Addictions

Stay Away from Murder!


 

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THE FASCINATION WITH MURDER

Murder is on the increase, not only with those who physically commit such crimes, but also those who are transfixed with their details. Many video games and apps, news reports, and television programs all have one thing in common — murder! Our world has a curiosity, fascination, and even a love affair with the “how’s” and “whys” of murder. We are being fed a steady diet of crime, served up in as many ways as possible to make the viewing and hearing about killing palatable. Murder is a heinous crime that can capture the attention of its listeners and viewers. For those taken in by the sensationalism…at some point murder goes beyond “news”. The news has the ability to feed on the psyche and can become as addictive as any powerful drug. This is a trick of an enemy!

THE EFFECTS OF MURDER ON A SOCIETY

Many know the account of Samson who was fascinated with Delilah’s ways. After Sampson’s hair was cut, he thought he had the strength he once had to fight. He found out at the critical time he didn’t have that strength at all. Likewise, one cannot be consistently curious about murder and think it doesn’t have any negative affect on them mentally and spiritually (Mt. 24:12). The Bible states: “We know that anyone born of God does not keep on sinning; the One who was born of God protects him, and the evil one cannot touch him. We know that we are of God, and that the whole world is under the power of the evil one.” – I John 5:19 – Berean Study Bible

Copycat killings usually start with one who is intrigued by another’s murder(s). The intrigued person eventually “acts out” what has been sown in their heart. We should stay away from anything that is wicked — and our hearts are desperately wicked (Jer. 17:9). We should also know that we haven’t experienced the utter depths of where our hearts can lead us. (“Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts.” – Prov. 4:23/GNT.) A person who is “saved” is not immune from being caught up in the spirit of murder — which is usually in some form of news or entertainment through means of broadcasting. People can be subject to this spirit, whether saved or unsaved (James 4:2; I John 3:14-15). Great spirits from history have a way of returning and affecting masses of people. We see these following accounts in the Bible. During Noah’s day the earth at that time was given over to violence (Gen. 6:13). The apostle Paul noticed that the city of Athens was given over to a similar spirit, which was idolatry (Acts. 17:16). The prophet Hosea took a wife from the land of Israel that was given over to idolatry and adultery. Habakkuk complained of the wide-spread violence of his day (Hab. 1:1-3). History has a way of coming back to repeat itself.

The first murder in the Bible was broadcast for the purpose of showing how dark sin really is, but we see the insatiable drawing power murder has to consume all who are given over to its spell — from those who commit actual crimes to those who are drawn in by the details.

Stay away from murder!

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Depression and the Bible. Seeking God for Deliverance!


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– Deliverance from Depression –

FIGHT BACK BY CONSTANTLY
QUOTING THESE VERSES!

5 Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him For the help of His presence. 6 O my God, my soul is in despair within me; Therefore I remember You from the land of the Jordan And the peaks of Hermon, from Mount Mizar. 7 Deep calls to deep at the sound of Your waterfalls; All Your breakers and Your waves have rolled over me. 8 The LORD will command His lovingkindness in the daytime; And His song will be with me in the night, A prayer to the God of my life.
(Psalms 42:5-8)

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6 Moreover David was greatly distressed because the people spoke of stoning him, for all the people were embittered, each one because of his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.
(I Samuel 30:1-6)

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3 But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. 4 I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill.
(Psalms 3:3-4)

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1 I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. 2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. 3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord.
(Psalms 40:1-3)

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1 Hear my cry, O God; Give heed to my prayer. 2 From the end of the earth I call to You when my heart is faint; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
(Psalms 61:1-2)

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1 I love the LORD, because He hears My voice and my supplications. 2 Because He has inclined His ear to me, Therefore I shall call upon Him as long as I live. 3 The cords of death encompassed me And the terrors of Sheol came upon me; I found distress and sorrow. 4 Then I called upon the name of the LORD: “O LORD, I beseech You, save my life!” 5 Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; Yes, our God is compassionate. 6 The LORD preserves the simple; I was brought low, and He saved me. 7 Return to your rest, O my soul, For the LORD has dealt bountifully with you. 8 For You have rescued my soul from death, My eyes from tears, My feet from stumbling.
(Psalms 116:1-8)

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5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths.
(Proverbs 3:5-6)

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Come unto me, all ye that labour and are
heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
(Matthew 11:28)

 

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RECORDING on Impending Judgment, Taught by District Elder Robert Taylor


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District-Elder Robert Taylor recently
taught a lesson titled: “Safety in the Ark”.

Listen to it and share it with those who need
to be warned about Christ’s soon return!

IMPENDING JUDGMENT

(Click the text above, then click on the word OPEN.
After about a minute the recording should play)

 

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Mind Games!


Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace
whose mind is stayed on thee,
because he trusteth in thee.
(Is. 26:3)

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Ever heard of ‘mind games’? It is a treacherous game where the victims struggle and strategize to become the winner. When confronted…the players of the game battle for supreme dominance over their opponents. The object of the game is to stay on top. In desperation, each player struggles to “stay afloat”…similar to someone being rescued who can’t swim. They would push down and attempt to drown their rescuers  to save their own lives. Just like a drowning swimmer…people who play mind games are really not in control (II Tim. 3:13)!

Mind games can be one of the longest games ever played. There are no rules or boundaries! Sometimes the players are subtle and at other times mind games can be fierce and highly competitive. The games are cruel and really, in the end, nobody wins!

According to the Bible, Christians are to stay far from playing mind games (Gal. 5:15). If you choose to play you can easily become a pawn to the master strategist himself! It’s really his game — his turf. He plays it so well and would teach anyone who’s interested how to play to their own detriment! Don’t play mind games!

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix
your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and
pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that
are excellent and worthy of praise.

(Philippians 4:8 NLT)

 

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A Hard-Hitting Sunday School Class For This Generation!


ICEA – “Church at Study”

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How would you like to offer an additional Sunday school class with topics that can reach this generation? The class can last several years, with students meeting once a week. The class will deal with issues that go beyond your standard Sunday lessons. The sessions can be held for young adults or adults and can be held during a weekday, as well. We held a successful class for a time span of about two years with a qualified teacher and counselor. The book used for the class is entitled: “Man’s Question, God’s Answer. The author is Lu Ann Bransby. Some topics includes:

Phobias
Runaway Kids
Loneliness
Evil Thoughts
Anger
Insomnia
Flirting
Body Worship
Excuses
Pornography
Alcoholism
Selfish/Stubborn

There are 200 topics and 5,000 related scriptures in this power-packed book. You can find the book at your local bookstore or at Amazon’s online bookstore by clicking on the following text:

http://www.amazon.com/BRANSBY-Question-Answer-Updated-Revised/dp/B00N4J237M/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1417531323&sr=8-6&keywords=bransby+lu+ann

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