Tag: ecwa church



Praise & Prayer, March 2016

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EMS of ECWA
EMS OF ECWA
PRAISE & PRAYER, MARCH 2016
Prayer/Counseling hotline: 08033673654, 08051614880
E-mail: prayerpromotion@emsofecwa.org
Website: www.emsofecwa.org
Brethren, pray for us (1 Thess. 5:25)
 
WEEK ONE-FOCUS ON PRAISE/THANKSGIVING
“Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!” Psalm 95:6
 
TUESDAY 1ST Praise God for the gift of a motorcycle to the Missionary at ECWA Ikot in Aba DCC. Pray for more of God’s provision and increasing grace on ECWA Bonny whom God used to meeting this crucial need.
  • Appreciate God for answered prayer towards the provision of a Pastorium and the church building for ECWA Onne. Pray for Gods sustaining grace upon this church.
WEDNESDAY 2ND Praise God for the safe delivery of Mrs. Sunday Danladi, an EMS missionary’s wife at GarkiLokpa Mission station in Enugu State, East of Nigeria.
  • Praise God for using Rev. Joseph Ezigbo, the current Chairman of ECWA Usa to meet the crucial need of accommodation for our missionary, Cyril John Eze who is currently serving at the Nnobi-Akwa Mission Station in Enugu.
THURSDAY 3RD Praise the Lord for successful weaning and the inauguration of the Enungba Church, which was handed over to the Makurdi DCC with 333 committed members. Pray for God’s sustaining grace upon this Church.

FRIDAY 4TH Praise God for financial provision with which the Church at Ikom was able to purchase the Church land we have been praying for. Pray for more open doors for the development of this land.

SATURDAY 5TH Thank God for the answered prayers in regard to the crucial need of fencing the EMS Children School in Kufana, Kaduna State and for a standard library for the EMS Children School in Jos, Plateau State. Pray for God’s increasing blessings on the people he used in meeting these needs.
WEEK TWO-FOCUS ON EMS ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE AND HOME MISSION FIELDS
“Woe unto me if I preach not the gospel” I Cor.9:16
SUNDAY 6TH FAR-NORTH WEST: Pray for God’s sustaining grace on the New 7 Muslim Converts in this region
  • Pray for the success and fruitfulness of the mission outreach, which four (4) DCC in this region are embarking on to Kebbi DCC.
  • Our Missionaries in Bagudu are running a Bible School with 25 students currently in attendance. Pray for divine increasing wisdom on the instructors and knowledge of comprehension for the students.
NOTE:  WE ARE FASTING TOMORROW!
FIRST (1ST) MONDAY OF EVERY MONTH IS TO BE OBSERVED NATIONALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY AS EMS PRAYER AND FASTING DAY. ALL EMS ARMS, MISSIONARIES, OFFICE STAFF, PRAYER PARTNERS AND SUPPORTERS SHOULD PLEASE ENDEAVOR TO JOIN THE EMS INTERNATIONAL HEAD OFFICE IN PRAYERS AS WE TRUST GOD TO BE JOINING FAITH IN ONE ACCORD WITH BRETHREN AROUND THE WORLD IN PRAYERS FOR A STEADY AND A FRUITFUL GROWTH OF EMS, PEACE AND THE SALVATION OF NATIONS, AND FOR REVIVAL AND SPIRITUAL GROWTH OF THE CHURCH. OUR COOPERATE PRAYER TIME AT THE HEAD OFFICE, IS 8-9AM, 12-1PM, AND 4-5PM RESPECTIVELY. YOU CAN JOIN US IN PRAYERS WHEREVER YOU MAY BE AT THOSE TIMES OR MAKE OUT TIME OF YOUR OWN CONVINIENCE PLEASE AS YOU ARE LED TO BY GOD. JUST BE SURE TO PRAY ALONG AS YOU FAST.
MONDAY 7TH MID-CENTRAL, KAGORO:-Pray for God’s comfort and strengthen for the children and relations of late Pastor Musa Dogo whose wife (Mrs. Dogo Musa), has also gone to be with the Lord. Pray that He who is the Father of the Orphans will keep these children in faith and meet them at the point of their needs.

TUESDAY 8TH CENTRAL REGION, ABUJA: -Pray for God’s intervention on Pastor Solomon T. Kwalbe from Kwali DCC who is mentally ill and is currently being treated in Kaduna. Pray for the seven supporters and many from other regions who have indicated interest to be part of what EMS is doing, that the Lord should grace them to be committed.

WEDNESDAY 9TH MID-EAST REGION: Pray for God’s encouragement for the Church in Sabon Gida Amaku LCC, Lafia DCC who were attacked by Fulani. The pastor’s house was raided, his property done with, including some Church money.
  • Pray for God’s encouragement on Elder Moses Joel and his family who’s four Children were initiated into occult, and pray for their deliverance.
  • Pray for God’s providence for Pastor Philibus of Basharin Waka Mission fields who lost his house and properties to a fire outbreak on the 29th of January,2016
  • Pray for God’s comfort and strength on Sani L. Buba who lost his wife alongside other 17 Women Fellowship members to an automobile accident on 26th /1/016.
THURSDAY 10TH CITY MINISTRY OF EMS: – Praise God for the healing of Caleb who was reported sick and prayed for last month. Pray for the success of the anticipated outreach to Muslim street boys in the City of Jos and possibly other state in the Country.

FRIDAY 11TH ALL EMS STAFF:-Pray that all EMS Staff working in divers’ capacity will have a vital, growing walk with the Lord. Pray that they will work and lead from a strong spiritual base, submit to Jesus as the Lord of their lives, cling to his grace, embrace the truth and allow time for God to work in them.

SATURDAY 12TH EMS MEDICAL UNIT: –
PRAY:
  • For God’s healing hands on Pastor Mamuda Musa and his wife in the far-North West Region who are currently faced with health challenges.
  • One of the missionary’s wife in Lafia DCC who had five miscarriages in the past is expecting soon, though she is expected to be delivered through C.S operation. Pray for God’s provision, intervention, safe delivery and for the child’s survival.
  • That the Lord should heal Jeremiah Musa, Anthony Unenge, Stephen Adamu, Stephen John, Mrs. Rose Sunday Udeh, and for other sick EMS missionaries’ family members.
  • Pray for the healing of Mrs. Daphne Bako, a committed EMS donor who has been sick for couple of months now.
  • In addition, thank God for the arrival of Mr. Samuel Achigak Ijah the new EMS Medical Coordinator, Pray for God’s increase grace upon him as he manages this unit.
WEEK THREE-FOCUS ON CROSS BOARDERS MISSION FIELDS
“… Go into all the world and Preach the Good news…” Mark. 16:15
SUNDAY 13TH CAMEROON: Thank God for the deliverance and conversion of a 12 years old boy who was demon possessed .His parents who have given up on him had also confessed and accepted Jesus to be the Lord of their lives following their child’s deliverance. Pray that their faith would wax stronger in the lord. Also, pray for God’s sustaining grace on two other women in Douala who have joined the Church haven being delivered from satanic attacks.

MONDAY 14TH CHAD:
  • Pray for God to provide wells in 22 Villages with critical need of water where we are reaching out. Providing clean water will serve as bridge of shearing the gispel to these communities.
  • Pray for the provision of a bus for the ministry in Chad.
TUESDAY 15TH TOGO:
  • Pray for God's providence for the building of a Church in Kaboli.
  • Pray for God to make provision for the need of a borehole and a grinding machine for Tota Village where God has opened doors for EMS of ECWA. It is indeed an urgent need that requires an urgent attention.
  • Pray for God to provide EMS of ECWA Togo with a vehicle for the purpose of mission work, the challenges are obvious. Also, pray for the provision of about (N3, 500,000), for two hectares of land urgently needed for Togo ECWA Headquarters.
WEDNESDAY 16TH ZAMBIA
  • Pray for more of God’s increasing grace on Rev. & Mrs. Yusuf Kuzasuwat and his family for effective and a fruitful ministry in this country.
  • Pray for the about 40 committed members of ECWA Church Kitwe Zambia that the Lord should increase their faith and make them fruitful.
THURSDAY 17TH NIGER REPUBLIC
  • Thank God, for the successful and fruitful outreach to Dan-Ango in Dakoro division of Maradi by the Niger Church.
  • Pray for all converts made during the outreach especially Haladou Nakouda who was a sorcerer that the Lord should sustain them in their faith and that through them, many will come to know Christ.
  • Pray for God to provide a permanent accommodation and permanent place of worship for the Niger church.
  • Pray for God to actualize the vision of starting a Higher Bible and Theological Training Institution in Niger towards the award of degree in theology. Also pray for the provision of a bus for the ministry in Niger.
FRIDAY 18TH BENIN REPUBLIC
  • Thank God for the increase in Church membership in ECWA Benin Republic. Thank God for the successful Licensing of Pastor Sodji Kokou Alfred and their safe trip to and from Nigeria.
  • Thank God for the progress of the registration process of ECWA Benin Republic,
Pray for a successful completion of the project.

SATURDAY 19TH BURKINA FASO: Praise God for the total deliverance of Justine Mary who was demon possessed from child hood, but encountered Jesus after being ministered to by Pastor Dauda Iliya.
  • Pray for the provision of 50 French Bibles and for three Moto bikes needed for effective Mission work in Burkina Mission Fields.
WEEK FOUR-FOCUSES ON CHURCH GROWTH AND REVIVAL
“In the midst of the years revive it; in the midst of the years make it known; in wrath remember mercy.”Habakkuk 3:2
SUNDAY 20TH MINISTERS/CHURCH STAKEHOLDERS: -Pray that God should grant his ministers “a servant heart” that He should keep them from losing heart when the ministry gets tough. Ask that He help them to improve in faithfulness with things he has entrusted to them and that He should keep them open and honest before him and help them to represent the truth plainly (2 cor.4:1; 1Cor. 4:1-3, Exo.33:13
 
MONDAY 21ST NIGERIAN LEADERSHIP:- Pray that the grace of God to do right and to walk in the perfect will of God for Nigeria will come strongly on Nigerian leaders; pray that they will maximize the use of their authority in all areas and not “bear the sword in vain” Roman 13:4. Ask the lord to open their eyes to strategic things to do in helping Nigeria stand strong.
 
TUESDAY 22ND THE CHURCH/HOMES: Pray that God should bless His Church with honorable leaders who have sound learning, and pure manners. Pray that He endues us with the Spirit of wisdom and that they may be peace and increasing joy in our Christian homes and that through obedience to His law, we may show forth His praise among the nations of the earth.
 
WEDNESDAY 23RD Pray that all new converts in our various Mission Fields both Home & abroad and Churches will personally mature; exhibit godly wisdom; integrity of the heart and a godly peace and be emotionally stable.
 
THURSDAY 24TH Pray that the truth of the Word of God will deal with both the root and the fruit of our sins there by bringing about revival in our lives.
 
FRIDAY 25TH Pray for the following indications of healthy relationship to permeate the believers in our churches; respect, trust; open transparent relationship; effective interpersonal communication; conflict resolution; responding well to authority and using authority appropriately.
 
SATURDAY 26TH Pray that the Lord should grant all Christians in Muslim dominated areas love languages, and attitude to be able to reach out to non-believers and so exhibit the true God for the provision of a land for a house of his own and for the building progress so far; pray for more of God’s providence for the completion of the project.
 
SUNDAY 27TH Pray for those ministering to God’s people today, that God will help them deliver the message from the throne of grace, not just out of human sentiments and ideas.
 
MONDAY 28TH CHRISTIAN CHLDREN: Pray for Christian Children in Schools that God will help them link up with friends in such a way as to influence each other positively, and to shine as light to unbelieving students; pray also for a sound mind to understand their teachers.
 
TUESDAY 29TH REV. SALE JAMES: – Pray that the Lord should increase upon His servant the grace, wisdom and strength to function effectively in his office as the “Training Coordinator for EMS”. Thank God for the provision of a land for a house of his own and for the building progress so far; pray for more of God’s providence for the completion of the project.
 
WEDNESDAY 30TH REV. EMMANUEL ALI: Thank God, for the life of Rev. Ali the EMS Sport friends’ Coordinator and His family. Pray that God should increase upon him grace for effective, selfless work in 2016, also pray for safety for all participants and for the success of the following programs, which he will be actively involved in:
  • Sport friends training @ ECWA Youth Alive Camp Jos.(May 12-15th,2016)
  • Sports friends Couches training @ ECWA Youth Alive Camp Jos (31st March-3rd April 2016).
THURSDAY 31ST PAS. JOSEPH JOHN: Appreciate God for the life and ministry of Pas. Joseph the EMS Admin Personnel and his family.
PRAY:
  • That as he depends on God for selfless service in 2016, God should grant him excellent mind, increasing wisdom, sound health and favor for him and his family before God and before men.
  • Pray for God’s strength on His pregnant wife, and that He should grant her a safe delivery when she is due.
Thank God, for answered prayers and for His grace upon you to pray with us in this month of March 2016. Pray for more of His grace upon to be more committed in praying with us.
GOD’S BLESSINGS!!!


Praise & Prayer, February 2016

Posted on by
EMS of ECWA
EMS OF ECWA
PRAISE & PRAYER, FEBRUARY 2016
Prayer/Counseling hotline: 08033673654, 08051614880
E-mail: prayerpromotion@emsofecwa.org
Website: www.emsofecwa.org
Brethren, pray for us (1 Thess. 5:25)
 
WEEK ONE-FOCUS ON PRAISE/THANKSGIVING
“Oh that men should praise the Lord for His goodness and for His wonderful works…” Ps.107:8
 
NOTE:  WE ARE FASTING FIRST MONDAY OF EVERY MONTH!
FIRST (1ST) MONDAY OF EVERY MONTH IS TO BE OBSERVED NATIONALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY AS EMS PRAYER AND FASTING DAY. ALL EMS ARMS, MISSIONARIES, OFFICE STAFF, PRAYER PARTNERS AND SUPPORTERS SHOULD PLEASE ENDEAVOR TO JOIN THE EMS INTERNATIONAL HEAD OFFICE IN PRAYERS AS WE TRUST GOD TO BE JOINING FAITH IN ONE ACCORD WITH BRETHREN AROUND THE WORLD IN PRAYERS FOR A STEADY AND A FRUITFUL GROWTH OF EMS, PEACE AND THE SALVATION OF NATIONS, AND FOR REVIVAL AND SPIRITUAL GROWTH OF THE CHURCH. OUR COOPERATE PRAYER TIME AT THE HEAD OFFICE, IS 8-9AM, 12-1PM, AND 4-5PM RESPECTIVELY. YOU CAN JOIN US IN PRAYERS WHEREVER YOU MAY BE AT THOSE TIMES OR MAKE OUT TIME OF YOUR OWN CONVINIENCE PLEASE AS YOU ARE LED TO BY GOD. JUST BE SURE TO PRAY ALONG AS YOU FAST.
MONDAY 1ST Ascribe Praise to God for His divine protection over the lives of EMS missionaries and their families in Lafia DCC despite several crises that occurred in Nasarawa state in 2015.

TUESDAY 2ND Worship God for graciously delivering our missionaries in various fields from terrible sickness last month, and for many who are receiving healing from their infirmities These include Pas. Anthony Unenge and Pas. Stephen Adamu who had accidents in Makurdi.

Pray that God should grant us grace to devote our strength and good health to a humble, holy and obedient walk with Him in February and beyond.

WEDNESDAY 3RD Praise to God for the weaning of three prayer houses in Panda DCC,namely; Amburma, Buzijung, and Kogin Taro. Pray for Gods sustaining grace upon these churches as they now worship as full-fledged LCBs.
 
THURSDAY 4TH Praise the Lord for Journey mercy granted to Rev. Stephen Panyan Baba the Cross Borders coordinator to and from Mali. Also, thank God for the safe arrival of Rev. Silas Yako and his family from the Gambia, pray for more of God’s grace upon him as he continues his ministry in another capacity.
 
FRIDAY 5TH Praise God for the positive impact the EMS Sports Unit is making in the life of many young people: Pray for the salvation of the unbelieving youths in Sports Ministry of EMS who are willing to become believers of Christ, that they will have boldness to do that.

SATURDAY 6TH Thank God for the safety of Pastor Kenneth Goni, an EMS missionary in Jigawa DCC whose life was threatened by unknown men via his cell phone. Pray that all measures taken by the security agents for his safety will prove effective. Also, pray for the safety of all EMS missionaries against arm-robbers, kidnapers and Islamic militants.
WEEK TWO-FOCUS ON EMS ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE AND HOME MISSION FILDS
“Woe unto me if I preach not the gospel” I Cor.9:16
SUNDAY 7TH A good number of prayer houses/churches have been planted in the past years but with one or two challenges especially that of the need for adequate places of worship. While some stations worship in rented apartments, school classrooms and uncompleted buildings, others still worship under tree sheds.
PRAY:
  • That in the year 2016, EMS stations in Sabon Gida, Sabon Gari, Bagaji, Ang/Kanti (All in Keffi DCC).Ugba, Ogoja, Mbaza, Oju, Obi and Igoli (All in Makurdi DCC). Useni, Karmo and Sardauna (all in Nasarawa DCC) will be granted favor to have habitable church buildings.
  • That God should raise men and women who will stand in the gap in giving towards meeting the urgent need for wells in Okore, Sanzaras, and Ungwan Tsakiya. (PANDA DCC).
MONDAY 8TH
  • MID-CENTRAL, KAGORO: Thank God for the life, Family and Ministry of Rev. Ma’aji Zakka the New Regional Coordinator. Pray for more of God’s grace and favor upon Him to function effectively in this new region.
  • NORTH WEST REGION, KADUNA: Thank God, for the success of Coordinators Seminar held on 22-23rd of January and the EMS awareness that was held at Kurmin Musa DCC on the 30rd-31rd of January.
TUESDAY 9TH CENTRAL REGION, JOS: Glorify God for the life, family and ministry of Rev. Danladi Gana, the new Regional Coordinator. His pregnant dear wife took ill last month and at the process lost her 6 months pregnancy; thank God for her safety and pray for speedy recovery and God’s increasing strength. Also, Pray for God’s provisions towards the need for EMS Coorditor’s House in this region and for hospital/medical facilities in Boko Area.

WEDNESDAY 10TH NORTH EAST, GOMBE: Pray for God’s increasing Grace and favor on the new coordinator in the person of Rev. Yunana Missal.
  • Pray for Gods sustaining grace on the 26 new converts made last month in this region.
  • Pray for Gods healing grace on Rev. Samaila Hamma, an EMS missionary at Jamjara Prayer house under Waja DCC who currently suffers paralysis.
THURSDAY 11TH SOUTH NORTH EAST, TARABA: Praise God for the 17 new converts in Waka EMS station.15 among the converts are from an African Traditional Religion (ATR) background, while 2 were from Muslim faith background, thank God for the provision and success of their baptism; pray for God’s sustaining grace upon them.

FRIDAY12TH CITY MINISTRY OF EMS: Pray for the complete healing of Caleb who was down towards the end of last year. Bingham University Teaching Hospital ran several tests on him but nothing was discovered. He was taken to JUTH on 7/1 /2016 and there has not been any improvement medically. Jesus heals.
  • Pray for Mr. & Mrs. Felix Dickson who were teachers at Gyero Center but have left to pastor a church in their home DCC at Kurmin Musa.
SATURDAY 13TH EMS MEDICAL UNIT: Ill health or lack of prompt and adequate medication is one of the striking challenge our missionaries, especially those in rural places are faced with.
PRAY:
  • For Rev. Gayus Dogara, the former EMS Medical Coordinator who has retired, that the Lord should renew his strength and grace him for increasing, fruitful Christian walk with the Lord.
  • That God will steer the heart of men and women who are medically inclined to join this ministry as their medical proficiency will serve greatly in enhancing the growth of the ministry.
  • That the Lord will heal Mrs. Rose Sunday Udeh, an EMS missionary’s wife in Makurdi DCC who suffered stroke and epilepsy and for sick EMS missionaries family members.
  • In addition, thank God for the actualization of the EMS Mobil Clinic as prayed for last month. Pray for an effective usage of these great resources.
WEEK THREE-FOCUS ON CROSS BOARDERS MISSION FIELDS
“… Go into all the world and Preach the Godnews…” Mark. 16:15
SUNDAY 14TH MALAWI:
  • Thank God for the unity in some of the zones in Malawi and serious commitment in the entire zones to the translation work of the “Creation to Christ” discipleship book.
  • Pray for God’s provision towards the adoption of seven more indigenes as missionaries in Malawi.
  • Pray for the provision of a bus for the ministry in ECWA Malawi and thank God for the successful first baptism ceremony of ECWA gospel Church Kitwe, Zambia, where14 members were baptized on 20th December 2015.
MONDAY 15TH CHAD :
  • Pray for Gounou-ndolo mission station where 6 people were bitten by viper snake within a month, which resulted to the instantaneous death of 2 people.
  • Thank God, for sparing the life of Pastor Haruna Luke, at Mogoi 1 mission station who was attacked in the middle of the night in his house by armed robbers who robbed him of his bicycle and other valuables.
  • Thank God, for the provision of a well at Morne Village, indeed it is a means of reaching out to unbelievers in the Villages. Pray for God to provide wells in 22 other Villages with critical need of water.
  • Thank God, for the lives of 284 people who were baptized from 37 different mission stations and pray for God to sustain their faith.
  • Pray for the provision of a bus for the ministry in Chad.
TUESDAY 16TH TOGO:
  • Thank God for resolving the problem of the land that was given to us in Tota Mission Field, after a lot of disagreement and fighting another land was given to the Tota Mission field to replace the first land.
  • Praise God for the successful church planting in Zanguera and University of Lomé Togo.
  • Pray for God's providence for the building of mission Church in Kaboli (N2, 000.000.00).
  • Pray for God to provide support of borehole and grinding machine for Tota Village where God has opened doors for EMS of ECWA. It is indeed an urgent need that requires an urgent attention
  • Pray for God to provide EMS of ECWA Togo with a vehicle for the purpose of mission work, the challenges are obvious. Also, pray for the provision of about (N3, 500,000), for two hectares of land urgently needed for Togo ECWA Headquarters.
WEDNESDAY 17TH KENYA:
  • Thank God for the successful starting of ECWA Academy. Pray for God to provide professional teachers who can teach in the school and for the formal registration of the school.
  • Thank God for using some of the unbelieving parents to allow their children to attend our Church who are serving as vessel of bringing their parents to Church.
  • Pray for God to touch the government of Kenya so that they would lift the ban placed on registration of Churches to enable the registration of ECWA Kenya. Pray for the provision of a bus for the ministry in ECWA Kenya.
THURSDAY 18TH NIGER REPUBLIC:
  • Thank God for a successful visit of 33 members of ECWA Wuse 2 Evangelism Team to Niger during Christmas.
  • Thank God, for the provision of Resident Permit for Rev. & Mrs. Tanimu, this has declared them Legal Citizens in Niger.
  • Pray for God to provide a permanent accommodation and place of worship in Niger.
  • Pray for God to actualize the vision of starting a Higher Bible and Theological Training Institution in Niger towards the award of degree in theology. Also, Pray for the provision of a bus for the ministry in Niger.
FRIDAY 19TH BENIN REPUBLIC:
  • Thank God for the commitment seen in Church members towards Sunday service and Bible studies.
  • Thank God for the progress made so far concerning the registration of EMS of ECWA’s work in Benin Republic.
  • Thank God, for the successful combined service held by the two prayer houses in Cotonou which was organized to praise God and to get to know each other.
  • Pray for the provision of two buses for the ministry in Benin.
  • Pray for provision of Church lands for ECWA Benin.
  • Pray that God would bless and strengthen our partnership with SIM related Church UEEB Benin on some Mission fields.
SATURDAY 20TH Pray for the supernatural release of money and every material resources that is needed for EMS and ECWA as a whole to fulfil our mandate everywhere.Phil.14:19.
WEEK FOUR-FOCUSES ON CHURCH GROWTH AND REVIVAL
“…to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the hearts of the contrite one”.Isa.57:15
SUNDAY 21ST ECWA MINSTERS/STAKEHOLDERS: Pray that God may be with ECWA ministers and stakeholders, save them from all error, ignorance, pride, and prejudice; and of his great mercy vouchsafe.
  • Ask that He directs, sanctifies and govern them in their work, so that the Gospel of Christ may be truly preached, truly received and truly followed in all places ECWA is commissioned to reach out to.
MONDAY 22ND NIGERIAN LEADERSHIP: Praise God for Nigeria as a nation, President Buhari, his Vice, State Governors, and Ministers. The Senate, House of Representatives and the Judiciary; ask that the Lord should be pleased to direct, and prosper all their consultations in 2016 to the advancement of His glory, and the good of the Church, the safety, honor, and welfare of His people.
 
TUESDAY 23RD THE CHURCH/HOMES: Pray that God should bless His church with honorable leaders who have sound learning, and pure manners. Pray that He endues us with the spirit Spirit of wisdom and that they may be peace and increasing joy in our Christian homes and that through obedience to His law, we may show forth His praise among the nations of the earth.

WEDNESDAY 24TH Pray that God may fill our hearts with thankfulness in the time of prosperity, and His should suffer not our trust in Him to fail in the days of trouble.
 
THURSDAY 25TH Praise God for the growth of the church universally .Pray that He may fill it (the church) with all truth, in all peace. Pray that where it is corrupt, He would purify; where it is in error, He would direct it; where it is divided, He would reunite it; for the sake of Jesus Christ His Son, and our Lord.

FRIDAY 26TH Pray that the Prince of peace may give us Christians grace to seriously lay to heart the great dangers we are in by our unhappy division. Ask that He takes away all hatred and prejudice, and whatsoever else may hinder us from godly union and concord, so we may be all of one heart and may with one mind and one mouth glorify him.

SATURDAY 27TH MRS JUSTINA BALA: Pray that the Lord should increase upon His daughter the grace, wisdom and strength to function effectively in her office as the pool secretary to the EMS administrator. Also, pray for her family for God’s revival, for her son Jerry for God’s restoration and for her brother Elijah for Gods God’s healing.

SUNDAY 28TH EMMANUEL JOHN G. Thank God for the life of Bro. Emma the Secretary to the EMS administrator and EMS Computer Maintenance Officer. Pray that God should increase upon him grace for effective, selfless work in 2016, also pray for the success of his marriage plans coming up in April 2016, and for a fruitful home.

MONDAY 29TH REV, Dr. BAKARI I. BUNGA: Appreciate God for the life of the EMS administrator and his family through year 2015 AND FOR HIS Wife’s lecturing appointment with JETS.
  • As he (Dr. Bakari) depends on God for selfless service in 2016, pray that God should grant him excellent mind, increasing wisdom, sound health and favor for him and his family before God and before men.
  • Pray for the conversion of many of his relatives who are still Muslims, and also pray for God’s opening towards the provision for a house of their own.
  • Thank God for answered prayers and for His grace upon you to pray with us this month February 2016. Pray for more of His grace to be committed to praying with us in March 2016.

GOD’S BLESSINGS!!!

 


Praise & Prayer, January 2016

Posted on by
EMS of ECWA
EMS OF ECWA
PRAISE & PRAYER, JANUARY 2016
Prayer/Counseling hotline: 08033673654, 08051614880
E-mail: prayerpromotion@emsofecwa.org
Website: www.emsofecwa.org
Brethren, pray for us (1 Thess. 5:25)
 
WEEK ONE-FOCUS ON PRAISE/THANKSGIVING
“Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between mizpah and shen. He named it EBENEZER, saying, thus far the lord has helped us.” 1 Samuel, 7:12
 
FRIDAY 1ST Ascribe to the lord glory due to His name for graciously crossing us over to the New Year, Celebrate Him for his goodness in your life (Ps.31:19,21). Ask Him for blessings of rain that causes supernatural ease in all your endeavors in 2016 (Zach.10:1).
 
SATURDAY 2ND Worship the lord for His great plans for Nigeria as a nation, the Nigerian church and for EMS in the year 2016. Adore Him for blessing us in Christ with all spiritual blessings in the heavenly places (Eph.1:3).
WEEK TWO-FOCUS ON EMS ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE AND HOME MISSION FILDS
“…Put ye the sickle, because the harvest is come” Mark 4:29
SUNDAY 3RD REV.SIMON YAKO: Appreciate God for His increasing grace upon the life of the EMS director, Rev. Silas Yako and his family through his first year of directing the affairs of this ministry.
  • As he (the director) depend on God for selfless service in 2016, Pray that God should grant Him Excellent mind, increasing wisdom, Sound health and favor for him and his family before God and before men.
REV.GANA SLASH: Thank God for his grace upon his savant and the opportunity to serve in the capacity of the EMS home mission coordinator for the past one year.
PRAY:
  • For more of God’s grace, wisdom favor and strength upon him and his family as they assume a new responsibility of the regional coordinator for the central region.
  • That God should grant them open door for effective ministry among the people in this region.
  • That the Lord should grant his wife, Mrs. Grace Gana, favor for a Job opening and for a good school for their children.
NOTE: WE ARE FASTING TOMORROW!
FIRST (1ST) MONDAY OF EVERY MONTH IS TO BE OBSERVED NATIONALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY AS EMS PRAYER AND FASTING DAY. ALL EMS ARMS, MISSIONARIES, OFFICE STAFF, PRAYER PARTNERS AND SUPPORTERS SHOULD PLEASE ENDEAVOR TO JOIN THE EMS INTERNATIONAL HEAD OFFICE IN PRAYERS AS WE TRUST GOD TO BE JOINING FAITH IN ONE ACCORD WITH BRETHREN AROUND THE WORLD IN PRAYERS FOR A STEADY AND A FRUITFUL GROWTH OF EMS, PEACE AND THE SALVATION OF NATIONS, AND FOR REVIVAL AND SPIRITUAL GROWTH OF THE CHURCH. OUR COOPERATE PRAYER TIME AT THE HEAD OFFICE, IS 8-9AM, 12-1PM, AND 4-5PM RESPECTIVELY. YOU CAN JOIN US IN PRAYERS WHEREVER YOU MAY BE AT THOSE TIMES OR MAKE OUT TIME OF YOUR OWN CONVINIENCE PLEASE AS YOU ARE LED TO BY GOD. JUST BE SURE TO PRAY ALONG AS YOU FAST.

MONDAY 4TH pray that in the year 2016, EMS missionaries will develop strong multiplying discipleship efforts in the mission fields so that there will be a deep impact of the gospel that will enable us sustain what God is doing in our fields.
MRS. GRACE O. ADAKOLÉ: Bless God for His increasing Grace on the Life of Mrs. Adakolé and her family. Through thick and thin, she has committedly served the lord as the secretary to the EMS director from January through December 2015. As she trust God to put in more of her very best of a selfless service in 2016
PRAY:

  • That the lord should grant her excellent mind, sound health and favored before God and with men.
  • That her husband who has being very supportive would be blessed of God and that his business and ministry will prosper in 2016.
  • That the lord will visit and deliver her sister Susan Joseph who has suffered several spiritual attacks.
 
TUESDAY 5TH Pray that the holy spirit will produce constant growth and fruitfulness in the life of all our converts made in 2015 and the once that will be made in 2016 as they walk in grace and truth, also pray that as they show commitment to serving God faithful, thy would also experience development in their occupation.
 
WEDNESDAY 6TH Pray that in 2016 all ECWA office staff, Pastor, and missionaries should have vibrant walk with God, experience personal maturity, good character development, sound health, good financial improvement and discipline, improved self-leadership, great marriages and healthy family lives.
 
THURSDAY 7TH A good number of prayer houses/churches have been planted in the past years but with one or two challenges especially that of the needs for adequate places of worship. While some stations worship in rented apartments, school classrooms and uncompleted buildings, others still worship under tree sheds.
PRAY:
  • That in the year 2016,EMS stations in Sabon Gida, Sabon Gari, Bagaji, Ang/Kanti(All in Keffi DCC).Ugba, Ogoja, Mbaza, Oju, Obi and Igoli (All in Makurdi DCC). Useni, Karmo and Sardauna (all in Nasarawa DCC) will be granted favor to have habitable church buildings.
  • That God should raise men and women who will give toward mitting the urgent needs for wells in Okore, Sanzaras, and Ungwan Tsakiya. (PANDA DCC).
FRIDAY 8TH Il-health or lack of prompt and adequate medication is one of the striking challenge our missionaries, especially those in rural places are faced with.
PRAY:
  • That the effort to make EMS mobile clinic functionally effective beginning this year will pull through.
  • That God will steer the heart of men and women who are medically inclined to join this ministry as their proficiency will serve greatly in enhancing the growth of the ministry.
  • That the lord will heal Mrs. Rose Sunday Udeh, an EMS missionary’s wife in Makurdi DCC who was spiritually attacked with stroke and epilepsy, and sister Ohuoha Charity in ECWA Awkuzu church, Anambra state.
SATURDAY 9TH A good number of EMS missionaries who gave their time, their minds and energy to a selfless service unto their God retired from active service last year (2016)and as these once are got due for retirement, new, young and vibrant missionaries are being recruited to fill in vacuum.
PRAY:
  • That the Lord renew the strength of the retirees and grant them grace to keep serving Jesus Faithfully.
  • That the new Missionaries that are being recruited and will be diploid to various mission fields will be so equipped with everything, they will be needing (spiritually, financially etc.) for effective and a fruitful ministry with EMS.
WEEK THREE-FOCUS ON CROSS BOURDER MISSION FIELDS
“… Go into all the world and Preach the Goodnews…” Mark. 16:15
SUNDAY 10TH MALAWI:-Thank God for the increase in the number of ECWA Malawi Church membership, to an extent some are using mat to sit on the ground. In addition, most of the members are punctual to Prayer meetings and Bible studies.
  • Pray for provision of more chairs in the Church.
  • Pray for the provision of a bus for the ministry in ECWA Malawi.
MONDAY 11TH MALAWI: Mrs. Love let’s (a new member) dedication to the Lord has won the Husband to Christ. He was misled to follow a false prophet, which in the process treated his wife badly. However, he has now decided to follow the true God alongside his wife. Some of the instructions given to him by the so-called Pastor were to bring an egg to the Church and to eat their meals in the cooking pot not plate.
PRAY:
  • That the lord should sustain her husband in his new found faith.
  • That Keegan a teenager, who gave his life to Christ during one of the pastor’s personal evangelism, will be strengthened to keep growing in faith.
  • That Silvia Kadewere, a daughter to the Church's secretary, whom even the Doctors had given up, following her critical illness but is by God’s grace healed, should continue to enjoy sound health to the glory of God.
TUESDAY 12TH CAMEROON: Thank God for about 123 members of the Cameroonian church who were baptized in December 2015.
  • Pray that they will grow in faith.
  • Pray for the evangelism / church planting work that has now started in Yaoundé, Capital city of Cameroon.
WEDNESDAY 13TH CAMEROON: Pray that God would provide mobility for the Cameroonian
EMS Coordinator, as he has to visit distanced missionaries, some as far as a thousand kilometers.
  • Pray for Ngaoundere mission field for God to provide them with a Church land. Also, pray for the forth-coming Evangelistic programme organized in Ngaoundere for souls to be saved.
  • Pray for the new converts in Douala and for the forward coming Evangelistic programme in Douala. Also, pray for the Lord to provide funds for the construction of Douala Church. Right now, they are worshipping in a temporary church on the land.
THURDAY14TH BURKINA FASO: Thank God for healing Pastor Dauda Iliya's wife.
  • Pray for God to provide 50 Bibles, three motorcycles (N160, 000 each), foodstuff (5 bags of rice &gallons of oil) for new converts to celebrate their first Christmas or about NSO, OOO in monetary terms.
  • A land is urgently needed. One has been identified which is already fenced and would cost N20m (Twenty million naira only). Prayer for open an open door toward this urgent need.
FRIDAY 15TH BURKINA FASO: lssaka, a former Moslem gave his life Christ buthe is now facing severe persecution. He has been denied food and driven away from home. The missionary is now faced with the challenge of taking care of him from their very meager resources.
  • Please pray for lssaka to stand firm in face of persecution and for the Lord to provide more resources to take care of lssaka and others like him.
  • Another convert, a woman by name Marietu also gave her life to Christ and was delivered from the bondage to a demonic charm. Now she too is facing severe persecution since she has refused to marry her former Muslim suitor. Presently, she is squatting with another believer. She is a trained tailor and will need a sewing machine in order to fend for herself.
SATURDAY 16TH Pray that EMS will be able to administer the Goodnews in its cross border mission fields and rescue many from the enemy’s grip and for fresh and adequately equip indigenous laborers at these desperate times who will be able to withstand, stand and advance the kingdom God among their people by force.
WEEK FOUR-FOCUSES ON CHURCH GROWTH AND REVIVAL
“…to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the hearts of the contrite one”.Isa.57:15
SUNDAY 17TH One major mission force that opened rural places in the northern Nigeria in the 70s and 80s is the evangelicals, but today’s Pentecostalism and influence of materialistic gospel is weakening their resolve to pursue this noble Kingdome mandate. Pray that the evangelicals will encounter evangelistic revival and reorientation in the year 2016.
 
MONDAY 18TH Pray that ECWA sons and daughters will maintain their first love for God, have compassion for the lost and be grossly engaged in evangelism and discipleship in 2016.
 
TUESDAY 19TH Pray that ECWA ministers will be self-motivated towards the vision of ECWA, which is to “wine all nations for Christ”. Also pray that they will walk in understanding with one another and be submissive to authority.
 
WEDNESDAY 20TH Pray for the supernatural release of money and every material resources that is needed for EMS and ECWA as a whole to fulfil our mandate everywhere.Phil.14:19.
 
THURSDAY 21ST Pray for the entire ECWA executive as they continue to pilot the affairs of ECWA Around the world, that God will grant them Wisdom, strength, security and journey mercies in all their travels.
 
FRIDAY 22ND Pray for the immediate family (Wife & children) of ECWA Pastors, Missionaries and other administrative officers working in various capacities, that God should protect them from counter reactions from the kingdom of darkness because of their commitment to kingdom service.
 
SATURDAY 23RD “How shall they preach except they be sent” was the question Paul asked in Romans 10:15.One of the major mission challenge today is the resources to finance the labor, the laborers who are ready to go full-time, and many who want to volunteer their services for short time mission. In other words, “the laborers are waiting, but the senders are few”.
  • Pray the lord of the harvest to raise capable senders in the church and mission support agencies.
  • Thank God, for those who are already committed to raising support for mission. Ask the lord to increase their capacity, build their income generation system to maturity and sufficiency, and help them to do justice to the laborers on fields.
WEEK FIVE-FOCUS ON THE PEACE AND SALVATION OF THE NATIONS
“I will grant peace in the land, and you will lie down and no one will make you afraid. I will remove savage beast from the land, and the sward will not pass through your country” Lev.26:6.
SUNDAY 24TH List and Pray for the salvation of individuals around you (relatives, friends, and colleagues’ etc.). Pray that they will encounter Jesus and be committed in serving Him in this year. MONDAY 25TH: Pray that God’s light will shine on all British youths, both male and female who have left and many who are planning on leaving to become Jihadist in Syria, Iraq etc. Ask that God’s mercy will save them as the it saved Saul of Tarsus in his misguided zeal (Act 9:1-6).Pray for wisdom for the British Government as they seek to address this evil.
 
TUESDAY 26TH Pray With the increase in violence and the activities of insurgence around the world, many being rendered homeless, children turned into orphans, women forced into early widowhood, and men decapitated. EMS through its relief project unit under the supervision of Brother Mark Sunday has made it a point of duty to reach out to such that are affected.
PRAY:
  • For more of God’s grace on Bro Mark for effective and efficient outreaches in this 2016
  • For the recently produced documentary, that through it more individuals and cooperate partners will be added to the number of partners promoting the work of this unit
  • For vulnerable young and old people who do not have families to fall back to and who are struggling to live (Math.25:35).
WEDNESDAY 27TH ARGENTINA: Military dictatorship and the failed Falklands / Malvinas war, followed by economic disaster, have led Argentina into spiritual hunger and receptivity to the gospel of Christ. Operation World states that evangelical numbers, under one million in
1980, reached 3.9 million by 2015. However, spiritual openness is also seeing many drawn into Umbanda occultism from Brazil as well as some churches with questionable teachings.
PRAY:
  • That President Mauricio Macri will be able to harness its vast natural resources to revive an economy that has for decades fallen short of its potential.
  • For investments to stream into the country, bringing with it Christians to reach out to the highly educated workforce.
THURSDAY 28TH Pray for all missionaries on transfer, that the Lord will endow them with wisdom and increasing grace as they they begin ministry in their new mission station.
 
FRIDAY 29TH Pray for Nigerian Press and security, agencies that they may be more dedicated to duty and to also contribute in promoting good governance.
 
SATURDAY 30TH I.S/BOKO-HARAM SOURCES OF CASH:
Weapons, vehicles, employee salaries, propaganda videos, international travel – all cost money. IS's methods of financing are difficult to shut down. Terrorists use their control over a territory the size of the UK to develop revenue channels. The oil fields captured in Syria and Iraq fund the group through a black market oil trade flourishing along the porous borders of IS-controlled land. It is believed some traders have even sold oil from terrorists back to Bashar al-Assad’s regime. Because terrorists control an expansive territory, they can levy taxes on the people living there. Some of these taxes are more like extortion. The group is heavily diversified: if one funding source is shut down, they turn to others to generate revenue. A steady flow of money to IS from rich individuals in the Gulf continues, with Qataris the biggest suppliers.
PRAY:
  • For countries to work, together and cut off the ‘fourth front’ cash flow in the war against IS. (Hos.9:9)
  • That the stronghold behind the strength of Boko-haram will be broken in Jesus Name
SUNDAY 31ST Pray Thank God for answered prayers and for His grace upon you to pray with us this month. Pray for more of His grace to be committed to praying with us in February.
GOD’S BLESSINGS!!!
 


Men & Pastors: Attend Lions Roar 2015 (Nov 4-6 2015) Dallas TX

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Men & Pastors - Attend Lions Roar 2015 (Nov 4-6 2015) Dallas TX
You can either preach sermons to them, or disciple strong, committed men who will stand squarely behind you.
Men will sit in the back or have your back! Your choice.
 
JOIN the private PASTORS ROUNDTABLE: full-access, personal dialogue with global leaders on core issues facing pastors today. The pulpit is the place for courage. 2 Sam 10: "Let us fight bravely for our people."

Leadership Track / $139

Build Strong Men and Families

Refuse all copycat methods and invest three days to hear what God wants from your manhood. Rub shoulders with some of the greatest men and leaders on the planet today. Imbibe the message, the spirit, the camaraderie, the life! Come away invigorated, committed, changed! Includes VIP Green Room Access, because there are no green rooms, no backrooms at Lions Roar. Every delegate is a VIP!

  • Included in basic registration, and includes conference syllabus
  • You may join the other special sessions and add the Three Meal Deal at the point of registration
Contact
P.O. Box 93478
Southlake, TX 76092 USA
 817-437-4888
 office@christianmensnetwork.com

Proven results that have increased church growth, finances and volunteers by 20% in one year. Check it out! Equip your men’s leader and key men to set the stage for a strong, upward curve in 2016!

We have prepared four powerful sermons specifically for men that you can carve up for your own use.
Link to original registration site: Time for godly men to stand up and stand together!
 


IRS Tea Party Lois Lerner Investigation: No Charges By Department Of Justice

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IRS Tea Party Lois Lerner Investigation - No Charges By Department Of Justice

Lois Lerner takes notes as she and U.S. Deputy Treasury Secretary Neal Wolin testify before a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing on targeting of political groups seeking tax-exempt status from the IRS, on Capitol Hill in Washington, May 22, 2013. (Reuters)

A former IRS official will not be charged for any possibly politically motivated actions regarding the tax-exempt status of members of the tea party conservative group or for obstructing justice. The U.S. Justice Department Friday said it would not charge Lois Lerner, closing its investigation into whether the IRS targeted members of the tea party, CNN reported.

"We found no evidence that any IRS official acted based on political, discriminatory, corrupt, or other inappropriate motives that would support a criminal prosecution," wrote Assistant Attorney General Peter Kadzik in a letter to Congress according to CNN.

Lerner, who was director of the IRS' Exempt Organizations unit, was at the center of a controversy two years ago in which an audit said some IRS personnel singled out members of the tea party who applied for tax-exempt status, the Associated Press reported.
Read original article on International Business Times


Nigerian bishop to lecture on religion, development and democracy in Africa on October 29

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Nigerian bishop to lecture on religion, development and democracy in Africa at the University of Notre Dame at the University of Notre Dame on Oct. 29 (Thursday)

by Elizabeth Rankin, University of Notre Dame, Kellogg Institute for International Studies, 574-631-9184, erankin3@nd.edu

Bishop Matthew H. Kukah, a noted Nigerian advocate for justice, democracy and human development, will speak at the University of Notre Dame on Oct. 29 (Thursday). His lecture, “Religion, Human Development and Democracy in Africa: Lessons from Nigeria,” is sponsored by the Kellogg Institute for International Studies. Free and open to the public, the lecture will be held at 4 p.m. in the Hesburgh Center Auditorium.

A respected scholar as well as the bishop of the Diocese of Sokoto, Nigeria, Kukah has played an active role in Nigerian civil society and is well-known in Africa and beyond as a champion of respectful Christian-Muslim relations.

He has served on Nigeria’s Truth Commission, the Political Reform Conference for Nigeria and the country’s Electoral Reform Committee and helped to negotiate an end to the Shell-Ogoni conflict in Nigeria’s delta region. He chaired the Committee on Interreligious Dialogue in Nigeria and West Africa and was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI as a member of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue.

In his lecture, Kukah will discuss how Christian and Islamic religious institutions and religious beliefs have promoted or inhibited integral human development and how religious institutions or universities might better promote such development.

During his visit to Notre Dame, Kukah will also take part in the panel “Christianity, Islam and Liberal Democracy: Lessons from Sub-Saharan Africa” at 4 p.m. Tuesday (Oct. 27) in C103 Hesburgh Center. He will be joined on the panel by Kellogg Faculty Fellow Rev. Robert Dowd, C.S.C., assistant professor of political science and director of the Ford Family Program in Human Development Studies and Solidarity; Sara Sievers, associate dean for policy and practice in the Keough School of Global Affairs; and Ebrahim Moosa, professor of Islamic studies, Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies and Department of History.

Kukah has written widely on democracy, religion and politics in Nigeria. He holds a Ph.D. in political science from the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, and has been a senior Rhodes fellow at St. Antony’s College, University of Oxford, and an Edward Mason Fellow at the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University.

The Kellogg Institute for International Studies, part of the University of Notre Dame’s new Keough School of Global Affairs, is an interdisciplinary community of scholars and students from across the University and around the world that promotes research, provides educational opportunities and builds linkages related to two topics critical to our world: democracy and human development.

Contact: Elizabeth Rankin, Kellogg Institute, 574-631-9184, erankin3@nd.edu



Study: Eating This Fruit May Decrease Colon Cancer Risk

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Study: Eating This Fruit May Decrease Colon Cancer Risk
Dried plums may drastically reduce risk of colon cancer.
 
Specific research findings were recently provided to guests at the Experimental Biology Conference (Boston, 2015). The study results provide evidence of reduced risk of these cancers by the addition of dried plums within the nutritional regime.
 
This supplementation increases the promotion of good bacteria within the colon. According to research professor Dr. Nancy Turner, this outcome provides individuals with a positive health benefit which strongly produces evidence of the reduced risk of developing this type of cancer.
 
Main Cause of Deaths
Colon cancer is currently the third cause of cancer deaths among men and women (classified in studies separately) in the United States, as distinguished by the American Cancer Society. When viewing statistics of both populations together, this form of cancer is noted as the second leading producer of deaths. Within the United States in 2015, deaths are expected to be close to 50,000 related to this one cancer alone.
 
Background Information
Within the colon, a very high concentration of bacteria are present; over four hundred different species of bacteria have been previously identified. Good bacteria, as well as bad, are present within the environment at any given time. It is important for the body to have a sufficient amount of good bacteria within the colon to continuously promote good health. Previous studies have shown if the balance of these bacteria is not healthy, inflammation occurs and can further enhance the development of these cancers.
 
Research Findings
Microbiota, commonly known as "gut bacteria," is positively affected by the consuming of dried plums, within the diet on a regular basis. Research studies also show the metabolism of the bacteria within the colon can be altered based on dietary consumption. This metabolic change is needed to help with healthy disease prevention and it can aid in dietary treatments, as noted by Dr. Turner's research findings.
 
In order to understand how this positive process works, dried plums hold phenolic compounds which provide various affects towards one's health. First, this specific food contains antioxidant benefits which gives health to the body. Second, the compounds provide the ability to neutralize free radicals present within the body. Free radicals are known to cause potential damage to the body's DNA.
 
During Turner's research, the hypothesis stated the supplementation of preserved plums in the diet would provide the detainment of microbiota, thereby reducing the risk of cancer developing within the colon. Controlled studies were created with matched macronutrients given to two different groups of rats. Following dietary consumption, the internal colons of each groups were examined.
 
Positive Results and Strong Findings
The study results provide vigorous health findings which are conclusively positive. The group of rats which were provided a composition of dehydrated plums experienced an increase in Bacteriodetes (rod shaped bacteria) as well as a decrease in Firmicutes. These bacterial levels were contained within the descending colon and sigmoid colon (within pelvic area). On the contrary, the study group of rats which did not consume the dehydrated plums experienced the opposite effects.
 
Additionally, a secondary observation noted during research studies included the rats who consumed the dried plums had much lower numbers of abnormal tubes within the lining of the colon (known as aberrant crypt foci, ACF). ACF is typically observed as a strong signal which occurs prior to the development of cancers within the colon; they are seen medically as pre-cancerous lesions.
 
Turner offered this positive assurance: the increase in Bacteriodetes (along with decrease in Firmicutes) gives strong evidence the addition of dehydrated plums within the diet provides substantial health benefits. Healthy gains include the promotion of more good bacteria within the "gut" which helps in the prevention of cancer of the colon. This is in direct correlation with a reduction in the number of ACF seen.
 
More Research Needed
Although this research study performed at Texas A&M University (along with assistance of the University in North Carolina) shows extremely promising results, further research in the field of science nutrition is encouraged, especially within human trials. It is noted this one dietary change can provide an excellent and beneficial strategy to work against the development of cancers of the colon.
Don Colbert, M.D. has been board-certified in Family Practice for over 25 years and practices Anti-Aging and Integrative medicine. He is a New York Times best-selling author of books such as The Bible Cure Series, What Would Jesus Eat, Deadly Emotions, What You Don't Know May Be Killing You, and many more with over 10 million books sold. He is the Medical Director of the Divine Health Wellness Center in Orlando, Florida, where he has treated over 50,000 patients. For the original article, visit drcolbert.com.


South Carolina, the Flooding Is a Sign of Things to Come

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South Carolina, the Flooding Is a Sign of Things to Come
Greg Rodermond (r) and Mandy Barnhill, use a canoe to evacuate Mandy's home on Long Avenue in Conway, South Carolina on October 5, 2015. Torrential rainfall that South Carolina's governor called a once-in-a-millennium downpour triggered flooding there, causing at least eight deaths in the Carolinas. (Randall Hill/Reuters)
 
After almost weeks of rain and historical flooding, the sun is shining in South Carolina! However, they tell us that the dams are continuing to break and that the flooding is not over. Water from the mountains is still trickling down, and more barriers are expected to break.
 
But I hear the Lord saying, "Barriers have been broken, and they are correct in saying more barriers will break! This flood was only the beginning! Barriers made by man's hands will no longer stand against what I am doing in my South Carolina! From the mountains to the sea, they will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Out of the wilderness places, I am flushing out my beloved ones; they are coming with fire! Even as it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be with you. The flood brought cleansing and was a promise fulfilled. … Many have been crying out for My reign!
 
"Noah warned the people and for 100 years he prepared a place of refuge. The rain came, but after the rain the sun came, and with it the rainbow, the sign of the covenant! The rain fell, and the flood came, but I tell you this: a company of Ark Builders is yet arising! They are my sons and daughters who are proclaiming and preparing for My return!" "So, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door" (read Matt. 24:33).
 
The Water Is a Sign
"This water was a sign of things to come! Now I am making a covenant with you, South Carolina and with North Carolina! I am making a covenant with you! I am making a covenant with this generation, and it comes with a promise!  It's a promise of My return!" the Lord says.
 
"Lift up your heads, O you gates; lift up, you everlasting doors, that the King of glory may enter" (Ps. 24:9)
 
"My Bride will arise without spot or blemish, and every knee will bow and every tongue proclaim the Name above all Names, Jesus!  
 
"Carolina will be a voice to the nations! She will not be satisfied with lukewarm Christianity. She will be pure and will passionately pursue my heart! She is washed with water, but soon she will be baptized with Holy Spirit and Holy fire! (read Matt. 3:11).
 
"You have seen the promised rain, but I am about to release Holy Fire!   
 
"My promise is true! As She unites, She will no longer be called 'A State of Division,' but She will be called 'A State of Intercession.'  She will no longer be known as the state that pioneered oppression and division, but one who will pioneer freedom!
 
"She will be a state flooded with my glory and who burns with desire for Me! As hearts become unified with each other and with Mine, My glory will fill her dry ravines. Just as the 'bow … in the clouds' was a sign of a covenant promise, the time will come when I will fulfill my promise to return in my glory in the clouds (Gen. 9:13, Mark 13:26). My weighty glory and mantle of this promise is upon you, South Carolina!
 
"Watch and wait, for you, my beloved Carolina, will be a voice to the Nation! I will release my fire after the rain! This rain was just a sign of my coming. The fire of My passion and My glory will burn hotter in my Bride; for I will blow on her with the winds of My Spirit!"
 
Convergence is Coming
"A convergence is coming from east to west! You will be called a 'House of Prayer,' an 'Altar of Fire' and you will be a home to many of my people from different regions," says the Lord.
 
"As the world grows cold, my people in the Carolinas will burn. As the world rages around you in the coming days, you will host my presence and my peace. You will not be known for the flood, but for the fire!  
 
"Therefore, be alert! My messengers are emerging like a flood in this hour! They are bold as lions but meek as lambs. They are full of compassion and love but execute my justice, for they know they are mine! They will speak the truth with the very tone of My voice! Do not reject them, for if you do you, will again become a reproach. They will break the man-made religious and political barriers, smash the idols of impurity, and restore My Heart into this land! He who has an ear let him hear! I am mantling you:
 
"In doing these things, you will no longer be a reproach or a barren land. Break forth in song oh Carolina. SING, for the barriers are breaking! The night is over, the SON is shining! Let the fire fall and sing! I make a holy covenant with you!"
 
"Shout for joy, O barren one, you who have borne no child; Break forth into joyful shouting and cry aloud, you who have not travailed; For the sons of the desolate one will be more numerous than the sons of the married woman," says the LORD. "Enlarge the place of your tent; Stretch out the curtains of your dwellings, spare not; Lengthen your cords And strengthen your pegs. … " (read Is. 51:1-2).
Tammie Southerland is a wife, mother of three, revival forerunner, prophetic messenger, and apostolic builder. Tammie is the heart of Frontline Ministries. She is a passionate lover of Jesus and a fighter for the true Bride of Christ to arise in these last days! Tammie and her husband Daymon have pioneered The Carolina's First mobile 24 hour prayer, worship, and revival prayer movement called Fire on the Altar. They have taken this amazing, fiery, prophetic prayer, worship, and revival movement to over 18 cities on the east coast and beyond in the last two years.
 


Encouragement for Those in Painful Processes

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Encouragement for Those in Painful Processes

Be of good cheer. Those painful processes you are going through are about to make you stronger. (Reuter)

I felt the Lord saying that there are encounters with His power that are going to happen in the midst of your "process" right now as you stay positioned. I saw encounters with the power of God for many across the body of Christ as they refused to "cave" under the pressure, and these encounters with His power were like a defibrillator.

It was bringing hearts back to life and revival in hearts, and it was seeing deliverance happen in hearts and lives. It was seeing a shock of hope and excitement released for what the Lord is going to do. Not only will dreams come back to life in hearts, but with fresh vision and the Lord will add new "elements" and "layers" to these dreams in the heart of His people through these encounter with His power.

In the encounters with His power, there is a great awakening that will happen in hearts to the heart of God like never before. Where hearts have been "out of sync" with what the Lord is doing or saying, or fear has caused hearts to move away from the heart of God or His dreams for their lives, suddenly they will be shocked by His power and love into life and back into rhythm with His. 

Through these encounters with His power the people of God are going to move through the process fully. One day you may feel like you are walking barely scraping through, barely "making it" to then having some of the greatest encounters of your life with Him and His power, to suddenly being full. There is going to be such a significant release of His power and impartation into hearts and lives that the people of God as they stay positioned are going to go from feeling empty to full. 

Fire of Testimonies: In the process I saw the people of God as they "leaned in" to Him and refused to give up, they were brought to a place of being full of strength, joy, peace and revelation, that suddenly the fire of God fell from heaven while they worshipped and they went from full to an explosive overflow—an explosive overflow releasing His revelation and testimony to all around. 

"My people's mouths will be full of testimonies." 

The people of God moved out into all areas of their lives with their mouths full of testimony—testimonies to His faithfulness, deliverance, power and love in the testing process. Tests are turning to testimonies. 

To those who have been hit in "financial areas" in their process lately, the Lord is releasing significant financial provision that is going to release some of the greatest testimonies to His provision that you have ever had.

The process may feel painful, the stretching unbearable and you may feel dry, but can I encourage you, do not give up in your process. Refuse to give up even in the weariness for some of the greatest encounters with His power are being released right now as the people of God "lean in."

You will go from "barely surviving" to "thriving." From feeling empty to full and from full to explosive overflow releasing the testimony of a good God to all around you that will release a breakthrough anointing for others as you share. Hold on tight! God is going to use your process powerfully!

"Your testimonies are my delight, they are my counselors" (Ps. 119:24).
Lana Vawser has a heart to encourage the body of Christ and individuals in their walks with Jesus, to have deeper intimacy with Him and to learn to hear His voice. She operates in the prophetic and loves to share the heart of God with others. Lana has written her first book, titled Desperately Deep—Developing Deep Devotion and Dialogue with Jesus, and loves to see others grow in all that God has for them.


5 ways to exercise no matter how busy you are

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5 ways to exercise no matter how busy you are
An Aussie model for the past seven years, in 2013 Hannah started sharing her fitness routine, diet and health tips on Instagram to much success. She launches her workout app this year (hanxfit.com)
 
Keeping fit when you've got a jam-packed schedule IS possible, writes Hannah Saul

We've all gone through times when life starts getting in the way of our fitness journey. But whether you work unpredictable hours or your social schedule is getting the better of you, it's still important to stay on top of your workouts. Not only is exercise good for your health for many reasons, but it can also be quite energising – I personally find that working out helps to boost my productivity. Here are the five tricks that I apply to fit in a workout regardless of my schedule.

1. Work out in the morning
I always do some form of exercise in the morning, even if I can only fit 10 minutes in. Something is better than nothing, and for me it's more about making it a habit! I've been doing this every day for about three years and it's a non-negotiable part of my day. If I have an early shoot or an early flight, I do three to four sets of the following:
  • 15 push-ups
  • 15 squats
  • 15 mountain climbers
  • 15 lunges a side, alternating legs because that will help you work your core
  • 15 bicycle crunches

Related story: Australian model Hannah Saul shares her summer body tips

2. Bring your workout gear with you
Not sure when you will have time to train? Bring a small gym bag with you to work. All you will need is your gym gear (obviously): shoes, shorts, socks, top and a comb, dry shampoo, face wipes and mineral foundation to get ready post-workout. This little pack won't take up too much space, but it is essentially all you need to get 'work ready' again.

3. Get an app
Having a fitness app on your phone is a great way to ensure you get your workout done, because you have a library of workouts at your fingertips that you can literally do anywhere, anytime. My fitness app, HANxFIT, has workouts that can be done no matter where you want to train. If you have a lunch break and a park nearby, do a workout from the body weight or abs section. If you want to do a session in the gym, you can refer to the gym or kettlebell workouts. Each workout has a beginner, intermediate and advanced option and there are different length options so you can pick a workout that suits your timeframe too.

 
4. Get a stretchy band
You forgot to bring your gym gear to work and you missed your morning session. Now you're home, tired and lacking motivation to train. This is when a stretchy band comes into play. I have a band that's about 40cm in diameter and I use it while I'm watching TV. To work your legs and butt, put the band underneath your knees (not on your knees!) and go up into a bridge. Engage your core and make sure you keep your body aligned, as you don't want to hurt yourself. Now alternate between doing little pulses towards the roof and pushing your legs out towards the sides of the room.
 
Remember it's all about small movements and keeping your muscles under tension. Every time you do a pulse, think to yourself 'out an inch, in an inch'. It might sound a bit dirty, but it works!
 
5. Embrace incidental exercise
Try to fit in as much incidental exercise as possible. Walk to work or to the train station and if possible try to organise walking or fitness meetings with your contacts. You could also consider getting a standing desk. Applying more healthy practices into your daily schedule can only be good for you, after all.
Hannah Saul is launching her highly anticipated workout app HAN x FIT in October 2015. Pre- register for the app now: hanxfit.com/signup.
Instagram: @hanxfit


Are You a Biblical Christian or a Cultural Christian?

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Prayer Houses

Patrick Morley | Are you a biblical or a cultural Christian? (ECWA Archive)

Contrary to the opinions of some, Christianity is still flourishing in our society. There are more Christians today in America than ever before, both as a percentage and in total numbers. Roughly one in three Americans indicates they have asked Jesus to forgive their sins and grant them the gift of eternal life.

But here is the obvious question: If religion is such a big part of our lives, why isn't it making more of an impact on our society? The sad reality is that claims of religious commitment run high, but impact is at an all-time low.

And here's the problem: Although Christianity is flourishing, many of us who are Christians have gotten caught up in this increasingly bankrupt culture. We have adopted many of the values of the world around us. Maybe it's the new sexual ethics of cohabitation or pornography, rampant greed and materialism, or winking at the needs of the poor.

Galatians 5:9 explains why adopting these values is a problem: "A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough." So when we try to have the best of both worlds, we exchange the truth of God for a lie and the glory of God for idols, we do what seems right in our own eyes, we get engrossed in the secular world, and we worship created things instead of the Creator.

The result? Cultural Christianity. Cultural Christianity means pursuing the God we want instead of the God who is. It is the tendency to be shallow in our understanding of God, wanting Him to be more of a gentle grandfather type who spoils us and lets us have our own way. It is sensing a need for God, but on our own terms. It is wanting the God we have underlined in our Bibles without wanting the rest of Him too. It is God relative instead of God absolute.

What has been the result of this adaptive, cultural religion?

Two Kinds of Christians 

The ease with which people now associate themselves with religion has produced two kinds of Christians: biblical Christians and cultural Christians.

Jesus was the first to clarify the different types of people who would or would not associate with Him. The parable of the sower reveals four groups of hearers of the Word of God.

Group 1: The Non-Christian
"Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved" (Luke 8:12).

Christ makes clear the point that not everyone who hears about salvation will believe.

Group 2: The Cultural Christian, Type "C"

"Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away" (Luke 8:13). 

Type "C" stands for counterfeit faith. Among us are some who profess to be Christians, but in reality they are not Christians at all; they are cultural Christians—type "C." They have a counterfeit faith—a faith that is not a genuine faith in Christ. Jesus said, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 7:21).

Without sounding a false alarm, but in love, I encourage every man who finds himself to be a cultural Christian to consider whether his faith is merely a defeated faith or a counterfeit faith. If counterfeit faith is the condition of your life, don't be discouraged. God loves you with an everlasting love and wants to reconcile with you. In the next chapter we will look at how you can get on, or back on, the right track.

Group 3: The Cultural Christian, Type "D"

"The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life's worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature" (Luke 8:14).

Sadly, there is little marginal difference between the way many Christians spend their money and the way non-Christians spend theirs. For a group whose primary commission is to be salt and light to a broken, confused world, this example does little to present a viable alternative to empty lifestyles.

Type "D" stands for defeated faith. The type "D" cultural Christian lives in defeat. There is little, if any, marginal difference between his lifestyle and the lifestyle of the man who makes no claim to be in Christ. He has never understood, perhaps because he has never been told, the difference between what it means to be a cultural Christian versus a biblical Christian. This is the category I flirted with before God brought me to my senses.

Group 4: The Biblical Christian

"But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop" (Luke 8:15).

A biblical Christian is a man who trusts in Christ, and Christ alone, for his salvation. As a result of his saving faith he desires to be obedient to God's principles out of the overflow of a grateful heart (see Romans 1:5). Obedience doesn't save us; faith does. This explains why some men can be cultural Christians—they have a saving faith, but they have not obediently made Christ Lord over all their lives. They have not allowed the Holy Spirit to empower them.

What does it mean to be a cultural Christian today?

Lessons from Elementary School

Do you remember your elementary school teacher demonstrating the principle of diffusion? She started with a clear glass of water. Then with an eyedropper she took some red food dye from a bottle and squeezed one drop into the glass. Within moments, the water was tainted with a pinkish hue as the dye permeated the water in the glass.

To be a cultural Christian in your parents' generation was to be like a clear glass of water with one drop of red dye. In other words, the secular culture was not that different from the Christian culture. That was before the days of Internet pornography, abortion on demand, explicit sex during prime-time TV, songs that degrade women, and a drug culture that's hard to avoid. So a man could be a cultural Christian and still be somewhat close to a Christian worldview and values.

To be a cultural Christian today is like having the whole bottle of red dye poured in the glass.

A Look in the Mirror

The man in the mirror will never change until he is willing to see himself as he really is, and to commit to know God as He really is. This objectivity anchors a man; it gives him the clarity of thought he needs to be a biblical Christian.

Is the man looking back at you in the mirror a cultural Christian or a biblical Christian?
Patrick Morley is the founder of Man in the Mirror Ministries. For the original article, visit maninthemirror.org.


Five Ways Fasting Can Change Your Life

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Five Ways Fasting Can Change Your Life

You have the choice to change your life by a simple decision. It is fully within your ability to make this choice, and absolutely within God’s power to give you the strength for the sacrifice. Fasting and prayer, if faithfully done, will alter your existence, rock your spiritual world and bring your life on this earth into “God’s” perspective. We know because it is doing that for us. You can’t argue with personal experience; it is fact and it is incredibly exciting.

Wendy Simpson Little and I answered a call from God to enter into a relationship of weekly fasting and prayer. We followed a routine of one day a week, from after Monday night dinner to before Tuesday night dinner. We felt led to fast from food, but you may be led to fast other things. How much time do you spend on social media? If given the choice to run to God or grab the remote, which would you choose? Don’t worry, only you and God need to know the answer.

Naiveté would be one way of putting it in regards to our leap into this spiritual discipline. We thought the simple equation of Prayer + Fasting = Quick Fix Answers was what we should expect. Little did we know that our heavenly Father would choose first to carefully address the areas in our life that needed fixing, confession and repentance.? What a gracious God He is to only want the best for us—transformation that likens us to his Son. Thankfully, He continues to refine and replace those sinful and broken places with His faithful forgiveness and invaluable instruction. The outcome? We will continue to fast and pray, to live it out as our lifestyle, until God takes us home. Why? Once you come this close to God, you don’t retreat.

Let’s talk about five of the things that can change our lives when we fast and pray:

1. Fasting and prayer can help us hear from God. “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know” (Jeremiah 33:3, NIV).

For those of you who truly know Jesus, how could you ever resist that appeal? You have been invited to “call” to Him in prayer. His Word says that He will tell us things we don’t know, which is very helpful in point No. 2! If you want deeper intimacy with God then we highly recommend you enter into a sacrificial space in time where you seek Him like never before.

2. Fasting and prayer can reveal our hidden sin. “My eyes are on all their ways; they are not hidden from me, nor is their sin concealed from my eyes” (Jeremiah 16:17, NIV).

God can see our sins like a flashing neon sign. Nothing is hidden from His sight. We have found that frequently the harder sins to acknowledge are the hidden ones, especially when they involve our motives and attitudes.

When we fast and pray, we are taking time away from a meal or an activity to devote our entire being to focus on God. We find we are more sensitive to the voice of God, more attuned to hearing what He has to reveal to us. Gently, God whispers in our mind what we were really thinking at the time of our sin, what our true intent was and we are shocked … momentarily. Then like a light turned on in a pitch black room, we see it. We did mean harm. We were manipulative. Even though our recognition makes us want to hide our face, our loving Savior lifts our chin to look into his forgiving eyes. As we repent, we no longer want to hide, but to praise and worship the very one who confronted our wrong.

3. Fasting and prayer can strengthen intimacy with God. “The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing” (Zephaniah 3:17, NIV).

As you remain consistent in prayer and fasting, over time, you will crave more quiet time alone with your heavenly Father. Psalms 42:1 says, “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God”. The more you know of God, the more you want. Fasting and prayer is a great catalyst to create an insatiable hunger for God’s presence and you will enter into a place of deep intimacy with our Lord.

4. Fasting and prayer can teach us to pray with right motives. “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures” (James 4:3, NIV). The more you focus on your prayer time, pressing in with heightened sensitivity through the sacrifice of fasting, your will aligns with God.

No longer are you praying with wrong motives, but are petitioning the Lord with a heart of worship, gratitude and an outward vision that cares for the needs of others. 1 John 5:14–15 tell us that we can have confidence then as we approach God, knowing “that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him (NIV). This is great news!

5. Fasting and prayer can build our faith. “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” (Hebrews 11:6, NIV). God says He will answer our prayer. As we fasted He has bolstered our faith by answering incredible requests with many a yes. He has also built our faith by helping us trust when He says no. Whatever the answer, we have learned that we can believe God knows best. Our reward is the peace that comes from being fully surrendered to God’s control over our lives.

We have come to know God like never before. His grace amazes us that He would call us into this sacrificial relationship where we gain infinitely more than we give up. God has changed our lives through prayer and fasting—are you ready for Him to change yours?

Suzanne Niles and Wendy Little are authors of the newly released book Fast Friends (Broadstreet Publishing, October 2015).



Surrendering Your Senses to the Holy Spirit

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Surrendering Your Senses to the Holy Spirit
James W. Goll  | Are you ready to surrender your senses to the Holy Spirit? (iStock photo)
A Voice Calling Out
 
 
 
 
 
As light and darkness continue to polarize and grow into maturity in the world around us, it is imperative that we learn to discern the spiritual source of the inputs to which we are daily being exposed. This is actually one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit—and we can become more accurate in this gift through practice and fully submitting our bodies with its five senses to God. 

Have you ever seen or felt or discerned a supernatural presence by the Holy Spirit—whether it be angelic or a demonic one? When we "see" or "sense" or "feel" a spiritual entity nearby, we have discerned its presence.

This teaching is devoted to the topic of "Surrendering our Senses to the Holy Spirit." It involves the very act of presenting or surrendering the members of our physical bodies to God (Romans 6:13, 19). To whomever we present "our members," they become slaves! So let's present our entire beings unto God (Romans 12:1-2) as an act of worship!

Scriptural Foundations

"But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil" (Hebrews 5:14, NASB).

"And do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God … I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness, resulting in further lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness, resulting in sanctification" (Romans 6:13, 19).

"Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect" (Romans 12:1-2).

"Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good" (1 Cor. 12:4-7).

The Necessity of Presentation

The act of presenting the members of our bodies to God as a spiritual act of worship is so very vital if we are going to be able to distinguish the spiritual origins of supernatural realities. We must each do this! It is a key to accurately moving in a higher realm of the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Surrendering and presenting our "five natural senses" to the dove of God is a very specific and necessary part of the process.

You can be empowered by God to discern both good and bad spiritual beings, manifestations and operations. The very presence of the Lord Himself will then rest upon our natural senses and enable us to feel, hear, taste, smell and see in another realm. We move from the natural into the supernatural!

There Is a Higher Realm Available

We need to move into a higher dimension of the gifts of the Holy Spirit and especially the gift of discerning of spirits. In general, discernment always involves the evaluation of some kind of evidence. We can only accomplish this by using our five bodily senses: sight, hearing, smell, taste, or touch. We notice something; then we start sifting quickly through the incoming data. We discriminate between the pieces of evidence and we detect patterns. Then we decide what to do, based in large part on what our discernment tells us.

Discerning (or distinguishing) of Spirits is one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 12:10). This gift is a little different from the Gift of the Word of Knowledge, in which facts are simply dropped into our minds or hearts. With discernment, you have to consider what is happening around you. Did what just happened make you afraid or full of faith? Did the room just get brighter or darker? Did you hear a noise? Did you perhaps smell or taste something? Is what happened from a good source—or a bad one?

To discern spiritual realities, we need spiritual perception. To flow in the prophetic, to see people get healed, to see people be set free from demonic bondage, we need God's supernatural anointing! We need to detect the very source working behind the scenes. Is this thing just my imagination, or is it coming from someone else's human spirit? Is the source of the manifestation demonic? Is it in fact an angel? Is it the Holy Spirit?

God doesn't just take the gift of discerning of spirits and plug it into you, fully developed though. Normally, it takes a lot of practice to get good at it, and some of your "discernment lessons" will involve making mistakes. This is why it so clearly states in our theme verse of Hebrews 5:14 that "the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil." Let's take practice lessons!

This is a normal aspect of any learning process—and all the more when it comes to discernment, the prophetic and flowing in the supernatural life. This is part of your maturation as a disciple of Jesus, which always stems from Bible study, experience, and discipline. Don't forget—you can always ask God to give you more ability to discern spirits and grow into greater maturity. He wants this for us more than we want it ourselves!

So join with me in "Surrendering Your Senses to the Holy Spirit" and together let's become more mature in our discernment for Jesus Christ's sake. Let's press on to the upward call in God. Yes, we can! And yes, we will by the grace of God!

Let's Pray

"Father, in Jesus' great name, we present our entire beings to you as an act of obedience and worship. We surrender our five natural senses to you now: our sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch. Holy Spirit, release Your life-giving presence upon us in a fresh manner. We need Your touch upon our lives! We desire an increase in the anointing of God to flow in a higher level in the gifts of the Holy Spirit! Here we are Lord; all that we are and all that we hope to be. We surrender our senses as instruments of righteousness for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen and Amen."
For the original article, visit encountersnetwork.com.
Dr. James Goll is the founder of Encounters Network, Prayer Storm and helps carry on the work of Compassion Acts. For information on his online school visit: geteschool.com. James continues to live in Tennessee and is a joyful father and grandfather today.


Managing the Dark Side of Me

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Managing the Dark Side of Me

Dr. Arnie Cole/For Man in the Mirror | Are you fighting the good fight of faith and pursuing righteousness daily? (Lightstock)

"But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses (1 Tim. 6:11-12).

During my career as a behaviorist and researcher, I have met and interviewed hundreds of Christian men who are convinced that overcoming temptation and managing their "dark sides" are impossible goals—at least this side of heaven.

So instead of fighting the good fight, as Scripture instructs us to do, too many men have given up. Some—and I hate to admit it, but myself included—find themselves embracing soul-robbing choices, telling themselves two deadly lies: (1) "I don't really have a problem," and (2) "I can handle this alone."

We all have at least one thing that is so desirous, so attractive to our nature that even the mere thought of it is enough to tip us over the edge. Like an evil spell, our proximity to it immobilizes our senses. It seems to own us. It often calls out to us, and when it presents itself, we are completely undone. Sadly, if we desire something long enough, we'll deceive whomever we have to in order to get it. Usually the first person we deceive is ourselves.

The Bible warns that temptation comes in many forms. Sometimes it's disguised as a lover and friend. Sometimes it appears to be clothed even in light—coming to us with seemingly innocent intentions. Temptation is always stealthy, always deceptive … kind of like a certain snake that entered a certain garden long, long ago.

But here's a little secret about our sinful desires: They are quite predictable, always attacking our brains in the same way. In fact, James—a half-brother of Jesus—knew this all too well, and he observed four stages in the temptation cycle: enticement, conception, birth and death.

James was convinced that the more we understand these four stages, the better we can put up a fight. In his letter to early Christians he said this: "When tempted, no one should say, 'God is tempting me.' For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death" (James 1:13-15).

The good news is, you and I don't have to be defeated by sin. We can manage our dark sides and fight the good fight for the true faith. These five essential steps can help:

Admit to God that something needs to change and confess your struggles to Him.

Accept the Lord's forgiveness and stop beating yourself up for your failures. If you let it, toxic shame will always pull you into a downward spiral … and back into sin.

Find someone you can trust and talk honestly about your struggles.

Acknowledge daily before Christ your lack of power to control your dark side, and pray that He will empower you to avoid temptation to sin by turning to healthy, wholesome triggers.

Set your mind on Scripture all throughout the day. Only truth can undo untruth.



Study Shows Painful Diverticulitis is on the Rise in U.S.

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Study Shows Painful Diverticulitis is on the Rise in U.S.

Cases of diverticulitis have been on the rise in the U.S. (iStock photo)

Diverticulitis, a disabling colon problem that can cause pain, obstruction and fever, became more common in the U.S. from the late 1990s to the mid-2000s, a new study suggests.

The findings are from one Minnesota county, but other research indicates that hospitalizations for diverticulitis also increased in the U.S. generally during this period.

The overall incidence of diverticulitis, with or without hospitalization, increased by 50 percent since 2000, and more so in younger people, said lead author Dr. Adil E. Bharucha of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

So-called diverticula, which are small pouches along the large intestine, become more common with age. The presence of these pouches is called diverticulosis. If the pouches become inflamed or infected, the condition is called diverticulitis.

According to the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, half of all people in the U.S. over age 60, and nearly everyone over age 80, has at least some diverticula in their colon.

In the vast majority of patients, if diverticulitis does develop, it's minor and can be treated with a short course of antibiotics, Bharucha told Reuters Health by email. "Some patients will have symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome after the diverticulitis resolves," he said.

He and his coauthors used the Rochester Epidemiology Project to study the records of all diagnoses of diverticulitis in Olmsted County, Minnesota, between 1980 and 2007.

In this time period, 3,222 people were diagnosed with diverticulitis, 56 percent of them women, at an average age of 62 years.

Between 1980 and 1989 the incidence rate was 115 cases per 100,000 people per year, which increased to 188 cases by 2000 to 2007.

While the problem was more common in older people, cases in younger people increased over time, the authors write in the American Journal of Gastroenterology. 

The 12 percent complication rate did not change over time, nor did the incidence of surgery.

Experts do not know why the incidence of diverticulitis has been on the rise, Bharucha said. 

Obesity may be one risk factor for the condition, and obesity has also become more common in recent decades, which may partly explain the trend, he said. 

"More than one-third of adults are now considered to be obese," said Dr. Anne Peery, who studies risk factors for diverticular disease at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine. 

"Given these trends, it's not surprising that the incidence of diverticulitis is rising," Peery told Reuters Health by email. She was not part of the new research.

Most patients with diverticulitis are unable to work or perform their day-to-day actives, she said. 

"It's an unpredictable disease and that can be a source of significant stress," Peery said.

These results are helpful to providers in that they confirm the earlier finding that complications like abscess or perforation are more likely to happen with a first instance of diverticulitis, rather than with recurrent disease, she said.

"Traditionally, low intake of dietary fiber has been implicated (as a) cause of diverticulitis," but the role of diet is still unclear, Bharucha said. "As always, it helps to quit smoking, exercise, lose weight, and to avoid using aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) if possible."

But no one really knows exactly what causes the disease, Peery said.

"It's probably best to just be aware of the disease and seek appropriate medical care if one develops the symptoms," she said.
© 2015 Thomson/Reuters. All rights reserved.