Daniel Whyte III's Blog, page 17

November 20, 2018

LISTEN: Jesus and the Would-be Disciples, Part 1 (Just Jesus Evangelistic Campaign, Day 606 since Jan. 20, 2017 / Day 973 since Jan. 1, 2016 with Daniel Whyte III)

Daniel Whyte III

TEXT: Matthew 8:18-23

18 Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about him, he gave commandment to depart unto the other side.

19 And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.

20 And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

21 And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.

22 But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.

23 And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him.

——-

After a weekend of healing and casting out devils in Capernaum, Jesus’ fame and notoriety grew even more. With all of the people who came, bringing their sick and demon-possessed relatives to Him, his location on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee would have been broadcast throughout the region. Now, verse 18 tells us that Jesus withdraws from the press of the crowds: “When Jesus saw great multitudes about him, He gave a commandment to depart unto the other side.” Peter, being a fisherman by trade, must have had a house close to the shore, so it was easy to get to the Sea without anyone intercepting them.

Jesus did not revel in His newfound popularity. He, unlike so many leaders today, did not think that the number of followers He had was the most important thing. In fact, often throughout the Gospels, we find Christ actively discouraging people from spreading His name abroad. And, we find Him very often departing from the crowds to be alone with His disciples or even completely alone as when He went up into a mountain to pray. Jesus stayed focused on His mission and did not let the neon lights of popularity and fame distract Him.

That, in itself, is a lesson for those who would be Jesus’ disciples today. Jesus calls no one to be popular or famous. In fact, those who are truly living for Christ are more likely to be unpopular in the world. And those who gain what can be described as fame gain it because they, like Jesus, don’t pursue it.

Robert Deffinbaugh describes why those who follow Jesus will most likely not be very popular: Jesus’ disciples ‘must identify with God, rather than with their sinful fellow men. The prophets of Scripture lived apart from their culture, even from their families. They were not unaware of what their culture was doing, but they were not a part of it. They stood apart from the world. So, too, the Christian is to stand apart, and thus will suffer persecution. Our words of counsel and exhortation may be welcomed by a fellow-believer who seeks to do the will of God. But our words of warning and admonition are going to be rejected by anyone who is intent upon doing evil. We are not popular because we (are supposed to) tell men what they need to hear, rather than what they want to hear.’ He goes on to to say, “One of the greatest hindrances to our prophetic ministry is our desire to be popular with the world, and to have its approval.”

Jesus’ disciples were never promised popularity. Sure, some of them achieved it. But Peter’s “popularity” came with being crucified upside down and/or beheaded. Paul’s popularity came with an unfriendly audience before the Roman emperor and many years in Roman prisons, not to mention the numerous beatings, jailings, and other misfortunes he endured. And, of course, Jesus’ popularity led to the “crowd” calling for His crucifixion. As disciples of Christ, we are not called to be popular; we are called to fulfill the purpose that God has for our lives.

One hymnwriter said:

God eternal has a purpose,

Formed in His eternal past,

Spreading to eternal future;

‘Twixt these ends all time is cast.

For with time there is the process,

Time for His accomplishment;

And in time we’re merely travelers—

For eternity we’re meant.

God would have a group of people

Built together in His plan,

Blended, knit, coordinated

As His vessel—one new man.

God would come into this vessel

With His nature, life and ways,

Mingling Spirit with our spirits

For His joy and to His praise.

As the product, the fulfillment,

Will the church in glory stand,

Consummation of the purpose

In eternal ages planned.

God will have His corporate vessel,

All His glory to contain;

Lord, we’re wholly for Thy purpose

All Thy goal in us attain.

——-

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 10:28: “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” 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 dw3@gospellightsociety.com 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.

View more on Daniel Whyte III's website »

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on November 20, 2018 18:41

LISTEN: The Acceptable Christian Sin of Gluttony #92 (A Message for the Church, with Daniel Whyte III)

Daniel Whyte III

TEXT: Ezekiel 16:49:

Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.

——-

This is an uncomfortable subject for many of us, but if you listen and take heed, this particular series can not only change your life spiritually, but it can save your life physically.

In this chapter of his book, the prophet Ezekiel delivers a poetic description of the historical relationship between Israel and Yahweh. He describes the many ways God had blessed and looked out for His chosen people as well as the many ways Israel had, unfortunately, turned away from and rebelled against God. The chapter abounds with strong, biting metaphors. In the Jewish oral tradition, this chapter was not to be read or translated in public because of its lewd (but accurate) descriptors.

In the verse we are focusing on today, we find that one of the sins of Sodom was “fulness of bread” which is likely related to an “abundance of idleness.” Regarding this verse, Dr. John Walvoord writes: “The people [of Sodom] were proud and haughty, overfed, idle, unconcerned about the poor and needy, and guilty of detestable acts, which probably refers to their homosexual lifestyle. These were abominable sins of attitude and action, commission and omission; and yet the people of Jerusalem and Judah were far guiltier than were the people of Sodom! When you read the other prophets, especially Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Amos, you hear them naming the sins of the people of Judah and warning them that judgment was coining. The people of Judah were twice the sinners the people in Samaria were, and by comparison, the people of Judah made the citizens of Samaria and Sodom look righteous! What a terrible indictment against God’s chosen people!

“Is the church today any less guilty? Members of local churches commit the same sins we read about in the newspapers, but the news doesn’t always get to the headlines. Congregations are being torn apart because of professed Christians who are involved in lawsuits, divorces, immorality, family feuds, crooked business deals, financial scandals, and a host of other activities that belong to the world. Is it any wonder that lost sinners pay little attention to our public ministry or our personal witness?”

Indeed, the gluttony of many in the church can prevent us from being effective in our witness to the world. And that is the primary reason why we need to address this issue and take the steps necessary to reverse course and honor God in our bodies so that we can lift Him up in the world.

If the Lord tarries his coming and we live, next time, we will continue looking at what this passage tells us about overcoming gluttony, obesity, and God’s plan for man’s eating habits.

——-

PRACTICAL STEP: In “The RAVE Diet and Lifestyle,” Mike Anderson continues sharing the importance of exercise as a part of your dietary changes. He writes, “When you’re sedentary, you lose muscle mass. When active, you gain it and that is the key to burning more calories. Don’t use the excuse that your metabolism slows down with age. Nonsense. Metabolism is a function of lean body mass, the more you have the higher your metabolism. Get moving, build up your lean body mass and your metabolism will move with you.

“There’s a secret known to those who exercise regularly: Exercise creates energy. Don’t wait for energy to come to you when you’re tired. When you feel that afternoon slump, shake it off and get your body moving. Taking a 15-minute walk

will keep you more awake and alert the rest of the day than an afternoon nap.”

——-

In closing, as we focus on overcoming the sin of gluttony, and managing our bodies as God intended, we must not lose sight of the most important part of our existence — our spiritual life. Even those of you who are fit, who eat right, and who exercise regularly must still address the condition of your soul. You may keep your body in perfect condition till the day you die, but you will still die — we all will, and the only thing that will matter is the condition of your soul. Is your soul in shape? Is your soul in right standing with God?

The only way to make sure of that is to trust Jesus Christ as your Savior from sin and the consequences of sin. He alone can save your soul, put you in right standing with God, and ensure that you do not perish in Hell. Now, if you do not know Jesus Christ as your Savior, here is how you can trust Him today.

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…”

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

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

View more on Daniel Whyte III's website »

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on November 20, 2018 18:37

LISTEN: The Reading and Sense of Jeremiah 1

Nehemiah 8:5-8

5 And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people; (for he was above all the people;) and when he opened it, all the people stood up:

6 And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the Lord with their faces to the ground.

7 Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law: and the people stood in their place.

8 So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.

Jeremiah 3

The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of the priests that were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin:

2 To whom the word of the Lord came in the days of Josiah the son of Amon king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign.

3 It came also in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, unto the end of the eleventh year of Zedekiah the son of Josiah king of Judah, unto the carrying away of Jerusalem captive in the fifth month.

4 Then the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,

5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

6 Then said I, Ah, Lord God! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.

7 But the Lord said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.

8 Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord.

9 Then the Lord put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the Lord said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.

10 See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.

11 Moreover the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Jeremiah, what seest thou? And I said, I see a rod of an almond tree.

12 Then said the Lord unto me, Thou hast well seen: for I will hasten my word to perform it.

13 And the word of the Lord came unto me the second time, saying, What seest thou? And I said, I see a seething pot; and the face thereof is toward the north.

14 Then the Lord said unto me, Out of the north an evil shall break forth upon all the inhabitants of the land.

15 For, lo, I will call all the families of the kingdoms of the north, saith the Lord; and they shall come, and they shall set every one his throne at the entering of the gates of Jerusalem, and against all the walls thereof round about, and against all the cities of Judah.

16 And I will utter my judgments against them touching all their wickedness, who have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, and worshipped the works of their own hands.

17 Thou therefore gird up thy loins, and arise, and speak unto them all that I command thee: be not dismayed at their faces, lest I confound thee before them.

18 For, behold, I have made thee this day a defenced city, and an iron pillar, and brasen walls against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, against the princes thereof, against the priests thereof, and against the people of the land.

19 And they shall fight against thee; but they shall not prevail against thee; for I am with thee, saith the Lord, to deliver thee.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Commentary on Jeremiah 1:1-10

Jeremiah’s early call to the work and office of a prophet is stated. He was to be a prophet, not to the Jews only, but to the neighbouring nations. He is still a prophet to the whole world, and it would be well if they would attend to these warnings. The Lord who formed us, knows for what particular services and purposes he intended us. But unless he sanctify us by his new-creating Spirit, we shall neither be fit for his holy service on earth, nor his holy happiness in heaven. It becomes us to have low thoughts of ourselves. Those who are young, should consider that they are so, and not venture beyond their powers. But though a sense of our own weakness and insufficiency should make us go humbly about our work, it should not make us draw back when God calls us. Those who have messages to deliver from God, must not fear the face of man. The Lord, by a sign, gave Jeremiah such a gift as was necessary. God’s message should be delivered in his own words. Whatever wordly wise men or politicians may think, the safety of kingdoms is decided according to the purpose and word of God.

Commentary on Jeremiah 1:11-19

God gave Jeremiah a view of the destruction of Judah and Jerusalem by the Chaldeans. The almond-tree, which is more forward in the spring than any other, represented the speedy approach of judgments. God also showed whence the intended ruin should arise. Jeremiah saw a seething-pot boiling, representing Jerusalem and Judah in great commotion. The mouth or face of the furnace or hearth, was toward the north; from whence the fire and fuel were to come. The northern powers shall unite. The cause of these judgments was the sin of Judah. The whole counsel of God must be declared. The fear of God is the best remedy against the fear of man. Better to have all men our enemies than God our enemy; those who are sure they have God with them, need not, ought not to fear, whoever is against them. Let us pray that we may be willing to give up personal interests, and that nothing may move us from our duty.

View more on Daniel Whyte III's website »

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on November 20, 2018 12:09

A Young Boy Discovers the True Meaning of Thankfulness in “In Search of Thanksgiving”

In Search of Thanksgiving
Buy Now on Amazon Kindle | Christian Serials

Under trying circumstances, 14-year-old Kristopher Chapel is challenged to find things in life to be thankful for.

View more on Daniel Whyte III's website »

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on November 20, 2018 00:16

A Young Rapper Learns the Power of Gratitude in “The Grateful Rhyme”

The Grateful Rhyme
Buy Now on Amazon Kindle | Christian Serials

A successful young rap artist learns the power of gratitude.

View more on Daniel Whyte III's website »

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on November 20, 2018 00:12

November 19, 2018

LISTEN: The Acceptable Christian Sin of Gluttony #91 (A Message for the Church, with Daniel Whyte III)

Daniel Whyte III

TEXT: Proverbs 30:8-9:

8 Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me:

9 Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the Lord? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.

——-

This is an uncomfortable subject for many of us, but if you listen and take heed, this particular series can not only change your life spiritually, but it can save your life physically.

These verses in Proverbs are a part of a collection of sayings from Agur. We don’t know much about Agur, as this is the only time he is mentioned in Scripture. However, all of the proverbs of chapter 30 are believed to have been collected by him for a document or speech delivered to “Ithiel and Ucal,” two people who may have been his disciples or friends.

Like the last proverbs that we looked at, these sayings, which make up what can be described as a prayer, highlight the importance of moderation in all things, including our eating habits. Agur prays for neither poverty nor riches because both can leads to extremes. If one is poor, he may be led to steal. If one is rich and has all his needs supplied, he may be led to ignore God and deny the need for God in his life.

This desire for moderation is also extended to Agur’s eating habits. He asks to be fed “with food convenient for me.” The Hebrew word translated as food was primarily used for bread or grain, but can be taken to mean all food staples that provide sustenance including fruit and meat. The Hebrew word translated as “convenient” means a prescribed portion, a limit, or a boundary. Agur desires have the food that is set aside for him and no more. And that is a major problem for those of us who struggle with gluttony. We find it hard to eat only that which is sufficient or needed. If there is a big pot or pan, we are compelled to get seconds.

John Gill noted that “some render [‘food convenient for me’] to be ‘the food of my allowance’, or that which is allotted and appointed for me. It seems to be the same which Job calls his ‘necessary food,’ and Christ ‘our daily bread.’ The allusion seems to be the stated measure of food allowed to servants by the day, or by the month, which was but small and scanty, yet with which Agur could be content.”

This passage reminds us that God is in the mix even in our eating habits. We can ask Him for the strength to say no when we have had that which is sufficient for us. And, we have the Holy Spirit living inside of us to help rein in the appetite of the flesh. As God is supplying our daily bread, we show respect for Him and His provision by not gorging ourselves on that which is before us and eating only the portion that is convenient, sufficient, or needed.

If the Lord tarries his coming and we live, next time, we will continue looking at what the Bible tells us about overcoming gluttony, obesity, and God’s plan for man’s eating habits.

——-

PRACTICAL STEP: In “The RAVE Diet and Lifestyle,” Mike Anderson continues sharing the importance of exercise as a part of your dietary changes. He writes, “When the brain is producing ‘happy chemicals’ — such those released when you exercise — they actually strengthen your immune system. The best time to exercise is whenever you can, but most people prefer to exercise in the mornings because it seems to jump-start their metabolism, giving them more energy and mental acuity throughout the day. It’s also easier to find the time in the early hours because there are usually fewer demands on your schedule.

“Insofar as weight loss is concerned, exercise will reduce fat and build lean muscle mass, which will increase your metabolism and that, in turn, will burn more calories. The more exercise you get, the more muscle you gain. The more muscle you gain, the more your metabolism and energy will increase — and the more fat you’ll burn.”

——-

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…”

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

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

View more on Daniel Whyte III's website »

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on November 19, 2018 18:56

LISTEN: The Story of Jesus Casting Out Many Devils and Healing Many Who Were Sick, Part 5 (Just Jesus Evangelistic Campaign, Day 605 since Jan. 20, 2017 / Day 972 since Jan. 1, 2016 Daniel Whyte III)

Daniel Whyte III

TEXT: Matthew 8:14-17

14 And when Jesus was come into Peter’s house, he saw his wife’s mother laid, and sick of a fever.

15 And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them.

16 When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick:

17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.

——-

As we have seen over the past few messages, demon possession and demonic influence is very real. While we cannot always be certain of cases of demon possession, we can often clearly see when and where the devil’s influence is present. For example, when Peter tried to discourage Jesus from going to the cross, and Jesus had to rebuke him, saying, “Get thee behind me, Satan,” Peter wasn’t demon possessed, but the devil had slipped some thoughts into his mind that he had temporarily bought into. That can happen to any of us.

Talking about demon possession in Bible times is one thing, but talking about it in our lives today is something else. Simply because someone is not overtly demon-possessed, does not mean that they cannot be influenced by demonic spirits. The Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology states: “Believers are not immune from demonic attack. Demons seek to influence Christians through false doctrines and teachings as well as false miracles and wonders. Paul was buffeted. Though there can be no certainty as to how this buffeting was manifested, we do know that an ‘angel of Satan’ caused it and that Paul could not remove it through just prayer at that time.

“In the West, evangelicals have been preoccupied with the question of whether a true Christian can be demon-possessed. Such a conclusion, however, can only be an inappropriate translation of dai-mon-iz-o-mai because of the English connotations of possession with ownership, which is not in the original. Demons do not own or possess any Christians, who are God’s sole possession (as are the demons themselves). Though Christians cannot be owned or have their eternal destiny controlled by a demon, this does not necessarily mean that they cannot be demonized or temporarily controlled by demons or have demons temporarily indwell them.

“The evidence pointing against demonization of the believer includes Jesus’ defeat of Satan on the cross, God’s presence in and protection of the believer, and our status as being seated with Christ. Evidence in favor of the demonization of believers includes the statements of our need to know Satan’s schemes so that he will not gain a foothold on us, the reality of demonic attack against believers, and the commands to resist him. No one should doubt that Satan and his demons are able to influence Christians; the question is whether that influence can result in demonization.

“Further evidence in favor of the possibility of believers being demonized are the instances of Saul’s torment from an evil spirit, the Jewish woman being bound by Satan for eighteen years, and Ananias and Sapphira having their hearts ‘filled by Satan.’ None of these has been without dispute, but Scripture indicates that all were of the house of faith and all faced demonic attack. This parallels the experience of many people today. While experience is not the final arbiter of doctrinal formulation, our experience should be in accord with our doctrine. Thus, it is reasonable to conclude that Christians may be demonized and that the warnings to stand against Satan are not just to stop his attacks against the church or his control over those who do not believe.”

Whether Christians can be fully possessed by demons or only affected by demonic influence, it is important to remember that Christians can resist the devil’s work in all of its forms. If we have trusted Christ as Savior, we are identified with Him; and since we are seated with Him in heavenly places, we have His authority in our lives — the same authority that made demons flee with just a word. We resist the devil not based on our own knowledge and ability, but based on the name of Jesus, putting on the armor of God, regular prayer, forgiveness, exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit, and being vigilant so that the devil does not get a foothold in our lives.

Margaret E. Barber wrote:

I dare not be defeated

With Calvary in view,

Where Jesus conquered Satan,

Where all His foes He slew;

Come, Lord, and give the vision

To nerve me for the fight,

Make me an overcomer

Clothed with Thy Spirit’s might.

I dare not be defeated

Since Christ, my conquering King

Has called me to the battle

Which He did surely win.

Come, Lord, and give me courage,

Thy conquering Spirit give,

Make me an overcomer,

In power within me live.

I dare not be defeated,

When Jesus leads me on

To press through hellish regions

To share with Him His Throne;

Come, Lord, and give Thy soldier

The power to wield the sword,

Make me an overcomer

Through Thine inerrant Word.

——-

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…”

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

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

View more on Daniel Whyte III's website »

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on November 19, 2018 18:50

LISTEN: On Thanksgiving Week, Daniel Whyte III Starts a New Project Where He Reads the Bible and Gives the Sense of the Reading Like Ezra Did in Nehemiah 8

Nehemiah 8:5-8

5 And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people; (for he was above all the people;) and when he opened it, all the people stood up:

6 And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the Lord with their faces to the ground.

8 So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.

Jeremiah 3

1 They say, If a man put away his wife, and she go from him, and become another man’s, shall he return unto her again? shall not that land be greatly polluted? but thou hast played the harlot with many lovers; yet return again to me, saith the Lord.

2 Lift up thine eyes unto the high places, and see where thou hast not been lien with. In the ways hast thou sat for them, as the Arabian in the wilderness; and thou hast polluted the land with thy whoredoms and with thy wickedness.

3 Therefore the showers have been withholden, and there hath been no latter rain; and thou hadst a whore’s forehead, thou refusedst to be ashamed.

4 Wilt thou not from this time cry unto me, My father, thou art the guide of my youth?

5 Will he reserve his anger for ever? will he keep it to the end? Behold, thou hast spoken and done evil things as thou couldest.

6 The Lord said also unto me in the days of Josiah the king, Hast thou seen that which backsliding Israel hath done? she is gone up upon every high mountain and under every green tree, and there hath played the harlot.

7 And I said after she had done all these things, Turn thou unto me. But she returned not. And her treacherous sister Judah saw it.

8 And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also.

9 And it came to pass through the lightness of her whoredom, that she defiled the land, and committed adultery with stones and with stocks.

10 And yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah hath not turned unto me with her whole heart, but feignedly, saith the Lord.

11 And the Lord said unto me, The backsliding Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah.

12 Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith the Lord; and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you: for I am merciful, saith the Lord, and I will not keep anger for ever.

13 Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the Lord thy God, and hast scattered thy ways to the strangers under every green tree, and ye have not obeyed my voice, saith the Lord.

14 Turn, O backsliding children, saith the Lord; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion:

15 And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.

16 And it shall come to pass, when ye be multiplied and increased in the land, in those days, saith the Lord, they shall say no more, The ark of the covenant of the Lord: neither shall it come to mind: neither shall they remember it; neither shall they visit it; neither shall that be done any more.

17 At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the Lord; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the Lord, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the imagination of their evil heart.

18 In those days the house of Judah shall walk with the house of Israel, and they shall come together out of the land of the north to the land that I have given for an inheritance unto your fathers.

19 But I said, How shall I put thee among the children, and give thee a pleasant land, a goodly heritage of the hosts of nations? and I said, Thou shalt call me, My father; and shalt not turn away from me.

20 Surely as a wife treacherously departeth from her husband, so have ye dealt treacherously with me, O house of Israel, saith the Lord.

21 A voice was heard upon the high places, weeping and supplications of the children of Israel: for they have perverted their way, and they have forgotten the Lord their God.

22 Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings. Behold, we come unto thee; for thou art the Lord our God.

23 Truly in vain is salvation hoped for from the hills, and from the multitude of mountains: truly in the Lord our God is the salvation of Israel.

24 For shame hath devoured the labour of our fathers from our youth; their flocks and their herds, their sons and their daughters.

25 We lie down in our shame, and our confusion covereth us: for we have sinned against the Lord our God, we and our fathers, from our youth even unto this day, and have not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God.

Commentary on Jeremiah 3:1-5

In repentance, it is good to think upon the sins of which we have been guilty, and the places and companies where they have been committed. How gently the Lord had corrected them! In receiving penitents, he is God, and not man. Whatever thou hast said or done hitherto, wilt thou not from this time apply to me? Will not this grace of God overcome thee? Now pardon is proclaimed, wilt thou not take the benefit? They will hope to find in him the tender compassions of a Father towards a returning prodigal. They will come to him as the Guide of their youth: youth needs a guide. Repenting sinners may encourage themselves that God will not keep his anger to the end. All God’s mercies, in every age, suggest encouragement; and what can be so desirable for the young, as to have the Lord for their Father, and the Guide of their youth? Let parents daily direct their children earnestly to seek this blessing.

Commentary on Jeremiah 3:6-11

If we mark the crimes of those who break off from a religious profession, and the consequences, we see abundant reason to shun evil ways. It is dreadful to be proved more criminal than those who have actually perished in their sins; yet it will be small comfort in everlasting punishment, for them to know that others were viler than they.

Commentary on Jeremiah 3:12-20

See God’s readiness to pardon sin, and the blessings reserved for gospel times. These words were proclaimed toward the north; to Israel, the ten tribes, captive in Assyria. They are directed how to return. If we confess our sins, the Lord is faithful and just to forgive them. These promises are fully to come to pass in the bringing back the Jews in after-ages. God will graciously receive those that return to him; and by his grace, he takes them out from among the rest. The ark of the covenant was not found after the captivity. The whole of that dispensation was to be done away, which took place after the multitude of believers had been greatly increased by the conversion of the Gentiles, and of the Israelites scattered among them. A happy state of the church is foretold. He can teach all to call him Father; but without thorough change of heart and life, no man can be a child of God, and we have no security for not departing from Him.

Commentary on Jeremiah 3:21-25

Sin is turning aside to crooked ways. And forgetting the Lord our God is at the bottom of all sin. By sin we bring ourselves into trouble. The promise to those that return is, God will heal their backslidings, by his pardoning mercy, his quieting peace, and his renewing grace. They come devoting themselves to God. They come disclaiming all expectations of relief and succour from any but the Lord. Therefore they come depending upon him only. He is the Lord, and he only can save. It points out the great salvation from sin Jesus Christ wrought out for us. They come justifying God in their troubles, and judging themselves for their sins. True penitents learn to call sin shame, even the sin they have been most pleased with. True penitents learn to call sin death and ruin, and to charge upon it all they suffer. While men harden themselves in sin, contempt and misery are their portion: for he that covereth his sins shall not prosper, but he that confesseth and forsaketh them, shall find mercy.

View more on Daniel Whyte III's website »

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on November 19, 2018 11:26

November 18, 2018

LISTEN: The Story of Jesus Casting Out Many Devils and Healing Many Who Were Sick, Part 4 (Just Jesus Evangelistic Campaign, Day 604 since Jan. 20, 2017 / Day 971 since Jan. 1, 2016 Daniel Whyte III)

Daniel Whyte III

TEXT: Matthew 8:14-17

14 And when Jesus was come into Peter’s house, he saw his wife’s mother laid, and sick of a fever.

15 And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them.

16 When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick:

17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.

——-

Over the last few messages, we have examined the reality of demon possession in the Bible. Although many today, including in the church, are hesitant to raise the issue of demon possession even in many of the dark and diabolical deeds that we hear about on a recurring basis in the news. However, that perception may be changing.

A recent article in The Guardian profiled Dr. Richard Gallagher, a psychiatrist and professor who says that he has had a front row seat to cases of demonic possession. He has written a book about his experiences titled, “Demonic Foes: A Psychiatrist Investigates Demonic Possession in the Modern United States.” He said, “There are many other psychiatrists and mental health care professionals who do what I do who seem hesitant to speak out. But I have had so much experience that I am willing to speak out. I feel an obligation to speak out.” One of the experiences he describes was of a young woman who very plainly told him that she worshipped Satan and was sent to “keep an eye on” a particular preacher and was able to describe what that preacher was doing at any given time. He describes her going into trances where another voice would speak from her body and she would not remember anything that was said. She (or the demons in her) also exhibited a “psychic” ability that drove the professor’s cats into a rage even though they lived miles apart.

Demon possession is real. The Bible says so, and there is evidence, even in our modern era, that backs that up. Our passage for today tells us what Jesus did when people brought demon-possessed individuals to Him. He cast them out with a word, demonstrating His complete and utter authority over the demonic realm — and demonstrating the fact that we do not need to be afraid of the devil and his hosts.

Let’s take a closer look at what it means to ‘cast out’ a demon from a person’s life according to Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary of the Bible: “The people were amazed that Jesus simply commanded the demons and they obeyed, as they were used to seeing elaborate exorcism rituals that were not always successful. The term most commonly used of the expulsion of demons in the New Testament is ‘cast out.’ In classical and Old Testament usage it had the sense of forcibly driving out an enemy. In the New Testament, it is typically used of a physical removal. Demons were cast out by the spirit of God, and this was done by verbal command rather than the elaborate rituals of the exorcists. Jesus’ authority to cast out demons was given to the Twelve and others, who cast them out in Jesus’ name. The disciples were successful in casting out demons, but needed a reminder to keep their priorities straight. With the young boy, however, they were unsuccessful because of lack of prayer and fasting.

“There are several primary words employed in the Gospels to describe Jesus’ healing ministry among the demonized. He released the woman bound by demons for eighteen years. He saved the Ge-ra-sene demoniac. He ‘healed’ many, a word used of healing the sick (lame, blind, mute, maimed, deaf) as well as the demonized and even of satanic healing. Its use implied that the restoration of demoniacs was on the same level of ministry as other types of healing, all of which showed Christ’s mastery over Satan and sin. Jesus also healed many who had evil spirits including the Canaanite woman’s daughter.

“The failure of non-Christian exorcists in the book of Acts shows that in these encounters authority is the underlying issue. Interestingly, the term ‘exorcism’ is not used of Jesus’ ministry. An exorcism implies a particular ritual, and Jesus, as well as the early church, relied on authority rather than ritual. It is not surprising, then, that nowhere in the New Testament is a Christian ritual for exorcism seen.”

As Christians, our warfare against the demonic realm rests not in ritual or so-called “power encounters,” but in our faith and trust in Jesus Christ because He has the power — authority — over the demonic realm. He casts out demons with a word.

Thomas Troeger wrote:

“Silence! Frenzied, unclean spirit,”

cried God’s healing, holy One.

“Cased your ranting! Flesh can’t bear it.

Flee as night before the sun.”

A Christ’s voice the demon trembled,

fro its victim madly rushed,

while the crowd that was assembled

stood in wonder, stunned and hushed.

Lord, the demons still are thriving

in the grey cells of the mind:

Tyrant voices shrill and driving,

twisted thoughts that grip and bind,

Doubts that stir the heart to panic,

fears distorting reason’s sight,

Guilt that makes our loving frantic,

drams that cloud the soul with fright.

Silence, Lord, the unclean spirit,

in our mind and in our heart.

Speak your word that,

when we hear it,

all our demons shall depart.

Clear our thought and calm our feeling,

still the fractured, warring soul.

By the power of your healing

make us faithful, true, and whole.

——-

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…”

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

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

View more on Daniel Whyte III's website »

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on November 18, 2018 17:55

LISTEN: How to Overcome Temptation, Part 103 (Anger and Wrath) (Onward Christian Soldiers Discipleship Class #227 with Daniel Whyte III)

Daniel Whyte III

Welcome to the Onward Christian Soldiers Discipleship Class. I am Daniel Whyte III, president of Gospel Light Society and pastor of Gospel Light House of Prayer International. The purpose of this time together is to teach young believers everything they need to know about their faith in Jesus Christ and provide them with the knowledge they need to live victorious Christian lives.

Our key Bible verse is 1 Corinthians 10:13:

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

— PRAYER —

Our lesson today is titled “How to Overcome Temptation, Part 103 (Anger and Wrath)”

In this section of our Onward Christian Soldiers discipleship class, we are looking at specific temptations that are, as the Bible says, “common to man.” We are looking at what the Bible says about these sins so we can be aware of its dangers and so that we can hide Scripture in our hearts to use when we are tempted.

The sin that we are looking at today is the sin of anger and wrath. This is the fifth sin in a list of 12 temptations that comes from two sources — one ancient and one modern. The first source is a list that was developed by monks in the early church called “the seven deadly sins” or the “cardinal sins.” The second source is a Barna survey from 2011 which tracked the top temptations Americans admitted to struggling with.

Today, we are looking at Proverbs 15:18. (Remember, the text of this lesson is made available online after each class, so you can go to our website GLHOPI.com, click the “Onward Christian Soldiers” banner on the home page, and begin to learn these verses by heart throughout the week.)

Proverbs 15:18

A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.

– – – – –

Matthew Henry said, “From Passion comes wars and fightings. Anger strikes the fire which sets cities and churches into a flame: A wrathful man, with his peevish passionate reflections, stirs up strife, and sets people together by the ears; he gives occasion to others to quarrel, and takes the occasion that others give, though ever so trifling. When men carry their resentments too far, one quarrel still produces another. Meekness is the great peace-maker: He that is slow to anger not only prevents strife, that it be not kindled, but appeases it if it be already kindled, brings water to the flame, unites those again that have fallen out, and by gentle methods brings them to mutual concessions for peace-sake.”

This proverb piggybacks off of the proverb we looked at on last week from verse one of this passage. Proverbs 15:1 says “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.”

That verse focused on the issue of anger and wrath from the perspective of the person who might be on the receiving end of such behavior. This proverb focuses on the one who is on the producing end of such behavior. The first part of the proverb — “a wrathful man stirreth up strife” — could be summarized as: “wrath begets strife.” Men or women who are angry or wrathful in their actions and attitudes usually stir up anger among those around them.

John Gill said, “A man or woman or teenager or adult child of wrathful disposition, furious spirit, or angry temper — who is under the power and dominion of such passion — stirs up strife and contention where there was none. He or she stirs up strife in families, sets one relation against another, and the house in an uproar; he or she stirs up contentions in neighborhoods and sets one friend and neighbor against another; he or she stirs up strife in churches, breaks brotherly love, and causes animosities and divisions; he stirs up strife in kingdoms and states, whence come wars and fightings, confusion, and every evil work.”

In contrast, the Bible says, those who are “slow to anger appease strife.” First Corinthians 15 speaks of those who have the spirit of love or “charity” as not being easily provoked. A true christian servant without tolerating a fake phony peace has the opportunity to defuse potentially explosive situations by setting the example and responding to negative issues in a firm calm, measured manner. One of the marks of followers of Christ is that they are peacemakers — they endeavour to create and promote peace without compromising and without accepting a fake phony peace. Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”

If you struggle with anger or wrath, take this passage to heart and begin to use it the next time you face that temptation.

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

If you do not know Jesus Christ as your Saviour, John 3:16 states, “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.”

The Bible also says in Romans 10:9 and 13: “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 I want to turn from my sins. For Jesus Christ sake, please forgive me of my sins. I now believe with all of my heart that Jesus Christ died for me, was buried, and rose again. I trust Him as my Savior and 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 just trusted Jesus Christ as your Saviour, and you prayed that prayer and meant it from your heart, I declare to you that based upon the Word of God, you are now saved from Hell and you are on your way to Heaven. Welcome to the family of God! I want to congratulate you on doing the most important thing in life and that is receiving 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.”

Until next time, May the Lord Bless You!

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

View more on Daniel Whyte III's website »

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on November 18, 2018 17:51

← Previous 1 2 … 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 … 243 244 Next →

Daniel Whyte III's Blog

Daniel Whyte III's profile
4 followers