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Don’t Be Unequally Yoked

Don’t Be Unequally Yoked

Don’t Be Unequally Yoke

Title: Don’t Be Unequally Yoked
Author: Pastor Gary Mathis, Lord of the Harvest Ministry International
Publisher: LHM Ministries
Year of Publication: 2024
Download: Ebook


Chapter 1: Introduction and Prayer

“Well, praise the Lord! God bless you all. Thank you for being a part of the Lord of the Harvest Ministry International. Today, we’re embarking on a wonderful ministry opportunity. Before we delve into the Word of God, I want to pray for you and encourage you to continue sharing the love of Jesus Christ with everyone—young and old.

It’s essential to focus not only on bringing in new members but also on remembering the older generation. They are reaching their promised age and may be contemplating their lives and what lies ahead after they leave this world. We must minister to them, ensuring they have the opportunity to encounter Jesus Christ before it’s too late.

Let’s begin in prayer.

Father God, in the name of Jesus Christ, we thank You for Your power, grace, and love. Strengthen us as we go forth with this message. May many hear this Word and act according to it. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Chapter 2: The Importance of Fellowship

This week, my family and I have been back and forth to doctor’s appointments, and we’re so thankful for God’s wisdom given to men to care for our physical bodies. I pray for your health and that you overcome any battles you’re facing, in Jesus’ name.

Tonight, we’ll discuss the importance of fellowship—both with believers and those outside the church. It’s vital to know the people around you, not just by name, but through the spirit. You learn how they act when times are tough because you’ve spent time with them in prayer and fellowship.

But what about those who aren’t saved? How should we engage with them? Should we maintain close fellowship with those who do not share our faith?

Chapter 3: Unequally Yoked

Let’s look at what the Bible says about being “unequally yoked.” The concept of not being unequally yoked with unbelievers comes from 2 Corinthians 6:14-17. The scripture emphasizes the incompatibility between believers and non-believers in terms of values and moral conduct. It urges us to avoid close partnerships with those whose lifestyles are in direct conflict with God’s teachings.

“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14)

Consider the analogy of light and darkness. Light and darkness cannot coexist in the same space. The presence of one drives the other away, just as righteousness cannot coexist with unrighteousness.

Chapter 4: The Consequences of Unequal Fellowship

The Bible doesn’t just apply this to marriage, but to all forms of relationships. Marrying an unbeliever can lead to difficulties. One partner walks in the light of Christ, while the other may reject Him, potentially leading to conflict and a separation of faith.

This principle extends beyond marriage into friendships, partnerships, and other relationships. Maintaining a close, intimate relationship with someone who does not share your faith can pull you away from God. The Bible warns us to come out from among them and be separate (2 Corinthians 6:17), encouraging us to preserve our spiritual purity.

Chapter 5: Walking in Wisdom

It’s important to follow peace with all men (Hebrews 12:14), and this can be done even when interacting with non-believers. We can have conversations and work relationships with people who don’t share our faith, but when it comes to deeper partnerships, we must be cautious.

Engaging in worldly activities or sinful behaviors alongside those who reject Christ is dangerous. We must avoid becoming partakers in the unfruitful works of darkness (Ephesians 5:11). Instead, we should expose these works for what they are, standing firm in our faith.

Chapter 6: Avoiding Ungodly Counsel

“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.” (Psalm 1:1)

Avoid taking advice from those who live contrary to God’s ways. Ungodly counsel can lead us astray and diminish our spiritual integrity. When you need advice, seek it from Godly men and women, not from those whose lives contradict God’s Word.

Chapter 7: Maintaining Spiritual Purity

As believers, we are instructed not to fellowship with the works of darkness but rather to challenge and expose them. However, this doesn’t mean mocking or making a spectacle of others. Reproof should be done with the intent of leading people back to Christ, not for personal gain or attention.

We should be wise in how we interact with the unsaved, always seeking to draw them closer to Christ without compromising our own faith.

Chapter 8: Conclusion

In conclusion, fellowship is a key part of the Christian life. But the Bible gives us clear instructions about how to navigate relationships with non-believers. We are called to be in the world but not of it, to be a light in the darkness without letting that darkness influence us.

If you find yourself in close fellowship with someone who is pulling you away from Christ, take heed of these biblical warnings. Seek God’s wisdom on how to handle these relationships in a way that honors Him.

God bless you all, and thank you for being a part of the Lord of the Harvest Ministry.

Healed and Delivered

Healed and Delivered

Praise God for another testimony of God’s healing and deliverance.

One of God’s children was facing life’s challenges and seeking peace from spiritual warfare, so he reached out for prayer. God delivered him instantly, and his peace was restored. He described his deliverance as feeling liberated and lighter. God revealed that he was suffering from afflictions in his body, and he confirmed it. We prayed for his back, and after examination, he was now able to lift his arms, and there were no complaints of any back pain. His knees also improved, though they still presented some trouble, and he expressed his excitement.

 

Back Pain Healed

Back Pain Healed

One of the members joined the prayer session from 3:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, September 29, 2023, seeking relief from back pain. During the session, she mentioned that a doctor had recommended an MRI for her condition.

We commenced with a brief prayer, followed by continued prayer after the prayer line. We prayed multiple times while intermittently checking for improvements in her back pain. After each prayer, her condition showed signs of improvement. Karen reported experiencing a tingling sensation, which she confirmed to be positive.

At one point, she was advised to stand up, but she chose to remain seated because the pain had subsided significantly. Within just 30 minutes, as she moved about in her kitchen, Karen realized that her back pain had completely disappeared.

3 People Healed

3 People Healed

God blessed three people to experience His power through prayer, healing, and deliverance. On Thursday, June 22, 2023, while working with a client over the phone, she announced that her leg had swollen and looked shiny. Immediately, the Spirit of God prompted me to pray for her. We prayed four times, and after each prayer, her leg improved and the swelling subsided. The client praised God for the miraculous healing. The following day, I called her, and she mentioned that she had forgotten about her leg due to being busy during the day. However, she confirmed that her leg was doing fine.

On Friday, June 23, 2023, my wife approached me, informing me that she had a toothache that had made her uncomfortable throughout the day. I assured her that I would pray for her. Later that evening, she reminded me about the prayer request. We prayed, and after each prayer, her toothache improved. The next morning, she was completely free of pain and enjoyed her day.

On June 24, 2023, I called my sister in Georgia. I noticed that she sounded uncomfortable and was breathing heavily. She was experiencing chronic pain in her shoulder, and laughing out loud caused her immense pain. After praying multiple times, the pain began to shift from her shoulder to her back. We continued to pray, asking for the unclean spirit to be cast out of her back and shoulder. She bent over to check if she felt better, and indeed, she was. She even tested her ability to laugh without experiencing pain, and her laughter no longer caused her any discomfort. My sister was extremely grateful and acknowledged Jesus as the reason for her deliverance.