RUSSELL SANDERS

12-10-2024

THE BURNING OF INCENSE

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Some people burn incense in their home because they like the sweet-smelling odor that comes from it. They often do it in ignorance of the true purpose of the burning of incense.

Burning incense has always been a spiritual act, regardless of whether one understands it or not. If it is not done as a deep devotional act of worship to Almighty God, they are unwittingly opening themselves to the dark side. Burning incense is always an act of worship to a spiritual entity. If you do not do it as unto the Lord, and just for the pleasant odor, Satan may claim it as being unto himself.

There is no such thing as “innocently” doing it just for the pleasing smell, although you may sincerely think that. It is always, even if innocently or ignorantly done, as an act of worship or adoration.

It is good if, and only if, you do it specifically unto the LORD, otherwise, it goes unto the “hosts of heaven,” that is, the heavenlies where many spirits roam, including demonic spirits.

Jeremiah 19:13 condemns the practice, saying, “The houses of Jerusalem, and…of Judah, shall be defiled as the place of Judah, shall be defiled as the place of Tophet, because…they have burned incense unto all the host of heaven…”

“The host of heaven” refers to all spirit beings including the dark ones. This defilement of incense burning is compared to the “place of Tophet.” So, what is the place of Tophet?

Tophet was the place at the valley of Hinnon, [Gehenna] where the children were passed through the fire [burned alive] as an act of worship unto the evil one. Hmmm. That does not speak well of burning incense, does it?

I must repeat myself, if you are going to burn incense, make sure you are only doing it as an act of worship to the Lord. Any other use of it opens you up to the dark side influences.

Incense is a good thing when properly used as a specific act of worship to the Lord. Even the magi [wise men] brought incense in worship of Jesus at his birth [frankincense].

Be wary about the usage of incense unless you have a clear understanding of its spiritual significance.

HELEN SANDERS

12-10-2024

JEHOVAH JIREH

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We often sing the song “Jehovah Jireh” and may have questioned what it means.  The word Jehovah comes from the Hebrew word that God gave Moses when he asked God what his name was. Jehovah is the most sacred word in the lives of all Jews. They do not speak this word out. They speak only part of it because it is so holy to them.

Jehovah means the self-Existent or Eternal. It is the triune name of God: Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost making up one God, yet represented in three persons.  

When Jehovah asked Abraham to go up Mount Moriah and offer his only son Isaac, born of Sarah, as a living sacrifice, he obediently went up the mountain. Just as he was about to slay Isaac on the mountain, God stayed his hand. In Genesis 22:14 it reads, “And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah-jireh: as it is said to this day, in the mount of the LORD it shall be seen.”   

Jehovah-jireh means God will see to it. In other words, God provided the ram for the sacrifice in place of Isaac. God [Jehovah] our provider [jireh].

As we reflect upon all that God has done for each of us, he truly is our Jehovah-jireh. He provided a lamb for our sins in place of our own lives. He supplies our needs when we cannot meet them ourselves. He provides our healing when we are seeking health. He is our wisdom when we have no wisdom, and much more!

Jehovah-jireh is our God and he dwells within us! He is the provider of eternal life and gives us provision in our lives in this world. What a mighty God we serve!

APOSTLE PAT MURRAY

PROPHETIC EXHORTATION

Now if you’re worrying about that wilderness place you’ve been stuck in; Well you can just cheer up for it is NOT going to take you DOWN nor will it take you UNDER…But it WILL take you UP and it WILL take you IN. So you can relax and be at peace for what the enemy has meant for your demise; God is turning it around and that devil will be getting himself a big surprise. Yes, God has been right there with you through it all; And He is preparing you for that difficult decision you could soon be needing to make. Oh, you may not be able to see God’s hand at work in your life at this moment; But still you can know that God is positioning you to receive what He has destined for you. In fact, He has been using all of that you’ve been going through; And it will not only bring you to the right place, at the right time…But it WILL bring you before the right PEOPLE. This my friend, will in turn cause you to have a head-on collision with the absolute divine favor of God.

DEBRA TOPE

SEER/INTERCESSOR



Tuesday scripture of the day

“One day soon afterward Jesus went up on a mountain to pray, and he prayed to God all night. At daybreak he called together all of his disciples and chose twelve of them to be apostles. Here are their names: Simon (whom he named Peter), Andrew (Peter’s brother), James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James (son of Alphaeus), Simon (who was called the zealot), Judas (son of James ), Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed him).”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭6‬:‭12‬-‭16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Jesus selected His 12 disciples. And just like Jesus selected His disciples here on earth, we are given that same opportunity today. You are His disciple when you repent of your sins and accept Jesus into your heart. It is a decision you will have to make. There is no other way into heaven except becoming a follower of Jesus. As you repent of your sins, you are forgiven. There is a celebration that goes on in heaven when you turn your heart and mind over to Jesus.

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness(wickedness).”

‭‭I John‬ ‭1‬:‭9‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

 Are You Selfish? HCC

Are you selfish with your love? Are you selfish

With your time? Do you just think about your,

Interest, or do you look to tend the needs of

Others? Do you pray to the Author of all time

The one who died for you? Don’t be selfish,

Be made anew in Jesus. Pray each day to

Change, to be more forgiving, more giving.

And smile when it happens, when you see

The smiles, hugs and love from the people

That look at you. And you know who else smiles?

Your Creator, your Savior, the one who loves you

The most.

To see more of HCC's beautiful poems on YouTube click here

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