IS THERE A GOD?

Unlike any other revelation of God, Jesus Christ is the clearest, most specific picture of God revealing himself to us. Why Jesus? Look throughout the major world religions and you'll find that Buddha, Muhammad, Confucius and Moses all identified themselves as teachers or prophets. None of them ever claimed to be equal to God. Surprisingly, Jesus did. That is what sets Jesus apart from all the others. He said God exists and you're looking at him. Though he talked about his Father in heaven, it was not from the position of separation, but of very close union, unique to all humankind. Jesus said that anyone who had seen Him had seen the Father, anyone who believed in him, believed in the Father. Just once wouldn't you love for someone to simply show you the evidence for God's existence? No arm-twisting. No statements of, "You just have to believe." Well, here is an attempt to candidly offer some of the reasons which suggest that God exists. But first consider this. When it comes to the possibility of God's his, the Bible says that there are people who have seen sufficient evidence, but they have suppressed the truth about God. 1 On the other hand, for those who want to know God if he is there, he says, "You will seek me and find me; when you seek me with all your heart, I will be found by you." 2 Before you look at the facts surrounding his existence, ask yourself, If God does exist, would I want to know him? Here then, are some reasons to consider... 1. The complexity of our planet points to a deliberate Designer who not only created our universe, but sustains it today. Many examples showing God's design could be given, possibly with no end. But here are a few: The Earth ...its size is perfect. The Earth's size and corresponding gravity holds a thin layer of mostly nitrogen and oxygen gases, only extending about 50 miles above the Earth's surface. If Earth were smaller, an atmosphere would be impossible, like the planet Mercury. If Earth were larger, its atmosphere would contain free hydrogen, like Jupiter. 3 Earth is the only known planet equipped with an atmosphere of the right mixture of gases to sustain plant, animal and human life. The Earth is located the right distance from the sun. Consider the temperature swings we encounter, roughly -30 degrees to +120 degrees. If the Earth were any further away from the sun, we would all freeze. Any closer and we would burn up. Even a fractional variance in the Earth's position to the sun would make life on Earth impossible. The Earth remains this perfect distance from the sun while it rotates around the sun at a speed of nearly 67,000 mph. It is also rotating on its axis, allowing the entire surface of the Earth to be properly warmed and cooled every day. And our moon is the perfect size and distance from the Earth for its gravitational pull. The moon creates important ocean tides and movement so ocean waters do not stagnate, and yet our massive oceans are restrained from spilling over across the continents. 4 Water ...colorless, odorless and without taste, and yet no living thing can survive without it. Plants, animals and human beings consist mostly of water (about two-thirds of the human body is water). You'll see why the characteristics of water are uniquely suited to life: It has wide margin between its boiling point and freezing point. Water allows us to live in an environment of fluctuating temperature changes, while keeping our bodies a steady 98.6 degrees. Water is a universal solvent. This property of water means that various chemicals, minerals and nutrients can be carried throughout our bodies and into the smallest blood vessels. 5 Water is also chemically neutral. Without affecting the makeup of the substances it carries, water enables food, medicines and minerals to be absorbed and used by the body. Water has a unique surface tension. Water in plants can therefore flow upward against gravity, bringing life-giving water and nutrients to the top of even the tallest trees. Water freezes from the top down and floats, so fish can live in the winter. Ninety-seven percent of the Earth's water is in the oceans. But on our Earth, there is a system designed which removes salt from the water and then distributes that water throughout the globe. Evaporation takes the ocean waters, leaving the salt, and forms clouds which are easily moved by the wind to disperse water over the land, for vegetation, animals and people. It is a system of purification and supply that sustains life on this planet, a system of recycled and reused water. 6 The human brain ...simultaneously processes an amazing amount of information. Your brain takes in all the colors and objects you see, the temperature around you, the pressure of your feet against the floor, the sounds around you, the dryness of your mouth, even the texture of your keyboard. Your brain holds and processes all your emotions, thoughts and memories. At the same time your brain keeps track of the ongoing functions of your body like your breathing pattern, eyelid movement, hunger and movement of the muscles in your hands. The human brain processes more than a million messages a second. 7 Your brain weighs the importance of all this data, filtering out the relatively unimportant. This screening function is what allows you to focus and operate effectively in your world. The brain functions differently than other organs. There is an intelligence to it, the ability to reason, to produce feelings, to dream and plan, to take action, and relate to other people. The eye ...can distinguish among seven million colors. It has automatic focusing and handles an astounding 1.5 million messages -- simultaneously. 8 Evolution focuses on mutations and changes from and within existing organisms. Yet evolution alone does not fully explain the initial source of the eye or the brain -- the start of living organisms from nonliving matter. 2. The universe had a start - what caused it? Scientists are convinced that our universe began with one enormous explosion of energy and light, which we now call the Big Bang. This was the singular start to everything that exists: the beginning of the universe, the start of space, and even the initial start of time itself. Astrophysicist Robert Jastrow, a self-described agnostic, stated, "The seed of everything that has happened in the Universe was planted in that first instant; every star, every planet and every living creature in the Universe came into being as a result of events that were set in motion in the moment of the cosmic explosion...The Universe flashed into being, and we cannot find out what caused that to happen." 9 Steven Weinberg, a Nobel laureate in Physics, said at the moment of this explosion, "the universe was about a hundred thousands million degrees Centigrade...and the universe was filled with light." 10 The universe has not always existed. It had a start...what caused that? Scientists have no explanation for the sudden explosion of light and matter. 3. The universe operates by uniform laws of nature. Why does it? Much of life may seem uncertain, but look at what we can count on day after day: gravity remains consistent, a hot cup of coffee left on a counter will get cold, the earth rotates in the same 24 hours, and the speed of light doesn't change -- on earth or in galaxies far from us. How is it that we can identify laws of nature that never change? Why is the universe so orderly, so reliable? "The greatest scientists have been struck by how strange this is. There is no logical necessity for a universe that obeys rules, let alone one that abides by the rules of mathematics. This astonishment springs from the recognition that the universe doesn't have to behave this way. It is easy to imagine a universe in which conditions change unpredictably from instant to instant, or even a universe in which things pop in and out of existence." 11 Richard Feynman, a Nobel Prize winner for quantum electrodynamics, said, "Why nature is mathematical is a mystery...The fact that there are rules at all is a kind of miracle." 12 4. The DNA code informs, programs a cell's behavior. All instruction, all teaching, all training comes with intent. Someone who writes an instruction manual does so with purpose. Did you know that in every cell of our bodies there exists a very detailed instruction code, much like a miniature computer program? As you may know, a computer program is made up of ones and zeros, like this: 110010101011000. The way they are arranged tell the computer program what to do. The DNA code in each of our cells is very similar. It's made up of four chemicals that scientists abbreviate as A, T, G, and C. These are arranged in the human cell like this: CGTGTGACTCGCTCCTGAT and so on. There are three billion of these letters in every human cell!! Well, just like you can program your phone to beep for specific reasons, DNA instructs the cell. DNA is a three- billion-lettered program telling the cell to act in a certain way. It is a full instruction manual. 13 Why is this so amazing? One has to ask....how did this information program wind up in each human cell? These are not just chemicals. These are chemicals that instruct, that code in a very detailed way exactly how the person's body should develop. Natural, biological causes are completely lacking as an explanation when programmed information is involved. You cannot find instruction, precise information like this, without someone intentionally constructing it. 5. We know God exists because he pursues us. He is constantly initiating and seeking for us to come to him. I was an atheist at one time. And like many atheists, the issue of people believing in God bothered me greatly. What is it about atheists that we would spend so much time, attention, and energy refuting something that we don't believe even exists?! What causes us to do that? When I was an atheist, I attributed my intentions as caring for those poor, delusional people...to help them realize their hope was completely ill-founded. To be honest, I also had another motive. As I challenged those who believed in God, I was deeply curious to see if they could convince me otherwise. Part of my quest was to become free from the question of God. If I could conclusively prove to believers that they were wrong, then the issue is off the table, and I would be free to go about my life. I didn't realize that the reason the topic of God weighed so heavily on my mind, was because God was pressing the issue. I have come to find out that God wants to be known. He created us with the intention that we would know him. He has surrounded us with evidence of himself and he keeps the question of his existence squarely before us. It was as if I couldn't escape thinking about the possibility of God. In fact, the day I chose to acknowledge God's existence, my prayer began with, "Ok, you win..." It might be that the underlying reason atheists are bothered by people believing in God is because God is actively pursuing them. I am not the only one who has experienced this. Malcolm Muggeridge, socialist and philosophical author, wrote, "I had a notion that somehow, besides questing, I was being pursued." C.S. Lewis said he remembered, "...night after night, feeling whenever my mind lifted even for a second from my work, the steady, unrelenting approach of Him whom I so earnestly desired not to meet. I gave in, and admitted that God was God, and knelt and prayed: perhaps, that night, the most dejected and reluctant convert in all of England." Lewis went on to write a book titled, "Surprised by Joy" as a result of knowing God. I too had no expectations other than rightfully admitting God's existence. Yet over the following several months, I became amazed by his love for me. 6. Unlike any other revelation of God, Jesus Christ is the clearest, most specific picture of God revealing himself to us. Why Jesus? Look throughout the major world religions and you'll find that Buddha, Muhammad, Confucius and Moses all identified themselves as teachers or prophets. None of them ever claimed to be equal to God. Surprisingly, Jesus did. That is what sets Jesus apart from all the others. He said God exists and you're looking at him. Though he talked about his Father in heaven, it was not from the position of separation, but of very close union, unique to all humankind. Jesus said that anyone who had seen Him had seen the Father, anyone who believed in him, believed in the Father. He said, "I am the light of the world, he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." 14 He claimed attributes belonging only to God: to be able to forgive people of their sin, free them from habits of sin, give people a more abundant life and give them eternal life in heaven. Unlike other teachers who focused people on their words, Jesus pointed people to himself. He did not say, "follow my words and you will find truth." He said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father but through me." 15 What proof did Jesus give for claiming to be divine? He did what people can't do. Jesus performed miracles. He healed people...blind, crippled, deaf, even raised a couple of people from the dead. He had power over objects...created food out of thin air, enough to feed crowds of several thousand people. He performed miracles over nature...walked on top of a lake, commanding a raging storm to stop for some friends. People everywhere followed Jesus, because he constantly met their needs, doing the miraculous. He said if you do not want to believe what I'm telling you, you should at least believe in me based on the miracles you're seeing. 16 Jesus Christ showed God to be gentle, loving, aware of our self-centeredness and shortcomings, yet deeply wanting a relationship with us. Jesus revealed that although he views us as sinners, worthy of his punishment, his love for us ruled and he came up with a different plan. God himself took on the form of man and accepted the punishment for our sin on our behalf. Sounds ludicrous? Perhaps, but many loving fathers would gladly trade places with their child in a cancer ward if they could. The Bible says that the reason we would love God is because he first loved us. Jesus died in our place so we could be forgiven. Of all the religions known to humanity, only through Jesus will you see God reaching toward humanity, providing a way for us to have a relationship with him. Jesus proves a divine heart of love, meeting our needs, drawing us to himself. Because of Jesus' death and resurrection, he offers us a new life today. We can be forgiven, fully accepted by God and genuinely loved by God. He says, "I have loved you with an everlasting love, therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you." 17 This is God, in action. Does God exist? If you want to know, investigate Jesus Christ. We're told that "God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." 18 God does not force us to believe in him, though he could. Instead, he has provided sufficient proof of his existence for us to willingly respond to him. The earth's perfect distance from the sun, the unique chemical properties of water, the human brain, DNA, the number of people who attest to knowing God, the gnawing in our hearts and minds to determine if God is there, the willingness for God to be known through Jesus Christ. If you need to know more about Jesus and reasons to believe in him, please see: Beyond Blind Faith . If you want to begin a relationship with God now, you can. This is your decision, no coercion here. But if you want to be forgiven by God and come into a relationship with him, you can do so right now by asking him to forgive you and come into your life. Jesus said, "Behold, I stand at the door [of your heart] and knock. He who hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him [or her]." 19 If you want to do this, but aren't sure how to put it into words, this may help: "Jesus, thank you for dying for my sins. You know my life and that I need to be forgiven. I ask you to forgive me right now and come into my life. I want to know you in a real way. Come into my life now. Thank you that you wanted a relationship with me. Amen." God views your relationship with him as permanent. Referring to all those who believe in him, Jesus Christ said of us, "I know them, and they follow me; and I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand." 20 Looking at all these facts, one can conclude that a loving God does exist and can be known in an intimate, personal way.

Dead girl allegedly raised up by Reverend father Egwu Unummuo in Enugu state

It was an amazing experience recently in Enugu state when a young girl was raised up from the dead by a Catholic priest named Reverend father Egwu Unummuo. According to reports, the young girl came to worship at Jesus And Mary Adoration Ministry Of The Holy Spirit, Amichi. She was said to have fallen down and died on the spot. "A young girl who came to worship at JESUS AND MARY ADORATION MINISTRY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT,AMICHI,was reported dead after she was hit by a demon,she fell down and died,Stewards kept her in the chapel while waiting for the adoration prayer to end so that Fr Egwu Umummuo will decide on what to do. "But to my greatest surprise,just like in Jesus own days,Fr Egwu saw the lifeless body and told people around that he doesnt believe that the young girl is gone(dead). He started praying for the lifeless girl and she instantly came back to life. "PRAISE be to GOD ALMIGHTY for he is A MYSTERIOUS GOD.THANKS to GOD OF ADORATION for he is A MIRACULOUS GOD. All HONOUR and ADORATION to GOD of FR EGWU UMUMMUO. "Nwachukwu(Child of God)I call GOD OF FR EGWU UMUMMUO AN IMPOSSIBILITY SPECIALIST. What do you call him? Pls watch the video very well and give God name that befits him most."

Some Jewish brothers have proved to Nnamdi Kanu that the Igbos have a Jewish heritage

Some Jewish brothers have proved to Nnamdi Kanu that the Igbos have a Jewish heritage.

- They reportedly showed him where Igbos are written in the Torah which is the central reference of Judaism - Whether the Igbos have a Jewish heritage remains a controversy Some Jewish brothers visited the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu. Facts were gathered that during the visit, the Jewish faithfuls reportedly showed Kanu where Igbos are written in the Torah to prove that the Igbo people are truly from Israel. A Facebook user, Chinasa Nworu, who shared the photos wrote: “ Mazi Nnamdi Kanu was surprised to see where Igbos are written in the Torah. The Jewish faithful visited him showed him how Igbos are Jews and are written in the Torah before the wicked Britain deleted it from the English Bible .”

10 Shocking Verses You Will Not Believe Are In The Bible

Here are some top 10 shocking verses you will doubt are in the Bible. However, you can crosscheck as you read this article. 1) Deuteronomy 23:1 “No one whose t*sticles are crushed or whose male organ is cut off shall enter the assembly of the Lord”. 2) Psalm 58:10 “The righteous will be glad when they are avenged, when they bathe their feet in the blood of the wicked.” 3) Leviticus 15:19 “‘When a woman has her regular flow of blood, the impurity of her monthly period will last seven days, and anyone who touches her will be unclean till evening” 4) Luke 14:26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple.” 5) Numbers 31:17-18 “So kill all the boys and all the women who have had intercourse with a man. Only the young girls who are virgins may live; you may keep them for yourselves.” 6) Genesis 15:9 “The Lord answered, “Bring me a heifer three years old, a she-goat, three years old, a ram three years old, a turtle dove and a young pigeon.” 7) Deuteronomy 25:11 “When two men are fighting and the wife of one of them intervenes to drag her husband clear of his opponent, if she puts out her hand and catches hold of the man by his privates, you must cut off her hand and show her no mercy.” 8) Genesis 19:8 “Look, I have two daughters, virgins both of them. Let me bring them out to you and you could do what you like with them. But do nothing to these men because they have come under the shelter of my roof.” 9) Ezekiel 23:19-20 “Yet she increased her prostitution, remembering the days of her youth when she engaged in prostitution in the land of Egypt. She lusted after their genitals as large as those of donkeys, and their seminal emission was as strong as that of stallions.” 10) Matthew 19:12 For there are eunuchs who are born thus from their mothers womb, and there are eunuchs who are made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who are eunuchs for the kingdom of heavens sake. Let those who can accept it, accept it.”

10 Promises Every Believer Must Always Remember

The only thing that limits God is His own word. God is trapped by His word. The Bible (The word of God) is full of promises made to believers by God. We must remember that God always keeps His promises. God has no record of a failed promise. Here are ten relevant promises to remember. 1 He Will Give You Rest. Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and i will give you rest – Matthew 11:28 2 He Will Strengthen You So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. – Isaiah 41:10 3 He Will Answer You. Call unto me and i will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know – Jeremiah 33:3 4 He Will Bless You. I will surely bless you and give you many descendants. – Hebrews 6:14 and Genesis 22:17 5 He Will Provide For You. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things and at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work – 2 Corinthians 9:8. And my God will supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4: 19. 6 He Will Direct Your Steps. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths – Proverbs 3:6 7 He Will Never Leave You. Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said “Never will I leave you; never will i forsake you” – Hebrews 13:5 The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid ; do not be discouraged. – Deuteronomy 31:8 8 He Is For You. What then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us – Romans 8:31 9 He Will Not Fail You. ….You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the LORD your GOD gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled, not one has failed. – Joshua 23:14. 10 He Loves You. The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness. Conclusion: God is faithful and His promises are true. God has 100% record of promises fulfilled. ” God is not a man that He should lie, nor a son of man that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he he promise and not fulfill?”, – Numbers 23:19. Believers should live in hope that God is faithful and able to do what He has said He will do.

Jesus’ Mother And Brothers

Then Jesus’ mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him. 32 A crowd as sitting around Him and they told Him, ”Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you. ” Who are my mother and brothers? ” Jesus Asked. Then He looked at those seated in a circle around Him and said, ”Here are my mother and my brothers! 33 Whoever does God’s will is my brother, sister and mother. – Mark 3:31 – 34 Everyone belongs to a group of related blood (that’s by birth) or by adoption-family. As believers, we belong to a unique family that goes beyond blood relation,boundaries etc. By faith in Christ Jesus, we were reborn into the family of Christ. Understanding the scriptures well, we know that the family we join in Christ(Spiritual) is a more loving and lasting family than the families we have in this world(physical). As believers in Christ, we are one big family regardless of our earthly families, tribes, languages, colour etc. We become dissociated when we give up our faith, go contrary to the teachings of our father(God). Christ Jesus considers us as part of his family because we choose to follow him, talk to him daily in prayer, listen to him by reading the Holy Bible and obeying Him. Stay connected. We shall live together in God’s eternity. Ephesians 2:19 – Consequently, you are no more foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household.

10 Best Ways To Love

Many People Have Suffered in presumptuous relationships due to the lack of love or the wrong way of loving or being loved. Love doesn’t hurt. Anyone who doesn’t understand love will hurt you. God is love, thus,teaches us the best way to love. Love does no harm to it’s neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. – Romans 13: 10 . Let’s look at these ten best ways to love; 1. Listen Without Interrupting It is clear that good lovers or relations always have the quality of patience to listen to each other without interrupting. In conversation, there can be contrasting ideas or opinions and in such situations, it is only good to listen attentively without interrupting. There is this saying, that goes like, ”We listen to understand , we don’t listen to reply ”. Interruptions does not bring understanding, it only brings argument which is not good in relationships. Ephesians 4: 2, Be completely humble, and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. James 1:19 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. 2. Speak Without Accusing My dear brothers , take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, or man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life God desires. – James 1:19-20. You should be tactful and careful when speaking, so not to offend or accuse the other wrongly. You should be able to control your tongue , so that you would not hurt others with your words. 3. Give Without Sparing ‘Sharing is caring’ as the saying goes. God spared not His only son gave Him up to suffer and die for our redemption and salvation out of love. And by so doing he commands us to also give without sparing out of love.Proverbs 21:26 says, All day long he craves for more, but the righteous give without sparing. 4. Pray Without Ceasing (Intercession) Don’t get tired of praying. Do not cease praying or interceding for others too. It is your act of love and righteousness towards others. In fact, the best thing you can do for your loved ones is your prayer for them. Colossians 1:9 For this cause , we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding . 5. Answer Without Arguing Better a day crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting with strife – Proverbs 17: 1 To maintain peace and love, we must adhere to this virtue. We should know how to answer questions without arguing. Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes’ and your ‘No’ be ‘No’. Whatever is more than these is of the evil. – Matthew 5:17 6. Share Without Pretending Like God shared His love with us through Christ without any doubt or pretense, we have to share with others the same way. Share whatever you have with loved ones with good intentions, and from your heart .Ephesians 4:15 says, Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow into Him who is the Head, that is Christ. We say “Sharing is caring”, but not sharing is not caring when it is done in pretense. 7. Enjoy Without Complain Do everything without complaining or arguing – Philippians 2:14 . Complaining whiles enjoying undermines the beauty of love and harmony. 8. Trust Without Wavering Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres – 1 Corinthians 13:7. There is no love without trust; They are indispensable. There must be complete trust in relationships. Wavering in trust does not ensure security in a relationship. 9. Forgive Without Punishing Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the LORD forgave you . – Colossians 3:13. As imitators of Christ, we must follow His footsteps. We are forgiven ro forgive others too. Love forgives and does not hold grudges. Love does not revenge. See Romans 12:17-20. 10. Promise Without Forgetting Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life – Proverbs 13:12. Never forget to fulfill your promises. Be sure to fulfill them in due time. Keep promises to avoid mistrust.

Where Is Our Conscience?

But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of GOD – 2 Corinthians 4:2.

Where is our conscience as a people? Do we even have conscience at all? These are a few definitions i gathered for conscience; “The moral sense of right and wrong, chiefly as it affects one’s own behaviour” “A personification of the moral sense of right and wrong” “Motivation deriving logically from ethical or moral principles that govern a person’s thoughts and actions”. “Conformity to one’s own sense of right conduct”. “A feeling of shame when you do something immoral”. Closing out on my research on the word CONSCIENCE, I chanced on :Consciousness; thinking; awareness;especially self-awareness”. The above definitions give me little or no hope to the questions i asked earlier. The scriptural text drives the nail right through the coffin. So, I ask if there is indecent dressing or human rights has replaced conscience to drown societies? Does shame hit or prick the conscience of this generation when they dabble in immorality? Are we redefining what is “wrong or right” outside the conscience brackets? Insanity is watering down the proper institution of marriage, erecting pillars of same sex marriage which is championed globally. What is wrong with us? So now political conscience is only to STEAL from the people? Politicians lie boldly to us to defraud us. Are your decisions, choices and actions in sync with sound conscience? From whence cometh the “open marriage” concept? I don’t want to even venture religious conscience because most followers don’t even know what they are following much more understanding it. Geeeeez! Why do you think terrorism is on the ascendency? Aren’t many “lost” even iin churches? Let me attempt binging somethings to your attention by picking four points from the scriptural text above; 1. Hidden Things Of Dishonesty When dishonesty things are hidden, they are more destructive when exposed or explodes. We all have dark spots which are our personal challenges but when founded on dishonesty then it lacks conscience, worse is when it is hidden. You know that you are making your riches through dishonest means so it must be hidden, it will one day come out. No matter how hard you cover up, what happens when you die? Are you proud of how you got the job or landed that favour? “Use what you have to get what you want” was perhaps the game, the recipient had no conscience to stick to integrity so you hiding it? Can you proudly talk about how you landed it publicly or it’s forever a hunting secret? Lack of conscience has set many on mission to wreck their marriages with what they invite in or wrecking agents out there ready to crash marriages. Now both husbands and wives cheat in our generation, some have taken it a step further as “open marriage” to perpetuate such abominable acts. A lady once said to me “married men are more responsible and will take good care of you, they will not even worry you much with sex”, alarming as it may sound a healthy young man said “I love older married women because they are experienced and take excellent care of you”. I am not judging but this is where we are, a world of dissipating conscience. Will you collect bribes openly? I guess you are laughing it’s message that it’s wrong yet we indulge in this criminal activity on daily basis to the extent of influencing judgements and compromising law enforcers. You know some vehicles aren’t road worthy yet bribes keep them on the road. Will it be too much to ask what the church is using the monies for? This will start third world war especially when the church taxing issues comes up. For the records Churches are considered as non-profit making entities; don’t ask me if it’s true. Let’s see their financials first. Sorry my pastor friends, this is no attack but merely asking questions. Before you tag me backslidden, double check the “names” JESUS was called for spewing the truth and for the records JESUS paid “TAX”. What dishonesty are you hiding in your life?. 2. Not Walking In Craftiness “Marked by skill in deception” is the definition i got from my electronic dictionary for the word CRAFTY, which could also mean cunning. I bet you want to point fingers at fraudsters who defraud people all over popularly known as 419 in Nigeria. Truth be told they are very crafty and intelligent with their deception but i want to elevate my discussion a bit higher. What these folks do for living isn’t right but some of them think it’s their way to “HUSTLE”. Wrong is wrong but conscience has been thrown to the dogs. Let’s go down memory lane with all the promises and counter promises by politicians and you will immediately know that they are skillful with deception. They have all the solution in opposition but they get into power and it eludes them. The Arab spring was a message to politicians across the world but the African politician remains deliberately blind or deaf, if they pay close attention they will know that the rising youth will soon hold them to ransom to demand accountability. It is a dilemma whether the opposition or the government is for the people because it a vicious circle. Politicians cook all sorts of deals to syphon monies with their private partners in the name of creating jobs while ” LOOTING AND SHARING”. I heard some well informed and ordinary Ghanaians say that they will not vote in the 2016 elections, the ruling NDC claimed to be transforming lives for a better Ghana while the opposition pushed a change agenda to prosper Ghanaians and fight corruption. I am still waiting to see how the NPP administration will effectively combat corrupt now that they are in power. I am all for the fight against corruption and wish them well. My point simply is that ” no politician can promise a people prosperity and success” because these are worked for, not bestowed. It is the responsibility of the people to work for their success and prosperity while the government provides an enabling environment. Can we know in all honesty the health conditions of our public figures? Occupying a public office puts your life in public, as a matter of fact we are spending and taking care of you. Is it too much to disclose the health conditions of our public office holders? Knowing will kill suspicions, reduce propaganda and appreciate expenditure. Can we therefore ask for full public health status disclosure to the people before running for office? Will it also be too much to ask for the medical expenditures of these public office holders? If I am asking for the medical expenditures then their vacations and working expenses must be made public as well. One last thing, why won’t they develop the medical infrastructure in Africa instead of going abroad for medical treatment? I have chills hitting churches but if these craftiness of fabricated miracles, cooked prophecies and intelligent extortions stops then we will be clear in our minds when it comes to church. Growing up men of GOD could even settle political disputes because they weren’t bias but that office has soo much been brought into disrepute that i don’t know what to say. I have nothing wrong with a man of GOD being politically affiliated but he shouldn’t be biased, rather put the nation first. 3. Not Handling The Word Of God Deceitfully Since when did the word of GOD become a money-making tool? Truth be told, the word of GOD has deceptively been turned into a wheel of fortune by some to defraud and enrich themselves. Did JESUS charge for consultation? Did HE put a price tag on prayers? Was JESUS a fasting and prayer contractor? Did JESUS sell anointing oils imported from the far cast? Do you remember JESUS selling “healing porridge” and “holy water”? Where in the Bible did JESUS sell anointed handkerchiefs and face towels? Did JESUS claim to be originator of HIS POWERS or acknowledged HIS heavenly FATHER for that? Salvation is personal relationship with your MAKER, not in gimmicks and things. “Healing is the children bread” therefore it must be free. I don’t want to get into the anointing oils and the merchandising side of the WORD of GOD. Must members be coerced to give or it must be willingly? How do you know this is the amount GOD wants me to give? So because I am rich bear the prophet’s brunt? One thing i know is “when GOD calls you with a vision. HE makes available provision”. God doesn’t extort or force us to give our own lives so please men of GOD easy. Let’s go back to the TRUE WORD of salvation, we have even stopped preaching the second coming of CHRIST when the end-time signs are imminent. Another side of the problem is an itchy ear following, miracle seekers, prophecy chasers and non-thinking membership who ask no questions yet swallow everything raw. We will soon get to a place where “anointed sex” will be sold in churches if it’s not already happening. Abomination all over and the anger of GOD keeps swelling towards the church because instead of being the light, we are fast becoming deluded proponents of “darkness” 4. Manifestation Of The Truth Manifestation of the truth is when our thoughts and actions are anchored on the WORD of TRUTH. Now we will ask questions based on the illumination we have received. The truth is despised by many so we may be despised but we will be vindicated. Anything outside the WORD of GOD isn’t the TRUTH, go for the TRUTH manifestation by immersing yourself intelligently in the WORD of GOD. Choose GOD over a man of GOD starts to dominate. Test and Judge everything by the word of God. S E E K T H E T R U T H A N D B E C O M E A C R U S A D E R O F I T.

Wait Patiently On God

“Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him: do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked ways” – Psalm 37:7

” You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God. your God has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.” Hebrews 1:9 God is faithful and just; he will reward your wait and righteousness. In your life, you may feel that the righteous and ungodly people people are getting high ahead of you in every aspect of life; You may feel that despite your prayers and service to God, evil forces and forces of darkness are still exercising their authority over you. You may feel that your mates and fellows who are living out of the will and direction of God are making great fortune and doing better than you. And you might still be feeling that evil and your enemies will triumph. Quit worrying. Stop living in your feelings and start to live on His word and promises concerning you. God is fully aware of what you are going through, and it is not like He is stuck up somewhere, unable to reach you or He is unjust to forget your labour, love and dedication. (See Hebrews 6: 10). Neither is He unfaithful to fulfill His promises to you. But He is actually with you in the rough road, pain, struggles, troubles etc. taking you to your glorious destination. God didn’t have to make Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego disappear into thin air and not go into the blazing furnace. He just had to walk with them in the blazing furnace. (See Daniel 3). He also didn’t have to make Daniel disappear, though He could have done it if He wanted, He just had to stay with Daniel in the lions den. (See Daniel 6). So He is with you in whatever you are going through. Continue to live for God; doing His will and living righteous. And as you wait in patience, God will show up in His time and you would never want it at any time than that moment. “But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” – Isaiah 40:31. Your wait shall be worth it. People will know that, God rewards loyalty and righteousness. “Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong” – Psalm 37 :1 . “For the righteous will be glad when they are avenged, when they bath their feet in the blood of the wicked. “then men will say, “surely , the righteous still are wicked; surely there is God who judges the earth,” Psalm 58:10 & 11. As you continue to do His will, declare His promises to be true in your life and believe in Him. Be confident that He will guide and protect you and bring you to an expected end. Trust Him. He’s got a plan. AMEN!

The Truth Will Set You Free

Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free – John 8: 32 People talk about truth been vague or been hard to find nowadays.But is truth really vague? Others also talk about searching for the truth. But do they really know what truth is? How truth looks like? Perhaps they would not recognize the truth even if they come across it. It is very illogical and difficult to look for something you don’t the idea of or something you can’t explain or tell what it is. The security personnel cannot go searching for a missing person without description. The doctor cannot prescribe medication for an illness he doesn’t know. Perhaps you are looking for the truth in the world; You are the person missing and not the truth. You are looking for it at the wrong place. Truth is in Jesus Christ. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life.No-one comes to the father except through me”, – John 14:6. So clearly, until you find Jesus, you have not found the truth; and you do not know the truth. To find Jesus(The Truth) and to know Him and to live the truth is what is going to set you free. There is a big difference between knowing the truth and loving the truth. A lot of people know the truth but they find it hard to live it. Knowing the truth is not enough. Living the truth (Jesus) is what sets you free, He sets you free from curses, bondages, sin and most importantly eternal condemnation. When you find Jesus and accept Him as the only way, truth and life, you are set free from sin’s grip; you receive grace to live freely and not be a slave to sin anymore. The search for truth is over when you find Jesus Christ. You start to live the truth by accepting Jesus as your personal Lord and Saviour. And believing that He was sent to die for you to save you from perishing: You live the truth through and consistent study of the word of God. His word is truth as He says in John 17:17, ” Sanctify them by the truth: your word is truth”. And you also live the truth by the application of the word of truth in your life. “But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God”, John 3:21. God, the father also seeks that we worship on truth as Jesus, the son states in John 4:24, ” God is a spirit;and those that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.” It is necessary we find the truth in Jesus Christ, because it is requisite in life. Without Jesus, there is no salvation and liberation. God wants us freed and Jesus, the truth is there to free us when we accept him. And if the son(Jesus) sets you free, you are free indeed.

BREAKING: House on the Rock in Abuja goes up in flame

The House of Rock church in Abuja is reportedly on fire. The church which was founded by Pastor Paul Adefarasin reportedly caught fire in the afternoon of Sunday June 25.

Information was gathered that officials of Nigerian fire service arrived the scene with several truck and are currently battling to put off the fire which continues despite heavy rainfall. House on the Rock, popular among many upwardly mobile Nigerian church goers has its headquarters in Lagos. It had for several years, operated in the Muson Centre in Lagos and only recently moved to its ultra modern edifice in Lekki.

Study Claims Church Attendance Can Help You Live Longer

A new study claims that church attendance is good for your health; those who attend services experience less stress and enjoy longer lives. Vanderbilt University professor and Baptist minister Marino Bruce spearheaded the study, alongside Keith Norris, a professor at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Bruce said, “We found in our study that actually attending church is actually good for your health, particularly for those who are between the ages of 40 and 65.” He continued, “For those who did not attend church at all, they were twice as likely to die prematurely than those who did who attended church at some point over the last year.” According to the research, middle-aged adults who attend a church, synagogue, mosque, or other house of worship reduce their mortality rate by 55 perfect. This data was gathered from 5,449 participants of both sexes and all races. The research might suggest that there is a connection between spiritual health and biological outcomes.

Do not be afraid

Our commitment to christ will be put to the test. We will hear whispered warnings and denunciations,as jeremiah does in Jeremiah 20:10-13.Even so-called friends will try to trap and trip us up. For His sake we will bear insults and be made outcasts even in our own homes,we hear in psalm 69:8-10 and psalm 17:33-35. As Jeremiah tells us, we must expect that God will challenge our faith in Him and probe our minds and hearts to test the depths of our love. "Do not be afraid,"assures us three times in Mathew 10:26-33. Though He may permit us to suffer for our faith,our Father will never forget or abandon us.As Jesus assures us today,everything unfolds in His providence,under his watchful gaze, even the falling of the tiniest sparrow to the ground. Each one of us is precious to Him. Steadfast in this faith,we must resist the tactics of satan.He is the enemy who seeks the ruin of our soul in Gehema or hell. We are to seek God as the psalmist says.Zeal for the lord's house, for the heavenly kingdom of the father, should consume us, as it consumed Jesus (see John 2:17).As Jesus bore the insults of those who blasphemed God,so should we(see Rom 15:3).

Faith Bible Verses

Quotes about Faith - Read scriptures that offer guidance,
support and encouragement on subjects dealing with
faith, such as Christian faith, faith in healing, faith in
prayer, faith in others, and hope. Read verses from the
Holy Bible about faith in relation to God, Jesus Christ, and
the Christian faith.

1 John 5:5

Who is it that overcomes the world?

Only the one who believes that Jesus is the

Son of God.

1 John 5:13

 I write these things to you who

believe in the name of the Son of God so

that you may know that you have eternal

life.

1 Timothy 4:12

Don’t let anyone look down on you

because you are young, but set an example

for the believers in speech, in conduct, in

love, in faith and in purity.

Acts 16:13

On the Sabbath we went outside the

city gate to the river, where we expected to

find a place of prayer. We sat down and

began to speak to the women who had

gathered there.

Galatians 3:22

But Scripture has locked up

everything under the control of sin, so that

what was promised, being given through

faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to

those who believe.

Galatians 2:20

 I have been crucified with Christ and I

no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The

life I now live in the body, I live by faith in

the Son of God, who loved me and gave

himself for me.

Hebrews 1:3

The Son is the radiance of God’s glory

and the exact representation of his being,

sustaining all things by his powerful word.

After he had provided purification for sins,

he sat down at the right hand of the

Majesty in heaven.

 

Mark 10:52

“Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has

healed you.” Immediately he received his

sight and followed Jesus along the road.

Mark 11:24

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask

for in prayer, believe that you have received

it, and it will be yours.

Mark 16:16

Whoever believes and is baptized will

be saved, but whoever does not believe will

be condemned.

John 11:40

Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you

that if you believe, you will see the glory of

God?”

Hope you are touched?

 I pray God continue to give you the grace to be able to serve him and the power for you to abide completely in his word and teachings in Jesus mighty name I pray. Amen

Love Bible Verses

Quotes about Love - Read verses that provide guidance
on topics relating to love such as; relationships,
marriage, family, children, strength, and love of others.
The Bible says that God is love, which makes it the
perfect source to learn how to love others, even those
who are difficult for us to. Our world has skewed the
meaning of true love but God's Word remains a steadfast,
true source of knowledge on how to love. Read the below
scripture from the Holy Bible about love in relation to
God, Jesus Christ, and the Christian faith and begin
seeing the change in your heart and mind!

Luke 6:35

35 But love your enemies, do good to

them, and lend to them without expecting to

get anything back. Then your reward will be

great, and you will be children of the Most

High, because he is kind to the ungrateful

and wicked.

Click on the link to get more quotes

http://www.biblestudytools.com/topical-verses/love-bible-verses/

Catholic priest abducted on his way to morning mass, kidnappers demand N80m ransom

Rev Father Matthew Oguleru, has been kidnapped and his
abductors have asked for N80m ransom

Reverend Oguleru was reportedly abducted along Ilado,

Ibefun-Ikorodu road.

His family members have since asked Nigerians to join

them in praying for his safe release.

Let us pray for him to be released soon.

ISIS F IGHTER W HO 'ENJOYED' K ILLING CHRISTIANS W ANTS TO F OLLOW J ESUS A FTER DREAM

It has become a common
occurrence over the years for Muslims in the
Middle East who have converted to Christianity
to claim to have been compelled to do so after
dreaming of a person who they believe is Jesus
Christ. Now, one militant belonging to the
brutal Islamic State that has massacred
Christians has converted to his victims' religion
after dreaming of "a man in white" with a
startling message, according to one missionary's
account, the Christian Post reported.

"One of our YWAM workers in the

Middle East was contacted by a

friend earlier this year and they

met up and he was introduced to

an ISIS fighter who had killed many

Christians already. I mean that's a

horrible situation, and admittedly,

he was probably on guard," Gina

Fadely, director of Youth With A

Mission Frontier Missions, Inc.

(YWAM), said during a recent

appearance on The Voice of the

Martyrs Radio Network.

"He told this YWAM leader that he

had begun having dreams of this

man in white who came to him and

said, 'You are killing my people.'

And he started to feel really sick

and uneasy about what he was

doing," Fadely continued. "The

fighter said just before he killed one

Christian, the man said, 'I know

you will kill me, but I give to you

my Bible.' The Christian was killed

and this ISIS fighter actually took

the Bible and began to read it. In

another dream, Jesus asked him to

follow him and he was now asking

to become a follower of Christ and

to be discipled." 

New Texas Law Allows Faith- Based Groups to Adhere to Biblical Family Standards

(WNS)--Texas Gov. Greg

Abbott signed legislation

June 15 that protects

faith-based foster and adoption care agencies

from lawsuits challenging their Biblically based

operational standards. Facing the threat of

ruinous lawsuits for refusing to work with gay

couples or provide abortions for children in their

care, agency directors said they would have

been forced to close their doors without the

protections.

Similar legislation in other states has met with

mixed success.

In Texas, faith-based organizations make up

about 25 percent of foster and adoption care

agencies, serving about 30,000 children in the

state’s Child Welfare Services system. Without

those agencies, the state’s already shallow pool

of prospective foster care and adoptive parents

would continue to evaporate, said state Rep.

James Frank, a Republican.

Frank, who with his wife has four biological

sons and two adopted brothers, authored key

legislation this session overhauling the

embattled child welfare system. Part of that

reform included protections that kept all

agencies “at the table,” Frank said.

Catholic Charities and Buckner Children and

Family Services, both operating in Texas, asked

lawmakers for a reprieve from anticipated

lawsuits brought by pro-abortion and LGBT-

rights advocates. Attorneys for the opposing

organizations lobbied against the bill, calling it

discriminatory and alleging gay, lesbian and

transgender parents would be shut out of the

system—an accusation none of the critics could

substantiate.

The State of Texas has never barred gays and

lesbians from fostering and adopting. As private

agencies—secular and religious—took over the

role of recruiting and training prospective

parents, some established their own policies

that excluded homosexuals. Most agencies

today, even some with religious roots, have no

such restrictions. But a biblically faithful

remnant choose to work exclusively with

married heterosexual couples and ask not to be

forced to participate in abortions.

The new law protects those agencies but

requires any prospective parent turned away for

religious reasons be referred to another agency

within the region.

Christians Find God in US National Parks

BRYCE CANYON

NATIONAL PARK, Utah

(Deseret News) The short, black cross is almost

an afterthought, wheeled out of a supply closet

moments before introductions begin. Its arrival

wraps up 20 minutes of guitar practice and

nervous chatter, all part of prepping for a weekly

worship service.

“You have to sing loud and help me out,” says

Gabrielle Sheeley, a 20-year-old college student

from upstate New York, to the three young

people sitting near her on the edge of a wooden

stage.

The cross sits in a supply closet six days a

week, out of sight during astronomy

presentations and other meetings in the Lodge

at Bryce Canyon’s auditorium. But on Sunday

mornings at 8 a.m., it takes center stage as

Sheeley and her three teammates lead a

Christian service for those visiting or working at

the park.

“Please open your hearts and minds and

prepare for worship,” says 20-year-old Meleeza

Hall to the 12 people assembled on red,

cushioned chairs.

Sheeley, Hall, 22-year-old Eric Meeks and 20-

year-old Amy Auble are still getting used to

their new summer work and each other. Today,

June 11, is only their second Sunday in the

park. They’re learning hymn lyrics and

practicing leading prayers.

The program that sent these four young people

to Bryce Canyon, A Christian Ministry in the

National Parks, doesn’t expect perfection.

Sheeley can miss a few chords and Hall can

stumble over her introduction, as long as the

team is present and ready to greet tourists and

lodge employees.

From Memorial Day to Labor Day each summer,

Christians affiliated with the program live and

work in more than 25 national and state parks

across the country. They apply for permits to

host worship services and pick up shifts at park

restaurants and shops.

The goal is to be there for people who may

come to the park for fun but experience a

spiritual awakening of sorts, said Amy Kennedy,

director of placement and park relations for A

Christian Ministry in the National Parks.

“The national parks and their beauty attract

people from all over the world for excitement

and adventure, but also people who are

searching for something,” she said.

Filling a gap

On the Lodge at Bryce Canyon’s bulletin board,

next to an announcement about burning debris

and a safety chart for lightning storms, visitors

can browse some of their worship options.

Local members of The Church of Jesus Christ of

Latter-day Saints gather every Sunday

afternoon in the upstairs conference room of

nearby Ruby’s Inn. Bryce Canyon Bible Church

is a few miles away, just north of the town of

Tropic.

National parks are often in remote areas.

Visitors have many hotels and restaurants to

choose from, but specialized religious services,

such as a Catholic Mass, are harder to come by.

Part of the mission of A Christian Ministry in

the National Parks is to serve believers who are

far from their spiritual homes and who might be

open to an interdenominational Christian service

if it’s convenient and inviting.

“We saw the sign outside,” said Nancy Wildt,

who attended the 8 a.m. service with her

husband, Ken. “We couldn’t find a Catholic

church, so we decided to check this out.”

The ministry also addresses the needs of park

staff, many of whom are seasonal workers who

only stay in the area for a few months.

“We’re getting to know people’s stories. We’re

communicating the love of Jesus by showing up

for people and being available for people who

don’t look like you or sound like you or have a

similar story as you,” said 26-year-old Shelby

Cook, who spent two summers in Denali

National Park and is now hiking the

Appalachian Trail.

Mazzy Marcum, a 19-year-old Indiana

University student, accepted a summer job at

Bryce Canyon because it seemed like a fun

adventure.

When she arrived in Utah in mid-May, Marcum

was shocked to learn that most of her co-

workers in the gift shop were 80-year-old

women, not people her age. She was grateful for

the arrival of Hall, Sheeley and Auble in her

dorm and plans to worship with them regularly

for the next few months.

“I’ll go every week,” she said, noting that she

attends a Christian ministry on her campus

during the school year.

Program overview

These stories of new friendships and bilingual

Bible studies fit well with the founding vision of

A Christian Ministry in the National Parks. The

program got its start in 1951 when Warren Ost,

then a student at Princeton Theological

Seminary, hosted a casual worship service in a

Yellowstone bar in response to the religious

needs of his co-workers and park guests.

Ost went on to lead the ministry for 45 years,

registering it as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 1971.

The program has grown and evolved since then,

expanding to include short-term mission trips

and other service opportunities.

Although it’s been around for decades, A

Christian Ministry in the National Parks has to

regularly apply for permits at each park where it

sends workers. Local park offices must approve

worship services, weddings, private tours,

protests and other events before they can

happen, said Cynthia Morris, who is in charge of

resource management and visitor protection at

Bryce Canyon.

“Anybody, including any religious group, can

apply for a special-use permit to have services

in the park,” she said, adding that she’s only

seen applications from A Christian Ministry in

the National Parks and the Jehovah’s

Witnesses over the past few years.

The young ministry members at Bryce Canyon

represent four of the nearly 300 working with A

Christian Ministry in the National Parks this

summer. Most members are between 18 and 30

years old, but a few are much older.

“We have some married, retired couples,”

Kennedy said.

They come from a variety of Christian

denominations. The unifying statement of faith

is the Apostles’ Creed, which professes belief in

God the Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.

Applicants are asked to explain their religious

background, as well as how their relationship

with God impacts their life. They list the three

parks they’re most interested in serving at and

describe what’s drawing them to the ministry.

The people who stand out are those who seem

flexible and ready to deal with unexpected

challenges, such as someone dying in the park,

said the Rev. Spencer Lundgaard, the program’s

executive director.

“They need to have a risk-taking approach to

life. They should be willing to go for things and

be willing to fail, learn from failure and then try

again,” he said.

“People who come into this program with a set

of expectations are usually the ones who end up

disappointed,” said Kennedy. “The park will be

nothing like they imagined.”

Enjoying God’s creation

As a college freshman in 2006, Kennedy saw a

summer in Olympic National Park in

Washington as a welcome escape from her real

life. She remembers sitting by a river in the park

during a rainstorm, feeling more connected with

her faith than she had in months.

“I had no cell signal and no connection to the

outside world,” Kennedy said. “For the first time,

I was real with God and I cried out to God. I

dealt with things I had been avoiding for a long

time.”

Many ministry participants have similar stories.

Hall, who grew up and goes to college in

Georgia, said she wanted to serve in Bryce

Canyon because of how powerful she found the

park when she visited in 2015.

“That vacation was a spiritual experience for

me,” she said.

People of faith have been speaking and writing

about the religious value of nature for centuries.

Advocates for the establishment of the national

park system argued in religious terms, asserting

the importance of caring for God’s creation, said

Mark Stoll, author of “Inherit the Holy Mountain:

Religion and the Rise of American

Environmentalism.”

They’d say things like, “We have to protect the

Grand Canyon. The Creator only made one,” he

said.

Participants of A Christian Ministry in the

National Parks aren’t necessarily environmental

activists, but teams do care for the land they

enjoy throughout the summer, Lundgaard said.

“They figure out how to steward this creation,”

he said, noting that projects include picking up

litter along trails and at campgrounds.

Developing leaders

A summer spent with A Christian Ministry in the

National Parks is not all hikes and Bible

lessons.

Ministry team members are generally spread out

across several positions, including at the front

desk, in a restaurant kitchen or with the

housekeeping crew, Kennedy said.

They will work around 40 hours a week for

minimum wage. It’s a somewhat unusual set-

up for team members in their 20s, whose friends

and classmates might be on study-abroad trips

or working in career-oriented internships.

“My friends and family are incredibly surprised,”

said Alyssa Sherman, 29, who is serving in

Mount Rainier National Park this year after two

summers in Bryce Canyon and a winter at a

national park in the Virgin Islands. “They’re

proud and they love me but this doesn’t look

like the career they expected.”

Grateful praise

During a break between worship services, Hall,

Meeks and Auble relax in a patch of sunlight as

Sheeley, who also plays mandolin, reads

through guitar chords. They chat about bad

dreams and blackout curtains, remembering

how popular the song “Jesus, Take the Wheel”

was when it was first released.

“That was everyone’s favorite song in the fourth

grade,” Hall said.

Soon, they’ll be talking with tourists and

stumbling through songs sung off-key. But for

now, they’re just young people, amazed at their

luck to spend the summer surrounded by tall

pine trees and kind co-workers.

5 Reasons Why We Should Study God's Word

The Bible is an incredible book of history and facts that proves that there is a God that created all things. Most important of all, the Bible is the Word of God. It contains the mind of God and His will for each one of our lives. That is why the Bible was given to us. Paul the Apostle says in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 , "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." Why should we study the Word of God? The following are a few scriptural reasons that we should consider when answering this question. First, the Word of God is infallible. There is no error in God's Word. The law of the Lord is perfect concerning our soul. The testimony of the Lord is not only infallible it is inerrant. Proverbs 30:5-6 , "Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. Do not add to His words, Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar." The purity of His words does not need anything added to it. God warns us not to misrepresent His scripture. Second, the Word of God is complete. The Bible does not need any new chapters or verses . It is all given to us already. Many cults add their own books or commentaries to the Bible. All you need is God's Word because it is the holy Word of God. It is complete. In Revelation 22:18-19 , God gives us a warning, "For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book." Third, the Word of God is totally authoritative. The book of Psalms 119:89 says "Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven." The Word of God is the only source for absolute divine authority. This divine authority is for you and me as servants of Jesus Christ. When some say, "I have a word from the Lord for you," write it down and as you study God's word see if the Lord speaks to you through His Scriptures. Only then will you know if the Lord is truly speaking to you. Fourth, God's Word is totally sufficient for all of our needs. We don't need anything else. In 2 Timothy 3:16-17 it reads "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." We Christians can be totally secure in the Lord by studying the Bible because it is God's plan for our life. And fifth, the Word of God will accomplish what it promises. If God told you something will happen, and you wait, it will happen. In Isaiah 55:11 it says, "So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it." God sent His word to accomplish His perfect will in our lives. If God makes a promise to you He will fulfill it in His own time. There are so many promises given to us in the Bible. These promises reassure us and bring comfort to our lives in our times of trial. I challenge you to take time to study the Word of God. The Lord will show you wonderful things that will change your life.