JUST A MINUTE, PLEASE! [THE PREACHER'S CORNER] 🚥🚥🚥🚥🚥🚥🚥🚥🚥🚥🚥🚥🚥🚥 IT'S VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE FOR A YIELDED CHRISTIAN TO WALK IN THE MURKY WATERS OF TODAY'S POLITICS WITHOUT POLLUTION. (NO APOLOGIES) 🚥🚥🚥🚥🚥🚥🚥🚥🚥🚥🚥🚥🚥🚥 None is perfect... agreed! But keenly pursuing a course that will undoubtedly dent our garment of praise as believers is a perilous adventure. Many supposed christian politicians cites Joseph as Prime minister but NEVER remembers the price he paid; There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? (Gen 39: 9) He ended up in prison for what he didn't do. He didn't raise dust. The same people quote Daniel as vice president of Babylon,but NEVER remembers the sacrifice; But Daniel PURPOSED IN HIS HEART THAT HE WOULD NOT DEFILE HIMSELF WITH THE PORTION OF THE KING'S MEAT, NOR WITH THE WINE WHICH HE DRANK: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. (Dan 1: 8) 👉THE CHRISTIAN AND THE WORLD The Scriptures show us that the world system and its principles are opposed to God (Jn 14.17; 15.18-19; 1 Jn 2.16). The Christian has been saved out of the world (Jn 17.6, 14, 16; Acts 15.14). The Cross separates us from the world (Gal 6.14). We are therefore called to be distinct from the world (2 Cor 6.17; Rom 12.2). The Christian is a citizen of heaven (Phil 3.20). Our interests should be in heavenly things for we have an elevated place (Eph 2.6) and a heavenly object (Col 3.2). John 15.19 indicates that while we are not "of the world" we are "in the world" (see also Jn 15.15). We have responsibilities in the world and cannot ignore the political climate in which we live. Christians should be an influence for good in the world. It is important, therefore, to have a clear understanding of our responsibilities to the "powers that be" (Rom 13.1) and the extent to which we should be involved in the political life of our country. 👉THE CASE FOR INVOLVEMENT IN POLITICAL ACTION. A number of arguments have been set forward which advocate the value of an active involvement in the political process. These include: Historical precedent. Significant good has been achieved by great Christian men and women of the past who were able to improve society by advocating Christian principles. Responsible citizenship. Christians have a duty to contribute to improving society through active involvement in the political process. Resistance of evil. Christians have a moral obligation to oppose things which are anti-Christian and this at times necessitates political participation. Good influence. Christians should be seen to be a positive influence for good in society and this is achieved by engagement in politics. The desire to be involved in the political process may be based on good intentions, but the guide for the believer is not the persuasive and logical arguments of men but the Word of God. God’s Word sets out an entirely different perspective from the arguments cited above. 👉 THE CHRISTIAN'S RESPONSIBILITIES TO CIVIC RULE. Scripture shows us that the Christian has specific responsibilities to society and government. Three main responsibilities are set out. Subjection. Romans 13.1 indicates that the Christian is to be "subject unto the higher powers" for "the powers that be are ordained of God". A similar sentiment is found in Titus 3.1 when Paul told Titus "to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work". The Christian duty to rulers and the state is clear - obedience is required. Unless subjection brings us into direct conflict with the Word of God we should obey local and national rulers even if we abhor their personal lifestyles or disagree with the laws they have passed. See also 1 Peter 2.13-17. Prayer. 1 Timothy 2.1-2 makes it clear we are to pray for "all that are in authority". This is our primary duty to the powers that be. We are to pray that those in authority will act in a way that will enable us to live and serve God quietly and peaceably. Taxes. Christians are required to pay their dues to the governing authorities (Rom 13.6-7). This principle was confirmed by the Lord Jesus Himself when He said, "Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s" (Mt 22.21). The only limitation on the above occurs when we are commanded by men to do something contrary to the known will of God. Any conflict should always be settled by a resolve to do the will of God (see Acts 4.19, 5.29,32). 👉REASONS FOR ABSTENTION FROM THE POLITICAL PROCESS. In light of the above it is not open for a Christian to be a political dissenter, rebel or revolutionary (see Prov 24.21). In fact there are a number of reasons why not engaging with politics is the safest course for the believer. 1. The political world is openly antagonistic to Christian principles and is riddled with humanist thinking. 2. There are no Scriptures to indicate that the Christian should attempt to influence things for good through political processes and activities. 3. There is danger when Christians aspire to positions of power in the world because they expose themselves to the world’s corruption, its thinking, and its sin (see 2 Tim 2.4). 4. The New Testament does not advocate engagement in politics, social movements or schemes for reform, even though the conditions at the time were generally appalling. The early church concerned itself with the inward change which only the gospel could produce, and with regulating the lives of those who became Christians. 5. Slavery was a scourge in New Testament times but none of the believers were instructed to campaign against it or try to remove it. This does not of course mean that Christians should promote its continuation. 6. Certain Scriptures give us a powerful reason not to engage in politics. Philippians 3.20 states, "For our conversation (citizenship, politics, enfranchisement, voting rights) is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ". This verse teaches that we have a heavenly citizenship. We are strangers in the world, left here to represent the One that the world crucified. Philippians 1.27 states, "Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that...I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit". Our affairs are the affairs of the heavenly city. We are not to get entangled with "the affairs of this life". 7. Scripture tells us we are ambassadors in this world. A well-behaved ambassador does not interfere in the politics of the country in which he is only a temporary resident. As "ambassadors for Christ Jesus" (2 Cor 5.20; cp. Eph 6.20) it is not right for us to devote to earthly politics that time and effort which could be spent in the service of the Lord. 8. The main tenet of modern political systems is the democratic principle. The essence of democracy is rejection of any notion of absolute truth or higher authority and rejection of absolute moral values through acceptance of the rightness of whatever the majority think. This is anti-scriptural. 9. Paul claimed the legal protection of his Roman citizenship but never participated politically nor taught Christians to do so (Acts 22.25-29). 10. We do not know God’s purposes and timetable for the nation; therefore we could not know how to vote according to His purposes. 11. The Lord’s words in John 18.36 imply the need for a separation from political actions and processes. The Lord abstained from political activity. When He was here He was aware of society’s injustices (Lk 13.1-3) and of the "undesirables" in authority (Mt 22.16-21). The Lord’s teaching does impact on social problems, like slavery, but that was not His primary message. The example which the Lord set His disciples was one of meekness, humility and obedience to the powers that be. Christians are not directed to improve the world but to proclaim the gospel that condemns it and offers salvation from it. Financial contributions to political parties, participation in election campaigns, running for political office and voting are all activities which constitute an unequal yoke with unbelievers. Non participation in the political process should be seen as a positive stance. To act differently from the world is a testimony against the world. Conclusion While an act may not be overtly sinful this does not mean it is endorsed by Scripture. Engagement in the political process in any form is contrary to the spirit of Scripture. It is inconsistent with the Christian’s position and spiritual priorities. Christians can make positive statements about their faith as much by what they abstain from and how they live. Abstention is a positive step, not an abdication of responsibility. The specific teaching that Christians should not voluntarily vote is based on sound Biblical principles. It is a statement that we are separate from a world system which is opposed to God. Our chief influence in the world is to be through prayer, not the ballot box. CAUTION: THIS DOESN'T MEAN THAT WE SHOULDN'T VOTE FOR OUR PREFERRED CANDIDATES WITH A CLEAR CONSCIENCE, BUT WHEN PAID TO DO SO AS A BELIEVER, MORESO WHEN YOU KNOW THAT THE ONE YOU'RE VOTING FOR BECAUSE OF FINANCIAL INDUCEMENT IS WRONG... IT BECOMES A DENT ON YOUR GARMENT OF PRAISE. Please, let's not because of a pot of porridge sell our birthrights, Amen🙇🙏!

JUST A MINUTE, PLEASE! [THE PREACHER'S CORNER] 🚥🚥🚥🚥🚥🚥🚥🚥🚥🚥🚥🚥🚥🚥 IT'S VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE FOR A YIELDED CHRISTIAN TO WALK IN THE MURKY WATERS OF TODAY'S POLITICS WITHOUT POLLUTION. (NO APOLOGIES) 🚥🚥🚥🚥🚥🚥🚥🚥🚥🚥🚥🚥🚥🚥 None is perfect... agreed! But keenly pursuing a course that will undoubtedly dent our garment of praise as believers is a perilous adventure. Many supposed christian politicians cites Joseph as Prime minister but NEVER remembers the price he paid; There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? (Gen 39: 9) He ended up in prison for what he didn't do. He didn't raise dust. The same people quote Daniel as vice president of Babylon,but NEVER remembers the sacrifice; But Daniel PURPOSED IN HIS HEART THAT HE WOULD NOT DEFILE HIMSELF WITH THE PORTION OF THE KING'S MEAT, NOR WITH THE WINE WHICH HE DRANK: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. (Dan 1: 8) 👉THE CHRISTIAN AND THE WORLD The Scriptures show us that the world system and its principles are opposed to God (Jn 14.17; 15.18-19; 1 Jn 2.16). The Christian has been saved out of the world (Jn 17.6, 14, 16; Acts 15.14). The Cross separates us from the world (Gal 6.14). We are therefore called to be distinct from the world (2 Cor 6.17; Rom 12.2). The Christian is a citizen of heaven (Phil 3.20). Our interests should be in heavenly things for we have an elevated place (Eph 2.6) and a heavenly object (Col 3.2). John 15.19 indicates that while we are not "of the world" we are "in the world" (see also Jn 15.15). We have responsibilities in the world and cannot ignore the political climate in which we live. Christians should be an influence for good in the world. It is important, therefore, to have a clear understanding of our responsibilities to the "powers that be" (Rom 13.1) and the extent to which we should be involved in the political life of our country. 👉THE CASE FOR INVOLVEMENT IN POLITICAL ACTION. A number of arguments have been set forward which advocate the value of an active involvement in the political process. These include: Historical precedent. Significant good has been achieved by great Christian men and women of the past who were able to improve society by advocating Christian principles. Responsible citizenship. Christians have a duty to contribute to improving society through active involvement in the political process. Resistance of evil. Christians have a moral obligation to oppose things which are anti-Christian and this at times necessitates political participation. Good influence. Christians should be seen to be a positive influence for good in society and this is achieved by engagement in politics. The desire to be involved in the political process may be based on good intentions, but the guide for the believer is not the persuasive and logical arguments of men but the Word of God. God’s Word sets out an entirely different perspective from the arguments cited above. 👉 THE CHRISTIAN'S RESPONSIBILITIES TO CIVIC RULE. Scripture shows us that the Christian has specific responsibilities to society and government. Three main responsibilities are set out. Subjection. Romans 13.1 indicates that the Christian is to be "subject unto the higher powers" for "the powers that be are ordained of God". A similar sentiment is found in Titus 3.1 when Paul told Titus "to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work". The Christian duty to rulers and the state is clear - obedience is required. Unless subjection brings us into direct conflict with the Word of God we should obey local and national rulers even if we abhor their personal lifestyles or disagree with the laws they have passed. See also 1 Peter 2.13-17. Prayer. 1 Timothy 2.1-2 makes it clear we are to pray for "all that are in authority". This is our primary duty to the powers that be. We are to pray that those in authority will act in a way that will enable us to live and serve God quietly and peaceably. Taxes. Christians are required to pay their dues to the governing authorities (Rom 13.6-7). This principle was confirmed by the Lord Jesus Himself when He said, "Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s" (Mt 22.21). The only limitation on the above occurs when we are commanded by men to do something contrary to the known will of God. Any conflict should always be settled by a resolve to do the will of God (see Acts 4.19, 5.29,32). 👉REASONS FOR ABSTENTION FROM THE POLITICAL PROCESS. In light of the above it is not open for a Christian to be a political dissenter, rebel or revolutionary (see Prov 24.21). In fact there are a number of reasons why not engaging with politics is the safest course for the believer. 1. The political world is openly antagonistic to Christian principles and is riddled with humanist thinking. 2. There are no Scriptures to indicate that the Christian should attempt to influence things for good through political processes and activities. 3. There is danger when Christians aspire to positions of power in the world because they expose themselves to the world’s corruption, its thinking, and its sin (see 2 Tim 2.4). 4. The New Testament does not advocate engagement in politics, social movements or schemes for reform, even though the conditions at the time were generally appalling. The early church concerned itself with the inward change which only the gospel could produce, and with regulating the lives of those who became Christians. 5. Slavery was a scourge in New Testament times but none of the believers were instructed to campaign against it or try to remove it. This does not of course mean that Christians should promote its continuation. 6. Certain Scriptures give us a powerful reason not to engage in politics. Philippians 3.20 states, "For our conversation (citizenship, politics, enfranchisement, voting rights) is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ". This verse teaches that we have a heavenly citizenship. We are strangers in the world, left here to represent the One that the world crucified. Philippians 1.27 states, "Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that...I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit". Our affairs are the affairs of the heavenly city. We are not to get entangled with "the affairs of this life". 7. Scripture tells us we are ambassadors in this world. A well-behaved ambassador does not interfere in the politics of the country in which he is only a temporary resident. As "ambassadors for Christ Jesus" (2 Cor 5.20; cp. Eph 6.20) it is not right for us to devote to earthly politics that time and effort which could be spent in the service of the Lord. 8. The main tenet of modern political systems is the democratic principle. The essence of democracy is rejection of any notion of absolute truth or higher authority and rejection of absolute moral values through acceptance of the rightness of whatever the majority think. This is anti-scriptural. 9. Paul claimed the legal protection of his Roman citizenship but never participated politically nor taught Christians to do so (Acts 22.25-29). 10. We do not know God’s purposes and timetable for the nation; therefore we could not know how to vote according to His purposes. 11. The Lord’s words in John 18.36 imply the need for a separation from political actions and processes. The Lord abstained from political activity. When He was here He was aware of society’s injustices (Lk 13.1-3) and of the "undesirables" in authority (Mt 22.16-21). The Lord’s teaching does impact on social problems, like slavery, but that was not His primary message. The example which the Lord set His disciples was one of meekness, humility and obedience to the powers that be. Christians are not directed to improve the world but to proclaim the gospel that condemns it and offers salvation from it. Financial contributions to political parties, participation in election campaigns, running for political office and voting are all activities which constitute an unequal yoke with unbelievers. Non participation in the political process should be seen as a positive stance. To act differently from the world is a testimony against the world. Conclusion While an act may not be overtly sinful this does not mean it is endorsed by Scripture. Engagement in the political process in any form is contrary to the spirit of Scripture. It is inconsistent with the Christian’s position and spiritual priorities. Christians can make positive statements about their faith as much by what they abstain from and how they live. Abstention is a positive step, not an abdication of responsibility. The specific teaching that Christians should not voluntarily vote is based on sound Biblical principles. It is a statement that we are separate from a world system which is opposed to God. Our chief influence in the world is to be through prayer, not the ballot box. CAUTION: THIS DOESN'T MEAN THAT WE SHOULDN'T VOTE FOR OUR PREFERRED CANDIDATES WITH A CLEAR CONSCIENCE, BUT WHEN PAID TO DO SO AS A BELIEVER, MORESO WHEN YOU KNOW THAT THE ONE YOU'RE VOTING FOR BECAUSE OF FINANCIAL INDUCEMENT IS WRONG... IT BECOMES A DENT ON YOUR GARMENT OF PRAISE. Please, let's not because of a pot of porridge sell our birthrights, Amen🙇🙏!

IN A WORLD DARKENED BY LUST,SIN AND EVENTUAL DEATH![JAS.1:15] 🙇🙇🙇🙇🙇🙇🙇🙇🙇🙇🙇🙇🙇🙇 THE THREE ENEMIES OF MAN... FROM GOD'S PERSPECTIVE ! (PART THREE) 🤷🤷🤷🤷🤷🤷🤷🤷🤷🤷🤷🤷🤷🤷 I ran into this and decided to make it THE ACTUAL CONCLUSION OF THIS DISCOURSE ON THE THREE ENEMIES...ONLY THIS TIME, IT'S FROM GOD'S PERSPECTIVE! It is generally acknowledged that throughout their life the Lord's people have three adversaries: the world, the flesh, and the devil. We have gone through this. BUT THE TINY BUT MIGHTY DIFFERENCE IS THAT THESE THREE ENEMIES ARE ALSO GOD'S ENEMIES,NOT JUST US...IT MAKES IT COMFORTING, ISN'T IT? I KNOW SOMEONE WILL SAY, *IF ONLY "THE FLESH" CAN BE REDACTED FROM IT* So,yes,these are equally the enemies of God for we read in 1 John 2.15: "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him". Thus we see how the world is opposed to the Father. Then in Galatians 5.17 we read of the flesh: "For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other". Then concerning the devil, the Lord Christ Jesus says: "Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me" (Jn 14.30). Can anything be clearer? Thus we see that the world, the flesh and the devil are adversaries of God. Further, concerning the devil, it is written in 2 Corinthians 4.3-4: "But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image God, should shine unto them". In this context, there are three men in the Bible who lost their sight and who characterise the three elements mentioned. These three men are: Zedekiah (2 Kings 25.7), Samson (Judg 16.21), and Elymas (Acts 13.11). 👉 THE "WORLD" ILLUSTRATED BY ZEDEKIAH'S REIGN. Zedekiah, the last king of Judah prior to the captivity, had been appointed by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. This left the people of Judah completed unperturbed, for Zedekiah was a tolerant man. Instead of maintaining the purity and the holiness of the temple, he allowed all sorts of transgression of the Law of God. We read in 2 Chronicles 36.13-16 how he revolted against the king of Babylon: "And he also rebelled against king Nebuchadnezzar who had made him swear by God: but he stiffened his neck, and hardened his heart from returning to the Lord God of Israel. Moreover all the chief of the priests, and the people, transgressed very much after all the abominations of the heathen; and polluted the house of the Lord which he had hallowed in Jerusalem. And the Lord God of their fathers sent to them by His messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because He had compassion on His people, and on His dwelling place: But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised His Words, and misused His prophets, even killing some, until the wrath of the Lord arose against His people, then, there was no remedy". Zedekiah's reign can be summed up by the old saying: "the voice of the people is the voice of God." In our day, morality is determined by the opinion of the majority, the world, and not by the Word of God. Finally Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon, fled the land, was recaptured and, to punish him, the king of Babylon murdered his sons, the last thing that Zedekiah ever saw before his eyes were put out. 👉 THE FLESH ILLUSTRATED BY THE LIFE OF SAMSON. The Bible Book of Judges reveals to us this enigmatic character. But who were the judges of that period? They were individuals raised up by God to administer, lead, and oftimes deliver the people of Israel from the yoke of their oppressors. Samson judged Israel for twenty years and during that period he displayed incredible violence on a number of occasions. He encountered a lion and killed it as though it had been a goat. In revenge against those that had taken his wife he set fire to the tails of 300 foxes and set them loose in the corn fields of his enemies. When taken and bound with cords by his own people to placate the Philistines, he broke the cords, and with the jawbone of an ass he killed a thousand men. But,he was a man dominated by carnal passions. Despite the objections of his parents, he took a Philistine woman. Later he was seduced by Delilah who succeeded in discovering the secret of his strength: his uncut hair. While he was sleeping his hair was cut, and "his strength went from him" (Judg 16.19). He was taken by the Philistines who put out his eyes as had happened to king Zedekiah. 👉 THE DEVIL ILLUSTRATED BY THE BEHAVIOUR OF ELYMAS. During his first missionary journey, Paul, accompanied by Barnabas, crossed the island of Cyprus arriving at the port of Paphos. They were immediately summoned to the presence of the governing magistrate, the deputy Sergius Paulus, who desired to hear the message of these two men. In the short account that we have in Acts 13, we would understand that the deputy was a man seeking for truth. But the presence of Elymas the sorcerer (v.8) also revealed the spiritual ignorance of Sergius Paulus (13.7,12). So often, there are souls in search of the knowledge of the truth of God, who are ensnared by the activities of colporteurs of error. Satan uses the divers sects to turn sincere persons from the Salvation that is in Christ Jesus. They freely quote the Holy Scripture just as Satan did in Matthew 4.6, but insist that it is not possible to find peace with God outside of their particular sect. In the face of the hostility of the Jews, the Lord Christ Jesus told them: "Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it" (Jn 8.44). Thus, when Paul called Elymas a son of the devil (Acts 13.10), he weighed his words and revealed the true motivation of this enemy of the gospel. This man, like Zedekiah and Samson, lost his sight, blinded because of his opposition to the truth God. So,this is what happens when we allow these three enemies to take root in our lives. We are blinded by our fleshly and worldly lusts,then the devil takes over from there. In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. (2Co 4: 4) As long as these three enemies are God's enemies too, it makes things easier for us, we would say. BUT GOD CAN HELP US PUT THE WORLD AND DEVIL IN CHECK FOR US... BUT WHAT IF WE COULDN'T DISCIPLINE OUR "FLESH?" BECAUSE, GOD WON'T DO THAT FOR US... YOU CAN ASK SAMSON. May the Almighty God help us to crucify our *flesh* to His Cross... Amen🙇🙏!

IN A WORLD DARKENED BY LUST,SIN AND EVENTUAL DEATH![JAS.1:15] 🙇🙇🙇🙇🙇🙇🙇🙇🙇🙇🙇🙇🙇🙇 THE THREE ENEMIES OF MAN... FROM GOD'S PERSPECTIVE ! (PART THREE) 🤷🤷🤷🤷🤷🤷🤷🤷🤷🤷🤷🤷🤷🤷 I ran into this and decided to make it THE ACTUAL CONCLUSION OF THIS DISCOURSE ON THE THREE ENEMIES...ONLY THIS TIME, IT'S FROM GOD'S PERSPECTIVE! It is generally acknowledged that throughout their life the Lord's people have three adversaries: the world, the flesh, and the devil. We have gone through this. BUT THE TINY BUT MIGHTY DIFFERENCE IS THAT THESE THREE ENEMIES ARE ALSO GOD'S ENEMIES,NOT JUST US...IT MAKES IT COMFORTING, ISN'T IT? I KNOW SOMEONE WILL SAY, *IF ONLY "THE FLESH" CAN BE REDACTED FROM IT* So,yes,these are equally the enemies of God for we read in 1 John 2.15: "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him". Thus we see how the world is opposed to the Father. Then in Galatians 5.17 we read of the flesh: "For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other". Then concerning the devil, the Lord Christ Jesus says: "Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me" (Jn 14.30). Can anything be clearer? Thus we see that the world, the flesh and the devil are adversaries of God. Further, concerning the devil, it is written in 2 Corinthians 4.3-4: "But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image God, should shine unto them". In this context, there are three men in the Bible who lost their sight and who characterise the three elements mentioned. These three men are: Zedekiah (2 Kings 25.7), Samson (Judg 16.21), and Elymas (Acts 13.11). 👉 THE "WORLD" ILLUSTRATED BY ZEDEKIAH'S REIGN. Zedekiah, the last king of Judah prior to the captivity, had been appointed by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. This left the people of Judah completed unperturbed, for Zedekiah was a tolerant man. Instead of maintaining the purity and the holiness of the temple, he allowed all sorts of transgression of the Law of God. We read in 2 Chronicles 36.13-16 how he revolted against the king of Babylon: "And he also rebelled against king Nebuchadnezzar who had made him swear by God: but he stiffened his neck, and hardened his heart from returning to the Lord God of Israel. Moreover all the chief of the priests, and the people, transgressed very much after all the abominations of the heathen; and polluted the house of the Lord which he had hallowed in Jerusalem. And the Lord God of their fathers sent to them by His messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because He had compassion on His people, and on His dwelling place: But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised His Words, and misused His prophets, even killing some, until the wrath of the Lord arose against His people, then, there was no remedy". Zedekiah's reign can be summed up by the old saying: "the voice of the people is the voice of God." In our day, morality is determined by the opinion of the majority, the world, and not by the Word of God. Finally Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon, fled the land, was recaptured and, to punish him, the king of Babylon murdered his sons, the last thing that Zedekiah ever saw before his eyes were put out. 👉 THE FLESH ILLUSTRATED BY THE LIFE OF SAMSON. The Bible Book of Judges reveals to us this enigmatic character. But who were the judges of that period? They were individuals raised up by God to administer, lead, and oftimes deliver the people of Israel from the yoke of their oppressors. Samson judged Israel for twenty years and during that period he displayed incredible violence on a number of occasions. He encountered a lion and killed it as though it had been a goat. In revenge against those that had taken his wife he set fire to the tails of 300 foxes and set them loose in the corn fields of his enemies. When taken and bound with cords by his own people to placate the Philistines, he broke the cords, and with the jawbone of an ass he killed a thousand men. But,he was a man dominated by carnal passions. Despite the objections of his parents, he took a Philistine woman. Later he was seduced by Delilah who succeeded in discovering the secret of his strength: his uncut hair. While he was sleeping his hair was cut, and "his strength went from him" (Judg 16.19). He was taken by the Philistines who put out his eyes as had happened to king Zedekiah. 👉 THE DEVIL ILLUSTRATED BY THE BEHAVIOUR OF ELYMAS. During his first missionary journey, Paul, accompanied by Barnabas, crossed the island of Cyprus arriving at the port of Paphos. They were immediately summoned to the presence of the governing magistrate, the deputy Sergius Paulus, who desired to hear the message of these two men. In the short account that we have in Acts 13, we would understand that the deputy was a man seeking for truth. But the presence of Elymas the sorcerer (v.8) also revealed the spiritual ignorance of Sergius Paulus (13.7,12). So often, there are souls in search of the knowledge of the truth of God, who are ensnared by the activities of colporteurs of error. Satan uses the divers sects to turn sincere persons from the Salvation that is in Christ Jesus. They freely quote the Holy Scripture just as Satan did in Matthew 4.6, but insist that it is not possible to find peace with God outside of their particular sect. In the face of the hostility of the Jews, the Lord Christ Jesus told them: "Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it" (Jn 8.44). Thus, when Paul called Elymas a son of the devil (Acts 13.10), he weighed his words and revealed the true motivation of this enemy of the gospel. This man, like Zedekiah and Samson, lost his sight, blinded because of his opposition to the truth God. So,this is what happens when we allow these three enemies to take root in our lives. We are blinded by our fleshly and worldly lusts,then the devil takes over from there. In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. (2Co 4: 4) As long as these three enemies are God's enemies too, it makes things easier for us, we would say. BUT GOD CAN HELP US PUT THE WORLD AND DEVIL IN CHECK FOR US... BUT WHAT IF WE COULDN'T DISCIPLINE OUR "FLESH?" BECAUSE, GOD WON'T DO THAT FOR US... YOU CAN ASK SAMSON. May the Almighty God help us to crucify our *flesh* to His Cross... Amen🙇🙏!

GOD REMAINS GOD WITHOUT YOU OR ME! 💁💁💁💁💁💁💁💁💁💁💁💁💁💁 IDENTIFYING AND DEALING WITH THE IDOLS OF OUR HEARTS.(EZE14:1-8) [PART TWO] 💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔 Welcome back 🤝! We stopped at our dire need to recognize the serious consequences (God’s silence, judgment) when we have idols in our hearts. And what happens when a person has an idol in his/her heart? We said even though you try to seek God, pray, and inquire of Him. He may not answer you!(Eze.14:3) Basically,here are some things which INDISPUTABLY belong to GOD: RESPECT, LOVE, CONFIDENCE, REVERENCE, and SERVICE. It’s not that we should give no honour, love, etc, to anyone other than God, but that we should not love or serve anyone or anything too much, i.e, MORE THAN GOD. When we veer away from giving God these things, we are in effect committing idolatry in our hearts. We have learnt that if we persist in having idols in our hearts,God is certain to tell us; "What right do we have to seek Him or inquire of Him?(Paraphrase,mine.) He may then speak to us by his silence. And during that time,we are prone to maybe ask, "Where is God? Why does He feel so far away? Where is His Power and Glory in my life?" It isn't like as if,every time that God is silent,it means we’ve sinned against Him...No! It's just that, when we noticed that God is silent, perhaps we need to examine ourselves, and search ourselves for whether we may have an idol in our life. Thus, the first thing we need to do in dealing with idols of the heart is to recognize the reality of idols of our hearts,and its grave consequences. So,how then do we recognize an idol of the heart? Let's consider some ways of knowing; 👉When I’m alone, what do I enjoy daydreaming about? What occupies my mind when I have nothing else to think about? (Eg career advancement? Material goods? A relationship?) 👉Where do I spend my money? (Clothes? Food? Cars? Homes?) Christ Jesus says, *Where your treasure is, there is your heart also* (Matthew 6:21) 👉How do I respond to unanswered prayers and frustrated hopes? When you pray and work for something and you don’t get it and you respond with explosive anger or deep despair, then you may have found your real god. 👉Look at your most uncontrollable emotions (anger, fear, despair, guilt). If you feel that you MUST have something at all costs, you will feel anger if you can’t get it, fear/despair if you lose it. This something has become an idol. 💢Now, it's time to seek out and remove and replace the idols of our hearts; Thankfully, God is a gracious God, and He desires us to restore our relationship with Him through repentance. He doesn’t want us to remain in sin, or remain in a relationship marked by His silence and judgment upon us. We see God’s desire for our repentance in Ezekiel 14:4-6, I will do this to recapture the hearts of the people of Israel, who have all deserted me for their idols. Therefore say to the people of Israel, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Repent! Turn from your idols and renounce all your detestable practices!’ Notice that God’s silence and refusal to answer those who have idols in their hearts is for their good. He does this so that He will “recapture their hearts.” (v5) He wants you to know the seriousness of the sin of idolatry... and He wants you to repent. Repent means you turn away from sin/idols and turn back to God. However, removal of an idol isn’t enough...we need to remove and then replace them. Why? It should be desperately important for us to realize that idols cannot simply be removed. They must be replaced. If you only try to uproot them, they grow back; but they can be supplanted. By what? By God Himself, of course. But by God we do not mean a general belief in His Existence. Most of us have that, yet our souls are riddled with idols. What we need is a living encounter with God. Besides repentance (turning away from idols) we need to turn to something greater... something that can fully satisfy our deepest longings...and that is Christ Jesus. Only Christ Jesus. We remove our idols, and replace that vacuum with Christ Jesus alone. If you uproot the idol and fail to *plant* the love of Christ Jesus in its place, the idol will grow back. Christ Jesus must be everything to you! As Paul says in Col.3:1-4. We are to *SET OUR HEARTS AND MINDS ON THINGS ABOVE* WHERE *OUR LIVES ARE NOW HIDDEN WITH CHRIST IN GOD.*(highlights mine) That means we are to appreciate, rejoice, and rest in who Christ Jesus is and what Christ Jesus has done for us through His Life, Death and Resurrection. See Christ Jesus for Who He is(Son of God),what He has done...His life, His Substitutionary Death on the Cross for our sins, His Sacrificial Love, His Forgiveness, Grace, His Resurrection, and the Hope of Eternal Life. This is the Gospel of Jesus Christ...Who He is and what He has done for us. Only Christ Jesus and the Salvation we have in Him can replace the idols in our lives. We have to deepen our understanding of the Salvation of Christ Jesus, what we have in Him, and then living out the changes that that understanding makes in our hearts...the seat of our mind, will, and emotions. Indeed, the living God, who revealed Himself both at Mount Sinai and on the Cross, is the only Lord who, if we find Him, can truly fulfill us, and, if we fail Him, can truly forgive us. 💢 Conclusively,God, in His Mercy and Grace may be surfacing some idols in your heart and mine. Many idols are good things... family,jobs, relationships,food, fitness exercises to look healthy (eg, women mentally obsessed with the idea of a perfect shape)etc, BUT,they become bad when we elevate them to a POSITION RESERVED FOR GOD ALONE. Good things can become an idol when we attach our meaning, significance and security, safety and fulfillment to these things, instead of God. They harm our intimacy with God, and may result in painful experiences of God’s silence and judgment. But God in His Grace, gives us a solution...He asks that we repent. To remove these idols, and turn back to Him...to replace them with the One Thing that truly satisfies. The Gospel of Christ Jesus and His love for us. See Who He is and what He has done for us. But the decision is in our hands.You know your idols,I know mine...we can accept this rebuke from God in Eze.14:1-8 and give them up or continue in them. It's an individual choice. May the Holy Spirit help us to make the right one, Amen🙇🙏!