Category: Authorities

Preparation for Discipleship Ministry (Insights in NT)

2/3/2013

"The proof that you love someone is not that you have warm affectionate feelings toward them. The proof is in your actions, your words and your sacrifice, your willingness to give the best of yourself and your willingness to get nothing in return" (Katherine Walden).

Spiritual preparation is required for a discipling ministry. Put off the old self and put on the new self activates love as you are renewed by God's word. The normal duties of family and work provide natural opportunities to share God's word with wisdom and grace. Prayer opens the door for discipleship opportunities of mutual encouragement and prayer so people can fulfill the ministry they received from God.

Put Off the Old Self and Put on the New Self
They set their hearts and minds on things above where Christ was seated at the right hand of God. They died with their life hidden in Christ. They appeared with Him in glory. They put to death their earthly nature including sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed that described idolatry causing God's wrath. They put off their old self of anger, rage, malice, slander, filthy language and lying. They put on the new self renewed in knowledge according to the image of Christ (Col. 3:1-11). Put off the old self and put on the new self through renewal in God's word.

Put on Love and Indwelling of God's Word
As God's chosen people, they clothed themselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. They bore and forgave grievances against one another. They put on love bounding them together in perfect unity. The peace of Christ and thankfulness ruled in their hearts as members of one body. The word of Christ dwell in them richly as they taught, admonished one another with all wisdom and sang psalms and spiritual songs with gratitude in their hearts to God. They did everything in word or deed in the name of Jesus and thanked God (Col. 3:12-17). Put on love by letting God's word dwell in you through teaching, admonishing and expressing gratitude.

Submit to Authorities for Reward
Wives submitted to their husbands as fitting in the Lord. Husbands loved their wives and were not harsh. Children obeyed their parents in everything to please God. Fathers did not embitter their children to prevent discouragement. Employees obeyed their supervisors in everything with sincerity of heart and reverence of the Lord. They worked heartily serving Christ, not men, and received an inheritance from Him as a reward. Those who did wrong were repaid for their wrong. Supervisors provided their employees what was right and fair because they had a Master in heaven (Col. 3:18-4:1). Submit to delegated authorities in family and work relationships in order to earn heavenly reward.

Pray for Open Doors to Share God's Word
Be watchful, thankful and devoted to prayer. Ask God to open doors in proclaiming clearly the mystery of Christ. Make the most of every opportunity in speaking with wisdom and grace that was seasoned with salt so they knew how to answer everyone (Col. 4:2-6). Be prayerful so God opens doors to speak God's word with clarity, wisdom and grace.

Encourage and Connect People into Ministry
Paul sent Tychicus and Onesimus so they would be encouraged about his circumstances. Mark and Justus sent greetings as the only Jews among his fellow workers for the kingdom of God who also comforted Paul. Epaphras always wrestled in prayer for them to stand firm, fully assured and mature in God's will. Luke, the doctor, and Demas sent greetings. Paul sent greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, Nympha and the church in her house. He asked that his letter be read to them and to the church of the Laodiceans. He also wanted them to read the letter from the Laodiceans. Paul wanted them to tell Archippus to complete the work he received in the Lord (Col. 4:7-18). Connect people to pray, encourage and minister together so each one discovers the ministry they received from the Lord.

Stay prayerful as you consider the following process in preparing for a discipleship ministry:
1. Put off the old self and put on the new self through renewal in God's word
2. Put on love by letting God's word dwell in you through teaching, admonishing and expressing gratitude
3. Submit to delegated authorities in family and work relationships in order to earn heavenly reward
4. Be prayerful so God opens doors to speak God's word with clarity, wisdom and grace
5. Connect people to pray, encourage and minister together so each one discovers the ministry they received from the Lord

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Be Rooted and Built Up in Christ (Insights in NT)

1/31/2013

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In the prior book of Philippians, Paul explained in four chapters how Christ was our heart (life & emotions), mind (head & intellect), soul (goal & spirit) and strength (actions & behavior) that parallels Christ's Great Commandment to love God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength. Colossians explained how to love God with our whole being.

Pray to Know God's Will
Paul thanked God when he heard about their faith in Christ and love that sprung from hope stored up for them in heaven. They heard about the gospel of God's grace in the word of truth that produced fruit. They never stopped asking God for the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and understanding to live worthy and please the Lord in every way. They bore fruit in every good work, grew in God's knowledge and strengthened according to His glorious might in great endurance and patience. They joyfully gave thanks to the Father who qualified them to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. God rescued them from the domain of darkness and brought into the kingdom of the Son where they had redemption, the forgiveness of sins (Col. 1:1-14). Pray to know God's will so you can to bear fruit, grow spiritually and experience full redemption with sins forgiven.

Exalt Christ as Lord Over Every Authority
Jesus was the image of the invisible God by whom all things were created in heaven and earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, powers, rulers or authorities. All things were created by Him and for Him. He was before all things and in Him all things held together. He was head of the body, the church, with supremacy in everything. God's fullness dwelt in Christ. He reconciled to Himself all things on earth or heaven by making peace through His shed blood on the cross. Paul proclaimed the gospel to every creature and reconciled them through Christ's death as holy, without blemish, free from accusation (Col. 1:15-23). Exalt Christ as Lord over every authority and reconcile them to God by proclaiming His death.

Admonish and Teach the Gospel
Paul took up Christ's sufferings for the sake of His body, the church. God commissioned Paul to present the word of God in its fullness, the mystery now revealed to the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. They proclaimed Him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom in order to present everyone complete in Christ (Col. 1:24-29). Admonish and teach the gospel with all wisdom to present everyone complete in Christ.

Be Rooted and Built Up in Christ
Paul loved people so they could know Christ in whom was hidden all treasures of wisdom and knowledge. He taught them to be rooted and built up in Christ being strengthened in faith while overflowing with thanksgiving. They were not taken captive by hollow and deceptive philosophy that depended on human tradition and basic principles of this world instead of Christ (Col. 2:1-8). Be rooted and built up in Christ to discover wisdom and knowledge while rejecting deceptive human philosophy.

Consider Your Identification with Christ
The fullness of Deity lived in bodily form through Christ. God gave them the fullness of Christ who was head over every power and authority. After putting off the flesh by Christ's death, they were buried and raised with Him by faith in God's power who raised Jesus from the dead. He forgave sin and cancelled the regulations opposing them by nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the powers and authorities and made a public spectacle triumphing over them by the cross (Col. 2:9-15). Consider your identification with Christ's death, burial and resurrection by trusting in His Spirit to disarm powers and authorities.

Find Reality in Christ
They refused peoples' judgment concerning what they ate, drank or religious festival that were shadows of things to come. One found reality in Christ. They rejected false humility and worship of angels to prevent disqualification for the prize. This person went into great detail what he saw. His unspiritual mind was puffed him up with idle notions. He lost connection with the Head of the body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grew as God caused it to grow (Col. 2:16-19). Find reality in Christ and reject false humility that puffs you up with idle notions.

Die to Legalistic Commands
Believers died to basic principles and human commands of the world like "Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!" They had appearance of wisdom with self-imposed worship. Their false humility and harsh treatment of the body lack value to restrain sensual indulgence (Col. 2:20-23). Die to legalistic commands toward harsh treatment of the body since they can't restrain sensual indulgence.

Our priority is to be rooted and built up in Christ to discover wisdom and knowledge while rejecting deceptive human philosophies:
1. Pray to know God's will to bear spiritual fruit and experience full redemption while rejecting powerless legalistic commands
2. Live out true reality of Christ by proclaiming His death to reconcile every authority to Him and reject false humility
3. Identify with Christ as you admonish and teach the gospel with all wisdom presenting everyone complete in Christ

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Building a Biblical Worldview in Your City (Insights in Psalms)

1/1/2013

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"There is a flow to history and culture. This flow is rooted and has its wellspring in the thoughts of people. People are unique in the inner life of the mind -- what they are in their thought-world determines how they act. This is true of their value systems and it is true of their creativity. It is true of their corporate actions, such as political decisions, and it is true of their personal lives. The results of their thought-world flow through their fingers or from their tongues into the external world. This is true of Michelangelo's chisel, and it is true of a dictator’s sword" (Francis A. Schaeffer, "How Should We Then Live?").

A person's worldview influences how he relates in the world. A community's worldview influences its culture. In Eccl. 1-6, balancing pleasure and achievement maintains a proper worklife balance in building up God's kingdom. In Eccl. 7-12, you build a biblical worldview in your city by maintaining a balanced life of fearing God and responding appropriately to authority. Then you can save and bless your city with wisdom and skill. You gain success by investing in multiple opportunities as you build a biblical foundation through making disciples.

Balance Life By Fearing God
A good name, day of death, mourning, sorrow and wise man's rebuke was better than fine perfume, day of death, feasting, laughter and song of fools. The wise was in the house of mourning, but fools in the house of pleasure. Extortion turned the wise into a fool and a bribe corrupted the heart. The end of matter and patience was better than its beginning and pride. Stay calm do not ask why the past was better than the present. Do not be destroyed by being overly righteous, overly wise, overly wicked and a fool. A man avoids all extremes by fearing God. The wise were more powerful than ten rulers in the city. Do not pay attention to every word people say. Please God to escape the woman who would ensnare and trap. Men searched for many schemes with only one upright man among a thousand (Eccl. 7:1-29). Balance life by fearing God and listening to wisdom.

Enjoy Life By Obeying Authority
Obey the king's command as the wise know the proper time and procedure for every matter not knowing the future. It was meaningless for men to hurt themselves by lording it over others or receiving praise. When a sentence for a crime was not quickly carried out, peoples' hearts were filled with schemes to do wrong. It went better for men who feared God than the wicked. It was meaningless for the righteous to get what the wicked deserve and vice-versa. Nothing was better than to enjoy life and his work (Eccl. 8:1-17). Enjoy life by obeying and responding appropriately to authority.

Save Your City With Wisdom
The wise and the wicked could not predict the future. Each of them would be forgotten after death. Be clothed always in white, anoint head in oil and enjoy life with one's wife. Do everything with one's full strength. The race was not to the swift, battle to the strong, food to the wise, wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned since no man knew when his time would come. A poor and wise man was not remembered when he saved a small city from a powerful king. Even though wisdom was better than strength, his words were ignored. Listen to quiet, wise words more than a ruler's foolish shouts. Wisdom was better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroyed much good (Eccl. 9:1-18). Save your city with wisdom through the filling of the Holy Spirit.

Bless Your Land With Skill
A fool lacked sense and showed his stupidity. Calmness laid great errors to rest in the midst of a ruler's anger. Fools were put in many high places while the rich occupied low ones. Overcome a dull ax with more strength but skill brought success. A charmer received no profit when a snake bit before being charmed. A fool multiplied his words and his work wearied and consumed him. A wise man's mouth was gracious. Blessed was the land whose king was of noble birth and whose princes ate at a proper time for strength and not for drunkenness. Laziness and idleness caused the rafters to sag and the house to leak. Do not revile the king in your thoughts since those words could be reported (Eccl. 10:1-20). Bless your land with calmness, skill and timing.

Gain Success By Investing in Multiple Opportunities
Reap a harvest by casting multiple portions of bread upon the waters. Whoever watched the wind or clouds did not plant or reap because people could not understand God's work. One cannot know whether morning or evening sowing would succeed. Enjoy every day and remember the many dark days. God brought judgment on meaningless youthful pleasures (Eccl. 11:1-10). Gain success by investing in multiple opportunities, taking calculated risks and working hard while being accountable to God.

Build a Biblical Foundation By Making Disciples
Youth should remember their Creator before experiencing trouble and poor health from old age. The Teacher searched and wrote right and true words like goads and firmly embedded nails given by one Shepherd. He warned him of adding anything else. No end came from making many books. Much study wearied the body. The whole duty of man was to fear God and keep His commandments. He judged every deed and hidden thing, whether good or evil (Eccl. 12:1-14). Build a biblical foundation by sharing truth and making disciples.

The components of building a biblical worldview in your city include:
1. Fear God
2. Obey and respond appropriately to authority
3. Develop wisdom by being filled with Holy Spirit
4. Develop skill in your vocation
5. Invest in multiple opportunities
6. Take calculated risks
7. Work hard being accountable to God
8. Build a biblical foundation by sharing truth
9. Make disciples in all cultural spheres

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Moving from Judgment to Edification (Insights in NT)

9/25/2012

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"One of the most subtle burdens God ever puts on us as saints is this burden of discernment concerning other souls. He reveals things in order that we may take the burden of these souls before Him and form the mind of Christ about them. It is not that we bring God into touch with our minds, but that we rouse ourselves until God is able to convey His mind to us about the one for whom we intercede" (Oswald Chambers). One of the most hurtful things in the church is judgment over trivial matters. Only the power of the Trinity (God, Jesus and Holy Spirit) working together will move people from judgmental attitudes and condemnation to edifying others.

Obey God
Submit to the governing authorities because God established them. Since rebelling against human authority is like rebelling against God, people reap judgment upon themselves. Those who do what is right receive commendation without fear. Human authorities are God's servants and bear the sword to punish wrongdoers. Submit to authorities to avoid punishment and for conscience sake. Pay taxes to authorities who serve full time in governing. Pay what you owe whether it is taxes, revenue, respect and honor (Rom. 13:1-7). Submit to human authorities since they are God’s servants to protect you.

Put on Christ
Let no debt remain except to love one another, which fulfills the law. Adultery, murder, stealing or coveting from the Ten Commandments harm a neighbor, but not love. It’s time to wake up from sleeping because salvation is nearer than when we first believed. Put aside deeds of darkness like orgies, drunkenness, sexual immortality, debauchery, dissension and jealousy. Put on the armor of light by clothing yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ and not thinking how to gratify the desires of the flesh (Rom. 13:8-14). Put on Christ by loving others without gratifying the flesh.

Accept Others
Accept and do not pass judgment on someone with a weak faith. One man eats anything but someone with a weak faith eats only vegetables. The strong cannot judge the weak while the weak cannot condemn the strong that eats everything. God accepts the strong and weak because He makes both of them stand as His servants. One man considers one day more sacred than another while someone else regards every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced before the Lord. We live and die to the Lord since everyone belongs to Him (Rom. 14:1-8). Accept and do not judge or condemn others on matters of personal liberty and convictions.

Follow Holy Spirit
For this reason, Christ died and became alive as Lord of the dead and living. Why do you judge your brother since all will stand before God’s judgment seat. Every knee will bow and tongue will confess to God since everyone will give an account of himself to God. Stop judging and do not put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way. No food is unclean in itself. If anyone regards something as unclean, it then becomes unclean for him. If your brother is distressed by what you eat, then you are not acting in love but destroying your brother for whom Christ died. Do not allow what you consider good to be spoken of as evil. The kingdom of God is not a matter of eating or drinking but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men (Rom. 14:9-18). Follow the Holy Spirit in righteousness, peace and joy so you do not put a stumbling block in your brother’s way.

Act in Faith for Edification
Pursue what leads to peace and to mutual edification. Do not destroy God’s work God for the sake of food. Eating anything that causes someone to stumble is wrong even though all food is clean. Keep your convictions about these things between you and God. A man who doubts is condemned if his eating is not from faith. Everything that does not come from faith is sin (Rom. 14:19-23). Act in faith and pursue what leads to peace and mutual edification.

Consider the process from judgment/condemnation to peace/edification:
1. Obey God through delegated authorities
2. Put on Christ so you can love others
3. Accept others and do not judge or condemn them
4. Follow the Holy Spirit in righteousness, peace and joy
5. Act in faith and pursue what leads to peace and mutual edification

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God's Mercy and Judgment Demonstrated (Insights in Prophets)

5/31/2012

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"What gives us conviction of sin is not the number of sins we have committed; it is the sight of the holiness of God." (Martyn Lloyd-Jones). In the midst of sin, we see God's mercy, which triumphs over judgment. God's holiness demands that He deal with sin. God's fulfills His promises and multiplies His people because of His love.

Elisha predicted that flour and two measures of barley would be sold for a shekel each in the gate of Samaria. An officer wondered if the Lord could open the windows of heaven, but Elisha said he would not eat of it. Four leprous men figured they would die of famine. They entered the camp of Arameans, but the Lord caused them to flee because of hearing a large army attacking them.The lepers entered their tents, ate food and hid silver, gold and clothes they found (2 Kings 7:1-8). God promises to provide for you miraculously in famine.

The lepers told the king and he figured the Arameans would attack and capture Israel once they left the city. The king took two chariots with horses to go after the army of the Arameans, but found they had thrown clothes and equipment in their haste so they plundered the camp. Flour and barley was sold for the price predicted according to the word of the Lord. The officer was trampled at the gate and died just as Elisha predicted (2 Kings 7:9-20). God fulfills His promises in famine.

Elisha told the woman whose son he restored to life to leave since the Lord called for famine. After seven years, she left the land of the Philistines and appealed for her house and field. When the king met the son restored to life by Elisha, he gave the property back to the woman. Ben-hadad king of Aram sent Hazael to ask Elisha if he would recover from his sickness. Elisha told Hazael that Ben-hadad would die and with weeping, predicted Hazael would kill men, women and children after he became king. Ben-hadad died and Hazael became king (2 Kings 8:7-15). God's sovereignty changes the hearts of authorities to respond and accomplish His purposes.

Jehoram, the son of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, became king and did evil like Ahab. The Lord did not destroy Judah because He promised to give descendants through David. Ahaziah, the son of Jehoram king of Judah, next reigned and he walked in evil like Ahab (2 Kings 8:16-29). God's mercy and compassion triumph over sin so His people can be multiplied.

Elisha told one of the prophets to pour oil on Jehu son of Jehoshaphat to anoint as king over Israel. The prophet declared that Jehu would destroy the house of Ahab to avenge the blood of the Lord's servants shed by Jezebel. Dogs would devour her on the plot of ground at Jezreel and no one would bury her (2 Kings 9:1-13). God chooses and equips people to fulfill His will.

Jehu questioned Joram, "How can there be peace as long as all the idolatry and witchcraft of your mother Jezebel abound?" Jehu shot his arrow to kill Joram whose body was thrown on the field belonging to Naboth the Jezreelite. Jehu wounded Ahaziah king of Judah who died later (2 Kings 9:14-29). God's holiness demands that idolatry and witchcraft be judged.

Eunuchs threw Jezebel down from the window and nothing was left to bury in fulfillment of the word of the Lord spoken through Elijah, "On the plot of ground at Jezreel dogs will devour Jezebel's flesh. Jezebel's body will be like refuse on the ground in the plot at Jezreel, so that no one will be able to say, 'This is Jezebel'" (2 Kings 9:30-37). God fulfills His prophecies of judgment according to His word.

Where do you see God's mercy and compassion in your life? Praise Him for His mercy and compassion. Where is God judging you for your sin? Confess and forsake your sin.

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Listen So God Can Demonstrate His Glory (Insights in Law)

6/15/2011

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A battle wages in the heavenlies. You don't fight humans but rulers, authorities, powers of this dark world and spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Eph. 6:12). God's power is superior to the world or Satan. Just as Moses battled evil powers when God told him to confront Pharaoh, each of you face a spiritual battle in your home, church and at work. Listen so God can demonstrate His glory and power.

The Lord told Moses that he would be as God to Pharaoh and Aaron would be Moses' prophet. Aaron would speak to Pharaoh to allow Israel leave the land according to what God commanded Moses. God would harden Pharaoh’s heart to multiply His signs, wonders and great judgments in Egypt when Pharaoh stopped listening to Him. The Egyptians would know God is Lord once the sons of Israel left Egypt. Moses and Aaron obeyed the Lord's command (Ex. 7:1-7). God shows His glory and power through miracles and signs even when authorities harden their hearts and don't listen.

The Lord instructed Moses and Aaron to throw down their staff before Pharaoh so it would become a serpent after Pharaoh told them to, "Work a miracle." Pharaoh’s wise men, sorcerers and magicians did the same with their secret arts, but Aaron’s staff swallowed up their staffs. Pharaoh’s heart was hardened and didn't listen to the Lord (Ex. 7:8-13). God shows authorities that His power is superior to the world's.

The Lord told Moses that Pharaoh’s heart was stubborn since he refused to let the people go. God told Moses to meet Pharaoh by the Nile and say the Lord, the God of the Hebrews, sent him saying, “Let My people go, that they may serve Me in the wilderness. But behold, you have not listened until now.” The moment Moses struck the Nile River with his staff, Pharaoh would know He is Lord because the water would turn to blood causing fish to die and people would be unable to drink its water. (Ex. 7:14-19).  God uses judgments and miracles to get the attention of authorities so they will obey His will.

After Moses struck the Nile, the magicians did the same with their secret arts, which hardened Pharaoh's heart so he wouldn't listen. He went into his house unconcerned while the Egyptians dug around the Nile for water to drink. Seven days passed after the Lord struck the Nile (Ex. 7:20-25). Authorities seek easy or worldly solutions to maintain the status quo even if people are hurt.

In the spiritual battle you are facing, whether at home, church, work or community, listen to what God is saying.

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From Insubordination to Submission (Insights in Prophets)

5/31/2011

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It's easy to take revenge when people seek to harm you. It's a test whether you will trust God or seize control. Because God rules over authorities, respond respectfully and righteously. He rewards integrity, not when you take matters in your own hands. Instead of insubordination, David practiced submission in 1 Sam. 24.

Saul sought David in the wilderness of Engedi. David saw Saul and cut off the edge of his robe secretly. David’s conscience bothered him. David said to his men, “Far be it from me because of the Lord that I should do this thing to my lord, the Lord’s anointed, to stretch out my hand against him, since he is the Lord’s anointed.” He did not allow his men to rise up against Saul (1 Sam. 24:1-7). Respect and honor authorities over you instead of harming them.

After David bowed before Saul, he explained the falseness of accusations that he sought to harm Saul. David told Saul he hadn't sin because there was no evil or rebellion in his hands. He told Saul that the Lord would judge and decide between them, plead his cause and be delivered from his hand (1 Sam. 24:8-15). God judges and takes revenge on your enemies instead of you.

Saul admitted his wickedness and David's righteous response. Saul asked the Lord to reward David with good as he would establish the kingdom of Israel as king. David swore that he would not cut off Saul’s descendants after he became king (1 Sam. 24:16-22). God rewards those who have integrity of heart and wait on God's timing.

From 1 Sam. 24: 11, notice that David applied 1 Sam. 15:22-23 since he had no evil or rebellion. He cleansed his heart from "insubordination (which) is as iniquity and idolatry."

Ask God to cleanse your heart from insubordination and rebellion in response to your parents, spouse, boss and political leaders. Begin to pray for them.

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Preparation for Discipleship Ministry (Insights in NT)

Be Rooted and Built Up in Christ (Insights in NT)

Building a Biblical Worldview in Your City (Insights in Psalms)

Moving from Judgment to Edification (Insights in NT)

God's Mercy and Judgment Demonstrated (Insights in Prophets)

Listen So God Can Demonstrate His Glory (Insights in Law)

From Insubordination to Submission (Insights in Prophets)

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