A Powerful Prayer of Safeguard over Your Loved OnesBy Chelsey DeMatteis "But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet‚ so that the people are not warned‚ and the sword comes and takes any one of them‚ that person is taken away in his iniquity‚ but his blood I will require at the watchman’s hand." – Ezekiel 33:6 I spent a handful of weeks studying the book of Ezekiel; it was jaw-dropping to say the least. It was filled with lots of historical events taking place‚ but the thread of Jesus through the whole book was life-changing. Ezekiel was a priest in the midst of exile when the LORD opened up the heavens and gave him a vision. A vision that reflects so much of who Christ is for us on this side of the cross. Ezekiel was appointed the watchman over Israel. Can you imagine that job title! When God called him to this role‚ He laid out very clear guidelines of what Ezekiel was to do and how he was to speak to God's people. Ezekiel 33:1-6 says‚ "The word of the Lord came to me: "Son of man‚ speak to your people and say to them‚ If I bring the sword upon a land‚ and the people of the land take a man from among them‚ and make him their watchman‚ and if he sees the sword coming upon the land and blows the trumpet and warns the people‚ then if anyone who hears the sound of the trumpet does not take warning‚ and the sword comes and takes him away‚ his blood shall be upon his own head. He heard the sound of the trumpet and did not take warning; his blood shall be upon himself. But if he had taken warning‚ he would have saved his life. But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet‚ so that the people are not warned‚ and the sword comes and takes any one of them‚ that person is taken away in his iniquity‚ but his blood I will require at the watchman’s hand." The job was laid out‚ and Ezekiel did just as God said. This challenged me and revealed to me that while I am the watchman of my home‚ Jesus is the ultimate watchman over my family. God is clear with these job titles. He tells you and I how we are to run our households and that we are called to protect our families from falsehood‚ deceit‚ and all the lies of this world. He also reveals to us that Jesus is pursuing‚ directing‚ and protecting in ways that we cannot. There is a spiritual realm that we cannot see. I think of my mom often when I recall Ezekiel’s role. She spent an hour every morning in prayer for my life and salvation before I was walking with Jesus. She would plead with God that He would draw me to Himself without dealing with me too harshly. She not only prayed by herself‚ but she asked others to pray‚ too. She had me on prayer chains at church and had dear neighbors going to Jesus on my behalf‚ too. This is a beautiful example of a watchman. Watchmen not only stand on guard‚ ready to sound the trumpet when evil arises‚ but they also seek Jesus on behalf of the people they are watching over. We have the honor and ability to bring our families before the Lord in prayer‚ while we also have to choose to submit our families to the One who watches over each of our people all the time. Being the watchman for our people isn’t an easy task‚ but it’s a holy calling. Let’s pray: Father‚ help me as I watch over and pray for my family. Give me discernment to speak when I should and when I’m to sound the trumpet that a stumbling block is coming their way. Father‚ thank you for sending Jesus to be the ultimate watchman. I praise you for the gift of your covering at all times. Please protect my family‚ keep evil far from them‚ and pursue their hearts fiercely in Jesus’ name‚ amen. Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Thitaree Sarmkasat Chelsey is the voice behind the Living with Less Podcast and author of the 52-week devotional More of Him‚ Less of Me: Living a Christ-centered Life in a Me-centered World. She writes devotions for Lifeway Women’s Journey Magazine‚ Crosswalk.com‚ and iBelieve.com. She also writes Bible reading plans for the YouVersion Bible App. Chelsey lives in Ohio with her husband and two children. You can connect with her on Instagram @chelseydematteis and at her website ChelseyDeMatteis.com. Teach Us to Pray is a FREE prayer podcast hosted by iBelieve writer Christina Patterson. Each week‚ she gives you practical‚ real-life tips on how to grow your faith and relationship with God through the power of prayer. To listen to her episode on What to Pray in the Morning for a Worry-Free Day‚ click below! Now that you’ve prayed‚ are you in need of someone to pray for YOU? Click the button below! Visit iBelieve.com for more inspiring prayer content. The post A Powerful Prayer of Safeguard over Your Loved Ones – Your Daily Prayer – February 24 appeared first on GodUpdates.

Featuring the hit single Oh Sherrie‚ Steve Perry’s 1984 debut album Street Talk was an AOR landmark released in a year of AOR landmarks

Ramadan begins on March 11th this year. Looks like Israel could be a major contributor to the annual “Ramadan Bombathon.” 

A total of 10 young girls and women filed complaints against the 29-year-old Syrian asylum seeker last year after he allegedly targeted and groped female visitors of the Center Parcs resort in Zandvoort. Hart van Nederland reported how some of the girls had their buttocks groped by the man‚ while others claimed the migrant had […]

Music has been a rich part of my devotional life. I can incorporate it as background ambience (or as the focal point) in my dedicated devotional times but also as a soundtrack to everyday life—theological truth sinking into my soul while I drive‚ do the dishes‚ fold laundry‚ or make a meal. Thankfully‚ there’s no shortage of quality Christian music like this today. For Christians inundated with media that saturates their souls with often corrosive content‚ I can’t stress enough the value of surrounding yourself with Christ-exalting music. To that end‚ here are ten new albums (released within the last year) that can enhance your devotional life. Listen to all of them in one convenient playlist on Spotify or Apple Music. Caroline Cobb‚ Psalms: The Poetry of Prayer One of my favorite albums of last year‚ this collection of Psalm-based songs from Caroline Cobb is a musical and lyrical treasure. The accompanying instrumental album is also a nice devotional resource. Much like Cobb’s other Bible-based albums‚ you can’t go wrong with making Psalms a staple of your household’s musical rotation. FLAME‚ 1517 Music‚ Freedom Lessons Released in November‚ this one-of-a-kind album remixes Luther’s Small Catechism as a hip-hop album. If you ever wondered what it’d be like to throw a dance party for your kids while simultaneously teaching them about the church’s sacraments and creedal beliefs‚ look no further than Freedom Lessons‚ which landed at #5 on my list of the best Christian albums of 2023. Eliza King‚ The Pressing In Australian singer-songwriter Eliza King has released several singles and EPs in recent years that have caught my attention. On March 1‚ she releases her debut album‚ The Pressing In‚ and I highly recommend it. Featuring 11 tracks of gorgeous devotional worship‚ including collaborations with artists like Tenielle Neda and Wilder Adkins‚ the album paints scenes of “pressing in” moments: “of olive groves‚ narrow roads‚ alabaster jars‚ trees planted by the stream‚ and scars that speak of healing.” Kingdom Kids‚ Hymns A new project from Shane &; Shane and The Worship Initiative‚ Kingdom Kids makes worship music designed for kids and families. Their latest release is a collection of hymns both old (“Praise to the Lord”) and new (“Yet Not I but Through Christ in Me”). Especially for parents of little ones seeking to steep their kids in singable theology‚ this is a perfect album to put on in the car or in your home. Ordinary Time‚ You Are My Hiding Place Folk trio Ordinary Time makes music to serve the church‚ often in sync with the seasons of the liturgical calendar. Their latest (releasing February 23) is a selection of songs expressing the array of emotions (from lament to jubilant trust) that often accompany the devotional life. With songs inspired by Isaiah 12 (“I Will Trust”)‚ Psalm 13 (“Good To Me”)‚ and other biblical passages‚ this six-track EP is a preview of a full album release coming later in 2024. Psallos‚ A Sure Hope: Hymns of Romans Nothing in contemporary Christian music quite compares to the Bible-as-art-rock albums Psallos makes. But as creative and musically brilliant as they are‚ these albums (inspired by New Testament epistles like Hebrews‚ Philippians‚ Jude‚ and Romans) aren’t exactly singable. That’s why Psallos (led by composer Cody Curtis) is releasing companion albums that are more accessible and congregational worship friendly. The first in this series is A Sure Hope: Hymns of Romans‚ and I’m enjoying it greatly. Upbeat‚ melodic‚ and theological rich‚ this is a great album to put on in your house to help instill the themes of Paul’s magisterial epistle. Jess Ray‚ MATIN: Rest I listened to this from start to finish on a rainy weekend morning recently‚ and it was a beautiful experience. Recorded as an uninterrupted‚ 30-minute set of quiet songs and hymns‚ performed from first light until sunrise (watch the performance on YouTube)‚ MATIN: Rest takes its name from the early morning prayer period of some church traditions (as well as the French word for “morning”). Featuring beautifully unadorned covers of classic hymns (e.g.‚ “All Creatures of Our God and King‚” “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms”) as well as some originals (e.g.‚ “Morning Song‚” “Lilies &; Sparrows”)‚ the 8-song collection is a beautiful resource to usher you into the day’s challenges with your mind fixed on Christ. The Soil and Seed Project‚ Vol. 9 Lent Easter Pentecost Continuing their aim to “nurture faith through music‚ art‚ and little liturgies for daily and weekly use in the home‚ following the liturgical calendar‚” The Soil and Seed Project’s latest release is another great devotional resource. The “catechetical folk” style is fun and low-key‚ with occasionally surprising genre twists (see “There Is No Fear in Love”). It’s all beautifully Scripture-soaked and full of Christian joy. sxxnt. &; Brother Joe‚ Hymns in High Fidelity I’ve talked about this album a few times in recent months (including on my best Christian music of 2023 list)‚ but I’d be remiss to not include it again here. In terms of instrumental music to play in the background of devotional time or everyday tasks‚ this is my recent go-to. It’s fun to listen for the melodies of familiar hymns with the lo-fi soundscape. Paul Zach‚ Joy Joy Joy Joy Joy This soulful‚ often funky album lives up to the abundant joy of its title. Produced by Isaac Wardell and featuring collaborators like Jon Guerra‚ Page CXVI‚ and iAmSon‚ this new release continues Zach’s strong track record of combining musical beauty and worshipful lyrics to cultivate a devotionally rich listening experience. Turn this one up in the lead-up to the Easter season.

My wife and I agree we should watch good movies and avoid bad ones. But our agreement about movie watching nearly always ends at that point. Heady sci-fi‚ anyone? No‚ she says. Perhaps a holiday rom-com? No from me. But don’t worry about us. We’ll find something eventually‚ because love finds a way. Unfortunately‚ it’s harder to find a way when church folks differ‚ especially if we don’t have the kind of deep‚ warm relationships that form a foundation for peace. Church members and leaders disagree frequently. Why do we sing this song so often? Why did the pastor refer to that godless movie? Then there are the big issues—leadership vision‚ budgets‚ politics. Fortunately‚ Scripture has several foundational concepts that are essential instructions for constructive engagement when people disagree. First‚ no one knows everything. So we learn when we listen to others. Second‚ disagreement isn’t a personal affront. It’s the inevitable result of our limited knowledge‚ perspectives‚ and experience and of our sinful nature. Therefore‚ we should be open to correction and healthy disagreement. James 1:19 says‚ “Let every person be quick to hear‚ slow to speak‚ slow to anger.” Paul’s description of love in 1 Corinthians 13 also applies to healthy communication. Because “love is patient‚” it lets people finish their thoughts. It doesn’t “boast”; it sets aside ego. Love doesn’t “insist on its own way” or its own proposals. It “rejoices with the truth‚” so it seeks the truth. Since love “bears all things‚ . . . hopes all things‚” it overlooks minor mistakes and takes the words of others in the best way. All this applies to healthy fighting. Learn from Jesus’s Disputes In Matthew 12:1–8‚ we see Pharisees incorrectly but sincerely objecting to Jesus’s actions when they believe them immoral. Consider this passage and the way it informs healthy disagreement: At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry‚ and they began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. But when the Pharisees saw it‚ they said to him‚ “Look‚ your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath.” (vv. 1–2) The Pharisees believed that (1) Jesus’s disciples were harvesting‚ (2) it was sinful to harvest on the Sabbath‚ and (3) Jesus was responsible for his disciples’ behavior. Notice how Jesus replied fully‚ patiently‚ and candidly to their false accusation. He showed why they were wrong‚ using reasoning they could follow if they were willing. He said to them‚ “Have you not read what David did when he was hungry‚ and those who were with him: how he entered the house of God and ate the bread of the Presence‚ which it was not lawful for him to eat nor for those who were with him‚ but only for the priests? Or have you not read in the Law how on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath and are guiltless? I tell you‚ something greater than the temple is here. And if you had known what this means‚ ‘I desire mercy‚ and not sacrifice‚’ you would not have condemned the guiltless. For the Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath.” (vv. 3–8) Jesus fully answered the Pharisees’ objection; they truly believed his disciples broke God’s law. That leads to the first two principles for healthy fighting. Principle 1: Identify the other party’s legitimate concerns and respond to them even if you believe—as Jesus did—that he or she applies those concerns incorrectly. Principle 2: Listen carefully‚ even if you’re sure the other party is wrong—even if you have more knowledge or authority. These principles don’t mean we’re obligated to answer questions that frame a situation incorrectly. It’s good to say‚ “You’re raising an important issue‚ but there’s another way to look at it.” Jesus often declined to answer questions; he redirected people to the best way to consider an issue (John 9:1–3; Matt. 15:1–6; 20:20–21). Work on Problems Together Jesus often declined to answer questions; he redirected people to the best way to consider an issue. If a problem or strategic issue lands on the agenda of a leadership team‚ it’s probably weighty or complicated. If there was a simple solution‚ the team wouldn’t need to discuss it. Complex‚ long-standing problems resist easy resolution. Therefore they engender disagreements‚ which healthy teams don’t fear. We expect debate and make the most of it. Big discussions tend to have four elements: Clarification → Ideation → Development → Implementation To clarify is to define the nature of the problem. To ideate is to formulate several possible strategies or solutions‚ without assessing them at once. To develop a plan‚ a team must identify the best option‚ delegate responsibilities‚ and assemble resources. Finally‚ the team implements the plan: they have the needed authority‚ resources‚ and support. There’s room to disagree in each phase. A healthy team welcomes debate‚ even disagreement. They know it’s dangerous‚ not helpful or productive‚ when everyone agrees or pretends to agree. The team is thankful‚ not defensive‚ during debates‚ even if people say‚ “You’re wrong!” Proverbs 9:7–9 says‚ Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse‚ and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury. Do not reprove a scoffer‚ or he will hate you; reprove a wise man‚ and he will love you. Give instruction to a wise man‚ and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man‚ and he will increase in learning. Three times‚ the passage says scoffers and the wicked listen to no one. But the righteous love correction and instruction and grow through it. The wise say‚ “God knows all things.” They hold him in awe and listen to his agents. Fools are proud and imagine they “know everything” (1:1–17; 12:15; 26:12). Proverbs 9 leads to more principles for healthy disagreement. Principle 3: If we hope for healthy disagreement‚ we must be open to correction. Principle 4: Focus on the problem at hand. We attack problems‚ not people. An idea may be foolish‚ but we never call people fools. We expect each other to try to grow in wisdom. Principle 5: In healthy conflict‚ we aim to edify each other. A healthy team welcomes debate‚ even disagreement. Proverbs assumes correction is an act of love—as it should be. Ideally‚ we trust each other’s motives. We all want to be wiser. Healthy disagreement is the fruit of trust. It also increases trust when we handle our differences responsibly. If the first six people on a team rapidly agree on every major point‚ the seventh may need to act as if the team has succumbed to collective insanity and attack every point that has a whiff of weakness. The goal isn’t endless discussion. We must shift from reflection to action‚ but we also question a rapidly formed consensus‚ if only to identify and shore up weak spots. Principles for Healthy Disagreement Allow me to restate these principles somewhat differently. 1. Healthy teams hear all ideas‚ regardless of the rank of the speaker‚ as we clarify‚ ideate‚ develop‚ and implement plans. When brainstorming‚ we list and entertain every serious idea. 2. Healthy teams focus on the problem at hand. We revisit old mistakes only if they have a direct bearing on a discussion. 3. Healthy teams attack problems‚ not people. A proposal may be foolish‚ but we never call people fools. Healthy conflict promotes the group’s common interests and goals. They don’t litigate the status of members in the group. They think‚ If Lisa is in the room‚ she belongs in the room. 4. Healthy conflict aims for trust among group members. Since truth is the coin of the realm in relationships‚ members should be clear about their goals and agendas‚ so everyone knows why they take a debated position. 5. Healthy conflict is a group activity. Every back-channel conversation seeks to improve group processes or functions. Teams don’t form cabals that try to control outcomes.

If you’re a fan of the paranormal‚ you’ll love exploring the haunted places in Kansas. Known as the “Sunflower State‚” Kansas is home to a variety of eerie locations that are said to be haunted by ghosts and other supernatural entities. From grand hotels to historic homes‚ there are plenty of places to visit for […] The post 10 Haunted Places to Visit in Kansas appeared first on Listverse.

It is not hyperbole to say that when Star Wars hit theaters in 1977‚ it changed cinema history forever. But while it may have seemed to have arrived from a galaxy far‚ far away‚ director George Lucas drew inspiration for his universe from multiple sources‚ including history‚ mythology‚ theology‚ and‚ as we will explore here‚ […] The post 10 Films That Influenced Star Wars appeared first on Listverse.