Aurora Magazine 4th Edition

July- September 2020

Issue 004

Aurora Magazine The Danger of Gossip in Christian Relationships By Max Aplin

What’s your story with James George

Life By

Secondary Story - Page 5 Another Story - Page 8

Peter Inns

And Yet Another Story Title – Page 13

Prove there is God! Exclusive series by Becky Bradley

Magazine Main Story A Conversation with Irene itle Schandorf

Hand Sanitizers F Subtitle or content blurb

By Ol a w a l e O g u n s o l a

.

A Ch ri sti an Lif est yl e M agazin e

w w w . a u r or am a g az i n e .n e t

Our Team Editor In Chief Adwoba Addo-Boateng

Art and design Lindagrace Publishing

Writers Adwoba Addo-Boateng Ann McDaniels Becky Bradley Jennifer Van Allen Ken Barnes Max Aplin Oluwale Ogunsola Peter Inns Sonja Mattison

Interviews Irene Schandorf James George Kofi San

Copyright Aurora Magazine for Abiding Faith Christian Ministries. A not for profit Christian media organization.

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Contents

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Aurora Magazine

Editor’s Note: Thank you for your continued reading

Miriam’s Sorrows

and your tremendous support to this magazine.

For those interested in writing for us,

Life

please contact us at submissions@auroramagazine.net.

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For all enquiries, please contact us at

Christ is life. We must

info@auroramagazine.net.

see Christ as life.

Please check our website at www.auroramagazine.net for more

information.

Sincerely, Adwoba Addo-Boateng Editor in Chief

30 A story of how love surpasses all things.

God is still on the throne No matter the circumstances, God is still

Love Conquers All

Tel: +233 202538050 Love your neighbour as yourself.

Interview: Irene Schandorf Prove there is God Hand Sanitizer What’s your story: James George The danger of gossips ……

Carrying your cross A Name Cult or Church Hiding behind the wall

exalted.

6 12 19 21 24

29 35 37 39

“The thief comes only to steal, and kill,

First, I saw that what the Lord Jesus

and destroy; I came that they might

meant by “life” in John 10:10 was not

have life and might have it

the same as my definition. I imagined

abundantly.” John 10:10

that “abundant life” meant a better lifestyle, more peace, joy and love that

About 25 years ago, I was asking the

Christ could give me. I also discovered

Lord Jesus why the church seemed to

I was not alone in my lack of

be so weak and prone to deception. I

understanding.

received a totally unexpected answer “They know me as the Way and they know me as the Truth. They do not know me as the Life.”

“They do not know me as life.”

I imagined that “abundant life” meant a better lifestyle but that wasn’t so.

As if to underscore this revelation, I heard a message on John 14:6, a most famous verse indeed. The (Baptist) preacher spent 25 minutes on Jesus

Life Peter Inns

the Way, 5 minutes on Jesus the Truth and a few seconds on Jesus the Life.

So what did the Lord Jesus mean?

Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.

I had to confess that I was not sure that I knew Lord Jesus as my life. I knew what the Bible had to say, but that is not the same as knowing in the heart and having the experience of this tremendous truth. I began to seek the Lord to see what this meant.

Unlike English, there are three words in Greek that are translated “life”. We might say to ourselves that we are alive, we breathe, we eat, we choose, we love, we care, we get angry – surely this is proof that we live now? Yes and

no. The life the Lord Jesus speaks of is “Zoe” in Greek. This is contrasted with “Psyche”, which refers to the realm of the soul. .

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Christ is Life “All we have is our own feeble efforts” Peter Inns

“Zoe” is life that we can only receive

from God once we are born again. It is the Life that the Lord Jesus has in

church is increasingly much like the

Nee, Hudson Taylor, George Muller

world. It is adopting worldly attitudes

and Andrew Murray stand out as

to marriage, sex, homosexuality, the

servants of God. What about us? We

Bible and science.

may never be famous. That’s not important. What does matter is our

There is a lot more that could be said,

usefulness to the Master in His service

but hopefully the reader will get the

as He brings about the Kingdom of

picture.

God.

I am convinced that the Lord Jesus is

If all we have is our own feeble efforts

returning for a spotless Bride, the

to build our denomination, charity,

church that is living and working in

orphanage, school or other good

unity, humility, love and power. It is

works, we have nothing. It may even

inevitable, because the Lord Jesus is

Himself and that He gives to those who

building His church and the gates of

are born again (John 5:21).

hell will fall before her.

What does this mean for Christians? It is one of the most important truths

However, it is not automatic. God has

that we can receive. If we come to

chosen to work in and through man.

know the Lord Jesus as our Life, it will

History shows us that God is prepared

transform us. All our striving will

to wait for the right man at the right

cease. All our efforts to improve

time, culminating in the Lord Jesus.

ourselves will come to an end. We will

We know about Enoch, Noah,

no longer need to prove ourselves to

Abraham, Moses, Elijah, David, Gideon

others. We will no longer be enslaved to rules and regulations that do nothing to make us more spiritual.

Some might wonder what the fuss is about. People are being saved, going to church, being blessed and so on. Yet there are also problems that seem to be entrenched. These include: Division. There is something like 30,000 or more denominations.

False doctrines. Wrong teachings abound and God’s people seem easy prey to deceivers

Church structures. The church is the Body of Christ. The idea of a pastor heading up an assembly while most

Only what is of Christ will endure God’s examination.

and other true men of God. In recent years men like Ivor Marshall (unknown to all but a few), Watchman

other members keep the seats warm is not Biblical.

Dead works. Faith without works is indeed dead. But works without faith is just as bad. It’s not what we do for

impress other people, but it will not

God that counts. It’s what He wants us

impress God. Only what is of Christ

to do that matters. Everything not

will endure God’s examination. It

done according to God’s will and by

would be a terrible shame if we live

His power is to be burned (1

our lives according to our own plans

Corinthians 3:12)

and miss out on God’s best. We have one life to live. Let’s be sure that we

Moral decay. Too much of the Western

God is prepared to wait for the right

fulfil our purpose. Let’s be sure that it

man at the right time.

is according to the Life of Christ who lives in everyone who is born again.

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Can you briefly share the story of who

of tongues which was beneficial to the

you are and how you came to personal

student’s union as we undertook

faith in Christ?

village evangelism during long vacations. I prayed and joined group

I grew up in a Christian home. My dad

bible studies, yet, aside doing my quiet

is a retired priest and so from infancy

time using the devotional book in the

my Christian life was all about going to

mornings, I hardly took time to study

church and playing key roles in the

the Word of God by myself.

church choir. As I grew up, I had the “in and out” relationship with God. There were times I would be so much into Him and other times I would be totally off.

As I grew up, I had the “in and out” relationship with God. Praying men and women team at Bada It was not until a couple of years after I had gotten married that I felt myself been drawn back to the Lord. I had left my church and joined my husband’s church. It was a smaller church thus, everyone had to play a role including

Interview Irene Schandorf

preaching the word of God to the congregation. When the idea came that worship time with Bada Women in ,

Ghana.

we should start a young women ministry in the church, I was happy to join and during our first meeting I met

At that time, I was just existing under

a young lady (Zubi) with so much zeal

God’s grace and most of the things God

for the word of God who had agreed to

used me for, was purely the Holy Spirit

lead us in bible studies. As I watched

coming upon me to bless others. I

her moderate our bible discussion, I

operated under the anointing to

desired in my heart to be like her.

minister songs, discernment between

After that day, I took more interest in

spirits, prophecies and interpretations

reading my bible and gradually over

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Sharing the word ofGod Bada Village, Ghana

worked on my heart and taught me to

was Loving Gods Way. Naturally I am a

love His way and not my way. Today

person who likes to share, thus when

looking back, I have experienced his

God started directing people to me

word in Romans 8:28 “all thing work

with similar issues, I saw an

together for those who love God and

opportunity to share what He had

have been called according to his

taught me. So over the years, I was

purpose�. For me it has been a journey

willing to share with close friends and

walking towards faith. I cannot not

colleagues and had no idea what God had in store for us.

I therefore took the challenge to

go. I had tasted God to a level and thus

pinpoint exactly when it started and

always share the word in our monthly

even though I was hurting and felt like

certainly it has not ended.

young women ministry meeting. Along

giving up, I could not do it. It was a

the line, God brought an old friend

real test of my faith. All that I had

back to my life ( Bernadine) and she

studied over the years was being put

helped revive my prayer life as we met

to test. How could I give up on my

An interesting one. When I started

others (marriage, family, colleagues,

in her office every Friday after work to

marriage when I had been encouraging

reaching out to others, I did not see it

friends), is what pushed me to what I

pray with other friends of hers

others to obey God? I had to trust than

that I was in ministry. In my mind I

will now agree to as Ministry.

(Francis, Prosper & Wisdom). By the

God will work it all out, even though in

had identified the keys which helped

time the enemy struck my marriage, I

the midst of it all, I did not know

me to overcome a serious challenge

was at a point which was difficult to let

whether I will survive. At the end He

that almost broke my marriage. This

So in a nutshell, I will say the burden What prompted you into ministry?

God put on my heart to help others succeed in their relationships with

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“Ifwe do nothaveto travelphysicallyto meet andwe can stillmeet onlineandpray, why not?”

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bible discussion group? ●

people were not showing up as usual and there were genuine reasons e.g. caring for kids, pressures from jobs etc. So in Jan 2019, when a colleague at

What is your view on this scripture? John 15:19 “If you belonged to the world,

work invited me to talk to another group of women on the topic of marriage

it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have

after I shared with her to encourage her, I took up the challenge. It was there

chosen you out of the world, that is why the world hates you”. ●

During the year 2018, it became very challenging to have consistent physical meeting on Thursday evenings. We were losing fire and I was weary because

Irene Schandorf ●

Your ministry is very different, why this concept of creating a virtual prayer/

that I discovered the application zoom cloud meeting. I saw this as a way to

These words of Jesus Christ encourages those who belong to Him that they will

revive Praying Women and reach out to more people. If we do not have to

be enemies of the world. This is because we cannot belong to Him and still be

travel physically to meet and can still meet on-line and pray why not. And as

friends with the world. It will be like having double standards which is not

people joined and they were blessed, they invited more friends and family to

acceptable to the Lord. Anyone who wants to follow Him must first deny

join. Although we meet face to face every quarter and also during our outreach

themselves (old patterns of life before becoming born again) pick up their

programs, most of our prayer and bible study time is online. Reflecting now, I

cross and follow Him. Salvation is by grace and once you confess and believe

believe God had a hand in all this, because if we were stuck at physical

you are saved. However there is a conscious effort that must be made by each

meetings it would have been difficult to sustain the fellowship in the COVID 19

Christian to be totally transformed by the Holy Spirit into the image of Christ

era. Now whether you are abroad or in Ghana, you can tune in at any time to

Jesus. This means, you must submit your will to God’s will. This is when people

fellowship with us. We may be locked down at the moment, however we are

of the world begin to see changes in you and then, they start mocking you.

still able to carry out the Vision God gave us which is raising “Mighty Ones of

Your desires for evil habits and behaviours will be broken and suddenly, you

Valour”. This vision is found on the scripture:

do not enjoy hanging out with people you used to walk with. Or you decide to stop evil deals and become an enemy to your friends/colleagues or even your

own family. Christ is therefore telling us to expect that, when you belong to Him, you should not be surprised when you face animosity and are pressured to choose Him over your old way of life. It is a difficult time in every Christian’s life. However, if you stay focused on His word, you will prevail over the world

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Psalm 24:3-5 New King James Version (NKJV)

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Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? Or who may stand in His holy place?

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He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to an

idol, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive blessing from the LORD, and

for He has made the provision to you succeed through His grace. ●

Titus 2:11-14 New International Version (NIV)

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For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope— the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

righteousness from the God of his salvation. ●

By revealing this Vision, the Lord is seeking that the fellowship will build up strong men and women whose desires are to please God in all their

endeavours. People of strength, courage, good character, full of love and ready to serve the Lord. They will stand in the gap and pray for their families, friends, nations and churches and cause heaven to move in their favour because they have learnt to be obedient to God’s word and therefore have favour with the Lord. They will die to the flesh and live for Christ daily, because their love for God is what drives them. They trust the Lord in the good and bad times, understand that He is the lifter of their heads, believe that God makes all things beautiful in its time and is working everything out for their good because they love Him.

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A non-denominationalChristiangroup of Men and Womenwilling to know God and submit their will of Him. ●

These men and women will have access to the throne room of grace and will do great exploits for the Lord. In effect they will stand in the Holy Place of God and their intercession will be answered by He who has called them.

●

Can you share your beginnings with us? How did it all start?

●

It all started in 2016 with a close friend called Bernardine. We were meeting and praying on family issues in my home. Along the years the Lord added more

●

help nurture new members that come on board. We are not there yet but

gradually we will. ●

9th February 2017, Stephanie, one of us created a WhatsApp platform to

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Thankfully when I got the wisdom to delegate to other members, that burden

name Praying Women with 15 members. Aside the weekly meetings we added

was lifted. Also at that time I was still seeing all this as creating an

on in 2017, all-night programs every 1st Friday of the month.

environment where people could pray, worship and grow and thus, it had not

sung in that it was a Ministry.

In these meetings we had wonderful encounters with the Lord and it was a joy to meet on Thursday evenings. There were times we did not want to go and

will close after 12am as the presence of the Holy Spirit was so strong. The group struggled over the years with consistency of members attending meetings, but the Lord kept us going. One thing for sure was that, the Lord was working on us to reach out to others, but we had no idea how and when. In Feb 2019, we started having on-line meetings using Zoom cloud meeting

application. This opened the door to have frequent prayer times as well as more opportunities for people to join and benefit from fellowshipping with the Lord via our platform. Getting to the end of 2019, God brought men on board and we gladly opened our arms to them. Thus in Jan 2020 we changed our name to Praying Men and Women. ●

What are some of the challenges you face as a group?

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One of the challenges we face is the difficulty in reaching out to all members on

Weary, yes, but not quitting. In 2018 when everything was revolving around me, I asked myself where I was going, and whether this was really God’s will.

facilitate easy communication amongst us, and that is when we decided on the

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Despite the challenges, were there thoughts of you quitting at one time? What made you hold on and be where you are today?

close friends both married and unmarried women and we met together to pray, shared the word and encouraged each other every Thursday evening. On

building up the leaders of the prayer trains so that they will grow stronger and

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Again, when we started, there were times you will get only 5 people for the allnight sessions and that was disheartening, and you wondered whether you should continue. But along the line the numbers improved. There were days

when it was only Bernadine and I online praying. But we pressed on, praying and trusting in the Lord that we were doing the right thing. What made us hold on was the fact that God always had a way of sending us a word that He was with us and so we could not just give up. We had to hold on to that word, till it came to pass. He has been faithful on this journey and remains faithful. A good example is when we had to raise funds for our last village outreach. Two weeks to time I had no idea how we were going to fund the bus and all the other purchases which we intended to send to the village as gifts. But by a week to time we had raised more than enough money to make that journey to spread the Gospel and touch lives.

the platform to ensure that everyone is engaged and is growing in the faith. As

the numbers grew, it became difficult for me to know all of them and have a personal relationship with everyone. So what we have done is concentrate on

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God always answers prayers but sometimes it is not in the way or the timing we expect.

Keep praying and rest in his promises.

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Do you have any projects you are undertaking?

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reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.

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Currently we do village Evangelism, donations to orphanage and raising funds

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It is easy to live in this wicked world when you are completely sold out to

to support people’s medical bills. When we go to the village and we identify a

Christ, and you know that you are building your treasures in heaven and

need we raise funds to do it. For example last year we constructed a borehole

therefore each day you offer your body, emotions, feelings and thoughts as a

of the village we went to that has no drinking water. The main project God has

living sacrifice to Jesus. At that point you are dead to self, and thus not moved

put on our hearts to do, is to reach out to street children. This is yet to start.

by what people, say or don’t say, do or don’t do, but moved only by the Word of

Our plan was 2020, and we are trusting God to kick start that as soon as we go

God who is Christ Jesus Himself. You will love others because you know loving

out of this COVID 19 situation.

them is your act of worship to Christ who loved you first and laid down His life for you. You will choose to do the right thing even when no one is watching

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How do you blend ministry with family and work?

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That is a tough one. But I thank God for a husband that is supportive. However

because you live for Christ.

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in the last couple of months, I have made a conscious effort to be available for

What advice do you have for people who pray and do not receive the answers they desire to achieve?

family. In the beginning I used to lead most of the prayer trains. I started by developing a roster and assigning others to lead which allowed me to have free

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God always answers but sometimes it is not in the way or the timing we expect

time for family. So today we have 39 prayer train leaders who run 26 prayer

hence our conclusion that he has not answered. God is our father and He

trains in a week. Each train has two people who back up each other. This gives

knows what his duty is for every child that is His. There are so many reasons

me time to manage the other activities of the group.

why we may not get answers to our prayers in the form, or timing we wanted.

But when a child of God knows deep within that you are walking in His word,

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Is living in Christ difficult in today’s world?

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If one sees everything from the world’s point of view it will be difficult.

then you would understand that your father in heaven knows what is best for you. Keep praying and rest in His promises. He is not a man that will lie and He

is faithful to the end. Many times, a “No” or a delay is what you need to grow in

However, when you understand that you have been bought with a price and

your faith. James 1:2-3 says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,

you no longer live for yourself it is easy. ●

2 Corinthians 5:14-18 New International Version (NIV)

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For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. So from now on

whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”

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Vision: Raising Mighty Ones of Valor (Psalm 24:3-5)

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Activities: Prayer/Intersessions, Bible Study, Worship Marathons, Village Evangelism and sharing the love of God through giving to the needy.

we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ

in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation

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Contact: +233244533514/+233202721607

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Facebook: Praying men and women fellowship

has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who

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Borehole Project Adande Village, Ghana

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Francis Kofi Demanya is a Christian songwriter and singer.

His songs are heart gripping and life changing

New Music Facebook: KOFI SAN Twitter: @kofisan28 Instagram: Kofisan

Linked In: Kofi San

Tel: +233 208830296/0249769030

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In the last issue of Aurora, I posed the

In school, when I worked with clay, I

question, “How do we, as Christians,

learned it was important to keep it

prove there is a God?” I proposed that

moist in order to prevent uneven rates

we use ancient biblical knowledge and

of drying which would result in

corresponding scientific discoveries.

cracking and shrinkage. So, here is a

The creation story in Genesis is full of

thought. Was there, also, a purpose in

such knowledge in the form of hidden

our planet’s surface being covered in

gems patiently waiting for science to

water?

prove it right. The very first paragraph alone in chapter 1 exposes secrets that could only be humanly proven with science and technology as mankind advanced, but which revealed God is

real and true to the faithful long before science even knew which questions to

“God is real and true to the faithful long before science even knew which questions to ask”

ask.

To begin with, when I compared my

Torah, the Jewish account of the first 5 books of the Old Testament, I noticed a slight variant in some of the words from those written in the Bible. For example; Genesis1:1-5 says, “When

God began to create heaven and earth—the earth being unformed and void, with darkness over the surface of the deep and a wind from God sweeping over the water—God said,

“God said, let there be light.”

“Let there be light”; and there was light. God saw the light was good and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, a first day.

The image I have when reading the Torah version is of a master potter taking shapeless matter and forming it into the perfect size and shape to carry out his plans.

After all, scientists have been adamant all along about the power of water to form canyons, carve out natural monuments, etc. Was water used to help form the features of this planet on

a massive scale as a sculptor forms his masterpiece?

2 Samuel 22:16 says, “The valleys of the sea were exposed, and the foundations of the earth laid bare at the rebuke of the Lord”.

Prove there is God Becky Bradley

Where were you, when I laid the foundations of the earth?

created by volcanic activity. Don’t

he does not tell us the source of the

forget, even oceans have erupting

light on the first day. He does,

volcanoes. It is how some of our

however, tell us the sun and the moon

islands were formed.

were created on the 4th day—one day after vegetation appeared on earth—

The 3rd gem in the first paragraph of

so that would seem to exclude them as

the Bible is found in the formation of

candidates for a light source. Some say

day and night. And God said, “Let

the light on the first day was the glory

there be light” and there was light.

of God, but the continuation of

God saw the light was good and God

darkness in a rotating pattern with

Ocean valleys, which of course would

separated the light from the darkness.

light makes me wonder if that was

mean underwater mountains or

God called the light Day and the

really the case. If you look at Job 38

canyons, would have been a strange

darkness he called Night. And there

concept to ancient science. In the 16th

was evening and there was morning, a

century explorers dropped lines over

first day. Have you ever wondered

the side of their ship to mark the

why God started out with the evening?

depths of the ocean beneath them. As

Psalms 104:5 says, “he established the

you can imagine the method was quite

earth on its foundations so it would

limiting. But it wasn’t until sonar was

not totter forever and ever”. Job

invented to track enemy submarines

26:10 says, “He drew a circular

during World Wars 1 and 2 that

horizon on the face of the waters, at

Becky Bradley

scientists began to grasp a better understanding of the diverse terrain in the deeper parts of our oceans. Up

Have you ever wondered why God started with the evening?

until then it was generally thought that

Genesis goes on to say there was

the ocean floor was flat.

“darkness over the surface of the deep

But to get back to Genesis’ account of a watery world, scientists have long resisted the idea of a world-wide flood.

However, as recently as this year an article was published stating that scientists have found evidence in various oxygen levels left by seawater in the earth’s crust, leading them to

believe our world was once a water world without continents. Once again, the bible got it right in the very first sentence; it just took a while for science to catch up.

Scientists have now believed that the world was once a water world without continents

the boundary of light and darkness”.

Could Genesis, Psalms and Job be

describing Earth rotating on its axis?

Unlike God’s explanation of darkness

and a wind from God sweeping over the water”. It does not say where the darkness came from. For that, we have

to turn to a second book of gems, the book of Job. In chapter 38:4-9, it says, “Where were you when I laid the

He drew a circular horizon on the

foundation of the earth. . . when I made

face of the waters

a cloud its garment, and thick darkness its swaddling band?” Some

verse 7’s wonderful verse declaring

scientists believe early earth was

(when God created Earth) “the

wrapped in a thick cloud full of gas

morning stars sang together and the

molecules consisting of carbon

angels shouted for joy”, it clearly says

dioxide, hydrogen, sulfur and water vapor which, according to them, was

Did God create the world?

the stars and angels were created before Earth.

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What if the “light” was the sun, but not completelyexposed to its present glory?

it, I have a quick elementary school

The Hebrew word for water is

question for you. What is Earth’s

“mayim”. But the Hebrew word for

largest river? The Amazon, right?

sky in verse 8 is “sha-mayim”

Wrong. The Nile? Well, that’s the

(shamayim)—meaning sky-water(s).

longest, but it doesn’t have the water

The “im” at the end of a Hebrew word

capacity of the Amazon River. So,

indicates plural.

that’s wrong, too. Here’s a hint.

Becky Bradley

Notice, I did not say, “What is the

Recently, I was watching a fascinating

largest river on Earth”; I asked, “What

documentary called, ‘River in the Sky’.

is Earth’s largest river?” For that we

The river in the sky they are talking

(In case some of you missed it in

have to go above our heads. The

about is actually above the Amazon

‘Prove There is a God, Part 1’, NASA

Earth’s largest river is in the sky

rainforest

has some amazing recordings of

flowing above the Amazon rain forest.

celestial “songs” or “hums”, including

No kidding!

Earth’s, that you might want to check out). When God began to create the

Believe it or not, Moses wrote about it,

heavens and the earth, as the Torah

or the likes of it, 4000 years ago. In

words it, he would have included stars.

Genesis 1:6-8 God said, “Let there be

So, it would not be a contradictory

an expanse in the midst of the water,

statement if the sun and moon

that it may separate water from

appeared later than the physical light

water.” God made the expanse, and it

on day 1.

The first sunrise.

That said, there may be a possible explanation that I am not sure anyone has thought about, yet. Scientists have discovered that newborn stars are not nearly as bright as they are with age.

They believe our sun was only at 70% capacity when it was born. They also know that 30% of sunlight bounces off our clouds and ice and reflects into space. What if the “light” was the sun, but not completely exposed to its present glory? If it was at only 70%

when the earth was being formed and 30% of its rays were detoured back into space because of a layer of clouds,

the expanse from the water which was

Imagine God settling back after

called the expanse Sky. And there was

creating a wonderfully complexed

evening and there was morning, a

universe and earth to enjoy the first

second day.

sunrise as he watched the darkness give way to the morning light and the

clouds thin and lift as the earth turned on its axis. Lest you think I am humanizing God too much, remember,

River in the sky

we were made in his image. There is something quite wonderful in watching the beautiful colors of

That’s because its source is the 400

sunrise breaking through the darkest

billion Amazonian trees releasing 20

night.

billion tons of water into the

. The 2nd paragraph in Genesis,

try to penetrate the garment of cloud

chapter 1, holds another jewel. To find

38:4-9 talks about.

separated the water which was below

above the expanse. And it was so. God

that would leave only 40% of light to

and swaddling band of darkness Job

God said, “let there be an expanse in the midst of water, that it may separate water from water”.

atmosphere every day. The water Let there be expanse in the middle of

water

molecules wrap themselves around particles of dust, pollen, pollution, etc. and form what the narrator of the show called “seed” droplets.

15

He is a God,

through. So, imagine Adam’s world,

Next issue in Aurora Magazine; part 3

lush, full of green life-giving trees,

of ‘Prove There is a God’.

saturating the atmosphere in water, so

much so that instead of a river above his head, there quite possibly could

who has opened himself to the scrutiny of science

have been an ocean.

As we understand the actual

As each “seed” is joined by literally

they can form over the oceans as well

description God voluntarily shared

countless others, they create a vast

as land, which would include Genesis’

with us of the creation story in the first

river of clouds. As a result, the nearby

account of the separation of sky-water

chapters of Genesis, it should give us

air pressure drops, creating a wind

from sea-water before any land or

more of an insight to his mind and

that steers the sky-river above the

vegetation appeared.

heart. He is a God, who has opened himself to the scrutiny of science. He

Amazon from the Atlantic all the way Modern day sky-rivers, as I like to call

has allowed us in on some of the

them, have been recorded up to 5000

mysteries and secrets of the universe;

And that is not the only sky-river.

miles long, 300 miles wide and 1 mile

as a father eagerly and lovingly shares

There are many others that the

deep, though most seem to be much

his life and accomplishments with his

scientists call “atmospheric rivers” and

thinner and allow sunlight to seep

children.

to the Andes.

16

A g

i

17

18

Hand Sanitizers By Olawale Ogunsola "Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that has clean hands, and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitful," Psalm 24:3-4. King James Version. "Cleanliness is next to

godliness" is a common wise quote to which many people easily make reference.

The above verse mentioned two important parts of man's body, "clean hands" and "pure heart". This is in reference to approach a holy God or going to His abode. This also include reaping Godly benefits. In this period of coronavirus troubles, hand washing, or applications of a hand sanitizer has become a household exercise observed worldwide. This is in line with the instruction of the World Health Organisation (W. H. O). It is believed that it will prevent the spread of coronavirus (COVID) 19.

This disease has made it mandatory for everyone to wash hands so that people will have clean hands. That is good. On the other hand, so far so good, no one cares about heart washing which is equally important. The Scriptures say, "As he thinketh in his heart, so he is." Pro.23:7. If hand washing is a way to prevent diseases, heart washing cannot be over - flogged. The heart of man must be clean

because "out of it comes the issues of life."(Pro4:23).Do you know that your actions are a direct content of your heart? So it is please. Your deeds cannot be better than what occupies your heart. Jesus Christ made it abundantly clear thus, "Do not ye yet understand that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth unto the belly, and is cast out into the draught? But those things which proceed out of the mouth come

forth from the heart: and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, theft, false witness, blasphemis." Matthew 15:17-19 KJV Can you see from those words that your state of heart influences your thoughts,

words and actions? As at the time of reading this, how is the state of your heart?

Does the content of your heat make you worthy to approach your Maker without being rebuked by Him? ? Is your heart pure? Are you sure there are no evil thoughts proceeding out of it? Are you sure there are no evil thoughts proceeding out of it? Are your words pure? Are your deeds pure?

19

There is the need to apply your heart sanitisers as at when due by personally reading, meditating, and storing the word of the Lord in your heart.

It is easy and natural for man to do wrong . Why? By nature, the thoughts of a man's heart is only evil always. Gen 6:5. How then can you sanitise your defiled or evil heart? Simple. One, be convinced that your heart is dirty, and you want to have

a pure heart. Be determined to do this. Be also convinced that you cannot do this by your own effort. Know that you need the right personality to help you out.

Two, confess your state of heart to your Maker and ask for forgiveness of all evil that are occupying it. Tell the Lord Jesus Christ to plead your course before God, the Father for remission of your sins. Ask the Lord Jesus Christ to come and abide in your heart for the rest of your life. Three, ask the Lord to be your Lord and Saviour for the rest of your life. Let Him be your instructor whom you will obey forever. Follow Him intimately by obtaining a copy of the Holy Bible and join an assembly of fellow Believers to share the word of God and act according to its contents.

APPLY YOUR HEART SANITIZERS There is the need to apply your heart sanitisers as at when due by personally reading, meditating, and storing the word of the Lord in your heart. Psalm 119:11"

says, "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. "Let His words replace all other thoughts. As you hide them in your hearts, think deeply on it regularly and do according to all that His words say. In the same way, you can apply the blood of Jesus Christ to cleanse all negative and evil thoughts occupying your hearts. Invite the Holy Spirit who is the third of the Trinity, and the only

Comforter that Jesus Christ sent to replace Him when He departed this world to be with His Father in Heaven. Regularly invite the Holy Spirit to formugate your heart with Christ blood and no negative thought will be retained in your heart. Stay blessed and prepared for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Author is the set man of CTFM(WORLD OUTREACH)and Presiding Pastor of Christ Restland Gospel Church. He is a Poet and author of many books. Visit his blogsites www.4thlink.wordpress.com and www.peacelink.wordpress.com for more quality contents.

Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS

20

My name is Pastor James Osayande

So I kept following others to church

George. I am from Benin City, Edo

hoping one day I’d find Him. Having

State, Nigeria. The story of my

been in the children choir and being

salvation journey is a quite interesting

devoted to church only made me

one built upon the foundation of

committed and church conscious but

personal encounter with Jesus Christ

not God conscious. I was morally

by the Holy Spirit.

sound by spiritually I was not yet there. I had answered to so many altar

I was born into a family of five, just me

calls that I lost count.

and my four sisters. I had an awesome childhood for the first six years of my life with my siblings and my dad (it was a broken home and I didn’t even

Although we attended an orthodox church, we didn’t know Jesus Christ personally.

know my mother in person nor live with her) until my father died and our

James George

world seemingly collapsed. It went from great to rough and although we attended an Orthodox Church, we

didn’t know Jesus Christ personally.

My dad had taught us to pray the regular prayer rituals and attend church meetings, but we had no personal submission to the faith and

so lived the way we liked.

Life was rough and so we all became.

Father was dead and mum hardly stopped by, and so we kids looked out

We had no personal submission to the

for ourselves and we tried everything

faith and so lived the way we liked.

we could to stay safe and protected.

Well, at the age of thirteen while still in junior secondary school, I had my first real encounter with God. Before this, I had this inner hole I yearned to have filled up and so I tried everything I could to fill it but nothing. I had a fear for doing wrong especially before the public and so I stayed away from such, but it still secret obsessions or lies or the hole in my heart.

What’s your story?

I had tasted paper cigarette to real ones, and a dry gin before age 10. By age 12, I already knew what it meant to be drunk, to approach a woman and had also polluted my mind with all

forms of sexual and immoral materials.

But that encounter with God that faithful day struck a change in me. I had started thinking a lot about my life

a period of five years. Those five years

asked me to move to the southern part

deepened my root in Christ as I learnt

of Nigeria for the work He has called

to trust God for everything I needed,

me to do more specifically. Now I focus

from supplies to grace and wisdom in

on my teaching ministry through my

ministering to the people. Also, I began

writings and online ministry: The

to sharpen my writing and teaching

Fireplace Bible Study Campaign (a

abilities while I served and worked in

daily Bible study accountability and

a secondary school as principal-admin,

discussion group on WhatsApp that

school fellowship coordinator and

focuses on helping people commit to

class teacher. It wasn’t easy but I was

doing personal Bible study, taking

and had decided to just take my faith

happy and fulfilled. One prayer I

notes and discussing their insights

walk serious, at least try to live what I

prayed was that as I was offering the

with others as they cover specific

heard week in week out.

sacrifice of myself, my family would be

books of the Bible together),

“Serving in the harsh conditions of the Muslim North of Nigeria, taught me endurance, faith and clarity in service of the Kingdom of God and his pursuit of his desire for me personally”.

James George

saved too, and in a few years, God

So I spent more time meditating and

answered me. My mom found Christ

praying. Then, one morning, I was in

and came home, and my siblings all

the room alone with my Bible and just

grew up in the faith and settled as

praying and studying when I sensed

leaders in their local churches.

that “Someone” had stepped into the room. I couldn’t see anyone, but the

Serving in the harsh conditions of the

room grew cold and all the air on my

Muslim north of Nigeria taught me

body stood erect, yet there was no breeze moving the curtain nor was I

Preaching the word of God

afraid. Deep within me I sensed a powerful calm like I’ve never sensed before. Right there and then I heard voices of scriptures I had never read before and wrote them down. When j put them together, they were like sentences being out together to communicate with me. That experienced marked the beginning of my Christian journey till now.

This soon became my sanctuary daily.

When I get back from school, I’d eat and freshen up and the next thing I’m off to the room and it’d look like the Lord was there waiting for me. It was from these encounters I learnt to hear

I learnt to trust God for everything I needed.

endurance, faith and clarity in service of the Kingdom of God and the pursuit

of His desire for me personally. I have God and it was from here I saw what

since worked with youth and ministry

God would have me do the rest of my

leaders through diverse local

life: preach the gospel and through

programs and sessions until God

teaching, bring people bound by sin and doctrines into a personal

experiential relationship with Jesus Christ.

James George with members of his

A few years later, while in the

church

university, I was called by God into the mission. I left school almost

This Chariot Blog (my dedicated blog

immediately to the Muslim north of

and general online publications via

Nigeria where I served in a local Bible

audio, videos on YouTube and

based Pentecostal church (the church I

WhatsApp devotional broadcasts).

was groomed as a young Christian years before) as the resident Pastor for

James George and his church

members touring the zoo.

These are some of the arms of God’s Mighty Men Network, a non

22

Sharing the word -denominational network dedicated

It is still a developing work seeing I

(E-book). The title is Your Journey

It should be available on Amazon by

to teaching Jesus Christ as the light of

just recently began moving in the

with God. It’s a book that gathers 10

June 2020.

the world and engaging in online or

direction. But God has been faithful,

years of my experiences with God and

offline activities that will bind men to

sending partners and helpers and

men in my journey through life and

It’s been an amazing journey so far

God resulting in their healing,

also guiding me per course of action. I

also what I have learnt are some of

and I do believe in what lies ahead if

restoration and deliverance in

am also on the verge of releasing my

the most important elements to be

the Lord tarries.

salvation.

first book in electronic format

pursued and lived with in life.

23

The Danger of Gossip inChristian Relationships.

Even if there is no doubt that a bad

know. Or maybe a person might have

report about someone is true, great

hurt us by something they have said,

harm can still be caused by those who

and we feel that it would be helpful to

hear about it and fuel the gossip

tell someone.

engine by passing on what they hear. If

By Max Aplin

Christians learn that a person has

But unless there is a good a reason for

acted badly, far too often they just tell

passing on the negative information,

others without considering whether

then we shouldn’t.

Everyone will surely have witnessed

and his demonic followers are the

the problems that gossip can cause.

masters of deception, and at times we

Relationships can be damaged,

have all doubtless fallen into the trap

Times when we need to speak

sometimes badly, by unkind words

of believing that someone has acted

negatively

Even if we have a close relationship to

spoken about people behind their

badly, only to find out later that they

backs. And sadly, there is plenty of this

were innocent all along. Some of us

It is true that there are times when we

pass on gossip to them. Just because

that goes on among Christians too.

will also probably be able to think of

do need to speak negatively about

someone is meeting a close friend

times when we mistakenly passed on

people when they are not present. For

doesn’t mean it is acceptable to tell

false information about people.

example, there are occasions when a

them the bad report about a person

Christian acts badly in some way, and

that they have heard. Or just because

others in their church really do need to

someone is married doesn’t make it

Rumors that are untrue Worst of all is when the rumors that are spread are not even true. Satan

Fueling the gossip engine

that is the right thing to do.

Close relationships are no excuse

someone, that doesn’t make it right to

24

Love covers a multitude of sins. ●

right for them to pass on gossip to their husband or wife.

●

A little rule

●

In my own life, so as to try to avoid saying anything inappropriate about

Love is a beautiful thing.

●

I have been a Christian for over 30 years. I have a Ph.D. in New Testament from the University of Edinburgh. I am a UK national and I currently live in the south of Scotland. Check out my blog, The Orthotometist, at maxaplin.blogspot.com

●

Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS

anyone, I have set myself a little rule. This is never to say anything negative about someone who is not present unless I can think of at least one specific reason why I believe God would want me to. If I can’t come up with a reason, then I won’t say anything. At least, this is my intention, even if perhaps I don’t succeed in following this rule all the time. ●

The Christian life, of course, is not about keeping lots of rules, but is about living in the Holy Spirit. Nevertheless, living in the Spirit does not conflict with occasionally making ourselves a rule or two to try to live by, and this is one that I find helpful.

●

Acting in love

●

In our interactions with people, the top priority is always to love everyone.

And this includes those who have acted badly and those who are the subject of gossip, whether that gossip is based on something true or untrue. Love will not speak negatively about a person unless there is a good reason for doing so.

●

Importantly too, there is obviously a sense in which people who are not there when others are talking about them are vulnerable. They can’t defend themselves. And Jesus certainly wants us to be careful to treat vulnerable people well.

●

Let us all strive, then, to avoid spreading rumors and gossip about people. So much damage to relationships could be avoided if every Christian made the effort to do this.

25

Unconditional Love

trait to have when we love. It is not

Sonja Mattison currently resides in Clarkston,

necessary to expect love from those

Georgia. She is an inspirational writer and the

we love. Loving without question only

author of Thoughts of Mattii40. She earned

strengthens our heart.

her Bachelor of Arts at Norfolk State University in Norfolk, Virginia.

By Sonja Mattison

To love is to honor God and receive only blessings from the act

Article

itself. God created love for us to love

Source: http://www.faithwriters.comCHRISTIAN WRITERS

Love for someone should never be

Just as God loves us without judgment,

one another channeled through him.

conditional. It should be approached

we should do the same with our

By His grace we can love “perfectly�

with integrity and wholeheartedness.

family, friends, acquaintances,

through our own imperfections. We

When we are compassionate towards

or anybody. Even when we are

should live by the standards of

others our compassion should be

betrayed by a friend or acquaintance

unconditional love and strive to create

permanent via our heart. We should

our love should remain because we are

a harmonious world.

not base our love for someone based

beings of God and should behave in the

on whether their love is reciprocal for

same manner as Him.

http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN

WRITERS

.

us. We should do otherwise.

Unconditional love is a form of

unselfishness, which is an excellent

26

Emails to God A teenage girls’ communication with God. A young girl called Self gets introduced to God by her mom. She decides to follow the trend by sending emails to God as a way of communicating to him.

They start a wonderful relationship. However, she faces many challenges, she loses her friends, but she finds God’s love and extends it to others. She finds her true self and her girls’ group is restored in a better way.

Available at Amazon and online bookshops

27

And we know that God causes

It seems to me that people in times

everything to work together for the

like these, even Christians, tend to

good of those who love God and are

over-react or under-react. We try to

called according to his purpose for

do everything or nothing We should

them. (Romans 8:28 NLT)

do the possible and allow God to do the impossible. The possible as trying

Human nature craves certainty and

to implement good health practices

predictability, but Covid-19 has the

such as washing our hands, social

world anxious because we are uncertain and unable to predict the future. God is the only one with whom we can have absolute certainty that he holds the future.

distancing, etc.. These are necessary and good, yet we must realize God is

our only protector as He sees fit. Remember, we are told not to fear those who can kill the body but not the soul (Matthew 10:28). Whether we

He alone holds the future

are infected or not, God will never

leave us nor forsake us. When we try to do the impossible, we lose our peace and fear starts to take over. Do what you can and trust God to do what you can’t. God is not in Heaven wringing His hands over Covid-19 nor is he unconcerned. When the infections rise, the deaths increase, and there are dire predictions about

the longevity of the virus, remember, that God is still on the throne I worked for seventeen years as a missionary with

God is still on the throne

Youth With A Mission. My missionary work has taken me to Mexico, Canada,

Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, Spain, and

Ken Barnes

Ukraine. I hold a Masters of Education In times of global crisis, there is a God in heaven who is still on the throne.

Human beings like to have control. We

avoid situations and circumstances where we cannot dictate the outcomes. At times God allows events to come upon us that are beyond our

in curriculum and instruction from Virginia Commonwealth University. kenbarnes737@gmail.com Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.comCHRISTIAN WRITERS

ability to constrain or avoid.

28

Carrying your Cross The cross represents shame, suffering and pain.

When one carries his or her cross, it means carrying your burdens, pain, suffering

to Jesus, no matter how painful it may be and he will give you the Holy Spirit to direct you so that your cross can be absorbed by him.

In Luke 9:23, Jesus said, to be his disciple, we must carry our cross daily and deny ourselves, meaning our daily activities in life should be taken to God in prayer as

we continue to abide in him and living by the spirit. Setting our minds on things above and not on earthly things. (Colossians 3).

Carrying our crosses will lead us to God’s perfect will in our lives.

When Jesus was about to carry his cross, he felt it was too heavy/ difficult for him to bear, yet he was strengthened to carry out that task and he basked in God’s glory after that. (Hebrews 5:7).

The same way, we also have to carry our crosses to him, no matter how difficult it

is, Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (Matthew 11:29 NIV).

Adwoba Addo-Boateng

29

Miriam’s Sorrows

(This story is based on a true event recorded in Numbers, chapter 12).

Becky Bradley

Did Moses have two wives? Several

Yet, Numbers, chapter 12 says he

heritage was interchangeable with a

in question was not Zipporah. For

times in the book of Exodus, Moses’

married a Cushite woman, but does

Cushite one. For me the clincher was

the story, Miriam’s Sorrows, I chose

Midianite wife, Zipporah is

not name her. Many believe she was

the line in Numbers 12:1 that says

the name Nakia for her— meaning

mentioned, along with their two sons

Zipporah and for one reason or

Moses had married a Cushite, as if it

pure and faithful.

and her father, Jethro.

another Zipporah’s Midianite

needed to be clarified that the woman

30

Miriam flinched as the graceful black

given away her almost 90 years, her

arm presented a small cup of water to

wrinkled skin, made even browner

her. She despised the way the hot sun

than it should have been from the

made her sister-in-law, Nakia’s, skin

harsh Egyptian sun, certainly did. She

glow like a starry night sky. She

glared at Nakia. Moses’ Cushite wife

despised the gold bracelets that

had no idea what it was like to be a

dangled from Nakia’s wrists, making

slave. How dare she carry herself like

them look even more delicate than they were, and she despised the richly colored scarf that covered her head and half-hid her gentle eyes—so large and beautiful like pools of dark water.

Miriam always made Nakia feel, she couldn’t do anything right.

She had no idea, what it was like to be a slave. a pampered queen when up until just a few weeks before everyone around her had been slaves. But they were free now and it was only right for Nakia to

Miriam’sSorrows Becky Bradley

serve them. Cushite. Miriam snorted and looked away.

Nakia looked confused. It was just a Nakia pouring Miriam , a cup of water

“Here sister, I brought a drink for your parched lips”. Nakia tried to place the cup in Miriam’s weathered hand.

“Leave it on the ground next to me.” If

Miriam’s growling, aged voice hadn’t

simple cup of water, but Miriam always made her feel like she couldn’t do anything right.

Miriam spat on the ground. “I said, leave it there.”

Nakia slowly placed the cup next to Miriam. It hurt to be talked to like

31

●

that, but Miriam was her elder, and Moses’s sister; the one, who had watched

●

over him when he was a baby floating in a basket in the Nile. Nakia bowed her

daughter of a priest who believes in our God—the right God—well, at least he does now.” Miriam tried to excuse her ugly feelings.

head as she respectfully backed away. ● ●

Aaron, stood in silence as he surveyed the temple grounds. Miriam was right.

Miriam finally turned around when Nakia was gone. It didn’t make her feel

How could he be high priest of the Hebrew nation if their own sister-in-law’s

very good to hold such bitterness in her heart. But she couldn’t help it; she

people believed in other gods? What if she and her kind lead their Hebrew

hated Nakia so much. Besides, if God thought it was wrong, he would have

brothers and sisters back down the path to idol worshiping?!

said something to her—wouldn’t he? She grabbed a tent post for support and

●

hoisted herself to her feet. She had to find her brother, Aaron.

●

“Aaron, when was the last time God talked to you?”

As Nakia approached their tent, she could see her husband’s strained face. He

●

Aaron shrugged.

●

“Just as I thought. God used to talk to us all the time; but with that Cushite

seemed older than his 80 years. Being the leader of an entire nation of

complaining people was hard. Sometimes she wished she could go to him with

woman around, it is like the Lord has abandoned us.”

her problems as the Hebrew people did, but he had enough to handle. No, she must keep her pain to herself. She straightened her shoulders, wiped a stray tear from her eye, and began to look for ways to ease her husband’s burdens.

●

But Moses saw. Her beautiful eyes could not hide the truth from him. Quietly he wrapped his arms around her and without a word told her how much he

●

And he has only talked to us through visions and dreams.” ●

influence over the leader of God’s chosen people.”

accepted among Moses’ people, but as long as Miriam shunned her, they would

●

“Aaron,” Miriam found her and Moses’ brother instructing his sons on the duties of the Lord’s tabernacle tent—the tent where all the people met when

●

“So, we haven’t heard from God because Moses married Nakia?”

●

“Right. Nakia is not one of God’s chosen. If she were her skin would be brown like us, not midnight black.”

God called.

●

Aaron rolled his eyes. From the look on her face Miriam must have had another encounter with Nakia. “What has she done now, big sister?”

●

“Does she have to do anything? She is a Cushite!” Miriam paced the dusty desert ground. “What possessed Moses to marry a black woman, an enemy of

our people, anyway? Couldn’t he have been satisfied with his first wife, Zipporah? I mean being a Midianite is bad enough, but at least she is the

“My point is, Aaron, since she married our brother, it is as if he has no time for us, much less our advice. It isn’t right for an idol worshiper to have so much

loved and respected her. Still, Nakia’s heart ached. She wanted so much to be too.

“Not exactly all of us.” Aaron corrected her. “He talks to Moses face to face.

●

“So, why are we being punished because he married her?”

●

“Exactly, Aaron. Aren’t we as good as Moses? Isn’t that why God chose me to lead the women of our nation and you to be our first high priest? He didn’t just choose Moses to lead our people out of bondage; he chose his family—you and me.” She purposefully excluded Moses’ wives. “What right does Moses have to keep all of God’s visits for himself? He’s the one who married that. . .that Cushite. He’s the one who should be punished!”

32

God loves all people Becky Bradley

“MIRIAM!” Miriam gasped. She had never heard

on purpose, I will add.

get to hear me through visions and dreams.” He let his words linger in her

“But-but . . .” “Miriam, I am God. I

and Aaron’s mind for a moment before

created all colors. I did it because I

adding. “But Moses is more faithful to

enjoy every one of them. Because I am

me than you or anyone else. Because

so pleased with them, I wanted to use

of that, I speak to him clearly and face

them everywhere. I wanted to share

to face, not in riddles. And, because of

them. They are my gift to all of you. In

that, he is allowed to actually see me.”

fact, you are who you are because I

The churning cloud pillar suddenly

mixed up just the right combination of

looked like a giant, black tornado.

colors for you. And because I value all

“Why then were you not afraid to

colors, I expect you and the rest of my

speak against him?!”

family to value them, too.

God’s voice before, but she knew it “Yet, you have decided my creations

was him.

are not worthy of you. You hold

“AARON!”

yourself above me when you reject my gift—especially since it was born from

Aaron shuddered. That was definitely

my heart.”

God’s voice and he was angry.

Stunned, Miriam could not and dared

“Meet Moses in front of the meeting tent NOW!”

not say anything.

Moses looked worried.

Miriam and Aaron could see the large, pillar of a cloud in front of the meeting

Moses looked worried. Whatever his

tent. It was the Lord’s presence. The

brother and sister had done, he could

angrier his cloud looked, the more

not help them now.

She was white as snow Leprosy!

“As for Moses,” God continued. “he is too humble to tell you this, so I will. I gave you the gift of prophecy. That is an honor not everyone is given. You

they wished they could sink into the ground and hide. As Moses arrived, the two brothers and sister waited.

“Miriam, do you love me?”

“Yes, my Lord, with all my heart and

“Miriam, Aaron, you wanted to hear

soul.” She frowned. How could he ask

my voice; hear it now. Approach me.”

such a question?

He had been listening! Miriam sucked

“As does Nakia.”

in a big gulp of air and stepped forward. Aaron, never as brave as his big sister, followed just half a step behind.

Instantly, the cloud lifted. Miriam

“Nakia?! But she is a Cushite! And she’s

screamed. Her body was shaking.

bl—. I mean she is not one of us—

Aaron turned to look at her and could

chosen.”

hardly keep from running away. All

“Yes, she is black; just as I made her—

Moses, the humble servant.

color had left her skin. She was white as snow. Leprosy! She had the most

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“God doesn’t hold our sins against us” He is all forgiving

So, for seven days the Hebrew camp

Love Conquers All

waited. And when the day came for Miriam to return to her tent, Nakia

was waiting with a cool cup of water and a smile on her face. But Miriam brushed the cup away. Then, she stepped closer to her sweet sister-inlaw and wrapped her in her arms and

MOSES! he cried. HELP HER! PLEASE!

not let Miriam go completely

We were fools, Moses. And we are so

unpunished. “Moses, Miriam must stay

sorry! Please, Moses, don’t hold our

outside the camp for seven days. Then

sins against us!”

she can come back.”

Shaking and terrified for his sister,

Moses and Aaron fell on their knees,

Moses cried out to God. “Please, God,

crying and praising God. They knew

heal her!!!”

what that meant. Miriam would still be

hugged her tight.

THE END

contagious seven more days, but after As soon as Moses spoke, God listened

that her skin would return to normal

to him. His anger melted, but he could

and she would be completely healed!

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Ancient of Days, the God with no

A Name Jennifer Van Allen

limits on time, please help us not be stressed with our limited time. Allow us peace, comfort, and perseverance when we feel overwhelmed with to do list, and

deadlines.

What is your name? It depends on

know Him by. One name was used in

who is calling you? Maybe you are

Daniel alone. This name was Ancient

called mommy, or daddy? Maybe you

of Days. We find this in Daniel 7:9

are dear, or honey? When the doctor

NKJV “I watched till thrones were put

calls, your ears hear your full

in place, And the Ancient of Days was

name. When you hear which name

seated; His garment was white as

someone is using, then that can tell a

snow, And the hair of His head was

lot about the roles that exist between

like pure wool. His throne was a fiery

the people. The Lord has been known

flame, Its wheels a burning fire. Study

by many names. In the bible we see

light.org commentary discusses that

different references for the names we

this name Ancient of Days is about

stressing the eternity of God. Oxford

of whom our mighty God is? What if

dictionary states that eternity means

our prayer today was focused on this

unending time. Ancient of Days is our

Lord who is eternal?

Lord showing us that He is beyond

time to reach out to Him. When we do,

time.

no

the words that flow from our spirits,

He is not

can be spoken with a peace. A peace

That

time

impact for our God. concerned

as

the

has

days

turn

to

Let us take the

that they are given to the One who can

years. He is not worried that task will

hold our desperate cries.

not be completed. The clicking of the

holds on to those heartfelt words,

clock is just a background noise with

knowing that time itself will erase

no pressure on His actions. How does

some of the pain of our prayers, and

an eternal Father make a difference in

the other ones may be tied to time that

our limited lives right now? We may

only He understands. Ancient of Days

have an expiration date on earth, but

is just another name in the role that

our

do

our Savior has with us. When we have

not. Prayers that reached the Ancient

that time alone, what will change

of Days is the one thing that will

knowing that our Lord has a name that

continue with Him, even long after

is beyond the passage of time.

they

prayers

leave

to

our

the

lips.

Lord

1

Our Father

John

5:14 NKJV Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. Daniel 7:9 gives a good visual

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The MarriageCookbook Is your marriage crumbling? Does your marriage feel like work?

Filled with great cooking tips and yummy recipes such as pineapple upside down, thank you pies, heart shaped burgers and ever there marshmallows; this is a collection of simple, intriguing recipes and stories from married life that will help readers to get married to Christ in order to be fulfilled in their married lives. Our marriage should be like God’s ordained ministry where it is cherished and nurtured to achieve its full potential.

Being Christ’s beautiful bride does not require a lot of effort, but it is the grace of God that will help us through.

The Marriage Cookbook is available at Amazon and online bookshops.

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Cult or Church?

Adwoba Addo-Boateng

behaviour. The prisoners began to

for their members as to how they

accept their roles as subjects to the

should live their lives. There is always

prison guards because the prison

an evil one who causes all the

guards were highest in authority and

commotion. The members also out of

they had control over them. The

fear subject themselves to this person

Stanford Prison Experiment showed a

with perceived power and eventually

positive relationship between power

their behaviour changes to conform to

and social roles and external pressures

a group. They normally say “everyone

that influence our behaviour.

is doing it, why should I be different?

Why do people feel less important

professor using college students. The

when a leader with perceived power

study was conducted to show the

restricts them? The Stanford Prison

extent that the power of rules, roles

In these modern days, there are more

acknowledged by the leader and

Experiment (1971) was an experiment

and group identity makes ordinary

cults spreading like wildfire. There is a

gradually the leader becomes the focus

that investigated the psychological

people behave in a certain manner. In

leader with perceived power who

and not Christ. Christianity is love;

effects of perceived power between

sum, people’s individuality was taken

manipulates the members for his own

There is no fear in love. But perfect

people in authority that is Prison

away and was ruled by fear by people

selfish gain. Member’s freedom is

love drives out fear because fear has

guards and people whose freedom has

in supposed authority. The study

taken away and they are supposed to

to do with punishment. The one who

been taken away from them that is

concluded that the fake prison

be under the dictates of the leader

fears is not made perfect in love. We

prisoners. This experiment was led by

situation rather than an individual’s

which is detrimental to their well -

love because he first loved us (1 John

Philip Zimbardo, a psychology

characteristics caused a participants

being. These leaders make decisions.

4:18 NIV)

They want to be loved and

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Cults distort the gospel ofChrist, by misinterpreting the bible for their own selfish gain. ●

A Church that I went to would call people in front to give money for supposed

For it is by grace, you have been saved. ●

Members trust is in the Charismatic Leader but not in the Lord.

●

“Cursed is the one who trusts in man,

financial blessings. I was not a fan of that initially but when I started going to that church, I conformed totally because I wanted to have an identity to the group. The more someone gave money, the more the leader liked him or her.

who draws strength from mere flesh

In effect, everyone wanted to be in the leader’s good books therefore they gave

and whose heart turns away from the LORD. (Jeremiah 17:5 NIV).

out money not because they wanted to give to the Lord but for the mere fact that they will be loved and cherished by their leader. In short, the fear of being

hated by the leader was a motivating factor for conforming. ●

●

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

(1 John 4:1 NIV).

These leaders preach sermons that cause divisions in the Lord’s people. Most of the sermons are on how to deal with people who have wronged you. They cause confusion in marriages and in family, which causes marriages and

families to be dysfunctional. God gave us earthly families to love and support us through our journey here on earth. If families were not important, the almighty God will not have created it. ●

Cults distort the gospel of Christ, by misinterpreting the bible for their own

selfish gain. ●

Members tend to rely on the lead for all spiritual knowledge and interpersonal relationship with God is downplayed or is nonexistent.

●

The leader is autocratic and does not allow any divergent views from other members of the group. In so doing he turns to manipulate his followers with his own ideas and knowledge. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. (2 Corinthians 3:17)

●

Permission must be sought from the leader before a certain decision is made in order to be saved for Ephesians 2:8-9 says ; For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in

advance for us to do.

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Hiding behind the wall I have been diagnosed with AIDS (Acute Intimacy Deficiency Syndrome). You see, I have a problem with intimacy with God.

Well really, intimacy with any

relationship because it is difficult for me to allow anyone to see the real me.

Because I lack spiritual intimacy, my battle with the enemy is on the path to selfdestruction. I have battled this disease for a long time, and my own spiritual diet and exercise regimen has failed to overcome it. A friend told me to try God where I would find help through His commandments and instructions for healthy living --spiritually, physically, and emotionally. In his word, I will find the treatment to defeat this spiritual disease. Proverbs 23:7 says, “as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he (KJV).” Therefore, I hid the word of God in my heart and meditated on it day and night. My mind was renewed by God’s counseling as he showed me how to face my stumbling blocks and how to keep my walls from getting thicker, higher, and harder to tear down. Let us start tearing down that wall and rebuilding it, not with man’s bricks, but with the bricks provided by God, because without God, we can do nothing. God’s Words will tear down those insecurities and replace them with His confidence and words of encouragement. He will toss out low self-esteem and give you a brick of His love. The process of tearing down our beloved fortress

can be extremely slow and devastating to our soul, especially when God not only stands us in front of His mirror, but then He cuts us with His double-edged sword.

Besides our wall did not pop-up overnight, therefore, tearing it down and building a wall of trust in God takes time, effort, and tears. However, the more we trust Him, the more faith grows. Growth is painful, but there is a blessing in this pain if we

Ann McD aniels

just persevere.

Thought questions: What is hiding behind your wall? Is it a diseased soul or a soldier preparing for battle? Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, we thank you for loving us despite ourselves. Help us to rearrange our schedules and make

you our first resource. Help us remove all of life’s distractions and meditate on your Word daily. Teach us to balance our lives so that we can give you our best. AMEN

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Give your life to Christ Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.�

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