Jesus Shared His Father’s Glory

Posted on May 8, 2012 by Prayer

John 5:18, “Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.”

JOHN 5:16-27

When the Jewish authorities heard Jesus call God “my (own) Father”, they immediately understood that Jesus claimed for Himself deity in the highest possible sense of that term. That claim was either blasphemy, to be punished by death, or else Jesus was who He claimed to be.

Jesus never associated Himself with His disciples by using the plural pronoun “our” Father. Rather, He always used the singular “my” Father, since His relationship was unique and eternal, whereas theirs was by grace and regeneration.

We should ponder carefully our Lord’s own conception of who He was. He said “I am from above” (Jn. 8:23); “Before Abraham was, I AM” (Jn. 8:58); “I and my Father are one” (Jn. 10:30); “He that hath seen me hath seen the Father” (Jn. 14:9); and “I am not of the world” (Jn. 17:16). He also declared His eternal pre-existence and that He shared the Father’s glory (Jn. 6:62; 17:5).

We can’t just honor Jesus, but we have to honor Him “even as” (in like manner or the same way) we honor the Father. This is what separates true Christianity from the religions of the world. Most religions honor Jesus as a great man (examples: Islam, Unification Church, Jehovah’s Witnesses, etc.), but they are violently opposed to making Jesus equal with Almighty God (1 Jn. 2:23). The names and titles given to Jesus in John’s gospel clearly present Jesus as being equal with God. He is all you need Him to be.

May the LORD bless Nigeria, American and Israel and take care of us; May the LORD make His face shine upon us, And be gracious to us; May the Lord lift up His countenance upon us, And give us peace, In Jesus Christ Name, we pray! Amen!

The Spirit and Jesus (bummyla.wordpress.com)
A Biblical perspective concerning Jesus and women, Part 4 (newcovenantchristianministries.wordpress.com)
Sunday Class Notes: May 6 (lifereference.wordpress.com)
Are You a Sheep? (anotherchristianblog.org)
Easter 5 – “Vines” (John 15:1-8) (revtucher.com)
“Lord, show us the Father, and we shall be satisfied” (worryisuseless.wordpress.com)
If we believe, we would be doing greater works than Jesus?.. (catholicjournaling.wordpress.com)
Saturday (May 5): “If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it.” (shechina.wordpress.com)
A Fruitful Life Comes From Staying Close To Jesus, Pope Says (catholicjules.net)
Chosen by the Father (loopyloo305.com)

Acknowledged by Our Lord Jesus Christ

Posted on May 8, 2012 by Prayer

Acknowledged by Our Lord Jesus Christ

Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their
garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.
He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and
I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will
confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
Revelation 3:4-5
The Bible is the book of life. Your name is in this book. If God has to
say “I will not blot out your name out of the book of life,” that must
mean that your name can be blotted out, that you can lose your
salvation. Just because you were once saved doesn’t mean you’ll go up
in the rapture. He is telling this church that their lethargy and
religion could cause them to become totally backslidden and return to
the ways of the world. This is not easy to do, especially with the
mercy, long-suffering, and grace of the Lord, but it is possible. You
don’t want to be the dead church.
But look at what God does for those who are overcomers! The word
confess means to acknowledge; if you’re an overcomer, Jesus will
acknowledge you before His Father and before His angels.
When you have the Father manifesting or appearing, going before your
point of need, your point of need is not going to be there very long!
The power of God will show up and show out. God will acknowledge that
power in front of men. We see that in Psalm 23 where the Psalmist says,
“I will prepare a table before you in the presence of your enemies.” In
other words, “I am going to show everybody that you belong to me by
what I do. The table is set in front of you and in front of your
enemies.” God wants to manifest Himself to you and through you.

Prayer for Today

Father,
I confess that I am an overcomer through Your sacrifice! I confess that
I am an overcomer through Your power! Thank You for manifesting Yourself to me and through me time and time again! In Jesus Christ Name,
Amen!

Think on These Things

Revelation 19:8
Matthew 10:32

The Spirit and Jesus (bummyla.wordpress.com)
Hell Is Real (bummyla.wordpress.com)
A Slave Of Christ Jesus (bummyla.wordpress.com)
You are favoured by God (bummyla.wordpress.com)
The Lord will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the palmerworm (bummyla.wordpress.com)
Prayer Points For April 2012 RCCG Special Children’s Holy Ghost Service “Raising Stars” (bummyla.wordpress.com)
Have you entertained an angel? (jlue.wordpress.com)
You Can Receive A Miracle (divinityhc.wordpress.com)
Week 12.4 Jesus Sends Out the Twelve pt 11 (dailybiblestudy.com.au)
The resurrection of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ from the dead changes everything (bummyla.wordpress.com)
The Leper and Our Lord And Saviour Jesus Christ (bummyla.wordpress.com)
Believe In The Name of Jesus Christ (bummyla.wordpress.com)
We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you (bummyla.wordpress.com)
Justification (pjcockrell.wordpress.com)

Games the Devil Plays

Posted on May 7, 2012 by Prayer

Games the Devil Plays

And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram’s cattle and the herdmen of Lot’s cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled
then in the land. And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I
pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy
herdmen; for we be brethren
Genesis 13:7-8

Abram’s men were upset with Lot’s men, and Lot’s men were upset with
Abram’s men. Abram’s men began to whisper in Abram’s ear about Lot, and
Lot’s men began to whisper in Lot’s ear about Abram. Most of you have
experienced this nasty old game of the devil in your own lives because
the devil knows that strife will derail God’s plan.

Abram, however, understood the divisiveness of strife. He didn’t say,
“Let there be a little strife.” You might think at times that it’s okay
to be a little upset with some people as long as you’re not burning
upset. No! Abram said, “Let there be no strife. We are brethren.
Believers shouldn’t fight.” Abram was guarding his heart.

Genesis 13 – Abram and Lot Separate (fellowshipofminds.wordpress.com)
Genesis 12-14 (mybiblereadingplan.wordpress.com)
The Call of Abram: A redemptive story of hope through God’s initatiatory work and impossible promises, which produce inspired responses in his people. (notsoprivatemusings.wordpress.com)
Pit Stops – Genesis 11:31-32 (5minutebible.wordpress.com)
How Abraham Ended a Quarrel (brakeman1.com)
Genesis 15-16 (mybiblereadingplan.wordpress.com)
Camping with Abraham (ptl2010.com)
Free From The Stronghold of Strife (ptl2010.com)
Genesis 43-44 (mybiblereadingplan.wordpress.com)
Genesis 16 – Sarai and Hagar (fellowshipofminds.wordpress.com)

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God

Posted on May 7, 2012 by Prayer

4 days of Evangelism Training in Southern California provided by LivingWaters Ministry. Obeying the great commission of Jesus Christ. “Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to everyone” Mark 16:15 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God.

Isaiah 61:10, NKJV

United in Praise

Who is praising Jesus because you are? If your praise – and mine – is interrupted by . . .

our circumstances or our complaints,

our selfishness or our suffering,

our desires or our depression,

our indifference or our insistence,

or by anything at all . . .

the light will grow dim in our lives as we sink into the mire of self, and instead of causing others to praise Him, we will drag them down into the darkness with us.

So would you praise Him? And keep on praising Him! Praise Him for __________. You fill in the blank with an attribute of Christ.

Blessings

Abide in Christ Jesus (bummyla.wordpress.com)
Praise The Lord While You Can Because It Cannot Be Heard From The Grave (virtuouswoman73.wordpress.com)
You are favoured by God (bummyla.wordpress.com)
Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves (bummyla.wordpress.com)
Free Gift Of God (bummyla.wordpress.com)
Jesus is alive today (bummyla.wordpress.com)
Praise defeats the enemy (bummyla.wordpress.com)
The Wonder Of Wilderness (bummyla.wordpress.com)
Soulful Delight! (psalmsofpraisewomensministries.wordpress.com)
The Grace of My Sisters! (psalmsofpraisewomensministries.wordpress.com)

The Spirit and Jesus

Posted on May 7, 2012 by Prayer

Detail – Glory of the New Born Christ in presence of God Father and the Holy Spirit (Annakirche, Vienna) Adam and Eva are represented bellow Jesus-Christ Ceiling painting made by Daniel Gran (1694-1757). Post-processing: perspective and fade correction. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Spirit and Jesus

Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there
are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are
diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all
in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to
profit withal.

1 Corinthians 12:4-7

There is only one Spirit, but there are many different manifestations
of the Spirit. There are gifts. There are ministries. There are
operations of the Spirit. The book of Isaiah says that a number of these expressions are upon the Lord Jesus. And indeed, we read in John
14:16 that the Holy Spirit is called a Comforter (Counsellor, Helper,
Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby) (The Amplified
Bible).

Isaiah 11:1 talks about the Spirit that was on Jesus. Acts 10:38 tells
us how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost. Jesus had
the Spirit of wisdom, the Spirit of understanding, the Spirit of
counsel, the Spirit of might, the Spirit of knowledge, and the Spirit
of the fear of the Lord. The Holy Spirit is God.

Prayer for Today

Father,

I give You praise for the awesome, amazing gift of Your Spirit. I
magnify Your wisdom, Your understanding, Your counsel, and Your
knowledge. I choose to walk every step of my day in the fear of the
Lord. In Jesus Christ Name, Amen!

Think on These Things

1 Corinthians 14:12
Romans 12:6-8

And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry (bummyla.wordpress.com)
Saint, Not Sinner (stevensawyer.wordpress.com)
What is the Gospel? How is it perverted? (moralmatters.org)
Walking After The Flesh (answersfromthebook.org)
“If a man loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him” (worryisuseless.wordpress.com)
” He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit” (worryisuseless.wordpress.com)
Holy Spirit will descend this Sunday. The second outpouring by the power of the Holy Spirit (trusthismercy.wordpress.com)
The Counselor (scottsholar.com)
The Heavenly Trio (sermonsandstudies.wordpress.com)
The Benefits of Making Jesus “Lord” (trinityspeaks.wordpress.com)

Naturally Holy

Posted on May 7, 2012 by Prayer

Resurrection of Christ (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Naturally Holy

John 5:14, “Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.”

JOHN 5:1-15

In saying this, Jesus shows that sin causes the tragedies that come into our lives. The reason for holiness in the life of the believer is that when we obey sin, we yield ourselves to Satan, the author of that sin. Yielding to sin is yielding to a person – Satan. God doesn’t impute the sin to us but the devil does. Our actions either release the power of Satan or the power of God in us.

Although God is not imputing our sins unto us, we cannot afford the luxury of sin because it allows Satan to have access to us. When a Christian sins and allows the devil opportunity to produce his death in their life, the way to stop it is to confess the sin, and God who is faithful and just, will take the forgiveness that is already present in our born again spirit and release it in our flesh. This removes Satan and his strongholds.

The sins of a Christian don’t make him a sinner any more than the righteous acts of a sinner make him righteous. Sin is a very deadly thing that even Christians should avoid at all costs, but it does not determine our standing with the Lord. A person who is born again is not “in” the flesh even though he may walk “after” the flesh.

What is the motive for living a separated life? We live a separated life because our nature has been changed. We were darkness, now we are light (Eph. 5:8). Many people argue for holiness in order to obtain relationship with God. We need to live holy lives because of the relationship that we already have. It’s the nature of a Christian to walk in the light and not in darkness. If Christians were rightly informed of who they are and what they have in Christ, holiness would just naturally flow out of them. It’s their nature. It’s our nature.

When the gospel is not the gospel. Galatians 1:6-10 (thenoiseinmyheadtoday.wordpress.com)
Saint, Not Sinner (stevensawyer.wordpress.com)
When Good Things Happen to Bad People (jeremiahdortiguero.wordpress.com)
“Let Sin Win…Right Now” (helpmeunderstandall.wordpress.com)
You Are Who You Eat (thekingspresence.wordpress.com)
Our Enemy Satan (raymondjclements.wordpress.com)
On Truth and Lies, Or, “Fearing Satan” (pegrichards.wordpress.com)
Walking After The Flesh (answersfromthebook.org)
Teachings on Satan’s Ways and Temptations (pastormusiiwa.wordpress.com)
Faith Child – Not all will believe…. (ptl2010.com)

Let us learn to wait upon the Lord

Posted on May 7, 2012 by Prayer

Let us learn to wait upon the Lord.

Isaiah 40:31 “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”

Oh how often do we ask God to either help us with something or give us an answer to a specific question? And then, in our impatience, we run ahead of God and just do it in our own strength and understanding. We run and get weary, because we are doing things in our own way. Let us learn to wait upon the Lord, as hard as it might be at times, just wait! For He promises that we shall run and not be weary, walk and not faint.

Lift Up Your Eyes On High (christcenteredteaching.wordpress.com)
Abide in Christ Jesus (bummyla.wordpress.com)
Room for Consideration (butchdean.wordpress.com)
Waiting (glendamills.com)
Lord teach us to pray (bummyla.wordpress.com)
Wait On God (achristianmeditation.wordpress.com)
Overcoming Procrastination (thummim.wordpress.com)
because we need Isaiah 40 (collegeimpressions.wordpress.com)
Wait on the Lord (virtuouswoman73.wordpress.com)
33 Healing Scriptures (barryboucher.typepad.com)

For us, death is not a goodbye; it’s a “see you later”

Posted on May 6, 2012 by Prayer

For us, death is not a goodbye; it’s a “see you later”

Culled From: http://www.odb.org.

READ: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

We who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. —1 Thessalonians 4:17

As a boy, I had a collie named Prince Boy, a great dog that I really loved. One day, he disappeared. I didn’t know if he had been stolen or if he had simply run away—but I was devastated. I searched everywhere. In fact, one of my earliest childhood memories is of climbing a tall tree from which I could scan our neighborhood in hopes of spotting him. I desperately wanted my beloved dog back. For weeks, I was always watching and hoping to see Prince Boy again. But we were never reunited.

There’s a much greater sense of loss when we think we’ll never again see a loved one who dies. But for those who know and love the Lord, death’s parting is only temporary. One day we will be reunited forever!

Paul assured the Thessalonians, “The dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord” (1 Thess. 4:16-17). The words that provide comfort to the grieving heart are together and we. These words of reunion indicate that followers of Christ don’t ever have to experience permanent separation. For us, death is not a goodbye; it’s a “see you later.” —Bill Crowder

We’ll be reunited one day
With our loved ones who have died
If they know the Lord as Saviour—
Then with Him we will abide. —Sper

God’s people never say goodbye for the last time.

1 Thessalonians 1 (saltthroughlight.wordpress.com)
1 Thessalonians 4:14 (momsfirstscreenn.wordpress.com)
Revelation Concerning the Dead in Christ 1Thessalonians 4:13-18 (loopyloo305.com)
Why Jesus Came To Die: Reason #40 (sandhillsonline.org)
Understanding The Bible – 1 Thessalonians 4:16 – The Dead in Christ Shall Rise (darrellcreswell.wordpress.com)
Description of the Day of the Lord 1Thessalonians 5:1-11 (loopyloo305.com)
Seeing God (hbcgrace.wordpress.com)
Genesis 18 – The Doom of Sodom (fellowshipofminds.wordpress.com)
Jesus IS Lord in Colossians, and 1st & 2nd Thessalonians (defendingcontending.com)

Love God and Live by Faith

Posted on May 6, 2012 by Prayer

Love God and Live by Faith

Deuteronomy 8:6-7 says:

“Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of the Lord thy God, to walk in His ways, and to fear Him. For the Lord thy God bringeth thee into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills.”

We are Christians. We obey God, not to get something, but because He has already given us something. We obey Him, giving Him reverence and honouring Him. We walk in His ways and His paths. We represent Him to the world. We walk in righteousness and purity. Why? Because He has brought us into a land of such abundance, a land of goodness. God loves us so much, we can do nothing but love Him back. This is the heart of true faith. When we discover His love for us, we have no options but to love Him by living by faith.

Love God and live by faith!

Abide in Christ Jesus (bummyla.wordpress.com)
Delivered from the hand of the enemy (bummyla.wordpress.com)
Blessed Above All People (bummyla.wordpress.com)
God wants to bless us (bummyla.wordpress.com)
Galatians 4-6 (mybiblereadingplan.wordpress.com)
The Call of Abram: A redemptive story of hope through God’s initatiatory work and impossible promises, which produce inspired responses in his people. (notsoprivatemusings.wordpress.com)
5 Mother’s Day Bible Verses to Bless Your Mother (faithfulprovisions.com)
25 Famous Bible Verses (christianpf.com)
06 Calamities – Gods Plaintive Voice (sabbathsermons.com)
Deuteronomy Chapter 13 (pofw.wordpress.com)

Free Gift Of God

Posted on May 6, 2012 by Prayer

Free Gift Of God

Acts 21:21

“but they have been informed about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the customs.”
NKJV

What are some of the traditions you hold that keep others from Jesus? In the verse above, you see the Jewish and Gentile conflict within the church and the traditions that the Jews wanted the Gentile church to follow. Although they rejoiced that God was at work among the Gentiles, they slipped in the word ‘but’ revealing their ‘religiosity’. They were concerned for the traditions set within the church.

It is important as you walk in relationship with others to speak leaving out the ‘buts’. Often, you’ll hear that word come up as you talk to others. We all are in danger of saying it. Have you ever said.

“I like the way you did this ‘but’.”
“It’s a great church ‘but’.”
“I would show love to that other person ‘but’.”

Many times you can find yourself saying something and then filling in reasons why you don’t approve of something. Tragically, it’s the same thing that has put walls between the unbelieving world and personal relationships with Jesus Christ. On one occasion, I remember a guy who stopped by the parking lot of our church asking if it was okay for him to enter the church dressed as he was. The church down the road told him that he couldn’t come in unless he dressed more respectfully. This man was simply wearing a t-shirt and pair of jeans. It was okay to come to church ‘but’ he wasn’t dressed nicely enough to be welcomed in. When God forgives us, there are no ‘buts’. It is a free gift. When you are called to extend forgiveness to others, the Lord wants you to forgive them in the same way.

Maybe you are carrying around a number of reasons why you don’t want to show God’s love to someone else. If this is you, turn to the Lord right where you are and ask Him to help you purely embrace and show the gift of forgiveness to others as He has shown you.

Life Lesson: We do not earn forgiveness it is given to us, it is a gift.

Dear Father
Thank You for the free gift of Your forgiveness that You’ve shown to me by dying for my sins. Please give me the strength to extend the same gift of love and forgiveness to others. Keep me from putting up walls that hinder others in having a real relationship with You. In Jesus Christ Name, Amen!

Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves (bummyla.wordpress.com)
I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me (bummyla.wordpress.com)
Jesus Christ (bummyla.wordpress.com)
Love And Serve One Another (bummyla.wordpress.com)
And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry (bummyla.wordpress.com)
Believe In The Name of Jesus Christ (bummyla.wordpress.com)
Is Suffering a Sign of Divine Favor? (ntmusings.wordpress.com)
Accept The Gift Of Forgiveness (pastorht.wordpress.com)
The Gift (reflectionsintheword.org)
Revelation of the Mystery of the Church (thechristiangazette.wordpress.com)
God Knows Best (bummyla.wordpress.com)
Something new – About Fishn4Souls – ME (fishn4souls.wordpress.com)

God is absolute Truth

Posted on May 6, 2012 by Prayer

Victoria Falls (Photo credit: tonymz)

God is absolute Truth

The Greatest Power

“By my great power I have made the earth and all its people and every animal.” (Jeremiah 27:5)

Much mystery (and ignorance) results from the fact that God’s Spirit transcends our five senses of sight, hearing, taste, touch, and smell. He can only be perceived by our spirit–that unseen part of us that is renewed at salvation.

David Livingstone was the first European to explore much of central Africa over one hundred fifty years ago. He led expeditions that pushed deep into the jungles and savannahs–often thousands of miles at a stretch.

While traveling along the Zambezi River in south-central Africa, Livingstone became the first European to set eyes on Victoria Falls. The massive falls plunge 360 feet to the earth below. Some in Livingstone’s party might have thought they had discovered the world’s greatest source of natural power. But as Livingstone knew, they had done no such thing.

When you discover what it means for the Holy Spirit to be active in your life, you experience a power greater than anything else. The power from a hydroelectric dam can light up a city. But the power of the Holy Spirit touches eternity itself. Unfortunately, to most people, this power is just as hidden and mysterious as Victoria Falls in the days before Livingstone.

Through your spirit you have a relationship with the living God, who is Spirit. We cannot touch Him physically, though we can be touched emotionally by Him. We cannot see Him, yet we can see His fingerprints in the world around us. We cannot hear His voice, though we can listen for His guidance.

Your View of God Really Matters …

Ask God to empower you by the unlimited power of His Holy Spirit to live a life pleasing and acceptable to Him today. Then, tomorrow, ask Him to do it again.

What More Does God Say?

Romans 11:34-36

Because God is all-powerful, He can help me with anything.

Holy Spirit will descend this Sunday. The second outpouring by the power of the Holy Spirit (trusthismercy.wordpress.com)
Be filled with the Holy Spirit. (bummyla.wordpress.com)
Power to be Holy (bummyla.wordpress.com)
No Sacrifice…It Is a Privilege! (footsoldiers4christ.wordpress.com)
Top Ten Things to See in Zambia (with Photos) (worldadventurers.wordpress.com)
My Beautiful Country, Zambia (luckyluwi.wordpress.com)
My trip to Victoria Falls (capediversitytours.wordpress.com)
Victoria Falls (chitraparna.wordpress.com)
The Holy Spirit Producing Fruit… (fanningtheflame.wordpress.com)
Zambian Zest… (aussiebutterfly.com)
Try God (fathermckenna.wordpress.com)
Hear My call and prepare for the pouring out of My Holy Spirit. (trusthismercy.wordpress.com)
for the Creator… there can be no enemy… (thehandmaid.wordpress.com)
Sermon: The Resurrection Body (bigcircumstance.com)
Romans 5:5 Bible Verse for the Day (momsfirstscreenn.wordpress.com)

You are favoured by God

Posted on May 6, 2012 by Prayer

You are favoured by The Lord

By acknowledging and giving thanks for the little things, we open the door to the much

If nothing could stop you…

How much could you accomplish?

If you woke up tomorrow morning with an unfair advantage…

How far could you go?

If the universe worked with you and not against you…

How would your reaction to your circumstances differ?

Favour can change your life.

And whether you realize it or not, you are favoured.

You see, Jesus purchased favour for you on the cross.

He gave up His life so that yours could be abundant. (John 10:10)

In Romans 8:32, Paul asks, “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all–how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?”

It’s a rhetorical question which means God is not going to withhold anything from you.

But you say, “if you realized how difficult times have been…”

“If you could only see the trouble that I’m in…”

“Perhaps then you would see that I am not favoured at all.”

So where’s the favour?

Maybe the problem is that we don’t always recognize God’s favour.

And if we don’t recognize His favour, then maybe we don’t properly respond it.

I had lunch with a friend of mine this last week. He told me about some billboards he leased.

He paid for a single month blitz several months ago, but his billboards are still all over the city.

The leasing company has not been able to rent them to anyone else so they decided to keep them up until they do.

That’s free advertising and real money.

That’s favour!

I was at another friend’s house a couple of weeks ago.

I made a comment about how beautiful his new retaining wall was (iron fence and all). He said MSD put that retaining wall and fence in for free.

That’s favour!

Then there’s the story of the woman who got in a fender bender and missed a promising job interview.

She had been unemployed for months. She thought, “Why does everything seem to work against me?”

Little did she know she would be receiving a better paying job offer the next week.

If it had not been for the wreck, she would have never been in a position to take the better job.

That’s favour (even though she didn’t recognize it)!

Each and every day, God’s favour surrounds us.

Surely, LORD, You bless the righteous; You surround them with Your favour as with a shield. – Psalm 5:12 (NIV)

Search for God’s favour and acknowledge it (even when it seems miles away).

Jesus said that if you are faithful over the little, you will be ruler over the much. (Matthew 25:23)

James wrote that every good gift is from God. (James 1:17)

So even when it seems like all hell is breaking loose…

Seek to recognize that one moment today that made you forget about your troubles, or that one thing that put a smile on your face.

Acknowledge these small gifts as signs of God’s favour.

Then give Him praise and thanks for them.

By acknowledging and giving thanks for the little things, we open the door to the much.

We produce and promote full recognition and appreciation and understanding and precise knowledge of every good thing that is ours in Christ Jesus. —Philemon 1:6 (AMP)

Then, true to His word, God will pour out a blessing that we cannot contain. (Malachi 3:10)

Repeat after me…

Lord Jesus Christ, thank You for purchasing supernatural favour for me on the cross.

By Your blood, every aspect of my life is blessed and highly favoured.

Something good is going to happen to me today, and I am going to recognize it.

And when I do, I will acknowledge You and give You thanks.

Thank You Lord! Amen!

You should expect to find favour this week.

When you find favour this week, I want you to acknowledge it by sharing it with me.

Stay Away from Jezebel (bummyla.wordpress.com)
A Slave Of Christ Jesus (bummyla.wordpress.com)
There is a friend that sticks closer than a brother, and His Name is Jesus Christ (bummyla.wordpress.com)
Abide in Christ Jesus (bummyla.wordpress.com)
And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry (bummyla.wordpress.com)
Believe In The Name of Jesus Christ (bummyla.wordpress.com)
Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves (bummyla.wordpress.com)
2 Timothy 3:16 is not referring to “The Holy Bible” (new.exchristian.net)
Chosen by the Father (loopyloo305.com)
ENT faith: Do yourself a favour (thesudburystar.com)
God Loves It When You Prosper (bummyla.wordpress.com)
Psalm 11 – Be assured You are Under His Watchful Eye,.. (atthetableoftheking.wordpress.com)
Getting in touch with our only true Vine… (junjunfaithbook.com)
25 Famous Bible Verses (christianpf.com)
Weeping will make way for Joy Everlasting (jesuscarriesme.com)
The Gift (reflectionsintheword.org)

Jesus did not come to accept our sacrificial acts, but to make Himself a sacrifice for our sins. He did all this to give us new life in Him

Posted on May 5, 2012 by Prayer

Jesus did not come to accept our sacrificial acts, but to make Himself a sacrifice for our sins. He did all this to give us new life in Him

SOMETHING NEW

Luke 5:36-37, “And he spake a parable unto them; No man putteth a piece of a new garment upon an old; if otherwise, then both the new maketh a rent, and the piece that was taken out of the new agreeth not with the old. And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish.”

MATTHEW 9:11-17, MARK 2:16-22, LUKE 5:30-39

These two parables are in response to the scribes’ and Pharisees‘ criticism (v. 30) and the question from John’s disciples about why Jesus didn’t act according to their religious traditions and expectations (Mt. 9:14; Mk. 2:18). The gist of these parables was to show that Jesus came to do a new thing that would not mix with the old covenant ways that were familiar to people (Isa. 43:18-19; Jer. 31:31-34; Heb. 8:7-13).

A new cloth sown on an old garment in Jesus’ day would shrink the first time it was washed. Then it would tear away from the old garment that had already shrunk, making the hole worse. This illustrates that Jesus did not come to patch up the old Mosaic covenant, but to replace it (Heb. 7:18-19).

Also, new wine (not yet fermented) had to be put into new or reconditioned wineskins to allow for the expansion of gases within the skin as the result of the fermentation process. Otherwise, an old wineskin that had already been stretched by use would simply burst and all the wine would run out. The Old Testament laws could never stretch enough to accommodate the New Testament truths of mercy and grace (Heb. 10:1-10). Jesus set us free from the judgment of the Old Testament laws (Rom. 6:14; 7:1-4; 8:2; 10:3-4; Gal. 3:12-14, 23-24; 5:4; Phil. 3:9).

These religious scribes and Pharisees (Lk. 5:30) were making the terrible mistake of trusting in their own efforts to produce their right standing (righteousness) with God. Jesus did not come to accept our sacrificial acts, but to make Himself a sacrifice for our sins. He did all this to give us new life in Him. Thank Him for His grace today.

Proverbs 3:34 (proverbialthought.com)
New Wine (thelifestylereview.wordpress.com)
Worship Guide for Sunday, May 6th (firstbaptistscottcity.wordpress.com)
120501 – George Hach’s Inner Disciplines Journal – Tuesday (georgehachmyblog.wordpress.com)
A Slave Of Christ Jesus (bummyla.wordpress.com)
Who’s A Pharisee? (davidharman.wordpress.com)
A Jesus to worship…but to Godly to imitate (thewearypilgrim.typepad.com)
JESUS WAS A MASTER OF TEACHING IN PARABLES PART 2 of 2 (vineandbranchworldministries.com)
The Last Supper and the Forgiveness of Sins (thesacredpage.com)
re-thinking the sacrifice of Jesus… (thewearypilgrim.typepad.com)
Old and New Testament Sacrifice (frozenclocks.wordpress.com)
Grace: The Gift We Don’t Deserve… (awomaninspiredbygod.wordpress.com)
How To Use The Word Of God To Endure Temptation? (prhayz.com)
Law Turned Into Sacrificial Love (heatherdawkins.com)
Willful Sin Part I (raymondjclements.wordpress.com)
God Is Holy (Holiness requires separation from sin) (bummyla.wordpress.com)

Stay Away from Jezebel

Posted on May 5, 2012 by Prayer

Resurrection of Christ (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Stay Away from Jezebel!

Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou
sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to
teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat
things sacrificed unto idols. And I gave her space to repent of her
fornication; and she repented not.
Revelation 2:20-21

This is written to Thyatira, a corrupt, self-promoting church. Jezebel
is a self-promoter who calls herself a prophetess, but the Holy Ghost is the real promoter. If you are always trying to promote yourself, to
get to the pulpit, or to do something that gets you noticed, you will
not get very far. The Holy Ghost gives you the gifts. He gives you the
talents you have. He gives you favour where favour is necessary. Your
responsibility is to do what your hands can find to do, and do it with
all your might.

God gave Jezebel time to repent. The book of Romans says it this way:
The goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance (Romans 2:4b). Just
because the hammer doesn’t fall when you are doing what you shouldn’t
be doing doesn’t mean that you are getting away with anything. God may be giving you time and space to come to your senses and understand what
you are doing.

It matters not only what you do but also why you do it. You can do
things to be seen. You can do things to get yourself in line for
something you want. Jezebel’s motives are absolutely wrong, and those
who have her spirit are wrong. You have to watch who you hang around
with, because you will soon start becoming what they are. If you hang
around a Jezebel spirit, you will become a Jezebel.

Prayer for Today

Father,
I am dependent on You to show me my heart and my motives. I want Your
Will to be done above all other things. I desire only Your favour and
Your blessing. In Jesus Christ Name, Amen.

Think on These Things

Jeremiah 8:4-6

Is There Such Thing as a Jezebel Spirit? (relijournal.com)
The Lord Must Build the Church (bummyla.wordpress.com)
The 7 Churches (cayobuay.wordpress.com)
Making the Best Choice (bummyla.wordpress.com)
Thyatira ~ A Tolerant Church (greatvictories.wordpress.com)
For the Kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost (bummyla.wordpress.com)
Sermon By Pastor E. A Adeboye. RCCG April Special Children’s Holy Ghost Service “Rising Stars” (bummyla.wordpress.com)
Hell Is Real (bummyla.wordpress.com)
Follow God’s Lead (bummyla.wordpress.com)
The Word Of God Is The Most Powerful Force Ever Released (bummyla.wordpress.com)

Culture of Envy

Posted on May 5, 2012 by Prayer

Culture of Envy

You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant, or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.
Exodus 20:17

Everything about our culture entices us to want more and to want better things than we already have.

We live in the most affluent yet the most unhappy nation in the world. This is the result of removing gratitude from our value system and writing a “more, more, more” attitude in. If we don’t want more and strive for more, we’re told we somehow don’t measure up.

The cure for envy and covetousness is found in gratitude and praise to God. Colossians 3:16 tells us that we should “let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.”

Today I want to bring a word to you to find a new measuring stick for yourself and others-let us measure ourselves by our obedience to God and by the evidence of the fruit of the Spirit in our lives.

Further Reading

Job 5:2

Proverbs 14:30

Ecclesiastes 4:4

God Bless

25 Famous Bible Verses (christianpf.com)
God’s 10 Commandments and Jesus What Jesus said (jesusdidthis.wordpress.com)
Chosen by the Father (loopyloo305.com)
God is good all the time… (sunshinelittleone.wordpress.com)
Abide in Christ Jesus (bummyla.wordpress.com)
The Simplicity That Is In Christ (christcenteredteaching.wordpress.com)
The Lord Gives And… (pastorron7.wordpress.com)
He is gigantic… (sunshinelittleone.wordpress.com)
Standing For What Is Right………The Truth Is Not A Matter Of Perception (niecey456.com)
The Blessedness of Possessing Nothing (malot21.wordpress.com)
Friday Proverb – Envy Not the Oppressor (fellowshipofminds.wordpress.com)
Free from the Stronghold of Envy (ptl2010.com)
“Fruit of the Spirit” (loopyloo305.com)
Cultivating a Thankful Heart (angelamgarcia.wordpress.com)
Ecclesiastes 4: We’re All Envious (journeymantom.wordpress.com)

To whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more

Posted on May 5, 2012 by Prayer

To whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.

Luke 12:48, NKJV

Accountable Before God

When Annas the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching (John 18:19), Jesus answered directly, “I have spoken openly to the world . . . I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said” (John 18:20-21, NIV).

Jesus confronted Annas with the awesome principle that God holds people accountable, not just for what they have heard or know, but for what they have had opportunity to hear and know, with churches on every corner, with religious radio broadcasts, with Christian television programming, with evangelistic crusades and festivals and services and movies, we have enormous accountability before God!

It doesn’t matter if you have ever tuned in to or listened to or read or participated in any of the above. You and I have had the opportunity to do so, and for that we will be held accountable by God.

Blessings

Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves (bummyla.wordpress.com)
Abide in Christ Jesus (bummyla.wordpress.com)
God Knows Best (bummyla.wordpress.com)
The Simplicity That Is In Christ (christcenteredteaching.wordpress.com)
And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry (bummyla.wordpress.com)
Chosen by the Father (loopyloo305.com)
I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me (bummyla.wordpress.com)
Don’t get distracted (bummyla.wordpress.com)
Believe In The Name of Jesus Christ (bummyla.wordpress.com)
A Slave Of Christ Jesus (bummyla.wordpress.com)
Love And Serve One Another (bummyla.wordpress.com)
God Is Holy (Holiness requires separation from sin) (bummyla.wordpress.com)
Storms Are Raging…. Is Jesus Anchoring Your Soul? (virtuouswoman73.wordpress.com)
To whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more (bummyla.wordpress.com)
The Look of Jesus (bummyla.wordpress.com)
Monthly message from Anne, a lay apostle (deaconjohnspace.wordpress.com)
Wake Up, Stir Up and Rejoice In the Lord! (virtuouswoman73.wordpress.com)
A Call To Commitment (jrmbulakan.com)

Jesus Works in Community

Posted on May 5, 2012 by Prayer

Jesus Works in Community

Culled from: Max Lucado Daily

“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. Acts 1:8”

None of us can do what all of us can do—Jesus works in community!

In 1976, an earthquake devastated the highlands of Guatemala. Thousands were killed and even more left homeless. Twelve of us from our college volunteered to help out during spring break. Most of us were ministry students. All of us loved to discuss theology. I can’t remember the list. But by the time we reached Guatemala, I’d discerned the faithful from the infidels. I knew who was in and who was out!

But our task turned rivals into partners. We were a team. We began to sing together. Pray together. It was Jesus’ plan all along. Jesus didn’t issue individual assignments. He didn’t move one-by-one down the line and knight each individual. He did, however, say in Acts 1:8, “You—all of you collectively—shall be my witnesses!”

A Slave Of Christ Jesus (bummyla.wordpress.com)
Being an “Acts Church” (garrettventry.wordpress.com)
Every one know’s Jesus (pjgracecommunity.wordpress.com)
A Jesus to worship…but to Godly to imitate (thewearypilgrim.typepad.com)
Jesus is the Name above every other name! (cny.org)
Just being the branch on the vine: Secret of our Christian Journey (junjunfaithbook.com)

Prayer Points For May 2012 RCCG “Operating Under Divine Favour” Holy Ghost Service

Posted on May 5, 2012 by Prayer

150 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Prayer Points For May 2012 RCCG “Operating Under Divine Favour” Holy Ghost Service

Thank God for His infinite mercies.

Father! Don’t let me ever annoy You again.

Father! Please arise for me, for my family, for Your Church and Your country.

Father! Don’t let me die before my time.

Father! Don’t let my dreams of greatness die, help me fulfil them.

Father! Let me shine at home, abroad and everywhere.

Father! Whatever I touch, please make it prosper.

Father! Please accelerate my promotion now.

Father! Take me to the very top soon!

Father! Let me forever operate under divine favour.

Private prayer request.

Prayer Points For April 2012 RCCG Special Children’s Holy Ghost Service “Raising Stars” (bummyla.wordpress.com)
Prayer Points from February RCCG Holy Ghost Service “Lift Up You Head Oh Ye Gates” Psalm 24:7 (bummyla.wordpress.com)
Prayer Points for March 2012 RCCG Special Holy Ghost Service “Let The Fire Fall” (bummyla.wordpress.com)
Sermon By Pastor E. A Adeboye. RCCG April Special Children’s Holy Ghost Service “Rising Stars” (bummyla.wordpress.com)
Let The Fire Fall, RCCG March 2012 Special Holy Ghost Service By Pastor E A Adeboye (bummyla.wordpress.com)
Abide in Christ Jesus (bummyla.wordpress.com)
A House of Prayer. (six11.wordpress.com)
Your Take: Comments and responses on National Day of Prayer (religion.blogs.cnn.com)
National Day of Prayer CUP KKIM/DDC (deweymoede.wordpress.com)
Dwelling In The Secret Place (zionsgate.wordpress.com)
Making the Best Choice (bummyla.wordpress.com)
Lord teach us to pray (bummyla.wordpress.com)
Stay Away from Jezebel (bummyla.wordpress.com)
Prayer Points For May 2012 RCCG “Operating Under Divine Favour” Holy Ghost Service (bummyla.wordpress.com)
Good Morning/5-28-12 (prayerboardjesusmyjoy.wordpress.com)
Prayer to control anger (revthechristianlife.wordpress.com)
Should We Say Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit? Is there a difference? (cantuar.blogspot.com)
“Our soul’s grandest object” by Charles Spurgeon (tollelege.wordpress.com)

Power to be Holy

Posted on May 4, 2012 by Prayer

Power to be Holy

God is all powerful

“So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.” (Galatians 5:16)

I like to compare the Christian battle against sin to an individual swimming upstream against a surging current. His progress is slow and tortuous; he is constantly swept backward by powerful undercurrents. Hovering near the swimmer is a speedboat with a powerful motor. He can continue to try to swim upstream or he can choose to climb aboard the speedboat, which can easily whisk him up the river.

We have a similar choice. When battling evil spiritual forces, worldly influences, and our own fleshly temptations, we can either fail miserably by fighting temptation in our own efforts or defeat that sin-current that drags us down by living in the unlimited power of the Holy Spirit.

Peter explains, “By His divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know Him, the One who called us to Himself by means of His marvelous glory and excellence. “ (2 Peter 1:3) We do not have to clean up our messy lives before we invite God in; rather we appropriate God’s holiness through His Holy Spirit living His life within us.

The Scriptures assure us “that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of Him.” (I John 5:14-15 NIV)

We can become holy vessels of the all-powerful God by committing to live holy lives through being filled with the power of the Holy Spirit.

Your View of God Really Matters …

Are you tired of struggling to live the Christian life? Get in the boat! Let God’s awesome Spirit live through you every moment of every day. Then, and only then, will you have the power to live in obedience and joy.

What more Does God Say?

Ephesians 5:18; Acts 9:17; Acts 11:24

Because God is all powerful, He can help me with anything.

Be filled with the Holy Spirit. (bummyla.wordpress.com)
The Holy Spirit (bummyla.wordpress.com)
The Sanctifying Work of the Holy Spirit (Part 3) (christianitymatters.com)
Faith Child – The Father, The Son, The Holy Spirit (ptl2010.com)
The Holy Spirit (scripturenuggets.wordpress.com)
Willful Sin Part I (raymondjclements.wordpress.com)
Jesus is Leaving Us? (brokenbelievers.com)
Faith Child – For such a time as this (ptl2010.com)
Holy Spirit Please Open Our Eyes (bummyla.wordpress.com)

Faith Vs. Sight

Posted on May 4, 2012 by Prayer

Faith Vs. Sight

God never changes

“Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of highest privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory,” (Romans 5:2)

Faith is essential to the Christian life. But until we realize our faith is in the God who never changes, we will tend to walk by sight.

All of us have natural, everyday faith. This is the faith we exhibit in the ordinary things we do. When we sip a glass of water, we trust that it is pure. When we board an airplane, we have faith that the builders, the air traffic controllers, and the pilot know what they are doing. This type of faith comes from our senses. If the water looks odd or smells funny, we do not drink it. If the pilot reeks of alcohol, we do not board the plane.

But spiritual faith does not depend on our senses. It is based on God’s consistent and trustworthy character. As George Mueller, 19th century British social reformer, explained, “Faith does not operate in the realm of the possible. There is no glory for God in that which is humanly possible. Faith begins where man’s power ends.”

Although our circumstances may appear hopeless and our feelings may tell us to give up, we must not allow ourselves to be limited by the visible world. Instead, we should place our trust in the God who never changes.

Yet many times our faith extends only as far as we can see. An African impala antelope can jump higher than ten feet and a distance of more than thirty feet. Yet these magnificent creatures can be kept in an enclosure behind a three-foot wall. The reason? The antelope will not jump if it cannot see where its feet will fall. The impala’s dependency on its senses robs it of its freedom.

We, also, are often limited by our need to see before we will believe. Instead, we must improve our spiritual vision so that the walls of fear and doubt cannot doom us to a life of spiritual mediocrity.

Your View of God Really Matters …

If you really believed that God never changes, how would that affect the way you trust Him for the things you cannot see, or the circumstances you don’t understand?

What More Does God Say?

Numbers 23:19

Because God never changes, My future is secure and eternal

Because God Never Changes, My Future Is Secure And Eternal (bummyla.wordpress.com)
God Knows Best (bummyla.wordpress.com)
Are you the faithful steward? (bummyla.wordpress.com)
Dying in Faith (momsfirstscreenn.wordpress.com)
Standing ~ in the Midst of Heavy Trials ~ With the Living, Enduring, Active Word of God (whispersinthedesert.wordpress.com)
Mrs. Baugh’s Bible – Treasure 5 – Bible Answers – Part 1 (faithfulnibbles.wordpress.com)
CHRIST IS PRECIOUS ~ Part 3 Octavius Winslow (godsgracegodsglory.wordpress.com)
Spirit Vs.Flesh (destinedtocreate.com)
Prayer Challenge – Day 3 (simpliebeloved.wordpress.com)
Faith Child – Salvation- Jesus, my Lord (ptl2010.com)
Where’s your Faith (fishn4souls.wordpress.com)
The Blessings of Abraham (pttyann2.wordpress.com)
Put Your Trust in Jesus (kevinnunez.org)

Prayer Point

One Prayer Point at a Time

Monthly Archives: May 2012

Jesus Shared His Father’s Glory

Acknowledged by Our Lord Jesus Christ

Games the Devil Plays

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God

The Spirit and Jesus

Naturally Holy

Let us learn to wait upon the Lord

For us, death is not a goodbye; it’s a “see you later”

Love God and Live by Faith

Free Gift Of God

God is absolute Truth

You are favoured by God

Jesus did not come to accept our sacrificial acts, but to make Himself a sacrifice for our sins. He did all this to give us new life in Him

Stay Away from Jezebel

Culture of Envy

To whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more

Jesus Works in Community

Prayer Points For May 2012 RCCG “Operating Under Divine Favour” Holy Ghost Service

Power to be Holy

Faith Vs. Sight

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