my
Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,

43 Till I make thine enemies thy footstool.

44 David therefore calleth him Lord, how is he then his son?

In today’s message we read how Jesus brings into perspective as to who He
is. Here we see He denies Christ being the son of David and states Christ
is God the Son whom God said would seat on the His Righteous side and put
His enemies under His feet.

Jesus as man was the son of Mary and as per public records He was son of
Joseph. Mary was a decedent of David so also was Joseph thus Jesus as per
records and as per prophesy fulfilled being the eternal King that came from
David and became the seed of Abraham in whom all the generations would be
blessed in. By today’s message Jesus was not denying He was the decedent of
David but stated Christ was not the decedent of David to understand this we
need to differentiate between Jesus the man and Christ the deity (Devine
being).

Another confirmation of today’s message we see in records Mary is known as
mother of Jesus but during the period when Jesus died and before He
resurrected she is not referred to as mother of Jesus but mother of Joses
and James her other children born out of relationship with Joseph [marriage
in the Bible is not connected to a ceremony but only when the couple come
in holy physical relationship - know each other].

Mary was the mother of Jesus (because she is dead, Catholics are lied that
she ascended to Heaven and yet they put candles at her TOMB during their
pilgrimage in Jerusalem). People are related to each other when they are
alive and after death their earthly relations cease to exist. But those who
are in Christ remain being part of the greater family that is the Family of
God.

Today’s message like the messages of the previous two days addresses to the
great lie that Catholics live in that ‘Mary is the mother of God’.

Firstly let me clear this fact every day I do not chose any scripture but
after prayering a scripture is randomly picked up keeping in understanding
of Biblical principles, that is why at time I have got the same message
consecutively 2 or 3 times. We have also seen at times messages have been
given in time just before a great event which affects the people of God.

If one understands today’s message this would also be valid for Mary like
it is for David. It simply would be put Jesus is the son of Mary and son of
David but Christ is not the son of Mary nor son of David instead is their
Lord God.

We need to understand the divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ properly and
not lower God or glorify man more than God. People do not have
understanding of the spirit man, forget about God. They do not know the
basics of creation and thus like fools make a woman the mother of her
Creator. Only foolish man can dare do or think things which neither Satan
nor fallen angels would.

Catholic think sin is a disease of the natural flesh therefore think how
could a child without sin or curse (blemish) be born in the womb of a human
woman with sin. They lack understanding that the child is in the father
before it is born in the womb of the mother that is why always God has
blessed the father to bless his generations. Also sin nature and curses are
also passed from father to children. The nature of the mother does get
passed to the children but goes via the father and not directly from the
mother even though the child is physically born in the womb of the mother.
It is when the father and mother come to know each other (have intercourse)
that they spiritually become one and give birth to a child. In case of
Jesus, He was not born of natural relationship therefore by technical /
today’s scientific term Mary was His surrogate mother that is why He
addressed to her as woman directly but yet mother indirectly.

Let us put to death this falsehood of who Mary is made to be by coming to
the knowledge of who Christ is who we are in Him. God knew what man would
do using the name of Mary and He says why He allowed this to happen through
the mouth Simeon the Prophet.

[Prayer Starter]

Lord God You are Truth and the enemy uses falsehood to destroy those who
are yours. Lord by playing the price You gave us your Spirit - the Spirit
of Truth, who reveals to us who You are and tells us all about your
Kingdom. Lord we pray your people be more inclined to your Spirit and learn
from Him. Holy Spirit minister unto your people, remove them from the
darkness of deceit and falsehood and bring them to the light of the Truth...

This prayer we make in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

[Reference Scriptures]

Matthew 1:1 - The book of the generation of Jesus [who is] Christ, the son
of David, the son of Abraham.

Matthew 9:27 - And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him,
crying, and saying, Thou Son of David, have mercy on us.

Luke 18:38 And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on
me.

Matthew 27:56 - Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of
James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s children.

Mark 15:40 - There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary
Magdalene, and

Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome;

Mark 15:47 - And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses beheld where
he was laid.

John 2:4 - Jesus saith unto her, woman [Mary], what have I to do with thee?
mine hour is not yet come.

John 4:21 - Jesus saith unto her, woman [term He used for others also],
believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor
yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.

Matthew 1:24-25

24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had
bidden him, and took unto him his wife:

25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he
called his name JESUS.

Matthew 1:18-19

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary
was espoused [engaged and not yet married] to Joseph, before they came
together [had relationship], she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.

19 Then Joseph her husband [Greek word ‘aner’ means man], being a just
man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her
away privily.

Luke 2:4-5

4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into
Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was
of the house and lineage of David:)

5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife [engaged and not yet married],
being great with child.

Luke 2:35 - (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul [after her
death since the Greek word comes from the root meaning waxed cold] also,)
that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

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SavedbyFaith.info - Daily Mail

Was Mary weak in faith and did she loose her faith at times?

Mark 3:30 - Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit.

The Bible shows the strength of the Men (Women) of God and at the same time
also shows their weakness so that the Truth is established that it was not
them but God through them that did the great works.

Mary the mother of Jesus was a human as any other in the Bible. The
Catholic Church puts Mary as supernatural and a person perfect of faith.
Yesterday the Lord touched on this character who is hyped as ‘Mother of God’
all because she was chosen amongst all women to bear the child Jesus. Today
the Lord wants to show the weakness of this character to show how human she
was, and how weak in faith she was at times like others in the Bible.

We read in this incident there were lots of people gathered in this house
so much so that nobody could get in. In the very next verse we read Mary
and her sons (step brothers of Jesus, she would normally be accompanied by
her daughters but in difficult times with her sons the word used in the
scripture is brethren - which means of the same womb but being masculine
defines His sister had not come) come hurriedly and were standing outside.
They were so impatient that they could not wait for Jesus to finish and
come out therefore send a word inside to Jesus that they are waiting
outside, and we see Jesus gives an angry / sharp response to the message.

Mary and her children had heard the accusation the Jewish scribes had
leveled on Jesus saying that He was casting away demons by the power of a
greater demon in Him. Mary for that moment had lost her faith and had
believed the Jewish scribes and was worried of the wellbeing of her son
therefore rushed alone with her other son(s) to the house where Jesus was
preaching. Since she could not get in the house to verify the wellbeing of
Jesus she sent a word inside that they were waiting outside for Him.

Jesus knew the reason why they came and was offended by the disbelief of
His mother, His brothers and sisters (they had not come but were party of
this activity), so much so He literally denied them as His mother, His
brothers and His sisters and said those who keep the will (choice/desire)
of His Father are His mothers and brothers and sisters referring to those
around Him as His mother and brethren. Jesus did this when someone in that
room states how blessed His mother was to nurture a person as great as Him.
We see Jesus puts spiritual relationship above natural relationship, the
same with the Father who puts those born of the Spirit above those born of
the flesh and those of promise above those of lineage.

Even when Mary was proclaimed of going to be conceived with the child Jesus
we see the Angel needed to encourage her with the testimony of her cousin
Elizabeth. It was the testimony which gave faith to Mary that it was
possible for her as a virgin to conceive and thus she said yes.

Today’s incident is only one of the many places where Mary nearly lost her
faith in her Savior and Lord. This is recorded not to put Mary down but to
show how normal she was and how we can relate to her in our weakness. If
she being weak was yet used by the Lord so also can we.

[Prayer Starter]

Lord You are God and You alone are perfect. No human in the flesh is as
prefect as You, this even Jesus as man did not claim to be although the
image was perfect in Him. He too had weakness but never failed even in His
weak moments. Even the cup of wrath He accepted after struggling with His
flesh. Lord we pray we only look at Jesus who never failed unlike all
others in the Bible who failed. May He alone be our inspiration, the person
to be like and look up to...

This prayer we make in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

[Reference Scriptures]

Mark 3:28-35

28 Verily I say unto you, All their sins shall be forgiven unto the sons
of men, and their blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme:

29 but whosoever shall blaspheme against the Holy Spirit hath never
forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin:

30 because they said, He hath an unclean spirit.

31 And there come his mother and his brethren; and, standing without, they
sent unto him, calling him.

32 And a multitude was sitting about him; and they say unto him, Behold,
thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee.

33 And he answereth them, and saith, Who is my mother and my brethren?

34 And looking round on them that sat round about him, he saith, Behold,
my mother and my brethren!

35 For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and
sister, and mother.

Luke 1:26-38

26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city
of Galilee, named Nazareth,

27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of
David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.

28 And he came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favored,
the Lord is with thee.

29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and cast in her mind what
manner of salutation this might be.

30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor
with God.

31 And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and
shalt call his name JESUS.

32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Most High: and
the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

33 and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom
there shall be no end.

34 And Mary said unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a
man?

35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Spirit shall come
upon thee, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee: wherefore
also the holy thing which is begotten shall be called the Son of God.

36 And behold, Elisabeth thy kinswoman, she also hath conceived a son in
her old age; and this is the sixth month with her that was called barren.

37 For no word from God shall be void of power.

38 And Mary said, Behold, the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me
according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

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SavedbyFaith.info - Daily Mail

The written Word

Luke 24:27 - And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto
them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

Yesterday we were told about the falsehood of Peter being the head of
Universal (Catholic) Church. Through scriptures we saw there was no one
elected as head of the Universal Church but instead a team of select few
governed the Church with Peter heading the Jewish (Circumcised) Christian
Church and Paul heading the Gentile (Uncircumcised) Christian Church.

Authority is one of the 3 legs on which the Catholic Church stands and we
saw how this authority was not according to God but according the false
understanding of man. Today the Lord is touching the second leg of this
Church that is the written Word of God. In the Catholic Church the
Catholics are deceived to believe that the Catholic Church has authored
(complied) the whole Bible and the Bible did not exist before. It was they
who selected what went in so they have the total say over it.

Psychologist use terms imprinting and delusion and this Church has used
these technics to mass control the belief of its congregation over a long
period of time. The first thing it did was gave a delusion of the Word of
God (Bible) by misinformation and keeping the Bible away from the masses.
Then it lowered the importance of it among the 3 legs on which this Church
stands putting it lower than traditions thus taking the third place with
Church authority being first and traditions being second. Catholics are
made to believe this false fact that Peter was the first Pope anointed by
Jesus and the other Popes are anointed by a hand over process in which the
key is handed over. First they need to explain what this key they speak of
is; and when there were more than one Popes (sometimes 2 and sometimes even
3, who fought against each other) then who had the key and who gave whom
the key and how they were sure it was the right person. During those times
known as the dark ages the Pope had very notorious records uncalled for as
a simple Christian forget being an anointed person.

In today’s message we read when Jesus had to prove who He was He used the
help of scriptures and did so by expounding them. The Greek word translated
here as scriptures is the word ‘Graphous’ root word ‘Grapho’ which means
written or to write. Also the Greek word translated as expounded is a
compound word which means ‘through explanation’.

Here we see Jesus did not go by the spoken word or by that which was
believed by Jewish traditions but He gave value only to the written Word.
We see this not only in this incident but also in other places like when
Jesus had to fight off the temptation by Satan He refers to the written
Word saying ‘it is written’. He knew when God needed anything that was
important to passed down to His people over generations He made it a point
to make them write it down, and the people in people accurately copied in
down word to word (keeping the understanding same even in different
languages) down many ages.

Catholics are lied to on the Bible and dissuaded in studying the Bible
thoroughly or believing it as the infallible instructions from the Lord.
They are made to consider the words of the Pope as being infallible but not
the Word of God (and our current Pope is doing a good job at showing how
feeble is the understanding of man against the understanding of God).

Catholics are told the Bible of the Believers is different from the
Catholic Bible with telling them the difference thus Catholics refrain from
reading Bibles like KJV, NIC, ASV, ESV etc. Once a Catholic woman went into
her kitchen to bring broom, so as to chaste an Evangelist who had come to
her house, all because he was holding a Bible which was not of the Catholic
color. Good thing the Lord guided the Evangelist to leave the house before
the woman came out. Later when the woman came to know the Bible she
confessed this to the Evangelist.

The main difference between the Catholic Bible and the Bible is that it
contains additional books. The New Testament is identical in both Catholic
and Believer Bibles. Even the books of the Old Testament of the Believer
Bibles are all there in the Catholic Bible. But the Catholic Bible has some
books which are not there in the Believer Bibles. These books are referred
to as Apocrypha (hidden). These books were not also there in Catholic Bible
right until 1400 AD. They were added only later after the Catholic Church
failed to answer many of their traditions which were not part of
scriptures. Since the Catholic Church found some presumed references in
these books (which were considered okay for Bible study references but were
not canonized), they added them into their Bible.

Today God is saying His Word is True and every attempt to tamper with it
will be exposed for He has protected His Word (instructions) from the
beginning. His Word is instruction of (eternal) life for His people whose
names are already written in the Book of Life and He has promised not one
of them will be lost.

[Prayer Starter]

Lord, Your Word says You lifted your Word above for You are true to your
Word and your Word can not be separated from You, that is why the Bible
says the Word became flesh when You humbled and came as man in the flesh.
Lord the people are deceived from knowing You by keeping your Word away
from them. We pray Lord your people receive your Written Word and this Word
is expounded to them by your Spirit and your glory be manifested on earth...

This prayer we make in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

[Reference Scriptures]

Exodus 24:12 - And the LORD said unto Moses, Come up to me into the mount,
and be there: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and
commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them.

Joshua 8:31 - As Moses the servant of the LORD commanded the children of
Israel, as it is written in the book of the law of Moses, an altar of whole
stones, over which no man hath lift up any iron: and they offered thereon
burnt offerings unto the LORD, and sacrificed peace offerings.

Acts 7:42 - Then God turned, and gave them up to worship the host of
heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets, O ye house of Israel,
have ye offered to me slain beasts and sacrifices by the space of forty
years in the wilderness?

Luke 24:44 - And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto
you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which
were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms,
concerning me.

2 Timothy 3:16 - All scripture [written] is given by inspiration of God,
and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for
instruction in righteousness:

Acts 5:19,20,25

19 But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought
them forth, and said,

20 Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this
life.

25 Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in
prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.

Revelation 22:18-19

18 (ASV) I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy
of this book [plural therefore not referring to just the book of
Revelation], if any man shall add unto them, God shall add unto him the
plagues which are written in this book:

19 (ASV) and if any man shall take away from the words of the book [plural
therefore not referring to just the book of Revelation] of this prophecy,
God shall take away his part from the tree of life, and out of the holy
city, which are written in this book.

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SavedbyFaith.info - Daily Mail

Knowing the hidden things of the Kingdom of God

Mark 4:11 - And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the 
mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these 
things are done in parables:

Yesterday I went for flag hoisting early morning to a prison with a 
family where I got to meet the people who manage the prison and also 
those who are put behind bars. This being my first time stepping into a 
prison I had a great experience and a pleasant one too since this was 
one of the best prisons here. The family I went with consisted of the 
couple with their son and daughter. The daughter is the youngest of the 
two siblings and still in school (higher grade). After the visit we were 
doing some sharing over breakfast and I asked a basic question of faith 
which till date all the Preachers, Pastors and Evangelist I asked could 
not answer me immediately but this young girl surprised me with an 
instant right answer. Later I came to know she was the one who bought 
the family out of a Christian religion and into knowing Christ some 
years back. She was the one who got the others to understand the 
importance of the Word of God when she was yet in the sixth grade.

Today's message talks of the mysteries / hidden things / unknown facts 
of the Kingdom of God. Jesus spoke this to His chosen few and not to all 
the public that who followed Him but left Him now and then. These few 
were the ones who felt their personal lives and constantly kept close 
contact with Jesus day in and out.

What I saw in this girl was something I have in me and that is a fire 
burning within our bones for knowing more and more of Him and at the 
same time an effort to try to be obedient to His voice. Most of the 
Christian I met do have great desire to know God but they have a greater 
desire to do His work, but since they do not know Him well they land up 
following people who themselves do not know Him.

When we are in darkness (in the night), the moon which reflects the 
light of the sun (which is not visible) becomes the only source of light 
for us but when we are in day (in the light) we do not getreflected 
light but the direct light of the sun. In the same way when we do not 
know God it is the Men of God who direct us according to Him, but when 
we know God ourselves we become Men of God for others. Following a Man 
(or Woman) of God is like dwelling in moonlight but being in direct 
relationship with the Lord is like dwelling in the day.

A born from above Christian (there is nothing like Born-Again Christian 
the actual word means born from above) is like a blind man who was born 
blind but suddenly gets sight and starts to discover and understands the 
things he heard to the things he actually sees. Reading the Word of God 
is like a blind man hearing description of the things he cannot see. But 
when one comes in relationship with God the Word of God comes alive and 
visible to the person and he or she does not go by imagination but by 
reality.

It is true none of us present or existed till date know the whole Truth 
(leaving for Jesus as man) because we all live in a body of flesh and we 
all are weak in some area or other. It is like our natural body of flesh 
cannot sustain the direct sun. Jesus as man had overcome sin therefore 
flesh was not bondage for Him and thus He could transfigure. If any 
person comes to me and tells me I know everything of the Kingdom of God 
I would first ask him if he could transfigure, if not then he has a long 
way to go. We personally do not overcome but overcome together as a 
body, that is why our effort needs to be collective, as one. Understand 
the end comes when the complete Truth gets into us (collectively) and 
this can come when we overcome ourselves, follow Christ and pursue His 
cause.

On this Sunday service the Preacher was sharing on John 3:30 and Luke 
9:23 about denying oneself and letting God be glorified in oneself. But 
as he preached the voice in me did not agree and led me to investigate 
the scripture deeper. When I checked Luke 9:23 I was in for a surprise, 
the Greek word translated as deny was not a simple word but a compound 
word made of two words. The later part of the word was 'deny' but the 
former part was 'separate'. So the word was more like 2 negative words 
that make a positive word.

Christianity is not about denying but about knowing. It is about 
separating ourselves from falsehood and coming to the knowledge of the 
Truth. Unless we do not separate ourselves from the falsehood, the 
worldly person there is no way we can come to the knowledge of the 
hidden things of the Kingdom of God.

When I came to know how I was deceived as a 'Christian' I sat before the 
Lord as a blank paper and asked the Lord to write afresh with His Hand 
into my mind and into my heart. It was only when I sat as an infant 
knowing nothing and desiring to know that I got to know the truth more 
and more. That did not mean every thought that came to my mind I took it 
as from the Lord. Everything that came to me as per Lord's instruction I 
verified with scriptures if it was from the Lord or it was my own 
thinking or influenced by the traditions of people.

Today God is saying He desires to open the knowledge and understanding 
of His Kingdom which is yet hidden but only if you come to Him as a 
child who knows nothing and desiring to learn. You need to be constantly 
with Him like the disciples and not giving Him a slot of your day and 
rest to the world. You need to be obedient to His voice for only when 
you value the small things will the greater things be given to you.

[Prayer Starter]

Lord You alone have eternal life and only when we dwell with and in You 
will we be able to live eternally. Lord without knowing the Truth which 
we lost in the Garden of Eden when we ate of the fruit of doubt, we will 
not be able to come back to be with You. You Lord paid the price and 
gave us your Spirit to lead us to the knowledge of the Truth. We pray 
Lord we surrender to your Spirit, know who we are in You and come to 
know more and more of You...

This prayer we make in Jesus' Name, Amen.

[Reference Scriptures]

John 3:30 - He must increase, but I must decrease.

Luke 9:23 - And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let 
him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

John 3:3 - Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto 
thee, Except a man be born again [born from above], he cannot see the 
kingdom of God.

John 3:5 - Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man 
be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

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SavedbyFaith.info - Daily Mail

Peter head of the Circumcised Jewish Christian Church

Luke 24:12 - Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping 
down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, 
wondering in himself at that which was come to pass.

If a child makes a blunder we would consider it as innocence and may 
even take it as amusing. But if a grown up makes the same mistake it 
does not become an amusing matter but instead calls for a warning and at 
times reprimanding.

The Catholic Church has been since ages projecting Peter as the chosen 
head of the overall Church and even consider him as the first Pope. This 
they do because the Gospels show Peter as the most prominent figure from 
the twelve [even though John has more coverage since he has a whole 
Gospel (account of the Good New) in his name]. But the main reason is 
the event at Pentecost in Acts where Peter speaks on behalf of all. They 
also misquote Matthew 16:18 to back this belief, for this scripture is 
not understood by them. Peter is not the word Jesus used instead He used 
the word Cephas for Peter since He spoken in Aramaic to them and not 
Greek. Cephas means stone (small) and not rock; Peter is a Greek word 
used only when they wrote the Gospel(s).

The Gospel (before 200AD they were referred in singular noun and not 
plural even though they were 4 yet they all spoke of the 1 message) and 
book of Acts do acknowledge Peter as a head but the issue is he alone 
was not the head. We see Jesus gave special importance to John and James 
along with Peter for all 3 were to head the early Church and these 3 
were later joined by Paul and Barnabas and this is confirmed in the 
letters of Paul. Paul and Luke in the book of Acts also state that the 
whole Church was divide into 2 sections one containing the Jewish 
Christians (circumcised) and Gentile Christians (the uncircumcised). 
Peter was chosen to lead the circumcised Christians with John and James 
being in his team and Paul was chosen to lead the uncircumcised 
Christians with Barnabas being in his team. Today's scripture also 
confirms about Peter being chosen to lead the Jewish Christians.

We see after the disciples ran to the sepulcher where the body of Jesus 
was kept even though one of them reached first yet none entered the 
sepulcher. They all waited for Peter to enter, this they did not because 
Peter was the head but because he had to fulfill something.

We see in this scripture Peter fulfilled the Law (statute) according to 
Moses of being the next anointed head of the Jewish Church by entering 
first and picking up the linen clothes left on the floor. We see this 
was required by the person who took over of directing the Jews (Jewish 
Church / Congregation) as per the Word of God given through Moses in 
Leviticus.

As far as Peter's association with the Catholic Church this is very 
interesting knowing the fact that neither the book of Acts nor do the 
Epistles record Peter ever visiting Rome even once. Secondly the Roman 
Catholic Church came into existence only after 300 AD after persecution 
of Christians by the Romans stopped. After the time of Apostles (after 
70AD) till then there was no formal Church in Europe or in Israel; 
Christians met underground, in houses secretly out of fear of being 
caught and killed.

The Catholic Church by stating Peter was the only chosen head of the 
Church have firstly made Paul a liar and also indirectly nullified the 
whole New and Old Testament as being inaccurate / irrelevant. If 
Catholics are Jews or circumcised Christians who accepted Christ then 
they are in one way Okayed by stating Peter as the second person chosen 
leader of their Church, but they are mostly Gentile Christians thus have 
erred in their claim.

Today the Lord wants to speak to those who are misled by misinformation 
and misunderstanding. He wants them to know He is Lord and He knew of 
this deceit long before and over-smarted thier plan to destroy His 
people by making check points to counter it right during the time of Moses.

[Prayer Starter]

Lord, the plans of the deceiver are to mislead your people from the 
Truth so that they do not receive eternal life and inherit the things 
set for them in Heaven. Lord, we pray your sheep who are among the holds 
of the enemy may hear your voice and their eyes be opened to the truth. 
That they may come to the knowledge of this things You have set for them 
and receive them...

This prayer we make in Jesus' Name, Amen.

[Reference Scripture]

John 20:2-7

2Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, 
whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out 
of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.

3Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the 
sepulchre.

4So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and 
came first to the sepulchre.

5And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet 
went he not in.

6Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and 
seeth the linen clothes lie,

7And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen 
clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.

Matthew 16:18 - And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter 
[Petros/Cephas/stone], and upon this rock [Petra/Kepha/cliff - 
symbolizing the Truth] I will build my church; and the gates of hell 
shall not prevail against it.

John 1:42And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he 
said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which 
is by interpretation, A stone.

Leviticus 16:23 - And Aaron shall come into the tabernacle of the 
congregation, and shall put off the linen garments, which he put on when 
he went into the holy place, and shall leave them there:

Leviticus 16:32 - And the priest, whom he shall anoint, and whom he 
shall consecrate to minister in the priest's office in his father's 
stead, shall make the atonement, and shall put on the linen clothes, 
even the holy garments:

Galatians 2:7But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the 
uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision 
was unto Peter;

Galatians 2:9 - And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be 
pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and 
Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the 
heathen, and they unto the circumcision.

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SavedbyFaith.info - Daily Mail

They are given leave for a short time

Mark 5:13 - (AV) And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean 
spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently 
down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and 
were choked in the sea.

We read in the incident concerning today's message there were a legion 
of evil spirits in a man whom Jesus delivered. The evil spirits knew who 
Jesus was and knew what will happen to them so pleaded that they be 
given permission to dwell in the pigs.

In the case of God, He being omnipresent is everywhere and there is no 
place He does not exist. He is Spirit and does not need a body to dwell 
in. In the case of Angels, they are higher beings having power so they 
do not need a body to dwell in, they can become or transform themselves 
to any form they desire. Evil spirits are fallen angels and whose powers 
have been taken away so have restrictions. They have become lower 
spirits beings and thus cannot live long outside a body of flesh in this 
level of creation in which we dwell. They were cast down from (out of) 
the higher Heavens (the upper 3 levels of Heaven) in the beginning and 
their powers were taken away after Noah's flood when they ceased to be 
called sons of God and referred as devils or satan (it's a plural word, 
not a name but a pronoun).

The fallen angels or evil spirits also know their dwelling would not be 
for long and at the end they will be punished, yet for that short time 
they wanted to enjoy their evil. That is why we see here too the moment 
they were given permission they dashed and got into the pigs and the 
pigs ran around the place like crazy. Understand when an evil spirit 
possesses a body like a human; the human spirit can spiritually discern 
therefore does fight to get rid of that evil spirit, this we also see in 
the man who came to Jesus for help. That is why even in worse possession 
situations we need to get the person to reject the spirit(s) and desire 
freedom then it becomes easier to deliver that person else by authority 
even if we deliver that person, there are chances of more worse 
possession happening later. But in case of animals they cannot 
spiritually discern like humans therefore are helpless and in total 
control of these spirits as we see in this case where the pigs were 
running crazy. Here Jesus allowed them to run around crazy and in this 
mayhem they fall off the cliff and into these and the pigs drowned and 
died.

In the start we see these spirits pleaded they do not be sent out of 
this level of creation (translated as land of country in some versions) 
for they knew of the consequences if they are sent to Hell.

Just a few days back I was in conversation with some Evangelists who 
shared what goes on back stage of crusades. They shared how some famous 
Evangelists abuse, cheat and rob people who come to the Lord just to 
fulfill their desire for riches, fame and pleasures of this world.

Today's message the Lord does not desire to talk to us about evil 
spirits instead is telling us about evil people who know God and show 
they are doing God's work but do evil, and like the evil spirits God has 
allowed them a moment to go crazy in their carnal desires. They may 
think they are getting blessed looking at their growing fame and riches 
but are creating a mayhem destroying many souls who chose to run after 
them for various reasons; soon these Evangelists will drown in their 
sins and perish. Their end is not going to be small for they being 
knowledgeable of the truth have rejected the truth so will pay far 
greater price than those who are ignorant.

Today the Lord wants to tell them just because they are growing in what 
they do and God has not pulled them up they should not think nothing 
will happen to them. God is telling them they will become a testimony 
for God either way. Had they walked in truth their testimony would have 
blessed them and others also but since they chose to walk in evil thus 
their testimony of destruction will bless others but not themselves.

[Prayer Starter]

Lord there are people whom You have touched and bough out of disasters 
whop walked your path for a short time but like the Israelites You 
bought out of Egypt they too desire to go back to their carnal nature. 
Lord You tolerate them for your Name sake and we pray Lord that You 
quicken and save those souls that are perishing looking at these people 
way of life. Lord we cry that fear comes into them and they know whom 
they are trying to browbeat. You alone are God and all glory belongs to 
You, You know all and nothing is hidden from You...

This prayer we make in Jesus' Name, Amen.

[Reference Scriptures]

Mark 5:1-20

1And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of 
the Gadarenes.

2And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of 
the tombs a man with an unclean spirit,

3Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, 
not with chains:

4Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the 
chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in 
pieces: neither could any man tame him.

5And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, 
crying, and cutting himself with stones.

6But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him,

7And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, 
Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou 
torment me not.

8For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit.

9And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is 
Legion: for we are many.

10And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the 
country.

11Now there was there nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding.

12And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that 
we may enter into them.

13And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, 
and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep 
place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in 
the sea.

14And they that fed the swine fled, and told it in the city, and in the 
country. And they went out to see what it was that was done.

15And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, 
and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and 
they were afraid.

16And they that saw it told them how it befell to him that was possessed 
with the devil, and also concerning the swine.

17And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts.

18And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with 
the devil prayed him that he might be with him.

19Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy 
friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and 
hath had compassion on thee.

20And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things 
Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.

Romans 9:17For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same 
purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and 
that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.

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SavedbyFaith.info - Daily Mail

Tempting the Spirit of God

Acts 5:9 - Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed 
together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which 
have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.

We all know the story of Ananias and Sapphira how they lied to Peter in 
their giving to the Lord and how they died on the spot.

The book of Acts is a very short summary of the early Church which 
covers almost 40 to 50 years of records in just 28 chapters and yet we 
find Luke dedicated almost half a chapter to this event. People ask me 
where does the New Testament say anything about tithing, and I tell them 
to study this story of Ananias and Sapphira. It makes a person 
understand how tithing is just 'stage one' of real giving unto the Lord 
and also why we need to give similar to circumcision was to baptism.

Today the Lord is not leading me to talk about tithing but to address to 
the part of how Ananias and Sapphira tempted the Lord (Holy Spirit).

It surprises people when I tell them the Greek work used for tempted and 
tested in the Bible is the same. The biggest hurdle for them is the 
verse in James which states 'let no man say when he is tempted, I am 
tempted of God' even though the Greek word used here is 'peirazo' which 
also means to try or to test. We see James does not stop with a simple 
statement but goes on the define what kind of tempting or testing God 
does not do and he says with evil or towards evil (NT does use the Greek 
word 'dokimion' for trial which means 'to prove').

In English language any testing that leads towards evil or destruction 
we use to word tempting and any testing that leads to building a person 
or growth we call it trials. God puts us to trails so as to promote us 
or strengthen us but never puts us in a situation where we cannot handle 
it or will be destroyed or that leads to evil. Only when He is angry 
with us He lets destruction fall on us and such situations are very rare 
and they cannot be classified as testing or tempting but can be called 
chastising or punishing.

What we need to firstly understand is testing is required only for those 
that need improvement or growth so testing is not bad. But yet it is not 
something we should opt for that is why Jesus instructed us in His 
sample prayer 'Our Father' to request the Father not to put us to test 
for we can grow without test when the favor of the Lord is on us. Jesus 
advised us to pray for the favor of the Father for growth instead of 
seeking the testing path for growth.

In today's message we see Peter accuses Ananias and Sapphira of tempting 
or testing the Lord (Holy Spirit) and thus bought upon them instant 
judgment. What were the faults that led to such a harsh punishment of 
instant death? To understand that you need to digest what I explained 
before.

Firstly the couple undermined the Lord that is why they dared to test or 
tempt Him since testing was only towards someone who is not perfect and 
God being perfect cannot be tested.

Secondly what they did was not in an intention of good but an intention 
of greed therefore they did not test but tempted since the base was evil 
and not good. If one understanding tithing one will realize not tithing 
or giving to the Lord is like putting God to test. In the case of 
Ananias and Sapphire they were spiritually very mature for the Bible 
says during that time they were of one mind of one understanding and 
God's glory was on them. So when the receiving is more the expectation 
also is more that is why judgment is also sharp and disastrous.

Even though Jesus as man was the highest level of spiritual maturity for 
man yet He did not dare to put the Lord our test so also we should not 
put our Lord God to test.

[Prayer Starter]

Lord, You are perfect is every sense and there is nothing that can be 
changed in You. The only thing that changes around You is your glory as 
You reveal more and more of yourself. Lord we pray we do be like Ananias 
and his wife Sapphira who put You to test for the sake of greed. We pray 
we be like Jesus who did not dare to put You to test even though He was 
weak and broken down in the wilderness. Help us Lord to know You more 
and more and not be foolish and perish...

This prayer we make in Jesus' Name, Amen.

[Reference Scriptures]

James 1:13 - Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for 
God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:

1 Peter 4:12 - Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial 
which is to try [same word as tempt] you, as though some strange thing 
happened unto you:

Revelation 3:10 - Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also 
will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all 
the world, to try [same word as tempt] them that dwell upon the earth.

1 Peter 1:7 - That the trial [dokimazo] of your faith, being much more 
precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, 
might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of 
Jesus Christ:

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SavedbyFaith.info - Daily Mail

Our labour in Christ and its reward

Matthew 20:2 - And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day,
he sent them into his vineyard.

Just think of this situation Walt Disney is having a promotion for poor
kids in which any kid who offers to work at its retail shop gets to spend a
month at Disneyland all expenses paid for, all the kid needs to do is help
promote business at its retail shop. This scheme starts from 2nd Jan and
closes on 22th Jan with all get to go to Disneyland the next day.

So many kids join in to go to Disneyland, some kids start working from the
2nd itself and some join in between, then there are some that join in on
the 19th and those that will join on the 22th itself. At the end of the day
the company will record all who are working at the store and only those
present that day on the 22nd get to go to Disneyland the next day. But
there is a catch those who give up in between do not get considered, so all
who desire to go need to work till the end.

This looks and sounds great right for the poor kids who could not imagine
of this trip also working in a Disney store itself is a treat for them. But
if there were adults in their place they would raise questions or contest
the principals of the scheme. They would say ‘I worked for more days than
the other person so how come he gets what I get’, they would also say ‘what
about those who worked for many days but gave up, it would not be fair to
not reward them’. There would also be some who would think why join from
the start let us join just one day before so that we work less yet get the
reward. But unfortunate for these the chance to work may come once or twice
or trice or even more but they would not know if they say ‘no’ then the
next time they would get another change or not.

In today’s message we read about the parable Jesus gave with regards to
salvation. When the term salvation is used people think it is all about
being saved from Hell they do not understand being saved from Hell is just
part of ‘being saved’. By our faith in Jesus Christ we are saved from Hell
but that does not mean all who are saved from Hell (go to sleep/grave) go
to Heaven. Believing in Jesus Christ as our Savior is like those who said
yes to go to the Walt Disney store to work. But it is not necessary all
these will go to Heaven. Also for a child working in a Walt Disney store
promoting its wares is not really work but more of an enjoyment. Similarly
a Christian who believes in Jesus Christ and does the mission given by
Christ, for them the mission is supposed to be a joy. When they work they
get energized and become spiritually stronger.

Bible says only those who do / keep the Will of the Father go to Heaven.
These would compare to the children who continue to work till the last day
in the store so as to reap their reward.

You would say brother one cannot compare our spiritual walk as Christians
to kids enjoying work in a toy store for the scripture talks of enduring.
True, life of a Christian is not easy and there are many problems or
persecutions that would come in his way. The problem is not with the work
but with the person.

Imagine a child fills his pockets with large heavy stones and working in
the store, soon or later the weight will wear him down and make his
enjoyment a sorrow.

Jesus said ‘caste your burden unto me and take my burden for it is light
like a feather’. Life as a Christian is supposed to be complete joy but God
knows how stiff necked we are. Like the Jews questioned Jews on the Law of
Moses with regards to divorce and Jesus told them God gave through Moses
such an option because He knew who hard hearted they were.

Our fleshy desires and our worldly thoughts are like large stones that make
our walk in Christ difficult. Let us get rid of them and the more we get
rid of them the more will our labor of faith be a joy and our reward a
reality. Let us overcome like Jesus overcame. True Jesus did suffer in the
end for He was our sacrifice and He said not all in Him are called to
suffer (only a few) so let us not think our journey in going to be like the
very few called to suffer for the sake of the Kingdom of God. Let us not
call the problems we encounter due to the carnal burden we carry as
suffering which Jesus spoke of. Let us get rid of our carnal burden and let
us rejoice as Christians for our Lord alone is God. Like Jesus said let us
be as children focused on the reward, which is eternal.

[Prayer Starter]

Lord we pray we be wise and not carnal. We pray we do not loose heart on in
our walk as Christians. When Christ is seen in us we know we are on the
right track of becoming Sons of God and receiving the reward of eternal
life. We had no hope and You Lord became our hope and our example...

This prayer we make in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

[Reference Scriptures]

Matthew 20:1-16

1 For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder,
which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard.

2 And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent
them into his vineyard.

3 And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in
the marketplace,

4 And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is
right I will give you. And they went their way.

5 Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise.

6 And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle,
and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?

7 They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go
ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.

8 So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward,
Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto
the first.

9 And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they
received every man a penny.

10 But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received
more; and they likewise received every man a penny.

11 And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the
house,

12 Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them
equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.

13 But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong:
didst not thou agree with me for a penny?

14 Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as
unto thee.

15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye
evil, because I am good?

16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but
few chosen.

Matthew 10:22 - And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he
that endureth to the end shall be saved.

Matthew 11:28-30

28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give
you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in
heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Galatians 5:1 - Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath
made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

John 16:33 - These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have
peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have
overcome the world.

2 Corinthians 4:17 - For our light affliction, which is but for a moment,
worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

2 Corinthians 12:10 - Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in
reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s
sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth
me.

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Team work

Acts 21:19 - And when he had greeted them, he declared particularly what
things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry.

Paul was an Apostle by calling and he was instrument in setting up almost a
1000 churches in a short time after coming to know Christ (he took almost 8
years to start). Since Christianity was not a welcomed belief these
Churches were not big gatherings but small gatherings which met in houses.
In today’s term they would be called underground Churches. Once I went to
preach in one of these underground Church held in an area where they would
not get permission to do so. The kind of oneness I saw among them touched
me. If you were not in that group you would not know what was happening.

We see Paul was instrument, directly or in directly in getting many of
these gatherings to worship the Lord and to be built in Him. Paul took
personal interest in every Church and would be updated by corresponding
with them, so he knew many by name.

If Paul was compared with the Church leaders today taking into mind the
difference in era he would be not less important or powerful than the
topmost global Church leaders. When we read today’s message we see a
picture of Paul which we do not see among the top leaders of today’s
Churches.

Even though Paul headed the team yet we see he had no air of being the
leader. Paul understood his priorities well. He knew the purpose was above
the people, because if the purpose is not achieved the people will perish
so for the sake of people the purpose needs to be given priority.

In today’s message we read Paul after greeting them briefs them thoroughly,
with details of what was happening in the gentile churches. Paul just did
not give them a brief but the verse says he went into details. A leader
does not go into details unless he considers them very important and the
purpose of the team above himself. This team he was briefing to was his
core group of leaders.

If we understand the design of the Tabernacle as given to Moses and what
the Ark represented we would do what Paul did. The Holy Spirit was
symbolized by the candle stand and Lord Jesus Christ as the shewbread and
both were not placed in the Holy of Holies but in the Holy place. People
think the Ark represented God the Father because of the Throne of Mercies
on the Ark, they are mistaken. It would surprise them to know God the
Father was nowhere in the design of the Tabernacle. The Ark was called Ark
of Covenant or Ark of Testimonies and it represented the CROSS (purpose)
and the purpose (salvation of mankind) was put above the individuals
themselves. Revelation projects the Lamb as the one who makes the covenant
and also states our testimonies in Him as being that which gives us
victory. The Greek word used here as Lamb is ‘arnion’ and not ‘amnos’ which
is used for a small of a sheep (as used in John). It comes from the word
‘arrhen’ which means man so it projects the Son of Man (Jesus and all those
who are in Him - the team). So we see the victory of Christ over evil is
projected as victory of mankind over evil thus fulfilling Genesis 3:15.

If the Lord (Son and Spirit) can put the purpose above themselves then who
are we, to put ourselves above the purpose? If we do not put the purpose
above ourselves we are putting ourselves above God and such people are
automatically bought to nothing.

God did not lower Himself when He lifted the purpose above, for the purpose
was in Him and He the purpose. When we make ourselves part of the purpose
and live for the purpose then we will not differentiate between the purpose
and ourselves, thus never fail to put our individual feelings and desires
second to the purpose.

[Prayer Starter]

Lord, You called us to be a body, to be one like You are one. Lord we
prayer we understand our priorities well so that we do not perish thinking
of ourselves before our purpose. Lord let us know life is only in You and
You alone are our purpose, when we lift our purpose as Christians above
ourselves we are lifting You up and when You are lifted up and glorified we
too get lifted up in You...

This prayer we make in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

[Reference Scriptures]

Exodus 25:21-22

21 And thou shalt put the mercy seat above upon the ark; and in the ark
thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee.

22 And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from
above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark
of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto
the children of Israel.

Genesis 3:15 - And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and
between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt
bruise his heel.

John 17:17-22

17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into
the world.

19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be
sanctified through the truth.

20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe
on me through their word;

21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee,
that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast
sent me.

22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be
one, even as we are one:

Revelation 5:2-10

2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to
open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?

3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to
open the book, neither to look thereon.

4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the
book, neither to look thereon.

5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the
tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to
loose the seven seals thereof.

6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four
beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain,
having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent
forth into all the earth.

7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon
the throne.

8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty
elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and
golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.

9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and
to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God
by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on
the earth.

Revelation 12:10-11

10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and
strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the
accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day
and night.

11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of
their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

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Can we dare to not forgive?

Mark 11:26 - But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father who is 
in heaven forgive your trespasses.

We see in the Old Testament evil being punished. God gave Laws like a 
person be stoned to death for certain sins and some of them as simple as 
eating something, touching something or not keeping the Sabbath. We see 
the Jews tried to corner Jesus by bringing a woman accused for adultery 
before Jesus asking Him to enforce the Law, but Jesus did not do what 
they expected. They got Jesus into a catch 22 situation that is if He 
stoned then His image of being merciful and forgiving would take a hit 
and if He said not to stone then His image of being righteous would take 
a hit for not abiding in the Law. Jesus did neither of them. He Himself 
did not stone nor did He say not to stone but said the one who is 
guiltless be the first to stone.

If one knows who Jesus is, then one would think did the Lord have a 
change of heart from the Old Testament to the New Testament. We know God 
is perfect and all-knowing so He does not pass a Law and then take it 
back or change it for He is changeless.

If one studies the Old Testament well we will see Jesus followed it to 
the T with full understanding of it. Yes every Law of the Old Testament 
is valid and true even today and nothing has changed. But we need to 
understand what they meant, when were they applicable and by whom, we 
also need to distinguish between statutes and Law, for statutes is 
temporary but Law is eternal until it fulfills what it was set for (Word).

For i.e. Law says anyone who sees the nakedness of his or her family 
member was to be cut off from the people of Israel. This Law was not 
about physical nakedness but more to do with spiritual nakedness and 
being cut off from the people of Israel meant the person would not go to 
Heaven so is valid even today. Similarly adultery was more about 
spiritual adultery (going after other gods) and such a person would see 
spiritual death, since some of the references given to God refer to Him 
as being our Husband. All judgments had to be passed by someone who was 
blameless himself. That is why Jesus said He alone was set to sit on the 
Judgment seat for He alone is the only son of man (human) found blameless.

Understand God will not judge us else none will be saved. He put man to 
judge man but that man who sits on the Throne of Judgment himself needed 
to be blameless. Imagine a prisoner passing judgment on another prisoner 
for being a criminal; would not that judgment also be valid on him?

When someone does wrong on us we cannot afford to get angry against that 
person, not because that person was not right but because we ourselves 
are not right.

Let us understand unless we are perfect like Jesus we cannot even think 
of holding any wrong against any person. Not for that person's sake but 
more because of our own sake we are called to forgive people; that is 
why we read in today's message Jesus advices us to forgive if we desire 
the Father to forgive us. Imagine we sleep (die / the sun sets on us) 
before we forgive then that it will be by that accusation or 
un-forgiveness that we ourselves will be measured by or judged by.

[Prayer Starter]

Lord, we thank You for showing us the way for being merciful so that we 
receive mercy ourselves. Lord You are perfect and blameless yet You are 
merciful but that does not mean your Law is invalid. On Judgment Day all 
will be judged and your Law will come to pass and fulfill all it was set 
for. Lord we pray we understand the consequence of not forgiving. We 
pray we do bring judgment on us due to the hardness of our hearts...

This prayer we make in Jesus' Name, Amen.

[Reference Scriptures]

John 8:3-11

3And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in 
adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,

4They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the 
very act.

5Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what 
sayest thou?

6This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But 
Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though 
he heard them not.

7So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto 
them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.

8And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.

9And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went 
out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus 
was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.

10When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said 
unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?

11She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn 
thee: go, and sin no more.

John 5:24-32

24Verily, verily, I say to you, He that heareth my word, and believeth 
on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into 
condemnation; but hath passed from death to life.

25Verily, verily, I say to you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the 
dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.

26For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to 
have life in himself;

27And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is 
the Son of man.

28Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in which all that are in 
the graves shall hear his voice,

29And shall come forth; they that have done good, to the resurrection of 
life; and they that have done evil, to the resurrection of damnation.

30I can of my own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment 
is just; because I seek not my own will, but the will of the Father who 
hath sent me.

31If I bear witness concerning myself, my witness is not true.

32There is another that beareth witness concerning me; and I know that 
the witness which he witnesseth concerning me is true.

Genesis 17:14 - And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his 
foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; 
he hath broken my covenant.

Exodus 12:19 - Seven days shall there be no leaven found in your houses: 
for whosoever eateth that which is leavened, even that soul shall be cut 
off from the congregation of Israel, whether he be a stranger, or born 
in the land.

Exodus 31:14 - Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto 
you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for 
whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among 
his people.

Leviticus 7:21 - Moreover the soul that shall touch any unclean thing, 
as the uncleanness of man, or any unclean beast, or any abominable 
unclean thing, and eat of the flesh of the sacrifice of peace offerings, 
which pertain unto the LORD, even that soul shall be cut off from his 
people.

Leviticus 20:17 - And if a man shall take his sister, his father's 
daughter, or his mother's daughter, and see her nakedness, and she see 
his nakedness; it is a wicked thing; and they shall be cut off in the 
sight of their people: he hath uncovered his sister's nakedness; he 
shall bear his iniquity.

Ephesians 4:26 - Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon 
your wrath:

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What do you go by? That which is written or that which is spoken

Luke 24:26 - Ought not Christ to suffer these things, and to enter into 
his glory?

In today's message we read of Jesus speaking to Cleopas and his 
colleague while on his walk in the wilderness after His resurrection. 
Just before this verse we read Jesus rebuking them (and others) as 
people who are unwise and harden in heart to believe scriptures. If you 
read the conversation between them these people knew of Jesus but they 
gave more priority to that which they heard than that which was written 
about Him.

Yesterday I attended a gathering of Catholics since it was their Church 
feast. What I saw there, although the Cardinal and many priest were 
present, this gathering had nothing to do with God or His Kingdom. No 
doubt these people were social to each other and had great friendship 
between them. Many among them knew me and about me, and they even went 
out of their way to be nice to me and my family. If religion was about 
being good then these people would stand out among the top.

In today's message Jesus does not say about Himself in a good way but 
says He was to suffer and go through all that which was written.

Christianity is not about being good. There are religions like Islam 
which demand its members to be good so as to be a follower of their god. 
Christianity is about being perfect and to be perfect no man can achieve 
by one's self. So Christianity is all about surrendering to the Lord, 
letting Him work in us and make us perfect. This He does through His 
Word and through His Spirit.

Yesterday a person questioned my messages stating what I wrote was no 
that which was preached in his church. Like Jesus said to the two, the 
Lord is saying are we opening the scriptures and verifying everything or 
going more by that which we hear like the two? Also are we letting our 
hearts surrender to what the Lord is telling us?

Catholics are deceived into thinking traditions are more reliable than 
scriptures. What he say and she says over the years is more important 
than what God said. Since the Catholics do not read nor study scriptures 
they become sitting preys to the deception. Also most among them do not 
want to give up the pleasures of this world or change from within 
therefore they welcome such teachings.

Let us not harden our hearts nor be unwise. Let us not be like the 
people to whom Jeremiah warned or Isaiah warned and who did not listen 
because of social, financial, emotional or other reasons. Let us yield 
to what the Lord ministers to us even if it is hard to us.

[Prayer Starter]

Lord, we pray Lord let not our hearts be harden due to our desires for 
the things of this world. We pray that wisdom prevails in us and we 
abide to that which your Word speaks unto us...

This prayer we make in Jesus' Name, Amen.

[Reference Scriptures]

Luke 24:15-32

Jeremiah 44:7-19

Isaiah 30:8-14

8Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it 
may be for the time to come for ever and ever:

9That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will 
not hear the law of the LORD:

10Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not 
unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:

11Get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One 
of Israel to cease from before us.

12Wherefore thus saith the Holy One of Israel, Because ye despise this 
word, and trust in oppression and perverseness, and stay thereon:

13Therefore this iniquity shall be to you as a breach ready to fall, 
swelling out in a high wall, whose breaking cometh suddenly at an instant.

14And he shall break it as the breaking of the potters' vessel that is 
broken in pieces; he shall not spare: so that there shall not be found 
in the bursting of it a sherd to take fire from the hearth, or to take 
water withal out of the pit.

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The enemy will destroy you because you know not the time

Luke 19:44 - And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children 
within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; 
because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.

In today's message Jesus spoke a prophecy which we know did come to true 
in 70AD where Jerusalem was completely destroyed and nothing was left of 
it. Some of the inhabitants who heeded to Jesus' warning knew 
destruction was on hand and they fed for their lives to the mountains, 
jumping from roof to roof not taking anything, just with the clothes 
that were on them. But those who did not, not one among them were saved. 
It is said bodies of men, women and children were hung on wooden poles / 
blocks removed from door frames or anything they found, such that no 
spare wood was found which they did not use. Records estimate about 1.1 
million Jews were killed during that siege with 90,000 taken captive. A 
Jew writes during the killing the Roman soldiers climbed over piles of 
dead bodies to kill those alive.

If one studies the prophecy in detail one would realize some parts of it 
were not fulfilled in the event that took place in 70AD. It is not that 
the prophecy failed. This prophecy like some others had a dual 
fulfillment. This prophecy is actually concerning the end days when 
Satan is set loose and his army destroys even person who believes in the 
Lord Jesus Christ. This is just after the Rapture wherein the Elect will 
be taken up (not all but only the select, it also does not mean they go 
up but transfigure into spirit beings; remember earth is round, Heaven 
is a spiritual world and not a place in the sky).

One may think the Lord wants us to be alert and ready for the end days 
are at hand.

Most may have heard the parable of the mischievous shepherd boy who 
shouted 'wolf, wolf' time and again and made the villagers come running 
just to have a hearty laugh. But when the wolf really came and he 
shouted 'wolf, wolf' no one came to help and the wolf devoured the sheep.

Today's message does not say they were not aware of the danger but says 
they did not know the time of danger. One would say Jesus stated no one 
knows the end other than God the Father (including the Holy Spirit).

The Lord Jesus Christ as man was 100 percent man with no God powers. The 
powers He had were because He had the image of God in Him (Son of God) 
and by the working of the Holy Spirit in Him. When we work to overcome 
sin the power of which Jesus demonstrated starts to also work through 
us. Also all that Jesus knew were through the study and revelation of 
scriptures. Since the exact date when the world will end is not given in 
scriptures therefore Jesus did not know. But that does not mean He was 
blind or ignorant of when it would happen.

When Jesus was asked when all will end Jesus did not just say 'I do not 
know', we see He spoke of events and conditions which will lead to the 
end, He also spoke of seasons.

Would we say in winter the sun will shine bright or in summer it will 
snow? We know when summer starts and when winter or rainy season starts. 
We may not know the exact date but we know at least which months to 
expect it. Imagine a person shouting in summer that it will snow. It 
will soon become like the case of the shepherd boy where no one heeded 
to him when it actually happened.

What is happening is the classic case of the shepherd boy where people 
are shout wolf, wolf every two days just to make the Christians to 
ignore the actual time of problem. So we see this shouting on the roof 
top is actually leading people not to study scriptures and be aware of 
the danger but working to get people to ignore the actual danger and be 
destroyed. We see Paul warned about this in his letter to Thessalonians.

So let us no hear people shouting end is near but study scriptures to 
understand the time and learn to discern the seasons.

[Prayer Starter]

Lord You are a God full of Wisdom which cannot be measured and there is 
no way your children would lack wisdom. The first thing You do when your 
children return to You, You bless them with the Spirit of Truth, who 
leads them to knowledge, wisdom and understanding of your Kingdom. Lord 
we pray your people be truly baptized in the Holy Spirit - the Spirit of 
Truth. Let them thirst for revelation of scriptures and know the time of 
danger when it is at hand...

This prayer we make in Jesus' Name, Amen.

[Reference Scriptures]

Hosea 4:6 - My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou 
hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no 
priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also 
forget thy children.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-5

1But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I 
write unto you.

2For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a 
thief in the night.

3For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction 
cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not 
escape.

4But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake 
you as a thief.

5Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are 
not of the night, nor of darkness.

Matthew 24:4-42

4And Jesus answered and said to them, Take heed that no man deceive you.

5For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive 
many.

6And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not 
troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

7For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and 
there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in various places.

8All these are the beginning of sorrows.

9Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and 
ye shall be hated by all nations for my name's sake.

10And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and 
shall hate one another.

11And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

12And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall become cold.

13But he that shall endure to the end, the same shall be saved.

14And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for 
a testimony to all nations; and then shall the end come.

15When therefore ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of 
by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoever readeth, let 
him understand:)

16Then let them who are in Judaea flee to the mountains:

17Let him who is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of 
his house:

18Neither let him who is in the field return back to take his clothes.

19And woe to them that are with child, and to them that nurse infants in 
those days!

20But pray ye that your flight may not be in the winter, neither on the 
sabbath:

21For then shall be great tribulation, such as hath not been since the 
beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

22And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be 
saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.

23Then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; 
believe it not.

24For false Christs will arise, and false prophets, and shall show great 
signs and wonders; so that, if it were possible, they would deceive the 
very elect.

25Behold, I have told you before.

26Therefore if they shall say to you, Behold, he is in the desert; go 
not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.

27For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even to the 
west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

28For wherever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.

29Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be 
darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall 
fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:

30And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then 
shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of 
man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

31And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they 
shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of 
heaven to the other.

32Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When its branch is yet tender, 
and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near:

33So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is 
near, even at the doors.

34Verily I say to you, This generation shall not pass, till all these 
things shall be fulfilled.

35Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

36But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, 
but my Father only.

37But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of 
man be.

38For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and 
drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah 
entered into the ark,

39And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so also 
will be the coming of the Son of man.

40Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other 
left.

41Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and 
the other left.

42Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord cometh.

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SavedbyFaith.info - Daily Mail

Living as a dead person in a dead relationship

1 Timothy 5:6 - But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.

Paul was advising Timothy on dos' and do nots' for a widow. Here Paul 
speaks of a widow whose husband has left her (died) and she has children 
or nephews. Paul advises such a person to avoid getting married for the 
sake of living a good life. The Greek word translated as pleasure here 
is 'spatalao' which actually means luxury in other words a voluptuous 
life. One may say this is only for the elite socialites and not for us; 
you are mistaken.

This Monday I was preaching about being rich at a house Church and from 
the people who heard, among them many hated me after hearing the Truth, 
but then they knew they could not continue living a life of lies and 
deception.

In one line I put the relationship of a Christian with money or riches.

A poor Christian lacking or struggling to meet one's needs is a 
Christian living under a curse (struggling in his or her relationship 
with God) and a rich Christian having plenty is a Christian who is being 
tested by the Lord and when he or she enjoys the riches, that Christian 
is a failed Christian.

Jesus simply said it is impossible for a rich person (a failed 
Christian) to enter Heaven.

Today's message is not only for widows or widowers but also those who 
marry for social support, financial security, emotional support etc.

The Lexicon states the Greek word 'Agape' as God kind of love and 
'Agapao' as human kind of love. In Greek the word Agapao is simply a 
conjugation of the root word Agape and means 'I love'. We see some 
foolish Muslim Dawahs (apologist), Atheist and LGBT members who heard of 
the Bible Lexicon point to scriptures where the word agapao is connected 
to Jesus and state He was a homosexual because He had manly love with 
His disciples.

Man did not know love until Christ manifested the meaning of love. There 
is nothing like God kind love and human kind love. Love is just love and 
since man does not know God therefore man does not know love. Love is a 
Fruit of the Holy Spirit and one cannot love until one has the other 9 
Fruits of the Holy Spirit as stated in Galatians which man can earn or 
grow in (not the 3 stated Ephesians which are gifted to man) that is why 
Paul put love above all (the nine). Man mistakes lust, desires, 
pleasure, romance, compassion etc. as love. People get surprised when I 
tell them marriage is not about romance. Marriage is like a business 
where the most important factor is productivity and not about 
relationship between the people working in the organization. But the 
fact is if there is no good relationship between the people working 
within the organization then it will affect productivity, so good 
relationship in marriage is very important, but then that should not 
sideline productivity.

Marriage is all about family and brining up children in the Lord (that 
is why compared to a Church), if that is not there then everything else 
is a failure. So even if the husband and wife love each other very much 
but if their child is not brought up in the way of the Lord then their 
love is a failure.

A person lost in pleasures is spiritually blind person and blind people 
do not reach their destination. Natural death is exiting the human body 
of flesh but spiritual death is very different. Understand we do not 
exit anything nor does life end suddenly in the spiritual world. Every 
being lives it life as given by the Lord only those who are in Heaven 
and have access to the Tree of Life, they will be able to live eternally 
enjoying the good things of Heaven, the others will live their term is 
the situation they have chosen, suffering the situation they have created.

We all will die here but let us not chose a spiritual death for nothing 
is more terrible than that so let us be beyond our natural desires 
putting our purpose beyond us.

[Prayer Starter]

Lord we pray we overcome our natural person. We know Lord it is 
impossible for man to overcome the world he lives in but we know since 
You became man and overcame so we too have a hope to overcome. You gave 
us your Spirit and by your Spirit we are assured we can overcome. Lord 
we pray we spend more time communication and having better relationship 
with your Holy Spirit...

This prayer we make in Jesus' Name, Amen.

[Reference Scriptures]

1 Timothy 5:3-7

3 Honour widows that are widows indeed.

4But if any widow hath children or nephews, let them learn first to show 
piety at home, and to repay their parents: for that is good and 
acceptable before God.

5Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and 
continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.

6But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.

7And these things command, that they may be blameless.

Ephesians 5

Matthew 19:23 - Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto 
you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.

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SavedbyFaith.info - Daily Mail

Taking for thyself a wife

Hosea 1:2 - The beginning of the word of the LORD by Hosea. And the LORD 
said to Hosea, Go, take to thee a wife of harlotry and children of 
harlotry: for the land hath committed great harlotry, departing from the 
LORD.

People who have read the book of Hosea know why the Lord told Hosea to 
take a wife who was the daughter of a prostitute. Today as I got this 
message my attention was drawn to the words 'take thee a wife'.

The word 'wife' first occurs in the book of Genesis when God made Eve. 
In Chapter 2 when God made Eve and bought her to Adam, Adam called her 
'wife' but in most English translations it is given as 'Woman' since in 
Hebrew they mean the same. The word in Hebrew is 'ishshah' and is 
compound word of 'iysh' which means mortal man.

When God made man He called him 'Adam' which is a Hebrew word and simply 
means man. But when the Lord humbled Himself and came as man He did not 
call Himself with the term Adam but used the term Iysh. When man sinned 
God cursed man and all his generations and curses are passed from father 
to children thus the curse of Adam was not on Jesus. That is why it is 
stated He was without blemish in His birth since He as man was born 
without a human father.

The Hebrew word used here as wife is not the word Ishshah but the word 
eset and this word along with the word istow (which also means wife - 
his wife) occurs only after man (woman) sinned.

I learned the basics of Greek but since I do not know Hebrew I checkup 
what the word shah means. I found some state it as used in Sabbath and 
the word seven. If one sees this in the creation of woman since she was 
supposed be a companion who gave rest unto a man and we see this in the 
development which led to the creation of woman.

Initially when God created man He found man was unhappy and needed 
fellowship so God created cattle and fowls, animals that man can tend 
and look after, but yet man continued to be unhappy. Later when God made 
Eve from the bone of man (symbolizing nature of man) man was happy to 
have fellowship with someone who was like himself.

We all know the ultimate part of our salvation is when God's people 
become His bride at the wedding in Heaven. Before sin Adam had the image 
of God that means the nature, wisdom, will etc. of God, so he though 
like God does. God too wants fellowship with His creation that is man, 
but like Adam was not happy with cattle so also God is not happy with 
cattle. He wants someone like Him that is why He came as man to purify 
and make man like Himself so that He can have fellowship with man.

If we want to be His bride let us not behave like cattle. Cattle are 
obedient and productive but they cannot take the place of a companion. 
If we want to be the Lord's companion let us behave like Him. That is 
why He says be Holy for I am Holy.

[Prayer Starter]

Lord, You created us for far greater things than what we experience. 
Like your Word says no worldly mind can imagine or conceptualize. Lord 
we pray we value the plans You have for us and work to be a worthy 
companion to You...

This prayer we make in Jesus' Name, Amen.

[Reference Scriptures]

Proverbs 18:22 - Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains 
favor of the LORD.

Genesis 2:18-24

18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I 
will make him an help meet for him.

19And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, 
and every fowl of the air; and brought them to Adam to see what he would 
call them: and whatever Adam called every living creature, that was its 
name.

20And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowls of the air, and to 
every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet 
for him.

21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: 
and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place;

22And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, 
and brought her unto the man.

23And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: 
she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.

24Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall 
cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

Genesis 5:1-2

1 This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God 
created man, in the likeness of God made he him;

2Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their 
name Adam, in the day when they were created.

Hosea 2:16And it shall be at that day, said the LORD, that you shall 
call me Ishi; and shall call me no more Baali.

1 Peter 1:16Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy

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SavedbyFaith.info - Daily Mail

Do not put man above the Truth

Mark 6:26 - And the king was exceeding sorry; yet for his oath's sake, 
and for their sakes who sat with him, he would not reject her.

We read in today's message King Herod knew it was wrong to kill John the 
Baptist but to keep his reputation and relationship with the people 
around him he did not say no to the daughter of Herodias. Herodias was 
King Herod Antipas' sister in law yet he had illicit relationship with her.

Herod knew John the Baptist and feared him for who he was. Herod knew 
John was a Man of God and also a righteous man therefore feared him. But 
when the moment came his lust and worldly factors got the upper hand of 
him and made him to give in.

Today the Lord is asking each one of us 'how many times have you been 
like Herod Antipas?', 'how many time have you rejected Jesus or the 
teachings of Jesus for the sake of your friends, pride, social status, 
work, business, illicit relationships and lust?'.

Herod Antipas chopped the head of John the Baptist and we chop the head 
of the Truth in our lives. We may say these are small matters but when 
we keep doing the small matters regularly soon the big ones look small 
and then nothing stops us from being Herod Antipas.

Let us love God and the Truth in small things then automatically the big 
challenges become small for us.

[Prayer Starter]

Lord we pray Lord You give us the courage to stand in and with the Truth 
in small things. You said love people but did not say please people. Let 
us not fool ourselves with false love. Your love builds us and makes us 
change, it does not let us continue in our sinful life. Lord let our 
love be like your love...

This prayer we make in Jesus' Name, Amen.

[Reference Scriptures]

Mark 6:18-28

18For John had said to Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy 
brother's wife.

19Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against him, and would have killed 
him; but she could not:

20For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, 
and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard 
him gladly.

21And when a convenient day had come, that Herod on his birthday made a 
supper to his lords, high captains, and chief men of Galilee;

22And when the daughter of the said Herodias came in, and danced, and 
pleased Herod and them that sat with him, the king said to the girl, Ask 
of me whatever thou wilt, and I will give it thee.

23And he swore to her, Whatever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it 
thee, to the half of my kingdom.

24And she went forth, and said to her mother, What shall I ask? And she 
said, The head of John the Baptist.

25And she came in immediately with haste to the king, and asked, saying, 
I will that thou shouldest give me immediately on a platter the head of 
John the Baptist.

26And the king was exceeding sorry; yet for his oath's sake, and for 
their sakes who sat with him, he would not reject her.

27And immediately the king sent an executioner, and commanded his head 
to be brought: and he went and beheaded him in the prison,

28And brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl: and the 
girl gave it to her mother.

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SavedbyFaith.info - Daily Mail

He will come like a thief

Luke 21:9 - But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not 
terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not yet.

Jesus warned that there would be people who will mislead you by saying 
the end is at hand and we will believe them because of the problems 
around and the desperate situations around.

In today's message we read Jesus saying there will be wars and 
commotions and at that time we are not to be terrified. He says these 
things have to come to pass meaning they need to go behind us and we 
will survive them. He also says not to think when they are happening 
that the end is at hand.

We have seen time and again when there is any major world calamity, all 
preachers who lack wisdom or understanding of scriptures climbing roof 
tops and shouting at the top of their voice that the end is at hand. 
When time passes these people behave so innocent as if it was not them 
who spoke of the end, until another calamity when they will do the same 
all over again.

To know when the end is at hand we need to take the clue which Jesus 
said at the end He will come like a thief. Understand the thief does not 
break into your house when you are awake and there is lots of activity 
happening. He would prefer when you are asleep and everything is quiet 
in the house.

Bible clearly states the end will not come when there are lots of 
calamities and problems but in fact when there is a false peace, when 
people think nothing is going to happen.

The fact there are problems and calamities around us assures the end is 
not at hand, so let us not get distracted thinking of it but concentrate 
on doing the work that is assigned to us so that we harvest before the 
end comes and are prepared when He comes.

[Prayers Starter]

Lord, people lack understanding of scriptures therefore are misled by 
people who have half knowledge of things. Lord these foolish people are 
distracting the laborers from doing the harvesting and thus becoming 
agents of the deceiver. Lord we pray wisdom unto your people that they 
discern these people and do not be distracted from doing the job at hand...

This prayer we make in Jesus' Name, Amen.

[Reference Scriptures]

Luke 21:7-19

Matthew 24:4-14

4 And Jesus answered and said to them, Take heed that no man deceive you.

5For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive 
many.

6And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not 
troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

7For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and 
there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in various places.

8All these are the beginning of sorrows.

9Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and 
ye shall be hated by all nations for my name's sake.

10And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and 
shall hate one another.

11And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

12And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall become cold.

13But he that shall endure to the end, the same shall be saved.

14And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for 
a testimony to all nations; and then shall the end come.

Revelation 16:15Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, 
and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.

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SavedbyFaith.info - Daily Mail

Islam and other hidden religions

Jeremiah 49:38 - And I will set my throne in Elam, and will destroy from 
there the king and the princes, saith the LORD.

Elam in the Hebrew text is translated as eternity but the word is 
originally an Assyrian word which means 'hidden'. It was a territory to 
the east of Babylon and northeast of the Tigris River. In today's map it 
would means southern part of Iraq and large part of Iran.

In today's message the Lord talks of a religion that is hidden. Many 
people compare Islam to Christianity because they think the word Allah 
refers to God and Islam is a monolithic religion. The word is an Arabic 
word which means 'The god' the word for God in Arabic is illah / illa 
and not Allah.

Like in Christianity one is considered Christian by one's baptism, in 
Islam a person is considered Muslim after he or she declares the Shahada 
which is the first verses of the Quran.

The verse goes as follow '/La ilaha illa Allah wa-Muhammad rasul Allah'./
There is no god but Allah / the god and Muhammad is the prophet of the god.

It is /these words that are printed in white on the black banner used by 
ISIS./

If one studies Islam one would know which god they are referring to as 
'the god'. The Arabs were pagan worshipers and the Kaaba was a temple 
for 360 gods. The chief amongst them was a god named Hubal who was a 
moon deity and had 3 daughters named el-Lat, el-Uzza, and Manat. Each of 
the daughters had a shrine in Mecca near the main shrine. That is also 
the reason why moon is an integral part of Islamic worship or rituals.

When a Christian monk told Mohammad when he was 25 years old that there 
is only one God, Mohammad being illiterate selected Hubal the chief of 
the gods of the Kaaba as the only god and destroyed all other gods.

In the Quran the verse in which Mohammad declares the 3 daughters of 
Allah are considered as satanic verses and are edited in the newer 
Qurans. When Salam Rushdie wrote a book referring to this verse it 
opened a pandora's box and that is why religious Muslims want to kill him.

If we check the Arabic script of the word Allah the same in Hebrew means 
'cursed' and in Greek is the number 666. Most Christians think Allah is 
the Beast mentioned in Revelation. That is true to some extend but not 
fully right.

In Ezekiel 28 we read it is not the King of Tyre (a term given for 
Lucifer) but the Prince of Tyre (the Beast) who wants to be god. Like 
Lucifer this 'Prince of Tyre' also being a Cherub had wisdom (which is 
thousand times that of normal man) not to challenge God his creator in 
Heaven but instead tries to be god over the people (only an ignorant 
being like man can think he can take the place of God). The prince of 
Tyre knew he could deceive man and put himself as god over mankind. In 
Quran we read Mohammad declares Allah as being the 'greatest deceiver' 
pointing Allah to be the Beast / Prince of Tyre. The Beast is not only 
the one who controls people who follow Islam but also all other 
religions including a large sect of 'Christians' who worship a 'woman' 
thinking she is a character from the Bible. Bible says in fact the 
throne of the Beast is the Church of this sect of Christians and in 
history we see Islam is an indirect outcome of this Church (Pope Gregory 
in 500AD).

I got this message yesterday but could not send it until I was sure what 
the message was. Today's scripture is a prophecy which in one way did 
come true during the rule of the Babylonian empire but the Lord is 
telling us today through this same scripture that He is going to set 
Himself above these hidden religions and going to bring down the rulers, 
big and small and the captives of these religions are going to come to 
know Him.

If one studies the stages of the Church as defined in the seven letters 
we see we are entering an era where the Church glorifies the Lord and 
people come to know Him. People think all these calamities that are 
happening point to the end but are mistaken; they are setting the loose 
foundation strong and building the hearts and minds of the people. So 
let us not be disheartened but be more energised and be bold to witness 
Christ to the world.

[Prayer Starter]

Lord, people think things are getting back and loosing hope, but we see 
Lord in scriptures it is at this very time You have shown up and 
glorified Yourself among your people. Lord, we pray they do not lose 
hope but instead know now is the time and work with extra vigour and 
determination...

This prayer we make in Jesus' Name, Amen.

[Reference Scriptures]

Jeremiah 49:35-39

35Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will break the bow of Elam, 
the chief of their might.

36And upon Elam will I bring the four winds from the four quarters of 
heaven, and will scatter them toward all those winds; and there shall be 
no nation where the outcasts of Elam shall not come.

37For I will cause Elam to be dismayed before their enemies, and before 
them that seek their life: and I will bring evil upon them, even my 
fierce anger, saith the LORD; and I will send the sword after them, till 
I have consumed them:

38And I will set my throne in Elam, and will destroy from there the king 
and the princes, saith the LORD.

39But it shall come to pass in the latter days, that I will bring again 
the captives of Elam, saith the LORD.

Revelation 3:7-12

7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things 
saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, 
he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;

8I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no 
man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, 
and hast not denied my name.

9Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are 
Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and 
worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.

10Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee 
from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try 
them that dwell upon the earth.

11Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man 
take thy crown.

12Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and 
he shall go out no more: and I will write upon him the name of my God, 
and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh 
down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

Ezekiel 28

Revelation 2:13 - I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where 
Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my 
faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who 
was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.

Revelation 17:8 - The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall 
ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that 
dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the 
book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the 
beast that was, and is not, and yet is.

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SavedbyFaith.info - Daily Mail

Days of famine are over

Haggai 2:16 - Since those days were, when one came to an heap of twenty 
measures, there were but ten: when one came to the pressfat for to draw 
out fifty vessels out of the press, there were but twenty.

We all have been facing problems financially or productivity in one way 
or the other since a few years. This has been happening for a reason and 
God had things in control.

There is one of the best messages we can get to start a New Year and the 
Lord is telling us our days of struggling are over and the days of 
plenty are at hand, for we see today's message says since long we have 
been trying to get something and we received less but in verse 19 God 
says He will bless us.

The whole of chapter 2 of the book of Haggai is all about encouragement 
and that is what the Lord is doing to us today. God is encouraging you 
and me and telling us not to worry of our worldly needs and our work. We 
are asked to just concentrate on our spiritual growth everything else is 
going to be an easy ride.

[Prayer Starter]

Lord, we thank You and bless your Holy Name for You are a wonderful, 
loving and merciful Father. We thank You for this awesome message, we 
receive it with open hearts and rejoice in You. Thank You Father...

This prayer we make in Jesus' Name, Amen.

[Reference Scriptures]

Haggai 2:16-19

16Since those days were, when one came to an heap of twenty measures, 
there were but ten: when one came to the pressfat for to draw out fifty 
vessels out of the press, there were but twenty.

17I smote you with blasting and with mildew and with hail in all the 
labours of your hands; yet ye turned not to me, saith the LORD.

18Consider now from this day and upward, from the four and twentieth day 
of the ninth month, even from the day that the foundation of the LORD'S 
temple was laid, consider it.

19Is the seed yet in the barn? yea, as yet the vine, and the fig tree, 
and the pomegranate, and the olive tree, hath not brought forth: from 
this day will I bless you.

Wishing You all a Blessed and Joyful New Year

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SavedbyFaith.info - Daily Mail

Turmoil in the Church - where is God

Psalms 74:8-11

8They said in their hearts, Let us destroy them together: they have 
burned up all the synagogues of God in the land.

9We see not our signs: there is no more any prophet: neither is there 
among us any that knoweth how long.

10O God, how long shall the adversary reproach? shall the enemy 
blaspheme thy name for ever?

11Why withdrawest thou thy hand, even thy right hand? pluck it out of 
thy bosom.

Today in every Indian Newspaper or most Indian Christians are talking of 
the program Gar Wapsi - 'Home Coming' initiated by right wing Hindus. 
The right wing Hindu organizations are reconverting 'Christians' back to 
Hinduism.

There may be some who approached them but by the News we read most of 
these reconverts are happening because of intimidation, social pressure 
or by buying them with worldly benefits (mostly we see the uneducated 
are the ones). Every few days we read hundreds of Christians are 
reconverting. What was very disheartening to hear was the assessment 
these right wing Hindus have of Christians. They identify weak 
Christians and then collect funds to get then reconverted. According to 
the News they budget Rs2lakhs per Christian for the reconversion.Like 
they target Christians they are also targeting Muslims. What was bad is 
according to them the Muslim is more devoted to his or her religion 
therefore they budget Rs5lakh for reconversion per Muslim.

What saddens me is not that Christians are becoming Hindus again. What 
this has exposed is the quality of work that the Church has been doing. 
Compare this to the work the Apostles did. The people they bough to 
Christ were not just offered goodies but were threatened with death yet 
they refused to give up on Christ, hundreds were massacred in public 
including women and children yet they did not give up on their belief, 
they sang worship hymns as they were being killed. This is a far cry 
from what we see happening today. Can we blame God for not this or for 
not intervening?

In today's message the psalmist points to a similar situation and 
questions in verse 11 if God has withdrawn His protection over His 
people and stopped loving them. But he realizes the problem there is no 
prophet (Man of God) amongst them nor does anyone have knowledge of the 
happenings as to when it will last.

The psalmist is inspired by the Spirit of God and knows that this was 
coming therefore questions how long it would last. He also knew why, the 
reason being lack of Men of God. Had they had a Man of God amidst them 
they would have known how long problem would have lasted and in the 
first place the problem would have not risen.

Today we are suffering the same problem. There are many who are 
evangelizing and converting people to 'Christians' but are failing in 
bringing them to the knowledge of the Lord and have a relationship with 
Christ. Since they lack knowledge of the Truth for them Christianity is 
a religion and our Lord is one among other gods. If has the knowledge of 
the Truth there is no way one can give up on the Lord, even death would 
not be able to do so.

Evangelist and other Christians are making others 'Christians' by social 
assurance or selling them blessing of the Lord like healings or 
restoration of provisions. They are giving the Gospel and stopping 
there, they are not giving them the Word. The Gospel (Good News) is like 
the trailer or preface and the Word is the real movie or the novel. The 
Gospel gives hope and assurance of salvation but the Word directs us and 
strengthens us into knowing and receiving it.

I get very upset when people saying make the Word of God simple and easy 
for people to understand. They confuse between the Gospel and Word. The 
Gospel is indeed simple and meant for those who do are ignorant of 
Christ but those who have accepted Christ we are not supposed to keep 
feeding them the Gospel but start giving them the Word (after training 
them to live a Christian life, that is come out from other things).

The reason the Church fails is because it does not follow the 
instructions given by Jesus on being good shepherds. There are 2 
instructions of great importance that Jesus gave in regards to nurturing 
people spiritually.

Frist: Baptize them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the 
Holy Spirit. That means to immerse them in the knowledge first of the 
Father and then of the Son and then of the Holy Spirit, because the 
Father reveals the Son and the Son reveals the Spirit. I have seen many 
foolish Christians preach Christ to people who do not know God. The fact 
Christ is the mediator between God and man the person needs to know God 
first to know His Christ.

Second: Feed My lambs, tend My sheep and then feed My sheep. Jesus gave 
these instructions to Peter after asking Peter 3 times "Do you love 
Me?". The Church is mostly doing the task of feeding the lambs and not 
moving ahead after that. That is why we see the Church full of lambs and 
no mature sheep (Men or Women of God).

Let this Gar Wapsi be an eye opener to us and let us change our ways of 
working. Let us do things the Lord's way and not be lazy or be smarter 
than God. If we do not it would not be far when we will see everything 
that is build come down to the ground.

[Prayer Starter]

Lord, we pray your people stop playing Church and understand the purpose 
of salvation. Let them know rituals and traditions do not make anyone a 
Christian. To be a Christian one needs to be renewed from inside and for 
the change to happen the person needs to know You. It is by You and with 
You that we can overcome our inner sinful man and thus regain the 
authority You have given us as Sons of God, the power which the Angels 
hold...

This prayer we make in Jesus' Name, Amen.

[Reference Scriptures]

Matthew 28:19 - Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, 
baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the 
Holy Spirit:

John 21:15-17

15So when they had broken their fast, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, 
son of John, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, 
Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

16He saith to him again a second time, Simon, son of John, lovest thou 
me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He 
saith unto him, Tend my sheep.

17He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of John, lovest thou me? 
Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou 
me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest 
that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

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SavedbyFaith.info - Daily Mail

In the season He demands result

Luke 20:10 - And at the season he sent a servant to the vinedressers, 
that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard: but the 
vinedressers beat him, and sent him away empty.

We know the incident of Jesus rebuking the fig tree and how it died 
right from its roots soon afterwards. We know Jesus did not hate trees 
or was a hard headed and proud person who got angry because He was 
hungry and did not get fruit so He cursed the tree to death. We need to 
know that fig trees changes colors of its leaves when it is time for it 
to bear fruit. It so happened that Jesus was passing with His disciples 
and from far He saw the tree had changed color of its leaves indicating 
it was fruitful so Jesus being hungry approached it, and when He came 
close He did not find any fruit on it so He got angry and rebuked it and 
it died from its roots.

The very purpose of a fruit tree is to bear fruit. Would any person keep 
a tree for long if it does not bear any fruit? Jesus wanted us to know 
when it is time to bear fruit we need to account to God who is the 
provider and owner of the vineyard as to what fruits we have borne.

Each tree has different season so also God has set a season for each and 
every one of us and in the season God will take account of the fruit we 
have borne. There are times we may try to fool God with Church 
activities or social activities and put a picture that we are doing 
God's work. People may be fooled by what we do, but at the end God who 
is all knowing and all seeing is not fooled. He will not go by the how 
big tree or Church we have set or how many people we have bought to read 
the Bible or to lift hands in prayer meeting or the people we have 
healed or the people we have prayed for things like jobs or other 
problems. He will demand us to show the spiritual Fruits in us and in 
the people we have been put responsible over (period).

If we are thinking till date whatever you and I have been doing and God 
has not rebuked us for it, does not necessary mean God is please with 
it. We need to investigate are our works in the Lord if they are bearing 
fruit? Our season has not come till date and thus while time is at hand 
let us self-audit our work as to what we are doing and have been doing. 
Especially we being at the end of this year let us glance back and see 
the fruit have we borne this year, so that we do not repeat the coming 
year doing the same things. Let us renew ourselves in the ways of the 
Lord and do things His way and not our way.

[Prayer Starter]

Lord, You are God and You are Spirit. Your Kingdom is not of this world 
made of materialistic things which have life and after a time perish. 
Your Kingdom Lord is more real and eternal and made of spiritual things 
which man cannot imagine or conceptualize. Lord we pray as we pass 
through this world and refined in You let us bear good fruit and that we 
not aim more for being a big tree but being a strong rooted tree that 
also bears good fruit in its season which You are in control of...

This prayer we make in Jesus' Name, Amen.

[Reference Scriptures]

Matthew 7:18-27

18A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree 
bring forth good fruit.

19Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast 
into the fire.

20Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

21Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the 
kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in 
heaven.

22Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in 
thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done 
many wonderful works?

23And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, 
ye that work iniquity.

24Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I 
will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

25And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and 
beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

26And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, 
shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:

27And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and 
beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

Matthew 21:43 - Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be 
taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.

Mark 11:12-14,19-21

12And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry:

13And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he 
might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing 
but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet.

14And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee 
hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it.

19And when even was come, he went out of the city.

20And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up 
from the roots.

21And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the 
fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away.

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SavedbyFaith.info - Daily Mail

Father and children

Matthew 1:2 - Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob 
begat Judah and his brethren;

When a rose seed is put in a pot and that seed sprouts into a plant, do 
people say that is a rose plant that grew from the seed taken from that 
XYZ plant or would they say that is a plant of that pot? We all know it 
is the pot and the soil in it that helps the seed sprout and grow but 
yet the name is taken of the plant from which that seed came.

When we refer to genealogy in the Bible we see the name of the father is 
taken and not the name of the mother. Many people think it is because 
the society was male dominant that is why the father's name was taken, 
they are wrong. One should understand life and how life populates to 
understand this.

We all know humans have a life term here on earth which is up to 
120years. This was not the case before the floods of Noah. During Noah 
and before Noah people lived a very long life some even thousand years. 
It was after God saw that man had become very evil that God set the age 
of man on earth to be max 120 years. That means in the body man is 
restricted to 120 years (normally) but that does not mean the spirit of 
man lives 120 years for even though man dies his spirit continues to exist.

When God created the world He created all beings in spirit and set the 
story of mankind, that is why God says in many verses things like He 
knows us from the foundation of creation, the names of those who enter 
Heaven are already written in the Book of Life even before they are born 
as humans.

Humans are beings created by God and thus do not have the ability to 
live eternally within themselves like God (Father and Son do). When I 
studied the spirit life of man I found it is about 3 thousand years. 
That is why we see Jesus came just in time to fulfill His promise to 
Noah and his family. That is why Peter states when Jesus went to Hell 
and preached the souls there, those from the time of Noah were saved 
from Hell. Peter stated from the time Noah because the souls before had 
perished in Hell and did not exist. That means the soul like that of 
Adam and Eve did not exist in Hell when Jesus went there. There are many 
other factors that confirm the life term of 3 thousand years of spirit man.

We all know the world is many billions of years old and earth some 
million years old, mankind itself is many thousands of years. So when I 
asked Lord, how would a spirit having a life term of 3 thousand years 
exist for many thousands of years? He opened my mind with understand 
plant life.

Plants have varying life terms, some very short of weeks and some very 
large as in hundreds of years. This life starts from the time the seed 
sprouts but the seed can be kept for hundreds of years irrespective of 
the length of the life term of the plant. We see the same concept in 
man. When God blessed or cursed man He did so from father to children 
for the seeds were in the father and not in the mother.

A mother by her love, compassion and tender care can mold a child into a 
good being but one needs to understand the seed still comes from the 
father. The womb of the mother is like the pot that holds the seed and 
nurtures it the initial days of its life but if the seed is not of a 
good bred then a pot even with rich soil cannot do much.

My advice to all my sisters in the Lord, when you marry make sure your 
'to be' husband is in the Lord so that your children also are, else you 
would need to do a lot of efforts and taking authority break spiritual 
curses and sin nature that comes from the father unto the child up to 
the fourth generation. If the to be father is in the Lord than it does 
not matter if his fathers were or weren't. Once spiritual curse links 
are broken then what was there before need not be bothered.

Curses or sin nature from mother also travels unto the child but not 
from mother to child but via the father. When husband and wife become 
one when they come together then via the husband the child inherits the 
good or bad of the wife (that is why in Jesus' case even though the 
mother was a sinner yet Jesus knew no sin for He did not have a human 
father). If the husband is in the Lord and the wife is not then the 
husband can take authority and break the link of curses unto the child.

Today's scripture shows the importance of the link of the father to the 
child that is why in the genealogy the name of the father and not the 
name of the mother are noted.

[Prayer Starter]

Lord, You made man in your image and You also set things in order so as 
for man to understand the hidden things of the Heavens. Lord we pray 
your people are not driven by emotions but with knowledge and 
understanding of the Truth...

This payer we make in Jesus' Name, Amen.

[Reference Scriptures]

Genesis 5:1-2

1This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God 
created man, in the likeness of God made he him;

2Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their 
name Adam [the generations of Adam inherited the nature of Adam], in the 
day when they were [are] created.

Exodus 34:6-7

6And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD 
God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and 
truth,

7Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and 
sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity 
of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto 
the third and to the fourth generation.

Genesis 6:3 - And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with 
man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and 
twenty years.

Genesis 35:11And God said unto him, I am God Almighty: be fruitful and 
multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall be of thee, and kings 
shall come out of thy loins;

Genesis 37:34And Jacob rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his 
loins, and mourned for his son many days.

Genesis 46:26All the souls that came with Jacob into Egypt, which came 
out of his loins, besides Jacob's sons' wives, all the souls were 
threescore and six;

Genesis 1:26-28

26And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and 
let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of 
the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every 
creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

27So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he 
him; male and female created he them.

28And God blessed them, and God said to them, Be fruitful, and multiply, 
and fill the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of 
the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that 
moveth upon the earth.

1 Peter 3:18-20

18For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, 
that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but 
quickened by the Spirit:

19By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;

20Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God 
waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, 
that is, eight souls were saved by water.

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SavedbyFaith.info - Daily Mail

Like lightning and Noe floods will be the days of the Son of Man

Luke 17:24-26

24For as the lightning, that lighteneth from the one part under heaven, 
shineth to the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be 
in his day.

25But first he must suffer many things, and be rejected by this generation.

26And as it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be also in the days of 
the Son of man.

Lightning is one of the wonders of nature that never fails to amaze man, 
at time causing awe and many a times causing fear. If one studies how it 
happens and what happens, it will cause more fear than awe.

The sky (clouds) carries a positive charge and the earth hold a negative 
charge. When the difference between them increases more and more it 
starts to open an area where in a spike of electricity will run between 
them in a form of a spark or lightning. All this sounds good and okay 
but when we understand the values and the power that is involved here we 
will be in awe. People who have measured lightning have recorded up to 
2,000,000 volts during summer and up to 6,000,000 volts in winter. One 
person put the energy equivalent to energy stored in 100 to 150 liters 
of petrol. So we see the power that moves between is just mindboggling.

Today's message talks of the second coming of Jesus Christ and His 
coming is compared to 2 factors one is lightning and the other the 
floods of Noah (Noe).

We see in both the cases one can know when it will happen yet one will 
not be able to tell the exact second and minute it will happen. In the 
case of lightning when the difference of charge increases beyond a 
certain limit one can expect lightning to take place. In the case of 
Noah when evil increased beyond a certain permissible limit then did God 
cause the floods to come forth.

If one is a scientist and has measuring equipment in place he or she 
would be able to tell you the point after which lightning would strike. 
He will assure you before that point there would be no lightning. It is 
after that point only he or she would say now there is a possibility of 
lightning.

The same is with the case with Noah. Noah spent 100 years building the 
ark and it was after a few days after the ark was ready, did God 
instruct Noah to enter it and await the floods. The floods did not come 
before Noah made the ark nor while he was entering the ark with his 
family and all the animals. It was only after he entered and settled 
down did the Lord allow the flood to come.

The coming of Jesus Christ is told by many time and again but only those 
who like the scientist have knowledge of the situation or like Noah have 
faith that God will make fruitful the works of his hands, do not worry 
of the coming of Jesus Christ immediately. It is lack of knowledge of 
scriptures that people keep screaming that the coming of Christ is at hand.

The verse in between is the key to know the time. People think this 
verse talks of crucifixion of Jesus Christ; they think it talks of His 
suffering and being crucified; they are mistaken. We need to remember 
wherever Jesus used the term Son of man it could be referring Him in His 
human nature or even mankind itself as made by God.

The Lord is telling us before the end comes mankind itself would be 
rejected that means there would be no humanity and all the prophecies 
would have to come to pass. For instance the Gospel has to be preached 
to the ears of every lost sheep so that they hear His voice and return 
to Him, unless this comes to pass the end will not come.Like this there 
are many other prophecies which need to come to pass before the point 
the lightning strikes or the flood comes in other words Jesus Christ 
comes again. Most of the prophecies are depend on us, so if we work on 
them we can quicken or delay the coming of Christ (thou not beyond a 
certain point).

[Prayer Starter]

Lord You have caused the world to exist in seasons, although the hour of 
your coming again is not known but the day or season is given and 
observing the season we can prepare for your coming. Lord, give 
discernment to your people to know the season and give them a heart to 
prepare for your coming again so that they are blessed in You and not at 
the receiving end of your wrath...

This prayer we make in Jesus' Name, Amen.

[Reference Scriptures]

Acts 1:6-11

6When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, 
Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?

7And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the 
seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.

8But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: 
and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, 
and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

9And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken 
up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.

10And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, 
two men stood by them in white apparel;

11Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into 
heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall 
so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

Luke 12:54-56

54And he said also to the people, When ye see a cloud rise out of the 
west, straightway ye say, There cometh a shower; and so it is.

55And when ye see the south wind blow, ye say, There will be heat; and 
it cometh to pass.

56Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; 
but how is it that ye do not discern this time?

Matthew 24:32-39

32Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, 
and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:

33So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is 
near, even at the doors.

34Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these 
things be fulfilled.

35Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

36But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, 
but my Father only.

37But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of 
man be.

38For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and 
drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe 
entered into the ark,

39And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall 
also the coming of the Son of man be.

Matthew 24:14 - And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all 
the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

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SavedbyFaith.info - Daily Mail

It takes courage not to worship the lord of this world

Daniel 3:7 - Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound 
of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of music, 
all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshipped 
the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.

We read in the book of Daniel, King Nebuchadnezzar made a great golden 
statue and commanded all his subjects to bow down and worship it when 
his musicians played different musical instruments. We know all the 
subjects obeyed the king except for 3 persons namely Shadrach, Meshach, 
and Abednego. They knew their God and had the courage to refuse to bow 
down or worship the gods of the king or the golden image made by the 
king. We all also know the story that transpired later, how the Lord 
showed His glory by saving them through the fire.

It is just amazing how the Lord gives the perfect, unthinkable verse on 
the right moment. Today the world is bowing down and worshiping an image 
made by the king of this world (the Beast). This image is a golden image 
that looks perfect and good. It is only because Shadrach, Meshach, and 
Abednego knew their God therefore they could discern and they had no 
fear of this world therefore they did not bow.

Speak to Christians and many know the story of ChristMass yet all look 
for a christ in this golden image that is created by the ruler of this 
world. People fear to stand up and say NO to not bowing down to this 
image due to fear of society putting them into a social fire speaking 
and mocking them as being extra smart.

I am happy I know my God and have the courage to say NO to bowing to the 
golden image. I know how people mock me and make fun of me for speaking 
against this golden image. But I also know one day God will sure 
manifest His glory in me. I look forward for more to stand up and say 
what has Christianity to do with this celebration called 'ChristMass' 
and what has this 'christ' born in a stable to do with our Christ who 
was born in a manger (wooden box used to feed donkeys) outside an inn 
and that too not in December but on the Feast of the Tabernacle 
(September).

[Prayer Starter]

Lord your Word says your people suffer not because of problems but 
because they lack knowledge. They lack knowledge of who You are and who 
they are in You. Lord we pray You open doors of wisdom and understanding 
to your people, that they learn to discern not just black and white but 
also the grey for You hate more those who stand in the grey than those 
who stand in the black. Lord, may they obey You the real King and not 
the king of this world...

This prayer we make in Jesus' Name, Amen.

[Reference Scriptures]

Daniel 3:1-28

Leviticus 23:34-43

34Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, The fifteenth day of this 
seventh month shall be the feast of tabernacles for seven days unto the 
LORD.

35On the first day shall be an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile 
work therein.

36Seven days ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD: on 
the eighth day shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall offer 
an offering made by fire unto the LORD: it is a solemn assembly; and ye 
shall do no servile work therein.

37These are the feasts of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy 
convocations, to offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD, a burnt 
offering, and a meat offering, a sacrifice, and drink offerings, every 
thing upon his day:

38Beside the sabbaths of the LORD, and beside your gifts, and beside all 
your vows, and beside all your freewill offerings, which ye give unto 
the LORD.

39Also in the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when ye have gathered 
in the fruit of the land, ye shall keep a feast unto the LORD seven 
days: on the first day shall be a sabbath, and on the eighth day shall 
be a sabbath.

40And ye shall take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees, 
branches of palm trees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of 
the brook; and ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God seven days.

41And ye shall keep it a feast unto the LORD seven days in the year. It 
shall be a statute for ever in your generations: ye shall celebrate it 
in the seventh month.

42Ye shall dwell in booths seven days; all that are Israelites born 
shall dwell in booths:

43That your generations may know that I made the children of Israel to 
dwell in booths, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the 
LORD your God.

Luke 2:7 - And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in 
swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room 
for them in the inn.

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SavedbyFaith.info - Daily Mail

Fear or fear not

Today I receive just one word ‘fear’. It is very interesting factor to
study this word from scriptures.

The first time this word is used in the Bible is after the great flood
during the time of Noah. It was after that flood God blessed Noah and his
family and command them to prosper in all areas of their lives, He also
stated that this world and its living beings would fear Noah and his
generations. So we see the first fear factor was not man about man fearing
anything but all things in this world fearing man.

The word fear in English is always understood in a negative factor, it is
always considered as being frightened, but in Hebrew it more about being
alarmed so it can have both a negative and a positive factor. In the
negative it would mean being frighten but in the positive it would mean
being in awe of, or being amazed of.

When God created man, God created him in His image and thus was Son of God.
As Son of God, God set man to be king of this creation which we call world.
That means we were set to be kings not only of earth but the whole solar
system and all the trillions of stars and planets in it. When man sinned
the image in man got corrupted and thus man lost his authority as king.

When the Lord (God the Son) came as man Jesus, He was born without sin and
kept Himself free of sin thus having the perfect image of God was called
Son of God. As Son of God He had authority and was also called King (Prince
of God - Israel).

Through the Gospel of John the Lord tells us He came as man to restore our
authority as kings by restoring the image of God in us through the working
of His Spirit in us, that is making us again Sons of God. Paul refers to
man Jesus as Prince of kings (Chief King) since He came to led us and
become an example for us.

When we come to the word fear in the Greek language it becomes more
interesting.

The Greek word for fear is ‘phobos’. The negative part of fear remains the
same but in the positive part we see in one place it is referred as
‘reverence for one’s husband’. So here it is not like awe towards a person
or being far away but more as to someone connected or related.

Jesus being God who came as man, He again and again told us not to fear
anyone or anything else for the only person or being we need to fear is Him
for He is the husband to His bride that is us and He is Jehovah whom we
need to awe, He is the one who will come to meet His bride. He is the one
who as Son of man will come again to judge since God will not judge man but
as man who has overcome sin will judge man.

Another factor we need note is the Greek word ‘eulabeia‘ translated a
‘godly fear’ in Hebrew 12:28 actually means caution or discretion.

[Prayer Starter]

Lord, when You made us You gave us dominance over everything You created in
this world. You made us kings but due to sin we lost our kingship. Lord You
came as man to give back our kingship. Lord You have again and again told
us to realize who we are and not to fear. Help us Lord to fear only You and
nothing g else...

This prayer we make in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

[Reference Scriptures]

Genesis 9:1-2

1 And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and
multiply, and replenish the earth.

2 And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of
the earth, and upon every fowl of the air, upon all that moveth upon the
earth, and upon all the fishes of the sea; into your hand are they
delivered.

1 John 4:18 - There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear:
because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

1 Peter 3:15 - But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready
always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope
that is in you with meekness and fear:

Hebrew 12:28 - Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let
us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly
fear:

Revelation 1:5 - And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and
the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth.
Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

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SavedbyFaith.info - Daily Mail

Fools and slow of heart

Luke 24:25 - Then he said to them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe 
all that the prophets have spoken:

Among today's Christians we see the things of that Catholic Church have 
taken a great effect on the belief of even the Believers or 'Born-Again' 
Christians. Among the first things the Catholic Church did was to give a 
symbol (crucifix) and take away the meaning (CROSS). That is why people 
do not know the basics like 'from whom did Jesus come to save us from', 
the immediate answer is Satan. It shows how Satan has been glorified and 
given great importance. Jesus came not to save us from Satan but to save 
us from God. On the cross He did not say 'Satan now you are destroyed' 
but said 'Father forgive them for they do not know what they do'. Jesus 
came to move us from the coming under the wrath of God wherein we would 
be destroyed on Judgment Day and bring us on to His righteous side so as 
to be blessed in Him. Another thing the Catholic Church did was to split 
the Bible into 2 parts and called them New Testament and Old Testament 
making 2 testaments, one before Jesus and one after Jesus. That is why 
people do not know Christ is the Jehovah / Yahweh of the Old Testament.

Even the Jewish Church which is considered the elder sister of the 
Catholic Church (the 2 daughters of the false Church) did a similar 
thing with the Jews so as to spiritually destroy the people called by God.

The greatest evil the Jewish Church did was it did not allow people to 
understand the Word or Law of God and replaced it with rituals and 
traditions making them into the Law of Moses. That is why they 
celebrated feasts without understand the real reason. They implemented 
the Law of the Lord in the flesh and made it a carnal Law. That is why 
we saw the greatest Laws for them were things like the Sabbath, tithes, 
celebrating feasts, washing of hands and feet etc.

In today's message we see Jesus pulls them up and reveals to them the 
reason why. We see Jesus does not point to the Jewish church as the 
problem but to them for the problem. Understand we do not get fooled 
because the other person was smart but more because we have not been 
smart. If we are wise and we discern everything well, then there is no 
chance of us being fooled.

In today's message we read the word as 'fools' actually means 'lack of 
understanding' and 'slow of heart' means 'one who does not discern or 
give thought to things'.

We as Christians have inherited the 'fools' and 'slow of heart' factors 
of the former Jewish church. When Jesus told the Jews to be saved they 
need to be 'born again' today He says the same for us Christians as well 
and He would possibility shout that aloud to all Christians alive.

Firstly there is no word as 'born again' in the Bible it is a 
mistranslation. In John 3 when Jesus spoke to Nicodemus the words He 
actually said was 'born from above'. We read Jesus also says 'one who is 
born of flesh is flesh and one born of Spirit is spirit'. It does not 
mean we need to be born again in the flesh but means to have a 
relationship with the Holy Spirit like a child has with its mother. We 
need to grow from infancy (being in the womb) to growing into teen and 
unto a man.

Today we see there are very few Christians who are 'born from above', 
for the masses lack understanding and do not discern things. Anyone says 
anything in the name of Christianity or adds the word 'Christ' to 
anything, Christians will immediately swallow it and make it part of 
Christianity.

Let us be Born from Above, born from the Spirit. Let us study God's Word 
and not lack understanding. Let us discern everything and anything that 
affects us, especially our spiritual walk in Christ.

[Prayer Starter]

Lord, time before You had warned man about being deceived in a big way. 
Today people are experiencing problems and disasters as if You do not 
exist. They feel it is your will and desire to see your people suffer 
for You warned about them, they are far from You and your Kingdom. Lord 
we pray more and more people stop walking in the flesh and walk more in 
the Spirit with matters relating to You. We pray they grow in knowledge 
and understanding of your Kingdom and that they use discernment more and 
more...

This prayer we make in Jesus' Name, Amen.

[Reference Scriptures]

John 3:1-7

1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:

2The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that 
thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that 
thou doest, except God be with him.

3Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, 
Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

4Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he 
enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?

5Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born 
of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

6That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the 
Spirit is spirit.

7Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

Luke 23:34 - Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not 
what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

Romans 8:14 - For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the 
sons of God.

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SavedbyFaith.info - Daily Mail

Keep the law or the Law

Acts 15:23,24 - And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The 
apostles and elders and brethren send greeting to the brethren who are 
of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia: Forasmuch as we have 
heard, that certain who went out from us have troubled you with words, 
subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: 
to whom we gave no such commandment:

This Sunday a couple of boys whom I have been ministering in the 
knowledge of the Kingdom of God met me and shared an experience they 
went through that day which made me soo glad.

They had gone to a church with regards some music equipment for a 
worship session and when they reached there a person told them to wait 
for the people there would like to speak to them, so these young lads 
waited. Soon a team of people started talking to them and they realized 
this was a church whose top agenda was to celebrate the Sabbath on 
Saturday. When the first team failed to convince them, they went back 
and updated another set of people and that team met the boys. This 
church had a strong congregation of 300 people. Soon after any teams 
tried they got tired trying to convince the boys and let them off.

The people there were quoted mostly the Old Testament and the boys 
quoted mostly the New Testament. They stated the law of Sabbath and said 
we should worship God on the Sabbath which falls on Saturday and the 
boys asked them if worshipping God on other days was against the Law of 
God. As they quoted scriptures from the Old Testament the boys quoted 
from the New.

Today's message a group of people who broke away from the Apostles and 
went out to the people in different cities and started commanding them 
to keep the law of Moses and this started troubling the people. The fact 
these people broke away from the Apostles meant that the understanding 
they carried did not go alone the understanding the Apostles had. We 
know the Apostles' understanding of scriptures was more true than the 
understanding other people had during that time. Even today the letters 
of the Apostles are unquestionable.

We see today many people who believe in Jesus Christ but have not being 
baptized in the Holy Spirit or have not surrendered to His Spirit land 
up becoming religious people for they try to serve God in the flesh. 
This happens because their spirit is suppressed by their love for this 
world or things of this world. They try to fit God and this world in the 
same box. They will say God, God but will not want to give up things of 
the world even if these things go against the Kingdom of God. To fool 
themselves and others they take up religious rituals and foolish points 
and put them high up their agenda and console themselves since they 
religiously keep them.

Understand any and everything that's connected to the Kingdom of God is 
from within or spiritual. Even a good thing like praying can be misused. 
For instance if I say a thousand words and sit for hours praying but if 
not one of these words come from within me then this praying will take 
me away from God instead of building a better relationship with God, the 
same with fasting or going to Church service. Our God is Spirit and He 
desires we worship Him in Spirit and in understanding. If we make our 
worship a ritual this same 'good thing' starts to anger Him. So it is 
better to respect God and do not do anything if it is not done from within.

People who talk of Sabbath, clean and unclean food, religious prayer 
timetable, religious fasting timetable etc. show their spiritual 
immaturity and how far they are from the Kingdom of God.

If we are new in the Lord and do them it is excusable and may be 
necessary but if we are years in the Lord or have great grace over us 
and yet continue doing them then we are heading towards destruction.

[Prayer Starter]

Lord God You are Spirit and your Kingdom is not of this world. Our flesh 
is temporary and will perish to dust but the person within has hope to 
live eternally in You. We are called to be your Sons therefore are led 
by the Spirit and not by the flesh. Lord we pray we overcome the flesh 
and stop fooling ourselves by works of the flesh but do the works of 
faith, works of the Spirit...

This prayer we make in Jesus's Name, Amen.

[Reference Scriptures]

John 1:17For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by 
Jesus Christ.

John 7:19Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the 
law? Why go ye about to kill me?

John 7:23If a man on the sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law 
of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at me, because I have made a 
man every whit whole on the sabbath day?

Matthew 5:17Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the 
prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill [full fill - make 
complete].

Hebrew 7:15-19

15And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of 
Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,

16Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the 
power of an endless life.

17For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of 
Melchisedec.

18For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for 
the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.

19For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope 
did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.

Romans 8:2-8

2For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free 
from the law of sin and death.

3For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, 
God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, 
condemned sin in the flesh:

4That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk 
not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

5For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but 
they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

6For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is 
life and peace.

7Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to 
the law of God, neither indeed can be.

8So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

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SavedbyFaith.info - Daily Mail