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Beverly's avatar

Thank you for featuring my article. It's a difficult time. I also think we should acknowledge the congregations that are the silent victims. A pastor is such a trusted leader to break that trust can be quite jarring. I've been praying for these folks in particular. That they might not fall away because of the sin of one man.

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Night Owl Christian's avatar

Cannot imagine what they're going through, Beverly.

You're right, they are silent victims.

~~~~~

Heavenly Father, our beloved Abba, please comfort the members of congregations whose pastors have had to step down due to their sin. Guide them to focus on You, their Rock and Strong Fortress. The mighty waves of sin may crash around them, but they can stand firm because of who You are. Protect them from the evil one, Father, and strengthen their faith in You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, one God, amen.

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Un-silent's avatar

I hear you. I watched a YT video today about a woman who escaped satanic ritual abuse in Australia. She was saying that different Catholic churches were having ritual murders on their altars after hours in black masses. She said that the modern day mass is just a "cleaned up black mass". As an ex-Catholic who has read Foxes Book of Martyrs, I totally believe it. Although I love my current Protestant church, I do not think that any physical building is His Bride. All of His believers who truly follow Him all around the world are His Bride. Pastors may or may not be true followers, only their fruits will tell in the end.

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Night Owl Christian's avatar

Well said, about His Bride, which has only been about Jesus’ true and faithful followers, never about buildings.

In America, the SBC and ARC (Protestant) churches are facing scandal after scandal. The Lord’s refining fire. He will not be mocked.

We must pray for increased discernment, and continue to chase out the wolves from the Lord’s flocks.

Just read last night about a SBC pastor in Florida who raped a toddler multiple times, and sold the porn online.

Praying for healing for the victims!

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Un-silent's avatar

There seems to be a spirit of perversion running amok in the world. It's not like we weren't warned, but the amount of child abuse going on is highly disturbing. Seeing pastors doing it is unimaginable, they know better, but still do it, what on Earth is going on?

Prayers for the children, and prayers for the men of God to stay strong!

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James Mangano's avatar

" Jesus said, Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing. And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice." Luke 23:34 NLT

Dear Sister Jenise, this morning as I began to to respond to this letter I heard an explosion, and then the electricity went out in the neighborhood.

The power is still out so I only have my cell phone now which makes things more difficult. I am leaving with you a few Bible verses and a song that speaks loudly about what was spoken in this letter. I hope this simple response will bring comfort and encouragement

"Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever." Psalm 136:1 NKJB

Father, help us all to forgive those who have caused great sorrow for us and others, and forgive us of our sins so we will know how to be merciful to others. May Your Love cover the multitude of all our sins we pray, in Jesus' Holy Name. Amen. 🙏

Father of mercies

https://youtu.be/rQH_7AZuPEU?si=u3kitVm0OaTK1SlL

"Great are Your compassions, and Your mercies are everlasting, LORD of grace, for Your arms are open wide, and Your heart, Your heart is close, to all the brokenhearted, Abba, Father of mercies, and all comfort, who comforts us, in all our sorrows, Father, Father of mercies" ---

GOD bless you all!

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Night Owl Christian's avatar

James! So sorry to hear you and your family, and your neighbors lost power. Praying now that all will be restored soon.

God bless you and yours, also, and feel free to comment again when you have electricity again.

Yes, we are praying for all involved in the two scenarios. And, God heals the repentant and brokenhearted, who truly acknowledge their sins and seek His mercy.

He restores the years the locusts have eaten! Joel 2:25.

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James Mangano's avatar

"All who fear the LORD will hate evil. Therefore, I hate pride and arrogance, corruption and perverse speech." Proverbs 8:13 NLT

"Cut the crap, church elders. The senior pastor sinned. Period. Get your attorneys out of the way and speak the truth to your people." Jenise

Dear Jenise, I'm returning to finish this comment. You did well to say, "The senior pastor sinned," without hesitation. What happened is evil. If we become complacent and don't continue to call it evil, we will fall into sin, too.

"You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master." Genesis 4:7 NLT

Let this be a wake-up call to all of us. Indeed, "sin is crouching at the door." So, let's continue being alert and awake as the days grow darker, fearing the LORD and hating evil every moment of every day.

2 IMPORTANT must-see videos to watch.

This one is to remember to fear the LORD.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7aiH7ix_oI&t=588s

"But I'll tell you whom to fear. Fear God, who has the power to kill you and then throw you into hell. Yes, he's the one to fear." Luke 12:5 NLT

This one is to stay awake.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIiGvp2vWK0

"Go back to what you heard and believed at first; hold to it firmly. Repent and turn to me again. If you don't wake up, I will come to you suddenly, as unexpected as a thief." Revelation 3:3 NLT

GOD bless you all!

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Night Owl Christian's avatar

Excellent message, James. Thank you!

We all need to humbly remember that we are saved, but still in our flesh until we go home. We all can fall, we must immediately repent. We also must call out sin and all evil deeds that we see our brethren doing, for the sake of their souls.

* Fear the Lord *

Not be fearful of Him, as we're His adopted and beloved children, but we must have holy respect and reverence for our Lord God, the Ancient of Days. Do we teach this often enough in our churches?

<>< In His Grip and Grace,

Amen!

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