Tag Archives: remove

Are You Sure About That?

I guess when you remove the Bible as a source of truth from public education, even the Bible Belt isn’t safe.  This likely explains the actions of a high school teacher in Tennessee who kicked a student out of class and suspended for saying, “bless you,” to another classmate who sneezed.  Fifty years since expelling God from school, now His children are in danger of experiencing the same fate.

To make matters worse, a professor from the College of Coastal Georgia has banned his students from saying bless you in class.  Students taking his Introductory Physics course will have grades lowered if the words “bless you” are uttered.  The media’s silence is defying.  Where is their outcry like the so called war on women?  This isn’t a war against one gender, its against the Creator of mankind.  Are these school’s sure about their decisions?

According to James 3:9, students have 2 daily options: to bless or curse.  If blessings become outlawed, do these administrations want their student body cursing classes, teachers and the school itself?  If the political correct crowd wants everyone to be open minded about gender issues, why are educators closing the door on God?  My question to any school official across the fruited plains, are you sure about the stance you are taking?

by Jay Mankus

 

Unleashing the Power of Prayer

During a 3 year stretch, Jesus performed miracles every day, with his 12 disciples likely eyewitnesses of these amazing feats, John 21:25.  Jesus calmed storms, walked on water, restored sight to the blind, gave voices to the mute and enabled the crippled or paralyzed to walk.  However, there are 4 passages in the gospel which reveal why modern Christians aren’t successful in their prayer life.  Mark 11:20-25 holds a powerful truth that needs to be unlocked.

In Mark 11:22, Jesus is disappointed by Peter’s reaction a verse earlier.  Jesus appears to have expected a greater faith by now, one that demonstrates unquestioning power.  However, a spirit of doubt is limiting the disciples ability to receive instantaneous answers to prayer, Mark 11:23.  Back in Mark 5:36-41, Jesus takes drastic measures, removing everyone out of a house except Peter, James, John and a dead girl.  Once doubt is eliminated from their presence, the little girl is risen from the dead.  After the road block of doubt has been bypassed, another element also stifles prayer.

According to Jesus, unconfessed sin or any grudge that is held, prevents a prayer from being carried out, Mark 11:25.  On several occasions, Jesus told the person who approached him, your sins are forgiven prior to the actually healing, Mark 2:5.  In the case of the adulterous woman, Jesus commands her to leave her life of sin, John 8:11.  The conclusion of the Lord’s Prayer contains a similar conditional clause.  Unless you forgive others of their sins first, God will not forgive you of your own sins, Matthew 6:14-15.  Therefore, if your prayer life is unproductive, 3 things must be addressed before the power of prayer can be unleashed.

1. Remove any presence of doubt from your heart, soul and mind.

2. Publicly confess any issue, mistake or sin you are currently struggling with.

3. Ask God to reveal any grudges you are holding on to as well as anyone you have not fully forgiven.

When you add faith to this simple equation, Matthew 21:21-22, God will unlock the power of prayer in your life.

by Jay Mankus