1 faith unlimited july, 2017 2

We just had our 3 rd Anniversary for Faith Unlimited! This is the 1 st issue of our 4 th year!

GOD AND COUNTRY WHAT MAKES AMERICA GREAT?

Let Freedom Ring

In God We Trust

Can you Multiply the Gifts of the Lord?

Recognizing and Rejecting Historical Fantasies About Our Nation

to Help with Your Weight Loss ?

If you are looking at this magazine online, click on each of the blue stars and hear something that I pray will bless you.

For my son, Bill W. Hanshew, and all those who have served for our Country to help keep us safe – God Bless You!

finances. Yes, this is good too.

My idea of a Great America is God and family. Yes, of course God first. He must always come first.

Does that mean ministry?

No, it means a personal relationship with Father God. Next, family.

When families love God, and can get along and love each other, nothing can stop them.

They will be there for each other no matter what comes their way.

I love God, I love my family, and I love America. But there is more. I love my brothers and sisters all around the world.

No, it does not matter what nationality, color, religion. We are all the same race….The Human Race. Jesus gave us 2 new commandments in Matthew 22:37-40.

It says, Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’[a] 37

38

This is the first and great commandment.

And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’[b] 39

40

On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

Hello Everyone!

So, what does it take to make America great? Many people ask this question again and again. Some think a new President will take care of everything. But you know, our President can only do so much.

Some think getting bills paid so that they can have freedom in their

Let us all do our part and love the Lord our God, AND our neighbor AS OURSELF! It is so easy for some to love God, but sometimes very hard to love their neighbor, especially if they are of a different nationality. Remember this: God made ALL of us. One is no better than the next.

I LOVE YOU! Happy 4th of July!

Your Publisher and Editor!

Faye Hanshew

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY! Publisher and Editor Faye Hanshew

Articles

It Happened in 1776 Building a Better Nation With Love Recognizing and Rejecting Historical Fantasies About Our Nation Colonizing Earth for Heaven Faith is Relational Let Freedom Ring Faith of Our Fathers Can you Multiply the Gifts of the Lord?

Quotes of Inspiration – Part II The War is Over TEEN SECTION In God We Trust Happy 4 th of July!

Winning for God and Country

INTERNATIONAL SECTION Nutritional Information What Can You Do to Help with Your Weight Loss?

God Bless Our Homeland - Ghana Being Led by the Spirit

Co-Publisher & Co-editor Dr. Bill Hanshew Dr. Bill Hanshew Cindy Quarles Dr. Dan L. Corse

Dave Kachele Bishop Frank Dupree Matthew Deves Pastor Jo Bruns Richard Rundell Tom Tompkins, Jr Speaker/Author Larry Thompson

Mikea Fulton Grace Meier Stuart E. Smith

Dewanshu Ahlawat

Ernest Nelson K. Nanor Rev. Kenneth Wilson

GOD BLESS AMERICA AND GOD BLESS

ALL OF OUR INTERNATIONAL BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN ALL NATIONS

By: Dr. Bill Hanshew Proverbs 29:2 says, “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan.”

I pulled this statement off of the internet which says, “In the days leading up to July 4, 1776, Continental Congressmen John Adams and Benjamin Franklin

coerce Thomas Jefferson into writing the Declara-

tion of Independence as a delaying

tactic as they try to persuade the American colonies to support a

resolution on independence.”

It was the year 1775 when history says that the American public had a greatly divided opinion about the question of independence. The independence referred to

was when the American colonists thought to break free from British rule. So, on July the fourth, in the year of our Lord, Seventeen Hundred and Seventy-Six, the Declaration of Independence was signed.

The Declaration of Independence opens with a preamble which explains why the colonies wanted their independence from Britain and chose to become a separate nation in the world. The Declaration states things like: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that

all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

Any people who live in any type of bondage, slavery, or imprisonment, always feel like their rights and or freedoms have been taken away. If a man commits a crime and is placed in prison, often he will still claim that his rights of freedom have been violated, even though he may be guilty of the alleged crime.

However, in 1776 when the Constitution of the United States became a way of life leading to freedom, it said that “all men are created equal and

have certain unalienable rights that governments should never violate.” And the word, “unalienable” means that these rights cannot be taken from us.

These rights include the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Mankind has the right to be happy in their freedom.

The Constitution also states that when a government fails to protect those rights, it is not only the right but also the duty of the people to overthrow that government. And so, there was an overthrow of British rule in the form of a Civil War. The colonial governments tried to reach a peaceful reconciliation of the differences they encountered with Great Britain, but

they were ignored.

So, the Civil War broke out, and America won its freedom and became a nation established in the pursuit of freedom and the Word of God. This new nation was called the United States of America, and they reserved the right to levy war, make peace, make alliances with foreign nations, conduct trade, and do anything else that a nation was accustomed to do.

But how does this relate to the modern day Christian perspective? Well, it was around A.D. 33 when Jesus Christ went to the cross and waged war for the freedom of all mankind. War was declared on all of the forces of darkness or evil, and Jesus won the

victory, defeated death, hell, and the grave for our benefit.

In Revelation 1:18 Jesus says, “I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore.

Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.” The word “hell” as used here is translated, “Hades.”

It is defined by some in the Greek language as “the region of departed spirits of the lost” (but including the blessed dead in periods preceding the ascension of Christ). It has been thought by some that the word etymologically meant “the unseen.”

In this light, hell is not an eternal place filled with eternal punishment.

While Jesus was in the tomb, He conquered the

grave and death, and He defeated them by coming back to life and Resurrection day.

He came out of the tomb and spent about 50 days with His disciples and others, showing mankind by many infallible proofs that He was alive.

That day, His victory, became our victory.

His freedom became our freedom.

Proverbs 29:2 says, “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan.” In the government of the United States, it is important to have leaders who honor God with their whole heart. That is why this verse says, “When the righteous are in authority {or when the righteous rule}, the people rejoice.

People will

inevitably happy.

be

This is why mankind, all over the world have been in pursuit of what some call, “the American dream.” It is to find the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

However, truth and eternal happiness can only be found in a relationship with the Lord, Jesus Christ. As you read this article, I want to encourage you to pursue Jesus Christ above all. If you are a Christian with a busy schedule; take the time to pursue Him in terms of having fellowship with Him. If you are not a Christian, then you can accept Jesus into your heart, as your personal Lord and Savor today.

He is waiting to hear you.

Won’t you talk to Him now? …Think about it!

by: Cindy Quarles, Unveiled Love Ministries Warning: What I present for your consideration may challenge existing ideas of love, justice and righteousness. But it could be the catalyst to a change of mind that leads to Godly love, which will transform a person, people, and ultimately a nation and the world. You have been duly warned đ&#x;˜Š.

What’s the Question?

Pondered by every human being from the beginning of time are two short, simple questions. Though profound in nature, tiny toddlers ask them regularly. Though simple and straight-forward, for centuries scholars and theologians of the highest order have contemplated these two simple questions: Who is God? Who are we to Him? History has been shaped by our answers. The condition of our nation and world is in direct correlation to how we have formed our image of God. Understanding this is paramount to building a better nation.

The image of God we hold at the core of our being is the image we will portray to the world.

Grounded in our image of God is the value we place on every human being.

Whether through spiritual leaders, tradition, family, education, culture, literature, life experiences, interaction with nature, our own imaginations - or most likely a combination of all the above and more - each of us has formed a concept of God. We have a picture of what He is like, and we live it every day. We live it in our relationships, vocation, choice of life partner, raising children, politics, our justice system…and on it goes. Every aspect of our lives, whether we are aware or not, is impacted by how we see God. History and current events confirm that the image of God we present to the world, and subsequently the value we place on every person, drives the world’s narrative. Would it be safe to say then, that how we go about answering these two questions is the most important undertaking to which we can apply our hearts and minds?

Case in Point The incidents of Islamic terrorism now front and center in our world events are a prime case in point. For the misguided people involved in committing these horrific acts, their understanding of God is broadcast loud and clear to the world: He is a demanding, merciless and impersonal entity who hates and exacts vengeance on all who do not follow him. This is who God is to them. With their value for mankind flowing directly from this distorted picture of God, it is no wonder people have no value in their eyes and indiscriminate killing is easy for them.

But what about us? Is our version of God any better?

Re-thinking God (AKA Repenting) Though the crusades are long past and we no longer burn heretics (people who don’t agree with our theology) at the stake – at least not literally – many discern this is a critical time in history and are taking the approach of stepping back, re-evaluating the image of God we convey to the world, and asking if it is as true and accurate a picture of Him as we can present.

Have we really searched Him out? Sometimes leaving all to follow Jesus may mean leaving all our “certainties” to explore possibilities. Humility will ask the question “Could it be that I am wrong?” with no fear. As a body we can ask if it is possible that in our 2000-plus years of Church history, did we lose some things along the way? Do we need to backtrack and retrieve treasures that somehow were left behind?

Revisiting Foundational Truths: The Incarnation Have we explored the depths of the implications that God became us?

That the eternal Word, through whom all things were created and by whom all things are upheld, descended into the depths of our chaos and darkness - for us and as us - is in itself an astounding proclamation to the beauty and humility of God, and to the value of all mankind to Him. At the beginning God expressed himself. That personal expression, that word, was with God, and was God, and he existed with God from the beginning. All creation took place through him, and none took place without him. In him appeared life and this life was the light of mankind. The light still shines in the darkness and the darkness has never put it out… So the word of God became a human being and lived among us. We saw his splendor (the splendor as of a father’s only son), full of grace and truth … love and truth came through Jesus Christ. (John 1, PHILLIPS, emphasis mine) The absolute inversion of man’s grasp to be God by his own power is detailed in this beautiful, poetic passage from Philippians 2: Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to.

Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being.

When he appeared in human form he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

(NLT) Did you ever consider the eternal implications of God becoming flesh?

One day I was contemplating this, and realized that Jesus will never stop being a man. When the Son of God became a human being, it was an eternal commitment. The second person of the Trinity, seated at the right hand of the Father, is a man and will forever be a man. I love this quote, attributed to Karl Barth, “God has chosen to not be God apart from humanity”. Astounding. I have no words to describe this kind of love.

Is our concept and image of God saturated in this stunning truth?

Revisiting Foundational Truths: Atonement & Resurrection Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men. (Luke 9:44, KJV, emphasis mine) He (Jesus) said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.” (Mark 9:31 NIV) And he took again the twelve, and began to tell them what things should happen unto him, Saying, … they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles: And they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him: and the third day he shall rise again. (Mark 10, KJV, emphasis mine).

But you disowned the holy and righteous one, and begged to be granted instead a man who was a murderer! You killed the prince of life, but God raised him from the dead—a fact of which we are eyewitnesses. (Acts 3, PHILLIPS) Our version of atonement in the past has been (and for the most part still is) something like this, “God poured out his wrath and punishment for our sins on Jesus and it killed him. Now He can tolerate us because His anger has been satisfied with a human blood sacrifice.” Sometimes that message is explicit - but most always at least implied - in every “gospel” message conveyed in American evangelicalism. An underlying message of this “good news” is that God’s answer to the problem of humanity’s fallen condition was to kill somebody. Please understand I am not being facetious or trying to be clever here. I’m calling it as I see it and this is certainly the message that is in the subconscious, if not the conscious level of everyone who has heard Evangelicalism’s message of atonement. Is it any wonder then that our nation is riddled with violent acts and expressions?

There are many theological problems with this view. Just to list a few: It assumes that the nature of God can be changed by something outside

Himself, both in the sin of man and in the death of Jesus. Another problem with this theory: True forgiveness requires no payment, so are we truly forgiven? Many people - Christian and non - have difficulty trusting God, the primary reason being this theory of atonement propagated from pulpits every Sunday for centuries. Yet another problem: it is inconsistent with Jesus’ life and message in showing us the Father. The three parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin and the lost son in Luke 15 (Jesus’ answer to the religious people of what God is really like) are beautiful depictions of the Father’s heart for us. Our (American evangelicalism’s) theory of atonement is in direct contradiction to the message in these parables.

Here is an understanding for your consideration that is, in my view, more consistent with the nature of God: Man had a distorted picture of God, believing lies fed to us by our enemy the devil. We were separated and alienated from God in our own minds (Colossians 1:21). God had to overcome those lies and He did it in the person of Jesus – the Word (message) made flesh. The thinking that “God is separated from you because your sin is offensive to Him” was proven a lie when God came right into the middle of our darkness, made friends with sinners, and ultimately was made sin for us. The lie “God is holding back from you” was undone when He poured Himself into man. The lie “God doesn’t really want you to be like Him” was inverted when God became us, died as us, obliterating sin, and resurrected as us, overturning death and giving to us immortality. God soundly refutes every lie in His crucifixion. The cross was not so that God could forgive, but because God is forgiving. It blows to smithereens all falsehoods embraced by us (Col.2:8 – 15).

Building a Better Nation with Love Early on in this piece I made the statement “The image of God we hold at the core of our being is the image we will portray to the world.” I have painted a portrait of our triune God - Father, Son and Spirit - who gave all to rescue His beloved man. It presents a self-less, other-oriented, selfgiving, self-sacrificing Love. This is God personally present in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself, not holding against men their trespasses, but cancelling them (II Cor. 5:19). This God puts no conditions on His love.

Though we were at enmity with Him, He did not consider us the enemy.

Rather, the forces that held his treasure in tormenting bondage were His enemies, and His victory over them in His death and resurrection was our rescue. Through the incarnation he united Himself to us, carrying us with

him in death and resurrection, seating us with Him in heavenly places (Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 2:4 – 6).

Have we proclaimed this God? Is this the picture that our nation and world understand from us?

How do we build a better nation with love? We begin to see God as He is, find ourselves in Him, and live and love from there.

‌[W]e long for the love in which we forget ourselves and at the same time find ourselves. We encounter every other created being in the expectation of meeting God. For we have discovered that in these other people and these other creatures God waits for our love, and for the homecoming of his Shekinah: 'As you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me' (Matt.

25.40)."

Moltmann, Jurgen. The Spirit of Life. Fortress Press, January 1, 1992.

This is the way forward.

by: Dr. Dan L. Corse

Proverbs 22:28 (NKJ) – Do not remove the ancient landmark which your fathers have set.

Though secularists and historical revisionists may seek to convince us otherwise, Christianity is the worldview upon which Western culture was formed.

That same worldview was integral to the founding and

development of the United States. Even a novice historian, provided he or she is not led astray by secularists and revisionists, can easily discover the veracity of that being so. Recognizing the ease with which we can identify our nation’s spiritual underpinnings, why then do some seek to replace historical

reality with lies? To correctly formulate an answer to that question, we must first understand the goals of secularism.

Fundamentally, secularism espouses that we do not need God. It places man at the center of things rather than God and

rejects or disregards religious faith and worship, as demonstrated by its primary goal, the total elimination of all religious elements from our culture.

Morally speaking, secularism, also known as secular humanism, contends that there are no objective or absolute truths delineating right and wrong, making it incompatible with the biblical worldview that was integral to the founding and development of our nation.

Where secularism has been embraced, it has resulted in the proliferation of sin, which is a reproach to any people, instead of the righteousness that exalts a nation (Prov.

14:34). And, when we embrace secularized history, we endorse worldly and unspiritual attitudes and practices, resulting, culturally, in a greatly diminished spiritual influence and significance, which is a goal of secularists.

Furthermore, multitudes in the West, en masse during the last century and continuing today, have chosen to embrace a secular worldview over a biblical one.

Understanding that, it is easy to understand their desire to fabricate, consciously or unconsciously, our nation’s history. For those desiring to place man on the throne that should be rightfully reserved for God, an accurate historical narrative related to our nation’s founding and development, one integrally related to a biblical worldview, does not fit with their agenda. Thus, to them, the easiest possible fix is to rewrite the narrative.

How do they rewrite the narrative? To begin, they often focus only on the Founding Fathers some think were deists and not Christians, most notably Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin. It

is true that Thomas Jefferson’s spiritual views, which he sought to maintain in private, were quite unorthodox, from a Christian perspective.

However, a study of his life reveals that Jefferson, even while he embraced those unorthodox views, considered himself a Christian.

By mentioning this, we are not stating unequivocally that he was or was not a Christian, but merely that he saw himself as one, which undermines the strong aversion to Christianity that some insist he espoused.

In focusing upon Jefferson, it would be remiss to not consider his views on the “separation of church and state,” a phrase not found anywhere in the Constitution.

Responding in 1802 to a letter from the Danbury Connecticut Baptists, who were concerned that the government (State) may infringe upon their religious liberties, Jefferson

assured them that a “wall of separation” existed between the Church and State which prevented the State from doing so.

Further, he enumerated why the First Amendment protected their rights to religious expressions, whether private or public, without governmental interferences. And, so, this is how the Supreme Court interpreted the “Free Exercise Clause” of the First Amendment for the next 145 years, as there being a “wall” that prevented the State from infringing upon our religious liberties.

However, the SCOTUS decision in 1947’s Everson v.

Board of Education reversed those 145 years of precedents, beginning an erosion of our religious liberties that continues today.

Moving now to Dr. Franklin, we find that he did in his youth embrace deism.

However, later comments and

narratives about him are anything but deistic in nature.

When an impasse occurred at the Constitutional Convention, it was Franklin who rose and called for prayer and fasting to resolve the challenge, remarking that he recognized how God intervened in the affairs of men. That is hardly the view of deists, who see God as a cold and detached Creator who, after forming the universe as one would a watch, wound it up, and now stands aloof from it.

Further, it was Franklin who was integrally involved in the founding of the University of Pennsylvania, not as a secular or deist institution, but as a Christian college.

Whether Franklin, perhaps influenced by his dear friend, George Whitefield, the most noted Christian minister connected with the “First Great Awakening,” became a Christian or not is difficult to fully

ascertain, but there is surely evidence pointing in that direction.

Finally, secularists and revisionists, having attempted to muddy the waters of historical veracity with comments about Jefferson and Franklin, will then often turn to the majority of the Founding Fathers, describing them all as deists. Surely, it would be historically disingenuous to promote the view that every Founding Fathers was a deeply committed Christian.

However, in perusing their histories, it is obvious that the majority embraced a biblical or Christian worldview, which clearly influenced their thoughts and actions in the creation of our nation. Let us neither forget that the three men most quoted by the Founders, second only to their quoting from the Bible, were Jurist William Blackstone, Lawyer Baron de Montesquieu, and

Philosopher John Locke, each of which embraced a biblical or Christian worldview. As a side note, those three also believed that any laws devised by man that contradict the laws of nature, the name they used for God’s laws, were invalid or faulty.

Thus, as we celebrate our nation’s independence and creation, let us not be deceived and led astray by the false historical narratives

that secularists and revisionists promote related to its founding and development.

Instead, let us examine such narratives for their veracity in the light of historical reality, thereby empowering ourselves to recognize and reject those that are fantasies. Doing so will also strengthen the resolve of we who are trusting God for the revival and awakening that this nation so sorely needs. Let us neither

forget to whom we owe thankfulness for the existence of our great nation, God. Finally, let us remember the words of John Quincy Adams, 6th President and son of Founder and 2nd President, John Adams, “The highest glory of the American Revolution was this; it connected in one indissoluble bond the principles of civil government with the principles of Christianity.”

by: Dave Kachele Independence Day – I love it! It’s the celebration of our beloved nation’s birth!

The flags! The parades! The fireworks!

The BBQs! The Family Gatherings!

My mind goes back to studying about the colonization of the east coast by the English, the west coast by the Spanish, and the south by the French. America – the Melting Pot! People came from all over the world to the new promise land that we lovingly call the USA! And what a blessed nation we are!

Yet, as believers, we also are citizens of heaven along with people all over the world from every tribe and nation! So, our focus is much broader than our own borders. We are, “ … a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you (we) may declare the praises of him who called you (us) out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9) I’m patriotic. But as much as I value my US citizenship, my 1st commitment is to my King! If, God forbid, the freedom I have as a US citizen was taken from me, I’d still be FREE, because,

“… if the Son makes you (me) free, you (I) will be (am) free indeed!” (John 8:36) The first readers of John’s Revelation had to know where their loyalty belonged. To worship anything or anyone other than the emperor could get someone killed. Some One could be crucified by claiming He was the Son of God. Our temptation to the “worship of empire” is much more subtle.

Patriotism and love for God are intertwined so much that at times we have to remind ourselves where our citizenship really is.

So, what are we citizens of heaven here for? As children of our King, is it not to colonize earth for heaven? Is it not to declare the praises of God and bring others out of darkness into His/our Kingdom of Light?

Even as I celebrate America on July 4th, I’m going to be looking for opportunities to colonize earth for heaven, just like I do every day. But on Independence Day we may have more opportunities than usual. As we gather with family and friends, perhaps our King will open a door to tell someone how they can be REALLY FREE – FREE INDEED! Friends, I encourage you to be on the lookout for those God-moments. Be ready to practice the privilege and responsibility of your forever Citizenship!

Win and Grow Ministries Website: http://www.winandgrow.com Email: winngrow@gmail.com

by: Bishop Frank Dupree Hebrews 11:1 tells us that “Faith is the substance of things hoped for; the evidence of things not seen”…

Another way to say that is: “Faith is the Title Deed of the things not seen.

You could also say that “Faith is the Assurance that we have the things we do not see” Being assured of something is to be “Convinced” of it!

That’s not merely believing…

Believing is in the mind… it is “mental assent”.

Assurance and Conviction are what Faith is all about and they are in the heart!

Mark 11:24 (KJV) “Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”

Because the King James Version is so antiquated we have to find out what the Original Greek said and then put it into language we understand.

Jesus was saying: “Whatever your desires are, if you have received them into your heart when you pray, you can be sure you will have them”. So, there’s

much more to this than what meets the eye!

He is talking about the Spirit Realm… He did not say: “Whatever you want when you pray, if you try real hard to believe in your head that you’ve got it, you’ll get it”! That’s “make believe”!

Can you see how the essence of Hebrews 11:1 is actually within Mark 11:24?

Faith is a “Spiritual Substance” that is received in the heart and when it is placed there by God when we pray we have all the “Evidence” we need! It’s like being given the Title Deed to a house that we have not seen! We know the Giver of the Title Deed is Trustworthy and would not deceive us and so we “know” in our heart that we “own” that property! It’s ours even though we have not seen it yet!

We have just looked at another aspect of this… It is “Authority”…

God’s Word is the Authority for Faith! God is True and His Word is Truth and so we can accept it exactly as it is.

Let’s suppose you had a rich uncle but you were never close to him. When he died you might hope to get something in the will but you have no basis to believe you would.

If you heard him say once that he might leave something to those relatives whom he wasn’t close to but he wasn’t sure if he would you’d have no real basis to expect you’d receive anything either.

But, if you had a good relationship with him and he told you that when he died you were going to get a large inheritance from him. If he told you that he already put that in his will you wouldn’t wonder about getting an inheritance… you wouldn’t be hoping for something… No, you’d believe his word and know that you were remembered in his will!

That inheritance was not just money… it was a part of him that he left behind for you!

That rich uncle promised you an inheritance based upon your relationship with him. He made that clear… Your inheritance was based on your relationship… It was love that produced it.

The New Testament is the Last Will and Testament of Jesus and there are wonderful promises made to us in it! Peter calls them “Great and Precious promises!”

The way we find out about them is by getting to know Jesus though His Word… Just like knowing that rich uncle gave you the assurance that you had an inheritance, knowing Jesus is what gives you that same thing.

You spent time with that uncle… you talked to each other and got to know each other and every day that you spent together made a stronger bond and created more assurance in your heart for the future. You had in your heart the inheritance you did not yet have in your hand… Even though you’d never seen it… you knew it was yours!

It’s the same with Jesus!

You need to spend time with Him. You need to talk to Him. You do that by reading His Word and getting to know Him in it. Jesus IS the Word of God in human form…

As you spend time with Him and read His Word your relationship with Him will grow. You will understand more of His Last Will and Testament

and you will begin to find that the Great and Precious Promises in The Word are YOURS! You will absorb Truth with your Mind and as you battle against human reasoning, doubt and the other enemies of Faith you will find that your heart will open to Faith more and more.

Then, as you pray for those things you desire you will find that Jesus deposits Faith in your heart as you pray and you KNOW that you have them even before you ever see them.

You have complete Assurance for what He has placed in your heart…

You are Convinced and nothing will shake that Confidence in His Word and the Faith that’s in your heart!

That’s because you now have that “Spiritual Substance” that is so elusive to others… that Substance that the mind cannot contain because it is “Spiritual” and not “natural”…

And, you will have this Faith in you heart because you built a Relationship with Jesus!

You see, Faith is Relational…

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by: Speaker/Author Larry Thompson The battle is the Lord’s; the victory is ours. You may have heard these words before in song or even taught from the pulpit. True, the victory is ours for we are more than conquerors. A more accurate view is knowing that since Jesus had already defeated the enemy, there will not be another battle. “He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil” (I John 3:8 NKJV).

We simply enforce what is already true. We declare and decree what has already been won—both at the cross and the

grave. In that sense, the battle was the Lord’s, and we still enjoy the victory because we are more than conquerors. Our victory is forever! Keeping in line with that same perspective, e.g. Peter states, “Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed" (I Peter 2:24 NKJV).

You will notice that the verse

says were healed, past tense.

What Peter had obtained was victory from a battle that had already taken place. This enforcement came out of his mouth at the gate of Beautiful.

“Then Peter said, ‘Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk’“ (Acts 3:6 NKJV). He could already see into the spiritual realm that the man was already healed. By the authority that was in the name of Jesus, Peter simply enforced what was already true.

On many of the Pacific islands during World War II, multiple Japanese soldiers were holed up in them, prepared to defend them. After the war had been long fought and Japan had already surrendered, the declaration of V-J Day, better known as “victory in Japan,” meant that the war was over.

The Allies had victory over Japan. However, many of the soldiers on those Pacific islands were cut off from communication and had no knowledge of the war’s being over. Therefore, these soldiers continued to do battle when the American or Allied soldiers arrived.

One such story has been recorded of a particular Japanese soldier, Hiroo Onoda, who continued to hide in the jungles and fight with the island locals. He never surrendered until March 9, 1974, some 39 years after the war had already ended. This story enforces what has been accomplished in Christ for the believer. “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7; NKJV).

The following excerpt was taken from a book entitled Follow Me written in 1996 by Jan David Hettinga and published by NavPress. The article, “Your Sword First,” opens with the telling of the surrender of the Japanese at the end of World War II. At the end of World War II, General Douglas MacArthur was the official representative of the United States, and a highly decorated Japanese admiral represented the Japanese Imperial Forces. The two men met on the deck of the battleship Missouri to

sign an agreement that would end the bloodiest war in modern history. As the ceremony came to the actual moment of surrender, the Japanese admiral extended his hand in the familiar gesture of friendship and peace, but General MacArthur refused to take it. He kept his right hand at his side. Sternly he said, “Sir, your sword first, please.” Only after the defeated admiral had handed over his sword would MacArthur agree to grasp his hand.

I chose this excerpt to show that we cannot have ANY trace elements of the enemy’s signature in any condition set before us. Although the enemy is defeated, hindrances and deception still remains to avert anything we do in this spiritual realm—the glory. Jesus told the believer: “…Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you;

and to you who hear, more will be given. For whoever has, to him more will be given; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him” (Mark 4:24, 25 NKJV).

Someone may say, “God doesn’t give His glory to anyone.” Well, yes, that assertion is true; He does not give His glory to just anyone. In context, He gives His glory to His Messiah, which is taken from a verse found in Isaiah 42.

“I am the Lord, that is My name; and My glory I will not give to another, nor My praise to carved images” (Isaiah 42:8 NKJV).

This entire chapter addresses the Messiah. He is giving His glory to His Messiah, but not to any other, nor is He sharing that with idols and carved images.

He basically says the same in Romans: “Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles” (Romans 1:22, 23 NIV).

The Messiah says, “And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world

was. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one� (John 17:5, 22 NKJV).

by: Matthew Deves Freedom is a Person named Jesus.

Freedom Reigns IN you. It is time to stand up this 4th of July and shout, “I AM completely liberated!”

It’s your choice.

IN [this] freedom Christ has made us free [and completely liberated us]; stand fast then, and do not be hampered and held ensnared and submit again to a yoke of slavery [which you have once put off].

Galatians 5:1 AMP.

Of this verse, Wuest Word Studies says, “The liberty spoken of here does not refer to the kind of life a person lives, neither does it have reference to his words and actions, but it has to do with the method by which he lives that life. The Judaizers lived their lives by dependence upon self-effort in an attempt to obey the law. The Galatian Christians had been living in dependence

upon the indwelling Holy Spirit. Their hearts had been occupied with the

Lord Jesus…”

Their hearts had been occupied with Liberty. The new creation in Christ Jesus will conduct their lives with a new methodology.

They will approach this life from a new perspective and a new reality. God’s method was to give you the Gift of Himself. Despite your actions, Jesus already made you His Freedom by implanting His Resurrected Nature on the inside. We live and move as people who have

been set free. You and Liberty are one.

Christ has set us free! This means we are really free. Now hold on to your freedom and don't ever become slaves of the Law again.

Gal 5:1 CEV. You have the choice to let go of bondage.

Notice that the Apostle Paul doesn’t command the believers to fight the devil on this matter. He says to hold on to your own Liberty. Let go of slavery.

Believe that freedom belongs to you because of who is INSIDE you! Own it.

The same verse in the Mirror Bible is rendered, “Christ defines your faith; He is your freedom from any thing the law could never free you from!

Find your firm footing in this freedom.

of God?

Do not let religion trip you up again and harness you to a system of rules and obligations!”

•

If you notice yourself feeling trapped, be released

Do you think that you must “get back” in right standing with God?

•

Do you constantly feel like others are pleasing to God, but you are not?

from the obligations

and guilt that religion uses to snare you. This instruction might sound abstract unless

worded a few different ways. Try these phrases and see if any of them match your recent thoughts.

•

Have you been trying to earn Gods’ favor with your works?

•

Have you been stressing to pay for God’s Blessing with your tithes and offerings?

•

Do you tell yourself that you are not enough and must be missing out on doing the will

Sound familiar? Getting tripped up by any of these lies? They are anti-Freedom.

Jesus died and took the guilt, shame, and need to “do-ityourself” away. The freedom from this way of thinking is found in Jesus words in John 8:32 when He said.

"And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free. Spoken another way, “In this abiding, you will fully know the truth about who you are, and this knowing will be your freedom.”

Mirror Bible

Liberty abides in you. Knowing that Freedom lives in you is the antidote for slavery. There is no need to trap yourself into the old way of thinking again.

preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. Luke 4:18-19

Remember Jesus’ mission statement when He was reading from the book of Isaiah. The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to

The Amplified version of Isaiah 61:1 says "...to proclaim liberty to the [physical and spiritual] captives."

Jesus read this passage and proclaimed your Liberty,

then set you at Liberty, so that you can live free. You

are no longer a physical or spiritual captive. He is your Liberty. He is your Freedom. He reigns in you now!

And because you [really] are [His] sons, God has sent the [Holy] Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, Abba

(Father)!

Father!

Therefore, you are no longer a slave (bond servant) but a son; and if a son, then [it follows that you are] an heir by the aid of God, through Christ. Gal 4:1-7 Amp.

MEET PASTOR JO BRUNS If you asked Pastor Jo Bruns about her favorite childhood memories, she would tell you, “Going to the library with my dad.” It was through this bond that reading books became a life-long passion which later fueled her desire to write. It was through the book “The Little People” by Pastor David Wilkerson where she initially invited Christ into her life; and it stirred her desire to help those suffering from or affected by addiction and/or mental illness.

Prior to ordination in 2014, Pastor Jo Bruns received certificates of completion from the Billy Graham School of Evangelism, Victory Leadership Institute, and Every Nation Leadership Institute. She is also certified in C.E.R.T (Community Emergency Response Training), Mental Health First Aid, CWM Basic Peer Counseling Training, and is a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors.

In addition to writing an inspirational monthly column for her local newspaper, she actively assists with various ministries and volunteers in her local church. Her passion can be summed up with the scripture “Encourage One Another and Build Each Other Up.” Because she’s experienced brokenness, grief, and addiction in her own life, as well as the subsequent healing through Jesus, ministering to others through pastoral care, prison ministry, small group Bible studies, recovery support groups, and writing have become her main focus. She is also the founder of UpWords International; and is currently writing a book on the subject of brokenness and

finding healing through Jesus.

Pastor Jo Bruns lives in St. Louis, MO. She has two sons, Mark and Jeff, and the “daughter of her heart,” Jessica. She’s also known as Nana to five Joys -Kasten, Jasper, Michael, Mykailyn and ShaylaJo. She has worked for her local utility company for approximately 33 years (and jokingly states that she’s “still not old enough to retire”)!

She can be reached through e-mail at jbmin738@sbcglobal.net or through her personal FB page or FB ministry page UpWords International.

by: Pastor Jo Bruns “Look! I’ve brought you right to the edge of the land that I, the Eternal, swore I’d give to your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and to their descendants after them. Go in, and take possession of it!” Deuteronomy 1:8 (VOICE) America—the land of promise; America—the land of the brave; America—home of the free.

Scores of people from all over the world, through many centuries, have sought to “come to America.” Long before the Pilgrims and the Puritans ever set foot on American soil, they longed for freedom from tyranny. They had experienced persecution for their religious

beliefs and sought a land where they could serve God without the constraints of governing authorities. Today, that same sentiment persists.

Seeking a land, which offers a place of refuge from the tyranny of government, isn’t a new concept. Even in Biblical times, the Israelites sought to be free from Egyptian rule and to serve God as He had directed. Moses went before Pharoah several times to convince him to “Let

my people go!” Finally, they were granted release. Today, many still seek religious asylum and freedom from persecution and desire to come into “the promised land.”

When I think of the “faith of our fathers,” both in the spiritual and natural sense, I am in awe of the fortitude of their endeavors.

In a day and age where there’s often a church on every corner and a pastor for every congregation, when one looks back in history, that wasn’t often the case. And, yet, faith was very central in their daily lives. God was the center of their very existence. Today, instead of unity among believers in America, there are some who clearly avoid the very mention of God and seek to remove every aspect of God from our society and our history. We, as a nation, need to remember our roots and the foundation on which this nation was formed.

Instead, God has been given “the boot.”

It’s time, we Americans “return to our God and to seek His face.”

determining what was good versus evil and subject to correction, in each community.

Faith was the guiding force, not only in the family unit, but in every aspect of life.

As Americans ventured forth from New England to California and established new communities, one of their first priorities was the building of the local church and schoolhouse where the Bible was taught. At an early age, children learned to read by reading the Bible. Even the textbooks, such as The New England Primer, were based on Christian values and principles; and colleges, such as Harvard and Yale, were formed to train ministers.

As America has “aged” it seems to have forgotten the very core of its existence. Today, prayer has been removed from schools, the “doctrine of tolerance” is enforced in the workplace and Christmas has been reduced to a “winter holiday.” Sunday, a day of worship, has become like any other day of the week. Yes, America needs to revisit the “faith of our fathers.”

Throughout American history, this “homestead faith” was crucial to the lives of its inhabitants. God was relied upon for provision, healing, and the establishment of laws,

When one studies American history, you will discover that the pursuit of liberty is so intertwined with religion that it would be impossible to look at one without the other. Famous

French historian, Alexis de Toqueville, who visited America during the period of the Second Great Awakening in the 19th Century, stated “The Americans combine the notions of religion and liberty so intimately in their minds, that it is impossible to make them conceived of one without the other.” He also stated, “Liberty cannot be established without morality nor morality without faith.”

Today, some argue that religion has no place in establishing the morals of today’s society. But, without including faith in establishing and maintaining laws within our cities, states, and nation, we run the risk of anarchy, a society where “anything goes.” Clearly, that isn’t what the Founding Fathers

desired when the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were written and established.

The Founding Fathers acknowledged the Creator and sought, not to establish a government free from religion, but a government where the people were free to freely worship their Creator without government interference. Again, we need to return to the “faith of our fathers.”

As we participate in America’s “birthday” celebration of its Declaration of Independence, let’s remember what the Lord says: “If My people, who are called by My Name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land (2 Chronicles 7:14).”

By: Richard W. Rundell What does Jesus expect us to do with what He gives us? What can we do to help the Kingdom of God grow? We may also wonder, “When is the Kingdom of God?” We might examine these serious but practical questions in light of the parable of the talents that Jesus told in Matthew 25 (NIV).

Verse 14, “Again, it (the kingdom of heaven) will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them.” Both Jesus and John the Baptist declared the Kingdom of God was at hand or near (geographically and in time), not just in the distant

future (Matt. 3:2; 4:17). He also declared the Kingdom of God is within you (Luke 17:21). So this parable applies to the time when His disciples listened to Him but also to us today.

(15). “To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey.”

We cannot assume the time taken for this journey refers to some distant future such as many years or a lifetime either for these servants or as a lesson for us today. That would not fit the parable or the scriptures.

The first two servants went at once to put the money to work, and doubled their money while the third hid his master’s money.

Notice the words, “at once.”

God expects us to begin investing our money or abilities in short order, giving kingdom business top priority.

(19). "After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them.”

We can assume that that master took longer than a few days for his journey, yet not many years or a lifetime, but long enough for the first two servants to double their money in the market place and long enough that the third servant could also have doubled his money.

This lesson or parable would prove meaningless if it referred to many years. Does it take 20 or 30 years or a lifetime to double our money? No. For us today, how long does it take to double our money or our productivity? We might invest in the stock market and double our money in a few minutes, hours, days or weeks. For a salesman, he might double his sales in a few weeks or a few

months, not many years. Again, by the Scriptures, we cannot assume the parable refers to many years or a lifetime. When the master returned, he commended the first two servants, not by taking the money they made, but by putting them in charge of many things.

(26) To the third servant, his master called him a wicked, lazy servant.

(27) Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.”

(28) " Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents.”

From verse 28, notice his master did not take the talents away from the first two servants. The Lord expects us to invest our money and abilities or expand our ministry.

The third servant also had the ability to double his money. For him, hiding the money in the earth or spending it on himself to buy luxuries was not the issue. The issue was, what could he do to invest the money to

work for him? At least he could put it in the bank. His master called him lazy, not because he wouldn’t sweep floors but rather wouldn’t invest his talents. If we hide our God given ability, talent, spiritual gift or testimony, we will eventually lose it.

The Kingdom of God is a kingdom of growth and multiplication (Acts 12:24; 2 Cor. 9:10). And God expects us to catch the vision for that Kingdom growth. He expects us to sow bountifully the seed He gives us (2 Cor. 9:6).

The teaching of the Kingdom of God and this parable applies to us for practical daily living here

and now. The principle and lesson at hand is to make the money, skill or God-given ability work for us rather than we work for money. What do we do with the abilities and money God gives us? We put them to work. God expects us to invest the abilities and Christian values we possess into society and our country, to help make this a safer, more prosperous land.

God expects us to have a vision beyond ourselves, our family and local church, to see the need in the mission field and around the world. Once we catch that vision, we will see the manifestation of the productivity and income beyond our own effort and ourselves.

By: Tom Tompkins, Jr

As a success coach, I am interested in discovering where my clients are focused when we begin the process of working together. In each case, every person is focused on something: often more than one thing. Whether positive or negative, one area of focus dominates over all others.

I often see that the area of focus in a person’s life is based on something from the past. Whether it was a failed business deal, the loss of a loved one, or a failed relationship, where a person chooses to place their primary focus will determine the direction in which they will travel.

The worst thing any of us can do is look back to a place where we have come from when that place is not a desirable destination to which we want to return.

If you find yourself returning to the same undesirable experiences in life, I encourage you to find one or more quotes in my article in this month’s edition of Faith Unlimited and write it down on several index cards or places of reference. Place then in areas where you will see them on a regular basis and meditate on their words. Doing so will change the way you think. When you change what you are thinking upon, you will change the outlook of your life. If you desire positive change, it is likely time to change what you are focusing on.

“The road to success is filled with twists and turns. Do not allow this reality to keep you from moving forward.”

Whether it is based on your own personal experiences, fear of the unknown, or the experiences of those around you, you are capable of being a success. While being a success is not an experience of arriving, but constant course correction during the process, it is okay to know that there will challenging times along the way. Whether it involves twists, turns, or unexpected struggles, never allow the negatives of life to keep you from trying or stopping you from moving forward.

“Achieving your highest potential involves continue to move forward after experiencing failure.”

There are many differences that separate the haves from the havenots. One primary point of separation is found in those who give up and those who refuse to give up.

Personally, I am operating my sixth and seventh businesses. Some of the business ventures I have been involved in over the years have been successful while others, not so much. One lasted only a few months before taking me for nearly everything I had at the time. Yet, I did not give up and now spend much of my time teaching others based on the mistakes I made over the years.

While I do not recommend taking part in the school of hard knocks, one advantage for those of us who have failed at something is that we can bless those whom we come in contact with, teaching them based on our mistakes and helping them to avoid making the same mistakes.

It is possible to not only stand back up and keep moving in the face

of failure, but to learn from such experiences to be used of God to help others avoid the same trial.

Knowing that failure can visit any of us at any time does not mean we are believing for failure. It simply means we are prepared ahead of time, listening for warnings of the Holy Spirit and knowing that anytime we fall, we shall arise in the midst of any negative circumstance (Micah 7:8).

“Meaning well and being right do not always go hand in hand.�

This is one of the most important quotes I share. Anytime we are pursuing something new, possibly something those around have not tried or may have failed at previously, we are sure to receive large amount of advice. In such situations, those who may give ill-advice, encouraging us to take a different route other than pursuing what God has given us a desire to do, they mean well and have our best interest in mind.

However, while most everyone around us means well, such a reality does not automatically mean they are right in how they are advising us. How do you know who to listen to and who you should not listen to?

First, pay careful attention to those who give unsolicited advice.

Often, such people have little to no experience at what it is you are working to accomplish. Remember, nobody can pass on to others what is not operational in their own life.

Secondly, if someone gives you advice about something they have tried but failed at doing, you are likely to want to avoid taking their advice. Those who have experienced success will not only have a positive outlook, but will know the ropes of failure and success. Such people have a balanced opinion of what you should do and what to expect in a given venture.

When all is said and done, people will often come out of the woodwork to give advice to those they care about, yet caring about someone does not equate to having right knowledge about a given

subject. Be sure to vet every opinion you receive as many are speaking based on book knowledge at best while others are speaking based on a complete lack of knowledge and experience.

When all is said and done, the best thing you can do is politely listen to anyone who wishes to give you advice. If you are not sure if you should take to heart what they have said, ask God what He has to say about the matter and how He wants you to proceed.

TEEN WARRIORS SECTION

by: Mikea Fulton What does this title mean, "In God We Trust?" Well let's first define 'trust.'

Trust: Firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability or strength of someone or something.

What do think it means now? Those first two words really stick out to me. "Firm belief." It isn't always easy to be a firm believer. But, if we stay consistent in God's Living Word, life will be easier.

God loves His children. He loves us with unexplainable love.

His Word is there to protect us. He created this shield, this force field for us. He is so generous! God is always there for us. We have to trust Him, and have firm belief in Him. Then he will never fail us.

Hey there Whiz Kids!

The 4th of July is coming up, so I wanted to give you guys some ideas for activities! (See the pictures above. #1. Tie Dye some TShirts – This might not sound like a Fourth of July activity, but you can turn it into one if you use the colors red, white, and blue!

by: Grace Meier Can you believe this was me? đ&#x;˜Š

#2. Make an Uncle Sam out of a paper bag. #3. Hand painted rock – Hand paint a rock to make it look like the American Flag. #4. Fireworks – Ask your parents to buy some fireworks and set them off. #5. Sparklers – I have never done these, but from what I hear, they are fun! #6. Star Spangled Slime – All you need to do is make white slime and put some Fourth of July stars on it.

by: Stuart E. Smith “..the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night, that our flag was still there…”

Star Spangled Banner This song that is often heard played before the contests

between two opposing teams, was originally penned by an inspired writer named Francis Scott Key. He was witness to a battle in the defense of Fort M’Henry.

During the night, British ships had bombarded that American Fort.

Yet, in the

morning the flag waved defiantly to those who had meant to rip her down with their guns.

Indeed, many Americans will shed tears when that old song is resounded through our stadiums across

this nation. There are those who cry because of the love they have for their nation.

There are some who might cry because they see how this young country is being torn apart. As a Christian man in the 21st Century, it is with pause that I say which I am.

I love our country, believe me, as the grandson of an Army Ranger born in the South, this is my country.

As I have traveled the world and listened, I can hear in the world’s voice a certain disdain for our traditional American values.

The liberal media and left leaning forces have stormed the gates and taken much of the pride of Americanism and replaced it with regret.

There is movement

this that

wants to apologize

to the world for who we are as a people.

Those same voices decry faith in the God of the Bible and would have Christianity as a whole crawl away without protest.

We are undoubtedly living in those

times mentioned in the Holy Scriptures, a time when they would call good evil, and evil good.

The Church is reaching out oftentimes to the masses with a more world friendly

gospel.

This message isn’t at all about redemption, but is a modernized repackaged Jesus that simply says, everybody can go to heaven on their own road.

I write to you dear ones, do not be afraid. No, do not be ashamed of who we are. We are followers of the risen Lord Christ. We are the children of the one and only Almighty

God through His Salvation. As Lee

Greenwood might sing, “I am proud to be an American” so too must we sing, “Onward Christian

Soldiers.” This is not time to be as the cowardly Lion in the “Wizard of Oz.” We must be prepared to continue to tell the world the truth, no matter how difficult it is to get them to listen. We must find our COURAGE in the scriptures. We are called according to His purpose to be salt and light in an often dark and unsalted land.

Our nation needs to call on God now more than ever before. We cannot afford to wait till there is another horrendous attack against us. Our

Patriotism cannot override our Christian commitment to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Recently, Arkansas placed a Ten Commandments

monument on their Capital grounds. It wasn’t even a day later, when someone with bitterness and premeditated intent used his truck to knock down the very symbol of God’s commands.

In these United States of America, we presently celebrate our 241st Year of Independence from the rule of an Earthly king. It appears in our rush to erase our national memory of faith in God or His word, we are not very far from

voting out Christianity. This was once a national glue of morality and accountability that held us all together.

We must place first in our lives the collective call to this spiritual war that is taking place. This war has caused our nation much harm.

Our children and grandchildren are being

indoctrinated

with an antiChristian message that at first sounds neutral and then slips into Godlessness. It is our duty to remind our national leaders that this is, OUR COUNTRY TOO!

Our warfare isn’t about taking up arms against the government. It is to make a noise of unfiltered truth to blast away the

negative reverberations of our opponents long enough that, the WORD will prevail! I ask you to do these things; pray for our nation, participate in the public discussion, come out of the closet as believers, support financially and with your labor any great Christian

work already in motion. Do this for God and for our country.

In the last days, we shall be the Victors according to the scriptures.

However, there is much work to do until then. As the brave men and women of our armed forces go out there to the hottest and most dangerous places in the world to fight terrorism, let us be vigilant and

aware of our call.

Here we go dear friends, “Onward

Christian soldiers, marching on to war, with the

cross of Jesus, going on before.�

Question 1. How do we know if we are consuming enough water or not?

Answer: Look at the color of your Urine. The first urine in the morning should be concentrated and yellow as a result of normally functioning kidney and bladder. Subsequent urine should be odorless and colorless. If it is not colorless and odorless, you may not be drinking enough water.

Some of the foods, vitamin supplements and medications do affect the color and smell of urine. Water has no fats, proteins, or carbohydrates. Water has no calories.

Question 2. Can a person drink too much water?

Answer: Too much water can dilute electrolytes in your blood specially the sodium. This can cause epileptic seizures and even death. Studies indicate that one can safely drink up to 40 cups of water per day.

Question 3. What causes thirst?

Answer: The saliva in the mouth decreases, as the body uses up the water, making our mouth dry resulting in thirst. Drinking water regulates body temperature, transports nutrients from our food through digestive system for absorption of nutrients and removes toxins as waste through urine and stool.

Question 4. Why do boys grow up to be taller than girls?

Answer: Boys keep growing from infancy to 21 years of age. Girls keep growing from infancy to 18 years of age. This gives boys an advantage of added two years to grow taller. Also, the Testosterones help the bones to grow longer.

Question 5. Do men lose weight faster than women?

Answer. The answer is YES. Men lose weight faster than women. The fat is stored differently and mobilized differently.

1. Men gather fat around abdomen which is easier to mobilize because it is not supported by hormones. Women additionally gather fat around hips and the thigh region. This fat is harder to mobilize due support by hormones.

2. Men are larger and born with more muscle. Muscle mass allows to burn more calories at rest (Basal metabolism).

3. Men are born with larger lung capacity than women. It enables men for more vigorous exercise than women to burn more calories.

Question 6. What are Thermogenic Foods?

Answer. Thermogenic foods raise the basal metabolism rate. These are the magic foods everybody is looking for, that will increase the rate to burn calories without exercise. Example of Thermogenic foods are: Green tea, Black tea, hot red peppers, and Ginger.

Green tea and Black tea contains epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). EGCG increases Thermo genesis. Green teas have 5 times more EGCG than black tea. One cup of Green tea can increase metabolism by 4%.

This is Dewanshu Ahlawat, a Certified Nutritionist with 20 other certifications. If you have any query regarding your health and nutrition, please feel free to contact me at dewanshuahlawat@gmail.com or you may even ring me at +91-9493289503. I express my word of thanks to the Editor in Chief, Mrs. Faye G Hanshew, for publishing my article in her esteemed magazine. Keep reading this wonderful magazine and do read my next article on Nutrition in the coming months. Please take care and stay fit.

Spirit Directed - Spirit Power Sometimes we find ourselves in situations, and we don't know what to do. But God has the answer for us. God never intended those in ministry in the body of Christ to carry out their work powered by the flesh or carried out by human intelligence. No. No. No. God has designed us to be Led by His Spirit. (The Holy Spirit) God has given us His Spirit to help us make right decisions.

When we face difficult situations, persecution, spiritual attacks (Satan inspired) We must be Led by the Spirit.

Many lives are affected by what we do or what we do not do.

Our decisions should never be made by human intellect. We have The Holy 'Spirit to 'help us. 'We must learn to listen to Him. As we listen to Him, we will hear things that other people do not hear.

God also leads us by his written Word, The Bible.

Deuteronomy 4:5- 6 says: 5 Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the LORD my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it.

6 Keep

therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.

The written word of God is the Wisdom of God. In Luke 11:49 says, “Therefore also said' the wisdom of God, I wilt send' them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute.”

Do you need the wisdom of God today for your Church or House group? The Bible is the place to look for it.

The written Word of God assures success in ministry. (Bearing Fruit) Joshua 1:7-8 says, 7 Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper withersoever thou goest.

8 This

book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

The written Word of God brings light to our walk Psalm 119:105 says, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”

1. God leads us by His Word 2. We must adopt the right attitude toward God's Word 3. The attitude should be obedience See Isaiah 8:20, “ To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.”

4. God will NEVER lead us contrary to His Written Word The Holy Spirit leads us into all truth by the Word of God John 16:13 says, “ Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come.”

1. Study the word of God for guidance 2. Know what the Word of God says before you make decision 3. Before appointing leaders, find out the Biblical Qualifications for Church Leadership Study 1 Timothy chapter 3.

4. When we depart from the teaching of the Word we get into trouble.

God Guides us by our Integrity Proverbs 11:3 s a y s , “ The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.”

Integrity means Uprightness of Character and HonestyI Job 27: 3-6 says, 3 All the while my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils; 4 My lips shall not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceit.

5 God forbid that I should justify you: till I die I will not remove mine integrity from me.

6 My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live.

When we make a decision to live by i nt egri t y, li fe becom es eas i er.

I Pastors must lead by integrity Psalm 78:70-72 says: 70 He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds: 71 From following the ewes great with young he brought him to feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance.

72 So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skillfulness of his hands.

1. No one should be put into leadership positions in the Church just because they give money.

2. If they are not God’s choice, it will break the principle of integrity to put them in leadership.

3. Integrity means; "I will not use questionable means to raise funds.

4. Pastors Guard the ministry that God has given you with integrity.

5. Be honest with people when you speak.

6. Don't violate your conscience.

7. Every time you comprise the truth to get something you will lose it.

GOD GUIDES US BY HIS PEACE 1. Let the peace of God decide and settle all questions that arise in your mind. Colossians 3 v 15 Amp. And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts (deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state) to which as (members of Christ's) one body you were also called (to Live) And be thankful (appreciate) (giving praise to God always.

As you start to pray about doing something, ask yourself: do I have peace in my heart or do I feel hesitant or uneasy.

Walking in the pathway of wisdom leads to peace Proverbs 3 v 13- 17 Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gets understanding 14 For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. 15 She is more precious than rubies: and all the things you can desire are not compared to her. 16 Length of days is in her right hand; and in her lefthand riches and honour. 17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.

1. Many decisions can be made on the basis of having peace about them.

2. Jesus is the Prince of Peace.

GOD GUIDES US THROUGH THE COUNSEL OF OTHERS Proverbs 20 v 18 Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war. Proverbs 24 v 6 For by wise counsel you shall make war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.

God has given us the Body of Christ to help us.

1. No man or woman is an island unto themselves 2. If the counsel you are receiving from others is different from what God has placed in your heart, take more time to pray about it.

3. You alone have to answer to God for your decisions.

4. But others can help us see things in a new light; consider things we have never considered before.

5. They can help us to take a look at our own motives and to consider The right timing.

6. We must be open to those who LOVE us Proverbs 18:1 says, “ Through desire a man, having separated himself, Seeks and intermeddles with all wisdom.�

GOD LEADS US THROUGH A His Word B Our Integrity C His Peace D Counsel of others MAN IS A SPIRIT BEING

Zechariah 12:1 says, “The burden of the Word of the Lord for Israel, says the Lord, which stretches forth the heavens, and lays the foundation of the Earth, and forms the Spirit of man within him.”

God forms the spirit within man 1. Man has spirit within him.

2. Man is a three part being A-spirit B-soul C-body 1 Thessalonians 5:23 says, “And the very God of Peace sanctify you Wholly, and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be Preserved blameless until the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

3. There is a difference between the spirit and the soul of man.

4. The spirit is the real person that lives inside the body.

5. The soul is made up of will, the mind and the emotions.

Plank Bridge Cascille, Northern Ireland

By: Ernest Kweku Nanor And make our nation great and strong, Bold to defend forever The cause of Freedom and of Right; Fill our hearts with true humility, Make us cherish fearless honesty, And help us to resist oppressors' rule With all our will and might for evermore.

Every country under the sun was founded

by God; and it is proven by scripture from Genesis, the first book of the Jewish ‘Law and Prophets’ similarly referred to as The Old Testament; and it reads; ‘In the beginning, God created the Heavens and the Earth…’

Every country that thinks that it wasn’t

founded by God is either ignorant or a stubborn one, however, God doesn’t cease to be good to them; as far as they are ignorant about the scripture God has given them a conscience to check their activities and doings.

Someone asked me some time ago, “Brother Ernest, how about the cannibals,

do they know about God?” And the answer is No. but they have their own set of beliefs. They have their own ways for which they

demonstrate love among themselves.

Another person asked that Brother, “What If I were born a cannibal and as a result of that I don’t have access to the bible, talk about even believing in the name of Jesus Christ; In this case If I should die a cannibal, without the knowledge of God nor Jesus Christ, will I make it to Heaven?”

I said no, However, God has a way of sending some radical believers of his to that mile, it’s not impossible, he has a way of dealing with them. Also, let me say that he has a plan for everyone he created, and that is why he charged his Apostles to go into all the world and preach the gospel to ‘every creature.’

When the Europeans came to the Gold Coast in the 1500s, Gold Coast wasn’t a nation that knew God, though there were Ethnic groups, cultural practices, and different belief

systems among the people of the, then Gold Coast, and Ghana as we see now, the Bible and Jesus Christ was completely new to our fore-fathers.

Since everyone cherished their belief systems and would like to uphold, honor, and sacrifice for it at all cost, only a few people wanted to embrace the Bible as the ultimate book which held the eternal destinies of the people because of fear of the consequences that was believed to befall on everyone who denies their original tradition, culture, and customs.

Surely, there were horrible sanctions imposed on some people by the traditional rulers of the land and it took those that embraced the bible as ultimate truth to stand it all; some were beaten; others were imprisoned and given a lot of ill-treatments for going against the

traditions, customs, and other practices of the fore-fathers.

Almost everyone, who travels from any part of the world to Africa or any country on the African continent have a ‘taste’ of the realities of the Bible because these struggles were the exact struggles which the Apostles of the new testament had to go through as a result of standing and upholding to the truth that was given to them by God which was direct contradiction to the practices of the aged generation.

Most people would easily feign themselves under the guise of the Bible and cheat on others in the same beliefs with those who were considered as minors or the general public.

In the book of Ezekiel for instance a lot on this was treated and God used a lot of illustrations to describe situations like this; similarly in the Gospel, Jesus

referred these as hypocrisies, especially when it came from people who should know better about the scripture.

Records by some group of Scholars in Ghana reveals that Christianity holds over 78% of the entire National population in this nation; and my question is if so, then why do we record a lot of corruption, bribery, immorality, breaking homes, breaking marriages etc‌ (I am someone who have suffered broken home and suffered from the hands of tradition and even now) every year in our nation if these number are all Christians and we have the Word?

I am sure that most of the people in this category, though in the church, occupying great seats are not actually Christians and they have been planted by the evil one as tares to war against the seed

of Christ in the church as indicated by the Lord in his parable in Mathew 13.

1

Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; 2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. 3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

5

For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.

6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; 10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.

11 For we which live are always

delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.

12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.

2Cor 4:1-12 Today in Ghana, people are brutally beat, imprisoned for the faith they hold on a few bases; and this will not come from anywhere but the same church premises that we find ourselves in; which is not in other parts of world. Most people who are not experiencing any of these cases, instead of boasting on their beliefs should rather pray for the brethren or help in adopting them and help them with the best of their abilities. There is a

spiritual contest in our land especially against the little ones who hears the Gospel and would relegate their pre-existed beliefs or traditions of their fathers for the Gospel and I am a personal testimony with a whole lot of instances which cannot be cited here at this time but in all instances God still reigns.

I always say that the battle between Moses and Pharaoh took place in Africa, Egypt; and when God wanted to deliver his people, Israel from the hands of the Africans, it was through his miraculous signs and wonders.

Today miracles, signs and wonders in Africa are in most of our meetings because there are

a lot to be saved on this land. Reinhard Bonnke is one of the successful Evangelists on this land throughout the generations of the world, seeing over 3,461,171 people who believed in the name of Jesus Christ and got baptized by the Holy Spirit in a single night in Lagos Nigeria alone at the end of the year 1999.

There is a lot which he aims to do with you also on this same land Ghana and any other African nation if you will only trust him; however, he will not achieve this with you if you are not willing to deny your selfish interest for his interest alone.

Find out from Mr. Reinhard, about how he relegated his interest for the Interest of God.

A

lmighty GOD; we make our earnest prayer that

Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy holy protection, that thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government; and entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow citizens of the United States of America at large. And finally that Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility and pacific temper of mind which were the characteristics of The Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without whose example in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation. Grant our supplication, we beseech thee, through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen

George Washington's prayer was adapted from his Circular Letter to the Governors of the United States http://www.sunlituplands.org/2008/02/george-washingtons-prayer-for-united.html

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If you are not a Christian all you have to do is repent of your sins and invite Jesus into your

Say the prayer below, and mean it from your heart. If you decide to make Jesus Lord of your life, we would LOVE to hear from you.

https://www.facebook.com/faithunlimitedemagazine and leave us a note. God Bless you for this life changing decision!

I know I am a sinner. I thank you for dying on the cross for me. I confess with my mouth. I believe in my heart that you are the Son of God. I believe you are the Lord and that God raised you from the dead. Please, forgive me of my sins. Wash my heart clean. Come live in my life. Be the Lord of my life. Fill me with your Holy Spirit. Teach me to walk with you and live for you the rest of my life.

Thank you for saving me and for giving me the gift of eternal life in Heaven with you. Amen.

This day, and every day, remember to take the time to say a prayer for our Military Men and Women.

For Protection: Father, Thank You for the men and women that protect this nation! Father, as they protect us, protect them as well! Lord, You know where they will be today and I pray that You will be there with them to guide them through whatever challenges and trials they face this day. I thank You for these men and women, Lord! I love You! Amen

Those Overseas/Their Families: Oh Lord, So many children are missing their mommies and daddies today. Please bring our troops back home safely to their families. These kids yearn to be with both parents and I pray that You will allow our troops to remain safe and sound until they return to their homes. Lord, be with their spouses. Give them strength to walk through each day, knowing that You have things under control. May the love that the husbands and wives share be multiplied greatly as they reunite later. Bring our troops home safely, Lord! I love You! Amen

Those Here: Almighty God, Thank You for the men and women who are on our soil defending us from nuclear threats and attacks. Father, I pray that you will disarm and fail every attempt the enemy has at causing destruction to our nation. Give our troops the knowledge in advance to divert any attempt to hurt us. Lord, be with our brave men and women here! I thank You for them all! I love You! Amen!

POW/MIA: Blessed Lord, I can’t even imagine how hard it is for the families who are stuck in the “unknown.” Some of our men and women have been imprisoned overseas. Lord, even as Peter and Paul were thrown in prison, You were with them. May it be so with our brave and courageous troops. Be with those who are in danger. Please, provide them a way home to their families. Father, be with their loved ones back home. Give them a peace that passes all understanding to know that You have this under control even when it seems like everything is out of control. For those MIA, I pray that answers will be given so that closure can be had. Father, these situations are so incredibly difficult and overpowering to our emotions and can bring us to all-time lows in depression. Father, lead those who feel this way this day. Be with them. Wrap Your arms around them and love them like crazy! I love You, Father! Amen Read more: http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/8prayers-for-soldiers-and-troops/#ixzz4lcD0I6nw