The Role Of The Holy Spirit - Part 3

 The Holy Spirit is the author of all scripture and prophesy. 

Knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 1 :20-21)

 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in.
(2 Timothy 3:16)
 
The Holy Spirit teaches us the Word of God. God's Spirit illuminates the Word of God, and teaches us the right way.

John 14:26 “These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things I said to you.” 

John 16:13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.

In Acts 10, When the early church was not sure about whether or not the Gentiles had to be told about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit through a trance taught Peter about God's intention to cleanse what was deemed unclean - the Gentiles. Afterwards Peter was led by the Holy Spirit to minister to Cornelius, a Gentile, who got saved, together with his household.   

This is an example of how the Holy Spirit unravels truths about God's Word to us. Through the trance, Peter was taught God's Word by the Holy Spirit. He was shown how salvation had come to all - to the clean and unclean; Jews and Gentiles alike.

The Holy Spirit teaches us God's Word through various mediums. I have personally had an experience where God taught me as I was reading the book of Hebrews that, there was only one intercessor and medium through which we must come to God in prayer - Jesus Christ. From then onwards, I knew I had to pray through Jesus and Him alone. He (Jesus) is a perfect sacrifice, and has been made the perfect Mediator between God and men. Just before then, I was reading a material of error, which said Jesus was sacrificed every Sunday. I believe the Holy Spirit led me to the Book of Hebrews to expose the lie in the material I was reading.

Hebrews 7:23-28 Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.
Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself. For the law appoints as high priests men in all their weakness; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.

Hebrews 9:15  For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.
  
The Spirit of God teaches us what God has freely given to us, He brings to us revelations of God's provision for us by bringing alive the meaning of scriptures, and their hidden treasures.

1 Corinthians 2: 9-12 However, as it is written:“What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”— the things God has prepared for those who love him — These are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit.

The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us.

The Holy Spirit leads us into the right meanings of scriptures , helping us to build right doctrines.

1 Corinthians 12:3  Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

When we are filled with the Holy Spirit , we are inclined to declare God's Word in truth, just as the above scripture confirms. Jesus did not leave us bereft of a Guide and Teacher. We have the Holy Spirit, and must ask Him to teach us every step of the way. We must be sensitive to His leadings, Guidance and teachings, as we need to be conscious of God to hear God. 

Peter, in Acts 10 could have simply dismissed the trance he had, and could have disobeyed the voice of the Holy Spirit to go down to the three men looking for him.  Also, we must study, and meditate on God's Word. Jesus told us the Holy Spirit would  ...teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things I said to you.” 

You have to know the Word Of God, in order to be reminded of it. You have to take time to study God's Word. If you stay alert, God will expose wrong doctrines to you  through His Spirit. The Holy Spirit will also teach you through God's Word, what is available to you as a Child of God, in every situation you find yourself in.

1 John 2 :27 reads But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don't need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true--it is not a lie. So just as he has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ.




























WHAT IS NEXT?

The Role of the Holy Spirit - Part 2

The Holy Spirit empowers us to pray.

Romans 8:26-27  In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

The Holy Spirit helps us to pray: The Spirit of God knows the Will of God for our lives, and therefore helps us to pray it into being. He is Omnipresent and knows everything about everything, thereby guiding us to pray aright. Have you ever felt a sudden urge within you to pray concerning a person, or matter, only to find out later that your prayers helped to avert something terrible from happening?

I remember sometime back, my husband was travelling nationally in Ghana. I had an uncanny feeling about the journey, and felt a need to pray about this journey. This need would not just go away, so I spent time praying for him. He called me later to tell me how he had come very close to an armed robbery attack on the highway, but had miraculously escaped. However, the car ahead of him was not so lucky. The occupants had been beaten to a pulp and robbed as well. I believe this was an escape made possible by God, and that the urgent urge within me to pray was orchestrated by the Holy Spirit.

Last Sunday at my local church, one member kept seeing a picture in her mind's eye, of a black baby with tubes in the nose. She was unsettled about this picture, and brought it to the notice of the pastor, who asked us to pray about it. Just as the prayer ended, another lady, who was black, walked to the front. She was very emotional as she told us her sister had given birth to a baby that was in a lot of trouble medically. She had been praying all night and morning, and asked God to at least show her during the service that He will take care of the matter. I personally believe the Holy Spirit gave the other lady a picture of the black baby in distress, and urged or led us to pray for that baby, to assure her aunty that He, God, was in control. This is a church with majority being whites, so for God to personally put this lady's mind at rest, the Holy Spirit gave a vivid picture of the baby's condition - a  black baby in distress!

Whenever as a Christian, you feel an urge to pray, do not hesitate. Sometimes the urge may not make sense to the physical mind, but trust God, and the leading of the Spirit, and pray - you never know what may be at stake. 

 

































WHAT IS NEXT?

The Role Of The Holy Spirit - Part 1

The Holy Spirit plays various roles including:

• CREATING: The Holy Spirit is the author of creation, and the source of life in all living creatures.

Psalm 104:27-30 All creatures look to you to give them their food at the proper time.
When you give it to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are satisfied with good things. When you hide your face, they are terrified; when you take away their breath, they die and return to the dust. When you send your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the ground.

• CONVICTS THE WORLD OF SIN: The Holy Spirit is here to show mankind the Way to God. After the sin of Adam and Eve, most men have had little knowledge, or wrong ideas about their origin and purpose. The Holy Spirit spoke through men of old, and is still teaching men today that Jesus is the way, that sin will destroy them, et cetera, et cetera.

John 16:7-8 But I am telling you the truth: it is better for you that I go away, because if I do not go, the Helper will not come to you. But if I do go away, then I will send him to you. ⁸ And when he comes, he will prove to the people of the world that they are wrong about sin and about what is right and about God's judgment.

2 Peter 1:21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.        

•  CLEANSES, SANCTIFIES AND JUSTIFIES US IN THE NAME OF JESUS

When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, the Holy Spirit is the one that does the work of cleansing in us . He cleanses and sanctifies us by the Blood of Jesus, and Justifies us as Children of God by placing His seal on us.

1 Corinthians 6:9-11 Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.  And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

Ephesians 1:13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,

• DWELLS IN BELIEVERS AND EMPOWERS THEM:

In the Old Testament the Holy Spirit used to come upon people and influence them, as well as use them to accomplish God's will. In this age, He dwells in all that accept Jesus, as well as empowers them to be used by God to His Glory.

John 14:17-18, “The Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.”

1 Corinthians 6:19-20  Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

Again in 2 Cor 3:16, “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?”

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

We shall learn more about how the Holy Spirit empowers us to be successful witnesses of Jesus Christ in our next lesson.

Stay blessed in a sweet friendship with the Holy Spirit.

WHAT IS NEXT?

MEET THE HOLY SPIRIT - Part 2

Yesterday we learnt that the Holy Spirit is God - Omnipotent, Omnipresent and Omniscient. We also learnt that He was present at the creation of the Heavens and the Earth. He is also the power that creates every creation.

We shall move on to the Holy Spirit as a Person with a will, mind and emotions. A person that can speak, hear and feel.

The Holy Spirit is addressed as a Person in John 14:26 - "These things I have spoken to you, while abiding with you. "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.

  

Points to note:

•  God the Holy Spirit has a will of His own - 1 Corinthians 12: 7 -11 - But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

•  The Holy Spirit has emotions - Ephesians 4:30 says he can be grieved - And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.  

The Holy Spirit can love - Romans 15:30   Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me.

• The Holy Spirit talks and can hear as well as reason. 

He is a Person and can talk - 2 Samuel 23:2 "The Spirit of the LORD spoke through me; his word was on my tongue."

 Acts 13:2   As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 

In Acts 8:29, the Holy Spirit Spoke to Philip -  Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go near and overtake this chariot.”

In Acts 10:19: "While Peter thought about the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Behold, three men are seeking you."

The Holy Spirit can hear -  John 16:13-15-"But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. He shall glorify Me; for He shall take of Mine, and shall disclose [it] to you. All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said, that He takes of Mine, and will disclose [it] to you."

The Holy Spirit has a mind, and can reason. He is able to think and act on His thinking:

Romans 8: 26 -27 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.  And He who

searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

Acts 15:28 -  It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us ( it was the Holy Spirit's decision and ours) not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements.

1 Corinthians 2:10 -11  but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 

• The Holy Spirit has Personal Character traits. Some of these are as follows:

He is good - Nehemiah 9:20 You gave your good Spirit to instruct them. You did not withhold your manna from their mouths, and you gave them water for their thirst.

He is Holy - Romans 1:4 and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.

He is full of truth - John 14:16-17 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.

He is called the Spirit of Grace - Hebrews 10:29  How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace?

As we learn about the Holy Spirit, May we draw closer to Him, as He longs to guide , comfort us and teach us the mind of God, as well as help us to pray God's will into being. The Holy Spirit has the Power to create God's purpose for our lives, however He is a 'gentleman' and can operate as much as you allow Him to. Please decide today, to move into a deeper relationship with Him.

WHAT IS NEXT?

MEET THE HOLY SPIRIT - Part 1

May I introduce to you the Holy Spirit, the third Person of the Holy Trinity, which comprises of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit," Matthew 28:19

God the Holy Spirit, who I humbly introduce to you today, is a person with a mind, will, and emotions. He can talk, feel and reason. He is not just a mighty force that operates, but a Person you can have as a Guide and Friend.

Man was created in the image of God - Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them, male and female he created them. Genesis 1: 26-27

The Holy Spirit is God
 Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.”

• Take note that God used the word 'us' to address Himself. Genesis 1:26-27 . He is Plural - three in one.
• God created man in His own image or likeness - man resembles God.

•  The Holy Spirit was there at creation when God created the Heavens and the Earth - Genesis 1 :1-2 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.  Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

•  The Holy Spirit is Omnipresent, that is He can be everywhere at all times. Only God has this attribute. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. Psalm 139 :7-10

•  The Holy Spirit is Omnipotent -limitless power or all powerful. Another attribute of God. The Holy Spirit has creative powers . God's Power is at work even today, making impossible situations possible. Job 33:4 The Spirit of God has made me, And the breath of the Almighty gives me life. In Psalm 104, we learn that all creation look to God. Verse 30 says When you send your Spirit, they are created and you renew the face of the ground.

And concerning Jesus's conception, - The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Luke 1:35

•  The Holy Spirit is Omniscient - This is an attribute of God. He is all knowing,  there is no end to what He knows. Psalm 44:21 tells us - Would not God search this out? For He knows the secrets of the heart.

 Hebrews 4:13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

1 Corinthians 2: 10-11  But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. 

John16:13  However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come

The Holy Spirit is God and wants to have a relationship with you.  His introduction continues.... stay tuned!










WHAT IS NEXT?

JUDGING - PART 2

As Christians, we have the Holy Spirit of God living in us, who teaches us all things and can help us discern all things. 

The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man's judgment. For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ. 1Corinthians 2:15-16

1 John 2:27 - As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit--just as it has taught you, remain in him.

When we walk in the Spirit, we walk with the wisdom of God. The Spirit of God knows the thoughts of God about every issue, and can relay them to us.

1 Corinthians 2:11 - For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.

The Spirit of God is a Spirit of love that judges in love, and is ruling with grace and mercy in this era. As Christians, when we walk in the Spirit, we bear the fruit of the Spirit -  But the Spirit produces the fruit of the Spirit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness [or faith], gentleness, self-control. ·There is no law that says these things are wrong [or No law can oppose such things]. Galatians 5:22 - 23

In other words, when we walk in the Spirit , we are qualified to judge, to be able to discern correctly, what is right from wrong. However, we are not subject to any man's judgement because we tend to operate above human law, by bearing the fruit of the Spirit. 

This is not to say, we must walk as judges on Earth, with our noses up in the air, telling everybody off, and giving verdicts here and there. No dear, this simply means, we become discerning, and can tell right from wrong. And in situations shrouded in deception, the Spirit of God is well able to help us know what is real from fake. When we bear the fruit of the Spirit, we operate by laws that the human realm cannot condemn (rightfully). 

The Holy Spirit is calling us to walk closely with Him. We live in perilous times, that calls for a discerning spirit to decipher right from wrong, and  to uncover deception. Please heed the call of the Holy Spirit as a Christian. And if you do not know the Lord Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, please heed God's call to you through His Son Jesus Christ - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

Jesus died on a cross for your sins, He's a gift to you, ask Him into your life, and you would have accepted God's gift of the forgiveness of sins and eternal life. Simply say this prayer - Lord Jesus, please come into my Life. I accept what You did on the cross for me and ask that You become my Lord and Personal Saviour. Forgive my sins and grant me eternal life. Amen

WHAT IS NEXT?

JUDGING - PART 1

John 7:24  ''Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly.”

Have you ever faltered by judging someone wrongly by his or her appearance, or because of what you have observed or heard about the one?

As human beings, we are limited in one way, or the other. For instance, we are not Omniscient, that is we do not know all things. We are also not Omnipresent, and therefore are not everywhere at the same time. Due to limitations as these, we can easily fall prey to misjudging others.

Because we do not know all things, we try to judge by what we observe, and by what we hear. I have come across many people who are quick to correct others by saying -'do not judge,' and the very next minute they are judging others unknowingly, and most times wrongly.

How can we prevent judging others wrongly? 

In 1 Kings 3:16 -28, When Solomon was faced with a rather delicate matter  to decide upon as a judge, he used the wisdom of God to discern what to do. God's wisdom exposed the liar in this matter, and allowed Solomon to determine who the real mother of the presented child was.

Similarly, the world is full of deception. We can easily be deceived in believing the wrong things, if we judge by mere appearances, or by hearsay. Both women who came before Solomon in 1 Kings 3:16 -28 were convincing enough, I presume, until the Wisdom of God made a clear distinction between who was the real mother of the child, and who was fake.

It is folly to follow our mere emotions and senses in this life. Our emotions and senses are limited, and can carry us in a wrong direction. We need God's wisdom to see through what is a sham, and and what is not. For the heart of man is desperately wicked -  "The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? But I, the LORD, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve." Jeremiah 17: 9-10

God is the only just God who knows the human heart inside out, and is able to discern actual motives behind actions, and the real character often hidden beneath looks and appearances. In 1 Corinthians 2:14, we read - But people who aren't spiritual can't receive these truths from God's Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can't understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means.
From the above, we realise that although God is the only one that can help us discern what is genuine from what is fake, we cannot understand what He(God) tells us if we walk as mere men, for the things of God (Spiritual things) are spiritually discerned or understood .


WHAT IS NEXT?

A Powerful Weapon

Worship and Praise is a weapon for deliverance. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds 2 Corinthians 10:4.

Sometimes, when we desire to be delivered from a condition or situation, we must turn to worship and praise. Lifting up God from the depths of our hearts in songs, hymns and words.

God inhabits the praises of His people - Psalm 22:3  But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel. To inhabit means to live in, or dwell. The aroma of worship invites God to dwell with us.The presence of God resides where there is true worship.  Jesus declared - Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. John 4:23

When a human being is possessed by demon(s), the demon(s|) make their home in the body of the individual, and influences the individual - John 5:1 -17.  In the same vein, God is able to inhabit and influence a man who worships and praises Him.  In John 14: 23 - Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. When we make the Lord Jesus our Saviour, He makes His promise true by giving us His Holy Spirit. Ephesians 1:13 confirms this - And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit.

The presence of God resides where there is obedience and true worship. True worship delivers us from being possessed by demons. Demons are evicted/ejected for the Spirit of God to occupy the human vessel that worships God. When we worship the Lord, He arrives in His Splendour and glory to dwell in us. 

Praise opens prison doors, and will deliver us from difficult situations. In Acts 16:25-28, Paul and Silas show us the power of prayer, praise and worship.

 But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed. And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.”

 Next time you find yourself in a difficult situation, call upon God and worship Him. Every impossibility will then become a possibility. Praise and Worship is a weapon to eject demons and defeat demonic activities.
Take hold of this weapon!



WHAT IS NEXT?

GIVE THANKS - PART 2

 Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 

1Thessalonians 5:18

God has instructed us in His Word to give Him thanks in all circumstances. We must understand that though the devil attacked Job (Job 1), it was a test to glorify God -God wanted to show to the devil that there was a remnant unlike him, the devil. A remnant who will serve the Lord God Almighty, no matter what.

Dear Christian, praise is a weapon that defeats the work of the devil. 

 Psalm 149: 6-9

May the praise of God be in their mouths
    and a double-edged sword in their hands,

to inflict vengeance on the nations
    and punishment on the peoples,to bind their kings with fetters,
    their nobles with shackles of iron, to carry out the sentence written against them—
    this is the glory of all his faithful people.

 Praise engages the power of God on our behalf. Praise is a chant of our loyalty to God. Praise is what the devil, his demons and a fallen world refuses to give to God, their Creator.

We are God's instruments of praise - to bring forth His Glory. When we do not understand what God is up to, like Job, let us choose to praise him. For unknown to Job, there was a meeting in Heaven concerning his life. He was writing an essential test of his faith in God. 

Let us trust the Lord in all circumstances, and lift His name up high. He loves us and is working on our behalf. Recently, there was a helicopter crash at Vauxhall, London. The helicopter hit a crane, a man who was supposed to be working on the crane was late for work. He had been delayed. If not, there was a very high probability that he would have been killed. Who would think a delay on the way to work, resulting in one's lateness could save one's life. I am not condoning lateness, but simply asking that we trust and thank the Lord in all circumstances, because just as Job said - But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold. Job 23:10.

I shall leave you with the words of this famous song - He leadeth me:

He leadeth me, O blessèd thought!                           
O words with heav’nly comfort fraught!
Whate’er I do, where’er I be
Still ’tis God’s hand that leadeth me.

Refrain

He leadeth me, He leadeth me,
By His own hand He leadeth me;
His faithful follower I would be,
For by His hand He leadeth me.

Sometimes mid scenes of deepest gloom,
Sometimes where Eden’s bowers bloom,
By waters still, over troubled sea,
Still ’tis His hand that leadeth me.

Refrain

Lord, I would place my hand in Thine,
Nor ever murmur nor repine;
Content, whatever lot I see,
Since ’tis my God that leadeth me.

Refrain

And when my task on earth is done,
When by Thy grace the vict’ry’s won,
E’en death’s cold wave I will not flee,
Since God through Jordan leadeth me.

Refrain

---

WHAT IS NEXT?

GIVE THANKS - PART 1

 Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 
1Thessalonians 5:18

The walk of faith is easier talked about with the mouth, than acted upon. It was easier for Peter to promise to die with Jesus. However, in the face of imminent danger, Peter somewhat forgot about his promises, and denied Jesus three times - It is easier said than done.

“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.”
Peter said, “Lord, I am ready to go to prison with you, and even to die with you.”
But Jesus said, “Peter, let me tell you something. Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.”
Luke 22:31-34

Shortly after Peter had promised to die with Jesus, Jesus was arrested.  Others identified Peter as a disciple of Jesus, but he vehemently denied  -

Luke 22:56 -62  A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, “This man was with him.”
But he denied it. “Woman, I don’t know him,” he said.
A little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.”
“Man, I am not!” Peter replied.
About an hour later another asserted, “Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean.”
Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.

It was indeed much easier for Peter to talk faith than to act faith. Many of us can give a long lecture on how to give thanks to God in every circumstance, but how many can really practise this in dire situations like what Job found himself in? In Job 1 :20-21 , Job had just received one bad report after another, about the loss of his animals and servants, and all of his children. In such a difficult situation one would have expected Job to be angry with God, but rather Job took to praising God -

At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship  and said:
“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
    and naked I will depart.
The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away;
    may the name of the Lord be praised.”

Yes , Job praised God! He exhibited an exceptional faith in God , and believed He was a good God that would work all things for his good -   Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

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WHAT IS NEXT?

TAKE HEED HOW YOU HEAR

   ^{LUKE 8:18}  Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they think they have will be taken from them.”

The above are the words of Jesus, He was explaining the parable of the sower - how when the Word of God is preached, different people receive what they hear differently. He goes on to caution us that the Word of God and its work in us cannot be hidden. In short, Jesus was instructing us to listen carefully and let the Word of God fall on good soil, so we can bear good fruits.

We shall dwell on the topic of hearing or listening - Therefore consider carefully how you listen.

How you hear determines what you hear, and what you do with what you hear. In the same concept, you can choose to see what you want to see in spite of the evidence in front of you. When a half filled glass is put in front of you - you may see a half full glass, or choose to see a half empty glass. In the same vein, you can choose to interpret what you hear to suit you, it all depends on how you hear what is being said.

 

If you are prejudiced, your hearing is set to be clouded by prejudice. If you are filled with feelings of being unworthy, whenever anyone speaks to you, it is very likely you will hear with the ears of an unworthy person. Each advice may sound like a judgement. Words meant to admonish you will come to you as condemnations. People choose what meanings to give to what they hear.

 

Hearing is an act. An act that can be marred by our emotions or by our preconceived ideas or prejudices. Imagine living in the days of Jesus, and listening to His preaching on His body and blood -
Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. John 6:54

 Bizarre? Absurd? Ridiculous? Unbelievable? Gory?

Well, if you listen to the Words of Jesus literally, you are likely to use the above words to describe his spoken sentence regarding eating his flesh and drinking his blood. However, if you hear the same words with a spiritual ear, the meaning will be different to you.

 

How many times do we fume over words that are actually not meant to make us angry? I remember asking an English man which area in the United Kingdom was known as the Black Country? I asked this question because, just a few moments before, he was talking to a friend, another English man who said he was from the black country. I was only curious and wanted to know which part of England bore this name. But to my utter astonishment, this man looked at me, very upset and told me to turn to Jesus who can deliver me from being a racist.

 

I was baffled! Where from the issue of racism? I only enquired about the black country in England, and for whatever reason, this English gentleman related it to racism. I pressed on to find out why he thought I was being racist, and his reply was - ''I was racist too, my sister, but Jesus saved me.''  This brought illumination to a total confusing matter. This gentleman was once a racist, who claimed he had been saved from being racist. But it seemed he was still hearing with the ears of a racist. The moment I asked about the black country, he looked at me, and probably assumed that because I was a black lady, I was being racist.

 

In the long run, I learnt the black country was an area in the Midlands - Wolverhampton, Dudley,Sandwell and Walsall. My enquiry was an innocent one devoid of racial intentions. I was only curious and wanted to learn. But my gentleman friend due to his past prejudices, heard my question differently. We must BE CAREFUL HOW WE HEAR.

 

Dear one, take heed how you hear everything, including God's Word. Rid your heart of anything that will cloud your judgement. It is only then can you hear clearly.

 

 

 

 

WHAT IS NEXT?

SALVATION GOD'S WAY - PART 2

This is how to obtain Salvation as God has designed it in His Word:

Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Salvation is an act of faith and not of works. We get saved because we believe. When we believe, God clothes us in His righteousness. We can never work our way into righteousness, because every good work of ours is like filthy rags before God - Isa.64:6 All our righteousness are as filthy rags. God knowing we shall never measure up to His righteousness in our fallen state, made a way for the just to suffer for the unjust. For the guiltless to take the place of the guilty - Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

1 Peter 3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit.

We have therefore been acquitted - if we believe and accept Jesus, we are declared free from sin, and earn a new nationality as citizens of Heaven. We stay on Earth as ambassadors of Heaven. God gives us the power to become His Children, we are adopted as God's.

John 1:12  But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God

1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. 

Ephesians 1:5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.

Philippians 3:20  But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Saviour.

2 Corinthians 5:20 So we are Christ's ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, "Come back to God!"

Salvation is by grace, not works. God makes us righteous through the blood of Jesus, not by anything we have done or by any good work of ours- Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God

Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.

So dear one, stop struggling to obtain salvation through good works. Accept the work of Jesus on the cross for you, and as you develop a relationship with Jesus, He shall by His Holy Spirit make you a new man, born again of His Spirit, bearing good fruits and good works - 2Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
Ephesians 2:10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Today if you hear the voice of God , harden not your heart - Salvation has come to you!

Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Acts 2:21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

GOD LOVES YOU JUST THE WAY YOU ARE - COME JUST AS YOU ARE TO HIM.

WHAT IS NEXT?

SALVATION GOD'S WAY - PART 1

God does not delight in the damnation of sinners. He desires all men to come to the saving grace He has provided.

Ezekiel 33:11 Say to them, ‘As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, people of Israel?’

All men have inherited the original sin of Adam and Eve. We are all born into sin, and are in need of Salvation. Try as we will, we falter here and there, falling prey to actions and deeds that we actually know are wrong and somewhat would have liked to avoid.

Paul describes the poor state of man very clearly in Romans 7:14-20
We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin.  I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good.  As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me.  For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.  For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.

Sin naturally controls our human nature. There is a battle in humans, a struggle to be good. We surround ourselves with morals and laws. However, our weak state stares us in the face frequently. Some people have come to a place where they no longer care about their actions and deeds, and have their conscience seared as with a hot iron. They live without thinking of the consequences of their actions, and will kill for the minutest of earthly possessions.

 After the original sin of Adam and Eve, every man born of a woman inherited this sinful nature, and hence is condemned to eternal damnation. So even before we sin, we are sinners in need of Salvation. This Salvation can be found in the work of the Cross on Calvary by Jesus whom God sent to redeem fallen man.

Take a moment to reflect on the following scriptures on man's sinful state and God's gift of Salvation through Jesus:

Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

 

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 

John 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 

Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Eph.1:7 We have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins

There is hope for any human being on Earth. it is appointed for man to die and after death, there will be judgement -Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment. However, once you have the breadth of life, you have the chance to embrace God's love, forgiveness and Eternal Life through Jesus Christ.


WHAT IS NEXT?

DISOBEDIENCE

1SAMUEL 15:22-23   But Samuel replied: "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.

Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols. So because you have rejected the command of the LORD, he has rejected you as king."

When King Saul disobeyed the laws of God and offered sacrifices - a role reserved for the Prophet of God, he was reprimanded by Samuel. The above scripture tells us what Samuel told King Saul. Samuel wanted Saul to know that God was not interested in what he had to offer Him, but in his obedience to His Word. Psalm 50:10 tells us that every animal and cattle belongs to God - for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. 

In Haggai 2:8 God reminds us of what He owns - it was just the tip of the iceberg - ' The silver is mine and the gold is mine,' declares the LORD Almighty. When we deal with God, we deal with a Supreme Being who created all that are visible to the eye, so what at all can we give to such a Being that will please His Heart?

God seeks our obedience and worship. Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. Ecclesiastes 12:13

God created man in His own image. He created us to be like Him - to fellowship with Him and be a partaker of His Glory and Might through worship.

Man cannot bribe God with his good works. For our good works are like filthy rags in His sight - Isaiah 64:6 We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags. Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall, and our sins sweep us away like the wind. All God wants from His creation is obedience to His voice.

In the eyes of God, disobedience and rebellion is like the sin of witchcraft. In other words God abhors rebellion and disobedience. It was disobedience to His Words that caused man's initial fall. Adam and Eve disobeyed God's command not to eat the tree in the middle of the garden of Eden. Satan was thrown down from Heaven because he rebelled against God. Moses failed to obey the order of God because he was angry, and that caused God to refuse him entry to the promised land.

There are many stories in the Bible of people that rebelled and disobeyed God and hence were punished, some were even killed. An example is the sin of Achan in Joshua 7. God is a jealous God ( Deuteronomy 6:15), and wants our full obedience and faithfulness. In the book of Acts, Ananias and Sapphira brought an offering to the Lord, however it was an offering wrapped in deceit. God was annoyed with them. Remember, God needs nothing from any man, so a man trying to pull a fast one on Him angered Him. God administered instant Justice, and sent both Ananias and Sapphira to an early grave.

God commands in His Word not to allow a witch to live - Do not allow a sorceress to live.Exodus 22:18
If God sees rebellion , disobedience and stubbornness like the sin of witchcraft and the worship of idols, then we must desist from it, or face His wrath. In the case of Ananias and wife, it was instant justice. But in the case of others, it may not be so, but you can rest assured that God shall punish all disobedience. He cannot be fooled, a man shall reap whatsoever he sows.

Eschew acts of disobedience. Obey God promptly. Do not replace obedience with good works as they shall not be regarded. SIMPLY OBEY!

WHAT IS NEXT?