It is time for the Church to be about the Father’s business… it’s time for us to go further


Stained glass at St John the Baptist's Anglica...

It is time for the Church to be about the Father‘s business… it’s time for us to go further

 

 

And I tell you that you are Peter, and on his rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.
Matthew 16:18

Did you know that the Church is to confront demons of darkness wherever we find them? We are to cast them out in the name of Jesus as a sign to unbelievers! This may sound radical to you but it is not-it is what Christ Jesus said we would do!

“And these signs shall follow them that believe; in my name they cast out devils” (Mark 16:17)
. The Church has been slothful in deliverance. We have been lazy, for we don’t want to pay the price to live holy lives, we do not study the Word of God the way we ought to, we do not spend the time before God’s presence as we should and we do not exercise our authority as we are directed to do. So as a Church how can we know the Father’s heart?

As believers our lives and actions are to testify that we belong to Christ Jesus. We are to spread the Word of God, cast out demons, set the captives free, take care of the needy and poor, and demonstrate the love of God continually.

It is time for the Church to be about the Father’s business… it’s time for us to go further.

Further Reading

  • Luke 10:19
  • Mark 16:17
  • John 3:17

God Bless

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!

Don’t get distracted


Jesus entering Jerusalem on a donkey

Don’t get distracted

 

 

Acts 24:1

“Now after five days Ananias the high priest came down with the elders and a certain orator named Tertullus. These gave evidence to the governor against Paul.”
NKJV

 

What was Ananias doing chasing Paul around? As the High Priest, he should have been serving God and ministering to the people of Israel. Ananias was around 80 years old, yet he was so caught up in resentment that he was willing to make the 60 mile journey from Jerusalem to Caesarea to bring accusation against Paul. It’s been said, that “a distraction is what you see when you take your eyes off of the goal.” When we spend our time chasing distractions, we accomplish nothing. We only have so much time and so many hours in a day. In Matthew 5:37-40, Jesus told us to love God and love others, yet often we take our eyes off of Jesus and place them on ourselves.

Ps 90:12 “So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” NKJV

If you are over 35, you are probably more than half way through your lifetime. At the age of 50, you have likely used seventy percent of your time. Friends, as you get older the numbers don’t get better. Take a moment and reflect. Are you distracted? If you are focused on Jesus, then you will love God and love others. Do you love others? How? If you are making a long journey and your course gets off by even one degree, you will miss your destination by hundreds of miles. This is why we have to constantly make course corrections in our lives. Are you focused on Jesus or distracted by other things? Distracted? Uh oh, time for a course correction. Do you love other people? No? Oops… time for another course correction.

 

Life Lesson: As we follow Jesus we should not get distracted.

Dear Heavenly Father,
I love You. Please help me to love and serve others. Please forgive me for times when I have been distracted. If I am off course Lord, I ask that You would show me through Your Word, through a Bible teaching church, and through fellowship with other Christians, so that I make corrections. I pray this in Jesus Christ Name! Amen!

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!

Sermon By Pastor E. A Adeboye. RCCG April Special Children’s Holy Ghost Service “Rising Stars”


The Painting entitled "Jesus Blessing the...

The Painting entitled “Jesus Blessing the Children” (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Sermon By Pastor E. A Adeboye. RCCG April Special Children’s Holy Ghost Service “Rising Stars

 

 

Let’s lift our hands to the Almighty God and begin into bless His holy name; give Him glory, give Him honor, give Him adoration, He is worthy to be praised, He is worthy to be adored, He is worthy to be magnify, praise His holy name, praise the King of kings, praise the Lord of lords, praise the Bright and morning Star.

Give Him all glory, give Him all honor. He is worthy to be praised; He is worthy to be worship. Give Him all glory, give Him all honor tonight, and bless His holy name.

Thank you Father, thank you Lord… In Jesus mighty name we worship.

Let’s lift our voices to Him, and say Father; You are the light of the world, let Your light shine into my life… let’s talk to the Almighty God…

In Jesus mighty name we have prayed.

Let’s lift our voices to Him and say Father, don’t let me ever sorrow over my children again, let’s talk to the Almighty God….
In Jesus mighty name we have prayed

Lift your voice to Him and say Father both me and my children let all of us shine for you, for the rest of our lives; let us shine brightly for you….in Jesus mighty name we have prayed.

You are the mighty God, the great I am halleluiah, halleluiah!

You are the mighty God, the great I am halleluiah, halleluiah!

You are the mighty God, the great I am halleluiah, halleluiah!

Eternal Rock of Ages we bless your name, King of glory, Unchangeable changer the Alpha and the Omega, the Father of the fatherless, the Supporter of the weak, glory be to your Holy name.

Accept our worship in Jesus name.

Thank you for January, thank you for February, thank you for what you did last month, thank you now for April.

Accept our worship in Jesus name.

Thank you for our parents, thank you for our children, thank you for our teachers, thank you for our pastors, thank you for all the blessings that you poured upon us.

Please accept our worship in Jesus name.

Tonight we your children are here young and old we are all children in your hands, please bless us in Jesus name, carry us in your arms and bless us in Jesus name.

My father and my God we commit all your children into your hands today, keep sickness away from us, keep death away from us, keep demons away from us, all the days of our lives let it be well with us and pleas Lord let us shine for you.

In Jesus mighty name we have prayed. Amen

Let someone shout halleluiah!

Children of April you stand up.

If you are born in April let me hear you shout halleluiah.

My father and my God I want to thank you for your children born in the month of April.

Thank you for giving them a new beginning please on their behalf accept our thanks in Jesus name.

April is the fourth month of the year, Father for these your children, from the four corners of the world, send help to them; from the east send help to them, from the west send help to them, from the north send help to them, from the south send help to them and even from heaven above send help to them, give them a new beginning of joy, a new beginning of success of power and let them begin to shine like never before and let them serve you till the end.

In Jesus mighty name we have prayed.

April children shout another halleluiah!

By the grace of God, next month if Jesus tarries, we would have a special Holy Ghost service: under the theme: OPERATING UNDER DIVINE FAVOUR. And am sure the workers know they have a brief meeting after the Holy Ghost service next month.

Tonight we want to talk about the RISING STARS. Whenever God gives a theme, it is a word of prophecy and so I believe that those who are here tonight;

number one you will be stars. Number two you will begin to rise. Now I am not talking to everybody actually, I am talking to somebody.

There is somebody here tonight who will be a star, there will be somebody here tonight who will begin to rise.

Rising Star. In English, two words; Star and Rising. Now who is a star? A star in the simplest language is someone who excels.

And am starting tonight by decreeing to someone here; from now on you will continue to excel.

For example; David excelled in Music in 1 Samuel 16 v 15 -18 when the king needed a musician, somebody told him, we know someone who is a star in music and his name was David, he was a star in music.

Because we are dealing with children tonight we will move a little fast, because we could show you that a Elisha was a star in sport, Daniel was a star in administration, Solomon was a star in wisdom, Moses was a star in meekness, the daughter of Job were stars in beauty. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were stars in commitment to God. Elizabeth the mother of John the Baptist was a star in purity. Paul the apostle was a star in Anointing. David was a star in gratitude to God.

I pray for someone here tonight; in every facet of your life, you will become a star.

Then what do we mean by rising? It simply means going higher, increasing in success, increasing in brilliance, increasing in skills and increasing in ability. When we talk of going higher, you read Genesis 26 v 12-14 the Bible showed us a man called Isaac, Bible said he waxed great and then went forward and then increasing, that is an example.

He kept on going higher and higher. In Genesis 40 v 43 the Bible tells us about Jacob, how he increased exceedingly and then we can give you several other examples but because of time, we all know that when we say something is rising, it means it is getting better, it’s shining brighter, it’s becoming more and more known.

In the name that is above every other name, you will keep on rising, you will be rising in joy, you will be rising in success, you will be rising in power, you will be rising in anointing, you will be rising in glory.

Now when we therefore talk about RISING STAR, it means someone is already a star and now the star is becoming bigger and brighter. I know some of you may not believe it if I say you are already a star, but the word of God said it; that God calls things that be not as though they were.

And every one who is my child here tonight, you are already a star and your star will be getting bigger, it will be getting brighter in the Mighty name of Jesus.

Now we could find several examples in the Bible, we find a young man called Philip in Act 6 v 1-6

Thank you Father! The Lord says there is someone here tonight, he ask me to tell you; stop being afraid, because the destroyer will not visit your family again.

So there is this young man called Philip in Act 6 v 1-6 he started as a deacon; to become a deacon, he was already a star; people have sought him out and they found him to be a man of good report; full of holy spirit and faith and then they make him a deacon, very soon he became an evangelist, he kept on rising and rising.

In the name that is above every other name, by the time I see you again next month; you will be higher than where you are now in Jesus name.

Now how do I become a star?

There are various ways of becoming a star, one of the ways is to be created a star. Genesis 1 v 16 tells us that God made the stars also, in Jeremiah 1 v 4-5 God told Jeremiah, even before I formed thee I knew thee, while you were yet in your mother’s womb, I have already sanctify you, I have already set you aside to myself, I have already anointed you a prophet to nations.

There are some stars that are stars even from the womb. In Luke 1 v 13 -17 even before John the Baptist was born, it has already been prophesied that he will be great. Some people are created stars.

Then some people are born as stars; the son of a king is called the prince, from day number one the day a prince is born; he is born a star; if it’s a girl we call her a princess.

In Genesis 12 v 1-3 God told Abraham that through his seed all the nations of the world will be blessed. So those children who are even yet to be born had already been made a blessing by God, so when the children of Abraham began to arrive they had no option but to shine.

The son of a star is a star.

The son of a goat cannot be a dog. One of my sons said the day the son of an elephant is born, that day the son of elephant is already bigger than the son of a cow. The son of an elephant cannot be like the son of a cat.

By the special grace of God I am a star and so all my Children are stars. If you are one of my children shout halleluiah!

Then some people are made a star, some people are promoted to become a star for example Deuteronomy 34 v 9 tells us that Joshua was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses laid his hands on him.

The reason Joshua became a star is because Moses laid his hands on him, that is why tonight as we lay hands on all out children, even if they were not starts before they will become a star.

Thank you father, The Lord said there is someone here tonight, He said your parents are insignificant, he said but you are going to be great.

The Almighty God said there is someone here tonight, He said the only thing that has been increasing in your life is poverty he said but from tonight the tide will turn.

The Lord said there is a child here tonight that all you have ever been is just average, He said but from today you will become brilliant.

1 Samuel 16 v 1-13 we see the story of David he was in the bush, he was not loved, he was not appreciated, his father did not even count him worthy of anything, but the Almighty God took him from behind and turned him to a star.

I am praying for someone here tonight, even where you are not yet known, the Almighty God will pick you up and turn you to a star.

Thank you father, the Lord says there is a woman here tonight, he asked me to tell you, he asked me to you not to worry, he said next year you will bring your own children.

The Lord says there is someone here tonight, he said all the weapons of all your enemies are already render useless.

Some people are created a star, some are born a star, some are made a star and some people achieved stardom. Somebody like Daniel, he was taken into slavery but because the Almighty God was with him and he himself stayed with God; little by little, step by step, he became one of the three in the entire kingdom. According to Daniel 6 v 1-3 he was a slave at the beginning but at the end he was one of the best three, one of the ruling three in the entire kingdom.

I am prophesying to my children here tonight; out of you shall come president, out of you shall come great rulers, out of you shall come managing directors. In the name of Jesus you will reach the top.

And so when we look at the greatest example we have; that is Jesus Christ himself you will see he was born a star, he was called the bright and morning star and he was made a star. Matthew 28 v 18 He said all power in heaven and on earth has been giving unto me.

And then of course He achieved stardom according to Philippians 2 v 5 – 11 the Bible tells us because of the sacrifice that he made on a good Friday like a day like today, because of the sacrifice He made, He ended up with a name that is above every other names.

So that at the name of Jesus, every kneel should bow.

And I am saying that in name of Jesus every problem in your life will bow today.

Now, how do I rise?

I am already a star, whether I was created a star or I was born a star, or was made a star, or I achieved stardom. The question now is how do I get my star to keep on rising? That is the crucial thing we want to discuss very briefly tonight.

Rising is a principally in God’s hands. Psalm 75v 6-7 tells us that promotion does not come from the east or from the west, or from the north and it doesn’t come from the south. It says God is the judge, He raises up one and he pulls down another.

The Almighty God will raise you up.

In 1 Samuel 2 v 7-8 the Bible tells us that it is God who can make rich or make poor, He is the one who raises up and He is the one who pulls down, He is the one who can take the beggar from the dunghill and begin to raise them up until they begin to seat with princes.

And I decree in the name that is above every other name that from this moment, you will only be going higher, you will never go lower in Jesus name.

Deuteronomy 33v 27 tells us that the hands of God are always underneath, he said underneath are the everlasting hands, no matter how low you are now, the hand of God is already underneath you , and so all God need to do now is to lift you up.

That is why I am rejoicing with you, you will never go lower than where you are now.

So God is the one who controls rising, however you can influence your own rising, there are things you can do that will enable you to rise very fast because Hebrew 11 v 6 says God is a rewarder of those that diligently seek him; he decides who goes up, he decides those who goes down but if he is going to reward me, he cannot reward me with down grading me, he can only reward me by promoting me and he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him.

And He also says in his word in Proverbs 8 v 17 He said I love those who love Me and those who seek Me early shall find Me.

If I love Him, He will love me, if I seek Him early I will find Him and if I seek Him diligently He will reward me. James 4 v 8 says if I draw near to GOD, God will draw near to me.

I can influence my rising; if I love God, he will love me, if I draw near Him, He will draw near me, if I seek Him diligently He will reward me. Even though He is the Almighty, He is a God of principles. He follows his principles in all His actions. If I do what I should do, He will lift me up.

Thank you Lord the Lord says there is someone here tonight he said the evil cloud over your family has been rolled away.

The Lord said there is someone here tonight, he said I will not help you alone I will help your children also.

This one is for those of us, who are student;

The Lord said there is some one here tonight; he said I will enlarge your mental capacity greatly.

The Lord says there is someone here tonight he said before the end of this month expect another major testimony.

The Lord said there is a family here that has become used to frequent tragedies, the Lord asked me to tell you from now on you will become use to frequent joy.

In Proverb 3 v 9-10 the Bible made it clear if you put God first, if you honor Him with your increase, with your substance and you honor him with your first fruit he said he will respond in such a manner that people will noticed that you are becoming excessively prosperous, you will begin to shine financially.

He says in Malachi 3 v 8-10, He said those who rob Him of His tithe He will curse, He said but those who bring all the tithe to His house, they will shine financially, that is what is say, once you know what to do, do it and leave the rest to God.

He said if you take this step this is what I will do, then take the step and see what He will do. But when He says take this step this is what I will do and then you do contrary to what He says, how can you expect you will continue to rise.

You can influence the rising of your own stars. And then you can influence the rising of your own children.

Thank You Lord, the Lord says there is someone here tonight he ask me to tell you, he says I specialize in making something out of nothing., he said I will make you great.

The Lord says there is someone here tonight, he said I have surprise you before, I am now about to astonish you.

Proverb 22 v 6 says train up a child in the way he should grow when he is old he won’t be able to depart from it. The training you give your children will determine how they will end.

Many parents have destroyed the future of the children because they didn’t give them the right training at the beginning.

Some ladies find it difficult to settle down in their husband’s home because their mothers didn’t teach them even how to cook. The mother didn’t teach them how to behave when they get to their husband’s house and so the future was even destroyed before they left home.

Train your child the way to go; when he gets to the top he won’t be able to depart. When we talk about training the children, God said in Deuteronomy 11 v 18-19 He said what you talk to your children about when you are in the home with them; is what will determine how God will respond to them.

In other word, when your children are sitting down at home playing with you, what is the kind of discussion they are listening to? God says when you are talking to your children, you are suppose to be telling them about God, the word of God, whatever you tell your children is going to determine what their future will be.

One of the major problems some men of God have had in the past is that in the church they say something, at home they say something different, so the children becomes confused and they begin to wonder; so at the end of the day they don’t even want to have anything to do with the church.

You can influence what happens to your children, and all of us who have failed our children up till this moment, may the Almighty God forgive us in Jesus name.

May the Almighty God give us the grace to repent immediately our ways in Jesus name. May the Almighty God give us the grace to restitute our ways in Jesus name.

As for you children, you can influence your own rising too Proverb 22 v 29 the Bible says seeth thou a man diligent in his business, he will stand before kings and not before mean men. No matter how young you are if you are ready to work hard; God is ready to promote you.

God is not going to promote somebody who is lazy.

The fact that you are born a prince does not mean you will become a king. They say there is no royal road to success. The elders will tell you; princes have become slaves before because they fail to work.

Children listen to me, “many of you are spending too much time watching television, you are spending too much time playing games, you must learn to work, the world is not a bed of roses, there is a lot of struggling going on and those who will work hard will make it to the top. If your parents are the type that will push you, glory be to God”.

My mother used to push me, thank God for my mother, of cause thank God for my father he loved me but he was always in the farm. When other children are playing outside, my mother will ask me to seat down and study my books, and I will tell her other people are enjoying.

My mother will tell me other people children are not my business. You, you are my business, and you must do what I tell you. I thank God for her, she pushed me and thank God I allowed myself to be pushed. You children because your stars will begin to rise, you better seat up and begin to work hard.

There are many of you in the schools and the colleges and you are not studying hard and you think you can pass by bribing somebody. That can only take you far to a certain level. There is one thing that will take you to the top in life; hard work. See a man diligent in his business; he will stand before kings not before mean men. Hard work in everything that you do.

I have said it before there are some Christians who are believing God for breakthrough but they are lazy, let me tell you the truth; no breakthrough is coming for a lazy person, because God knows if he gives you the breakthrough, out of your laziness it will slip out of your hands.

I have seen so many Christians; bricklayers, carpenters, other trades; if they have been hard working on this camp ground alone, they will have become a multi billionaire by now.

But you give them a job to do; 10 am they are still eating breakfast they haven’t started work at all. I start my own day by 5 am, only God knows when I close. They will begin their work by after 10am they want to close by 4pm. Such people when they get one job they never get another.

I am praying for all of you who are listening to me because you are my children, you are stars, you are going to rise but you must work hard.

Seeth thou a man diligent in his business! Tell your neighbor “stop being lazy and your star will begin to rise”.

The second thing you can do children so that your star can rise fast is that you must obtain the blessings of your parents; the Bible says honor thy mother and thy father that your days may be long.

When you honor your parents they will bless you and the blessing of your parents will take you far. I have said it again and again, I am where I am today; by the grace of God and by the blessings of my mother.

Anytime I please my mother, anytime I did something for her that makes her happy, she will pronounce blessing on me. One blessing in particular that I didn’t understand then; is “son, because you have done this; you will call one fellow two hundred will answer you”. I didn’t understand what that one means, but today by the grace of God if I call one pastor and I didn’t mention the particular name, even in this place where we are, if I say pastor come, they will be more than two hundred who will come.

I am pronouncing the same blessing on all my children, you will call one fellow one thousand will answer you.

Honor your father and your mother that your days may be long that they may bless you and that your star may continue to rise.

Let me say one more thing to you parents, you parents cannot be a star if you are in sin; you cannot be covered in sin and shine and if the parents are not a star, how can the children be a star?

If you are living in sin, you are an enemy of God, how can you be an enemy of God and expect God to cause you to rise? How can God promote you when you are doing things contrary to his will? The bible says you cannot continue in sin and expect grace to abound.

Parents listen to me, those of you who for one reason or the other don’t want to surrender your life to Jesus, for the sake of your children, surrender your life to Jesus.

If you have made up your own mind that you want to live the rest of your life suffering, if you have made up your mind that you want to go to hell, please think of your children, consider your children, because if you are not a friend of God it is difficult for blessing of God to come upon your children.

The elders have a saying that it is the one who is mother is loved, is the one that we would appreciate the child. If you are an enemy of God, God cannot love your children, so I am talking to those parents who are here tonight; if for no other reason, because of your children, give your life to Jesus, become a friend of God. When you become a friend of God, then God will become a friend of your children.

As for you children, nobody is ever too young to surrender to Jesus, you can surrender your life to him today and he will turn you into a star. So those of you who want to give your life to Jesus whether parent or their children, you can come now

… And as you come; talk to Jesus Christ, ask him to be merciful unto you, ask him to save your soul, tell him to write your name in the book of life, ask Him to save your soul, tell Him you want to shine for Him, ask Him to wash you clean in His blood, that from now on you will do His will. Talk to Jesus Christ now!

The rest of us let’s stretch our hands towards these people and intercede for them; That the Lord Almighty will save their souls, That God will be merciful unto everyone of them, that their salvation will be genuine, that the Almighty God will wash away all their sins in his blood, let’s pray for the salvation of these people.

And those of you who are still on the way keep coming, the Almighty God is calling you and he is waiting to save your soul…

In Jesus mighty name we have prayed.

Saviour we bless your name, we give you all glory, we give you all honor, for all these your children who have come forward today, you promise that whosoever come unto you, you will in no wise cast out, these your children have come now, please receive them in Jesus name.

On this particular Good Friday this day when we are remembering when you shed your blood on the cross, wash away all the sins of these people in Jesus name.

Write their names in the book of life and give them the grace to serve you for the rest of their lives and from this moment onward, anytime they call on you please answer them in Jesus name. Thank you Almighty.

In Jesus name we have prayed.. in Jesus mighty name we have prayed.

Now I want to rejoice with those of you who have come forward tonight because from tonight forward by the grace of God I will be praying for you, very soon you will be receiving miracles that there must be somebody praying for you, so I am going to need your name, your address, and your prayer request, the counselor are around you, they will give you a card to fill, fill the card very quickly and then submit back to them.

The rest of us while we are waiting for these people we can begin to talk to God, ask him for forgiveness, if you have failed your children in any way whatsoever and give you grace to fulfill your role as a parent onward. And if you have been doing your duty correctly; in a night like this, you should be thanking the Almighty that he has made you a very good parents, and many of us needs to thank God tonight, for the kind of parent God gave us, parents that helped us to become what we have become. So let’s spend some minute talking to the Lord.

PRAYER POINTS:

 

 

  1. Praise God that we have this opportunity, that      we and our children can come for these special anointing.
  2. Father, in all that I do from now on, let me      excel.
  3. Father, promotions comes from you, please      promote me this year.
  4. Father, as my children grow in age; let them      grow in Wisdom and in the knowledge of God.
  5. Father, let my children be head and not tail.      Above and never beneath.
  6. Father, as for me and my children, let us keep      rising forever.
  7. Father, don’t let anyone or anything truncate      the destinies of myself or my children.

I implore you to pray with all your heart, it’s only for 20 minutes.

In that Name that is above every other name from this moment onward everything you do will succeed.

In every area of your life you will continue to excel, because God is the great promoter He will promote you. And as our children grow in age, they will also grow in wisdom, they will grow in the knowledge of God, all of them will be head they will never be tail.

They will never be servant to their colleagues, they will be above they will never be beneath.

All of us children and parent alike we will keep on rising, nobody will truncate our destiny, we will all keep on rising, it will be well all of us, our joy will always over flow.

And in the Name that is above every other names, from now on you will keep on shining.

In Jesus mighty name we have prayed.

Let’s wave our hands to the Almighty God and shout another halleluiah

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!

Are You Too Busy for God


The Ladder of Divine Ascent is an important ic...

Are You Too Busy for God

For what is seen is temporary, but what is not seen is eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:18

A woman who attended church occasionally was asked by a friend from her church what she thought about eternal life. She replied, “Are you serious? I don’t have time for that. I have a business to run and three children to raise and believe me, that keeps me hopping.”

Satan‘s influence can surely be seen here. He has made us disregard God in all areas of our lives, and the distance between God and man increases every day. We are too busy, too tired, or too anything else to take the time for communion with Him.

The saddest part about this is that communion with God is the most important part of each day; He is the reason why we have life, and He wants to give us life to the full. Why do we insist on focusing on all the other things instead?

We need to rebuild the bridge to God that Satan has torn down. Start today to live the life God has planned for you-a life that includes all the glory of His bounty…eternal life!

Ask Jesus into your heart today and forever “leave your life of sin” ( John 8:11). Let Satan know that he does not hold sway over your human life or your eternal life. To God be the glory!

Further Reading

God Bless

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!

Christ’s Love creates unity out of our diversity


Resurrection of Christ

World’s Longest Table

READ: Matthew 26:26-30

I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom. —Matthew 26:29

On Sunday, July 18, 2010, one of the busiest highways in Europe became what some called “the longest table in the world.” Officials closed a 60-kilometer (37-mile) section of the A40 Autobahn in Germany’s Ruhr region so people could walk and bicycle or sit at one of 20,000 tables set up on the roadway. An estimated 2 million people came to enjoy an event the director hoped would connect people from many cultures, generations, and nations.

This event made me think of an even grander table around which believers gather to share the Lord’s Supper. During communion, we remember Jesus’ death for us as we anticipate the culmination of history at His return.

Just before Jesus was crucified, He shared the Passover meal with His disciples, telling them, “I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom” (Matt. 26:29).

The Lord’s Table unites everyone Christ has redeemed by His blood “out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation” (Rev. 5:9). One day, in a scene of reunion and joy, all who belong to Jesus will sit down together with Him at a table that will dwarf the Autobahn gathering. We joyfully anticipate sharing that table together! —David McCasland

Here we gather to remember,
In the breaking of the bread,
Jesus, who for us was broken,
And is now our living Head. —Anon.

Christ’s love creates unity out of diversity.

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!

God Is Your God, Not Money


Stained glass at St John the Baptist's Anglica...

God is Your God, Not Money


And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in
knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are
excellent; that ye may be sincere without offence till the day of Christ: Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by
Jesus Christ unto the glory and praise of God

Philippians 1:9-11

When God increases the fruits of your righteousness, after a while you
will be filled. You will be satiated and well satisfied. God is
interested in your being blessed and prosperous. He doesn’t have a
problem with your having wealth; He has a problem with wealth having
you.

As long as you live with the understanding that He is your God, not
money; that He is your source, not money, then God can say, “I’ll pour
all of my abundance on you! I’ll cause you to have too much; because I
know you can handle it. I know you understand that I’m blessing you
because I love you, and I’m blessing you to be a blessing.”

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!

A Sword, Stars, Candlesticks And The Seven Churches


Stained glass at St John the Baptist's Anglica...

A Sword, Stars, Candlesticks And The Seven Churches

And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword:
and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength…. The
mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the
seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the
seven churches.

Revelation 1:15-16, 20

Imagine that you are John and you are doing your best to describe what
you’re looking at! He sees a number of things: seven golden
candlesticks, referring to the churches; and seven stars, referring to
angels. The purpose of the candlestick is to give light, and that is
the purpose of the church. If the church doesn’t bring light to people-light to its community and light to ignorance and darkness-if it
doesn’t reveal God and His Word and His plan, it is of no value.

Notice also that out of Jesus’ mouth-the image John is describing-is a
sharp, two-edged sword. A double-edged sword cuts both ways.

Some people think that when they read about the angel of the church
that it is referring to the pastor, but it is not. The angels provide
assistance to the pastor and to the church. The angels provide help to
all individuals who are born again. If you are an heir of salvation,
God has assigned you an angel that has been involved in your life to
the degree that you have allowed him to work for you. Scripture tells
you that you will eventually judge your angel. But I wouldn’t be too
fast to get on his case, lest he bring out the cameras, roll back the
tape, and document what you’ve been saying and doing!

Prayer for Today

Father,
Your ways are beyond my understanding. Your ways are higher than mine.
Thank You for Your Word and Your Spirit bringing light and life. In
Jesus Christ Name! Amen!

Think on These Things

Daniel 8:10

Daniel 12:3

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!

God Answers Every Prayer


Stained glass at St John the Baptist's Anglica...

Stained glass at St John the Baptist’s Anglican Church http://www.stjohnsashfield.org.au, Ashfield, New South Wales. Illustrates Jesus’ description of himself “I am the Good Shepherd” (from the Gospel of John, chapter 10, verse 11). This version of the image shows the detail of his face. The memorial window is also captioned: “To the Glory of God and in Loving Memory of William Wright. Died 6th November, 1932. Aged 70 Yrs.” (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

God Answers Every Prayer

Matthew 7:7, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:”

MATTHEW 7:6-8

Prayer which meets the requirements outlined in God’s Word is always answered. Many times we don’t perceive the answer because it always comes in the spiritual realm first before it is manifested in the physical realm. If we waver from our confident faith, then we abort the manifestation of that answer (Jas. 1:6-7; Heb. 10:35). But God did answer. Everyone who asks receives.

In the book of Daniel chapter 9, Daniel prayed a prayer and waited a relatively short period of time to see his answer to prayer. In less than three minutes the angel Gabriel appeared and answered all of his questions.

This same man prayed another prayer in Daniel chapter 10, but this time it took three weeks before he had an angelic messenger come and answer his questions. What was the difference? Most people believe that God answered one prayer in three minutes and the next prayer in three weeks. But Daniel 10:12, says “from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand,…thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.” Satan had hindered the second prayer from reaching Daniel. God was not the variable. God answers every prayer.

This is confirmed in Matthew 7:8, which says that everyone who asks receives, he that seeks will find, to him that knocks it is opened. God answers, but Satan can hinder our prayers in the spiritual realm before they ever physically manifest. If we understand that God gives the answer and that Satan is the one hindering, the truths of these scriptures will encourage us. God does answer prayer.

God is always answering your prayer. If you haven’t seen it manifest, don’t doubt God, but recognize that you’re fighting an enemy, and persevere. Stand on your faith. Pray without ceasing until you see the answer.

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!

Therefore take no thought, saying, what shall we eat? Or, what shall we drink? Or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed


Green Thought Bubbles

Green Thought Bubbles (Photo credit: iNkMan_)

Therefore take no thought, saying, what shall we eat? Or, what shall we drink? Or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed

Matthew 6:31

MATTHEW 6:25-34

Jesus is commanding us not to worry or be anxious about our material needs being met. It would be impossible to have no thought whatsoever about our physical needs. Even Jesus thought about His need for money to pay taxes (Mt. 17:24-27). We are simply not to be preoccupied with thinking about riches or spending our time worrying about necessities. These things will be added unto us as we seek first the Kingdom of God.

The way we take or receive an anxious thought is by speaking it. Doubtful thoughts will come, but we do not sin until we entertain them. According to this verse, speaking forth these thoughts is one way of entertaining them; therefore, don’t speak forth these negative thoughts.

It is imperative that we watch the words we say. Begin to speak words in faith that line up with God’s Word, then positive results will follow. If we speak words of doubt, we will eventually believe them and have the negative things that these words produce. There are no such things as “idle” words which will not work for or against us. Death or life is in the power of every word we speak (Prov. 18:21). Our words can be our most powerful weapon against the devil, or they can become a snare of the devil (Prov. 6:2).

Today watch your words. Speak only things that will express your faith, trust, and confidence in the Lord and not your fear about the situations you face.

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!

Help For The Helpless


4 days of Evangelism Training in Southern Cali...

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)

Help for the Helpless

“Jesus asked him, ‘Do you want to be well?” -John 5:6

Jesus was walking through Jerusalem. Think New York City. That’s what Jerusalem
was – the metropolitan gathering spot. It was crowed with all kinds of people. Eventually,
Jesus passed by a pool called Bethesda.” This pool was believed to have magical
powers. Many believed that when the waters were stirred, the first one to enter
the pool would be healed. So, hundreds of sick people were lying by this pool,
watching and waiting for their opportunity to be healed.

One man had been waiting 38 years for his miracle! He was a paralytic and he had
lain there for nearly four decades! Every day he watched. Every day he waited.
Every day he hoped for his chance! Would today be the day…finally?

Jesus sees this man and asks him, “Do you want to be well?”

What a question! Why else would he wait there that long? But in truth, this is one
of the most salient questions we can be asked, “Do you want to be well?”

Why wouldn’t this man have wanted to be well? Well, it would mean that his way of
life would be forever changed. He would have to learn how to fend for himself instead
of living off handouts. He would have to risk standing up, falling (a likelihood
since he hadn’t stood on his legs for so long), and looking like a fool.
It meant he would have to change. He would have to let go of his old life and learn
a new one.

But he did say yes. And so Jesus gave His prescription for getting well. He said,
“Get up!” And the man GOT UP! He picked up his mat – the same mat that had carried
him – and walked! He walked into his new life! He walked into his miracle!

Get up. Walk into your miracle today!

PRAYER:

Lord, I feel helpless. But You are help for the helpless. You are hope for the hopeless!
I want to be made whole! I want to have the strength to get up! I reach out my hand to
You, today, and grab onto You. Pick me up, Lord, in Jesus Christ Name I pray! Amen.

What is holding you back from getting up and saying “yes” to your miracle today?

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!

God’s ways are truly higher than ours


4 days of Evangelism Training in Southern Cali...

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)

Česky: Kříže - symbol utrpení Ježíše Krista a ...

God’s ways are truly higher than ours.

Isaiah 55:8-9 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.”

There are times in our lives where we know that we know that God wants us to do something, yet our flesh kicks against it with all its might. Sometimes we do what God wants us to do, yet we feel remorse in our hearts because it just doesn’t make sense in the natural. This is where we need to guard our hearts and always remember this scripture. His ways are truly higher than ours, and in the end, God always have our best interest at heart. You may not understand it now, but trust and obey Him and feed on His faithfulness.

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!

Today, let the Word Of God come and abide in you


Stained glass at St John the Baptist's Anglica...

Stained glass at St John the Baptist’s Anglican Church http://www.stjohnsashfield.org.au, Ashfield, New South Wales. Illustrates Jesus’ description of himself “I am the Good Shepherd” (from the Gospel of John, chapter 10, verse 11). This version of the image shows the detail of his face. The memorial window is also captioned: “To the Glory of God and in Loving Memory of William Wright. Died 6th November, 1932. Aged 70 Yrs.” (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Today, let the Word Of God come and abide in you

John 15:3 says: “Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.” The Bible also says in Psalm 119:9 “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to Thy word.” We live holy lives. We have been washed in the blood of Jesus. His Word – as we allow it to come in by reading, study, meditation, and by books and CDs – cleanses us and washes us from unbelief, fear, presumption, questions, divisions, offense, hatred, and anger. How? By the God who is in it. As we bring the Word of God in to cleanse us, it sanctifies us, washes us from all sin, and causes us to become like Him. Today, let the Word come and abide in you. Think on it, meditate on it, search it, listen to it, read it, and see the effect of the power of abiding in Him and His Word abiding in you.

Let the Word in!

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 Lord is longsuffering and abundant in mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression; but He by no means clears the guilty


Česky: Kříže - symbol utrpení Ježíše Krista a ...

Česky: Kříže – symbol utrpení Ježíše Krista a jeho ukřižování (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Stained glass at St John the Baptist's Anglica...

The Lord is longsuffering and abundant in mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression; but He by no means clears the guilty

 

 

Caricature God

 

READ: Exodus 34:1-9

The Lord is longsuffering and abundant in mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression; but He by no means clears the guilty. —Numbers 14:18

Caricature artists set up their easels in public places and draw pictures of people who are willing to pay a modest price for a humorous image of themselves. Their drawings amuse us because they exaggerate one or more of our physical features in a way that is recognizable but funny.

Caricatures of God, on the other hand, are not funny. Exaggerating one of His attributes presents a distorted view that people easily dismiss. Like a caricature, a distorted view of God is not taken seriously. Those who see God portrayed only as an angry and demanding judge are easily lured away by someone who emphasizes mercy. Those who see God as a kindhearted grandfather will reject that image when they need justice. Those who see God as an intellectual idea rather than a living, loving being eventually find other ideas more appealing. Those who see God as a best friend often leave Him behind when they find human friends who are more to their liking.

God declares Himself to be merciful and gracious, but also just in punishing the guilty (Ex. 34:6-7).

As we put our faith into action, we need to avoid portraying God as having only our favorite attributes. We must worship all of God, not just what we like. —Julie Ackerman Link

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
Oh, Thou blessed Trinity:
One in essence, yet three persons—
Thou, our God, we worship Thee. —D. De Haan

All-powerful, merciful, wise, and just is the God in whom we trust.

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!

God the Living Word


Stained glass at St John the Baptist's Anglica...

Stained glass at St John the Baptist’s Anglican Church http://www.stjohnsashfield.org.au, Ashfield, New South Wales. Illustrates Jesus’ description of himself “I am the Good Shepherd” (from the Gospel of John, chapter 10, verse 11). This version of the image shows the detail of his face. The memorial window is also captioned: “To the Glory of God and in Loving Memory of William Wright. Died 6th November, 1932. Aged 70 Yrs.” (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

God the Living Word

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 1:1, NIV

John’s Gospel begins with the astounding statement that “In the beginning was the Word.” The Greek translation for “word” is logos, which means the outward expression of all that God is. Plato once said that he hoped one day there would come a “logos” from God that would make everything clear. John said He has come! “And the Word was with God . . .” as another separate, Supreme Being. “And the Word was God.” Although the Word is another separate Person from God the Father, He is no less in power, position, or personality. Because He is God the Creator! “Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. . . . The Word became flesh and lived for a while among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only Son who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14, NIV)

The “One and Only Son who came from the Father” is the logos of God through Whom God created everything, and His name is JESUS!

Blessings

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 blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and He addeth no sorrow with it


Česky: Kříže - symbol utrpení Ježíše Krista a ...

Česky: Kříže - symbol utrpení Ježíše Krista a jeho ukřižování (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and He addeth no sorrow
with it
Proverbs 10:22

Sometimes the word blessing in the Bible refers to “material
possessions,” but not in this Scripture. In this case, God is talking
about an endowed power from God that produces prosperity and success. He is not talking about a car, a house, or some material resource. The
blessing is the power that God clothes you with in order to make you
rich. One version puts it this way: The blessing of the Lord it brings
wealth (NIV).

So, once again, power is involved in wealth coming your way. Wealth
recognizes a God-like ability in your life to which it is attracted.

 

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!

A man’s mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps


Stained glass at St John the Baptist's Anglica...

Stained glass at St John the Baptist’s Anglican Church http://www.stjohnsashfield.org.au, Ashfield, New South Wales. Illustrates Jesus’ description of himself “I am the Good Shepherd” (from the Gospel of John, chapter 10, verse 11). This version of the image shows the detail of his face. The memorial window is also captioned: “To the Glory of God and in Loving Memory of William Wright. Died 6th November, 1932. Aged 70 Yrs.” (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A man’s mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps

Finding Something New in Something Old

Written by Jim Coleman

“A man’s mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” -Proverbs 16:9

Twenty years ago, my father needed a stint placed in one of the arteries of his
heart. My father was thin, and so am I. The fact that his heart needed attention
got my attention, so I decided immediately to get my heart, and general health,
in better shape. I started a jogging routine every other morning, early – about
6 a.m. for 30 minutes. My goal has been to get my heart rate to at least 120 beats
per minute and keep it there for the entire 30 minutes. I’ve always managed to run
about 2-12 to 3 miles within this time period.

One morning last December, I knew I had to get up especially early to have breakfast
with a friend. I didn’t want to awaken at 5:30 a.m., so I decided to jog the night
before. I was in for a treat. It was Christmas time, so when I began my run at 9:30
p.m., many of the homes I usually ran past in the rising morning sun had their Christmas
lights on!

It was beautiful! What a delightful surprise…house after house after house…lights,
lights, lights…in all different arrangements…some all white, others sparkling
with many colours. I saw inflated Santas, reindeer, elves. I saw twinkling palm trees,
Christmas trains, Christmas packages, and Nativity scenes. I had blast!

I found my thoughts and eyes dancing, and before I knew it, my run was over – the
time had gone by much faster than usual because my soul had been absorbed in the
splendour of all the magnificent Christmas lights.

I confess that I do have the habit of falling into routine. I think most people
would say that I’m fairly predicable…probably all of us are in some way or another.
However, there’s tremendous joy in discovering new pleasures – sometimes even in
old places.

Our glorious and gracious God created the Universe. We live within a single solar
system of that Universe, on a planet that fortunately has various levels of predictability
– “routine” aspects – that we all depend upon. For instance, the sun comes up every
morning and sets every evening. Yet, God in His wonderful plan for you and me provides
variations on this theme…through the seasons of the year…the rising and setting
of the moon…various weather conditions…etc. Variables within predictability
– God is good, God is wise, and YOU are made in His image! How exciting!

What routines have you established in your life? You depend on these routines; we
all do. We each have an individual way of approaching our activities, our relationships,
and our acquisition of knowledge. This is what makes you unique from all of the
other millions of persons in the world around you. But, what surprises, what new
discoveries await you by altering your routine just a bit – or even a lot? How
could you let the Lord direct your steps more today?

PRAYER:

Lord, thank You. Thank You for all that You’ve created that I can predictably depend
upon. Thank You, too, for all of the wonderful variables. You are glorious in all
ways. I praise You. Amen.

Have you ever thought about varying your routine to embrace new and exciting possibilities?
Are you willing even to think about it? To try it?

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!

God is good


Stained glass at St John the Baptist's Anglica...

Stained glass at St John the Baptist's Anglican Church http://www.stjohnsashfield.org.au, Ashfield, New South Wales. Illustrates Jesus' description of himself "I am the Good Shepherd" (from the Gospel of John, chapter 10, verse 11). This version of the image shows the detail of his face. The memorial window is also captioned: "To the Glory of God and in Loving Memory of William Wright. Died 6th November, 1932. Aged 70 Yrs." (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

God is Good

 

READ: Matthew 19:16-26

[Jesus said,] “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” —Matthew 19:17

When someone asks, “How are you?” it has become common for the response to be, “I’m good.” When we say this, we are really saying, “I’m well” or “I’m doing fine,” speaking of our general well-being and not our character. I have answered with that response more times than I can count, but lately it has begun to bother me. Because, whether we realize it or not, we are saying something specific when we use the word good.

Jesus once encountered a wealthy young man who called Him “Good Teacher” (Matt. 19:16). The young man was right, for Jesus is both good (completely perfect) and the Teacher. He is the only One who can truly make that claim.

The Lord, however, challenged the man to think about what he was saying in using that term good. “So He said to him, ‘Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments’” (v.17). Jesus wanted the man to understand that the assertion he was making needed to be taken seriously. Jesus can be called “good” because He is God.

Next time someone asks you, “How are you?” it is great to be able to say, “I’m well.” But remember, only Jesus is good. —Bill Crowder

Eternal with the Father, One,
Is Jesus Christ, His own dear Son;
In Him God’s fullness we can see,
For Jesus Christ is deity. —D. De Haan

God is great and God is good, but without Him we are neither.

 

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!

 

For God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and of love and of a sound mind


Stained glass at St John the Baptist's Anglica...

Image via Wikipedia

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and of love and of a sound
mind.” –1 Timothy 1:7

Turn on the Power
Many years ago, I saw a film, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, a high-energy
action film created to entertain the masses. One scene in this film hit me with
one truth that I’ve never been able to wipe from my mind. A large table holds dozens of ornate cups, each representing a goblet Christ could have used at the last supper.
Most are shiny gold with precious stones inlaid into the sides or bases. Yet, the
film’s star bypasses them all, reaches for a simple cup that appeared to be carved
out of wood, and says, “This looks like the cup of a carpenter.”

Indeed, the world expected the Messiah to come in glory, to be born in a royal household,
to have the privilege of wealth. Someone who would have a goblet inlaid with precious
stones. Instead, He was born in a manger and endured the hardships of life that
you and I experience every day. He knew hunger, He knew thirst, He knew what it
felt like to lack resources, and to work with His hands to make a living. Jesus
lived this life because that’s what the Father asked of Him. Yet, despite hardships,
poverty, and no roof over His head to call His own, He looked people in the eye
and said, “God loves you and so do I. Let me show you how much.”

Always remember that the real power in your life is not in your means but in your
knowledge. Today you can take your eyes off your circumstances for you know Jesus
and He knows you. He knows what you are going through. He lived it Himself. He knows
your hardships and says to be joyful and love anyway. Frankly, your biggest battles
in this life will not be fought against negative circumstances or people, but against
the thoughts in your own mind. Today, you can turn on the power and win that battle
for your mind. Invite Jesus in. He is all you need.

PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, I feel in turmoil so much of my day. I worry and I fear decisions, relationships,
and lack of resources. I feel as if I’m drowning in anxiety. But You said, “Be of
good cheer for I have overcome the world.” Today, I pray that Your Holy Spirit would
penetrate my mind and give me the courage and strength to overcome these self-defeating
thoughts. Today, thanks to You, I’ve just won the battle for my mind. Let Your joy
reign within me today! In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

What causes you worry and fear? When you think of Jesus, who is able to help in
all circumstances, how do you feel?

May The Good Lord Save Nigeria And Israel From All Our Enemies And Prosper Us Beyond Our Imaginations, In Jesus Christ Mighty Name We Pray, Amen!

Our Testimonies


Stained glass at St John the Baptist's Anglica...

Image via Wikipedia

Our testimonies

 

Acts 22:17-18

Now it happened, when I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, that I was in a trance and saw Him saying to me, ‘Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, for they will not receive your testimony concerning Me.’
NKJV

In Acts chapter 22, Paul is sharing his testimony with an enraged group of Jews who were seeking to kill him. Notice, however, what Paul does NOT share in his testimony to these men. Paul isn’t saying anything about how difficult his life has been since he became a Christian. Certainly, he could have. Paul endured incredible hardships during his ministry. He was beaten many times; he was stoned with rocks, shipwrecked and imprisoned. Paul could easily have said, “Well, life’s been pretty hard since Jesus saved me. I’ve been beaten, shipwrecked and imprisoned and now, once again, people are trying to kill me.” Instead, Paul puts the focus on Jesus…and so should we. Brothers and sisters, when sharing your testimony, don’t talk about the difficulties in your life. Jesus told us that in this world we would have tribulation, but He didn’t stop there.

Jesus said, “Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33b NKJV

To talk about trials will only push people away. Talk about Jesus and salvation through Him.

Life Lesson: When sharing, always keep Jesus the focus. Keep the main thing, the main thing.

Dear Father,
Thank You for the life You have given me. Lord, when You bring me the opportunity to speak to someone about my testimony, help me to always keep Jesus the main thing. Please do not let my words get in the way, but let the Holy Spirit speak through me so that Jesus will be seen. Thank You for giving us Your Word to learn and obey. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen

May The Good Lord Save Nigeria And Israel From All Our Enemies And Prosper Us Beyond Our Imaginations, In Jesus Christ Mighty Name We Pray, Amen!

Teaching and Learning


Stained glass at St John the Baptist's Anglica...

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Teaching & Learning


“This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, ‘Rabbi, we know that You are a
teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do, unless God is
with him.'”
-John 3:2

Two nights ago, I went to the local 24-hr. chain pharmacy to pick up a small bottle
of shampoo. With shampoo in hand, I lined up at the normal location to wait for
a clerk behind a cash register. When I got to the front of the line, a nice man,
a store employee, waved me over to one of their new “self-checkout” stations.

This was not the first time I’d approached one of these machines. In fact, I’d successfully
negotiated similar self-checkout stations at the grocery store and a large building
supply store. When I looked at the new screen at the pharmacy’s register, it looked
different than the other two I’d encountered…so, while I was taking in the differences,
and almost ready to reach out to touch the “start” button, the nice man quickly
reached in front of me to punch the button instead. “This is easy,” he said. “You’ll
get the hang of it before you know it.” When the next screen appeared, his quick
hand was there to punch again, for me. I saw, briefly, the “complete transaction
and pay” button I was supposed to punch…but, for the third time, his hand was
quicker than mine was. He tossed my shampoo in a bag, ripped my receipt from the
machine, smiled as he handed me the bag, and said, “See? Nothing to it!”

As I walked out the door, I found myself thinking about teachers and teaching. Did
this nice man really think he had taught me how to use his new machine? In reality,
he had taught me nothing. Instead, he’d done everything for me.

Jesus was a teacher, too. Many called Him by this name – Teacher. Yes, He guided
persons towards their own positive conclusions regarding the Kingdom of God through
the stories and parables He told…as well as the miracles He performed. He guided
the disciples as they, too, performed miracles – but, always, in His name.

However, there was one time, one event, when even the Teacher Jesus had to do it
all for us – when He reached between you and God Almighty with His loving, pierced
hands. Only He and He alone could die upon the cross. Only He and He alone, could re-establish our pathways to God’s heart of love.

PRAYER:

Lord, YOU teach me, and model for me, a perfect love. I cannot be perfect…but
help me, Lord, to teach those around me more about You, today. Amen.

May The Good Lord Save Nigeria And Israel From All Our Enemies And Prosper Us Beyond Our Imaginations, In Jesus Christ Mighty Name We Pray, Amen!