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Inheriting Eternal Life (Salvation) – Sam Korankye Ankrah

William Wagner
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Inheriting Eternal Life (Salvation) – Sam Korankye Ankrah

Here are some wisdom quotes on Salvation and entering into heaven.

– Salvation is not a reward for righteousness but it is a gift for the guilty.

– Salvation is not rooted in the merit of men but it is rooted in the mercy of God.

– Salvation is not in the goodness of men but in the gracefulness of God.

These point to the same reasoning that you are not saved because you are special, or have been in church all your life, or because you donate to a charity. Salvation is a gift of grace!

Being saved is not a right but a privilege. You can never earn salvation by following a set of rules and laws. It comes by your willingness to accept that you are not perfect and submit yourself to the mercy of Jesus Christ.

Hear Apostle Paul: “Yet we know that a person is made right with God by faith in Jesus Christ, not by obeying the law. And we have believed in Christ Jesus so that we might be made right with God because of our faith in Christ, not because we have obeyed the law. For no one will ever be made right with God by obeying the law.” (Galatians 2:16, NLT)

Today, wherever you are, I want you to make the decision and say a salvation prayer with me.

Prayer

Dear Lord, I thank you for sending your Son to die for me and take away my sins. Today I ask you into my heart, to be my Lord and personal Saviour. From this day, I am yours, now and forever more, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Former ‘Prince Of ISIS’ Turns To Christ After A God Dream: ‘I Saw A Love That Didn’t Exist In Islam’

William Wagner
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Former ‘Prince Of ISIS’ Turns To Christ After A God Dream: ‘I Saw A Love That Didn’t Exist In Islam’

A “Prince of ISIS” has done what many would consider unthinkable, making a commitment to turn away from his horrifying past to unite with a new way of life through Jesus Christ.

The former ISIS leader, whose identity has been disguised for his safety, is being called Mohammad. The miraculous circumstances that led to his transformation were reported by Dr. Michael Youssef’s Leading The Way ministry.

Since the launch of its Christian satellite TV station, THE KINGDOM SAT, Leading The Way is working to touch “some of the most unreachable lives in the Arabic world,” including people like this notorious ‘Prince of ISIS’.

A video testimony from the ministry reported that one of their follow-up coordinators named Peter received a call several years ago from a man who pleaded to meet with him.

The man on the other end of the phone with Peter turned out to be a spiritual leader in the terrorist group. Even though Peter knew it was possible that Mohammad may try to kill him, he believed God was leading him to go ahead with the meeting.

In a reenacted testimony, Mohammad opened up about his dramatic shift from Islam to Christianity. “One day, somebody asked me why I am a Muslim,” he said. Scrambling for answers, Mohammad began to search in the Quran, Hadith, and Sunnah.

“I wanted to find proof and evidence that Allah exists and Islam is right… I found nothing,” he said.

https://www.facebook.com/leadingtheway.org/videos/10154701024227545/

But that wasn’t the initial reason why Mohammad met with Peter. He says he had just wanted to kill Peter, but during their first encounter, Peter boldly spoke the Word of Jesus over the ISIS leader.

The meeting did not end on a positive note. Mohammad became frustrated and struggled to grasp what Peter had told him about who God really is.

Then the two met for a second time.

Charisma News reports that Leading The Way’s senior director of ministry outreach Maged Atalla explained what happened in the next meeting. “The second time they met, Mohammad told Peter he had a dream and saw an envelope dripping blood with great fragrance,” he said.

Peter explained that the dream was God telling him that blood had to be shed for the forgiveness of sins.

“Peter told him, ‘Jesus is sending you a message and you need to give your life to Him.’ At that moment he surrendered his life to Jesus. Mohammed then told Peter that the first time they met he had a knife in his pocket and wanted to kill him on the spot, but something prevented him from doing this,” said Atalla.

Now Mohammad’s burning life questions have been answered and his life dramatically turned around.

After repenting, Mohammad experienced a peace he had never felt before.

“I saw a love that didn’t exist in Islam,” he said.

Because of his regular meetings with Peter, this so-called ‘Prince of ISIS’ accepted Jesus Christ into his life and began his journey as a Christian.

“The true book, in my opinion, is the Bible,” declared Mohammad. “I found the truth in Jesus Christ. And because I have surrendered my life to the Lord, I am certain He will never forsake me.”

 

Ericah Jones

The Joshua Generation – Pt 3

William Wagner
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The Joshua Generation – Pt 3

The Joshua Generation Today

The Joshua Generation was different from the Moses Generation. They were ready to move into the Promised Land. They were ready to fight for the victories and to occupy the land God had prepared for them.

I truly believe that today’s generation will be as different from the past generation as Joshua’s was from the one led by Moses.

God has laid this message on my heart for believers today. Get ready for explosive things to come that have never been witnessed.

We live in a day when we must act in faith for the miraculous, not to wait for the miraculous before believing, and the miraculous is coming like never before.

Do you want to be part of the coming Joshua Generation?

We can learn from studying the book of Joshua how to be part of it today. We can learn to do what Joshua did in order to see the glory of God revealed as His purpose was fulfilled!

We can learn how to have a Joshua spirit, and next week I want to present Part 2 of this awesome truth from the Old Testament—a word that can change everything for your today!

God is not interested in us maintaining our walk with Him. He wants us to move into a new walk with Him. This is a mighty hour for every believer who steps out in faith!

Today and tomorrow, the Joshua Generation will see the Holy Spirit move and revival fires burning.

Get ready to arise to new triumphs and glorious harvests of blessings!

I can hardly wait for The Joshua Generation—Part 2, as I share about how to prepare to make an impact in your home, ministry, community, and world!

Plans In Motion For Billy Graham Statue In U.S. Capitol’s Statuary Hall

William Wagner
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Plans In Motion For Billy Graham Statue In U.S. Capitol’s Statuary Hall

Billy Graham often referred to his North Carolina upbringing during his seven-plus decades of ministry, and in the coming years, “America’s Pastor” will represent the Tar Heel State in the U.S. Capitol’s National Statuary Hall. The next step in the process is to find an artist. Those interested should apply by April 1.

The North Carolina Statuary Hall Committee met this past December, eight months after the evangelist’s passing from earth to heaven, to begin the installation process. Former Gov. Pat McCrory approved the statue in 2015 after he signed North Carolina House Bill 540 into law.

“There have been many great North Carolinians,” the house bill stated, “but few have impacted the world more than Billy Graham.”

Likewise, America’s Capitol held a special place in Mr. Graham’s heart, shared Franklin Graham, the evangelist’s oldest son and president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. Mr. Graham, considered pastor to many U.S. presidents, spoke in the Capitol Rotunda in 1996 after receiving the Congressional Gold Medal.

“The U.S. Capitol holds a special significance in my father’s ministry—he shared the Gospel there, and it’s where he was given the distinction to Lie in Honor,” Franklin Graham said.

Mr. Graham preached the Good News of Jesus Christ to more than 215 million people around the world during his ministry, but his life had humble beginnings. Raised on a dairy farm in Charlotte, he felt God call him—a mere farmer’s son—to become evangelist to the world.

“I think one of the greatest parts of my grandfather’s testimony is that he was a farm boy from North Carolina,” said Cissie Graham Lynch, daughter of Franklin Graham. “This is something for North Carolinians to be proud of and to always remember that God can use any of us as long as we have a life and a heart that surrenders to Him and is obedient to His calling on our life.”

Lynch will be involved with choosing the artist and finalizing details of the statue.

“As a granddaughter, I’ve been prayerfully considering this responsibility from every angle—from the artist selection, to what we decide the statue will look like and the details—that it would honor my grandfather and ultimately point people to God.”

Regarding the high honor, Franklin Graham agreed it will continue his father’s legacy of sharing the Good News.

 

 

Franklin Graham To Share Hope Along Colombia/Venezuela Border

William Wagner
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Franklin Graham To Share Hope Along Colombia/Venezuela Border

On a cool Monday evening, dozens of Colombian and Venezuelan pastors gathered at the closed border, separated by country but joined together in prayer.

Though the area can be unsafe, Chris Swanson’s feet remained firmly planted along the Colombian line as his eyes traveled to the Venezuela side. He could see virtually nothing in the South American country due to its week-long power outage.

But there was still light.

A light carried in the hearts of those pastors clapping hands in praise to God and beyond in cries of brokenness and joy.

That light can give anyone hope—even those in the midst of political and economic turmoil with no food on the table.

For the past several months, the Venezuela crisis has heightened, with tens of thousands fleeing to seek refuge elsewhere as government oppression has worsened, inflation has skyrocketed and food shortages are common.

According to U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, “9 out of 10 people live in poverty in what used to be one of the wealthiest countries in the world,” and Venezuelans have lost an average of 20 pounds per person due to hunger.

As this has happened, though, God has not forgotten His people.

Just a 20-minute drive from the border, thousands of Colombians have been preparing for an evangelistic event called Festival de Esperanza (Festival of Hope), where Franklin Graham will share the Gospel in Cúcuta, Colombia, on April 19-20. More than 400 churches around Cúcuta are involved in the Festival.

As director of Latin America affairs for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, Swanson recalls having lunch with Franklin Graham back in October, and Franklin’s desire to help those seeking relief. Franklin witnessed the crisis firsthand, watching people drag suitcases behind them into Colombia while a Venezuelan man walked in the opposite direction—returning to his country, bringing a small bag of vegetables to his family.

“What came to light for [Franklin] was an area of huge need relating to the refugee crisis,” Swanson said. That, along with Colombians’ requests for him to preach in the region, resulted in the quick planning for this Festival. It was organized in just six months, half the time it normally takes to prepare for a Festival.

And within that short window, “the world’s attention has turned to Cúcuta, Colombia, and this part of the world,” Swanson said. “That’s a God thing certainly, … how He’s ordained [the Festival] for such a time as this.”

Swelling with migrants, the city of 750,000 has recently reached an estimated population of 1 million.

“We realize we have the opportunity to influence our Venezuelan neighbors, but also the displaced refugees here,” Swanson said. “The church of Cúcuta has a heartbeat for its Venezuelan brothers and sisters.”

 

Source: 

Bishop Oyedepo And Pastor Isaac Give Marriage Tips

William Wagner
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Bishop Oyedepo And Pastor Isaac Give Marriage Tips

If my wife was looking for a wealthy man, she would never have agreed to marry me-Bishop Oyedepo

Marriage is not by beauty or makeup but by favour-Pastor Isaac Oyedepo

Two clergymen of the Oyedepo clan, Bishop David, 64, the founder of Living Faith Church based in Canaanland, Ota, Nigeria and his second son, Pastor Isaac, 34, who pastors one of the foreign mission Churches in Forbes Boulevard, Lanham, Maryland, USA have been talking issues concerning marriage and dropping hints on how they got married.

According to Isaac Oyedepo,
“There are many beautiful women who have not been seen. You know this is the West, so some of you these days look very strange. I have heard of somebody before, a woman. Full grown women. When she passes, people see a man. The person that ended up marrying her said I didn’t know you are a woman. It’s not makeup, it’s favour. He that findeth a wife, findeth a good thing and has obtained favour from the Lord.
So the wife must smell favour, must look favour, must speak favour.
There are some women, the moment you speak, favour disappears. You must be a carrier of favour to be found.

I don’t care who the man is, when a man comes across a woman carrying something he doesn’t like, he will disappear. So the woman is supposed to be the epitome of favour (and) carry the look of favour.
The man should see his life better by connecting with you. That’s how I saw my wife. We didn’t go to school together. Nobody connected us. You can’t see favour and not know. I was a pastor when I saw her. I looked through the window. Infact, I saw her from the congregation.

I saw many other women, I said no, you don’t carry favour…and look at my life now, everywhere, from one nation to the other, favour. Don’t you want to marry like me? Added the pastor who has pastored in New York, Johannesburg and Abuja.

Church Gist gathered that before Isaac’s wedding to his wife, Ayomitide (nee Omogbadegun) in December 2010, the mother of 4 who is a daughter of a lecturer , Dr Omagbadegun in Covenant University had worked as a staff in a bank within the University campus when Pastor Isaac drove past her one evening while she was waiting to get a ride instead of the long trek to the staff quarters and he heard God’s voice.. the rest is history.

On his own part, Bishop Oyedepo advised young ladies and men in a rather dramatic manner

“Beware of pride. There are some young people that no woman qualifies to be their wife. There are some young ladies that no man qualifies to be their husband. God will always resist the proud but He gives more grace to the humble. You only know what it is now, you can’t tell what that becomes tomorrow.

If my wife was looking for a wealthy man, she will never never agree to marry me. Never!

…growing up together is what makes a strong family. Many people’s marital destiny have been caged because of pride.

‘Oh you want to marry me? Number 1; Do you have a second degree?’

‘You said what? Degree? What is degree? I don’t know degree.”

‘Ehn?(An expression of shock), you don’t know ‘degree’? So you don’t have a first degree and you came to me? My God. My gosh!’
‘Now anyway, before you continue, how much is your income per month sir?’

He says it’s ‘Thirty Thousand Naira’ (N30,000-$80)…(laughter)

‘And you came to me? Are you blind? You came to me to ask me for marriage? You are earning N30,000? How much is your savings in your account?’

‘Savings? I’ve never had Savings. I don’t even have (an) account’.

‘Ah! And you came to me?’

Beware of pride.

The one the Lord brought to Abraham’s servant became Isaac’s wife. There were no interrogations. Can I tell you how I got my wife? (God said) that’s your wife: I was at a motor park going for Jesus; and the Lord said ‘that’s your wife.’ That’s all!

“Where are you from?” Unnecessary! And, what a glorious family today!

And someone is asking ‘where are you from?’ ‘Is that name on the Map?’ ‘God forbid that I marry a villager.’

Come on now. Be spiritual. To be spiritually minded is life and peace. To be carnally minded is death. That’s why the voice of the Lord remains your asset for life. It will settle every unsettled area of your life.

Can I tell you this?
This is your year of marital settlement.
The Spirit of the Lord is saying-this is your year of marital settlement.
That turbulence in that family is ended today!“ The grandfather of 8 concluded.

 

SOURCE: CHURCH GIST

Saviour! Do Not Pass Me By! – Pt 2

William Wagner
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Saviour! Do Not Pass Me By! – Pt 2

CHAPTER 2

A motor bike whizzed past as Aliyah walked home from school, too close for comfort, and woke her up from her thoughts. The rider was tooting his horn loudly, and was wearing an orange banner with huge black prints on it. He didn’t seem to be in a hurry, but wanted to make a show of himself to all road users. She read the bold writing on the banner strapped around the rider’s neck: HEALING JESUS CAMPAIGN. She recognized it. She had seen similar banners flying about town hanging on the street lights and every available pole. Something about a preacher coming to town for a concert or something. The town square had seen a buzz of activity in preparation for the program.

She tried to remember the dates, but suddenly a silvery gold colored big car with huge speaker horns attached to the top came slowly down the road. She noticed the driver, a light-skinned gentleman with spectacles, wearing an orange golf shirt. Behind him sat a gentleman she recognized, “Pastor Sam!”. What could her pastor want with this foreign looking gentleman?

As the big car slowly approached, she could see Healing Jesus Crusade written on its side. Then she heard her pastor’s voice over the the horns in the local language, “Evangelist Dag Heward-Mills and the Healing Jesus Crusade team are in town! Tonight at the town square, everyone will be coming! There will be healing! There will be deliverance! There will be salvation! Don’t miss out! Come and bring your family!”

She waved at the car excitedly, feeling as if she was now part of the crusade, just because she recognized her pastor. She was smiling to herself as she entered her house. Her mother looked at her quizzically and asked, “And what has made you so happy this afternoon?”. “Oh, nothing much. I saw Pastor Sam in a big car announcing the crusade at the town square”, she responded. “Oh yea!”, her mother said, with obvious pride. “We have to go. Our church has partnered with other churches in this city to host the Evangelist. I hear he’s very powerful! I’m part of the mega choir singing tonight. Let’s go together.” “Oh ok Mommy”, she responded, happy to do something together with her mother for once. She had not been going for choir rehearsals with her mother recently, using school work as her excuse. But tonight, it wouldn’t hurt to watch her mother sing at the town square.

She took a shower, changed into a T-shirt and jeans, and had potatoes and beans for dinner. Her mother came out all dressed up in a white blouse and long black skirt. She had even put on make up! Aliya smiled to herself, wondering if her mother was trying to make an impression on Pastor Sam again.

Aliya’s father had died 7 years ago. And when Pastor Sam, a single, anointed and handsome pastor, came to head their branch of the church 5 years ago, her mother’s attendance and involvement in church had increased markedly. Aliya liked Pastor Sam, well, up until recently when her mother had decided to report every issue they had to him. At least tonight they can agree on one thing: the crusade.

As they stepped out of the house, it was obvious they were not the only ones who knew of the crusade: several people were heading to the town square. The joined the throng and milled into the square which was filling up although it was still early in the evening. As they entered, several people wearing black and white approached the crowds entering the grounds and offered them books. Her mother took a book and walked past the lady who handed it to her and into the crowd. For a moment Aliya thought to herself that the lady couldn’t possibly give her a book. The lady must think she was too young. If only she knew what she could do and had been doing at age 12. But to her utmost surprise, the lady approached her with a smile and handed her a book! “Great!” She thought, responding with a smile and thank you. “These crusade people are no respecter of persons!”. Young and old are treated equally. She immediately relaxed and felt welcome. She read the title of the book, “Spiritual Dangers. Dag Heward-Mills”. “Just what I need”, she thought with a smile.

She strode confidently across the field, trying to locate her mother, who had marched right up to a big truck parked on the field. Someone was standing inside the truck handing out golden colored choir robes. Her mother slipped hers on and someone helped button it at the back. Aliya stood and watched in amazement as her mother was transformed along with several hundreds. “This must be the biggest choir in the whole country!”, she thought. She knew some of the choristers, but there were several more she couldn’t recognize. Where had they all appeared from? Or did they come with the Evangelist?

Her attention was drawn to a truck trailer standing right in the middle of the field. For whatever reason, it seemed to have attracted a lot of attention because crowds had gathered around looking at it. She approached, curious to know what was going on. Several men were swinging chains, clipping and unclipping things on the trailer. Suddenly there was a screeching sound, and to her shock and amazement, the trailer began to unravel magically like a robot! What in the world is this! The upper section of the trailer separated from the bottom and opened up as if they were wings. The bottom stretched out and metamorphosed into a type of platform. The crowd gaped in awe. This was like something out of a movie!  The trailer was wholly unrecognizable as such! She watched several men ran around systematically fitting bits and pieces on to the “thing”. Then she realized, “They are building a stage!”, and what a way to do it!

Within minutes the stage was efficiently up, sound and lights on, and music flowing! The town square was steadily filling up, and the soon enough the  choir took the stage, leading the crowd through several vibrant songs of praise and worship. Aliya sat just behind the choir so she could catch the action. She watched the stage chairs fill up with pastors, including Pastor Sam. He visibly beamed with pride as he saw his choir members, not least of them her mother, wearing the robes and leading the crowd in praise.

TO BE CONTINUED…

 

Nana Akua Dede

The Joshua Generation – Pt 2

William Wagner
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The Joshua Generation – Pt 2

Who was this Joshua Generation?

  • They were the sons and daughters of the Israelites who lived in slavery in Egypt.
  • Joshua’s generation consisted of the children that doubtlessly did not remember Egypt and the hard times as the previous generation.
  • Their relationship with God was more directly linked to their deliverance at the Red Sea. They remembered the Red Sea dividing. They recalled the enemy’s defeat.
  • They remembered the glorious cloud and the pillar of fire they met as they crossed over to dry land. For 40 long years, all they saw every morning was a cloud. All they saw every night was fire.
  • They remembered the miracle of water suddenly coming out of a rock when they were thirsty in the wilderness. They were given manna from heaven.
  • Their clothes and shoes did not wear out during the entire time in the wilderness (Deuteronomy 29:5).
  • They saw the enemy bow before them (Deuteronomy 9:3).
  • They remembered the words that were spoken to them through Moses.
  • They recalled the glory of God they had seen.
  • They saw the fate of their forefathers who disobeyed the Lord.
  • They saw the building of the Tabernacle and knew that God’s presence filled the Holy of Holies.

Along the way, those who had lived much of their lives in Egypt began dying off. The children of Israel who did not remember the bondage of Egypt but remembered the miracles God had performed, were the ones God commissioned to conquer and occupy the Promised Land!

Moses led a people who had to see miracles to obey, but Joshua led a people who obeyed and saw miracles.

Joshua wasn’t told to go back to Egypt. No! He was told to move forward where His generation had never gone as an entire people before.

He was led onto Jordan, the place where Elijah had been caught up into heaven, where Elisha received the double portion. It’s the place where the supernatural happened!

To Be Continued…

 

 

He’s Doing A New Thing – Sam Korankye Ankrah

William Wagner
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He’s Doing A New Thing – Sam Korankye Ankrah

“Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:18‭-‬19

Very often, we are guided by old experiences and events of our past. Many people have failed to venture into new areas because of a negative past experience. In this scripture, God wants the believer to disregard such history. He presents two things to forget or place minimal value on:
1. The former things
2. The old experiences

These comprise bad and regrettable occurrences. Some of these may have ruined the plan for your life and left you nursing an emotional wound that knows no healing. God says forget them today because He intends to do A NEW THING.

This ‘new thing’ will be sporadic and will not involve human efforts. He aims to change your negative experiences into glorious ones. The new thing God does:
– Puts your life back in order
– Realigns your future and destiny
– Changes every negativity to positivity

Here’s how He does it: He makes the impossible possible in your life.

Beloved, regardless of your past, something new is about to happen. God needs your faith and requires your wholesome submission and patience to and for Him.

May God cause you to experience an unimaginable turnaround that will put your life back on track this week.

I love you. Welcome to a week of all possibilities and new beginnings.

Pray with me:
Heavenly Father, turn my life around. Make a way where there seems to be no way. Do a new thing in my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

#RoyalhouseChapel

Lent: Preparing For Spiritual Growth

William Wagner
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Lent: Preparing For Spiritual Growth

As one of the oldest observations in Christendom, Lenten tradition has changed over the years, but its purpose has always been the same: self-examination and penitence, demonstrated by self-denial, in preparation for Easter.

Lent, which comes from an Anglo-Saxon word for “spring,” can be viewed as a spiritual spring cleaning: a time for taking spiritual inventory and then cleaning out everything which hinders a relationship with Christ.

Traditionally, the season of Lent begins with a sign of repentance: placing ashes mixed with oil on one’s head or forehead. This day is known as Ash Wednesday.

However, we must realize that any Lenten disciplines/denials we demonstrate before God should be practiced to help us become closer to Christ and become more like Him, not to wallow in our repentance or try to gain favor or earn more love from God.

How Are You Preparing?

For Christians in the early centuries, this sacred season before Easter was usually a time of training for new disciples. However, the Bible tells us that whether someone is a new believer or a seasoned one, intense spiritual training is always in season.

2 Timothy 2:20-22 gives us a healthy example of what spiritual preparation looks like:

Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of earthenware, and some to honor and some to dishonor. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

This passage is part of Paul’s warning to Timothy about false teachers. In our culture’s bent toward what many call a “prosperity gospel,” (the claim that if we commit ourselves to God and live in a way that pleases Him, we will have little or no troubles in life) it is particularly important to heed Paul’s warning ourselves.

For spiritual preparation, it is important to get under sound, Biblical teaching. How will we know the difference between sound doctrine and words spoken to make us “feel” better? By studying and knowing the Bible and praying for wisdom and discernment.

In verse 20, Paul uses the example of the vessels. The gold and silver vessels to which he refers are those used for noble purposes. Those represent the things in our lives that are agents to make us more holy and which can be used to glorify God.

The latter vessels he mentions, “wood and earthenware,” were more than likely examples of vessels used for garbage or excrement. These vessels are representative of the things we need to get rid of in our lives—anything that prevents us from growing closer to Christ and becoming more like Him.

What are these vessels—both examples—in your life? It’s time to take inventory and become “useful to the Master.”

Let’s look at one other principle of spiritual preparation in verse 22:

Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

Paul was reminding Timothy of his responsibilities as a young leader, in light of the false teaching that was around them. When we give way to the corruption around us (“youthful lusts”), we make ourselves more susceptible to believe lies, whether directly from the enemy or from false teaching.

Furthermore, we should strive for a pure heart through the pursuit of righteousness (adherence to God’s moral law), faith (trust in God and faithfulness to Him), love (attitude and action of commitment to God and others) and peace (harmonious relationship with God and others).

The best way to grow as disciples of Christ is to not limit our spiritual preparation to the Lenten season, but to pursue these things daily throughout the rest of our time here on earth.

This article was first published on March 1, 2017.

 

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