'Seeing is believing' is a common worldly saying, but in the realm of faith, the opposite is true.
Jesus said to Thomas - "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." John 20:29
Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as - Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Faith is believing before seeing. It is clinging unto what God says even if it defies human reasoning. It is activating the invincible and invisible.
Faith as Jesus cautioned Thomas about simply meant believing in God's Word even without its physical manifestation.
Hebrews 11:6 teaches us that: And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
WHAT IS NEXT?
31.7.14
30.7.14
God is looking for a man - Part 2
Ezekiel 22:30 "I looked for someone who might rebuild the wall of righteousness that guards the land. I searched for someone to stand in the gap in the wall so I wouldn't have to destroy the land, but I found no one.
Nehemiah was burdened because the walls of Jerusalem were broken. This is what he said - They said to me, “Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.”
When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. Nehemiah 1:3-4.
Nehemiah was not only burdened. He took steps to rebuild the broken walls. He mourned, fasted and prayed. Then he approached the King and asked for permission and assistance to rebuild the walls. He surveyed the extent of damage. He acted with wisdom, and knew when to talk and when to be quiet. He rallied other men to support him to rebuild the walls. They encouraged and supported each other when they faced great opposition.
Nehemiah persisted until he rebuilt the walls with the help of God - Nehemiah 6:15. Nehemiah was devoted to this cause because he loved God. He never accumulated material gains by taking advantage of the people.
Nehemiah 5 :15-16 But the earlier governors—those preceding me—placed a heavy burden on the people and took forty shekels of silver from them in addition to food and wine. Their assistants also lorded it over the people. But out of reverence for God I did not act like that. Instead, I devoted myself to the work on this wall. All my men were assembled there for the work; we did not acquire any land.
God is looking for men with the kind of heart Nehemiah had - full of love for God. Willing to stand in the gap through prayer, fasting, evangelism and hardwork to rebuild broken lives and communities.
God seeks honest men who will be good stewards and who will not Lord it over others nor take advantage of them. Are you one of such? God is calling you to whole heartedly devote to His cause and purpose. Is your heart ready?
Nehemiah was burdened because the walls of Jerusalem were broken. This is what he said - They said to me, “Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.”
When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. Nehemiah 1:3-4.
Nehemiah was not only burdened. He took steps to rebuild the broken walls. He mourned, fasted and prayed. Then he approached the King and asked for permission and assistance to rebuild the walls. He surveyed the extent of damage. He acted with wisdom, and knew when to talk and when to be quiet. He rallied other men to support him to rebuild the walls. They encouraged and supported each other when they faced great opposition.
Nehemiah persisted until he rebuilt the walls with the help of God - Nehemiah 6:15. Nehemiah was devoted to this cause because he loved God. He never accumulated material gains by taking advantage of the people.
Nehemiah 5 :15-16 But the earlier governors—those preceding me—placed a heavy burden on the people and took forty shekels of silver from them in addition to food and wine. Their assistants also lorded it over the people. But out of reverence for God I did not act like that. Instead, I devoted myself to the work on this wall. All my men were assembled there for the work; we did not acquire any land.
God is looking for men with the kind of heart Nehemiah had - full of love for God. Willing to stand in the gap through prayer, fasting, evangelism and hardwork to rebuild broken lives and communities.
God seeks honest men who will be good stewards and who will not Lord it over others nor take advantage of them. Are you one of such? God is calling you to whole heartedly devote to His cause and purpose. Is your heart ready?
WHAT IS NEXT?
29.7.14
God is looking for a man.
Ezekiel 22:30 "I looked for someone who might rebuild the wall of righteousness that guards the land. I searched for someone to stand in the gap in the wall so I wouldn't have to destroy the land, but I found no one.
When God wanted a remnant of all living things, He chose Noah. When He wanted a people for Himself, He sought and found a man - Abraham.
When He wanted to preserve the lives of His children, the Israelites from famine, He used Joseph, another man.
To deliver the Israelites from Captivity, He sent Moses. God then had Kings, Prophets, Priests and Judges to oversee His people.
This continued until God Himself became man to save the human race.
Now God still seeks men to preach the goodnews that they can all be saved through faith in Jesus. God loves all men and uses men to bless men. He uses men as instruments of His righteousness to destroy the works of Satan.
He is still looking for a man who is willing and available to be used by Him. He seeks one who will say - "Here I am Lord, use me!"
Will you be that one?
WHAT IS NEXT?
When God wanted a remnant of all living things, He chose Noah. When He wanted a people for Himself, He sought and found a man - Abraham.
When He wanted to preserve the lives of His children, the Israelites from famine, He used Joseph, another man.
To deliver the Israelites from Captivity, He sent Moses. God then had Kings, Prophets, Priests and Judges to oversee His people.
This continued until God Himself became man to save the human race.
Now God still seeks men to preach the goodnews that they can all be saved through faith in Jesus. God loves all men and uses men to bless men. He uses men as instruments of His righteousness to destroy the works of Satan.
He is still looking for a man who is willing and available to be used by Him. He seeks one who will say - "Here I am Lord, use me!"
Will you be that one?
WHAT IS NEXT?
28.7.14
His Divine Nature
2 Peter 1:3-4 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires
We are invited by God through Jesus Christ to partake in a higher calling. This higher calling is to know Jesus, and to have God's Holy Spirit dwelling in us to empower us with everything we need for a Godly life.
A Godly life being living righteously in holiness, having joy and peace. This is the life we are given in Jesus Christ. A life devoid of sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.
Galatians 5:19-21
When we lead Godly lives by the help of God's Spirit, and have fellowship with Jesus, God opens our eyes to His Promises which when appropriated elevates us to a higher living, far above principalities and powers. This is a life of Divine Health and prosperity, of love and of power. For we are seated in Heavenly places with Christ Jesus, and operate by the laws of Heaven. We speak the language of faith.
Through Jesus we can live Heaven on Earth. The key to all this is KNOWING JESUS.
Know Him as a Saviour, brother, friend, healer, restorer, and advocate. Spend quality time with Him. By doing so, you will walk in His Divine Nature.
WHAT IS NEXT?
27.7.14
Praise is a weapon
Psalm 8:2 Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.
Jesus interchanged strength with perfected praise. Hence, perfected praise is strength. Perfected praise is praise that is accepted by God. Such praises are weapons that empower us to defeat and still the enemy.
Is the enemy trying to invade, or has invaded your life? Sing praises to God. Do you love the Lord? Are you thankful for His Goodness unto you? Sing Praises to Him!
Nehemiah 9:10 Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
WHAT IS NEXT?
Praise is a weapon. It is a spiritual weapon for the Christian, to use against the Kingdom of darkness. A weapon that gives us strength to silence the foe and the avenger.
Praising God takes after the heart of a child. It takes a childlike faith to humbly come before God and disassociate from taking glory for one's achievements, but rather magnify them as God's.
During the ministry of Jesus, He quoted Psalm 8:2, but with slight changes as shown below in Matthew 21:16:
And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say?
And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise.
Jesus interchanged strength with perfected praise. Hence, perfected praise is strength. Perfected praise is praise that is accepted by God. Such praises are weapons that empower us to defeat and still the enemy.
Is the enemy trying to invade, or has invaded your life? Sing praises to God. Do you love the Lord? Are you thankful for His Goodness unto you? Sing Praises to Him!
Nehemiah 9:10 Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
WHAT IS NEXT?
26.7.14
Peace to God's People!
Psalm 85:8
Let me hear what God the LORD will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints; but let them not turn back to folly.
Jesus is the Prince of Peace who reconciles us to God. Through Jesus and under the new covenant God speaks peace to us.
Peace into every situation. Peace unto the troubled soul. Peace to anyone distressed. Peace to the guilty and sinful. God speaks peace.
His peace comes through Jesus. We can enjoy the full benefits of His peace when we stay in Jesus. His peace does not mean difficult times will not come.
Jesus assured us in John 16:33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
WHAT IS NEXT?
Let me hear what God the LORD will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints; but let them not turn back to folly.
Jesus is the Prince of Peace who reconciles us to God. Through Jesus and under the new covenant God speaks peace to us.
Peace into every situation. Peace unto the troubled soul. Peace to anyone distressed. Peace to the guilty and sinful. God speaks peace.
His peace comes through Jesus. We can enjoy the full benefits of His peace when we stay in Jesus. His peace does not mean difficult times will not come.
Jesus assured us in John 16:33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
WHAT IS NEXT?
25.7.14
Leave your life of sin
It is appointed unto man to die once and after death there is judgement.
The wages of sin is death. The soul that sins will die.
All the above are scriptures from the Word of God. Do not be alarmed, for God knows that all men have sinned because of our Adamic nature. He has therefore made a way of escape for our souls.
For God so loved the World, that He sent His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Through Jesus we escape every condemnation. And by the Spirit of God we can live a victorious life over sin.
We have to make a conscious decision to leave our sinful life behind. We have to ask God to help us do this. Like Joseph who said no to Potiphar's wife, we must say no to sin.
Hear once again the words of Jesus to the adulterous woman -
John 8:10-11 Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”
WHAT IS NEXT?
The wages of sin is death. The soul that sins will die.
All the above are scriptures from the Word of God. Do not be alarmed, for God knows that all men have sinned because of our Adamic nature. He has therefore made a way of escape for our souls.
For God so loved the World, that He sent His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Through Jesus we escape every condemnation. And by the Spirit of God we can live a victorious life over sin.
We have to make a conscious decision to leave our sinful life behind. We have to ask God to help us do this. Like Joseph who said no to Potiphar's wife, we must say no to sin.
Hear once again the words of Jesus to the adulterous woman -
John 8:10-11 Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”
“No one, sir,” she said.
“Then neither do I condemn you,”Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”
WHAT IS NEXT?
24.7.14
Our Faithful Advocate
1 John 2:1 My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father--Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.
I can imagine the feeling of terror that gripped her heart when she was caught in an act of adultery, knowing very well that it spelt death for her.
It was a punishment she had brought upon herself. The desires and longings of her human heart had led her astray. Now she was faced with doom and gloom.
Have you ever felt like this adulterous woman? Have you failed in any area of your life? Do you feel you deserve the worst of punishments because of a sin you've committed?
As this poor lady faced her worst nightmare, she watched a gentle and righteous man come to her rescue. It was Jesus, who asked he who had never sinned to cast the first stone. They all dropped their stones and left.
Then Jesus asked the lady -
John 8: 10-11 Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”
“No one, sir,” she said.
“Then neither do I condemn you,”Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”
When we fall prey to our human nature, and falter, the Lord desires just one thing - that we repent and depart from sin, and allow Jesus to wash us clean in His blood.
God does not condemn us. In Christ Jesus, there is no condemnation. Jesus is saying the same thing to all of us - “Go now and leave your life of sin.”
WHAT IS NEXT?
23.7.14
The Lost Sheep
Satan has a way of deceiving us into thinking that the Father cares less about us, and hates us, especially because of a wrong we may have done.
But this is an untruth. Romans 5:8 tells us how God loved us even when we were still sinners. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.
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?’
When we live in sin or might have sinned as Christians, wandering off from God's loving arms. He continues to love us and desires that we repent and come home, just like the father of the Prodigal son did.
When we return to God in repentance, He takes us back as a son and friend, and not as a servant. God's love does not foster condemnation. It breeds acceptance.
The lost sheep when found is added to the fold as a sheep, and the shepherd rejoices. Luke 15:3-7
Therefore do not hesitate to return to the Lord in repentance. His love awaits you!
WHAT IS NEXT?
But this is an untruth. Romans 5:8 tells us how God loved us even when we were still sinners. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.
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?’
When we live in sin or might have sinned as Christians, wandering off from God's loving arms. He continues to love us and desires that we repent and come home, just like the father of the Prodigal son did.
When we return to God in repentance, He takes us back as a son and friend, and not as a servant. God's love does not foster condemnation. It breeds acceptance.
The lost sheep when found is added to the fold as a sheep, and the shepherd rejoices. Luke 15:3-7
Therefore do not hesitate to return to the Lord in repentance. His love awaits you!
WHAT IS NEXT?
22.7.14
Fighting Victoriously.
Joshua 7:1 But the Israelites were unfaithful in regard to the devoted things; Achan son of Karmi, the son of Zimri, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of them. So the Lord’s anger burned against Israel.
When God is fighting our battles, we are certain of winning, but when He withdraws, defeat will stare at us in the face.
Joshua as a leader was devastated when his people were defeated by Ai. He therefore sought the face of God and was shown the sin of Achan, which was the cause of their defeat.
What we allow or disallow in our lives can determine our strength in battle. If we go to battle clothed in bitterness, hatred, sexual immorality, lies and its ilk, we are likely to be overcome by the enemy.
As Christians, we are continually in battle and must ensure that we do not hoard unholy things from the enemy's camp. We have to stay clear of anything ungodly, and rid ourselves of the enemy's traits.
Then we will stand strong in God, enjoying victory after victory. Always remember that If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1John 1:9
WHAT IS NEXT?
When God is fighting our battles, we are certain of winning, but when He withdraws, defeat will stare at us in the face.
Joshua as a leader was devastated when his people were defeated by Ai. He therefore sought the face of God and was shown the sin of Achan, which was the cause of their defeat.
What we allow or disallow in our lives can determine our strength in battle. If we go to battle clothed in bitterness, hatred, sexual immorality, lies and its ilk, we are likely to be overcome by the enemy.
As Christians, we are continually in battle and must ensure that we do not hoard unholy things from the enemy's camp. We have to stay clear of anything ungodly, and rid ourselves of the enemy's traits.
Then we will stand strong in God, enjoying victory after victory. Always remember that If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1John 1:9
WHAT IS NEXT?
21.7.14
Step out and God will step in.
Joshua 10:12 - 13 On the day the Lord gave the Amorites over to Israel, Joshua said to the Lord in the presence of Israel:
So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, till the nation avenged itself on its enemies, as it is written in the Book of Jashar. The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day.
There has never been a day like it before or since, a day when theLord listened to a human being. Surely the Lord was fighting for Israel!
In the above scripture, God granted a man's request in a way He had never done before. God delights in the victory of His children. Our victory is God's victory! God so desires that His children win over their enemies because our enemies are His enemies. We actually have enemies because of our allegiance to God. Therefore God finds it imperative to fight His battles.
In Joshua 10:11, we learn about how God fought for his people and helped them to overcome their enemies. It is worthy to note that God stepped in after the Israelites had stepped out in faith.
As they fled before Israel on the road down from Beth Horon to Azekah, the Lord hurled large hailstones down on them, and more of them died from the hail than were killed by the swords of the Israelites.
WHAT IS NEXT?
“Sun, stand still over Gibeon,
and you, moon, over the Valley of Aijalon.”
There has never been a day like it before or since, a day when theLord listened to a human being. Surely the Lord was fighting for Israel!
In the above scripture, God granted a man's request in a way He had never done before. God delights in the victory of His children. Our victory is God's victory! God so desires that His children win over their enemies because our enemies are His enemies. We actually have enemies because of our allegiance to God. Therefore God finds it imperative to fight His battles.
In Joshua 10:11, we learn about how God fought for his people and helped them to overcome their enemies. It is worthy to note that God stepped in after the Israelites had stepped out in faith.
As they fled before Israel on the road down from Beth Horon to Azekah, the Lord hurled large hailstones down on them, and more of them died from the hail than were killed by the swords of the Israelites.
WHAT IS NEXT?
20.7.14
Beware of the traps!
A friend of mine had a mouse infested house, so called in experts who set up traps and hid poisonous baits at strategic places to trap the mice.
In our Christian walk, the enemy sees us as pests to his work, and would set up traps and snares to topple us down and hinder our spiritual progress. Some traps may even be to eventually kill us . This is why we must be very vigilant as Christians.
Psalm141:9
Keep me safe from the traps set by evildoers, from the snares they have laid for me.
Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence.
Psalm 119:110
The wicked have set a snare for me, but I have not strayed from your precepts.
Delilah laid a trap for Samson, and he fell headlong into it , right into the waiting arms of his enemies. The devil often influences the people we associate with to take our focus from God's will and plan, and cause us to be ensnared. Samson was chosen even before he was born to be a channel through which God's people would be delivered. Yet Samson was careless with his choice of friends. This was an area his enemies identified and targetted.
For us to be able to identify the traps of the enemy, we must follow God's Word and be led by His Spirit. We must be very careful about whom we associate with , and be conscious of idols in our lives. This could take the form of addiction to Social Media that may be hindering our spiritual growth.
Beware of the traps that surround you. Pray to God to help you identify and to overcome them.
WHAT IS NEXT?
19.7.14
Openness of love.
Proverbs 27:5 Better is open rebuke than hidden love.
I love openess, truth and honesty, and prefer a friend who openly tells me the plain truth, even if it hurts, than a friend who will tell me lies and embellished truths just to please me.
There are many times that we may be genuinely unaware that we are doing something wrong, so need a friend to point us in the right way.
There may be other times when to please others we may forsake truth and embrace hypocrisy. At such times, we need a true and genuine friend's rebuke to act real.
In Galations 2:11-21, Paul talks about rebuking Peter (Cephas) to the face, because he realised Peter was acting hypocritically and out of sync with God's Word.
As Christians, we have to let our yes be yes , and our no be no. We must correct each other in love and lead true and honest lives.
Proverbs 28:23 Whoever rebukes a person will in the end gain favor rather than one who has a flattering tongue.
WHAT IS NEXT?
18.7.14
The Camouflage!
I remember back in Secondary School, there was a senior student who wanted some sort of love relationship with me. I was in no way interested. After umpteenth attempts to get me to change my mind did not reap the expected results, I suddenly turned the arch-enemy of this senior student, and suffered miserably.
How did a so called love turn so sour? How could love grow into hatred? What changed?
The story of Amnon, David's son, who claimed to love his half sister, Tamar so strongly that he schemed and raped her, but hated her afterwards, threw light on this type of love. 2 Samuel 13
This so called love is actually lust masquerading as love. It is a camouflage; a lustful passion that stems from evil desires. It is a hunger to gratify our sinful nature. Therefore when it is deprived of its desires, its truthful nature emerges. It is evil and full of hatred, and has no love traits at all.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
WHAT IS NEXT?
How did a so called love turn so sour? How could love grow into hatred? What changed?
The story of Amnon, David's son, who claimed to love his half sister, Tamar so strongly that he schemed and raped her, but hated her afterwards, threw light on this type of love. 2 Samuel 13
This so called love is actually lust masquerading as love. It is a camouflage; a lustful passion that stems from evil desires. It is a hunger to gratify our sinful nature. Therefore when it is deprived of its desires, its truthful nature emerges. It is evil and full of hatred, and has no love traits at all.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
WHAT IS NEXT?
17.7.14
Treasure Hunt
Proverbs 25:2
It is God's privilege to conceal things and the king's privilege to discover them.
God is a mystery to many human minds. Some in their inability to comprehend his existence choose to believe He does not exist at all, and make up all theories to back this belief. Though unable to explain many other occurences in life.
Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
We can know and understand things that initially appear to be beyond our comprehension, when we allow God to enlighten us. Human understanding on its own is so limited. We simply have flashes of understanding. Our knowledge of things evolve. Sometimes, man only realises centuries later that he had embraced an untruth.
There is one who is Omniscient - all knowing! He is God. He knows all things and perceives all things. Knows the world and its happenings inside out. Was there from the beginning, and knows the end, including all that is inbetween. He knew us before we were born, and knows how and when we shall die or be raptured.
God knows all things that Science, Economics, History, Art, et cetera teaches. He knows all about Cosmology and Physiology. God understands it all, beyond what any human teacher could ever teach.
What are we trying to understand, what seems to be beyond our ken? Are we searching for certain truths, or do we desire to unravel some mysteries? The answer is God! There are many things that He conceals, but makes them attainable and perceivable to those that are willing to search for them with all their hearts.
Are we wise? Then let us seek God. Do we want to increase in knowledge and wisdom? Do we wish to grasp understanding? We must draw close to God then.
God reveals Himself to those whose hearts search for Him, and those who seek Him. Be counted among the wise, seek God!
WHAT IS NEXT?
16.7.14
The glass door
2 Corinthians 3:18 So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord- who is the Spirit- makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image. (NLT)
Sin has blinded mortal men from beholding God. That is why God sent Jesus Christ so that He will open man's eyes to see God, thereby reconciling man to God.
Jesus removes the veil that prevents us from seeing God. That is why, as he died on the cross, the curtain leading to the Holy of Holies was torn into two. This symbolised how the death of Jesus gave us entrance to the throne of God.
Now through the Spirit of God, we are being changed daily into the image of God.
We are reflectors of Christ - Heaven's ambassadors!A glass door through whom Jesus is reflected to the World.
The whole world awaits our manifestation as sons of God - having God's DNA! We are a chip of the old block - our Father God.
WHAT IS NEXT?
Sin has blinded mortal men from beholding God. That is why God sent Jesus Christ so that He will open man's eyes to see God, thereby reconciling man to God.
Jesus removes the veil that prevents us from seeing God. That is why, as he died on the cross, the curtain leading to the Holy of Holies was torn into two. This symbolised how the death of Jesus gave us entrance to the throne of God.
Now through the Spirit of God, we are being changed daily into the image of God.
We are reflectors of Christ - Heaven's ambassadors!A glass door through whom Jesus is reflected to the World.
The whole world awaits our manifestation as sons of God - having God's DNA! We are a chip of the old block - our Father God.
WHAT IS NEXT?
15.7.14
Restored to Restore
Psalm 51:12-13 Restore to me the joy of your salvation
Our salvation must and should lead to sharing of the good news of Christ. We must tell of God's goodness. To be saved means to be delivered, redeemed and restored.
When we are truly saved and in love with God, He creates a longing in us that enables us to be willing and obedient to His Will.
Philippians 2 : 13 For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
God's good purpose is to save all men. It was for this purpose that Christ died. As a Christian, you have a role to play in this. You have to stand up and play your part.
It really will not be by your might or power, but by God's Spirit. You have been restored to restore other lives. Let this be your heart cry. Let this be your heart beat. Let this be your burden. Let this be your aim. And allow God to reach others through your life.
You just have to be willing and available. God will do the rest. He will lead you into His purpose.
WHAT IS NEXT?
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
13Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
so that sinners will turn back to you.
Our salvation must and should lead to sharing of the good news of Christ. We must tell of God's goodness. To be saved means to be delivered, redeemed and restored.
When we are truly saved and in love with God, He creates a longing in us that enables us to be willing and obedient to His Will.
Philippians 2 : 13 For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
God's good purpose is to save all men. It was for this purpose that Christ died. As a Christian, you have a role to play in this. You have to stand up and play your part.
It really will not be by your might or power, but by God's Spirit. You have been restored to restore other lives. Let this be your heart cry. Let this be your heart beat. Let this be your burden. Let this be your aim. And allow God to reach others through your life.
You just have to be willing and available. God will do the rest. He will lead you into His purpose.
WHAT IS NEXT?
14.7.14
Choose one master!
Matthew 6:24 24 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”
The love of money and loving God do not mix. This is because both can become our masters, if we choose to make them. And since it is not possible to serve two masters, it is impossible to simultaneously serve God and money faithfully.
God is sovereign but does not Lord it over us. He gives us the choice to choose whom we shall serve - Joshua 24:15 demonstrates this truth.
The love of money is the root of all evil - 1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
Judas betrayed Jesus for money . He loved money more than he loved God. Search your heart today and see if you have at anytime put money or its pursuit, before your love for God.
If you have, kindly repent. All the silver and gold is God's. He is well able to bless us, even financially if we put Him first.
Matthew 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
WHAT IS NEXT?
The love of money and loving God do not mix. This is because both can become our masters, if we choose to make them. And since it is not possible to serve two masters, it is impossible to simultaneously serve God and money faithfully.
God is sovereign but does not Lord it over us. He gives us the choice to choose whom we shall serve - Joshua 24:15 demonstrates this truth.
The love of money is the root of all evil - 1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
Judas betrayed Jesus for money . He loved money more than he loved God. Search your heart today and see if you have at anytime put money or its pursuit, before your love for God.
If you have, kindly repent. All the silver and gold is God's. He is well able to bless us, even financially if we put Him first.
Matthew 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
WHAT IS NEXT?
13.7.14
The Power of Love
Ephesians 3:16-19
16I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
When we become Christians, and are born of the Holy Spirit, He strengthens our inner beings with power through His Spirit. We becomes victorious through God, and are more than conquerors through Christ who dwells in our hearts through faith.
However, the work and power of our faith can be limited if we fail to continue in love. It is upon love that our faith was established - "For God so loved the world...John 3:16"
Romans 5:8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.
That is why Paul in the Book of Romans wrote : And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ. and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
We are empowered through the love of Christ. It is only when we dwell in love that the power of Christ is able to penetrate this dark world. It is only love that can conquer the world. Love did conquer sin on the cross, and love is what can cause men to forsake sin and be redeemed.
The lack of love in God's church weakens it and makes her unable to operate in the fullness of God's power. Just like a human body becomes limited when one part of it decides not to co-operate with the rest, so is the Body of Christ.
Walking collectively in utmost love as God's church, will usher us into deeper revelation and power. We shall then be able to render the complete work of God designed for His children to accomplish.
Are we willing to go deeper in the Lord? Do we want revival? Then we must explore love at its fullness. We must eschew hatred and all that does not stand for love. Love is our purifier!
1 Corinthians 13:13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
WHAT IS NEXT?
16I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
When we become Christians, and are born of the Holy Spirit, He strengthens our inner beings with power through His Spirit. We becomes victorious through God, and are more than conquerors through Christ who dwells in our hearts through faith.
However, the work and power of our faith can be limited if we fail to continue in love. It is upon love that our faith was established - "For God so loved the world...John 3:16"
Romans 5:8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.
That is why Paul in the Book of Romans wrote : And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ. and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
We are empowered through the love of Christ. It is only when we dwell in love that the power of Christ is able to penetrate this dark world. It is only love that can conquer the world. Love did conquer sin on the cross, and love is what can cause men to forsake sin and be redeemed.
The lack of love in God's church weakens it and makes her unable to operate in the fullness of God's power. Just like a human body becomes limited when one part of it decides not to co-operate with the rest, so is the Body of Christ.
Walking collectively in utmost love as God's church, will usher us into deeper revelation and power. We shall then be able to render the complete work of God designed for His children to accomplish.
Are we willing to go deeper in the Lord? Do we want revival? Then we must explore love at its fullness. We must eschew hatred and all that does not stand for love. Love is our purifier!
1 Corinthians 13:13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
WHAT IS NEXT?
12.7.14
King of the storm
I remember a few years back when I was going through turbulent times. I would sing this song from the bottom of my heart as I believed the words to be true :
When the oceans rise and thunders roar
I will soar with you above the storm
Father, You are King over the flood
I will be still and know You are God
God gives us hope. Knowing God and trusting in Him is our source of hope, when all else is failing - Psalm 27:13 NKJV
I would have lost heart,unless I had believed
That I would see the goodness of the Lord
In the land of the living.
It was this hope that enabled Paul and Silas to sing praises to God whilst in prison after being flogged.
It is this hope that led men to be matyrs for Jesus - being sawn into two, et cetera. Hebrews 11
Hope in God gives us the assurance that God is supreme over all other things, and that because He is in control, everything's gonna be alright.
Trust God through the stormy waters. Trust Him when you pass through fire : Isaiah 43:2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.
The above is God's promise unto us. Therefore fear not! He is with you always.
WHAT IS NEXT?
11.7.14
Life beyond the grave.
Isaiah 25:8
He will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove his people’s disgrace from all the earth. The Lord has spoken.
The most painful aspect of human life is death. To be severed from loved ones can be unbearable. Jesus has conquered death. Therefore through Him, there is hope beyond the grave.
He proved this when He raised Lazarus from the dead, and when He assured the thief on the cross that he'll join Him in paradise - Luke 23:43. There were more confirmations after Jesus died on the cross : Matthew 27:51-53 NIV
At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people.
Jesus has assured all who believe in Him of everlasting life. This is our hope! John 11:25 Jesus told her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.
At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people.
Jesus has assured all who believe in Him of everlasting life. This is our hope! John 11:25 Jesus told her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.
WHAT IS NEXT?
10.7.14
The Divine Energiser!
Psalm 51:12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation
There is an accompanying joy to salvation that enables us to delight in God and in the things of God.
Isaiah described this joy as : I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. Isaiah 61:10
This joy is often captioned the first love depicting the love exhibited by new lovers who are usually all over each other, and can never have enough of each other.
When we experience this joy in the Lord, we cannot have enough of God. We tend to enjoy being in His presence and listening to His Words. We love to shower Him with delightful words in an act called 'worship.'
Oh how we enjoy talking about our lover! When God is our first love, we would effortlessly talk about Him to others. Evangelism will be our way of life.
In this walk of faith, which is a battle, we can easily grow weary with all the missiles thrown at us. It is the Lord God that strengthens us and makes us joyful and willing to delight in Him. God's Spirit can enable us to continually be willing to serve Him delightfully. His Spirit sustains our willingness, or else we will become lukewarm.
The joy of the Lord is our strength - Nehemiah 8:10.
Philippians 2:13 - For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
WHAT IS NEXT?
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
There is an accompanying joy to salvation that enables us to delight in God and in the things of God.
Isaiah described this joy as : I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. Isaiah 61:10
This joy is often captioned the first love depicting the love exhibited by new lovers who are usually all over each other, and can never have enough of each other.
When we experience this joy in the Lord, we cannot have enough of God. We tend to enjoy being in His presence and listening to His Words. We love to shower Him with delightful words in an act called 'worship.'
Oh how we enjoy talking about our lover! When God is our first love, we would effortlessly talk about Him to others. Evangelism will be our way of life.
In this walk of faith, which is a battle, we can easily grow weary with all the missiles thrown at us. It is the Lord God that strengthens us and makes us joyful and willing to delight in Him. God's Spirit can enable us to continually be willing to serve Him delightfully. His Spirit sustains our willingness, or else we will become lukewarm.
The joy of the Lord is our strength - Nehemiah 8:10.
Philippians 2:13 - For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
WHAT IS NEXT?
9.7.14
The comforting rod and staff
Psalm 23:4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
In Genesis 39-41, Joseph had been cruelly separated from his loving father's home, he was living as a slave in Potiphar's house. Yet even as God allowed him to go through dark valleys, he was comforting him at the same time. God caused Joseph to be put in charge of everything in Potiphar's house. He run the whole show and God blessed Potiphar's household because of Joseph. For a slave, this was enormous! God's comforting rod and staff showed him favour even under painful circumstances.
Even on a painful path, God was merciful. After Potiphar's wife had lied for Joseph to be imprisoned, he was still shown favour in Prison. God was with him in prison, and helped him to interpret dreams. This ability later ushered him out of prison. Once again, like the good shepherd, God's rod and staff led Joseph into a place of abundance via deep dark valleys.
Psalm 105:17-22.
and he sent a man before them—
Psalm 105:17-22.
and he sent a man before them—
Joseph, sold as a slave.
18They bruised his feet with shackles,
his neck was put in irons,
19till what he foretold came to pass,
till the word of the Lordproved him true.
20The king sent and released him,
the ruler of peoples set him free.
21He made him master of his household,
ruler over all he possessed,
22to instruct his princes as he pleased
and teach his elders wisdom.
WHAT IS NEXT?
8.7.14
The Old Prophet's Syndrome
1 Kings 13
The above chapter in the Bible is a must read. It is full of unbelievable acts of hypocrisy, craftiness, lies and treachery. Enough drama to break one's heart, and yet laced with invaluable lessons.
We must watch out for characters like that of the Old Prophet, who although was privy to the instructions given by God to the man of God, chose to lie to him and thereby got him to disobey God.
Then the same Old Prophet turned around to condemn the man of God. He virtually played a tune and coaxed the man of God to dance to his tune, even encouraging him all the while. But once the man of God had finished dancing, the same old Prophet condemned him for dancing and pronounced doom. How profound!
We must be wary of people who render bad advice knowingly, and wait eagerly for us to fall into traps they have set for our feet. They are crafty manipulators. Who appear all sweet on the outward, but have hidden daggers ready to stab us to death.
Although the old prophet persuaded the man of God that God had altered his initial instruction to him, he also later, gladly uttered doom for the man of God for obeying him, and in the process, disobeying God. What a surprising turn of events!
That old prophet had the spirit of the accuser of the brethren. His task was to distract and accuse. His main aim was to steal, kill and destroy. He was a great liar, a serpent! He was the devil personified! He acted just like the sepent did to Eve in the garden of Eden.
Then when he yielded results and achieved his aim of destroying the man of God, he hypocritically turned around and mourned his demise. Was his sorrow genuine? Your guess is as good as mine.
There are crafty people on earth. We must therefore be careful and on the alert. We must endeavour to walk with the Holy Spirit, who alone knows the true heart and intentions of men.
WHAT IS NEXT?
The above chapter in the Bible is a must read. It is full of unbelievable acts of hypocrisy, craftiness, lies and treachery. Enough drama to break one's heart, and yet laced with invaluable lessons.
We must watch out for characters like that of the Old Prophet, who although was privy to the instructions given by God to the man of God, chose to lie to him and thereby got him to disobey God.
Then the same Old Prophet turned around to condemn the man of God. He virtually played a tune and coaxed the man of God to dance to his tune, even encouraging him all the while. But once the man of God had finished dancing, the same old Prophet condemned him for dancing and pronounced doom. How profound!
We must be wary of people who render bad advice knowingly, and wait eagerly for us to fall into traps they have set for our feet. They are crafty manipulators. Who appear all sweet on the outward, but have hidden daggers ready to stab us to death.
Although the old prophet persuaded the man of God that God had altered his initial instruction to him, he also later, gladly uttered doom for the man of God for obeying him, and in the process, disobeying God. What a surprising turn of events!
That old prophet had the spirit of the accuser of the brethren. His task was to distract and accuse. His main aim was to steal, kill and destroy. He was a great liar, a serpent! He was the devil personified! He acted just like the sepent did to Eve in the garden of Eden.
Then when he yielded results and achieved his aim of destroying the man of God, he hypocritically turned around and mourned his demise. Was his sorrow genuine? Your guess is as good as mine.
There are crafty people on earth. We must therefore be careful and on the alert. We must endeavour to walk with the Holy Spirit, who alone knows the true heart and intentions of men.
WHAT IS NEXT?
7.7.14
The Reliable Friend
1 Samuel 20 tells us about how
Jonathan stood by David and warned him of imminent danger.
Jonathan was next in line to the throne, and yet he did not give in to hateful feelings towards David, although David appeared to be stealing his thunder.
Jonathan chose love over jealousy and envy. He lay his life down for David, and took to his side even to the detriment of his own life.
Proverbs 18:24 One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
WHAT IS NEXT?
6.7.14
Discern the men around you.
Judges 7:2-8 2The Lord said to Gideon, “You have too many men. I cannot deliver Midian into their hands, or Israel would boast against me, ‘My own strength has saved me.’ 3Now announce to the army, ‘Anyone who trembles with fear may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.’ ” So twenty-two thousand men left, while ten thousand remained.
In life, it is not the huge number of people that associate with you that matters. It is who is willing to go the long haul with you that is most important.
Often times the masses appear to share in our glory. In the case of Jesus, they hailed him and sang hossanna. Right afterwards the same people screamed and chanted - "crucify him!"
Mortal man cannot always be trusted , as he can let one down. Our hope and trust must be in God, and we must, like Gideon decipher the unfaithful and opportunists from the loyal and faithful ones.
We must by God's help discern who will stand by us from who won't. And when those who won't stand by, and with us expose themselves, we must be willing to let them go. Do not hold on to dead helpers, or you will stall your dream and vision.
WHAT IS NEXT?
4But the Lord said to Gideon, “There are still too many men. Take them down to the water, and I will thin them out for you there. If I say, ‘This one shall go with you,’ he shall go; but if I say, ‘This one shall not go with you,’ he shall not go.”
5So Gideon took the men down to the water. There theLord told him, “Separate those who lap the water with their tongues as a dog laps from those who kneel down to drink.”6Three hundred of them drank from cupped hands, lapping like dogs. All the rest got down on their knees to drink.
7The Lord said to Gideon, “With the three hundred men that lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hands. Let all the others go home.” 8So Gideon sent the rest of the Israelites home but kept the three hundred, who took over the provisions and trumpets of the others.
In life, it is not the huge number of people that associate with you that matters. It is who is willing to go the long haul with you that is most important.
Often times the masses appear to share in our glory. In the case of Jesus, they hailed him and sang hossanna. Right afterwards the same people screamed and chanted - "crucify him!"
Mortal man cannot always be trusted , as he can let one down. Our hope and trust must be in God, and we must, like Gideon decipher the unfaithful and opportunists from the loyal and faithful ones.
We must by God's help discern who will stand by us from who won't. And when those who won't stand by, and with us expose themselves, we must be willing to let them go. Do not hold on to dead helpers, or you will stall your dream and vision.
WHAT IS NEXT?
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