• The Advent Truth.
    POV: You remind someone that the Ten Commandments are still God’s moral law—and suddenly you’re told you’re denying grace, rejecting Jesus, trying to “earn salvation,” or putting Christians back under the Old Covenant.

    But Scripture presents a very different picture.

    The same Bible that says we are saved by grace also says:

    “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” — John 14:15

    “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.” — 1 John 5:3

    “Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.” — Romans 3:31

    Grace does not turn sin into righteousness. Grace forgives the sinner AND transforms the life.

    And what is sin?

    “Sin is the transgression of the law.” — 1 John 3:4

    Here’s the strange part: most Christians have absolutely no problem saying we should have no other gods, reject idols, honor our parents, not murder, not commit adultery, not steal, not lie, and not covet.

    But mention the FOURTH commandment—

    “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.” — Exodus 20:8

    —and suddenly keeping God’s commandments becomes “legalism.”

    Why is the commandment that begins with REMEMBER the one Christianity has worked hardest to forget?

    Jesus never abolished the Sabbath. He declared Himself “Lord also of the sabbath” (Mark 2:28). He said it was “made for man” (Mark 2:27). Isaiah describes Gentiles keeping it (Isaiah 56:6-7). Jesus told His disciples to pray concerning the Sabbath decades after the cross (Matthew 24:20). Revelation identifies God’s final people as those who “keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus” (Revelation 14:12).

    We don’t keep the commandments to GET saved.

    We keep them because Christ HAS saved us, writes His law upon our hearts (Hebrews 8:10), and produces loving obedience in the surrendered life.

    The gospel doesn’t save us in rebellion against God.

    It saves us from rebellion against God.

    And yes—that includes the commandment that says REMEMBER.
    The Advent Truth. POV: You remind someone that the Ten Commandments are still God’s moral law—and suddenly you’re told you’re denying grace, rejecting Jesus, trying to “earn salvation,” or putting Christians back under the Old Covenant. But Scripture presents a very different picture. The same Bible that says we are saved by grace also says: “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” — John 14:15 “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.” — 1 John 5:3 “Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.” — Romans 3:31 Grace does not turn sin into righteousness. Grace forgives the sinner AND transforms the life. And what is sin? “Sin is the transgression of the law.” — 1 John 3:4 Here’s the strange part: most Christians have absolutely no problem saying we should have no other gods, reject idols, honor our parents, not murder, not commit adultery, not steal, not lie, and not covet. But mention the FOURTH commandment— “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.” — Exodus 20:8 —and suddenly keeping God’s commandments becomes “legalism.” Why is the commandment that begins with REMEMBER the one Christianity has worked hardest to forget? Jesus never abolished the Sabbath. He declared Himself “Lord also of the sabbath” (Mark 2:28). He said it was “made for man” (Mark 2:27). Isaiah describes Gentiles keeping it (Isaiah 56:6-7). Jesus told His disciples to pray concerning the Sabbath decades after the cross (Matthew 24:20). Revelation identifies God’s final people as those who “keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus” (Revelation 14:12). We don’t keep the commandments to GET saved. We keep them because Christ HAS saved us, writes His law upon our hearts (Hebrews 8:10), and produces loving obedience in the surrendered life. The gospel doesn’t save us in rebellion against God. It saves us from rebellion against God. And yes—that includes the commandment that says REMEMBER.
    0 Kommentare 0 Anteile 9 Ansichten
  • ~. . . And the evening and the morning were the 243rd day. Good Morning, God's Beloved. On this 244th day of 2026, might I submit that, especially as Christians, we should be living a life worthy of the place in which we one day hope to dwell . . .==> "One thing I have desired of the Lord, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord, And to inquire in His temple." [Psalm 27:4]
    [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, Please PLAY NICE, PRAY for one another, Distance-CHECK on your neighbors, and Keep a SMILE on your Faith.]
    (For more videos like this, subscribe to my YouTube channel, MelzMark Video Productions, at www.youtube.com/[VStMelz])
    https://youtube.com/watch?v=6nlYA1Qizzw&is=fKV_TOpz2XTE8id0
    ~. . . And the evening and the morning were the 243rd day. Good Morning, God's Beloved. On this 244th day of 2026, might I submit that, especially as Christians, we should be living a life worthy of the place in which we one day hope to dwell . . .==> "One thing I have desired of the Lord, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord, And to inquire in His temple." [Psalm 27:4] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, Please PLAY NICE, PRAY for one another, Distance-CHECK on your neighbors, and Keep a SMILE on your Faith.] (For more videos like this, subscribe to my YouTube channel, MelzMark Video Productions, at www.youtube.com/[VStMelz]) https://youtube.com/watch?v=6nlYA1Qizzw&is=fKV_TOpz2XTE8id0
    0 Kommentare 0 Anteile 15 Ansichten
  • TODAY'S KINGDOM INSIGHTS:

    SERMON TOPIC:

    SERMON: BE SPIRITUALLY ALERT — EMBER MONTHS ARE HERE.

    Theme:

    “Watch and Pray: Finishing the Year Strong in Christ”

    Key Text:

    1 Peter 5:8–9

    > “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”


    THE YEAR IS NOT OVER YET!

    Beloved, we have entered the final stretch of the year.
    The ember months—September, October, November and December—are often associated with celebrations, travelling, weddings, parties, business activities, family gatherings and end-of-year excitement.
    But as Christians, we must understand something:
    The end of the year is not a time to become spiritually careless. It is a time to become spiritually alert!
    Many people become relaxed because they think, “The year is almost over.”
    But the devil does not take a holiday.
    Your prayer life must not go on holiday.
    Your Bible study must not go on holiday.
    Your holiness must not go on holiday.
    Your spiritual discernment must not go on holiday.
    The fact that we are approaching the end of the year does not mean we should lower our spiritual guard.
    This is the season to watch, pray, discern and finish well!

    1. BE SOBER AND VIGILANT.
    1 Peter 5:8
    Peter says:
    > “Be sober, be vigilant…”
    To be sober means to remain spiritually clear-minded.
    To be vigilant means to remain watchful and alert.
    A Christian can be physically awake but spiritually asleep.
    You may attend church and still become spiritually careless.
    You may carry a Bible and still lose spiritual sensitivity.
    You may pray yesterday and still need to pray today.
    The ember months can bring many distractions:
    Excessive celebrations
    Ungodly relationships
    Financial pressure
    Peer pressure
    Sexual temptation
    Substance abuse
    Unnecessary travelling
    Reckless spending
    Internet and social-media distractions
    Pressure to “make it before the year ends”
    Do not allow the excitement of the season to silence the voice of the Holy Spirit.
    2. WATCH AND PRAY
    Matthew 26:41
    > “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation…”

    Notice that Jesus did not say pray without watching.
    He said:
    Watch AND pray.
    Prayer without spiritual alertness can make us careless.
    Spiritual alertness without prayer can make us powerless.
    We need both.
    During these months, increase your prayer life.
    Pray concerning:
    Your family
    Your children
    Your marriage
    Your career
    Your ministry
    Your finances
    Your travels
    Your relationships
    Your spiritual life
    The decisions you will make
    Do not wait until trouble comes before you begin to pray.
    Prayer is not only a crisis response; prayer is spiritual preparation.
    3. DO NOT LET THE SEASON STEAL YOUR SPIRITUAL FIRE
    Romans 12:11
    > “Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord.
    One danger of the ember months is spiritual fatigue.
    People become tired and say:
    > “I have prayed enough this year.”
    No!
    You don't retire from your relationship with God because the calendar is approaching December.
    Your spiritual fire must continue burning.
    Leviticus 6:13
    > “The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out.”

    Your altar must remain alive.
    Don't let December find you spiritually empty.
    Keep reading the Word.
    Keep praying.
    Keep worshipping.
    Keep serving.
    Keep witnessing.
    Keep forgiving.
    Keep walking in holiness.
    4. BE CAREFUL WITH DECISIONS MADE UNDER PRESSURE.
    The final months of the year can create tremendous pressure.
    People begin asking:
    “What have you achieved this year?”
    “How much money have you made?”
    “When are you getting married?”
    “When will you build your house?”
    “When will you buy a car?”
    “What are you doing with your life?”
    Such questions can create comparison and desperation.
    And desperation can lead people into wrong decisions.
    Remember:
    You do not need to destroy your future because you are trying to impress people before December 31.
    Psalm 37:7 says:
    > “Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him…”
    Do not enter a wrong relationship because you are afraid of being single.
    Do not enter fraudulent business because you want quick money.
    Do not compromise your faith because you want acceptance.
    Do not abandon God's principles because you feel behind.
    God's timing is better than human pressure.
    5. FINISH THE YEAR STRONG.
    Philippians 3:13–14
    Paul says:
    > “Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before…”

    There is still time.
    Perhaps January did not go as planned.
    Maybe February brought disappointment.
    Maybe March brought unexpected challenges.
    Maybe you made mistakes.
    Maybe opportunities passed.
    Maybe you experienced losses.
    But the year is not over yet.
    Don't spend the remaining months mourning what went wrong.
    Ask:
    > “Lord, what can I still do with the time You have given me?”
    You can still pray.
    You can still reconcile.
    You can still start.
    You can still learn.
    You can still serve.
    You can still evangelize.
    You can still correct your mistakes.
    You can still become spiritually stronger.
    There are still chapters of your story that have not been written.

    BIBLICAL CASE STUDY:

    NEHEMIAH.

    Consider Nehemiah.
    When Nehemiah and the people were rebuilding Jerusalem's wall, their enemies attempted to distract and intimidate them.
    Nehemiah 4:9
    > “Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night…”
    Look at the balance:
    They prayed AND they watched.
    They did not say:
    > “We are praying, so we don't need to be careful.”
    Neither did they say:
    > “We are watching, so we don't need God.”
    They did both.
    Prayer + Watchfulness = Spiritual Alertness
    This is a powerful principle for the ember months.
    Pray as though everything depends on God.
    Work and watch as though God expects you to be responsible.

    DEEP SPIRITUAL INSIGHTS.

    1. Not every opportunity is a God-given opportunity.
    Some opportunities are simply distractions dressed as blessings.
    Discern before you accept.
    2. Not every relationship deserves access to your destiny.
    Some relationships strengthen your faith.
    Others weaken it.
    Watch your associations.
    3. The enemy often uses distraction before destruction.
    He does not always begin with something obviously evil.
    Sometimes he begins with:
    > “Just this once.”
    Then another time.
    Then another.
    Eventually, compromise becomes normal.
    4. The final months require spiritual discipline, not spiritual panic.
    Do not wait until December to start asking God to fix everything.
    Walk with God daily.
    5. Your greatest victory may be finishing faithfully.
    Not everyone who starts well finishes well.
    Your goal should not simply be:
    > “I want to end the year wealthy.”
    Say:
    > “I want to end the year closer to God, stronger in faith, cleaner in character and faithful to my assignment.”

    PRACTICAL ACTION STEPS FOR THE EMBER MONTHS.

    1. Establish a daily prayer time.
    Even if it is 15–30 minutes, be consistent.
    2. Read the Bible daily.
    Don't allow social media to receive more attention than God's Word.
    3. Examine your relationships.
    Ask who is strengthening your faith and who is weakening it.
    4. Avoid unnecessary risks.
    Be wise with travelling, finances, relationships and celebrations.
    5. Control your spending.
    Don't spend January's resources trying to impress people in December.
    6. Stay connected to Christian fellowship.
    Don't isolate yourself spiritually.
    7. Practice gratitude.
    Count your blessings instead of comparing yourself with others.
    8. Set spiritual goals.
    Before the year ends, decide what you want to accomplish spiritually.
    9. Reconcile where necessary.
    Do not carry unnecessary bitterness into another year.
    10. Finish what God has entrusted to you.
    Don't abandon your assignment because the year has been difficult.

    QUESTIONS FOR PERSONAL REFLECTION

    1. How spiritually alert am I right now?
    2. Has my prayer life become weaker?
    3. What distractions are threatening my relationship with God?
    4. Are there relationships I need to reconsider?
    5. Am I making decisions because of God's leading or because of pressure?
    6. What temptation do I need to become more watchful against?
    7. What unfinished assignment should I complete before the year ends?
    8. If the year ended today, would I be satisfied with my walk with God?
    9. What must I stop doing?
    10. What must I start doing?

    POWERFUL PRAYER POINTS

    1. Prayer for spiritual alertness
    Father, awaken my spirit and make me sensitive to Your voice. Help me to recognize every distraction and every trap of the enemy.
    2. Prayer for protection
    Lord, preserve me, my family and everyone connected to me throughout these remaining months. Keep us from evil and unnecessary danger.
    3. Prayer against temptation
    Father, strengthen me to say NO to every temptation that can destroy my testimony, destiny and relationship with You.
    4. Prayer for divine direction.
    Lord, guide my decisions. Give me wisdom to know what to accept, what to reject and what to wait for.
    5. Prayer against desperation
    Father, deliver me from the pressure to compete, compare or compromise. Help me to trust Your timing.
    6. Prayer for restoration
    Lord, restore whatever I have lost that is according to Your will, and give me wisdom to recover what can still be recovered.
    7. Prayer for finishing well
    Father, I will not finish this year spiritually empty. Give me grace to finish stronger, wiser, purer and closer to You than I started.
    8. Prayer for the family
    Lord, preserve our families. Let no tragedy, division or destructive influence prevail over our homes.
    9. Prayer for purpose
    Father, help me to complete every assignment You have entrusted to me before the end of this year.
    10. Prayer of surrender
    Lord Jesus, I surrender the remaining months of this year to You. Take control of my life, my plans, my family, my decisions and my future. Let Your will be done in my life. Amen.

    STRONG CLOSING: DON'T SLEEP THROUGH YOUR SEASON!

    Church, the ember months are here, but God's grace is still available!
    Don't become careless.
    Don't become distracted.
    Don't become desperate.
    Don't compromise.
    Don't allow celebrations to replace consecration.
    Don't allow social pressure to replace God's direction.
    Don't allow the mistakes of yesterday to destroy the possibilities of tomorrow.
    WATCH!
    PRAY!
    DISCERN!
    STAND FIRM!
    FINISH STRONG!

    The year may be approaching its final months, but your assignment is not finished.
    Your testimony is not finished.
    Your purpose is not finished.
    Your story is not finished.
    And above all:
    God is not finished with you!
    > “Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.” — Mark 13:33

    MY CHARGE TO YOU:

    Enter the ember months with prayer.
    Walk through them with wisdom.
    Live through them with holiness.
    Move through them with discernment.
    And finish them with thanksgiving.

    Be spiritually alert.
    Your destiny is too valuable to sleep through your season!
    In Jesus' name, Amen.

    Surrender your life to Jesus by joining a Bible believing Church.
    You can get inspirational ebooks from my selar/amazon shops below

    https://selar.com/m/umoh-edem1

    https://selar.com/m/umoedem

    https://www.amazon.com/author/umohedembooks

    CONTACT - Whatsapp 2349024173027, +2349055447540

    Email pastor.umoedem@gmail.com
    TODAY'S KINGDOM INSIGHTS: SERMON TOPIC: 🔥SERMON: BE SPIRITUALLY ALERT — EMBER MONTHS ARE HERE. Theme: “Watch and Pray: Finishing the Year Strong in Christ” Key Text: 1 Peter 5:8–9 > “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” 🔥 THE YEAR IS NOT OVER YET! Beloved, we have entered the final stretch of the year. The ember months—September, October, November and December—are often associated with celebrations, travelling, weddings, parties, business activities, family gatherings and end-of-year excitement. But as Christians, we must understand something: The end of the year is not a time to become spiritually careless. It is a time to become spiritually alert! Many people become relaxed because they think, “The year is almost over.” But the devil does not take a holiday. Your prayer life must not go on holiday. Your Bible study must not go on holiday. Your holiness must not go on holiday. Your spiritual discernment must not go on holiday. The fact that we are approaching the end of the year does not mean we should lower our spiritual guard. This is the season to watch, pray, discern and finish well! 1. 🛡️ BE SOBER AND VIGILANT. 1 Peter 5:8 Peter says: > “Be sober, be vigilant…” To be sober means to remain spiritually clear-minded. To be vigilant means to remain watchful and alert. A Christian can be physically awake but spiritually asleep. You may attend church and still become spiritually careless. You may carry a Bible and still lose spiritual sensitivity. You may pray yesterday and still need to pray today. The ember months can bring many distractions: Excessive celebrations Ungodly relationships Financial pressure Peer pressure Sexual temptation Substance abuse Unnecessary travelling Reckless spending Internet and social-media distractions Pressure to “make it before the year ends” Do not allow the excitement of the season to silence the voice of the Holy Spirit. 2. 🙏 WATCH AND PRAY Matthew 26:41 > “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation…” Notice that Jesus did not say pray without watching. He said: Watch AND pray. Prayer without spiritual alertness can make us careless. Spiritual alertness without prayer can make us powerless. We need both. During these months, increase your prayer life. Pray concerning: Your family Your children Your marriage Your career Your ministry Your finances Your travels Your relationships Your spiritual life The decisions you will make Do not wait until trouble comes before you begin to pray. Prayer is not only a crisis response; prayer is spiritual preparation. 3. 🕯️ DO NOT LET THE SEASON STEAL YOUR SPIRITUAL FIRE Romans 12:11 > “Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord. One danger of the ember months is spiritual fatigue. People become tired and say: > “I have prayed enough this year.” No! You don't retire from your relationship with God because the calendar is approaching December. Your spiritual fire must continue burning. Leviticus 6:13 > “The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out.” Your altar must remain alive. Don't let December find you spiritually empty. Keep reading the Word. Keep praying. Keep worshipping. Keep serving. Keep witnessing. Keep forgiving. Keep walking in holiness. 4. ⚠️ BE CAREFUL WITH DECISIONS MADE UNDER PRESSURE. The final months of the year can create tremendous pressure. People begin asking: “What have you achieved this year?” “How much money have you made?” “When are you getting married?” “When will you build your house?” “When will you buy a car?” “What are you doing with your life?” Such questions can create comparison and desperation. And desperation can lead people into wrong decisions. Remember: You do not need to destroy your future because you are trying to impress people before December 31. Psalm 37:7 says: > “Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him…” Do not enter a wrong relationship because you are afraid of being single. Do not enter fraudulent business because you want quick money. Do not compromise your faith because you want acceptance. Do not abandon God's principles because you feel behind. God's timing is better than human pressure. 5. 🎯 FINISH THE YEAR STRONG. Philippians 3:13–14 Paul says: > “Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before…” There is still time. Perhaps January did not go as planned. Maybe February brought disappointment. Maybe March brought unexpected challenges. Maybe you made mistakes. Maybe opportunities passed. Maybe you experienced losses. But the year is not over yet. Don't spend the remaining months mourning what went wrong. Ask: > “Lord, what can I still do with the time You have given me?” You can still pray. You can still reconcile. You can still start. You can still learn. You can still serve. You can still evangelize. You can still correct your mistakes. You can still become spiritually stronger. There are still chapters of your story that have not been written. 📖 BIBLICAL CASE STUDY: NEHEMIAH. Consider Nehemiah. When Nehemiah and the people were rebuilding Jerusalem's wall, their enemies attempted to distract and intimidate them. Nehemiah 4:9 > “Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night…” Look at the balance: They prayed AND they watched. They did not say: > “We are praying, so we don't need to be careful.” Neither did they say: > “We are watching, so we don't need God.” They did both. Prayer + Watchfulness = Spiritual Alertness This is a powerful principle for the ember months. Pray as though everything depends on God. Work and watch as though God expects you to be responsible. 💡 DEEP SPIRITUAL INSIGHTS. 1. Not every opportunity is a God-given opportunity. Some opportunities are simply distractions dressed as blessings. Discern before you accept. 2. Not every relationship deserves access to your destiny. Some relationships strengthen your faith. Others weaken it. Watch your associations. 3. The enemy often uses distraction before destruction. He does not always begin with something obviously evil. Sometimes he begins with: > “Just this once.” Then another time. Then another. Eventually, compromise becomes normal. 4. The final months require spiritual discipline, not spiritual panic. Do not wait until December to start asking God to fix everything. Walk with God daily. 5. Your greatest victory may be finishing faithfully. Not everyone who starts well finishes well. Your goal should not simply be: > “I want to end the year wealthy.” Say: > “I want to end the year closer to God, stronger in faith, cleaner in character and faithful to my assignment.” ✅ PRACTICAL ACTION STEPS FOR THE EMBER MONTHS. 1. Establish a daily prayer time. Even if it is 15–30 minutes, be consistent. 2. Read the Bible daily. Don't allow social media to receive more attention than God's Word. 3. Examine your relationships. Ask who is strengthening your faith and who is weakening it. 4. Avoid unnecessary risks. Be wise with travelling, finances, relationships and celebrations. 5. Control your spending. Don't spend January's resources trying to impress people in December. 6. Stay connected to Christian fellowship. Don't isolate yourself spiritually. 7. Practice gratitude. Count your blessings instead of comparing yourself with others. 8. Set spiritual goals. Before the year ends, decide what you want to accomplish spiritually. 9. Reconcile where necessary. Do not carry unnecessary bitterness into another year. 10. Finish what God has entrusted to you. Don't abandon your assignment because the year has been difficult. 🤔 QUESTIONS FOR PERSONAL REFLECTION 1. How spiritually alert am I right now? 2. Has my prayer life become weaker? 3. What distractions are threatening my relationship with God? 4. Are there relationships I need to reconsider? 5. Am I making decisions because of God's leading or because of pressure? 6. What temptation do I need to become more watchful against? 7. What unfinished assignment should I complete before the year ends? 8. If the year ended today, would I be satisfied with my walk with God? 9. What must I stop doing? 10. What must I start doing? 🙏 POWERFUL PRAYER POINTS 1. Prayer for spiritual alertness Father, awaken my spirit and make me sensitive to Your voice. Help me to recognize every distraction and every trap of the enemy. 2. Prayer for protection Lord, preserve me, my family and everyone connected to me throughout these remaining months. Keep us from evil and unnecessary danger. 3. Prayer against temptation Father, strengthen me to say NO to every temptation that can destroy my testimony, destiny and relationship with You. 4. Prayer for divine direction. Lord, guide my decisions. Give me wisdom to know what to accept, what to reject and what to wait for. 5. Prayer against desperation Father, deliver me from the pressure to compete, compare or compromise. Help me to trust Your timing. 6. Prayer for restoration Lord, restore whatever I have lost that is according to Your will, and give me wisdom to recover what can still be recovered. 7. Prayer for finishing well Father, I will not finish this year spiritually empty. Give me grace to finish stronger, wiser, purer and closer to You than I started. 8. Prayer for the family Lord, preserve our families. Let no tragedy, division or destructive influence prevail over our homes. 9. Prayer for purpose Father, help me to complete every assignment You have entrusted to me before the end of this year. 10. Prayer of surrender Lord Jesus, I surrender the remaining months of this year to You. Take control of my life, my plans, my family, my decisions and my future. Let Your will be done in my life. Amen. 🔥 STRONG CLOSING: DON'T SLEEP THROUGH YOUR SEASON! Church, the ember months are here, but God's grace is still available! Don't become careless. Don't become distracted. Don't become desperate. Don't compromise. Don't allow celebrations to replace consecration. Don't allow social pressure to replace God's direction. Don't allow the mistakes of yesterday to destroy the possibilities of tomorrow. WATCH! PRAY! DISCERN! STAND FIRM! FINISH STRONG! The year may be approaching its final months, but your assignment is not finished. Your testimony is not finished. Your purpose is not finished. Your story is not finished. And above all: God is not finished with you! > “Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.” — Mark 13:33 🔥 MY CHARGE TO YOU: Enter the ember months with prayer. Walk through them with wisdom. Live through them with holiness. Move through them with discernment. And finish them with thanksgiving. Be spiritually alert. Your destiny is too valuable to sleep through your season! In Jesus' name, Amen. Surrender your life to Jesus by joining a Bible believing Church. You can get inspirational ebooks from my selar/amazon shops below https://selar.com/m/umoh-edem1 https://selar.com/m/umoedem https://www.amazon.com/author/umohedembooks CONTACT - Whatsapp 2349024173027, +2349055447540 Email pastor.umoedem@gmail.com
    0 Kommentare 0 Anteile 10 Ansichten
  • Here is a testimony of an African pastor from Northern Nigeria about the realities of Muslim persecution of Christians…and his godly response

    https://www.buzzsprout.com/1852871/episodes/19720897-ep-106-terror-trauma-in-northern-nigeria?t=0
    Or
    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rpkus5nj5Y8&list=PLjX61EROmQUjYon_U83hUPKhpC73tc4Xu&index=1&pp=iAQB
    Or
    https://open.spotify.com/episode/3RkvLauPdo0Vk8yWoOUmfB?si=jhyTSz5qSqelugoj_l7FqA&utm_source=copy-link
    Here is a testimony of an African pastor from Northern Nigeria about the realities of Muslim persecution of Christians…and his godly response https://www.buzzsprout.com/1852871/episodes/19720897-ep-106-terror-trauma-in-northern-nigeria?t=0 Or https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rpkus5nj5Y8&list=PLjX61EROmQUjYon_U83hUPKhpC73tc4Xu&index=1&pp=iAQB Or https://open.spotify.com/episode/3RkvLauPdo0Vk8yWoOUmfB?si=jhyTSz5qSqelugoj_l7FqA&utm_source=copy-link
    0 Kommentare 0 Anteile 9 Ansichten
  • ARE YOU REALLY FIGHTING PORNOGRAPHY—OR NEGOTIATING WITH IT?
    A Christian Call to Declare War on Sexual Sin
    Pastor Joseph Clark

    There comes a point in every Christian’s battle with pornography when we need to stop asking, “How can I manage this temptation?”

    And start asking:

    “How badly do I want to be free?”

    Because pornography is not harmless entertainment.

    It is not merely a private weakness.

    It is not something Christians should simply learn to “live with.”

    It is a temptation that can become an enslaving pattern of lust, fantasy, secrecy and sin. It can consume the imagination, corrupt the way we see other people, damage marriages and relationships, steal time, weaken prayer, and draw the heart away from the purity to which Christ has called His people.

    And if you are a Christian who is fighting pornography, you need to understand something:

    You are in a fight.

    The question is whether you are actually fighting.

    Or whether you are negotiating.



    STOP NEGOTIATING WITH TEMPTATION

    One of the greatest mistakes we make with temptation is giving it a conversation.

    “I’ll just look for a minute.”

    “I won’t go any further.”

    “I’ve been good for two weeks.”

    “This isn’t really pornography.”

    “Nobody knows.”

    “God will forgive me.”

    That isn’t resistance.

    That’s negotiation.

    And Scripture doesn’t tell us to negotiate with sexual temptation.

    It tells us to flee.

    “Flee fornication.”

    — 1 Corinthians 6:18

    Paul told Timothy:

    “Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”

    — 2 Timothy 2:22

    Notice the word:

    FLEE.

    Not debate.

    Not analyze.

    Not negotiate.

    Not see how close you can get without crossing the line.

    Run.

    Joseph understood this.

    When Potiphar’s wife attempted to seduce him, Joseph didn’t stay around to see how strong his resistance would be.

    When she grabbed him, Scripture says:

    “And he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.”

    — Genesis 39:12

    Joseph ran.

    Sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is close the laptop.

    Sometimes it’s putting the phone down.

    Sometimes it’s getting out of bed.

    Sometimes it’s leaving the room.

    Sometimes it’s calling your accountability partner.

    Sometimes it’s getting on your knees.

    FLEE.



    JESUS DIDN’T NEGOTIATE WITH SATAN

    Look at Jesus in the wilderness.

    Satan came when Jesus was physically weakened after fasting forty days and forty nights.

    The devil tempted Him.

    And what did Jesus do?

    He didn’t engage Satan in a philosophical debate.

    He didn’t entertain the temptation.

    He didn’t say, “Let me think about that.”

    He said:

    “It is written.”

    When Satan tempted Him to turn stones into bread, Jesus answered:

    “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”

    — Matthew 4:4

    When Satan twisted Scripture to tempt Him again, Jesus answered:

    “It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.”

    — Matthew 4:7

    And when Satan offered Him the kingdoms of the world:

    “Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.”

    — Matthew 4:10

    Three temptations.

    Three answers rooted in Scripture.

    “It is written.”

    That’s your model.

    When pornography comes knocking, you need something stronger than emotion.

    Something stronger than willpower.

    Something stronger than the promise that “this will make you feel good.”

    You need the Word of God.

    David said:

    “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”

    — Psalm 119:11

    Don’t wait until you’re already looking at pornography to start thinking about holiness.

    Put the Word in your heart now.



    DECLARE WAR

    Let’s be blunt.

    If pornography has become a recurring sin in your life, declare war on it.

    Don’t declare war on it tomorrow.

    Don’t declare war on it after one more failure.

    Declare war today.

    Jesus used deliberately shocking language when describing how seriously we must treat sin:

    “And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee…”

    — Matthew 5:29

    And:

    “And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee…”

    — Matthew 5:30

    Jesus is not commanding literal self-mutilation.

    He is teaching us that we must deal with sin radically and decisively.

    If your smartphone repeatedly becomes the doorway to pornography, change how you use your smartphone.

    If being alone late at night repeatedly leads you into sin, change your nighttime routine.

    If particular websites, social-media accounts, or applications trigger lust, eliminate them.

    If unrestricted internet access is destroying your purity, install safeguards.

    If secrecy is feeding the problem, bring it into the light.

    Stop protecting your access to the sin you claim you want to defeat.



    ARE YOU REALLY STRUGGLING?

    This is where the question gets uncomfortable.

    A Christian can struggle with sin.

    Paul describes the conflict between flesh and Spirit:

    “For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other…”

    — Galatians 5:17

    There is a battle.

    There is resistance.

    There is conflict.

    But ask yourself:

    Are you actually resisting?

    Are you praying?

    Are you fasting?

    Are you reading Scripture?

    Do you have an accountability partner?

    Have you told another mature Christian about the problem?

    Have you installed accountability software?

    Have you removed private access to pornography?

    Have you changed your routines?

    Have you identified your triggers?

    Have you stopped following accounts that stimulate lust?

    Have you changed the environment in which you repeatedly fall?

    Are you seeking pastoral help?

    Are you willing to seek professional Christian counseling when appropriate?

    Are you willing to seek a biblically grounded deliverance ministry if you believe you are dealing with entrenched spiritual bondage?

    Or are you simply saying:

    “I really want to stop”

    while keeping every door open?

    That’s not war.

    That’s a weak attempt to negotiate a ceasefire with your own sin.

    Commit.



    MAKE PORNOGRAPHY YOUR ENEMY

    Paul says:

    “Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God…”

    — Romans 6:13

    You have a choice about what you present yourself to.

    What are you yielding?

    Your eyes?

    Your imagination?

    Your phone?

    Your computer?

    Your time?

    Your sexuality?

    Your mind?

    Your body?

    Who gets them?

    Pornography wants them.

    Christ wants them.

    Choose.



    DON’T BE IDLE

    Idleness can become an open door.

    If you are constantly alone, bored, scrolling, lying in bed, wandering through the internet, and allowing your mind to drift wherever it wants, don’t be surprised when temptation finds you.

    Get busy.

    Work.

    Exercise.

    Study.

    Read.

    Serve.

    Pray.

    Go outside.

    Spend time with people.

    Serve the church.

    Build something.

    Learn something.

    Pursue your calling.

    Paul instructed believers:

    “And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands…”

    — 1 Thessalonians 4:11

    Don’t give temptation an empty house to occupy.



    BRING THE BATTLE INTO THE LIGHT

    Pornography thrives in secrecy.

    That is why accountability matters.

    James says:

    “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed.”

    — James 5:16

    Find someone trustworthy.

    A mature Christian man.

    A pastor.

    A mentor.

    An accountability partner.

    Someone who will actually ask you the hard questions.

    Not:

    “Everything okay?”

    But:

    “Have you looked at pornography?”

    “Have you intentionally searched for sexually explicit material?”

    “Are there apps on your phone that you are hiding?”

    “Have you been honest with me?”

    You don’t need someone who merely makes you feel better.

    You need someone who loves you enough to tell you the truth.



    SAFEGUARD YOUR DEVICES

    Let’s stop pretending that technology is neutral when we know how we are using it.

    If your phone is the primary gateway to your sin, safeguard your phone.

    If your laptop is the gateway, safeguard your laptop.

    Use reputable filtering and accountability tools.

    Remove applications that repeatedly lead you into temptation.

    Don’t sleep with an unrestricted device beside your bed if nighttime is when you repeatedly fall.

    Don’t keep secret browsers.

    Don’t create hidden accounts.

    Don’t maintain a private digital world that nobody else knows exists.

    Jesus said:

    “And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee…”

    — Matthew 5:29

    The principle is clear:

    Remove the access point.



    FAST AND PRAY

    There are battles that should drive us to our knees.

    Jesus Himself fasted when He entered the wilderness.

    Matthew records:

    “Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.”

    — Matthew 4:1

    And:

    “And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.”

    — Matthew 4:2

    Fasting isn’t a magic formula.

    It doesn’t purchase God’s favor.

    But it can become a powerful expression of humility and dependence upon God.

    Tell the Lord:

    “Jesus, I cannot conquer this in my own strength. I need You.”

    Pray when the temptation comes.

    Pray before it comes.

    Pray when you are strong.

    Pray when you are weak.

    And believe God.

    Paul says:

    “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful…”

    — 1 Corinthians 10:13

    And then comes one of the greatest promises in Scripture:

    “…but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”

    — 1 Corinthians 10:13

    Look for the escape route.

    And when God provides it—

    TAKE IT.



    PUT ON THE WHOLE ARMOUR OF GOD

    You are not merely fighting a website.

    You are fighting temptation.

    You are fighting lust.

    You are fighting deception.

    And Scripture describes the Christian life as spiritual warfare.

    Paul says:

    “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

    Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

    For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”

    — Ephesians 6:10–12

    Then he tells us to take:

    The belt of truth.

    The breastplate of righteousness.

    The Gospel of peace.

    The shield of faith.

    The helmet of salvation.

    The sword of the Spirit—which is the Word of God.

    And:

    Prayer.

    Pornography can become a powerful instrument of temptation and enslavement.

    Don’t underestimate it.

    Peter says:

    “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

    Whom resist stedfast in the faith…”

    — 1 Peter 5:8–9

    Be sober.

    Be vigilant.

    Resist.



    SEEK DELIVERANCE IF YOU NEED IT

    Some Christians experience pornography as an entrenched pattern of bondage that requires more intensive spiritual intervention.

    If you believe that describes you, seek a mature, biblically grounded deliverance minister who understands Scripture, repentance, spiritual warfare, accountability, and the finished work of Christ.

    One resource used in some Christian settings is Neil Anderson’s Bondage Breaking material.

    But understand this carefully:

    Your deliverer is not a minister.

    Your deliverer is Jesus Christ.

    No technique saves you.

    No program saves you.

    No deliverance minister saves you.

    No accountability application saves you.

    Jesus saves.

    Jesus said:

    “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”

    — John 8:36



    FILL YOURSELF WITH CHRIST

    Here’s the part many people miss.

    The Christian life isn’t merely about removing pornography.

    It’s about filling your life with Christ.

    Paul says:

    “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.”

    — Ephesians 5:18

    Fill your mind with Scripture.

    Fill your home with worship.

    Fill your day with prayer.

    Fill your time with service.

    Fill your life with godly relationships.

    Fill your heart with the things of God.

    Paul tells us:

    “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report… think on these things.”

    — Philippians 4:8

    The goal isn’t simply:

    “I must stop thinking about pornography.”

    The goal is:

    “I want to think more about Christ.”



    TAKE IT ONE DAY AT A TIME

    You don’t have to promise God that you’ll never be tempted again.

    You don’t have to figure out how you’re going to remain pure for the next thirty years.

    Win today.

    When tomorrow comes, win tomorrow.

    Jesus said:

    “Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself.”

    — Matthew 6:34

    Take today seriously.

    Today, don’t look.

    Today, don’t search.

    Today, don’t indulge.

    Today, pray.

    Today, read the Word.

    Today, walk in the Spirit.

    Today, keep your eyes on Jesus.

    One day at a time.



    AND IF YOU FALL—GET BACK UP

    This is crucial.

    If you fall, Satan will whisper:

    “You failed again.”

    Then:

    “You’re a hypocrite.”

    Then:

    “You might as well keep going.”

    Don’t listen.

    Repent.

    Confess it.

    Get honest.

    Tell your accountability partner.

    Identify what led to the fall.

    Close the door you left open.

    And get back up.

    “For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again…”

    — Proverbs 24:16

    One failure does not mean you should surrender.

    A person who falls off a wagon doesn’t say:

    “Well, I fell off, so I might as well lie in the road forever.”

    Get back on.

    Repentance means turning back toward God.

    Don’t allow shame to become an excuse for continued sin.



    DON’T USE GRACE AS AN EXCUSE

    Never say:

    “God forgives me, so it doesn’t matter.”

    Paul asks:

    “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?

    God forbid.”

    — Romans 6:1–2

    Grace is not permission to remain enslaved.

    Grace teaches us:

    “…denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.”

    — Titus 2:12

    Christ did not die to make you comfortable in your chains.

    He came to set you free.



    SO—ARE YOU REALLY FIGHTING?

    Here is the question I want you to answer honestly.

    Are you really fighting pornography?

    Or are you negotiating with it?

    Are you praying?

    Are you fasting?

    Are you in the Word?

    Are you accountable?

    Are your devices protected?

    Are you eliminating your triggers?

    Are you fleeing immediately?

    Are you seeking help?

    Are you willing to confess?

    Are you willing to change your habits?

    Are you willing to sacrifice convenience for purity?

    Are you treating pornography like the serious spiritual threat that it is?

    Because you cannot declare war on pornography while secretly maintaining a supply line to it.

    You must choose.

    You cannot serve Christ and willingly cultivate the sin that is destroying your fellowship with Him.

    Jesus said:

    “No man can serve two masters…”

    — Matthew 6:24

    So declare war.

    Not against yourself.

    Not against your sexuality.

    Not against God’s good design for sexual intimacy.

    Declare war against lust.

    Declare war against pornography.

    Declare war against secrecy.

    Declare war against compromise.

    Declare war against the lies that tell you that you cannot change.

    And then—

    LOOK TO JESUS.

    “…let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

    Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith…”

    — Hebrews 12:1–2

    Your hope isn’t your willpower.

    Your hope isn’t your perfect record.

    Your hope isn’t an accountability application.

    Your hope isn’t a deliverance minister.

    YOUR HOPE IS JESUS CHRIST.

    Submit to God.

    Resist the devil.

    Flee temptation.

    Take the escape route.

    Get back up when you fall.

    Stay in the Word.

    Put on the armour.

    And keep your eyes on Jesus.

    James gives us the battle cry:

    “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

    Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.”

    — James 4:7–8

    SUBMIT.

    RESIST.

    DRAW NEAR.

    And keep fighting.



    A PRAYER FOR FREEDOM FROM PORNOGRAPHY AND SIN

    Heavenly Father,

    I come before You in the name of Jesus Christ.

    I plead the blood of Jesus over all sin, sickness, temptation, evil, suffering, sexual sin, lust, and pornography.

    I reject Satan and all his evil works.

    I reject every lie, deception, temptation, bondage, and stronghold that would draw me away from Jesus Christ.

    I renounce pornography and sexual impurity.

    I repent of every time I have willingly entertained lust, fantasy, pornography, or sexual sin.

    Lord Jesus, forgive me.

    Cleanse me.

    Purify my heart.

    Renew my mind.

    Strengthen my spirit.

    Give me the power to flee temptation rather than negotiate with it.

    Give me discernment to recognize temptation before it takes hold.

    Give me the courage to close the door, put down the phone, turn away from the screen, and run from whatever would lead me into sin.

    I receive Jesus Christ with all my heart and soul as my Lord and Savior.

    I surrender my body, my mind, my eyes, my imagination, my sexuality, my desires, my relationships, my future, and my entire life to Jesus Christ.

    Holy Spirit, fill me.

    Teach me.

    Guide me.

    Strengthen me.

    Convict me when I begin to wander.

    Give me hatred for sin and a greater love for righteousness.

    Help me to walk in purity.

    Help me to walk in holiness.

    Help me to walk in obedience.

    Give me strength to fast.

    Give me strength to pray.

    Give me strength to stay in Your Word.

    Give me wisdom to establish safeguards and accountability.

    Give me humility to ask for help when I need it.

    When temptation comes, remind me that You have provided a way of escape.

    When I am weak, remind me that Your grace is sufficient.

    When I fall, give me the humility to repent and the courage to rise again.

    I declare that pornography will not be my master.

    Lust will not be my master.

    Sin will not be my master.

    Jesus Christ is my Lord and my Master.

    I submit myself to God.

    I resist the devil.

    I draw near to Jesus Christ.

    And I place my complete faith and trust in Him.

    In the mighty name of Jesus Christ,

    Amen.
    ARE YOU REALLY FIGHTING PORNOGRAPHY—OR NEGOTIATING WITH IT? A Christian Call to Declare War on Sexual Sin Pastor Joseph Clark There comes a point in every Christian’s battle with pornography when we need to stop asking, “How can I manage this temptation?” And start asking: “How badly do I want to be free?” Because pornography is not harmless entertainment. It is not merely a private weakness. It is not something Christians should simply learn to “live with.” It is a temptation that can become an enslaving pattern of lust, fantasy, secrecy and sin. It can consume the imagination, corrupt the way we see other people, damage marriages and relationships, steal time, weaken prayer, and draw the heart away from the purity to which Christ has called His people. And if you are a Christian who is fighting pornography, you need to understand something: You are in a fight. The question is whether you are actually fighting. Or whether you are negotiating. ⸻ STOP NEGOTIATING WITH TEMPTATION One of the greatest mistakes we make with temptation is giving it a conversation. “I’ll just look for a minute.” “I won’t go any further.” “I’ve been good for two weeks.” “This isn’t really pornography.” “Nobody knows.” “God will forgive me.” That isn’t resistance. That’s negotiation. And Scripture doesn’t tell us to negotiate with sexual temptation. It tells us to flee. “Flee fornication.” — 1 Corinthians 6:18 Paul told Timothy: “Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” — 2 Timothy 2:22 Notice the word: FLEE. Not debate. Not analyze. Not negotiate. Not see how close you can get without crossing the line. Run. Joseph understood this. When Potiphar’s wife attempted to seduce him, Joseph didn’t stay around to see how strong his resistance would be. When she grabbed him, Scripture says: “And he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.” — Genesis 39:12 Joseph ran. Sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is close the laptop. Sometimes it’s putting the phone down. Sometimes it’s getting out of bed. Sometimes it’s leaving the room. Sometimes it’s calling your accountability partner. Sometimes it’s getting on your knees. FLEE. ⸻ JESUS DIDN’T NEGOTIATE WITH SATAN Look at Jesus in the wilderness. Satan came when Jesus was physically weakened after fasting forty days and forty nights. The devil tempted Him. And what did Jesus do? He didn’t engage Satan in a philosophical debate. He didn’t entertain the temptation. He didn’t say, “Let me think about that.” He said: “It is written.” When Satan tempted Him to turn stones into bread, Jesus answered: “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” — Matthew 4:4 When Satan twisted Scripture to tempt Him again, Jesus answered: “It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.” — Matthew 4:7 And when Satan offered Him the kingdoms of the world: “Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” — Matthew 4:10 Three temptations. Three answers rooted in Scripture. “It is written.” That’s your model. When pornography comes knocking, you need something stronger than emotion. Something stronger than willpower. Something stronger than the promise that “this will make you feel good.” You need the Word of God. David said: “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” — Psalm 119:11 Don’t wait until you’re already looking at pornography to start thinking about holiness. Put the Word in your heart now. ⸻ DECLARE WAR Let’s be blunt. If pornography has become a recurring sin in your life, declare war on it. Don’t declare war on it tomorrow. Don’t declare war on it after one more failure. Declare war today. Jesus used deliberately shocking language when describing how seriously we must treat sin: “And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee…” — Matthew 5:29 And: “And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee…” — Matthew 5:30 Jesus is not commanding literal self-mutilation. He is teaching us that we must deal with sin radically and decisively. If your smartphone repeatedly becomes the doorway to pornography, change how you use your smartphone. If being alone late at night repeatedly leads you into sin, change your nighttime routine. If particular websites, social-media accounts, or applications trigger lust, eliminate them. If unrestricted internet access is destroying your purity, install safeguards. If secrecy is feeding the problem, bring it into the light. Stop protecting your access to the sin you claim you want to defeat. ⸻ ARE YOU REALLY STRUGGLING? This is where the question gets uncomfortable. A Christian can struggle with sin. Paul describes the conflict between flesh and Spirit: “For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other…” — Galatians 5:17 There is a battle. There is resistance. There is conflict. But ask yourself: Are you actually resisting? Are you praying? Are you fasting? Are you reading Scripture? Do you have an accountability partner? Have you told another mature Christian about the problem? Have you installed accountability software? Have you removed private access to pornography? Have you changed your routines? Have you identified your triggers? Have you stopped following accounts that stimulate lust? Have you changed the environment in which you repeatedly fall? Are you seeking pastoral help? Are you willing to seek professional Christian counseling when appropriate? Are you willing to seek a biblically grounded deliverance ministry if you believe you are dealing with entrenched spiritual bondage? Or are you simply saying: “I really want to stop” while keeping every door open? That’s not war. That’s a weak attempt to negotiate a ceasefire with your own sin. Commit. ⸻ MAKE PORNOGRAPHY YOUR ENEMY Paul says: “Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God…” — Romans 6:13 You have a choice about what you present yourself to. What are you yielding? Your eyes? Your imagination? Your phone? Your computer? Your time? Your sexuality? Your mind? Your body? Who gets them? Pornography wants them. Christ wants them. Choose. ⸻ DON’T BE IDLE Idleness can become an open door. If you are constantly alone, bored, scrolling, lying in bed, wandering through the internet, and allowing your mind to drift wherever it wants, don’t be surprised when temptation finds you. Get busy. Work. Exercise. Study. Read. Serve. Pray. Go outside. Spend time with people. Serve the church. Build something. Learn something. Pursue your calling. Paul instructed believers: “And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands…” — 1 Thessalonians 4:11 Don’t give temptation an empty house to occupy. ⸻ BRING THE BATTLE INTO THE LIGHT Pornography thrives in secrecy. That is why accountability matters. James says: “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed.” — James 5:16 Find someone trustworthy. A mature Christian man. A pastor. A mentor. An accountability partner. Someone who will actually ask you the hard questions. Not: “Everything okay?” But: “Have you looked at pornography?” “Have you intentionally searched for sexually explicit material?” “Are there apps on your phone that you are hiding?” “Have you been honest with me?” You don’t need someone who merely makes you feel better. You need someone who loves you enough to tell you the truth. ⸻ SAFEGUARD YOUR DEVICES Let’s stop pretending that technology is neutral when we know how we are using it. If your phone is the primary gateway to your sin, safeguard your phone. If your laptop is the gateway, safeguard your laptop. Use reputable filtering and accountability tools. Remove applications that repeatedly lead you into temptation. Don’t sleep with an unrestricted device beside your bed if nighttime is when you repeatedly fall. Don’t keep secret browsers. Don’t create hidden accounts. Don’t maintain a private digital world that nobody else knows exists. Jesus said: “And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee…” — Matthew 5:29 The principle is clear: Remove the access point. ⸻ FAST AND PRAY There are battles that should drive us to our knees. Jesus Himself fasted when He entered the wilderness. Matthew records: “Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.” — Matthew 4:1 And: “And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.” — Matthew 4:2 Fasting isn’t a magic formula. It doesn’t purchase God’s favor. But it can become a powerful expression of humility and dependence upon God. Tell the Lord: “Jesus, I cannot conquer this in my own strength. I need You.” Pray when the temptation comes. Pray before it comes. Pray when you are strong. Pray when you are weak. And believe God. Paul says: “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful…” — 1 Corinthians 10:13 And then comes one of the greatest promises in Scripture: “…but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” — 1 Corinthians 10:13 Look for the escape route. And when God provides it— TAKE IT. ⸻ PUT ON THE WHOLE ARMOUR OF GOD You are not merely fighting a website. You are fighting temptation. You are fighting lust. You are fighting deception. And Scripture describes the Christian life as spiritual warfare. Paul says: “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” — Ephesians 6:10–12 Then he tells us to take: The belt of truth. The breastplate of righteousness. The Gospel of peace. The shield of faith. The helmet of salvation. The sword of the Spirit—which is the Word of God. And: Prayer. Pornography can become a powerful instrument of temptation and enslavement. Don’t underestimate it. Peter says: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith…” — 1 Peter 5:8–9 Be sober. Be vigilant. Resist. ⸻ SEEK DELIVERANCE IF YOU NEED IT Some Christians experience pornography as an entrenched pattern of bondage that requires more intensive spiritual intervention. If you believe that describes you, seek a mature, biblically grounded deliverance minister who understands Scripture, repentance, spiritual warfare, accountability, and the finished work of Christ. One resource used in some Christian settings is Neil Anderson’s Bondage Breaking material. But understand this carefully: Your deliverer is not a minister. Your deliverer is Jesus Christ. No technique saves you. No program saves you. No deliverance minister saves you. No accountability application saves you. Jesus saves. Jesus said: “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” — John 8:36 ⸻ FILL YOURSELF WITH CHRIST Here’s the part many people miss. The Christian life isn’t merely about removing pornography. It’s about filling your life with Christ. Paul says: “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.” — Ephesians 5:18 Fill your mind with Scripture. Fill your home with worship. Fill your day with prayer. Fill your time with service. Fill your life with godly relationships. Fill your heart with the things of God. Paul tells us: “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report… think on these things.” — Philippians 4:8 The goal isn’t simply: “I must stop thinking about pornography.” The goal is: “I want to think more about Christ.” ⸻ TAKE IT ONE DAY AT A TIME You don’t have to promise God that you’ll never be tempted again. You don’t have to figure out how you’re going to remain pure for the next thirty years. Win today. When tomorrow comes, win tomorrow. Jesus said: “Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself.” — Matthew 6:34 Take today seriously. Today, don’t look. Today, don’t search. Today, don’t indulge. Today, pray. Today, read the Word. Today, walk in the Spirit. Today, keep your eyes on Jesus. One day at a time. ⸻ AND IF YOU FALL—GET BACK UP This is crucial. If you fall, Satan will whisper: “You failed again.” Then: “You’re a hypocrite.” Then: “You might as well keep going.” Don’t listen. Repent. Confess it. Get honest. Tell your accountability partner. Identify what led to the fall. Close the door you left open. And get back up. “For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again…” — Proverbs 24:16 One failure does not mean you should surrender. A person who falls off a wagon doesn’t say: “Well, I fell off, so I might as well lie in the road forever.” Get back on. Repentance means turning back toward God. Don’t allow shame to become an excuse for continued sin. ⸻ DON’T USE GRACE AS AN EXCUSE Never say: “God forgives me, so it doesn’t matter.” Paul asks: “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid.” — Romans 6:1–2 Grace is not permission to remain enslaved. Grace teaches us: “…denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.” — Titus 2:12 Christ did not die to make you comfortable in your chains. He came to set you free. ⸻ SO—ARE YOU REALLY FIGHTING? Here is the question I want you to answer honestly. Are you really fighting pornography? Or are you negotiating with it? Are you praying? Are you fasting? Are you in the Word? Are you accountable? Are your devices protected? Are you eliminating your triggers? Are you fleeing immediately? Are you seeking help? Are you willing to confess? Are you willing to change your habits? Are you willing to sacrifice convenience for purity? Are you treating pornography like the serious spiritual threat that it is? Because you cannot declare war on pornography while secretly maintaining a supply line to it. You must choose. You cannot serve Christ and willingly cultivate the sin that is destroying your fellowship with Him. Jesus said: “No man can serve two masters…” — Matthew 6:24 So declare war. Not against yourself. Not against your sexuality. Not against God’s good design for sexual intimacy. Declare war against lust. Declare war against pornography. Declare war against secrecy. Declare war against compromise. Declare war against the lies that tell you that you cannot change. And then— LOOK TO JESUS. “…let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith…” — Hebrews 12:1–2 Your hope isn’t your willpower. Your hope isn’t your perfect record. Your hope isn’t an accountability application. Your hope isn’t a deliverance minister. YOUR HOPE IS JESUS CHRIST. Submit to God. Resist the devil. Flee temptation. Take the escape route. Get back up when you fall. Stay in the Word. Put on the armour. And keep your eyes on Jesus. James gives us the battle cry: “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.” — James 4:7–8 SUBMIT. RESIST. DRAW NEAR. And keep fighting. ⸻ A PRAYER FOR FREEDOM FROM PORNOGRAPHY AND SIN Heavenly Father, I come before You in the name of Jesus Christ. I plead the blood of Jesus over all sin, sickness, temptation, evil, suffering, sexual sin, lust, and pornography. I reject Satan and all his evil works. I reject every lie, deception, temptation, bondage, and stronghold that would draw me away from Jesus Christ. I renounce pornography and sexual impurity. I repent of every time I have willingly entertained lust, fantasy, pornography, or sexual sin. Lord Jesus, forgive me. Cleanse me. Purify my heart. Renew my mind. Strengthen my spirit. Give me the power to flee temptation rather than negotiate with it. Give me discernment to recognize temptation before it takes hold. Give me the courage to close the door, put down the phone, turn away from the screen, and run from whatever would lead me into sin. I receive Jesus Christ with all my heart and soul as my Lord and Savior. I surrender my body, my mind, my eyes, my imagination, my sexuality, my desires, my relationships, my future, and my entire life to Jesus Christ. Holy Spirit, fill me. Teach me. Guide me. Strengthen me. Convict me when I begin to wander. Give me hatred for sin and a greater love for righteousness. Help me to walk in purity. Help me to walk in holiness. Help me to walk in obedience. Give me strength to fast. Give me strength to pray. Give me strength to stay in Your Word. Give me wisdom to establish safeguards and accountability. Give me humility to ask for help when I need it. When temptation comes, remind me that You have provided a way of escape. When I am weak, remind me that Your grace is sufficient. When I fall, give me the humility to repent and the courage to rise again. I declare that pornography will not be my master. Lust will not be my master. Sin will not be my master. Jesus Christ is my Lord and my Master. I submit myself to God. I resist the devil. I draw near to Jesus Christ. And I place my complete faith and trust in Him. In the mighty name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
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  • How many of us are prepared to defend our faith? Between Islamist, socialist and wokist ideology Christians need to study the Word of God more than ever. We need to study apologetics and polemics.
    How many of us are prepared to defend our faith? Between Islamist, socialist and wokist ideology Christians need to study the Word of God more than ever. We need to study apologetics and polemics.
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  • DBF-001-039 continues with John 2:18. The Jewish authorities now challenge Jesus to prove His authority. Their response exposes a recurring human problem: demanding that God prove Himself on our terms rather than submitting to the revelation He has already given.
    DAILY BREAD FELLOWSHIP
    DBF-001-039
    Today’s Scripture
    John 2:18 (ESV)
    “So the Jews said to him, ‘What sign do you show us for doing these things?’”
    Opening the Scriptures
    Jesus had cleansed the temple.
    He had driven out those who were misusing His Father’s house and had demonstrated unmistakable authority.
    The Jewish authorities now confronted Him.
    Their question was essentially:
    What gives You the right to do this?
    They demanded a sign.
    This is striking because the problem Jesus confronted was already visible before them. The temple had been misused, yet instead of first examining what had gone wrong, they challenged the authority of the One who confronted it.
    They wanted Jesus to prove Himself.
    This attitude will appear repeatedly throughout His ministry.
    People will see His works, hear His words, and still demand something more before they will believe.
    The deeper problem is not always lack of evidence.
    Sometimes it is an unwillingness to submit.
    Living God’s Word Today
    We must be careful not to approach God in the same way.
    We can quietly begin making bargains with Him.
    “God, if You answer this prayer, then I will trust You.”
    “If You solve this problem, then I will believe You are with me.”
    “If You give me what I ask for, then I will obey.”
    That is not biblical faith.
    God does not stand before us waiting to pass our examination. We stand before Him.
    He has revealed Himself in creation.
    He has spoken through His Word.
    Most importantly, He has revealed Himself through His Son, Jesus Christ.
    Our responsibility is not to demand that God continually prove Himself according to conditions we establish.
    Our responsibility is to hear His Word, believe Him, and obey.
    This does not mean Christians should never ask sincere questions. Scripture contains many faithful servants of God who cried out for understanding during difficult circumstances.
    There is a great difference, however, between seeking understanding and demanding proof before we will obey.
    One says:
    “Lord, help me understand.”
    The other says:
    “Lord, prove Yourself to me first.”
    The religious leaders were standing before Jesus Christ, yet they demanded another sign.
    We should examine our own hearts before criticizing theirs.
    God has already given us the greatest revelation possible.
    He has given us His Son.
    And as we continue through John’s Gospel, we will discover that Jesus will point toward the greatest sign of all: His death and resurrection.
    Do not build your faith upon demanding another miracle.
    Build your life upon the Christ revealed in God’s Word.
    Question for Today
    Are you trusting what God has revealed, or are you demanding that He prove Himself on your terms?
    Respond: “Lord, help me trust Your Word and obey You.”
    DBF-001-039 continues with John 2:18. The Jewish authorities now challenge Jesus to prove His authority. Their response exposes a recurring human problem: demanding that God prove Himself on our terms rather than submitting to the revelation He has already given. DAILY BREAD FELLOWSHIP DBF-001-039 Today’s Scripture John 2:18 (ESV) “So the Jews said to him, ‘What sign do you show us for doing these things?’” Opening the Scriptures Jesus had cleansed the temple. He had driven out those who were misusing His Father’s house and had demonstrated unmistakable authority. The Jewish authorities now confronted Him. Their question was essentially: What gives You the right to do this? They demanded a sign. This is striking because the problem Jesus confronted was already visible before them. The temple had been misused, yet instead of first examining what had gone wrong, they challenged the authority of the One who confronted it. They wanted Jesus to prove Himself. This attitude will appear repeatedly throughout His ministry. People will see His works, hear His words, and still demand something more before they will believe. The deeper problem is not always lack of evidence. Sometimes it is an unwillingness to submit. Living God’s Word Today We must be careful not to approach God in the same way. We can quietly begin making bargains with Him. “God, if You answer this prayer, then I will trust You.” “If You solve this problem, then I will believe You are with me.” “If You give me what I ask for, then I will obey.” That is not biblical faith. God does not stand before us waiting to pass our examination. We stand before Him. He has revealed Himself in creation. He has spoken through His Word. Most importantly, He has revealed Himself through His Son, Jesus Christ. Our responsibility is not to demand that God continually prove Himself according to conditions we establish. Our responsibility is to hear His Word, believe Him, and obey. This does not mean Christians should never ask sincere questions. Scripture contains many faithful servants of God who cried out for understanding during difficult circumstances. There is a great difference, however, between seeking understanding and demanding proof before we will obey. One says: “Lord, help me understand.” The other says: “Lord, prove Yourself to me first.” The religious leaders were standing before Jesus Christ, yet they demanded another sign. We should examine our own hearts before criticizing theirs. God has already given us the greatest revelation possible. He has given us His Son. And as we continue through John’s Gospel, we will discover that Jesus will point toward the greatest sign of all: His death and resurrection. Do not build your faith upon demanding another miracle. Build your life upon the Christ revealed in God’s Word. Question for Today Are you trusting what God has revealed, or are you demanding that He prove Himself on your terms? Respond: “Lord, help me trust Your Word and obey You.”
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  • Most of us are now living with undue stress and fear. however the let’s see how the holy scripture helps us to understand “Fear”


    The Bible contains several verses that encourage us not to be fearful, reminding us of God’s presence, support, and the strength He provides. Here are a few key verses along with their context and meaning.

    1. Isaiah 41:10: “Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
    This verse comes during a time when Israel faced overwhelming challenges. God reassures His people that, despite their circumstances, they should not fear because He is with them. The promise of His presence is foundational; knowing that God walks beside us alleviates fear. He offers strength, help, and upholding through His righteous hand. This verse can serve as a powerful reminder that we are never alone in our struggles.

    2. 2 Timothy 1:7: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
    Here, Paul writes to Timothy, encouraging him to embrace the gifts God has given rather than succumbing to fear. This verse emphasizes that the nature of God’s spirit is not fear, but rather empowerment through love and sound judgment. It reinforces the idea that Christians are equipped to face challenges with courage, given the strength and wisdom from God.

    3. Matthew 10:31: “Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.”
    In this passage, Jesus reassures His followers of their value in God's eyes. He reminds them that if God cares for even the sparrows, which are of little worth, then He will surely care for them. The call not to fear is tied to our identity as beloved children of God. This reassurance fosters a sense of worth and confidence, knowing that God watches over us.

    Each of these verses emphasizes a central theme: God’s presence and care dispel fear. Rather than allowing fear to govern our responses and decisions, we are encouraged to draw on the power, love, and the sound mind that God provides. This understanding can bring comfort and strength in our challenges, guiding us to rest in the assurance of His protection and love.
    Most of us are now living with undue stress and fear. however the let’s see how the holy scripture helps us to understand “Fear” The Bible contains several verses that encourage us not to be fearful, reminding us of God’s presence, support, and the strength He provides. Here are a few key verses along with their context and meaning. 1. Isaiah 41:10: “Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” This verse comes during a time when Israel faced overwhelming challenges. God reassures His people that, despite their circumstances, they should not fear because He is with them. The promise of His presence is foundational; knowing that God walks beside us alleviates fear. He offers strength, help, and upholding through His righteous hand. This verse can serve as a powerful reminder that we are never alone in our struggles. 2. 2 Timothy 1:7: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” Here, Paul writes to Timothy, encouraging him to embrace the gifts God has given rather than succumbing to fear. This verse emphasizes that the nature of God’s spirit is not fear, but rather empowerment through love and sound judgment. It reinforces the idea that Christians are equipped to face challenges with courage, given the strength and wisdom from God. 3. Matthew 10:31: “Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” In this passage, Jesus reassures His followers of their value in God's eyes. He reminds them that if God cares for even the sparrows, which are of little worth, then He will surely care for them. The call not to fear is tied to our identity as beloved children of God. This reassurance fosters a sense of worth and confidence, knowing that God watches over us. Each of these verses emphasizes a central theme: God’s presence and care dispel fear. Rather than allowing fear to govern our responses and decisions, we are encouraged to draw on the power, love, and the sound mind that God provides. This understanding can bring comfort and strength in our challenges, guiding us to rest in the assurance of His protection and love.
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  • STRIVE TO ENTER THE GRACE OF 144,000 Rev14:1-5 — THIS LAST AGE.

    Christians, pray to God to have a way for you into this grace. Because this grace is protective to your faith — to remain unshakable against sin, Satan, and this evil world 1 John 5:18, Rev 14:4.

    Why? Many say believe in Christ and be saved, have eternal life. True — Ephesians 2:8 — saved by grace through faith.

    But those shown in final salvation are seen as PURE before God.

    144,000 Rev14, Great Multitude Rev7:9 — What is difference in them?

    Their secret is this: Faithfulness = Obedience to Word to be pure = 144,000 Rev14:4-5 — blameless, not defiled, no lie.

    Repentance (turn away from sin you did) = Washed by blood = Great Multitude Rev7:14 — "Washed their robes and made them white in blood of Lamb."

    Dead in Christ who will be resurrected in first resurrection Rev20:6 = Repented & got washed in blood = Died in purity.

    Christ says: Unless you repent you will die in your sins John 8:24, Luke 13:3.

    Believe without obedience, living pure life, earns no eternal life.

    Romans 6:16 — To whom you obey, you are his servant — whether sin unto death, or obedience unto righteousness.

    Hebrews 12:14 — Without holiness no man shall see Lord.

    Revelation 14:4-5 — They follow Lamb wherever He goes, pure, blameless.

    Saved, Church, WAKE UP and choose holiness above all else!

    Above prosperity gospel, above flesh mindset — jealous, gossiping, quarreling, fornication, lying — that is compromise of truth Galatians 5:19-21, 1 Cor 6:9-10.

    Though you are saved, you must run a clean race up to end of your final salvation 2 Timothy 4:7-8, Hebrews 12:1, Philippians 2:12 — work out your salvation with fear.

    This is a warning to church that has got GREEN 7 vision — Green is mercy, life, last chance for revival Psalm 23:2, 7 is completion. God is giving last age full mercy to repent and be pure.

    Choose holiness now — so you be counted among 144,000 sealed blameless firstfruits alive with Lamb on Mt Zion Rev14:1, not just saved but PURE.

    In Name of JESUS THE LAMB OF GOD — Amen!
    STRIVE TO ENTER THE GRACE OF 144,000 Rev14:1-5 — THIS LAST AGE. Christians, pray to God to have a way for you into this grace. Because this grace is protective to your faith — to remain unshakable against sin, Satan, and this evil world 1 John 5:18, Rev 14:4. Why? Many say believe in Christ and be saved, have eternal life. True — Ephesians 2:8 — saved by grace through faith. But those shown in final salvation are seen as PURE before God. 144,000 Rev14, Great Multitude Rev7:9 — What is difference in them? Their secret is this: Faithfulness = Obedience to Word to be pure = 144,000 Rev14:4-5 — blameless, not defiled, no lie. Repentance (turn away from sin you did) = Washed by blood = Great Multitude Rev7:14 — "Washed their robes and made them white in blood of Lamb." Dead in Christ who will be resurrected in first resurrection Rev20:6 = Repented & got washed in blood = Died in purity. Christ says: Unless you repent you will die in your sins John 8:24, Luke 13:3. Believe without obedience, living pure life, earns no eternal life. Romans 6:16 — To whom you obey, you are his servant — whether sin unto death, or obedience unto righteousness. Hebrews 12:14 — Without holiness no man shall see Lord. Revelation 14:4-5 — They follow Lamb wherever He goes, pure, blameless. Saved, Church, WAKE UP and choose holiness above all else! Above prosperity gospel, above flesh mindset — jealous, gossiping, quarreling, fornication, lying — that is compromise of truth Galatians 5:19-21, 1 Cor 6:9-10. Though you are saved, you must run a clean race up to end of your final salvation 2 Timothy 4:7-8, Hebrews 12:1, Philippians 2:12 — work out your salvation with fear. This is a warning to church that has got GREEN 7 vision — Green is mercy, life, last chance for revival Psalm 23:2, 7 is completion. God is giving last age full mercy to repent and be pure. Choose holiness now — so you be counted among 144,000 sealed blameless firstfruits alive with Lamb on Mt Zion Rev14:1, not just saved but PURE. In Name of JESUS THE LAMB OF GOD — Amen!
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  • Guidelines for living.
    August 31st, 2026

    What is a Creed?

    For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4

    The industrialist Henry Ford used to say that he knew the Church was a divine institution because, contended Ford, no other organization so poorly organized and run would have survived for 2000 years. Going beyond the satire of what he said, there is a measure of truth in his statement.

    After the resurrection, the followers of Jesus were left without an organization, with no financial base, and really without an organized plan for survival and growth. They had no buildings, no leader, and no game plan. It was almost fifteen years before Saul - known to history as the Apostle Paul - came on the scene. What held them together? What gave them cohesiveness?

    John, one of the youngest of the Twelve, partly answered that question at the end of his life. He wrote, "We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us" (1 John 1:3). Simply put, two things were the basis of agreement and fellowship: what they had seen, and what they had heard, which began to be passed from generation to generation.

    One of the challenges confronting the church is this old issue: What brings us together and what keeps us together? Music won't do it anymore; neither will a unified translation of the Bible, though the Bible itself is our age-abiding source of authority and belief. But is there more?

    Shortly after the resurrection of Christ, men and women from different parts of the world began asking, "What do we really believe?" and "Is it the same everywhere?" The answers to those questions are contained in what are called the creeds of the church. Like you, perhaps, in the early years of my Christian experience, I thought of creeds and statements of faith as things that were rather dull and boring, of a historical nature. I wanted life and liberty.

    But eventually I came to appreciate the fact that the historical creeds of the church are something like the steel or iron bands that held the staves of an old-fashioned wooden barrel together. Remember the old wooden barrels of bygone years that held cider and apples and that sort of produce? Around the world there are different groups with different cultures and sometimes differing views of the truth of God's Word. They are much like the staves of a barrel, but the concise statements of creeds are like the iron bands that hold it all together. Within is the treasure of what God has revealed in His Word.

    In an age of diversity and fragmentation, we need to know what is important and why, which means taking a look at what has been believed from the days of the Early Church to the present.

    The earliest creed or statement of faith was included in Paul's letter to the Corinthians about 56 AD. He wrote, "For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures" (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Pretty simple: Christ died, He was buried, He rose again the third day.

    Over a period of years, especially when someone came along with strange or heretical beliefs, Christians said, "Whoa! Wait a minute! We don't believe that!" and they called church councils who took a hard look at what was commonly believed to be true, and the statement of faith expanded.

    Usually, the councils of the church simply recognized what God's Holy Spirit had universally impressed upon people. What do you believe, anyway? It's an issue of tremendous importance, and you need to know.

    Resource Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:1-19
    Guidelines for living. August 31st, 2026 What is a Creed? For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 The industrialist Henry Ford used to say that he knew the Church was a divine institution because, contended Ford, no other organization so poorly organized and run would have survived for 2000 years. Going beyond the satire of what he said, there is a measure of truth in his statement. After the resurrection, the followers of Jesus were left without an organization, with no financial base, and really without an organized plan for survival and growth. They had no buildings, no leader, and no game plan. It was almost fifteen years before Saul - known to history as the Apostle Paul - came on the scene. What held them together? What gave them cohesiveness? John, one of the youngest of the Twelve, partly answered that question at the end of his life. He wrote, "We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us" (1 John 1:3). Simply put, two things were the basis of agreement and fellowship: what they had seen, and what they had heard, which began to be passed from generation to generation. One of the challenges confronting the church is this old issue: What brings us together and what keeps us together? Music won't do it anymore; neither will a unified translation of the Bible, though the Bible itself is our age-abiding source of authority and belief. But is there more? Shortly after the resurrection of Christ, men and women from different parts of the world began asking, "What do we really believe?" and "Is it the same everywhere?" The answers to those questions are contained in what are called the creeds of the church. Like you, perhaps, in the early years of my Christian experience, I thought of creeds and statements of faith as things that were rather dull and boring, of a historical nature. I wanted life and liberty. But eventually I came to appreciate the fact that the historical creeds of the church are something like the steel or iron bands that held the staves of an old-fashioned wooden barrel together. Remember the old wooden barrels of bygone years that held cider and apples and that sort of produce? Around the world there are different groups with different cultures and sometimes differing views of the truth of God's Word. They are much like the staves of a barrel, but the concise statements of creeds are like the iron bands that hold it all together. Within is the treasure of what God has revealed in His Word. In an age of diversity and fragmentation, we need to know what is important and why, which means taking a look at what has been believed from the days of the Early Church to the present. The earliest creed or statement of faith was included in Paul's letter to the Corinthians about 56 AD. He wrote, "For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures" (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Pretty simple: Christ died, He was buried, He rose again the third day. Over a period of years, especially when someone came along with strange or heretical beliefs, Christians said, "Whoa! Wait a minute! We don't believe that!" and they called church councils who took a hard look at what was commonly believed to be true, and the statement of faith expanded. Usually, the councils of the church simply recognized what God's Holy Spirit had universally impressed upon people. What do you believe, anyway? It's an issue of tremendous importance, and you need to know. Resource Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:1-19
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