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[/vc_column_text][vc_text_separator title=”Bishop Demetrics and Pastor Pauline Roscoe” title_align=”separator_align_left”][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Season With No End” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:36|text_align:left|color:%23822a14″][vc_single_image image=”10942″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_shadow_3d”][vc_column_text]Now that the most wonderful time of the year is coming to an end, reality sets in for pagan worshipers. The ‘season to be jolly’ became a process of classical conditioning when the stimulus of previously neutral evergreen trees or bells ringing began to evoke particular responses when paired repeatedly with Christmas decorations, television commercials, ads for desired gifts and songs to have a “Merry Christmas” heard everytime one stepped into a department store. But now as the promotional hype dwindles, individuals might find themselves overwhelmed in debt, frustrated by long lines of returning unwanted gifts, and perhaps disappointed in the way the day turned out. Thankfully, those who have the strength of the life of Christ dwelling within them recognize that to accept Jesus Christ as one’s Savior, is the same as answering the high calling of God through the risen Lord and Yeshua.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]For believers, Christmas, as one calls a season to be jolly, is actually a lifetime experience. Life in Christ produces a supernatural joy and peace in believers whether they are in season or out of season. Adonai’s eternal gift to us is to recognize the true mission of the Savior which was to draw the lost to His Heavenly Father’s plan of salvation.

The invisible Body of Christ can be seen through the personification of the visible body of Christ’s (believers) embodiment of Yeshua, the Son of God.
Therefore, the Kingdom of Yeshua exists for the sole purpose of unveiling the distinction between the Kingdom of Light and the Kingdom of Darkness.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text](Complete Word Study Bible Dictionary) “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” See also Matt. 6:33; Mark 10:15; Luke 17:21; 18:17; John 3:3, 5; 1 Cor. 4:20); in the external sense, i.e., as embodied in the visible church and the universal spread of the gospel (Matt. 6:10; 12:28; 13:24, 31, 33, 44, 47; 16:28; Mark 4:30; 11:10; Luke 13:18, 20; Acts 19:8);[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Whereas Lucifer would say, “serve me and I will put you on top of the world with riches, and fame.”

Yeshua would say, “I AM already on top of the universe, therefore there is nothing that you can give Me. I AM seeking a place among the thieves and the wretched. I find pleasure in healing the mentally, emotionally and physically sick. I spend My time with the poor and bring hope to the hopeless.

Unfortunately, those who are without the Presence of the promised Messiah in their lives (the author and finisher of Biblical faith), could be seduced by Lucifer’s counterfeit faith when he dangles enticing bait and then deceives them through their covetousness and greed for the riches of this world.
Fall festivals are fading away, but for the believers in Jesus Christ, who are encouraging one another in our purpose, there is abundant life! We are demonstrating everyday-joy for our Lord, even while enduring persecution, misunderstanding, jealousy, and resentment.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]New converts in Christ must understand that in order to resist the agents of the Prince of Darkness one has to be aware of the temptations of worldly riches and Satan’s subtle devices which are not always obviously sinful, yet they are still spiritually deadly. Young believers should take time to remember where they came from, reflect on their many blessings and not be high-minded.

There will be times when they will be required to walk amongst the underprivileged and even around those who someone might feel are undeserving. Jesus Christ did. And, if we are truthful, we also were wretched and undeserving. In contrast, Satan’s group worship their own selves and are only focused on creating a particular social status or fame regardless of taking in consideration that their actions may be unethical, illegal, morally incorrect or unGodly.

This group might feel they are entitled thus, they do not voluntarily serve others. As a result of their fleshly cares, they tend to be unwilling to support causes that concern the welfare of a destitute person or an impoverished group.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]1 Peter 2:11-12
(CWSB) 11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

1 Timothy 6:17-19
(CWSB) 17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded; nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
Mark 4:18-19
(CWSB)
19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”10949″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_shadow_3d”][vc_column_text]You may be asking, “Since you say we have to strive to live Holy every day of our lives, then, what was the significance of Christ’s suffering on the Cross?
There are innumerable answers to the question, but one point that I want to make clear is: Yeshua defeated Satan at his own game.
By default, humans aspire for a life of pleasure and self-focused happiness. That is why Lucifer was confused with the coming of the Messiah. Satan couldn’t figure out the Messiah, because Christ’s greatest pleasure was to serve others without a thought of serving Himself. When Satan offered our Lord, the glory of all the world if only He served him, Yeshua refused! Jesus’ passion was to demonstrate to us an image of what a Faithful Son looked like. He denied His own advantages of being the Son of God but positioned Himself for the cruelest treatment ever for a child of a King. When the executioners offered Christ a mixture that would ease His pain, he refused it. Jesus took the full impact of the crucifixion; the Son of a Great King did not despise the pain and the shame, because His suffering was the victory over self-preservation or self-concern. Jesus created the clearest word picture of His love for the Father’s concern. Therefore Lucifer is afraid; he hides in terror of Yeshua because Jesus made Himself human to feel our infirmities, and He is the One who reminds Lucifer of his defeat. Not only on the Cross, but also when Adonai threw Lucifer out of Heaven, with the violence and speed of a powerful lightning strike![/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”10969″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_shadow_3d”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text](New Living Translation)
Hebrews 10:30-38
(NLT) “The Lord will judge his own people.”
31 It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
32 Think back on those early days when you first learned about Christ. Remember how you remained faithful even though it meant terrible suffering. 33 Sometimes you were exposed to public ridicule and were beaten, and sometimes you helped others who were suffering the same things. 34 You suffered along with those who were thrown into jail, and when all you owned was taken from you, you accepted it with joy. You knew there were better things waiting for you that will last forever.
35 So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! 36 Patient endurance is what you need now so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.
37 “For in just a little while,
the Coming One will come and not delay.
38 And my righteous ones will live by faith.
But I will take no pleasure in anyone who turns away.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Faith that Fights” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:20|text_align:left|color:%23822a14″][vc_single_image image=”10965″ img_size=”large”][vc_column_text]Greek ἄθλησις áthlēsis Fight
Translated “fight” (kjv) and “contest” (niv), it denotes the act of meeting a difficult situation which necessitates a fight and exercise of one’s power. The word occurs only in Heb. 10:32, “the enlightenment [phōtisthéntes (G5461), aor. pass. part.] of the Lord after a great fight of afflictions.” These believers became recipients of the light given to them by God. This did not exempt them from sufferings brought about by someone else which is indicated by the word pathēmátōn, the gen. pl. of páthēma (G3804), suffering. Such sufferings did not crush these believers, indicated by the aor. hupemeínate from hupoménō (G5278), to remain under. Suffering in the life of a believer does not cause him to merely be passive, remaining under them, but produces in him the determination to resist Satan by exercising every power in his spiritual being.
Syn.: agṓn (G0073), conflict, fight, contest.

(CWSB Dictionary) ἀκολουθέω akolouthéō; contracted akolouthṓ, fut. akolouthḗsō, from akólouthos (n.f.), attendant, follower, which is from the coll. a (G0001), together, and kéleuthos (n.f.), a way. To attend, to accompany, to go with or follow a teacher (Matt. 4:20, 22, 25; 9:9; 19:27, 28; 27:55; Mark 1:18; 9:38; John 1:41; 12:26; Sept.: 1 Kgs. 19:20, 21; Is. 45:14). Generally (Matt. 8:1; 9:19, 27; Mark 5:24; 10:32; Luke 22:54; John 11:31; 1 Cor. 10:4; Sept.: Ruth 1:14; 1 Sam. 25:42). The individual calling to follow Jesus involved abiding fellowship with Him, not only for the sake of learning as a scholar from his teacher (Matt. 8:19), but also for the sake of the salvation known or looked for which presented itself in such fellowship (Matt. 19:21; Luke 9:61). The first thing involved in following Jesus is a cleaving to Him in believing trust and obedience. Those cleaving to Him must also follow His leading and act according to His example (John 8:12; 10:4, 5, 27). Hence constant stress is laid by the Lord Jesus upon the need of self-denial and fellowship of the cross (Matt. 8:19, 20, 22; 10:38; Mark 8:34; John 8:12; 12:26).

Finally, I want to reiterate that following Jesus denotes a fellowship of faith as well as a fellowship of life, sharing in His sufferings not only inwardly, but outwardly if necessary (Matt. 9:9, 19, 27). Such outward fellowship with Jesus, however, could not continue without inner moral and spiritual fellowship, without a life resembling His and a self-denying sharing of His cross. The expression “follow the Lamb (Jesus)” occurs only in Rev. 14:4. In John 8:12; 10:4, 5, 27; 12:26, following Jesus appears as an independent concept apart from any outward act or momentary circumstances of time and place which union with Him might involve.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row]