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Christel Berns

Hi. I’m Christel Berns. I am passionate in sharing God’s love to the world through the skills and talents God has blessed me with. I write mainly, not to express myself, but to encourage and bless people through writing. This is my ‘Yes’ to Papa God. Yes, I’m going to write and spread His love because I love Him and His people, and my heart is to live for Him.

Sadie Robertson Huff warns about evil
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Sadie Robertson Huff Warns, ‘We Hate Evil … But A Lot of Us Want To Be Our Own God’

by Christel Berns
written by Christel Berns

Christian speaker and actress Sadie Robertson Huff shared a powerful message during a conference and said “we hate evil … but a lot of us want to be our own god.”

Darkness And Light

Sadie Robertson Huff spoke at the LO Sister Conference in 2022. Her bold message is still resonating with many today.

Sadie Robertson Huff warns about evil

Sadie Robertson Huff. (Screenshot). (2022). Sadie Robertson Huff, Retrieved September 14, 2023 from: https://youtu.be/ELb4xnISDZk

The Duck Dynasty star began her message by referencing Genesis 1, when God separated the darkness and the light. She explained how everything used to be so clear before when distinguishing between the light and the dark. However, in our generation many are confused.

“In the world today, it’s actually really hard to discern between light and darkness,” she explained. “Because not all darkness looks like a villain. Not all evil looks really dark. There are some things that we’re looking at and we’re like, ‘that’s definitely not the word of God but it seems like a good thing.’”

The Evil Confused Our Generation

Sadie used her favorite movie ‘Wonder Woman’ as an example of the villain masking himself as good.

PRISCILLA SHIRER EXPOUNDS ON PRAYER AS NECESSITY IN OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

“We’re all worried about the devil that kills, steals, and destroy,” she said. “But we never talk about the devil that Paul referred to as someone who masks himself as an angel of Light. We don’t talk about the devil who was in the wilderness with Jesus who was quoting Scripture to Jesus, puffing Jesus up, telling Him what would be best for his life.”

She also pointed out that often, the “devil’s not going to make it so obvious.” As a result, today’s generation has become so confused about what is good and what is evil.

Becoming Our Own god

She reminded everyone that Satan wasn’t kicked out from heaven because he was killing people. But instead, “he was kicked out because he wanted to be god.”

“Most people Christian or not Christian, we would all agree that nobody likes evil,” she stressed. “We hate evil. When it comes to killing, that’s horrible. We’re sad about that. But a lot of us want to be our own god.”

Hear the entire message from the LO Conference in the video below.

Steady Light | LO Conference 2022

Reference | Sadie Robertson Huff

Header Image: Sadie Robertson Huff. (Screenshot). (2022). Sadie Robertson Huff, Retrieved September 14, 2023 from: https://youtu.be/ELb4xnISDZk

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gossip
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Pastor Shares 3 Ways A Christian Can Respond To Gossip

by Christel Berns
written by Christel Berns

Gossip is a sin that often unknowingly leads people to destruction. Pastor and Teacher Albert Kilgore addresses this issue by sharing three ways Christians can respond.

Is Gossiping A Sin?

Pastor Albert Kilgore first explained how “gossiping” is often overlooked among many other sins. Because when we talk about sin, the first thing that comes to our minds are “sexual sin, addiction, idolatry, abortion,” and many others. Hence, the sinfulness of gossip is often taken lightly.

how to respond to gossip

For the Gospel. (Screenshot). (2021). How Should a Christian Respond to Gossip | Albert Kilgore, Retrieved September 14, 2023 from: https://youtu.be/J5vdiLK4400

He went on to share, “gossip is pervasive in our culture. And unfortunately, it can often be in the church.”

There has to be a way for Christians to stop such pervasive sin to continue destroying the church.

How To Respond To Gossip

The first point that Pastor Albert shared was, “number one is to call it out.” He explained, “if you’re in a conversation with someone, and it begins to move towards gossip about someone else, be willing to stop the conversation. And name it for what it really is.”

He remarked, “God is not honored by gossip. Gossip is a sin. God hates it.”

As followers of Jesus, we should hate the things God hates.

PRAYER AS NECESSITY IN OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

The second point pastor Albert shared was how to “redirect the conversation.”

“When someone’s beginning to gossip and speak about another person who’s not present, be confident enough to just change the topic matter altogether,” he said.

The pastor urged believers not to participate in such a conversation.

The last tactic he offered was to “give a blank stare.” Pastor Albert advises avoiding gossipers at all costs, even if that sounds “a little extreme.”

Let’s not ignore the impact gossip can have in our environments.

Psalm 19:14, let’s pray, “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.”

How Should a Christian Respond to Gossip | Albert Kilgore

Reference | For the Gospel

Header Image: Ben White. (Photographer). (2016). Women whispering, Retrieved September 14, 2023 from: https://unsplash.com/photos/4Bs9kSDJsdc

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Intentional Prayer in our relationship with God
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Priscilla Shirer Expounds On Prayer As Necessity In Our Relationship with God

by Christel Berns
written by Christel Berns

Christian author and speaker Priscilla Shirer shared the importance and necessity of prayer in our relationship with God. She remarked that even demons know its power. That’s why they distract people trying to get us to deprioritize prayer.

Prayer In Our Relationship With God

Prayer is common phrase in Christianity. But when we look deeper into the Christian life, many neglect prayer over other ministry activities.

Prayer in your relationship with God

Diana Simumpande. (Photographer). (2017). Woman Praying, Retrieved September 13, 2023 from: https://unsplash.com/photos/ABrC7X4_gLY

In an interview on TBN, she urged Christians to be intentional with prayer and prioritize it over everything we do. The “War Room” actress admitted she is also guilty of neglecting being intentional with prayer. She explained, “being strategic in prayer, trying to detect where you see the enemy’s fingerprints at kind of as handiwork meddling in your life..”

Being Intentional

The author also stressed that if Christians don’t become intentional with prayer, it opens us up to the enemy who can  “take advantage of a weakness or a divisiveness.” Being intentional, she added, is “not just randomly saying words” in our prayers. Priscilla referred to it as a “targeted” prayer.

Intentional Prayer in our relationship with God

Praise on TBN. (Screenshot). (2023). Priscilla Shirer: Prayer is Necessary for Your Relationship with God, Retrieved September 13, 2023 from: https://youtu.be/boTGTjZ7KEI

Further, she advised listeners to journal their prayers to keep track of God’s faithfulness in our requests. She also shared, “It keeps us focused. It reminds us what we’re praying about.”

Later in the interview, the host mentioned how many Christians complain. She urged Christians not to waste their time complaining, but to instead, choose to pray .

BIBLEPROJECT: THE REAL MEANING BEHIND ‘SIN’

“You can complain, but if you prayed as much as you complained, maybe we would see something different,” she remarked.

Prayer is important and it’s time that the body of Christ begins to truly tap into the power of prayer!

Watch the entire interview below:

Priscilla Shirer: Prayer is Necessary for Your Relationship with God | Praise on TBN

Reference | Praise on TBN

Header Image: Praise on TBN. (Screenshot). (2023). Priscilla Shirer: Prayer is Necessary for Your Relationship with God, Retrieved September 13, 2023 from: https://youtu.be/boTGTjZ7KEI

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Should A Christian Date an Unbeliever? Pastor Answers
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Should A Christian Date An Unbeliever? Pastor Shares, ‘Doesn’t Have A Chance…’

by Christel Berns
written by Christel Berns

One of the most frequently asked questions among single Christian is, “can I date an unbeliever?” Pastor Mark Driscoll addressed this question syaing, “If both of you don’t have the spirit of God, your relationship doesn’t have a chance.”

Can I Date An Unbeliever?

During a Q&A interview with Pastor Mark Driscoll of James River Church, he was asked a question that made him facepalm.

date

Sean Stratton. (Photographer). (2018). Couple, Retrieved September 13, 2023 from: https://unsplash.com/photos/wQkZdceduxs

“If a guy is not a Christian, should a Christian girl even consider dating him?” the host asked.

At first, he clarified that being single and being a dad gives him two different perspectives. Then he remarked, “If they don’t understand Jesus, they can’t understand you. And if they don’t understand Jesus they don’t know who is most important to you.”

Further, he explained how a couple might disagree with that statement and claiming their love for each other could work it out. But he stressed, “love comes from God, and God is love. And God pours out His love by the Spirit. If they don’t have the Spirit, they don’t even have access to the same source of love that you do.”

Started Their Romantic Relationship Wrong

Apparently, Mark and his wife started of on the wrong foot in their relationship. That’s why they wisdom after they both encountered Jesus separately. He was catholic, and his wife, Grace, was a pastor’s kid. At the beginning of their relationship, they didn’t honor God because they weren’t “walking with the Lord.” So, they slept together outside of marriage and disobeyed God’s ways.

Later, Mark encountered Jesus and became born again. Meanwhile, Grace also rekindled her relationship with the Lord. She questioned Mark’s faith being real so she gave him a Bible. It was by God’s grace that they got married and their marriage is now thriving.

God’s Grace

He made it clear that their marriage wouldn’t have worked if God wasn’t in it.

“Because at the end of the day, if both of you don’t have the Spirit of God, you don’t have a chance,” he said. “..and the only way to defeat unholy spirits in marriage is by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Pastor Mark boldly concluded that Christians shouldn’t date someone who doesn’t know or love Jesus.

To hear the entire message, watch the video below.

Can I date a non-Christian? | Pastor Mark Driscoll

Reference | RealFaith by Mark Driscoll

Header Image: RealFaith by Mark Driscoll. (Screenshot). (2023). Pastor Mark Driscoll, Retrieved September 13, 2023 from: https://youtu.be/psczcYdRDgU

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sin
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BibleProject: The Real Meaning Behind ‘Sin’

by Christel Berns
written by Christel Berns

BibleProject is unpacking the word sin to help believers better understand what it truly means.

What is Sin?

Everyone is familiar with the word “sin.” In fact, most people have a good idea of what it means. But did you know there is more to this word?

The Christian organization BibleProject explains this in its more profound meaning in one of their creative videos on YouTube.

Sin

BibleProject. (Screenshot). (2018). Sin Involves More Than You Might Think, Retrieved September 8, 2023 from: https://youtu.be/aNOZ7ocLD74

The Hebrew word for “sin” is “Khata,” and its Greek word is “Hamartia.” The real meaning of sin is “to fail” or “miss the goal.” To make it more clear, it’s like in archery when a player has to shoot the arrow with a bow and try to hit the bullseye. And if they fails to do so, they “miss the mark” and receive a low score.

Failure To Love God And People

The BibleProject explained, “There is the biblical proverb that warns against making hasty decisions because you are likely to ‘khata’ your way, miss your destination.”

So, in conclusion, according to the Scripture, “sin is a failure to fulfill a goal.” Now, the question is, what is really the goal?

BibleProject further explained that “sin is a failure to love God and others by not treating them with the honor they deserve.” God’s plan was to make man as bearers of His image on earth. But that failed when man disobeyed God.  As a result of missing the mark, we now live in a broken world that God had to redeem and restore.

The video also explained that “failing to honor God is deeply connected to failing to honor people.”

“So, sin is about more than just doing bad things,” they clarified. “It describes how we easily deceive ourselves and spin illusions to redefine our bad decisions as good ones.”

Watch the full BibleProject video below.

Sin Involves More Than You Might Think (We'll Explain)

Reference | BibleProject

Header Image: Julio Rionaldo. (Photographer). (2019). Word Sin in light Retrieved September 8, 2023 from: https://unsplash.com/photos/xO538bkwzTI

Read more on the GOD TV blog here

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Man sings Oceans
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People Stop In A Busy Street To Listen To The Man Singing ‘Oceans’ By Hillsong United

by Christel Berns
written by Christel Berns

Many took the time to stop on a busy street to listen to a man singing Hillsong United’s worship song, “Oceans.”

Man Singing ‘Oceans’ In A Busy Street

YouTuber and singer Luke Silva sang an anointed worship in the middle of the busy streets of Leicester Square in London. And as he sang the song, many stopped one by one while others recorded a video of him with their phones.

Man sings Oceans

Luke Silva. (Screenshot). (2023). Man sings in busy street, Retrieved September 12, 2023 from: https://youtu.be/NKb62NSbxDo

“This is a beautiful Gospel song by Hillsong United,” he told the crowd.

“Oceans” tells of the songwriter calling out the Name of the Lord amidst a great struggle. It’s a song of hope—anointed and powerful that draws even unbelievers to cry out to God.

Some of the lyrics of the song goes:

“You call me out upon the waters
The great unknown where feet may fail
And there I find You in the mystery
In oceans deep my faith will stand

And I will call upon Your Name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine.”

Singer And YouTuber

Luke is a YouTuber who loves to sing his “way through life.” In his content, he goes to public places and serenades strangers with songs. Sometimes, he invites strangers sing with him.

The video he shared last month has now reached over 970,000 views. Apparently, Luke also has audio streams of his cover of the worship song too.

Whether Luke is a Christian or not, we do not know, but the Lord is working in and through him to bless others!

Everyone STOPPED For THIS Song | Oceans by Hillsong United

Reference | Luke Silva

Header Image: Luke Silva. (Screenshot). (2023). Man sings in busy street, Retrieved September 12, 2023 from: https://youtu.be/NKb62NSbxDo

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The last will be first
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What Does Jesus Mean by ‘The Last Will Be First’? BibleProject Explains With Creative Video

by Christel Berns
written by Christel Berns

In their creative video, BibleProject explained what Jesus meant by “the last will be first” in Matthew 20:16.  It’s amazing how God thoughts and ways are higher! It’s amazing how God’s thoughts and ways are higher than human wisdom!

The Last Will Be First

In Matthew chapter 20, Jesus shared a parable to His disciples about “the Workers in the Vineyard.” Through that story, the Lord taught them that “the last will be first, and the first will be last.” Now, what did Jesus really mean by it?

BibleProject. (Screenshot). (2022). What Jesus Meant, Retrieved September 11, 2023 from: https://youtu.be/n-UenIDevpI

One of the creative visual stories shared by BibleProject on their YouTube channel explained the heart of God behind it. The video begins with explaining how humanity values “the right of the firstborn” during the Old Testament times.

According to the BibleProject, the birthright tradition of passing the power and inheritance to the firstborn son is evident “throughout human history.” It wasn’t just practiced by those in authority, but also among ordinary families. However, the firstborn sons often abuse their power for personal gain often leading to violence and conflict.

How God Overturns The Cultural Norm

According to the Bible, God hasn’t always favor the firstborn son. In fact, “in the story of the first two brothers, God elevates the second-born, Abel, over Cain,” the firstborn.

Later, God demonstrated this again when He chose to bless and give all the inheritance to Abraham’s second son, Isaac, instead of Ishmael. God also promised a blessing to Isaac’s younger son, Jacob. The promise was that “Jacob will have authority over his older brother Esau and inherit God’s blessing.”

The pattern continued throughout generations until the time of Jesus.

“God consistently challenges human-made systems of power and value that tend towards abuse,” BibleProject explained. “And He turns them upside down.”

When Jesus came, He demonstrated that the real power and authority is when we serve others.

Watch the full video below!

What Jesus Meant by "The Last Will Be First"

Reference | BibleProject

Header Image: Clem Onojeghuo. (Photographer). (2016). person running on concrete road, Retrieved September 11, 2023 from: https://unsplash.com/photos/Apj4nSemkzk

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Who you marry
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Pastor Shares How Who You Marry Significantly Impacts Your Life & Generations

by Christel Berns
written by Christel Berns

Pastor Mark Driscoll shard profound wisdom on how who you’re going to marry significantly impacts not just your life but also generations to come.

Divorce Rate

It’s easy to fall in love. Many quickly marry without counting the cost, without asking God for guidance, and end up regretting it. Perhaps it’s one of the main reasons why the divorce rate in America is high.

Choose who you marry right

engin akyurt. (Photographer). (2020).
person holding gold wedding band, Retrieved September 12, 2023 from: https://unsplash.com/photos/Jw5Kth70hQo

According to the Divorce report, “the divorce rate in America” reached 44.2% at the end of 2022.

That said, it is a very alarming issue that the body of Christ needs address. Pastor Mark Driscoll shared some wisdom that can help avoid such failures in marriage. He talked about the importance of choosing who to marry first and foremost.

The Second-Most Significant Decision Is Who You Marry

“The truth is when you marry someone, you’re making a decision for generations,” he remarked. “The most important decision anyone makes and the earlier you make the decision, the better off you are is number one, is Jesus Christ your Lord God and Savior?”

Who you marry

Pastor Mark Driscoll [@markdriscoll]. Sermon. Instagram, 29 Aug. 2023, https://www.instagram.com/p/CwfqB_Qu0ob/

Then he stressed “the second most significant decision,” which is “who you will marry.”

Pastor Mark pointed out that who you choose to marry significantly impacts your life and the generations to come.

“They will determine what kind of household you live in,” he explained. “If you have children, what kind of family they will be brought in? If you’re going to have grandchildren and a legacy, you’re talking about one decision that can make generations of good or bad impact. Think about it right now. The family that you came from.. what was your parents’ marriage like? What was your grandparents’ marriage like? What was your great-grandparents’ marriage like?”

A great marriage can be passed on for generations. But a bad marriage can also have impact for generations!

As Pastor Mark shared, let God lead you in choosing a spouse.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Pastor Mark Driscoll (@markdriscoll)

Reference | Pastor Mark Driscoll

Header Image: Pastor Mark Driscoll [@markdriscoll]. Sermon. Instagram, 29 Aug. 2023, https://www.instagram.com/p/CwfqB_Qu0ob/

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voice
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3 Tips To Know If It Is ‘God’s Voice Or Your Voice’

by Christel Berns
written by Christel Berns

Are you having a hard time discerning if what you’re hearing is God’s voice or just your own voice? Impact Video Ministries has shared three tips to help you discern between the two.

Confused?

Maybe you’re feeling confused, especially if you have a big decision to make. You want to hear God’s answer clearly as you pray for His direction. These three tips from Impact Video Ministries shares can help.

voice

  Impact Video Ministries. (Screenshot). (2023). How to Discern Between God’s Voice & Your Voice, Retrieved September 11, 2023 from: https://youtu.be/1rwlhjpUEOI

3 Tips To Discern God’s Voice

1. Tie thoughts to Scripture

The video referenced this tip from Psalm 119:105, where it says, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” We should be cautious to identify and discern where our thoughts are coming from. Whether that thought comes from our minds, our heightened emotions, or God’s voice leading us.

“God’s Word will shed light to your path!” IVM remarked. “So, tie your thought to a Scripture in the Bible!”

2. Be filled with the Spirit.

In Galatians 6:7-8 it says, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.”

The IVM explains that we should sow seeds that feed our Spirit instead of our flesh. And we must choose one that leads to everlasting life because sowing in our flesh eventually leads to our downfall.

The ministry made John the Baptist a perfect example of this when he said, “He must increase, but I must decrease!” John “understood that he needed more of God in his life and less of himself.”

3. Pray over time.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:17, Paul told the church of Thessalonica to “pray without ceasing.” IVM advises us to take our time with prayer to discern the voice we’re hearing. This is “to see if those thoughts stand the test of time.”
“Emotions will come and go,” he remarked. “Time is a tool you can use if you need to figure out if you’re being emotional.”

Watch the entire message in the video below.

How to Discern Between God's Voice & Your Voice

Reference | Impact Video Ministries

Header Image: Impact Video Ministries. (Screenshot). (2023). How to Discern Between God’s Voice & Your Voice, Retrieved September 11, 2023 from: https://youtu.be/1rwlhjpUEOI

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Jesus never said..
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Social Media Influencer Haidee Cleofe: 5 Things Jesus Never Said That People Believe Are True

by Christel Berns
written by Christel Berns

There are a lot of inspiring quotes and sayings shared on social media. But sadly, not every post that goes viral is true. It might be popular, but the question is, is in the Bible? Social media influencer Haidee Cleofe recently shared a post with 5 things Jesus never said.

5 Things Jesus Never Said

There are people today that believe things because they are so popular, but just because they are popular doesn’t mean they are true. It’s so important to know the Word of God, our source of truth, and what it says for our lives!

1. Follow your heart

We often see this on social media posts. And this is definitely not biblical. Jesus never said to follow your heart.

In fact, the Bible says in Jeremiah 17:9-10, “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it? I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings.”

2. Be true to yourself.

Jesus never said this phrase in the Bible.

What He did teach was to deny ourselves and follow Him. In Matthew 16:24, Jesus told His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.”

3. Believe in yourself.

This is a very common saying we see on social media: to “believe in yourself.”

It sounds good until look at the Word of God. Jesus teaches to put our trust in Him, not in ourselves. In John 14:6, Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

4. Live your truth.

This quote, which Jesus never said, is very dangerous. It is so dangerous because it allows us to define our own truth.

Only God holds the truth. In John 8:31-32, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

5. As long as you are happy, that is all that matters.

Jesus wants us to see things from the heavenly perspective in light of eternity.

When we choose to follow Jesus, it’s not always easy. Following Him won’t always make us happy. In Mark 8:36-37, Jesus said, “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Haidee Cleofe (@haideecleofe)

Reference | Instagram – Haidee Cleofe

Read more on the GOD TV blog here

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