Empowered by the Holy Spirit

“Do not be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit.”

(Ephesians 5:18)

Do you ever feel like the Christian life doesn’t work for you? Do you feel it’s just too hard? If you answered “Yes,” read on.

D. L. Moody was talking with a friend one day about this very problem. Placing an empty drinking glass on the table before his friend, he said, “Tell me, how can we get the air out of this glass?”

His friend immediately replied, “You could remove it with a pump.” Moody reminded him that the resulting vacuum would shatter the glass. The friend thought hard before admitting he was stumped. Moody then brought a pitcher and filled the glass with water.

“The air is now removed,” he said. “In the same way, it doesn’t work…

Jesussaves!

John 3:17 says: “For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.”

Here we see the entirety of the purpose of everything that Jesus did. What did He do? He came to save. He did not come to condemn, and He did not come to sentence anyone. Not then, and not now. He does not come to enforce a sentence upon us or to heap upon us the reward of a wrong that has been done away with. Jesus comes for our greater purpose, the purpose of God. He comes to save. Everything Jesus does has to do with salvation – even a rebuke, even an instruction, even the cleansing of the temple. All of these things have to do with salvation. We will look in the coming days at what Jesus did…

They’re ordinary people Who love God from the heart

Steve was just an ordinary guy. He quietly served in a church I attended years ago. He helped prepare communion, shoveled the church sidewalks in the winter, and mowed the lawn in the summer. He spent time with teenage boys who had no fathers in the home. I often heard him telling people at church in his quiet way how good the Lord was to him. During prayer meeting he didn’t talk much about himself but would ask us to pray for those he was telling about Jesus’ forgiveness and love.

A verse in John 10 about John the Baptist makes me think of Steve. People said of him: “John performed no sign, but all the things that John spoke about this Man [Jesus] were true” (v.41). John didn’t perform miracles as Jesus did. He didn’t talk about himself but came…

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled

Matthew 5:6, “Blessed [are] they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.”

MATTHEW 5:1-9

In the natural world, people eat even when they aren’t hungry. Many of us can prove that by turning sideways and looking at ourselves in the mirror. But in the spiritual realm, only those who are hungry can get fed. One of the worst things that can happen to us is spiritual complacency.

Being hungry for the things of God is one of the best things that can happen to us. Most people don’t feel that way. They would rather have the feeling of being full. But Jesus promised us that fullness would follow hunger. No hunger, no fullness.

Therefore, what many people hate is actually a sign of spiritual health. Longing for more…

Sin comes like a thief

A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.

Galatians 5:9

Sin works just like yeast-a little of it will spread through your whole life. A little false doctrine can compromise a whole church, just like a little bit of alcohol can compromise your ability to think and function.

The truth is that sin doesn’t announce its plan to destroy you or your life. It comes in like a thief…subtly waiting for the perfect opportunity to cause the most damage-like during times of stress and strain.

If you get the leaven out beforehand, sin cannot cause harm-it cannot destroy. How can you get the leaven out?

By making a diligent search for it! Where should we search? In the pews…the pulpit…and in our homes. Who should make the search? The deacons…the elders…the preachers…and you!

As you turn over every item, as you look in…

The One Choice That Led to Death

by Bishop Keith A. Butler

And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the

judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many

offences unto justification.

Romans 5:16

The first instance of God saying something and it not being done

occurred after God gave a limit to Adam, and satan challenged Eve about

whether God had really said it. In the end, Adam openly disobeyed the

one limit God placed on his existence and purpose in Paradise. As a

consequence, Adam and Eve were ejected from the garden and gave up

their crowns for the yoke of death.

Again, it wasn’t God’s choice; it was a human one. It is still that

way. Our choices always have consequences. God chose to risk everything

by giving us the power of choice in the…

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Knowing God in a personal and permanent relationship is the ultimate human experience

Created to Know God

“Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.”

John 17:3, NIV

What is life in the image of God? It is life with a capacity to know the Creator in a personal relationship. It is a soul that communes with God and has eternal value in His sight. Man was created

to walk and talk with God,

to love and obey God,

to listen to and learn from God,

to glorify and enjoy God forever!

Jesus defined our meaning for existence when He prayed, “Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” Knowing God in a personal and permanent relationship is…

God has plans for your life. Remember God’s faithfulness

A man attending a Bible study requested prayer because he had gotten a promotion at work. While he was ready to rejoice over his new position, he also felt apprehensive. A woman who had been with the firm much longer would now report to him. He said, “I know God has placed me in this position. However, this is going to be a bitter pill for this woman to swallow.”

Most of us dislike taking medicine. If it is bitter, it is even worse. Many of us also have found ourselves in similar situations. We may have received a promotion and placed in charge of a group of people who have been with the company longer than we have. Or perhaps a new manager, whom we feel lacks ability, steps onto the scene.

Regardless of the scenario, remember that God has…

Proverbs 3:9-10 “Honor the LORD with your possessions, And with

the first fruits of all your increase; So your barns will be

filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.”

Honoring God, with your possessions, is one of the most

Important principles to positioning yourself in the blessing of

God. Honor means to place someone in high esteem; to put them

first in your life. God has to come first when it comes to your

finances. In honoring God you will find His blessing poured out

over your life.

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Say No To No (Curiosity, An Open Mind, A Willingness To Take Risks)

Isn’t it high time someone got negative about negativity?

Yes it is!

Look around. The world is full of things that according to nay-Sayers, should never have happened

“Impossible.”

“Impractical.”

“No.”

And yet “yes”

Yes, continents have been found.

Yes, men have played golf on the moon.

Yes, straw is being turned into bio fuel to power cars.

Yes, yes, yes.

What does it take to turn “No” into “Yes”?

Curiosity. An Open Mind. A Willingness to take risks.

And, when the problem seems most insolvable, when the challenge is hardest, when everyone else is shaking their heads, to say; Let’s go

We say “YES WE CAN!!!!!!”

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Prayer Points from February RCCG Holy Ghost Service“Lift Up You Head Oh Ye Gates”Psalm 24:7

King of Glory I praise You, Lord of Host I worship you! Spend quality time in praising God!

In the name of Jesus, every gate blocking my vision, lift up your head now! Amen!

In the name of Jesus Christ, every gate blocking my hearing, be lifted up now! Amen!

Every gate blocking my testimonies, lift up your head now! Amen!

Every gate blocking my breakthrough be lifted now! Amen!

Every gate to my destiny, lift up your head now! Amen!

Every gate reluctant to open, Lord of Host break them to pieces, in Jesus Christ Name! Amen!

King of Glory, move in massively into every facet of my life and everything that fight against Your Glory in my life and flush them out, in Jesus Christ Name! Amen!

Heavenly…

Proverbs 3:13, 16-18 “Happy is the man that finds wisdom, and the man that gets understanding……….Length of days is in her right hand, In her left hand riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy are all who retain her.”

The bible is referring to the power of Godly wisdom in your life. When you apply the Word of God, which is the wisdom of God to your life, you will find yourself on a path to fulfilling the destiny of God and experiencing the goodness of God like never before. Your life will be like tree planted by many waters, that never thirsts and never runs dry. Amen!

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Proverbs 3:11-12 “My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, Nor detest His correction; For whom the LORD loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he delights.”

Sometimes it is difficult to understand why certain things happen in your life. You need to trust God that He knows better and in spite of what seems to be a bad situation, He will always protect you and you will get through whatever you are going through. Many times God allows things in your life to build your character, so that His perfect will can be established in your life.

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Speak life into your circumstances today

James 3:2-5 “For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. 3 Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. 4 Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. 5 Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things.”

Life and death is in the power of the tongue. This is one of the most powerful tools that God has given you. Your mouth; Your tongue. It has the power to build up or to break down. It has the power to bring blessing or curse into your life. The key is to speak…

GOD is on your side

Proverbs 3:25,26 “Do not be afraid of sudden terror, Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes; For the LORD will be your confidence, And will keep your foot from being caught.”

Paul said that what one fears will come upon you. We do not have a spirit of fear. In spite of trials and tribulations that do come into your life God is on your side and will always make a way for you. It may seem as if the problems are unbearable but do not become despondent, keep trusting God and through faith and patience you will see God’s promise come to pass in your life. Amen!

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Proverbs 3:27-28 (AMP) “27 Withhold not good from those to whom it is due [its rightful owners], when it is in the power of your hand to do it. 28 Do not say to your neighbor, Go, and come again; and tomorrow I will give it–when you have it with you.”

Jesus said that one day everyone will stand before Him and have to give an account of the good they done while here on earth. As a matter of fact He said that many will say on that day that they done great works in His name; driving out demons and healing the sick, but they did not care for others in need. When the fire of God is burning in your heart, you will be compelled to give and share with others. Amen!

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Proverbs 4:5,6,7 “Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth. 6 Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you; Love her, and she will keep you. 7 Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.”

The wisdom of God is one of the most important principles that need to be in every Christian‘s life. Solomon says in this piece of scripture that while man is busy with so many things, by far the most important is to acquire the wisdom of God. It will change your life and empower you to experiencing the fullness of God’s goodness.

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THIRSTY?  But whosoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst

John 4:14, “But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.”

JOHN 4:4-26

Jesus painted a beautiful picture of salvation in this passage. The salvation Jesus brings is like an artesian spring which doesn’t have to be pumped. It bubbles up constantly.

Unfortunately, not every Christian‘s experience matches Jesus’ description. Many people relate more to an old pump which has to be pumped and pumped. Just as a trickle of water comes, they have to rest. They lose their prime. The water stops. Then they have to start all over again.

Yet, Jesus said we would never thirst again. This doesn’t mean that one drink satisfies us forever…

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John 4:19, “The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet.”

JOHN 4:4-26

This didn’t take any great discernment on the woman’s part. Jesus had just “read her mail”. He told her the most intimate details of her life. Anyone could have perceived Jesus was a prophet after something like that.

This woman suddenly realized that she was dealing with more than just a man. God was speaking to her. What was her reaction? She changed the subject. She brought up a doctrinal issue concerning the proper place to worship–anything to get Jesus’ attention off of her.

We all have a tendency to build walls of privacy around the intimate details of our lives. We are afraid to let anyone, especially God, look inside. But God already knows and He wants all of our heart.

Jesus brought this woman right back to…

John 4:24, “God [is] a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship [him] in spirit and in truth.”

JOHN 4:4-26

Man dwells primarily in the physical and emotional realm, but God is a Spirit (1 Sam. 16:7). To have true fellowship with God, we have to relate to God on the spiritual level.

In order to make this possible, God changed our spirit. At salvation, our spirit became totally new (11 Cor. 5:17). It is now righteous and truly holy (Eph. 4:24). It is now exactly the way Jesus is, because our born again spirit is the spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Jn. 4:17; 1 Cor. 6:17; Rom. 8:9; Gal. 4:6).

In our spirits we are worthy to come before God and worship Him without any fear. Our spirit is the only part of us that is worthy. That’s why we must worship Him in spirit…