psu

JW false predictions

 ‘Reports are heard of brothers selling their homes and property and planning to finish out the rest of their days in this old system in the pioneer service. Certainly this is a fine way to spend the short time remaining before the wicked world’s end.’ (Kingdom Ministry, May 1974, p3)

"Just think, brothers, there are only about ninety months left before 6,000 years of man's existence on earth is completed. Do you remember what we learned at the assemblies last summer? The majority of people living today will probably be alive when Armageddon breaks out, and there are no resurrection hopes for those that are destroyed then." Kingdom Ministry 1968 Mar p.4

"The immediate future is certain to be filled with climactic events, for this old system is nearing its complete end. Within a few years at most the final parts of Bible prophecy relative to these "last days" will undergo fulfilment." Watchtower 1968 May 1 p.272

Many people question whether Mormons are Christians. The purpose of this presentation is to compare various beliefs of Christians and Mormons, then allow. - ppt download

Many people question whether Mormons are Christians. The purpose of this presentation is to compare various beliefs of Christians and Mormons, then allow. - ppt download: God’s Holy Word, preserved by his power throughout the centuries. 1)Book of Mormon, revealed to Joseph Smith by the angel Moroni. 2)The Doctrine and Covenants 3) Pearl of Great Price 4)The Bible, insofar as it is correctly translated. (Generally The King James Version.) 1)Book of Mormon, revealed to Joseph Smith by the angel Moroni. 2)The Doctrine and Covenants 3) Pearl of Great Price 4)The Bible, insofar as it is correctly translated. (Generally The King James Version.)

faulty pc

 

The Errors of Soul Sleep.

 

The Errors of Soul Sleep by Keith Piper

Question: Where do spirits go after death? Answer: The spirit and soul of a saved person go to heaven. The spirit of a lost person goes to hell. This happens immediately at death. The soul does not go to sleep, losing consciousness. The body sleeps in the grave, but the soul remains conscious, either in heaven or in hell. MAN'S MAKEUP IS BODY, SOUL and SPIRIT because: 1. Man's being consists of body, soul and spirit. "... I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Thessalonians 5:23) 2. "The Word of God ... piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow." (Hebrews 4:12) This shows man's nature to be trichotomous: soul, spirit, body. 3. Paul discusses three kinds of men as natural (following body impulses), carnal (following soul impulses) and spiritual (following spiritual leading of the Holy Spirit). (1 Corinthians 2:14-3:4) 4. "The Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground (body), and breathed into his nostrils the breath (spirit) of life; and man became a living soul (soul)". Genesis 2:7. It is not said that man became spirit and soul; but rather, that God inbreathed spirit, and man became a living soul. God's life took possession of clay, and as a result man had a soul. 5. God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness ... so God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him ..." (Genesis 1:26-27) As God has a spirit, soul and body, so does man have a spirit, soul and body, in God's image. As God is a Trinity, so is man a Trichotomous being. See example below: Note: The Holy Spirit corresponds to our spirit. Jesus Christ with a resurrection body corresponds to our body. As the Father directs the Son and Holy Spirit, so does the soul (mind) direct our body and spirit to obey its decisions. This explains how Jesus as God, obeys His Father, in the same way that our body obeys our mind's directives. Jesus Christ submits to the Father, and our body submits to our mind. Jesus Christ is still as 100% God as His Father, and our body is still as 100% human as our mind. WHAT HAPPENS TO US AFTER DEATH? At death, the soul and spirit leave the body. 1. Unbelievers. In the Old Testament, the spirit and soul of an unbeliever went immediately to the torment of hell, which is inside the earth. Notice these verses showing that people are conscious in hell, and that hell is inside the earth. 1. The sorrows of hell compassed me about. (Psalm 18:5) Note: Hell has sorrows. 2. The pains of hell got hold of me. (Psalm 116:3) Note: Hell has pains. 3. The wicked shall be turned into hell. (Psalm 9:17) Note: Hell is for the wicked. 4. It is as high as heaven ... deeper than hell. (Job 11:8) Note: Hell is deep. 5. A fire ... shall burn to the lowest hell. (Deuteronomy 32:22) Note: Hell has fire. 6. Hell and destruction are never full. (Proverbs 27:20) Note: Hell is like destruction. 7. Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell. (Proverbs 23:14) 8. Hell from beneath ... stirs up the dead for thee. All they shall speak and say unto thee, art thou become weak as we? (Isaiah 14:9-10) Note: People's souls in hell can stir, speak and say. This proves that soul sleep is false for unbelievers. 9. Unto the nether (lower) parts of the earth, with them that go down into the pit. (Ezekiel 32:18) Note: The pit and hell are in the lower parts of the earth. 10. The strong among the mighty shall speak to him out of the midst of hell. (Ezekiel 32:21) Note: People in hell can speak, showing that they are not asleep. 11. The Zidonians which are gone down with the slain ... Pharaoh shall see them, and shall be comforted, even Pharaoh and all his army slain by the sword. (Ezekiel 32:30-31) Note: Pharaoh, after being killed in battle is comforted in hell by seeing the Zidonians, who have also been killed in battle, enter hell with him. People can see in hell, have comforting thoughts of other people suffering and thus, are not sleeping. 12. The rich man in Hell, could see, hear, taste and touch. Four times it says that he is tormented. "And in hell he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, and seeing Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom (v.23). And he cried and said, father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame (v.24). But Abraham said, ...now he (Lazarus) is comforted, and thou art tormented (v.25). Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment (v.28)." (Luke 16:19-31) 2. Old Testament Believers. In the Old Testament, the spirit and soul of a believer went immediately to the comfort of paradise in the lower parts of the earth. a) Now he (Lazarus) is comforted. (Luke 16:25) b) Jesus said unto him, verily I say unto thee, today shalt thou be with Me in paradise. (Luke 23:43) Note: The Jehovah's Witness translation of this verse is utterly childish. Jesus is supposed to have said, "verily I say unto thee today". Well of course He said it today. When else would He be saying it? Yesterday? "I say" is present tense. c) Samuel's spirit came up out of the earth after his death to tell Saul that tomorrow Saul, Jonathan and his other sons would be killed in battle, and would be with Samuel in paradise. "... The woman said to Saul, I saw gods ascending out of the earth ... What form is he of? And she said, an old man cometh up: and he is covered with a mantle. And Samuel said to Saul, Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up? ... Tomorrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me." (1 Samuel 28:12-19) Note: Samuel was resting in paradise in the earth, and resented Saul disturbing him by bringing him up. Samuel was not asleep, just resting, not soul sleep, but conscious. When Jesus died, He descended into the lower parts of the earth, and after preaching to spirits in prison (1 Peter 3:19), He led all Old Testament believers out of paradise (inside the earth) and up to heaven. " ... when He ascended up on high, He led captivity captive ... (now that He ascended, what is it but that He also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?)" (Ephesians 4:8-9) By which also He went and preached unto the spirits in prison. (1 Peter 3:19) Jesus would not waste His time preaching to spirits imprisoned in the underworld if they were sleeping and could not hear Him. You only preach to those who are conscious. 3. New Testament Believers. In the New Testament, the spirit and soul of believers go immediately upon dying to heaven. We know this because of these reasons: a) To depart and to be with Christ in heaven is far better. "For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and TO BE WITH CHRIST; which is far better." (Philippians 1:23) Paul desired to depart his body by dying, so that he could be with Christ IN HEAVEN, which is far better than staying on the earth. It is far better to go to soul consciousness with Christ in heaven. b) When we are absent from the body, we are present with the Lord in heaven. "... knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: we are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord." (2 Corinthians 5:6, 8) When we are out of our body (death), we are present with the Lord. Where is the Lord now? In heaven. Therefore believer's spirits and souls go to heaven on dying. c) Spirits of just men made perfect are now in heaven. "But ye are come unto ... the heavenly Jerusalem ... to the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the SPIRITS of just men made perfect." (Hebrews 12:23-24) This clearly tells us that when believers die, their spirits go to heaven immediately. d) Christ at the Second Coming brings departed believers' souls with Him to the air. 1 Thessalonians 4:14 tells us that the spirits of believers who have died, are waiting in heaven until the day when Jesus Christ will bring their spirits and souls with Him at the second coming in the air to be rejoined with their resurrected bodies. "... them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him." Their dead bodies, buried in the grave will be resurrected to rejoin their spirits and souls which Christ will bring with Him from heaven. Christ bringing their spirits and souls, shows that they are with Christ in heaven after death awaiting the resurrection. e) Souls of departed believers are in heaven crying out for revenge. After the rapture (catching away of believers to heaven) many people get saved in the seven year tribulation. Many of these are killed by the Antichrist. Do their souls go to soul-sleep in the grave? No! Their souls are seen under the altar in heaven: "I saw under the altar the SOULS of them that were slain for the word of God ... they cried with a loud voice, saying ..." (Revelation 6:9-10) These souls of dead believers are in heaven. They can cry out with a loud voice. They have memory of their death on earth, crying for revenge. They are not unconscious or soul-sleeping in the grave. Objection: Some verses come close to saying that the dead are unconscious (e.g. Psalm 30:9, 115:17, 146:4; Ecclesiastes 9:10; Isaiah 38:18-19). These say that a dead body can't praise God, but the soul is still alive. How do we understand these verses in the light of the vast majority of verses that teach that human souls are conscious after death? 1. "What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise thee? shall it declare thy truth? (Psalm 30:9) Answer: The Old Testament saints had a gloomy view of death. Death to them was seen as an interruption in their communion with God, even for believers. They saw death as a continuation of existence (Isaiah 14:9-11), but on terms which robbed it of all that deserves to be called life. David shared the common view, and he uses it as part of his appeal to God. 2. "The dead praise not the Lord, neither any that go down into silence. But we will bless the Lord." (Psalm 115:17) Answer: Jesus had not yet brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel. "But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel." (2 Timothy 1:10) Believers now have eternal life and an immortal soul. The Holy Spirit used Old Testament believers' limited understanding of the afterlife to urge them to praise God while they could. 3. "His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts6250 perish." (Psalm 146:4) Answer: When a person dies, his earthly plans, ambitions and thoughts perish with him. When you are dead, you cannot contribute anything to fulfill your earthly ambitions. "Thoughts" in Hebrew mean "polished, sleek, plans formed in the mind". "His thoughts perish" means that his ambitions perish. "Eshtonah"6250 from "ashath"6245 is only ever used of "thoughts" here in Psalm 146:4. "Thoughts" most commonly used in the Old Testament is "machashabah"4284, a different Hebrew word to that word used in Psalm 146:4. "Thoughts that perish" are the wicked man's plans and purposes which come to naught at his death. The thoughts which go to the grave are his vain projects. (e.g. the thoughts of the rich fool of building bigger barns and of many years of ease and prosperity.) All his selfish, worldly schemes, perished in that same night. (Luke 12:16-21). Luke 9:30-31 show that Moses and Elias lived after death to talk with Christ on the Mount Transfiguration. Luke 20:38 "He is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto Him." Colossians 3:2 The New Testament tells believers to "set your affections on things above." This means that we go to heaven at death. 4. "... the dead know not anything ..." (Ecclesiastes 9:5) Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished." (Ecclesiastes 9:6) "There is no work, no device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave where thou goest." (Ecclesiastes 9:10) Answer: Ecclesiastes 9:4, 6, 10 is written from the standpoint of knowledge "under the sun", from the viewpoint of natural man who lives without thoughts for God. This restates the philosophy of unbelievers that "when you're dead, you're dead." "For the grave cannot praise thee, death cannot celebrate thee: they that go down into the pit cannot hope for thy truth." (Isaiah 38:18) The term "sleep", when applied to death, refers to death of the body only. After the resurrection of Christ, believers went into the presence of Christ at their death. CONCLUSION. The "soul sleep" error is held by Seventh Day Adventists, Jehovah's Witnesses, and Christadelphians. Use these Scriptures to refute this error.

Proof that mormon founder joseph smith was arrested AND CONVICTED for fraud.

 It is not new the fact that joseph smith, the founder of the mormon cult was arrested for "glass looking".

This was taking money from people and pretending to "see" by occult means treasure buried on that persons' land.

But, what mormons WON'T tell you is that joe was not only arrested but CONVICTED of this crime.

They will say he was arrested and not convicted, or they will play the "persecution" or "people had a grudge against him" cards.

Now, these mormons are either ignorant of the incident or are flat out lying to you.

Here i present PROOF by witnesses and OFFICIAL COURT DOCUMENTS which has been discovered that prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that joe was a con-man.

Hiel and Joseph Lewis: "Some time previous to 1825, a man by the name of Wm. Hale, a distant relative of Uncle Isaac Hale, came to Isaac Hale and said that he had been informed by a woman by the name of Odle, who claimed to possess the power of seeing under ground (such persons were then commonly called peepers), that there were great treasures concealed in the hill northeast from Isaac Hale's house, and by her directions Wm. Hale commenced digging. But, being too lazy to work and too poor to hire, he obtained a partner by the name of Oliver Harper, of New York State, who had the means to hire help. But after a short time operations were suspended, for a time, during which Wm. Hale heard of PEEPER Joseph Smith, jr., and wrote to him and soon visited him, and found Smith's representations were so flattering that Smith was either hired or became a partner with Wm. Hale, Oliver Harper and a man by the name of Stowell, who had some property. They hired men and dug in several places.”

"But while he was engaged in looking in his peep-stone and old white hat, directing the digging for money, and boarding at Uncle Isaac Hale's, he formed an intimacy with Mr. Hale's daughter, and after the abandonment of the money-digging speculation, he consummated the elopement and marriage to the said Emma Hale, and she became his accomplice in his humbug Golden Bible and Mormon religion.". Ibid. p. 78, 79. Close relatives of Emma Hale Smith.

My Video on this lesson

HOW TO UNDERSTAND ADVERSITY

Bible Reading: Hebrews 12:1-15.

Aim: To understand God’s purposes for adversity.

Key 1: Our first response to adversity should not be to try to remove it, but to allow adversity to reveal our true weakness.

Introduction: Adversity can be our greatest motivation for spiritual growth or our deadliest means of discouragement. The difference depends on us understanding God’s purposes in adversity.


What does adversity do for us? What does God achieve through adversity?

1. Adversity is God’s Way of Getting Our Attention.
The cares of the world can choke out the Word of God and drown out the voice of the Holy Spirit. While we are busy with our plans, goals, projects and friendships, God patiently reminds us in Jeremiah 35:14, “I have spoken unto you, rising early and speaking; but ye hearkened not unto us.”

When adversity comes, we are suddenly faced with problems and pressures that are too big for us to resolve. Our inward response should be, “Unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not my enemies triumph over me.” Psalm 25:1,2.

As adversity continues and our human strength is drained, Christ’s invitation becomes more attractive, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28.

God’s ultimate purpose in getting our attention is to conform us to the image of Christ. Because of this, all adversity works together for our good (Romans 8:28,29).

Through it we learn of Christ, who is meek and lowly. His burden is light.

2. Adversity is our Assurance that God Loves Us.

“For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth” Hebrews 12:6,7,10,11. Three results of chastening:

1.    We give God reverence. 12:9.
2. Our profit, to be partakers of God’s holiness. 12:10.
3. It yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness. 12:11.

When we recognise God’s love in adversity, we can:

i) Lift up the hands which hang down and the feeble knees. v.12. This means to get back serving God with our hands and legs.

ii) Make straight paths for your feet. v.13.
This means to get back on the path of righteousness. “He leadeth me.” Psalm 23:3.

iii) Follow peace and holiness with all men. v.14.
This means that right relationships are restored with men and God.

iv) Avoid failing of the grace of God or bitterness will follow. v.15.

Failing of the grace of God means that one can not respond with the grace of God, but with envy, bitterness, nervousness, then carnality.

3. Adversity is God’s Call for Self Examination.

“If we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 11:31,32.

God requires that we search out, confess and forsake every sin.

“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper.” Proverbs 28:13.

God established the Lord’s Table as the time and place for self-examination. If this is neglected, God may give physical adversity as a further motivation for self examination. 1 Cor. 11:28-30.

-If things are not going well for us, the reason may be that we dishonoured our parents “Honour thy father and mother..…that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.” Ephesians 6:2,5.

-If it seems that evil will not depart from our household, it may be because we have rewarded evil to those who did good to us, “Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.” Proverbs 17:13.

4. Adversity is God’s Way of Conquering Our Pride.

-The adversity of contention reveals pride.“Only by pride cometh contention.” Proverbs 13:10.

-The adversity of destruction is the result of pride in a person.

“Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” Proverbs 16:18. -The adversity of shame is God’s means of humbling us.

“When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.” Proverbs 11:2.

“A man’s pride shall bring him low.” Proverbs 29:23.

“Whoso exalteth himself shall be abased &he that humbleth himself shall be exalted” Luke14:11

“God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble.” James 4:6,7.

5. Adversity is a Reminder of Our Weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10.

When all is going well, we are tempted to think that we don’t need God. If we have a thorn in the flesh (v.7), Christ’s grace is sufficient (v.9) and we learn to glory in our unchangeable features (v.9). We then experience the power of Christ upon us (v.9). When I am weak, then am I strong (v.10). I take pleasure in infirmities (weaknesses), reproaches and necessities (v.10).

6. Adversity Motivates us to Cry Out To God.

God responds to the cry of His children when we are in adversity.
“The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth,and delivers them out of all their troubles.” Psalm 34:17.
We should cry out in the right ways:

1. Cry out to God with our voice. “I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill.” Psalm 3:4.

2. Cry out to God in humility. “He forgetteth not the cry of the humble.” Psalm 9:12


Key 2: Our second response to adversity should be: Not to focus on outward circumstances, but to realise that we are dealing with unseen spiritual powers.

7. Adversity is Evidence of Spiritual Warfare.

Note:  If  we  do  not  recognise  when  adversity  is  spiritual  warfare,  we  will  be overwhelmed and tempted to give up. When adversity takes the form of confusion, suspicion , division, and anger, then spiritual warfare is on. Paul encouraged Christians to be strong, courageous, and prepared to be good soldiers. Matt 7:24-27

8. Adversity is God’s Method of Purifying our Faith. This leads to Patience. “But without faith it is impossible to please Him.” Hebrews 11:6.

FAITH may need to be tested in the fires of adversity. “the trial of your faith.” 1 Peter 1:6,7. Faith is essential for living the Christian life.


Why? Because the ways of God are opposite to the natural inclinations of man. Adversity may come from: 1. Those who mock God’s principles, or

2. Because we violate God’s principles.

In either case, adversity will strengthen our faith. PATIENCE comes from adversity.

“Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.” James 1:3.

With this kind of faith and patience, we can obtain the promises of God.

“Followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” Hebrews6:12.

9. Adversity Increases our Hatred for Evil.

When God exposes secret sin, He allows others to see it’s devastating consequences, such as:

Islamic terrorist bombings, Saddam Hussein; Homosexuality, Aids; Fornication, Divorce; Childhood lying, President Nixon’s Lies. In this way, the simple (ignorant) are warned not to be fooled by Satan focusing our eyes on “the pleasures of sin which last for a season.” Hebrew 11:25

God will not be mocked with our sin. Galatians 6:7,8. Our hatred of evil should increase as we realise how:

1. Sin (as a thief) robs us of our potential for achieving & enjoying what God had planned for us;

2. Our sins damage the lives of those whom we love. We don’t hate evil because we don’t realise its final cost. Sin brings death.

Adam and Eve did not realise the cost of their sin to all mankind.

10. Adversity reminds us to Pray for our Authorities.

God teaches us that a quiet and peaceable life is related to intercessory prayer for those in authority over us. 1 Timothy 2:1,2.
Note: Those who are in positions of responsibility provide spiritual protection for those under their care, such as parents, pastors. When there are failures in the life of a leader, the “umbrella of protection” develops “leaks”. Satan is given greater freedom to defeat those who are under that authority. Therefore it is important in order to be a good leader to submit to authority yourself. Even a little leak in a roof can let in a great deal of water. Spiritual leaders are judged by a higher standard. James 3:1.When we experience temptations, so do church leaders. They need our prayers.

11. Adversity is a Signal to Re-evaluate our Priorities.

Wrong priorities may result in much painful adversity, not only for us, but also for those who are affected by our lives.

Type 1: When we fail to spend proper time with the Lord in memorising His Word, meditating and praying, we rob others of spiritual encouragement and direction. Instead, we become vulnerable to transgression. Psalm 107:17,19.

God saves us out of our distress with His Word. Psalm 107:20.

Type 2: When we try to do more than God intended us to do.

“Six days shalt thou labour and do all thy work.” Exodus 20:9.

12. Adversity is God’s way of Testing Our Work.

Every spiritual house that is built must be tested to prove that it is founded on truth. “rain descended (to test the roof), the floods came (to test the foundation), the winds blew (to test the structure),and beat upon that house,and it fell not:for it was founded upon a rock.”

“The fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.” 1 Corinthians 3:13-15.

13. Adversity is God’s way of Testing our Friendships.

It will reveal which friends are concerned about getting. It will reveal which friends are concerned about giving.

“A true friend loveth at all times and a brother is born for adversity.” Proverbs 17:17. For example, The Good Samaritan’s commitment to his neighbour, who had fallen among thieves, continued until the man’s needs were met. Luke 10:30-37. Contrasting example: The Prodigal Son while spending money, had many friends, but when his money ran out, and hardship came, all his friends then left. On the other hand, Jonathan was loyal to David in bad times.

Key 3: Our third response to adversity should be:

Not to live for Christ in our own efforts, but to realise that Christ must live in us through the power and filling of the Holy Spirit.

14. Adversity is God’s Call to Identify with Christ.

Adversity causes us to want more of Christ’s power in our lives. Galatians 2:20. Paul suffered the loss of all things to win more people to Christ and to experience the power of Christ’s resurrection. God’s power becomes a reality to us from Romans 6-8.

-Romans 6. We learn to know that we are crucified with Christ. We learn how to reckon ourselves dead to sin and alive to God. We learn how to yield ourselves to God and our members as instruments of righteousness to God. (Romans 6:6,11,13).

-Romans 7. We discover a new problem. We are still overcome by the demands of the Law. We try to live according to God’s principles, but we can’t do it. We learn that our death in Christ also caused us to die to the Law, so that we are free to be controlled by God’s Spirit in order to bring forth spiritual fruit. (Romans 7:1-6).

-Romans 8. We learn our source of power over sin. This is the indwelling Holy Spirit of God based on our position in Christ. As we walk in God’s Spirit rather than in our own flesh, God is able to fulfil the righteousness of the Law in us. (Romans 8:2-4).

15. Adversity is Motivation for Open Accountability to God and Others.

Aim to be blameless as we will be accountable to God. God’s key to life, peace, wisdom and achievement is a moment-by-moment awareness of our accountability for all our words, thoughts, actions, attitudes and motives. This awareness is the fear of the Lord. It is the beginning of wisdom. When we lose our continual awareness of God, we think and act as if God did not exist. God responds by allowing adversity into our life. Judges 2:20-22.

16. Adversity Prepares us to Comfort Others. 2 Corinthians 1:3-5; 2 Corinthians 4:8-10. Irritations are God’s way of increasing our sensitivity to the needs of others, increasing our opportunities to serve God, and developing inward qualities. When God achieves His purposes through an irritation, He is then free to remove that irritation from our lives.


CONCLUSION: How do you respond to adversity? Will adversity make you better or bitter? If we continually retreat from adversity, we force God to raise up new irritations or to set aside His best plan for our lives. Permanent irritations have a permanent benefit in our development and ministry.