Coronavirus Becoming a Pandemic? New Outbreaks Outside China Spark Growing Fears

The deadly coronavirus appears to be spreading beyond China at an alarming rate. Japan already had an outbreak. Now there are escalating outbreaks in Italy, Iran, and South Korea where the president is calling for “unprecedented” steps to stop it. The question is: can the virus be stopped?

Japan has 840 cases, and four deaths. South Korea has at least 833 cases and seven deaths. In Iran, one lawmaker says far more people are dying there than the government has revealed. He says at least 50 people have died from COVID-19 in the Iranian city of Qom this month alone. In Italy,  219 people are known to be infected and five have died.  

The latest figures indicate 79,000 people have been infected globally, with more than 2,600 people dying from the virus, mostly in China. 

A new report detailing the first 72,000 COVID-19 cases reveals some surprises.

Infectious disease specialists like Cleveland Clinic’s Dr. Frank Esper are analyzing the report, and he told CBN News the virus spreads through droplets. 

“We think that most times people are being infected when they are coughed nearby in a 6-foot radius or so, or sneezed in a 6-foot radius. It aerosolizes in that small area for a very brief amount of time. It is not like SARS. SARS was airborne. Measles is airborne. That’s where the virus can lay around in the room for two hours waiting for someone to inhale it. This coronavirus is not like that. It is mostly you have to be in the same room in the same close proximity of another individual to be infected,” Esper explained.

Eastern Virginia Medical School infectious disease expert Dr. Edward Oldfield says new information about people who carry the virus reveals why it may be more difficult to control. “Now we’re finding significant amounts of virus in nasal passages and oropharynx even in people who have no symptoms,” he said.

That includes people who’ve already recovered from it.  

The good news? A vaccine and treatments are on the horizon, possibly within months, fast-tracked because of COVID-19’s similarity to SARS – a deadly coronavirus from 17 years ago.

Dr. Oldfield said, “A protease inhibitor Kaletra had activity against SARS. They’ve already started a study in Wuhan. There’s another experimental drug called Remdesivir and they’ve also started a study with that.”

Experts say expect more deadly coronaviruses unless China deals with crowded, unsanitary markets where wild animals are sold and slaughtered – the kind where both SARS and COVID-19 reportedly first transferred to humans.  

Meanwhile, doctors say right now Americans should still be more concerned with the flu.

Dr. Oldfield said, “This is probably the worst flu season in a decade. It started with influenza-B. Right at January 2020, it started dropping down. So we thought maybe it was going to be a short season. And then it came roaring back with influenza-A.”

The CDC reports 16,000 flu deaths so far this season, including 105 children.

 

Source CBN

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PODCAST: Kobe Bryant, From His Own Mouth, Trusted Jesus Christ as His Saviour and Is Now in Heaven, Not in Hell. The Question Now Is, If You Were to Tragically Die Today Where Would You Go Heaven Or Hell? (Gospel Light Minute X #424 with Daniel Whyte III)

Kobe Bryant, From His Own Mouth, Trusted Jesus Christ as His Saviour and Is Now in Heaven, Not in Hell. The Question Now Is, If You Were to Tragically Die Today Where Would You Go Heaven Or Hell? (GLMX #424)

This is the “chief of sinners,” Daniel Whyte III, president of Gospel Light Society International, reminding you of what the Bible says, that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” like you and me.

James 4:14 reads, “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.”

Hebrews 9:27 reads, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:”

Kobe Bryant, the retired five-time NBA champion with the Los Angeles Lakers, died tragically and unexpectedly on January 26, 2020 at age 41 when his helicopter crashed into a mountainside near Calabasas, California, along with his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, head baseball coach at Orange Coast College John Altobelli, his wife Keri and their 14-year-old daughter Alyssa, wife and mom Sarah Chester and her 13-year old daughter Payton, basketball assistant coach Christina Mauser; and pilot Ara Zobayan. The group of nine were en route to a basketball game at Bryant’s Mamba Sports Academy in Newbury Park. These young people with their lives ahead of them were not expecting to die and no one was prepared for the news of their tragic passing as they left behind grieving spouses, children, parents, siblings, friends and coworkers. We have prayed for all of the families impacted since this tragedy happened.

As millions around the world mourn the sudden and untimely death of Kobe Bryant, who by all indications was just beginning his new life outside of basketball having already won an Academy Award, the Bible reminds us that all of us will die one day. You may not know how or when but one day you will pass into eternity.

Most of us expect to live long, fulfilled lives where we will be able to “prepare” for death at a ripe old age, such as by making our own funeral arrangements and writing a will. Some say they will think about death “later” and sadly many do not think about death at all or about what comes after.

Following his untimely death, Randy Shepherd and Jamie Johnson of Crossfire Ministry shared a picture they took with Kobe Bryant in London at the 2012 Summer Olympics. This picture comes with a story. Shepherd recalls: “[W]e were telling different guys about Crossfire basketball ministry, and Kobe was there.”

The photo opportunity happened quickly at the Team USA hotel. That encounter gave Shepherd and Johnson a chance to ask Kobe about something bigger than basketball.

Shepherd told News 13, “He was gracious, his bodyguard stepped out of the way. And I said ‘Kobe, have you ever invited the Lord Jesus Christ to come into your life as your Lord and Savior?’ A question I’ve asked a lot of people from kids to the president and he said, ‘yes, I’ve done that’.”

After posing for the picture, they gave him a Crossfire testimony Gospel card.

Now, like everyone else, Shepherd and Johnson are shocked at his death.

Johnson said, “I hope each of us takes a moment to stop and think about what lies ahead. We are not promised tomorrow and it is not a bad idea to ponder what comes next after we die. The Bible says, we are not promised tomorrow. And tomorrow in the Bible means, at some point we will die and we don’t always know when. Therefore it is important for each of us to tackle the question, ‘Where am I going when I die?’ Yes, Kobe will be greatly missed for different reasons, family, sports influence and more, but assuming he placed his faith in Christ [as he told us], along with the others, they’ll all spend eternity with Jesus Christ.”

Kobe Bryant’s death and the deaths of the eight others who perished with him on that fatal helicopter ride, remind us that we all have an appointment with death. Hebrews 9:27 reads, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:” You might guess that your death is a long way off, when it might be as soon as…today. So dear friend, you need to think about death and you need to prepare for your death and what comes after. If you do not know how to do that here is how:

First, accept the fact that you are a sinner, and that you have broken God’s law. The Bible says in Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”

Second, accept the fact that there is a penalty for sin. The Bible states in Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death…”

Third, accept the fact that you are on the road to hell. Jesus Christ said in Matthew 18:8: “Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.” Also, the Bible states in Revelation 21:8: “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”

Now that is bad news, but here’s the good news. Jesus Christ said in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will.

Romans 10:9 & 13 says, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved… For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

If you believe that Jesus Christ died on the Cross for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead, and you want to trust Him for your Salvation today, please pray with me this simple prayer: Holy Father God, I realize that I am a sinner and that I have done some bad things in my life. I am sorry for my sins, and today I choose to turn from my sins. For Jesus Christ sake, please forgive me of my sins. I believe with all of my heart that Jesus Christ died for me, was buried, and rose again. I trust Jesus Christ as my Savior and I choose to follow Him as Lord from this day forward. Lord Jesus, please come into my heart and save my soul and change my life today. Amen.

If you believed in your heart that Jesus Christ died on the Cross, was buried, and rose again, allow me to say, congratulations on doing the most important thing in life and that is accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour! For more information to help you grow in your newfound faith in Christ, go to Gospel Light Society.com and read “What To Do After You Enter Through the Door”. Jesus Christ said in John 10:9, “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.”

If you accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior today, please email me at [email protected] and let us know. There is some free material that we want to send you. If you have a prayer request, please e-mail that to us as well, and we will pray for you until you tell us to stop.

Remember, friend, Believe by faith. Share the faith. and Keep the faith!

God Bless You!

Let me leave you with this prayer. If you pray this daily it will help prepare you for the eventualities of life:

God, prepare us for good days and bad days,
prepare us for celebrations and tragedies,
prepare us for weddings and funerals,
prepare us for life and death.In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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Company demolishes the wrong house: Bernie Sanders’s popularity and the balance of sincerity and truth

You can be sincerely wrong.

A demolition crew in Dallas tore down a century-old house by mistake last week. They had a permit to demolish a home two blocks away. “I’ve been in this business all my life and done thousands of demolitions, and this has never happened,” the owner of the demolition company said. “We made a mistake and thought we had the right property.” 

This “mistake” is a cultural parable. 

The “age of authenticity” 

Over the weekend, Bernie Sanders won what the Wall Street Journal calls a “resounding victory” in the Nevada caucuses. His win cements his front-runner status for the Democratic presidential nomination. 

The senator’s supporters especially appreciate his authenticity. Many of President Trump’s supporters say the same thing

Ours has been called the “age of authenticity”. An international survey found that 87 percent of global consumers felt it was important for brands to “act with integrity at all times.” They ranked authenticity above innovation (72 percent) and uniqueness (71 percent) when asked what they valued most in a brand. 

Millennials are especially suspicious of image and crafted messages. And they are 50 percent more likely to purchase from a company that supports a cause. 

Scripture endorses sincerity, of course. We are taught, “Let your love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good” (Romans 12:9). We are to “put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy” (1 Peter 2:1). 

But as I’m sure Sen. Sanders and President Trump would agree, sincerity by itself is not enough. 

Will psychiatric euthanasia become legal in the US? 

It is unsurprising that the Utah State Senate unanimously voted last week to decriminalize polygamy. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts foresaw such a move when a majority of the court legalized same-sex marriage in 2015: “It is striking how much of the majority’s reasoning…

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Iran Says 4 More Died of Coronavirus, Total Death Toll at 12

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) – Iranian officials on Monday reported four more deaths from the new coronavirus, bringing the death toll so far in Iran to 12, the country’s state TV reported. 
  
The state media broadcaster quoted lawmaker Asadollah Abbasi as saying that the total number of confirmed cases now stands at 47, including those who have died of the virus. Abbasi said the latest figures came from Health Minister Saeed Namaki at a closed session of the parliament.
  
The report comes after the health ministry on Sunday raised the death toll from the new virus that first emerged in China in December to eight, amid concerns that clusters there as well as in Italy and South Korea could signal a serious new stage in its global spread.
  
The outbreak in Iran has centered mostly on the city of Qom, but spread rapidly over the past few days to people in at least four other cities, including the capital, Tehran. Iranians also went to the polls on Friday for nationwide parliamentary elections, with many voters wearing masks and stocking up on hand sanitizer. 
  
Abbasi said people who illegally travelled to Iran from Pakistan, Afghanistan and China were the “source” of the infection.
  
Travellers infected with the virus from Iran were confirmed in Canada and Lebanon last week. In more recent days, the United Arab Emirates reported a married Iranian couple had been found to be infected.
  
Kuwait said on Monday that three people returning from the Iran were infected with the virus, among them a Saudi national, while Bahrain reported a citizen returning from Iran had also been found to have the virus.
  
Countries bordering Iran have taken preventive measures to limit the spread of the virus from Iranian travellers, with some barring Iranians from entry altogether.
  
Iran is already facing diplomatic and economic isolation under U.S. pressure. The virus threatens to isolate Iran even further as countries shut their borders to Iranians.
  
Authorities in Iran shuttered schools in at least 10 provinces across the country. Tehran University also suspended classes and shuttered its dormitories for several days. Those who live in student dorms were asked to return to their home towns and continue classes through the internet where possible.
  
Soccer fans across the country will not be allowed to attend matches, and shows in movie theaters and other venues were suspended until Friday. Authorities have begun daily sanitization of Tehran’s metro, which is used by some 3 million people, and public transportation cars in the city.

(Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.)

Source CBN

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Five Types of Unhealthy Giving to a Church

By Thom S. Rainer

“I’m just happy when our church gets any type of gifts.”

The comment came from a pastor whose church struggled regularly to meet budget. I get it. Any financial gift can seem better than no gifts. 

But I have worked with dozens of churches where some types of financial or other gifts can actually hurt a church. Here are five of the most common examples, recognizing that some of them can overlap. 

  1. Hostage gifts. Typically, these gifts come from members who are some of the biggest givers in the church. They remind the pastor and other leaders that the church would be hurt significantly if they stop giving. They use their giving as leverage to get their way with at least an implied threat of holding back funds if they don’t. 
  2. Spring cleaning gifts. The donor decides to bring something from home he or she no longer wants. They take a tax break and leave the item at the church. The problem is that some of these gifts are useless to the church. I consulted with one church that had five donated and never-used upright pianos. The pastor did not want to get rid of them lest he offends the donors. 
  3. Preference gifts. These financial gifts are designated and conditional. They are not contributed to a typical designated fund, such as a building fund. Instead, they are given with clear stipulations for the use of the funds, even though the church really can’t benefit from them. One example was a six-figure gift specifically for stained-glass windows in a worship center that had…

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WATCH: Justin Bieber Makes Surprise Appearance at Kanye West’s Sunday Service to Sing Marvin Sapp’s “Never Would Have Made It”

Justin Bieber was among hundreds devoted to celebrating Christ at Kanye West’s Sunday Service.

While attending the religious gathering, the 25-year-old Yummy singer made a surprise performance of Marvin Sapp’s gospel hit Never Would Have Made It to a roaring crowd.

‘Never could have made it, without you,’ Bieber sang, while wearing a red hoodie after a moving performance of Every Hour by West and his chorus in a video shared on Kim Kardashian’s Instagram Story.

The audience grew more vocal, as he passionately sang: ‘I’m stronger, I’m wiser/ I’m better, much better/When I look back over all you brought me through.’

During his performance Bieber beamed, as one attendee pointed to the sky and others clapped enthusiastically.

As Bieber closed his emotional performance, asking to be ‘set free,’ he jumped off the stage to give the 42-year-old Follow God singer a sweet embrace.

While Kardashian only filmed the back of the pop superstar’s head, the smooth vocals undeniably belonged to the Sorry hitmaker.

Bieber was among a few special performers on Sunday, which also included performances from Roddy Ricch and Rob Base.

West’s firstborn child North, 6, could be dancing excitedly in the crowd in additional videos captured by the KKW Beauty founder.

Justin first expressed interest in one of Yeezy’s gospel gatherings after performing at another church last March.

‘My whole message at church the other day was there’s power in your weakness,’ he told TMZ at the time.

Practicing Christianity is important to Bieber and wife Hailey Baldwin, who are regulars at the Hillsong Church in LA.

The devoted churchgoers recently opened up about how faith plays a major role in his long-term plans, including when he’ll have children.

‘When you accept Jesus, he says that now you walk with the Holy Spirit. So, I think I just want to be led by the Holy Spirit,’ said in an interview with Apple Music’s Zane Lowe to promote his new album Changes, which became his seventh record to hit number one.

Before beginning a family, however, he would like to ‘go on tour, be married, enjoy travelling with just us, build more of our relationship.’

SOURCE: Daily Mail, Dierdre Simonds

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WATCH: Jada Pinkett Smith Says ‘My Heart Dropped’ as She Confronts Snoop Dogg About His Attack on Gayle King Over Kobe Bryant Interview on “Red Table Talk”

Jada Pinkett Smith confronted Snoop Dogg over how he publicly berated Gayle King after she dredged up Kobe Bryant’s rape allegations in the wake of the basketball star’s death.

Snoop, a close fan of Bryant’s, shocked fans when he lashed out at CBS This Morning host Gayle King after a segment of an interview about the late basketball star and his rape trial was taken out of context earlier this month.

In a since-deleted video, Snoop called King a ‘funky, dog-haired b****’ and demanded she ‘back off before we come get you’.

He later apologized to King, and she accepted.

But he was forced to face his words again when Smith brought up the ordeal in an upcoming episode of Red Table Talk, telling the rapper how disappointed she was in his treatment of King.

In a clip from the interview, which airs February 26, Smith says: ‘When you first came out and you said what you said, you know in regards to Gayle, my heart dropped.

‘I felt like not only were you talking to Gayle, but you were talking to me. I was like, “Oh no, Snoop has now taken his power flow away from me, away from Willow, away from my mother.” Right?’

She continued: ‘I was like…if this is what’s happening..I was like, not Snoop! That’s one of the reasons I felt like I really wanted to have the conversation with you in the spirit of healing.’

King recently faced backlash when a clip from her CBS This Morning interview with WNBA star Lisa Leslie was posted online.

In the video, she brought up the 2003 sexual assault case against Bryant, which was ultimately settled out of court when Bryant released a public apology.

She’s since said she felt ‘mortified’ by the clip, which was edited by CBS without the full context: ‘I know that if I had only seen the clip that you saw, I’d be extremely angry with me too.’

Snoop responded in a now-deleted video: ‘Why y’all attacking us? We your people. You ain’t coming after f***ing Harvey Weinstein, asking them dumba** questions. I get sick of y’all.’But the I Wanna Thank Me artist has since released an apology video for the way he reacted.

He said: ‘I should have handled it way different than that. I was raised way better than that. So, I would like to apologize to you publicly.’

Kobe Bryant and 13-year-old daughter Gianna were among nine who died last month in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California.

SOURCE: Daily Mail, Glenn Garner

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PODCAST: Finding Rest and Peace in a Restless World, Part 8 (Just Jesus Evangelistic Campaign, Day 1011 since Jan. 20, 2017 / Day 1,308 since Jan. 1, 2016 with Daniel Whyte III)

TEXT: Matthew 11:25-30

25 At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.

26 Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.

27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.

28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

———-

John MacArthur said, “Jesus offers peace from God to all who are the recipients of His grace. He makes peace with God for those who surrender to Him in faith. And He brings the peace of God to those who walk with Him.”

C.H. Spurgeon said, “The little world within us, like the great world without, is full of confusion and strife; but when Jesus enters it, and whispers “Peace be unto you,” there is a calm, yea, a rapture of bliss.”

In our last two messages, we looked at how all things have been committed to Jesus by the Father, and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father. Here is one more thing we can learn from verse 27 of our passage.

Third, no one knows God the Father except for Jesus and those to whom Jesus will reveal Him. Our passage reads, “neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.” Jesus is God. As is written in the beginning of the Gospel of John, Jesus has existed alongside God the Father for all eternity, from before the very beginning of Creation. There is no one else whom we can look to so that we can know God. Martin Luther said, “Here the bottom falls out of all merit, all powers and abilities of reason, or the free will men dream of; and it all counts nothing before God. Christ must do and must give everything.” Matthew Henry said, “The happiness of men lies in an acquaintance with God; it is life eternal, it is the perfection of rational beings. Those who would have an acquaintance with God, must apply themselves to Jesus Christ; for the light of the knowledge of the glory of God shines in the face of Christ. We are obliged to Christ for all the revelation we have of God the Father’s will and love, ever since Adam sinned; there is no comfortable intercourse between a holy God and sinful man, but in and by a Mediator.” Man has tried to know God since he was formed. The many churches, temples, synagogues, and other houses of worship testify to that fact. But all of our buildings and rituals and efforts to live up to moral standards fail in bringing us closer to God. We can only know God the Father through God the Son, Jesus Christ.

E. E. Hewitt said:

My faith has found a resting place,
from guilt my soul is freed;
I trust the ever-living One,
his wounds for me shall plead.

Enough for me that Jesus saves,
this ends my fear and doubt;
a sinful soul, I come to him,
he’ll never cast me out.

My heart is leaning on the Word,
the written Word of God,
salvation by my Savior’s name,
salvation through his blood.

My great Physician heals the sick,
the lost he came to save;
for me his precious blood he shed,
for me his life he gave.

——-

Now, if you are with us today and you do not know Jesus Christ as your Savior, allow me to show you how you can place your faith and trust in Him for Salvation from sin and Hell.

First, accept the fact that you are a sinner, and that you have broken God’s law. The Bible says in Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”

Second, accept the fact that there is a penalty for sin. The Bible states in Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death…”

Third, accept the fact that you are on the road to hell. Jesus Christ said in Matthew 18:8: “Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.” Also, the Bible states in Revelation 21:8: “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”

Now that is bad news, but here’s the good news. Jesus Christ said in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will.

Romans 10:9 & 13 says, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved… For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

If you believe that Jesus Christ died on the Cross for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead, and you want to trust Him for your Salvation today, please pray with me this simple prayer: Holy Father God, I realize that I am a sinner and that I have done some bad things in my life. I am sorry for my sins, and today I choose to turn from my sins. For Jesus Christ sake, please forgive me of my sins. I believe with all of my heart that Jesus Christ died for me, was buried, and rose again. I trust Jesus Christ as my Savior and I choose to follow Him as Lord from this day forward. Lord Jesus, please come into my heart and save my soul and change my life today. Amen.

If you believed in your heart that Jesus Christ died on the Cross, was buried, and rose again, allow me to say, congratulations on doing the most important thing in life and that is accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour! For more information to help you grow in your newfound faith in Christ, go to Gospel Light Society.com and read “What To Do After You Enter Through the Door”. Jesus Christ said in John 10:9, “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.”

If you accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior today, please email me at [email protected] and let us know. There is some free material that we want to send you. If you have a prayer request, please e-mail that to us as well, and we will pray for you until you tell us to stop.

God loves you. We love you. And may God bless you.

Daniel Whyte III has spoken in meetings across the United States and in over twenty-five foreign countries. He is the author of over forty books including the Essence Magazine, Dallas Morning News, and Amazon.com national bestseller, Letters to Young Black Men. He is also the president of Gospel Light Society International, a worldwide evangelistic ministry that reaches thousands with the Gospel each week, as well as president of Torch Ministries International, a Christian literature ministry.

He is heard by thousands each week on his radio broadcasts/podcasts, which include: The Prayer Motivator Devotional, The Prayer Motivator Minute, as well as Gospel Light Minute X, the Gospel Light Minute, the Sunday Evening Evangelistic Message, the Prophet Daniel’s Report, the Second Coming Watch Update and the Soul-Winning Motivator, among others.

He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Theology from Bethany Divinity College, a Bachelor’s degree in Religion from Texas Wesleyan University, a Master’s degree in Religion, a Master of Divinity degree, and a Master of Theology degree from Liberty University’s Rawlings School of Divinity (formerly Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary). He is currently a candidate for the Doctor of Ministry degree.

He has been married to the former Meriqua Althea Dixon, of Christiana, Jamaica since 1987. God has blessed their union with seven children.

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Resourcing Revitalization – ThomRainer.com

There are so many resources out there for church revitalization we often get the question, “Where do I start?” Here are some of our suggestions for paid, in-person, and free resources we believe may be helpful to you.

Events:

Revitalize 2020

Over 4,000 churches will close their doors in the next year, and our goal is to help pastors and church leaders reverse this trend. In short, we want to help churches move from flatlined to flourishing. We would love for you to attend Revitalize 2020, April 20-21 in Bradenton, Florida. Early-Bird registration ends in just a couple of weeks.

 

Books:

Anatomy of a Revived Church – Thom S. Rainer

If you haven’t heard, Thom Rainer has written a   new book entitled, Anatomy of a Revived Church. Since it released in  December it has consistently been in the top 10 books in its category, and was a #1 Amazon best seller.

 

 

 

Free Resources:

Est. Church Podcast

Who doesn’t love free? Pastors Sam Rainer, Micah Fries, and Josh King all lead established churches in varying stages of church revitalization. In April, their podcast entitled EST, will be featured at  ChurchAnswers.com. Check out one helpful episode, number 148, A Revitalization Story, Wellsprings Church Georgia.

 


    • Revitalize 2020 is presented by the North American Mission Board and ChurchReplanters.com. More than 10% of churches in North America are at risk of closing and the North American Mission Board is committed to reversing this trend by decreasing the death rate of…

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PODCAST: Whyte House Daily Devotional Bible Reading #88: Numbers 2, Psalm 106, and Acts 14 (with Daniel Whyte III)

This is Daniel Whyte III, president of Gospel Light Society International with the Whyte House Daily Devotional Bible Reading Episode #88. Where I read three chapters of the Holy Bible in the King James Version a day with my family as a part of our family devotions, to encourage you to read the Holy Bible in a year’s time. We are using a modified version of the Five Day Bible Reading Plan. It is modified because we read the Bible everyday and not just five days a week. The benefit of using the Five Day Bible Reading Plan is: you can read the entire Bible in a chronological reading plan that helps the Bible make sense. Today we are reading Numbers 2, Psalm 106 and Acts 14.

Charles Spurgeon said, “If you wish to know God, you must know His Word. If you wish to perceive His power, you must see how He works by His Word. If you wish to know His purpose before it comes to pass, you can only discover it by His Word.”

Lee Roberson said, “If you are a child of God, know that every promise in the Bible is yours. The Bible is a gold mine, waiting for someone to take out its riches.”

Numbers 2
1 And the Lord spake unto Mo’-ses and unto Aa’-ron, saying,

2 Every man of the children of Is’-ra-el shall pitch by his own standard, with the ensign of their father’s house: far off about the tabernacle of the congregation shall they pitch.

3 And on the east side toward the rising of the sun shall they of the standard of the camp of Ju’-dah pitch throughout their armies: and Nah’-shon the son of Am-min’-a-dab shall be captain of the children of Ju’-dah.

4 And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were threescore and fourteen thousand and six hundred.

5 And those that do pitch next unto him shall be the tribe of Is’-sa-char: and Neth’-a-neel the son of Zu’-ar shall be captain of the children of Is’-sa-char.

6 And his host, and those that were numbered thereof, were fifty and four thousand and four hundred.

7 Then the tribe of Ze-bu’-lun: and E-li’-ab the son of He’-lon shall be captain of the children of Ze-bu’-lun.

8 And his host, and those that were numbered thereof, were fifty and seven thousand and four hundred.

9 All that were numbered in the camp of Ju’-dah were an hundred thousand and fourscore thousand and six thousand and four hundred, throughout their armies. These shall first set forth.

10 On the south side shall be the standard of the camp of Reu’-ben according to their armies: and the captain of the children of Reu’-ben shall be E-li’-zur the son of Shed’-e-ur.

11 And his host, and those that were numbered thereof, were forty and six thousand and five hundred.

12 And those which pitch by him shall be the tribe of Sim’-e-on: and the captain of the children of Sim’-e-on shall be She-lu’-mi-el the son of Zu-ri-shad’-dai.

13 And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were fifty and nine thousand and three hundred.

14 Then the tribe of Gad: and the captain of the sons of Gad shall be E-li’-a-saph the son of Reu’-el.

15 And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were forty and five thousand and six hundred and fifty.

16 All that were numbered in the camp of Reu’-ben were an hundred thousand and fifty and one thousand and four hundred and fifty, throughout their armies. And they shall set forth in the second rank.

17 Then the tabernacle of the congregation shall set forward with the camp of the Le’-vites in the midst of the camp: as they encamp, so shall they set forward, every man in his place by their standards.

18 On the west side shall be the standard of the camp of E’-phra-im according to their armies: and the captain of the sons of E’-phra-im shall be E-li’-sha-ma the son of Am’-mi-hud.

19 And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were forty thousand and five hundred.

20 And by him shall be the tribe of Ma-nas’-seh: and the captain of the children of Ma-nas’-seh shall be Ga-ma’-li-el the son of Pe-dah’-zur.

21 And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were thirty and two thousand and two hundred.

22 Then the tribe of Ben’-ja-min: and the captain of the sons of Ben’-ja-min shall be A-bi’-dan the son of Gid-e-o’-ni.

23 And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were thirty and five thousand and four hundred.

24 All that were numbered of the camp of E’-phra-im were an hundred thousand and eight thousand and an hundred, throughout their armies. And they shall go forward in the third rank.

25 The standard of the camp of Dan shall be on the north side by their armies: and the captain of the children of Dan shall be A-hi-e’-zer the son of Am-mi-shad’-dai.

26 And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were threescore and two thousand and seven hundred.

27 And those that encamp by him shall be the tribe of Ash’-er: and the captain of the children of Ash’-er shall be Pa’-gi-el the son of Oc’-ran.

28 And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were forty and one thousand and five hundred.

29 Then the tribe of Naph’-ta-li: and the captain of the children of Naph’-ta-li shall be A-hi’-ra the son of E’-nan.

30 And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were fifty and three thousand and four hundred.

31 All they that were numbered in the camp of Dan were an hundred thousand and fifty and seven thousand and six hundred. They shall go hindmost with their standards.

32 These are those which were numbered of the children of Is’-ra-el by the house of their fathers: all those that were numbered of the camps throughout their hosts were six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty.

33 But the Le’-vites were not numbered among the children of Is’-ra-el; as the Lord commanded Mo’-ses.

34 And the children of Is’-ra-el did according to all that the Lord commanded Mo’-ses: so they pitched by their standards, and so they set forward, every one after their families, according to the house of their fathers.

Psalm 106
1 Praise ye the Lord. O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

2 Who can utter the mighty acts of the Lord? who can shew forth all his praise?

3 Blessed are they that keep judgment, and he that doeth righteousness at all times.

4 Remember me, O Lord, with the favour that thou bearest unto thy people: O visit me with thy salvation;

5 That I may see the good of thy chosen, that I may rejoice in the gladness of thy nation, that I may glory with thine inheritance.

6 We have sinned with our fathers, we have committed iniquity, we have done wickedly.

7 Our fathers understood not thy wonders in E’-gypt; they remembered not the multitude of thy mercies; but provoked him at the sea, even at the Red sea.

8 Nevertheless he saved them for his name’s sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known.

9 He rebuked the Red sea also, and it was dried up: so he led them through the depths, as through the wilderness.

10 And he saved them from the hand of him that hated them, and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy.

11 And the waters covered their enemies: there was not one of them left.

12 Then believed they his words; they sang his praise.

13 They soon forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel:

14 But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert.

15 And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.

16 They envied Mo’-ses also in the camp, and Aa’-ron the saint of the Lord.

17 The earth opened and swallowed up Da’-than and covered the company of A-bi’-ram.

18 And a fire was kindled in their company; the flame burned up the wicked.

19 They made a calf in Ho’-reb, and worshipped the molten image.

20 Thus they changed their glory into the similitude of an ox that eateth grass.

21 They forgat God their saviour, which had done great things in E’-gypt;

22 Wondrous works in the land of Ham, and terrible things by the Red sea.

23 Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had not Mo’-ses his chosen stood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy them.

24 Yea, they despised the pleasant land, they believed not his word:

25 But murmured in their tents, and hearkened not unto the voice of the Lord.

26 Therefore he lifted up his hand against them, to overthrow them in the wilderness:

27 To overthrow their seed also among the nations, and to scatter them in the lands.

28 They joined themselves also unto Baalpeor, and ate the sacrifices of the dead.

29 Thus they provoked him to anger with their inventions: and the plague brake in upon them.

30 Then stood up Phinehas, and executed judgment: and so the plague was stayed.

31 And that was counted unto him for righteousness unto all generations for evermore.

32 They angered him also at the waters of strife, so that it went ill with Mo’-ses for their sakes:

33 Because they provoked his spirit, so that he spake unadvisedly with his lips.

34 They did not destroy the nations, concerning whom the Lord commanded them:

35 But were mingled among the heathen, and learned their works.

36 And they served their idols: which were a snare unto them.

37 Yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto devils,

38 And shed innocent blood, even the blood of their sons and of their daughters, whom they sacrificed unto the idols of Canaan: and the land was polluted with blood.

39 Thus were they defiled with their own works, and went a whoring with their own inventions.

40 Therefore was the wrath of the Lord kindled against his people, insomuch that he abhorred his own inheritance.

41 And he gave them into the hand of the heathen; and they that hated them ruled over them.

42 Their enemies also oppressed them, and they were brought into subjection under their hand.

43 Many times did he deliver them; but they provoked him with their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity.

44 Nevertheless he regarded their affliction, when he heard their cry:

45 And he remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his mercies.

46 He made them also to be pitied of all those that carried them captives.

47 Save us, O Lord our God, and gather us from among the heathen, to give thanks unto thy holy name, and to triumph in thy praise.

48 Blessed be the Lord God of Is’-ra-el from everlasting to everlasting: and let all the people say, Amen. Praise ye the Lord.

Acts 14
1 And it came to pass in I-co’-ni-um, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed.

2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gen’-tiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren.

3 Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.

4 But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles.

5 And when there was an assault made both of the Gen’-tiles, and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use them despitefully, and to stone them,

6 They were ware of it, and fled unto Lys’-tra and Der’-be, cities of Ly-ca-o’-ni-a, and unto the region that lieth round about:

7 And there they preached the gospel.

8 And there sat a certain man at Lys’-tra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother’s womb, who never had walked:

9 The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed,

10 Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked.

11 And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Ly-ca-o’-ni-a, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.

12 And they called Bar’-na-bas, Ju’-pi-ter; and Paul, Mer-cui’-ri-us, because he was the chief speaker.

13 Then the priest of Ju’-pi-ter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people.

14 Which when the apostles, Bar’-na-bas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out,

15 And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:

16 Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways.

17 Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.

18 And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them.

19 And there came thither certain Jews from An’-ti-och and I-co’-ni-um, who persuaded the people, and having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.

20 Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Bar’-na-bas to Der’-be.

21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lys’-tra, and to I-co’-ni-um, and An’-ti-och,

22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

23 And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.

24 And after they had passed throughout Pi-sid’-i-a, they came to Pam-phyl’-i-a.

25 And when they had preached the word in Per’-ga, they went down into At-ta’-li-a:

26 And thence sailed to An’-ti-och, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled.

27 And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gen’-tiles.

28 And there they abode long time with the disciples.

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PRAY
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When I was a teenager I wanted to get wisdom and knowledge, so I set out the read the big family Bible that many families had in those days. But I couldn’t get past Genesis 2 before I got bored with reading the Bible. I found out later in life that you have to believe on Christ and get saved before you can understand the Bible. So here is how I became a Christian and how you can too:

First, accept the fact that you are a sinner, and that you have broken God’s law. The Bible says in Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”

Second, accept the fact that there is a penalty for sin. The Bible states in Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death…”

Third, accept the fact that you are on the road to hell. Jesus Christ said in Matthew 18:8: “Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.” Also, the Bible states in Revelation 21:8: “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”

Now that is bad news, but here’s the good news. Jesus Christ said in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will.

Romans 10:9 & 13 says, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved… For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

If you believe that Jesus Christ died on the Cross for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead, and you want to trust Him for your Salvation today, please pray with me this simple prayer: Holy Father God, I realize that I am a sinner and that I have done some bad things in my life. I am sorry for my sins, and today I choose to turn from my sins. For Jesus Christ sake, please forgive me of my sins. I believe with all of my heart that Jesus Christ died for me, was buried, and rose again. I trust Jesus Christ as my Savior and I choose to follow Him as Lord from this day forward. Lord Jesus, please come into my heart and save my soul and change my life today. Amen.

If you believed in your heart that Jesus Christ died on the Cross, was buried, and rose again, allow me to say, congratulations on doing the most important thing in life and that is accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour! For more information to help you grow in your newfound faith in Christ, go to Gospel Light Society.com and read “What To Do After You Enter Through the Door”. Jesus Christ said in John 10:9, “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.”

If you accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior today, please email me at [email protected] and let us know. There is some free material that we want to send you. If you have a prayer request, please e-mail that to us as well, and we will pray for you until you tell us to stop.

God loves you. We love you. And may God bless you.

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