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  • ARMED FOR THE CONFLICT.

    ARMED FOR THE CONFLICT.
    2024/09/18
    Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Ephesians 6:13.

    There are many who do not understand the conflict that is going on between Christ and Satan over the souls of men. They do not realize that if they would stand under the blood-stained banner of Prince Emmanuel they must be willing to be partakers of His conflicts and wage a determined war against the powers of darkness.

    When thinking on the conflict, Paul writes to his Ephesian brethren exhorting them to “be strong,” not feeble, not wavering, tossed to and fro like the waves of the sea. But in what are they to be strong? In their own might? No. “Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” He says, “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 ...” (verses 10-13).

    The gaining of eternal life will ever involve a struggle, a conflict. We are continually to be found fighting the good fight of faith. We are soldiers of Christ; and those who enlist in His army are expected to do difficult work, work which will tax their energies to the utmost. We must understand that a soldier’s life is one of aggressive warfare, of perseverance and endurance. For Christ’s sake we are to endure trials.

    Victories are not gained by ceremonies or display but by simple obedience to the highest General, the Lord God of heaven. He who trusts in this Leader will never know defeat. Obedience to God is liberty from the thraldom of sin, deliverance from human passion and impulse. Man may stand conqueror of himself, conqueror of his own inclinations, conqueror of principalities and powers, and of the “rulers of the darkness of this world,” and of “spiritual wickedness in high places.” ...

    “Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” [260]
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    15 分
  • NO ONE FREE FROM TEMPTATION.

    NO ONE FREE FROM TEMPTATION.
    2024/09/18
    Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations. 1 Peter 1:5, 6.

    Do not think that the Christian life is free from temptation. Temptations will come to every Christian. Both the Christian and the one who does not accept Christ as his leader will have trials. The difference is that the latter is serving a tyrant, doing his mean drudgery, while the Christian is serving the One who died to give him eternal life. Do not look upon trial as something strange, but as the means by which we are to be purified and strengthened. “Count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations,” James admonishes; “knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience” (James 1:2, 3).

    In the future life we shall understand things that here greatly perplex us. We shall realize how strong a helper we had and how angels of God were commissioned to guard us as we followed the counsel of the Word of God.

    To all who receive Him, Christ will give power to become the sons of God. He is a present help in every time of need. Let us be ashamed of our wavering faith. Those who are overcome have only themselves to blame for their failure to resist the enemy. All who choose can come to Christ and find the help they need.

    There stands among you the mighty Counselor of the ages, inviting you to place your confidence in Him. Shall we turn away from Him to uncertain human beings, who are as wholly dependent on God as we ourselves are? Have we fallen so far below our privileges? Have we not been guilty of expecting so little that we have not asked for what God is longing to give?

    “I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the Lord, and the praises of the Lord, according to all that the Lord hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel.... For he said, Surely they are my people, children that will not lie: so he was their Saviour. In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them” (Isaiah 63:7-9). [258]
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    15 分
  • EXAMINE EVERYTHING.

    EXAMINE EVERYTHING.
    2023/10/31
    

    EXAMINE EVERYTHING

    "PROVE ALL THINGS; hold fast that which is good." (1 Thessalonians 5:21; Capital Emphasis Added)

    My dear Brother or Sister in Christ, here, Paul the Apostle writes to the Thessalonians, to a Church he himself had founded. Here is an inspired apostle writing to young inexperienced Christians, writing to the whole professing Church in a certain city, writing too with especial reference to matters of doctrine and preaching. Yet mark what he says: "PROVE ALL THINGS." He does not say that, "Whatever popes, whatever evangelists, whatever bishops, whatever apostles, whatever pastors, whatever teachers, whatever your leaders tell you is truth — that you are to believe." NO! he says that, "Prove all things." He does not say, "Whatever the Conference pronounces true — that you are to hold." NO! he says that, "Prove all things."

    The principle laid down is this, "Prove all things by the Word of God. All leaders, all teaching, all preaching, all doctrines, all sermons, all writings, all opinions, all practices — PROVE ALL by the Word of God. Measure all by the measure of the Bible. Compare all with the standard of the Bible. Weigh all in the balances of the Bible. Examine all by the light of the Bible. That which is in the Bible, RECEIVE, HOLD, BELIEVE and OBEY. That which is not in the Bible, REJECT, REFUSE, and CAST AWAY."

    Above all, as long as you live, look forward to the great DAY OF JUGDEMENT. Think of the fearful account which every one of us shall have to give on that day before the Judgment Seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10). We shall not be judged by Churches. We shall not be judged by congregations. We shall be judged INDIVIDUALLY, each for himself or herself! What shall it profit you on that day to say, "Lord, Lord, I believed everything the Church told me. I received and believed everything ordained pastors set before me. I thought that whatever the Church and the pastors said, must be right"? What shall it profit you to say this, if you have held some DEADLY ERROR? Surely, the voice of Him who sits upon the throne shall reply, "You had the Scriptures. You had a Book plain and easy — to him that will read it and search it in a child-like spirit. Why did you not use the Word of God when it was given to you? You had a reasonable mind given you to understand that Bible. Why did you not 'Prove all things,' and thus save yourself from error?" Oh, my dear Brother or Sister in Christ, if you refuse to exercise your sense of religious judgment at this end of the world, think of that day and BEWARE!

    Paul Fonsi
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    15 分
  • EXAMINE YOUR HEART.

    EXAMINE YOUR HEART.
    2023/10/31
    

    EXAMINE YOUR HEART

    "This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but THEIR HEART IS FAR FROM ME." (Matthew 15:8; Capital Emphasis Added)

    "8:18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,

    8:19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.

    8:20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.

    8:21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for THY HEART IS NOT RIGHT IN THE SIGHT OF GOD.

    8:22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.

    8:23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.

    8:24 Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the LORD for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me."

    (Acts 8:18-24; Capital Emphasis Added)My dear Brother or Sister in Christ, when your heart is wrong all is wrong in God’s sight at this end of the world. You may do many things that are right at this end of the world. You may honour the forms and religious ceremonies which God Himself has appointed at this end of the world. But so long as your heart is at fault, God is not pleased. God will have your whole heart or nothing at all.

    The ark was the most sacred thing in the Jewish tabernacle. On it was the mercy seat. Within it were the tables of The Law (Exodus 25:8-22), written by God’s own finger, (Deuteronomy 9:10). The High Priest alone was allowed to go into the place where it was kept, within the veil, and that only once every year (Leviticus 16:34). The presence of the ark in the camp continually brought a special blessing. And yet this very ark could do the Israelites no more good than any common wooden box, when they trusted to it like an idol, with their hearts full of wickedness. They brought it into the camp, on one special occasion, saying, "Let us fetch the ark, that it may save us out of the hand of our enemies" (1 Samuel 4:3). When it came into the camp they showed it all reverence and honour. "They shouted with a great shout, so that the earth rang again" (1 Samuel 4:5). But it was all in vain. They were beaten by the Philistines, and the ark itself was taken (1 Samuel 4:11). And why was this so? It was so because their religion was a mere form. They honoured the ark, but did not give the God of the ark their hearts.

    There were some kings of Judah and Israel who did many things that were right in God’s sight, and yet were never written in the list of godly and righteous men. Rehoboam began well, and "for three years walked in the way of David and Solomon" (2 Chronicles 11:17). But afterwards "he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the Lord" (2 Chronicles 12:14). Abijah, according to the book of Chronicles, said many things that were right, and fought successfully against Jeroboam. Nevertheless, we read that "his heart was not perfect with the Lord his God" (1 Kings 15:3). Amaziah, we are expressly told, "did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, but not with a perfect heart" (2 Chronicles 25:2). Jehu, King of Israel, was raised up, by God’s command, to put down idolatry. He was a man of special zeal in doing God’s work. But unhappily, it is written of him that "He took no heed to walk in the law of the Lord God of Israel with all his heart for he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam, which made Israel to sin" (2 Kings 10:31). In short, one thing applies to all these kings. They were all wrong inwardly. They were all rotten to the core of their hearts!

    There are Churches at this end of the world where all the outward religious ceremonies are done to perfection. The building is beautiful. The service is beautiful. The singing is beautiful. The forms of devotion are beautiful. There is everything to gratify your senses. Your eyes, and ears, and mind may all be pleased. But all this time, God is not pleased. One thing is lacking, and the lack of that one thing spoils all. WHAT IS THAT ONE THING? It is your lack of a pure heart! God sees under all your fair outward show the form of Christianity put in the place of the substance (2 Timothy 3:5), and when He sees that he is not pleased. He sees nothing with an eye of favour in your Church building, the service, the pastor, or the people, if He does not see converted, renewed, broken, repentant hearts. Your bowed head, your bended knees, your loud amens, your crossed hands, all, all ARE NOTHING in God's sight if your heart is not right with Him at this end of the world!

    Paul Fonsi
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    15 分
  • INTEGRITY NOT FOR SALE.

    INTEGRITY NOT FOR SALE.
    2023/10/18
    INTEGRITY NOT FOR SALE

    Living amidst the culture of mediocrity and spiritual decay has caused many to forsake their moral principles. If you faithfully and obediently walk in the principles of a holy life in this contemporary world, you will be associated with tags like been strict, inhuman, unfriendly, old-fashion, barbaric, conservative and the like. Since these associative tags are not easy to embrace, those who had once held firm to godly principles and guidelines become conformists and yield to negative influences. The evil influences that have enshrouded the atmosphere around us benumb our consciences to the extent that we lose sight on our moral compasses.

    In our world today, we are witnessing a decrease in holiness. Absolute Christianity is giving way to spiritual fanaticism and normalism. Secret associations, séances, satanic witchery, spiritist mediums and occultism have become so ubiquitous that the faithful few always suffer the text of conformity and compromise. The integrity of men and women are tested daily and many are they who sell their priceless worth (integrity) for frivolous worldly gains.

    When you are confronted to tell a lie in order to cover up a particular sin, to compromise in an evil deal, to engage in a premarital or extramarital sex, yield to bribery and corruption, to smuggle assets, compact group or institutional assets for yourself, you are hovering between two opinions. The choice is between whether to exchange your expensive asset (your integrity and salvation) for that worldly pleasure or temporal enjoyment?

    The devil comes to us in diverse ways, to Joseph it was a temptation to compromise his chastity; to Naboth, it was a demand for his family treasure; to Daniel it was a threat to give in his prayer life and fidelity to God; to the three Hebrew boys (Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah) it was a call to compromise their faith in God; to Jesus Christ it was a call to denial His Lordship and bow in exchange for worldly treasures. To you, it may be that you are pricked to surrender your chastity or to be hooked to drugs or alcohol, or to engage in evil associations or secret societies. Remember that all these are calls for you to compromise; and a bargain for your hard earned integrity. Moreover, if you find yourself in a position or rank with several subordinates or opportunities, be careful not to misuse your power because it will make you prone to temptation.

    When you are tempted to do wrong or pressured to sell your integrity, remember the rules of life; Thou shalt have no other gods before me (God), Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth, Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain, Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy: Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. 13 Thou shalt not kill. 14 Thou shalt not commit adultery. 15 Thou shalt not steal. 16 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. 17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's. (1 Kings 21:1-3; Daniel 1:8; Daniel 3:8-18; Mathew 4:1-11; Exodus 20:1-18)
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    15 分
  • AT THE GATE OF SALVATION.

    AT THE GATE OF SALVATION.
    2023/10/16
    KJV Genesis 19:12-17, 26
    12 And the men said unto Lot, Hast thou here any besides? son-inlaw, and thy sons, and thy daughters, and whatsoever thou hast in the city, bring them out of this place:
    13 for we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the Lord; and the Lord hath sent us to destroy it.
    14 And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons-in-law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the Lord will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons-in-law.
    15 And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city.
    16 And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the Lord being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city.
    17 And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.
    26 But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.
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    15 分
  • WORLDLY ENTERTAINMENT IN CHRISTIANITY

    WORLDLY ENTERTAINMENT IN CHRISTIANITY
    2023/10/16
    There is an evil within Christianity in these last days that can easily be seen by even the most shortsighted person. This evil has developed at an abnormal rate. There is no greater harm that the Devil has done to the Church in these last days than to suggest to it that part of its mission is to provide entertainment for the people, with the intention of winning them for Christ.

    Much of the Church services of today are directed towards the idea of entertainment. It is generally assumed by many churches in these final hours of the world's history that their members must have a jolly good time or else they will leave the church and go to one which has a better singing band, a funnier preacher, a bigger stage, and more brilliant lighting effects. In many circles, a successful, effective church worship service is measured by the extent to which the people have been entertained. The Church has gradually lowered her testimony, overlooked and then winked at, and excused the frivolities at this end time. Not only has the Church done this, she has also tolerated them in her borders and now, sadly speaking, she has adopted them with the excuse of reaching the masses.

    My first point of argument is that providing amusement or entertainment such as choreography, musical concerts, drama, dinners, and picnics for the people has not been spoken of in any portion of the Holy Bible as a function of the Church. If providing entertainment in the Church was the work of the Christian, why did not Christ speak of it? "Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature." Short and sharp was the command and it is clear enough. Had the work of providing entertainment been the work of the Church, Christ would have added, "and provide entertainment for those who hate the Gospel." However, no such words have been found. Christ did not even think about it. Then again, "He gave some apostles, some prophets, some pastors and teachers, for the work of the ministry." Where do entertainers come in? The Holy Spirit never mentioned them. Were the prophets persecuted because they entertained the people or because they refused? There has not been an entertainer among the list of martyrs.

    Again, the provision of entertainment by the Church is in direct opposition to the teaching and life of Christ and all His apostles. What was the attitude of the Church to the world? "Ye are the salt," [something the world will spew out, not swallow], not sugar candy.

    If Christ had introduced more of the bright and pleasant elements that is being used by the Church today into His mission during His first advent, He would have been more popular. However, He went to the cross because of the searching and convicting nature of His teaching. I do not hear Him say, "Peter, run after these people, and tell them we will have a different style of preaching tomorrow, something short and attractive with very little preaching. We will have a pleasant evening for the people. Tell them they will definitely enjoy it. Hurry up, Peter, we must get the people by all means!"

    Beloved Readers, Jesus had pity on sinners and even cried for them, but NEVER SOUGHT TO ENTERTAIN THEM. Our search in all the writings of the apostles for any trace of entertainment in the four Gospels will be in vain. Their message was, "Come out, keep out, keep clean out!" Clearly, anything that is close to fooling and entertainment was absent in their preaching. They were very confident in the Gospel and so they employed no other weapon. When Peter and John were arrested and locked up for preaching, the Church organized a prayer meeting, but they did not pray, "Lord, enable Your servants so that by a wise use of entertainment, we may show the people around us how happy we are." They did not have the time to arrange entertainments because they did not stop preaching Christ. Scattered by persecution, they went everywhere preaching the Gospel. They "turned the world upside down." That is the difference!

    Finally, I must state clearly that the use of entertainment by the Church has not been a successful one. Instead, it does great harm to new and young converts to the Christian faith. I dare anyone to boldly come forward and testify that he or she was led to Christ through entertainment in the Church. I bet there is no answer because it is a general fact that the use of entertainment by the Church does not produce converts. The need of the hour for the Church in these evil last days is earnest spirituality that is devoid of worldly entertainments. There is the urgent need of sound Biblical doctrine, so understood and felt, to the extent that it sets us on fire. It's my earnest prayer that may God clear the Church of all the rot and rubbish that the Devil has imposed on her and bring back to us the methods that the apostles successfully used to win souls in past ages.
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    15 分
  • IF JESUS COULD SAVE ME......

    IF JESUS COULD SAVE ME......
    2023/10/10
    My name is Mary Magdalene. My life was in a total mess when I met Jesus. Possessed with seven demons and rightfully accused of adultery, I couldn't look straight into His eyes. With pangs of fear that only Jesus could see, I was waiting for the first stone to be unleashed at me, and then several others that will send me to an early death. As I stood in the midst of the elders of Israel and waited for my sentence, huge drops of sweat poured down from my face to the ground.

    But then He called out; "Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? I quickly looked around and saw no one. I softly replied; "No man, Lord." And then He said unto me; "Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more."

    I couldn't believe it. I have heard of this Jesus, but I didn't know that He was so much loving and forgiving. When I left the place, I determined to live a pure and holy life to glorify my new King. He set me free from the demons that made my life a wretch, and made me into a beautiful daughter of God.

    My dear friend, if Jesus could save me, He can save you too. Why don't you give all your heart to Him today! You will never regret you did.

    (This devotional is based on John 8:1-11 and Luke 8:2)

    Stay blessed and keep shining for King
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    15 分