O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself; but in me is thine help” (Hosea 13:9). I once observed with shock, the unconscious reaction of a young man who could not get hemp for about two hours. His whole body vibrate uncontrollably until he manage to escape, smoked hemp and returned looking for normal and happier. This is how many young person have destroyed their lives and their future, experimenting with forbidden substances, queer lifestyles and sinful habits that have ruin them. According to Jonathan Edward, ” sin is the ruin and the misery of the soul, it is destructive in it’s nature; and if God should leave it without restraint, there would need nothing else to make the soul perfect miserable.” But Jesus died on the cross of Calvary to redeem the human race from the consequence of sin. Continued indulgence in sinful practice only destroys the body and slowly damns the soul.
Brain Foods to Increase Your Memory
Berries And More Berries
1. Berries are the brain food to improve memory. Specifically blueberries are the power berries to improve memory. Berries are chucked full of antioxidants. Eating just a 1/4 cup of blueberries everyday will help your memory. True Stories; Two examples in particular my aunt who noticed she was becoming more forgetful started to worry, and asked her doctor if there was anything she could do to help her memory. He told her blueberries, everyday. She started eating blueberries everyday, and noticed an improvement in her memory. The second example is my mom. She constantly holds up the blueberry flag declaring how they have really helped her. For the past 2 months or so she has not missed a single day of eating her berries and tells me not only did it help her memory, but has given her a second benefit with elimination.
Blueberries And Beyond
Blueberries are the best because of the anthocyanin purple blue pigments and chlorogenic acid found in them. Not only do they help the brain but they are excellent anti-inflammatory agents within them. Other berries which have great health benefits are cherries, cranberries, and raspberries.
Spinach 4 memory
Mother Always Said Eat Your Spinach
2. Spinach contains potassium, magnesium, vitamin B12, and vitamin B6, and folic acid which are a great combination for brain power. The folic acid in spinach helps protect neurons in the brain. These vitamins also play a big part in helping to make healthy red blood cells which is the vehicle to carry oxygen to the brain. Spinach has multitude benefits besides being a healthy brain food. Potassium and magnesium are proven agents in helping to lower the blood pressure. So listening to your mother when she said eat your spinach she’s right. Keep eating your spinach.
Oranges
3.Oranges are mostly known for their high concentration of Vitamin C. Whether eaten fresh or as fresh orange juice, they are powerful brain boosters, and they are well-known as being a great immune booster. Oranges also protect against heart disease. Oranges contain flavonoids which also is an added benefit for helping to prevent varicose veins.
Oranges being high in vitamin C is the agent to protect your body against free radicals which are damaging to the body. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant. Oranges are heart healthy, and great for starting your day with a glass of orange juice.
Baked Potato
Great for memory and lowering blood pressureGreat for memory and lowering blood pressure
Baked Potato
4. Who knew? Potatoes to improve memory. Yes potatoes do help with memory. Potatoes are loaded with potassium which is a nutrient to aid in lowering and/or regulating blood pressure.
5. Black-eyed peas and not the band..lol. Yes black-eye peas are a great source for brain power and improving memory. Black-eye peas also have calcium which is an added bonus.
6. Pomegranate, do not worry drinking pomegranate juice is just as good. Pomegranate has multi-purpose benefits. Remember the rule rich color foods everyday in your diet. Dark greens, and your pomegranate is also said to be good for helping to prevent cancer. Pretty much most health nuts are familiar with foods which help to boost your memory. I tried to find some other alternatives that are less commonly found on most super brain food lists.
As always your nuts, and whole grains such as flaxseed oil, walnuts, and omega 3 are always good to mention.
Pomegranate To Your Memory
Pomegranate for health and memomryPomegranate for health and memory
REJECT PRIDE BY CZ OLAYEMI
Likewise, ye younger, submit yourself unto the elder. Yea , all of you be subject one to another , and be clothed with humility : for God resisteth the proud ,and giveth grace to the humble ” (1peter 5:5)
Driving down a country raid, Steven Beck came to a very narrow bridge in front of which was posted to the sign : “YIELD.” Seeing no on-coming cars, he continued across the bridge to his destination. On his way back , he came to to the same one lane bridge where he saw another “YIELD” sign had been placed at both ends of the bridge requesting motorists to give the right of way so as to prevent head – on collision.
Do not ignore the voice of the light of the world, which commands you to to ” be subject to one another ” (Ephesians 5:21) . the bible commands you to let the other have the right of way and avoid interpersonal head-on collision. If you yield, you walk in the light with God. Be submissive and receive God’s grace.
Invest In Your Health By Exercising By Fierce Manson
When thinking of including exercise in your daily routine, you should know the long term benefits of exercising that will keep you fit and smart for years. Yes, you can say that everyone knows exercise is good for health but is that tangible enough to motivate and to get you in regular exercise, probably not. There are people who want immediate results but I suggest you think about the long term benefits to exercising. This is because if you are young now, you have more brain power and physical power but with the passage of time you will be getting older and both your physical and brain power will be decreasing. So, ensuring a fit and healthy future should be your ultimate target of exercising while short term and immediate benefits are also available. Let’s see what long term exercising benefits you can get from systematic and regular exercise.
Source
Protection From Diseases
You can get affected by any disease at any age, but once you get older the chances of getting affected by various diseases increase to a high extent as older people are more susceptible to diseases. When women get older they become more susceptible to osteoporosis and regular exercise can be a very effective way to get rid of this. Remember, the earlier you will be starting exercising the more protection you will be getting in future. Long term exercise can also give you protection against heart disease, colon cancer and type 2 Diabetes.
Weight Control:
One of the most crucial factors for maintaining a healthy lifestyle is controlling weight effectively according to your body size and shape. With a regular and consistent routine of exercise you can easily maintain your weight. Your weight control exercise routine should include both strength training and aerobic components which will help you maintain an optimal body weight which is the prerequisite of a healthy life. Maintaining body weight from an early age has some lifelong exercising benefits.
Stronger Brain Power
One of the major benefits of exercisingis that it can improve your mental health and strength along with your physical fitness. Studies show that people who maintain a regular exercise routine from an early age are less likely to be affected by dementia as well as Alzheimer’s diseases. So, by participating in regular exercise you can reduce your risk of being affected by such diseases by 40 percent. If you didn’t start exercising in your early years, it’s high time you start exercising for both your physical and mental strength and fitness. Earlier you were asked to include aerobic components in your routine and doing so you can improve your memory effectively. Aerobic exercise improves the flow of blood to your brain and thus improves your memory and this has been proven in a research performed in 2007.
Some more physical benefits to exercising:
Reduces the chances of premature death
Reduces the number of sick days
Reduces symptoms of arthritis
Reduces cancer risk
Reduces osteoporosis risk
Reduces diabetes risk
Reduces the level of cholesterol
Reduces body fat
Reduces blood pressure
Benefits of Exercising
Till now we have discussed the physical benefits of exercisingand now it’s time to focus on the psychological benefits to exercising.Let’s see what psychological benefits you can get from regular exercise.
Increased Self-Esteem and Self-Confidence: Regular exercise makes you fit and allows you to go as you wish. Thus exercise makes you feel happy, secure and confident as well.
Reduced Stress and Anxiety: Stress and disappointment are common for all and the only solution to this issue is to change our way of response. Science has proved that exercise is a great way of relieving anxiety and stress. Neurochemicals are released in our brain and the process is stimulated by regular exercise which reduces the level of our anxiety and stress. Exercise also increases our ability to respond to stress and helps our psychological systems to run properly.
Increased Mental Alertness: One of the major exercising benefitsis it increases our mental alertness. According to the American Heart Association website, physically fit people are more likely to be mentally fit and alert and this is effective for both young and old people. Mental fitness increases our ability of learning and thus we can become smarter through consistent and regular exercise.
These are some key benefits of exercisingfrom both physical and psychological aspects. If you really care about a healthy lifestyle then there is no alternative to regular exercise and you must get used to it for a healthier future.
Veteran Of The Month – James R. Petitpas
The Veteran of the Month is James R. Petitpas from Dorchester, Massachusetts. He joined the Army on February 28th, 1970, at 17 years old, and he got out 3 years later in 1973. James comes from a family of 10 and held a lot of responsibility for his sibling’s well-being. He was 17 and needed to get out of the house because he was becoming a disciplinary problem. He started attending Boson Technical School, but not long after found out school was not for him. The lecture halls and amount of work made him realize he wasn’t a good student. This is what led him to the recruiting office up the road for the school. Since James was only 17, he needed his parent’s signature and he got it from his step-father. When he returned to the recruiting station he made a friend in the office and the two boys signed up together through the buddy system.
For basic training, he was in Fort Dix, New Jersey and after the 60-day advanced infantry training it was late May and he turned 18. This was a big deal for him because it meant he was eligible to go overseas and be part of the Vietnam War. He started learning more in-depth about rifles, equipment, chain of command, and choosing his MOS. James started in Vietnam as a cook for lieutenants, captains, colonel, and generals. This was a good fit for him because he was usually in charge of cooking meals for his family of 10 at home, so he had plenty of practice. However, he did not have practice in taking orders and resolving conflicts, so when an NCO asked him to paint a wall, he couldn’t wrap his head around how that was his job. When he refused to do so, he was turned into the head sergeant. The sergeant told him “Well Petitpas, usually I can give out an article 15, but I think the best thing would be to transfer you to the 88th transfer.” James wasn’t exactly sure what that meant, but he knew it had to do with trucks because he saw a few driving around the base.
Shortly after he packed his bags and changed locations. When he arrived, it took a few days to meet with the captain and when did he got his secondary MOS, truck driver, because they already had too many cooks. He was nervous about the change because he had no experience driving a truck, let alone a gun truck. After one of the trucks was hit and a few soldiers were lost, there was an opening that needed to be filled and he got the spot. His new job was on a gun truck, refueling the trucks and technical support. With the MOS change, he said his days were as follows – wake up, get your weapon from the ammunition bunker, put conveys together as needed, look for enemies, and help those who needed it. His main focus was to protect drivers, cargo, and giver cover during fire.
He was accustomed to working with a group, so being with 3 men every day and relying on each other for support wasn’t hard for him. A new skill he learned was taking advantage of an opportunity when it presented itself and this led to what he said was his proudest moment in the Army. He had the chance to go with the gunmen to check the perimeters of the base to make sure the security system was working accurately and to check if there was any sign of someone trying to enter the area. He stated, “Making PB and J’s didn’t seem like I was doing much so getting that experience made me feel like I was really doing my part.” He also expressed how his job wasn’t a matter of hurting people but saving others, and that’s when he felt most alive.
When asked about one of the most emotional moments in the army he shared a rather scary story. It was Easter Sunday, which fell at the end of March, and they took on mortar fire. It was the first time he encountered this type of first-hand battle and it was so close he could see where they were landing. The power of the motors was so strong one of the 5-ton trucks got flipped on its side. James’ job during this time was to make sure front-line men had what they needed and direct them back to the road towards the base. During this time, he remembers sitting there calling out “My God it’s Easter Sunday.”
James was in Vietnam for 1 year out of his 3-year contract and got out shortly after coming back to stateside. The reason he gave was that he isn’t the most ideal soldier. If given a job he would do that job, but he didn’t like to have all the extra work on the side, due to him not seeing a purpose for it. James admitted he had always been more of a rebel even throughout his childhood, so he wasn’t afraid to state his opinion or question situations that seemed off. His example was getting the job done. It always happened, but he would skip steps that didn’t seem important to him but would later face consequences for it.
The response to what the service taught him was rather an emotional question for him to answer and he began tearing up when speaking about it. This was an understandable response considering he was an 18-year-old man sitting in a 5-ton truck with an open top and a floorboard consisting of thousands of rounds of ammunition. He sat with a 60 caliber that had 1800 rounds and could fire hundreds of bullets at a time. He said the biggest thing it taught him was that he was capable of doing way more than he thought himself capable of. There are two types of people in this world those who run towards actions and those who run away and found himself running towards it. It was tough for him to sit there each day and wonder if he and the other men would make it, but he learned to live each moment and be ready for the unthinkable.
These lessons followed him through life and shaped him into the person he is today. The army gave him the understanding that there’s not one person in this world who you can rely on more than yourself, but he also knew he was strong enough to be his own supporter. James learned this not in the service, but after he got out and had to live in civilization again. The hardest part for him was the transition back to normal life after seeing things he had seen and living in that constant state of fear. Keeping in mind that it was 1973 when he got out, there wasn’t a real concern about anyone’s mental health and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder wasn’t a real diagnosis. To this day he suffers from nightmares, but over the years he has learned different ways to cope with it. One thing that helps him personally is reminding himself that even though some of the actions he and others were ordered to do are questionable, there was a bigger purpose he was fighting for. He looks at that time in his life as a test to figure out who he really is as a person. The closing remark he made is something that can be beneficial to anyone going through hard times, he said “I’m given this life and live it to the fullest, sort out the bad and keep the good.”
The last thing he talked about was a moment he enjoyed from the service and a good memory he has. The one story that seemed to bring him the most joy was about his first date. Between responsibilities at home and joining the Army, young James hadn’t had his first date yet and when the guys he had become close to found out about this, they set him up on a date. They locked him in a room with a woman he had never met, and they weren’t going to let him until he started having a good time. Not too long after the date had started he heard noises coming from above him and sure enough, when he looked up he saw his friends looking down at him, watching the date for themselves. The story made James erupt in laughter and you could hear the smile on his face.
He ended the interview by saying “I would do it again. I have freedom but it’s not free. We all have talents, and we are supposed to share those talents”
Written by,
Lindsay Martin
Advent Homily – By Deacon Richard Benkovic
Column Maddie and the Deacon
Growing up I remember watching a cartoon show that featured a dog and his pet boy, their names were Dr. Peabody and Sherman. And they had this machine that could transport them back in time it was called the Way-back Machine. So let’s go back over 200 years to the year 1809. It was a period of history not greatly different from our own time. Military might was the dominant theme of the day. Napoleon and his armies seemed destined to rule the world. Their battles made the headlines of all the newspapers. And most people thought that these really were the most important events of the time.
But some other events took place in the year 1809 that never made the newspaper headlines and very few people noticed them. In that year Charles Darwin was born. As a result of his research, the thinking of the entire scientific world was reshaped. In that year Abraham Lincoln was born and his courage lead the United States in the darkest moments of its history. In that year, Cyrus McCormick was born and his invention changed the way the world harvest its crops. In that year Alfred Tennyson, Edgar Allen Poe and Oliver Wendell Homes were born, and their writings still inspire the minds of millions.
In a word, that year, 1809, was not known for its important battles, but rather for the babies that were born.
Let us use the Way-back Machine and go back a little more than 2000 years, when the armies of Caesar marched across the face of the known world and the people paid attention to this. No one really thought that the really important events of that time were taking place in the quiet and forgotten hills of Judea. Soon Elizabeth would give birth to a child and call him John and her cousin Mary would give birth to a child and call him Jesus. And those two men would literally reshape the thinking of the entire world.
But before these two important births we hear in today’s Gospel the story of Mary visiting with Elizabeth. Now Mary traveled in haste to the hill country. One does not travel slowly when filled with the Holy Spirit. The Lord’s presence is made clear for as soon as Elizabeth hears Mary’s greeting the child leapt in her womb and she was filled with the Holy Spirit.
Notice the contrast and the choice of words. Elizabeth is the first to hear Mary’s voice, but John is the first to be aware of her grace. She hears with the ears of the body, but he leaps for joy at the meaning of the mystery. She is aware of Mary’s presence but he is aware of the Lord’s. Elizabeth speaks of the grace they have received while John is aware of the pledge of our salvation.
When John leaps for joy Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit, but we know that though Mary’s spirit rejoices she does not need to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Her son, who is beyond our understanding, is active in his mother in a way beyond our understanding. Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit after conceiving John, while Mary is filled with the Holy Spirit before conceiving the Lord. Elizabeth says: “Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” We are also blessed because we have heard and believed. A soul that believes both conceives and brings forth the Word of God and acknowledges his works.
Let Mary’s soul be in each of us so we too can proclaim the greatness of the Lord. Let Mary’s spirit be in each of us so we too can rejoice in the Lord. Jesus has only one mother in the flesh, but we all bring forth Christ in our faith, if we remain pure and free from sin. And if we are faithful to God then we too can proclaim the greatness of the Lord, just as Mary’s soul magnified the Lord and her spirit rejoiced in God her Savior.
Anti-Wrinkle Super Foods By Fierce Manson
Berries Are Your Bestfriends
Blueberries are my favorite and they are truly the best anti-aging, and anti-wrinkle food. This is the perfect anti-wrinkle food. Berries have natural fructose sugar that satisfies your longing for sweets and enough fiber so you absorb fewer calories that you eat. British researchers found that the high content of insoluble fiber in fruits, vegetables and whole grains reduces the absorption of calories from foods enough to promote weight loss without hampering nutrition.
BEANS – Great Anti-Aging Foods
Beans are one of the best sources of plant protein. Peas, beans and chickpeas are collectively known as legumes. Most common beans have 215 calories per cooked cup (lima beans go up to 260). They have the most protein with the least fat of any food, and they’re high in potassium but low in sodium.
Plant protein is incomplete, which means that you need to add something to make it complete. Combine beans with a whole grain – rice, barley, wheat and corn – to provide the amino acids necessary to form a complete protein. Then you get the same top-quality protein as in meat with just a fraction of the fat.
Tomatoes
Studies at the University of Kentucky and in the Netherlands show that eating beans regularly can lower cholesterol levels. The most common complaint about beans is that they cause gas. Here’s how to control that problem, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA):
Before cooking, rinse the beans and remove foreign particles, put in a kettle and cover with boiling water, soak for four hours or longer, remove any beans that float to the top, then cook the beans in fresh water.
A medium tomato (2.5″ diameter) has only about 25 calories. These garden delights are low in fat and sodium, high in potassium and rich in fiber.
A survey at Harvard Medical School found that the chances of dying of cancer are lowest among people who eat tomatoes (or strawberries) every week.
And don’t overlook canned crushed, peeled, whole or stewed tomatoes. They make sauces; casseroles and soups taste great while retaining their nutritional goodness and low-calorie status. Even plain old spaghetti sauce is a fat-burning bargain when served over pasta, so think about introducing tomatoes into your diet.
The Magic of Tofu
You just can’t say enough about this health food from Asia. Also called soybean curd, it’s basically tasteless, so any spice or flavoring you add blends with it nicely. A 2½ ” square has 86 calories and nine grams of protein. (Experts suggest an intake of about 40 grams per day.) Tofu contains calcium and iron, almost no sodium and not a bit of saturated fat. It makes your metabolism run on high and even lowers cholesterol. With different varieties available, the firmer tofus are good for stir-frying or adding to soups and sauces while the softer ones are good for mashing, chopping and adding to salads.
Cabbage
This Eastern Europe staple is a true wonder food. There are only 33 calories in a cup of cooked shredded cabbage, and it retains all its nutritional goodness no matter how long you cook it. Eating cabbage raw (18 calories per shredded cup), cooked, as sauerkraut (27 calories per drained cup) or coleslaw (calories depend on dressing) only once a week is enough to protect against colon cancer.And it may be a longevity-enhancing food. Surveys in the United States, Greece and Japan show that people who eat a lot of it have the least colon cancer and the lowest death rates overall.
Fish & Omega 3
The health benefits of fish are greater than experts imagined – and they’ve always considered it a health food. The calorie count in the average four-ounce serving of a deep-sea fish runs from a low of 90 calories in abalone to a high of 236 in herring. Water-packed tuna, for example, has 154 calories. It’s hard to gain weight while eating seafood.
As far back as 1985, articles in the New England Journal of Medicine showed a clear link between eating fish regularly and lower rates of heart disease. The reason is that oils in fish thin the blood, reduce blood pressure and lower cholesterol.
Fish oil can bring about dramatic relief to the inflammation and stiff joints of rheumatoid arthritis.
Talking about fish oil is worth repeating over, and over again, not only does the oil in fish have anti-aging properties, but it has a bonus in what it does to your hair.
Did you know fish will give your hair a dark luster beyond what you could ever imagine. People constantly stare at my hair, and they ask me all the time do you color your, or what do you use on your hair? Just fish oil every day.
For years now I either take a fish oil supplement or have tuna, or salmon.
Water, Water and More Water, and Then Rest
Did you know if your body doesn’t get enough water your body fluids could very be thrown off balance. Believe it or not this can cause water retention. Keeping the body well hydrated is one of the best ways to keep the body well tuned up and ready for anti-aging prevention.
Water aids the body in maintaining a healthy muscle tone, and water flushes any waste from the body. Did you know water helps to prevent the skin from sagging.
In this age of bottled water–just because its in a bottle does not mean it is purified water. For me, steam distilled is the best for the, and does a better job of cleansing toxic from the body, which is a great wrinkle preventer.
For individuals who take medications, or any type of supplement, drinking water helps the liver to metabolize the medicine, and to do its job, and exit the body. After a dose of medication has been taken water is needed to effectively put the medicine to work, and then release it from the body. Not all medicines are broken down by the liver, this is just one example.
Rest is a must, nothing will have you wearing your age on your sleeve faster than a body that doesn’t get plenty of rest. I am true blue to a good night’s sleep, and when I don’t get it, I feel, and so will anyone else who comes across my path (lol).
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BELIEVER’S AUTHORITY: A RIGHT OR PRIVILEGE?
An article written by: Oluwatobi J. Omolewa
Believer’s authority is a concept that holds significant importance in many religious and spiritual practices. It refers to the power and ability that individuals who follow a specific faith possess, enabling them to exercise control and influence over different aspects of their lives. However, there is an ongoing debate about whether this authority is a right or a privilege. In this article, we will explore both perspectives to gain a comprehensive understanding of this intriguing topic.
To begin with, let us first define what believer’s authority entails. In various religious beliefs, believers are often taught that they have been given authority by a higher power – be it God, the universe, or any other deity. This authority grants them the ability to take charge of their circumstances, make decisions, and overcome challenges. It is believed that this authority comes directly from a divine source, and as faithful followers, individuals can tap into it to navigate their lives successfully.
Those who argue that believer’s authority is a right emphasize the inherent nature of this power. They view it as an entitlement bestowed upon believers by virtue of their faith. According to this perspective, the authority is an essential aspect of one’s spiritual journey and serves as a guiding force. Just as individuals have fundamental human rights, they believe that believers have a right to access and exercise this authority to shape their lives according to their religious convictions.
On the other hand, some argue that believer’s authority should be seen as a privilege rather than a right. This viewpoint asserts that individuals must earn and cultivate their authority through spiritual growth, deep introspection, and alignment with their chosen religious principles. From this perspective, believer’s authority is not automatically granted to all followers but is earned through dedication, devotion, and living in accordance with the teachings of their faith.
Proponents of this perspective see the journey towards attaining believer’s authority as an ongoing process. They believe that spiritual development and personal growth are necessary to unlock and expand one’s authority. This includes cultivating virtues such as humility, wisdom, and a deep sense of connection with the divine. Through this journey, individuals can gradually access higher levels of authority and empower themselves to create positive change in their lives and communities.
Ultimately, whether believer’s authority is seen as a right or a privilege may depend on the individual’s religious beliefs and interpretation of their faith. Some while others may perceive it as a reward for spiritual growth and alignment. The concept of believer’s authority offers individuals a framework through which they can understand and engage with their chosen religious teachings, providing them with a sense of purpose, guidance, and empowerment.
It is important to note that the understanding of believer’s authority can vary across different religious traditions and spiritual practices. Different faiths may have unique interpretations and teachings regarding this concept. Therefore, it is crucial to approach this topic with an open mind, respecting diverse perspectives and engaging in constructive dialogue.
In conclusion, believer’s authority is a fascinating concept religious beliefs. Whether it is perceived as a right or a privilege, it serves as a catalyst for personal growth, empowerment, and the ability to navigate life’s challenges. Understanding and positive changes in their lives and the world around them.
The Promise of God By Fierce Manson
©Abundant Waters Ministries, Inc. All rights reserved no parts of this content may be reproduced without the authors sole permission.
The promises of God already belong to you, you already own it. Think of it as being in your possession at this very moment. In this last hour before the return of Jesus Christ the people of God will receive what God has promised unto us.Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ desires that you receive from him. Beloved ones I can’t stress how important it is for you to walk in the spirit in this last hour. A lot depends on your church. Believe that you are walking in the promises of God. Someone may ask; what are the promises of God?
“If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye Shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” -John 15:7 Beloved ones this is only one promise. Just by knowing this passage of scripture, as a believer you are able to walk in full confidence in Jesus knowing that what ever you ask shall be done unto you. Next I would like to share with you some key scriptures of the promises of God. First let me explain the difference between scriptural promises, and personal prophetic promises.1. Scripture promises:The Word of God is full of scriptures of promises to every believer but you have to activate the measure of faith God has given unto you in order to obtain that promise. (A promise can’t do you any good if you never receive it). So let’s receive all of God’s promises. There are scripture promises of health in the Word of God.
Isaiah 6:10 “Make the heart of this people fat, and make their eyes heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.”Not only is this a promise, but a command to be healed.
1. Personal Prophetic Promises:There have been many personal prophesies that have went forth. First, and foremost be sure it was from the Lord. Too many times the people of God think that they are hearing from God when actually they didn’t. When it was spoken, did your spirit agree with what was said? Did it line up wit the Word of God?Secondly, if God said it is definitely going to come to pass, whether it takes two weeks, two months or two years, you can expect to see God move. In most cases people don’t have enough faith to believe God can bless them with things they never had before.
When Doubt Comes
When doubt is present you won’t receive anything from God. Therefore Satan snatches your blessing. In order to receive the promise you have to believe God from the moment it’s spoken until the very second you receive it no matter what the circumstances may look like.People of God know that God is working in your behalf no matter what kind of a picture the adversary paints before your eyes. Now then, people of God let me share this key scripture of promise:
“And I will give unto thee the KEYS of the Kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on Earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou Shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”-Matt. 16:19
Beloved ones so many times we acknowledge, oh yeah I know that scripture. Beloved get the scripture down in your spirit, because only then can the Word of God go out with power and accomplish what you speak it to go forth to do. Nothing can be accomplished in your flesh.The Word of God is powerful all by itself. Therefore, if you get the Word in your spirit man there is no promise that Satan can keep you from getting to. Many times we have the Word in our minds and not in our hearts, learn to receive the Word with your heart and spirit, and not just in your mind. If you only receive it in your mind you can soon forget it before it gets planted deep within your spirit.If you get it down in your spirit the Holy Ghost can always bring it back to your remembrance and use it at time of need. If someone gives you a set of keys that means you have the right and authority to use them whenever you want, and as many times as you please. So start using your keys to the Glory of God!There are some key things God wants to share with his people. In order for him to share these things he must use some willing and yielded vessels that are open to him. God has formed some ministries in this end-time that are especially anointed and equipped to share some unrevealed mysteries of the gospel with the Body of Christ. They also are especially prepared to do battle in the realm of the spirit to war against Satan. There are unsearchable riches in him.
Ephesians 3:8-10 says:”Unto me, who less than the least of all saints, in this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: To the intent that now unto the principalites and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,”My friend by the great power of travail and intercession we will begin to see these things come to pass. We must begin to understand that God and only God has predestinated and ordained different ministries before the foundation of the world.Jesus also promised that he is coming quickly Revelations 22:7, “Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.” This is another promise beloved ones Jesus is coming soon, he is coming quickly. “Watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.” (Mark 13:33) Jesus has commanded all that we are watchful and prayerful, if we don’t do what has been commanded we are subject to miss Jesus.Beloved, every written word was a warning that we all should watch for his coming. “He which testifieth these things saith, surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come Lord Jesus.”
-Revelation 22:20
Veteran of the Month – Patrick Martin(Vol 1 Dec 2023)
The December veteran of the month is Patrick Martin from Albrightsville, Pa. He joined the Army on June 28th, 1974, when he was 20 years old, and stayed in until June 28th, 1977. He started as an E-1 and ended as an E-4.
When asked why he joined, he said, “I was tired of hanging on street corners in Port Richmond. I felt like my life was going nowhere.” On the 27th, he went to the recruiting office at K and A (Kensington and Allegheny), and the following day, he was sworn in.
Patrick’s first MOS was a 36C telephone lineman but soon changed to a 72C SwitchBoard Operator. This change happened because of the first time he climbed a telephone pole. His sergeant made him go to the top of the pole and climb down himself, but instead, he slid down the whole way. When he refused to go back up, it led to a meeting with his Captain. The captain was mad, but it was because he was up there in the first place. He never thought a pole would be one of the more traumatic parts of the Army.
During his time in the Army, he got to travel to Germany. He traveled to Germany from Fort Campbell, Kentucky with the 101st airborne, single battalion. They stayed for 2 months in a “Tent City,” a huge field with big tents. They went to Germany as a test to see how long it would take them to get there and set all their equipment up. One fun memory he has from the stay is German beer. It was in a big barrel, and a man took a sledgehammer to it and added a tap; he said it was always room temperature.
After three years, he got out because he had a girlfriend and a child at home. He wanted to spend time with them and start a new chapter. His goal was to join the police force, so he took the test. While waiting for results, he secured a good job at Action Manufacturer and became a foreman/ supervisor. At this point in life, it made sense to stay with a stable and safer job. He was a sole supporter and had to make the tough decision of choosing not to enter the police, but to this day, he says it is one thing he wished he had done.
One thing he wasn’t expecting when he left the Army was his grandma being sick. He was really close to her and visited her every time he got leave. Shortly after being discharged, he saw her for the last time. She only lived for about two weeks after he got out; his uncle told him that she waited for him to get home so she could see him.
The most memorable event that he had in the Army was when he got on a C1-30 in North Carolina. There were trucks and generators in the back, and he was sitting on net seats in the front of the plane. His sergeant was supposed to make sure the gas in them wasn’t going to be affected during the takeoff because of pressure. Not even 2 minutes after the plane left the ground, gas started running all down the plane. They were told to stay seated, not move, and don’t touch anything. The guy sitting next to him kept saying, “We’re gonna die, Martin”. The plane did an emergency landing. There were fire trucks and police officers everywhere, but he never got to know what happened to that plane because they were immediately getting on a new one.
Patrick wanted to share a funny story he remembered from when he shot a M-16 for the first time. All the men and women lined up in foxholes and got ready to shoot. At this moment, he realizes the only thing he does left-handed is fire a gun. He had to raise his hand and say he needed a guard to block the shells that flew out of the gun when you fired it. His sergeant wasn’t very impressed by this and said, “Martin, you don’t know if you’re f***ing left-handed or right-handed.” This made him a little nervous when the sergeant was telling the instructions and said, “Fire.” Patrick was the only one who fired. He looked over, and everyone was staring at him. Safe to say, there was a lot of yelling after that moment.
The last thing he spoke about was how the Army impacted him. The Army gave him stability when he got out and allowed him to get his first house with the GI Bill. His time in the service gave him exactly what he was looking for three years prior. The discipline and the respect that stayed with him all these years later.
Written by,
Lindsay Martin