The practice of making New Year’s resolutions goes back over 3,000 years to the ancient Babylonians. There is just something about the start of a new year that gives us the feeling of a fresh start and a new beginning. In reality, there is no difference between December 31 and January 1. Nothing mystical occurs at midnight on December 31. The Bible does not speak for or against the concept of New Year’s resolutions. However, if a Christian determines to make a New Year’s resolution, what kind of resolution should he or she make?
Common New Year’s resolutions are commitments to quit smoking, to stop drinking, to manage money more wisely, and to spend more time with family. By far, the most common New Year’s resolution is to lose weight, in conjunction with exercising more and eating more healthily. These are all good goals to set. However, 1 Timothy 4:8 instructs us to keep exercise in perspective: “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” The vast majority of New Year’s resolutions, even among Christians, are in relation to physical things. This should not be.
Many Christians make New Year’s resolutions to pray more, to read the Bible every day, to read the whole of the Bible (my 2016 resolution), to study certain part of the Bible and to attend church more regularly. These are fantastic goals. However, these New Year’s resolutions fail just as often as the non-spiritual resolutions, because there is no power in a New Year’s resolution. Resolving to start or stop doing a certain activity has no value unless you have the proper motivation for stopping or starting that activity. For example, why do you want to read the Bible every day? Is it to honor God and grow spiritually, or is it because you have just heard that it is a good thing to do? Why do you want to lose weight? Is it to honor God with your body, or is it for vanity, to honor yourself?
Philippians 4:13 tells us, “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” John 15:5 declares, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” If God is the center of your New Year’s resolution, it has chance for success, depending on your commitment to it. If it is God’s will for something to be fulfilled, He will enable you to fulfill it. If a resolution is not God honoring and/or is not in agreement in God’s Word, we will not receive God’s help in fulfilling the resolution.
So, what sort of New Year’s resolution should a Christian make? Here are some suggestions: (1) pray to the Lord for wisdom (James 1:5) in regards to what resolutions, if any, He would have you make; (2) pray for wisdom as to how to fulfill the goals God gives you; (3) rely on God’s strength to help you; (4) find an accountability partner who will help you and encourage you; (5) don’t become discouraged with occasional failures; instead, allow them to motivate you further; (6) don’t become proud or vain, but give God the glory. Psalm 37:5-6 says, “Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.”
REVEALED BY: AN ENVOY HB
MY 2017 RESOLUTION: TO STUDY ALL THE BOOKS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT OF THE BIBLE ACCORDINGLY
STRATEGY:PRAYER, DISCIPLINE, SELF CONTROL, TWO CHAPTERS PER DAY(DAY AND NIGHT)
POSSIBLE CHALLENGE: WEAR OUT, COULD FINISH BEFORE YEAR ENDS
PRE-DETERMINED SOLUTION: SELF DISCIPLINE, PLANNING, HOLY SPIRIT
HAVE A PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR... GREAT GRACE IS UPON YOU
Thursday, December 29, 2016
Thursday, December 22, 2016
WHY BIBLE MEMORIZATION SHOULD BE A MANDATE!!!
Bible memorization is of utmost importance in the Christian life. In fact, memorizing Scripture is perhaps the single most crucial element to spiritual growth and victory over sin. The Word of God is powerful because it is literally “God-breathed” from the mind of the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16-17), and when we fill our minds with His words by memorizing Scripture, we avail ourselves of the most powerful spiritual tool there is.
When we memorize the Word of God, several things happen. Psalm 119:11 tells us the psalmist hid God’s Word in his heart so that he would not sin against Him. Not only did he hear and read the Word, but he internalized it and laid it up in his mind and memory for future use. The Word of God is the believer’s only truly potent weapon against sin, and when placed in the mind through Bible memorization, it is a strong influence for godliness and righteous living. Hebrews 4:12 tells us the Word of God is “living and active,” meaning that it has supernatural power to mold us into Christ-likeness when we meditate upon it, and there is no better way to meditate on the Word than to have it in our minds and memories.
Ephesians 6:13-17 describes the believer’s armor in the battle for our souls and spiritual survival. All of the elements of the armor are defensive except one. The only offensive weapon is the “sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (v. 17). Just as Jesus used God’s Word to fend off attacks of Satan (Matthew 4:1-11), so must we be able to use the same weapon. But rarely does Satan give us time to “look up” the correct passages when we are confronted with his lies and deception. Bible memorization ensures that we will have the appropriate truths and principles in mind and be able to recall them instantly to effectively respond to the evil one who seeks to destroy us (1 Peter 5:8).Romans 12:1-2 exhorts us to “renew” our minds so that we are no longer influenced by the thinking that conforms us to this world. The only way to renew the mind is to fill it with Scripture.
Memorizing Scripture is the privilege and responsibility of every Christian. There are several excellent Scripture memory systems available, even without a specific published method, anyone can start with the key verses of the Christian faith—such as John 3:16 and Ephesians 2:8-9—and continue to build verse upon verse. The key is to continually review the ones already memorized before adding any new ones. Whatever method is chosen, the benefits of Bible memorization are victory over sin, strengthened faith, and joy in the Christian life.
REVEALED BY: AN ENVOY-BEZALEEL
Merry Christmas and happy new year in advance!!!
When we memorize the Word of God, several things happen. Psalm 119:11 tells us the psalmist hid God’s Word in his heart so that he would not sin against Him. Not only did he hear and read the Word, but he internalized it and laid it up in his mind and memory for future use. The Word of God is the believer’s only truly potent weapon against sin, and when placed in the mind through Bible memorization, it is a strong influence for godliness and righteous living. Hebrews 4:12 tells us the Word of God is “living and active,” meaning that it has supernatural power to mold us into Christ-likeness when we meditate upon it, and there is no better way to meditate on the Word than to have it in our minds and memories.
Ephesians 6:13-17 describes the believer’s armor in the battle for our souls and spiritual survival. All of the elements of the armor are defensive except one. The only offensive weapon is the “sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (v. 17). Just as Jesus used God’s Word to fend off attacks of Satan (Matthew 4:1-11), so must we be able to use the same weapon. But rarely does Satan give us time to “look up” the correct passages when we are confronted with his lies and deception. Bible memorization ensures that we will have the appropriate truths and principles in mind and be able to recall them instantly to effectively respond to the evil one who seeks to destroy us (1 Peter 5:8).Romans 12:1-2 exhorts us to “renew” our minds so that we are no longer influenced by the thinking that conforms us to this world. The only way to renew the mind is to fill it with Scripture.
Memorizing Scripture is the privilege and responsibility of every Christian. There are several excellent Scripture memory systems available, even without a specific published method, anyone can start with the key verses of the Christian faith—such as John 3:16 and Ephesians 2:8-9—and continue to build verse upon verse. The key is to continually review the ones already memorized before adding any new ones. Whatever method is chosen, the benefits of Bible memorization are victory over sin, strengthened faith, and joy in the Christian life.
REVEALED BY: AN ENVOY-BEZALEEL
Merry Christmas and happy new year in advance!!!
Tuesday, December 20, 2016
METHODS OF BIBLE STUDY!!!
There are several different Bible study methods we can use to study in an organized or systematic way. For the purpose of this article, we will classify them into two broad categories: Book Studies and Topical Studies. Before discussing the different types of Bible study methods, it is important to recognize that all of them have certain things in common and must follow certain hermeneutic rules or principles in order to avoid misinterpreting what the Bible says. For example, whatever type of Bible study method we use, it is important that the study carefully takes into consideration the context of the subject or verse being studied, both within the immediate context of the chapter or book itself and within the overall context of the Bible. Our first goal must be to understand what the original or intended meaning of the passage is. In other words, what was the human author's intended meaning, and how would his original audience have understood what he wrote? This principle recognizes that the Bible was not written in a vacuum, but is an historical document written at a specific point in history with a specific audience in mind for a specific purpose. Once the true meaning of the passage is understood, then we should seek to understand how it applies to us today.
Book Studies: This Bible study method focuses either on a complete book in the Bible or specific part of a book, such as a specific chapter, a range of verses, or a single verse itself. With chapter and verse-by-verse methods and with the study of an overall book, the principles and goals are the same. For example, in order to do a thorough book study, we must necessarily also study the context of individual chapters and verses. Likewise, in order to correctly study a particular verse, we need to also study the overall message of the chapter and book that verse is found in. Of course, whether it is on the individual verse level, or a complete book study, we must always consider the overall context of the whole Bible as well.
Topical Studies: There are many varieties of topical studies that we can do. Some examples include biographical/character studies, where we study all the Bible says about particular person; word studies, where we study all the Bible says about a particular word or subject; and geographical studies, where we learn all we can about a particular town, country, or nation mentioned in the Bible. Topical studies are important for understanding all the Bible teaches on a particular subject or topic. We must be careful, though, that the conclusions drawn from a topical study do not come from taking verses out of their original context in order to imply a meaning that could not be supported by doing a verse study or book study. Topical studies are helpful in systematically organizing and understanding what the Bible teaches on specific subjects.
In studying the Bible, it is really quite beneficial to use different Bible study methods at different times. Sometimes, we might want to devote extended time to do a book study while at other times we can benefit greatly from doing some type of topical study. Whichever type of study we are doing, we must follow these basic steps:
1-Observation-what does the Bible say?
2-Interpretation-What does the Bible mean? and 3-Application-How does this biblical truth apply to my life, or how is this passage relevant today?
No matter what method of Bible study we do, we must be careful to rightly divide the Word of God so that we are workmen that need not be ashamed (2 Timothy 2:15)...
I trust God to enable us with the Grace to grow above measure in the coming year as we improve our BIBLE STUDY..
REVEALED BY: BEZALEEL #MERRY CHRISTMAS IN ADVANCE
Book Studies: This Bible study method focuses either on a complete book in the Bible or specific part of a book, such as a specific chapter, a range of verses, or a single verse itself. With chapter and verse-by-verse methods and with the study of an overall book, the principles and goals are the same. For example, in order to do a thorough book study, we must necessarily also study the context of individual chapters and verses. Likewise, in order to correctly study a particular verse, we need to also study the overall message of the chapter and book that verse is found in. Of course, whether it is on the individual verse level, or a complete book study, we must always consider the overall context of the whole Bible as well.
Topical Studies: There are many varieties of topical studies that we can do. Some examples include biographical/character studies, where we study all the Bible says about particular person; word studies, where we study all the Bible says about a particular word or subject; and geographical studies, where we learn all we can about a particular town, country, or nation mentioned in the Bible. Topical studies are important for understanding all the Bible teaches on a particular subject or topic. We must be careful, though, that the conclusions drawn from a topical study do not come from taking verses out of their original context in order to imply a meaning that could not be supported by doing a verse study or book study. Topical studies are helpful in systematically organizing and understanding what the Bible teaches on specific subjects.
In studying the Bible, it is really quite beneficial to use different Bible study methods at different times. Sometimes, we might want to devote extended time to do a book study while at other times we can benefit greatly from doing some type of topical study. Whichever type of study we are doing, we must follow these basic steps:
1-Observation-what does the Bible say?
2-Interpretation-What does the Bible mean? and 3-Application-How does this biblical truth apply to my life, or how is this passage relevant today?
No matter what method of Bible study we do, we must be careful to rightly divide the Word of God so that we are workmen that need not be ashamed (2 Timothy 2:15)...
I trust God to enable us with the Grace to grow above measure in the coming year as we improve our BIBLE STUDY..
REVEALED BY: BEZALEEL #MERRY CHRISTMAS IN ADVANCE
Wednesday, December 14, 2016
HOW TO RECOGNISE THE GUIDANCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT???
Before Jesus ascended to heaven, He told His disciples that He would send one who would teach and guide all those who believe in Him (Acts 1:5; John 14:26; 16:7). Jesus’ promise was fulfilled less than two weeks later when the Holy Spirit came in power on the believers at Pentecost (Acts 2). Now, when a person believes in Christ, the Holy Spirit immediately becomes a permanent part of his life (Romans 8:14; 1 Corinthians 12:13).
The Holy Spirit has many functions. Not only does He distribute spiritual gifts according to His will (1 Corinthians 12:7–11), but He also comforts us (John 14:16, KJV), teaches us (John 14:26), and remains in us as a seal of promise upon our hearts until the day of Jesus’ return (Ephesians 1:13; 4:30). The Holy Spirit also takes on the role of Guide and Counselor, leading us in the way we should go and revealing God’s truth (Luke 12:12; 1 Corinthians 2:6–10).
But how do we recognize the Spirit’s guidance? How do we discern between our own thoughts and His leading? After all, the Holy Spirit does not speak with audible words. Rather, He guides us through our own consciences (Romans 9:1) and other quiet, subtle ways.
One of the most important ways to recognize the Holy Spirit’s guidance is to be familiar with God’s Word. The Bible is the ultimate source of wisdom about how we should live (2 Timothy 3:16), and believers are to search the Scriptures, meditate on them, and commit them to memory (Ephesians 6:17). The Word is the “sword of the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:17), and the Spirit will use it to speak to us (John 16:12–14) to reveal God’s will for our lives; He will also bring specific Scriptures to mind at times when we need them most (John 14:26).
Knowledge of God’s Word can help us to discern whether or not our desires come from the Holy Spirit. We must test our inclinations against Scripture—the Holy Spirit will never prod us to do anything contrary to God’s Word. If it conflicts with the Bible, then it is not from the Holy Spirit and should be ignored.
It is also necessary for us to be in continual prayer with the Father (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Not only does this keep our hearts and minds open to the Holy Spirit’s leading, but it also allows the Spirit to speak on our behalf: “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 with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will” (Romans 8:26–27).
Another way to tell if we are following the Spirit’s leading is to look for signs of His fruit in our lives (Galatians 5:22). If we walk in the Spirit, we will continue to see these qualities grow and mature in us, and they will become evident to others as well.
It is important to note that we have the choice whether or not to accept the Holy Spirit’s guidance. When we know the will of God but do not follow it, we are resisting the Spirit’s work in our lives (Acts 7:51; 1 Thessalonians 5:19), and a desire to follow our own way grieves Him (Ephesians 4:30). The Spirit will never lead us into sin. Habitual sin will cause us to miss what the Holy Spirit wants to say to us through the Word. Being in tune with God’s will, turning from and confessing sin, and making a habit of prayer and the study of God’s Word will allow us to recognize—and follow—the Spirit’s leading.
REVEALER: AN ENVOY HB
The Holy Spirit has many functions. Not only does He distribute spiritual gifts according to His will (1 Corinthians 12:7–11), but He also comforts us (John 14:16, KJV), teaches us (John 14:26), and remains in us as a seal of promise upon our hearts until the day of Jesus’ return (Ephesians 1:13; 4:30). The Holy Spirit also takes on the role of Guide and Counselor, leading us in the way we should go and revealing God’s truth (Luke 12:12; 1 Corinthians 2:6–10).
But how do we recognize the Spirit’s guidance? How do we discern between our own thoughts and His leading? After all, the Holy Spirit does not speak with audible words. Rather, He guides us through our own consciences (Romans 9:1) and other quiet, subtle ways.
One of the most important ways to recognize the Holy Spirit’s guidance is to be familiar with God’s Word. The Bible is the ultimate source of wisdom about how we should live (2 Timothy 3:16), and believers are to search the Scriptures, meditate on them, and commit them to memory (Ephesians 6:17). The Word is the “sword of the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:17), and the Spirit will use it to speak to us (John 16:12–14) to reveal God’s will for our lives; He will also bring specific Scriptures to mind at times when we need them most (John 14:26).
Knowledge of God’s Word can help us to discern whether or not our desires come from the Holy Spirit. We must test our inclinations against Scripture—the Holy Spirit will never prod us to do anything contrary to God’s Word. If it conflicts with the Bible, then it is not from the Holy Spirit and should be ignored.
It is also necessary for us to be in continual prayer with the Father (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Not only does this keep our hearts and minds open to the Holy Spirit’s leading, but it also allows the Spirit to speak on our behalf: “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 with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will” (Romans 8:26–27).
Another way to tell if we are following the Spirit’s leading is to look for signs of His fruit in our lives (Galatians 5:22). If we walk in the Spirit, we will continue to see these qualities grow and mature in us, and they will become evident to others as well.
It is important to note that we have the choice whether or not to accept the Holy Spirit’s guidance. When we know the will of God but do not follow it, we are resisting the Spirit’s work in our lives (Acts 7:51; 1 Thessalonians 5:19), and a desire to follow our own way grieves Him (Ephesians 4:30). The Spirit will never lead us into sin. Habitual sin will cause us to miss what the Holy Spirit wants to say to us through the Word. Being in tune with God’s will, turning from and confessing sin, and making a habit of prayer and the study of God’s Word will allow us to recognize—and follow—the Spirit’s leading.
REVEALER: AN ENVOY HB
Monday, December 12, 2016
🔥THE BAPTISM WITH FIRE🔥
The Bible describes God as “a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:29), so it is not surprising that fire often appears as a symbol of God’s presence. Examples include the burning bush (Exodus 3:2), the Shekinah glory (Exodus 14:19; Numbers 9:14-15), and Ezekiel’s vision (Ezekiel 1:4). Fire has many times been an instrument of God’s judgment (Numbers 11:1, 3; 2 Kings 1:10, 12) and a sign of His power (Judges 13:20; 1 Kings 18:38).
For obvious reasons, fire was important for the Old Testament sacrifices. The fire on the altar of burnt offering was a divine gift, having been lit originally by God Himself (Leviticus 9:24). God charged the priests with keeping His fire lit (Leviticus 6:13) and made it clear that fire from any other source was unacceptable (Leviticus 10:1-2).
In the New Testament, the altar can serve as a picture of our commitment to the Lord. As believers in Jesus Christ, we are called upon to offer our bodies as “living sacrifices” (Romans 12:1), engulfed by the divine gift: the inextinguishable fire of the Holy Spirit. At the very beginning of the New Testament, the Holy Spirit is associated with fire. John the Baptist predicts that Jesus will be the One to “baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire” (Matthew 3:11). When the Holy Spirit began His ministry of indwelling the early church, He chose to appear as “tongues of fire” resting on each of the believers. At that moment, “all of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them” (Acts 2:3-4).
Fire is a wonderful picture of the work of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is like a fire in at least three ways: He brings God’s presence, God’s passion, and God’s purity. The Holy Spirit is the presence of God as He indwells the heart of the believer (Romans 8:9). In the Old Testament, God showed His presence to the Israelites by overspreading the tabernacle with fire (Numbers 9:14-15). This fiery presence provided light and guidance (Numbers 9:17-23). In the New Testament, God guides and comforts His children with the Holy Spirit dwelling in our bodies—the “tabernacle” and the “temple of the living God” (2 Corinthians 5:1; 6:16).
The Holy Spirit creates the passion of God in our hearts. After the two traveling disciples talk with the resurrected Jesus, they describe their hearts as “burning within us” (Luke 24:32). After the apostles receive the Spirit at Pentecost, they have a passion that lasts a lifetime and impels them to speak the word of God boldly (Acts 4:31).
The Holy Spirit produces the purity of God in our lives. God’s purpose is to purify us (Titus 2:14), and the Spirit is the agent of our sanctification (1 Corinthians 6:11; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Peter 1:2). As the silversmith uses fire to purge the dross from the precious metal, so God uses the Spirit to remove our sin from us (Psalm 66:10; Proverbs 17:3). His fire cleanses and refines.
THE REVEALER... Happy New Week!! Enjoy it!
For obvious reasons, fire was important for the Old Testament sacrifices. The fire on the altar of burnt offering was a divine gift, having been lit originally by God Himself (Leviticus 9:24). God charged the priests with keeping His fire lit (Leviticus 6:13) and made it clear that fire from any other source was unacceptable (Leviticus 10:1-2).
In the New Testament, the altar can serve as a picture of our commitment to the Lord. As believers in Jesus Christ, we are called upon to offer our bodies as “living sacrifices” (Romans 12:1), engulfed by the divine gift: the inextinguishable fire of the Holy Spirit. At the very beginning of the New Testament, the Holy Spirit is associated with fire. John the Baptist predicts that Jesus will be the One to “baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire” (Matthew 3:11). When the Holy Spirit began His ministry of indwelling the early church, He chose to appear as “tongues of fire” resting on each of the believers. At that moment, “all of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them” (Acts 2:3-4).
Fire is a wonderful picture of the work of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is like a fire in at least three ways: He brings God’s presence, God’s passion, and God’s purity. The Holy Spirit is the presence of God as He indwells the heart of the believer (Romans 8:9). In the Old Testament, God showed His presence to the Israelites by overspreading the tabernacle with fire (Numbers 9:14-15). This fiery presence provided light and guidance (Numbers 9:17-23). In the New Testament, God guides and comforts His children with the Holy Spirit dwelling in our bodies—the “tabernacle” and the “temple of the living God” (2 Corinthians 5:1; 6:16).
The Holy Spirit creates the passion of God in our hearts. After the two traveling disciples talk with the resurrected Jesus, they describe their hearts as “burning within us” (Luke 24:32). After the apostles receive the Spirit at Pentecost, they have a passion that lasts a lifetime and impels them to speak the word of God boldly (Acts 4:31).
The Holy Spirit produces the purity of God in our lives. God’s purpose is to purify us (Titus 2:14), and the Spirit is the agent of our sanctification (1 Corinthians 6:11; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Peter 1:2). As the silversmith uses fire to purge the dross from the precious metal, so God uses the Spirit to remove our sin from us (Psalm 66:10; Proverbs 17:3). His fire cleanses and refines.
THE REVEALER... Happy New Week!! Enjoy it!
Tuesday, December 06, 2016
THE SIN OF FAMILIARITY!!!
It's good to be suspicious - to put no confidence in man,
Until you've been betrayed - you may never understand.
I listen to all the preachers - but I'll suspicion them a bit,
The more that I hear them - the more confidence I'll get.
As my confidence increases - familiarity can become sin,
That's why I have to be careful - before I begin to slip in.
As I become more familiar - God's authority I may reject.
If I despise God's "anointing" - I'm the one God inspects.
If we fought against Moses - we'd soon be swallowed up,
God may open up the earth - and His judgment is abrupt.
Miriam developed leprosy - when she stood against him.
Why had Moses been chosen - she'd never say that again.
Would you become familiar - if Moses were your brother?
Be careful with familiarity - especially with the preachers.
That "anointing" my friend - it's very dangerous to touch,
It's from God's Holy Spirit - if He needs to He'll be rough.
They spoke against Elisha - and got bitten by some bears,
Those bears were not gentle -I think you'd better beware.
If you're chosen of the Lord - you'll carry His "anointing,"
But I despise counterfeits - and I despise finger pointing.
Would you call it unusual - if God "anointed" a donkey?
If it's not unusual to you - that's what it looks like to me.
If we become too familiar - the "anointing" we'll despise,
God may send another donkey - to bring down the wise.
Is our preacher "anointed" - there are much smarter men,
If he doesn't do as we like - that's no reason to condemn.
Many preachers I've seen - they're looking kind of cute,
Am I becoming too familiar - with that donkey in a suit.
If he carries an "anointing" - I'd better watch what I say.
If you think that I'm joking - I'll have to tell you no way.
Familiarity is dangerous - if I despise God's "anointing",
And now it's time I returned - to my little poetry writing.
Author: MARTY
Until you've been betrayed - you may never understand.
I listen to all the preachers - but I'll suspicion them a bit,
The more that I hear them - the more confidence I'll get.
As my confidence increases - familiarity can become sin,
That's why I have to be careful - before I begin to slip in.
As I become more familiar - God's authority I may reject.
If I despise God's "anointing" - I'm the one God inspects.
If we fought against Moses - we'd soon be swallowed up,
God may open up the earth - and His judgment is abrupt.
Miriam developed leprosy - when she stood against him.
Why had Moses been chosen - she'd never say that again.
Would you become familiar - if Moses were your brother?
Be careful with familiarity - especially with the preachers.
That "anointing" my friend - it's very dangerous to touch,
It's from God's Holy Spirit - if He needs to He'll be rough.
They spoke against Elisha - and got bitten by some bears,
Those bears were not gentle -I think you'd better beware.
If you're chosen of the Lord - you'll carry His "anointing,"
But I despise counterfeits - and I despise finger pointing.
Would you call it unusual - if God "anointed" a donkey?
If it's not unusual to you - that's what it looks like to me.
If we become too familiar - the "anointing" we'll despise,
God may send another donkey - to bring down the wise.
Is our preacher "anointed" - there are much smarter men,
If he doesn't do as we like - that's no reason to condemn.
Many preachers I've seen - they're looking kind of cute,
Am I becoming too familiar - with that donkey in a suit.
If he carries an "anointing" - I'd better watch what I say.
If you think that I'm joking - I'll have to tell you no way.
Familiarity is dangerous - if I despise God's "anointing",
And now it's time I returned - to my little poetry writing.
Author: MARTY
Tuesday, November 29, 2016
A CHILD PLUS A SPIRITUAL FATHER EQUALS AN HEIR
Galatians 4:1-2 ESV
I mean that the HEIR, as long as he is a CHILD, is no different from a SLAVE, though he is the owner of everything,
[2]but he is under GUARDIANS and MANAGERS until the DATE SET by his FATHER.
The role and importance of a father figure in a child destiny is very Paramount and cannot be downplayed.
Fathers play very sensitive roles in building and contributing to the growth and development of their children by instilling discipline into them, fortify them with prayers and good counsel for them to fulfill purpose and destiny in life.
However, for any minister of God to move forward in the course of his ministry, he needs the Holy Ghost, serious dedication, discipline, hard work and more so a presence of a SPIRITUAL FATHER in his ministry. For instance, Timothy excelled on ministry because he had the presence of a spiritual father in the person of Apostle Paul around him. Also Elisha received his portion from Elijah his spiritual father because he took his time to carefully, diligently and faithfully serve his master by waiting on him to pour water in his cup for twenty years. Nevertheless, being a spiritual father has nothing to do with age, gender, ethnic background, size, fame, position, and race or language differences. It requires experience in ministry, the grace the person carries, the impact in your life, and the measure of his anointing working in your life.
WHO IS A SPIRITUAL FATHER???
1. He is a humble man of God, filled with the wisdom and the power of the Holy Spirit to a great capacity with vast experience in the work of ministry to impart, build, direct, instruct, counsel and bring out the best in the life of his children for fulfillment in the work of ministry.
2. He is a man you must not miss in your life to enhance your spiritual growth, build your spiritual life and help you to sharpen your spiritual antenna to connect signals from the third heaven.
3. He is very humble, gentle and disciplined through whom his children can receive truth from his mouth, regardless of their position, status, and fame, achievement in ministry or wealth.
4, He is a man that reproduces his kind via attitude, grace, and in the demonstration of God's anointing and power.
5. He is a man of authority set over you by God to release words of power and authority into your life and ministry.
HOW DO I RECOGNIZE MY SPIRITUAL FATHER???
1. Through training under his ministry.
2. By prophetic instruction
3. By divine revelation
4. By connecting to his ministry
5. By divine Encounter
6. By the leading of the Holy Spirit
7. By angelic assistance
8. Through dream
9. By having testimony anytime he prays for You
10. Through physical contact
HOW CAN I CONNECT TO THE ANOINTING OF A SPIRITUAL FATHER?
1. By following him closely and faithfully
2. By respecting and honouring his anointing
3. By praying for him secretly and privately
4. By ministering to his needs as the spirit leads you
5. By reading his books and listening to his messages
6. Total dedication and obedience to his instruction
7. Through humility
8. Through direct impartation
9. Through discernment
10. Through prophesy and so on
NOTE:
The fact that somebody converted you does not mean he is your spiritual father. The mere fact that someone is older than you or got into ministry before you doesnt qualify such a person as your spiritual father. You must know your spiritual father and he must also be able to recognize you, communicate wit you and pray for you. He must know secret thing about you and be able to identify you in the midst of the crowd. He must know your family, recognize your voice, understand your spiritual condition and know your temperament. He must also know your weaknesses, character, background, strength, education, you calling and ministry. He can stand for you in the public and identify your joy, pain and fulfillment. He must play an active role in your life and influence your destiny to the glory of God...
Revealed by: An Envoy, still under tutelage.
Shalom...
I mean that the HEIR, as long as he is a CHILD, is no different from a SLAVE, though he is the owner of everything,
[2]but he is under GUARDIANS and MANAGERS until the DATE SET by his FATHER.
The role and importance of a father figure in a child destiny is very Paramount and cannot be downplayed.
Fathers play very sensitive roles in building and contributing to the growth and development of their children by instilling discipline into them, fortify them with prayers and good counsel for them to fulfill purpose and destiny in life.
However, for any minister of God to move forward in the course of his ministry, he needs the Holy Ghost, serious dedication, discipline, hard work and more so a presence of a SPIRITUAL FATHER in his ministry. For instance, Timothy excelled on ministry because he had the presence of a spiritual father in the person of Apostle Paul around him. Also Elisha received his portion from Elijah his spiritual father because he took his time to carefully, diligently and faithfully serve his master by waiting on him to pour water in his cup for twenty years. Nevertheless, being a spiritual father has nothing to do with age, gender, ethnic background, size, fame, position, and race or language differences. It requires experience in ministry, the grace the person carries, the impact in your life, and the measure of his anointing working in your life.
WHO IS A SPIRITUAL FATHER???
1. He is a humble man of God, filled with the wisdom and the power of the Holy Spirit to a great capacity with vast experience in the work of ministry to impart, build, direct, instruct, counsel and bring out the best in the life of his children for fulfillment in the work of ministry.
2. He is a man you must not miss in your life to enhance your spiritual growth, build your spiritual life and help you to sharpen your spiritual antenna to connect signals from the third heaven.
3. He is very humble, gentle and disciplined through whom his children can receive truth from his mouth, regardless of their position, status, and fame, achievement in ministry or wealth.
4, He is a man that reproduces his kind via attitude, grace, and in the demonstration of God's anointing and power.
5. He is a man of authority set over you by God to release words of power and authority into your life and ministry.
HOW DO I RECOGNIZE MY SPIRITUAL FATHER???
1. Through training under his ministry.
2. By prophetic instruction
3. By divine revelation
4. By connecting to his ministry
5. By divine Encounter
6. By the leading of the Holy Spirit
7. By angelic assistance
8. Through dream
9. By having testimony anytime he prays for You
10. Through physical contact
HOW CAN I CONNECT TO THE ANOINTING OF A SPIRITUAL FATHER?
1. By following him closely and faithfully
2. By respecting and honouring his anointing
3. By praying for him secretly and privately
4. By ministering to his needs as the spirit leads you
5. By reading his books and listening to his messages
6. Total dedication and obedience to his instruction
7. Through humility
8. Through direct impartation
9. Through discernment
10. Through prophesy and so on
NOTE:
The fact that somebody converted you does not mean he is your spiritual father. The mere fact that someone is older than you or got into ministry before you doesnt qualify such a person as your spiritual father. You must know your spiritual father and he must also be able to recognize you, communicate wit you and pray for you. He must know secret thing about you and be able to identify you in the midst of the crowd. He must know your family, recognize your voice, understand your spiritual condition and know your temperament. He must also know your weaknesses, character, background, strength, education, you calling and ministry. He can stand for you in the public and identify your joy, pain and fulfillment. He must play an active role in your life and influence your destiny to the glory of God...
Revealed by: An Envoy, still under tutelage.
Shalom...
Wednesday, November 23, 2016
THE SUMMATION OF SATAN'S POWER
Satan was an angel created by God who turned against God’s authority (Isaiah 14:13) and became the head of a kingdom of evil spirits called demons, his “angels” (Matthew 25:41). His power both in the heavenly realm and on earth is great and should not be underestimated. However, while Satan and his forces are formidable enemies, Jesus Christ crushed Satan’s power, fulfilling the prophecy of Genesis 3:15. The cross of Christ won the victory (John 12:31). “The prince of this world now stands condemned” (John 16:11), and Jesus will one day destroy Satan’s power completely and purify creation (2 Peter 3:10).
Satan’s power in the heavenly realm:
Satan’s power has repute in the spiritual realm (Jude 9), where he has access to the prence of God (Job 1:6). The book of Job provides insight into the relationship between God and Satan. In Job 1:6-12, Satan stands before God and reports that he has been “walking up and down” on the earth (v. 7). God asks Satan if he has considered godly Job, and Satan immediately accuses Job of insincerity—he only loves God for the blessings God gives. “Stretch out your hand,” Satan says, “and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face” (v. 11). God grants Satan permission to affect Job’s possessions and family, but not his person, and Satan leaves. (The rest of the book is from Job’s perspective, providing an example of how to deal with suffering.)
This is an important passage because it shows Satan’s place in the spiritual realm. He is able to accuse God’s people in His very presence, and Jude 9 shows that even Michael the archangel needs the Lord’s help in overcoming him. However, Satan is obviously restrained from enacting his full fury; he is still a created being under God, and his power is limited.
Satan’s power on the earth:
Job 1 also reveals that Satan does enact evil and cause direct harm on the earth. The most well-known and important of his actions on earth occurred in the Garden of Eden. Genesis 3 tells of Satan’s temptation of Eve, the “mother of all the living” (v. 20), and her subsequent first sin. It was this act, and that of Eve’s husband Adam, that brought sin into the world, and it is the reason all humankind must be redeemed from sin in order to be with God.
One day, Jesus met a woman who had been “crippled by a spirit for eighteen years” (Luke 13:11). Jesus attributes the infirmity to Satan, who had kept her “bound” (verse 16). Satan’s power was real, but it was easily overcome by our Lord: “He put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God” (v. 13). Jesus’ miracle was a clear demonstration of His authority over Satan.
Since his instigation of evil on earth, Satan has been named as the “prince,” “god,” or “ruler” of this world (John 14:30; cf. John 12:31; 16:11; 1 Corinthians 2:6, 8; 2 Corinthians 4:3-4; Ephesians 2:2; Colossians 1:13). He is the enemy of God and truth (Matthew 13:24-30; 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12), and he does everything he can to tempt individuals (Genesis 3; Luke 22:31; Matthew 2:3; 1 Timothy 3:7) and larger groups of people (1 Thessalonians 3:5; Revelation 2:10). He “leads the whole world astray” (Revelation 12:9). Satan accomplishes this by various means, including appealing to man’s pride (1 Timothy 3:6; 1 Corinthians 4:6), interfering with the transmission of truth (Matthew 13:18-22, 38-39), and placing false believers within the church (1 Timothy 4:1-2; 2 Timothy 3:1-9; Revelation 2:9; 3:9). In John 8:44, Jesus says that Satan “is a liar and the father of it.”
God still grants Satan some authority in this world, which means that his power is not yet completely broken—except in one area: his power of death. Hebrews 2:14-15 says that Jesus came as a man to die in order to “destroy him who holds the power of death – that is, the devil,” a power Satan had held “from the beginning” (John 8:44). The salvation Jesus provides has released us from Satan’s stranglehold. Death has lost its sting (1 Corinthians 15:55).
Satan’s power – the conclusion:
The Bible says that “the whole world is under the control of the evil one” (1 John 5:19), and we must “be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). Yet Christians have a great hope, for Jesus Christ (John 16:33) and our faith in Him (1 John 5:4) have overcome Satan’s evil. “The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (1 John 4:4).
Shalom
Satan’s power in the heavenly realm:
Satan’s power has repute in the spiritual realm (Jude 9), where he has access to the prence of God (Job 1:6). The book of Job provides insight into the relationship between God and Satan. In Job 1:6-12, Satan stands before God and reports that he has been “walking up and down” on the earth (v. 7). God asks Satan if he has considered godly Job, and Satan immediately accuses Job of insincerity—he only loves God for the blessings God gives. “Stretch out your hand,” Satan says, “and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face” (v. 11). God grants Satan permission to affect Job’s possessions and family, but not his person, and Satan leaves. (The rest of the book is from Job’s perspective, providing an example of how to deal with suffering.)
This is an important passage because it shows Satan’s place in the spiritual realm. He is able to accuse God’s people in His very presence, and Jude 9 shows that even Michael the archangel needs the Lord’s help in overcoming him. However, Satan is obviously restrained from enacting his full fury; he is still a created being under God, and his power is limited.
Satan’s power on the earth:
Job 1 also reveals that Satan does enact evil and cause direct harm on the earth. The most well-known and important of his actions on earth occurred in the Garden of Eden. Genesis 3 tells of Satan’s temptation of Eve, the “mother of all the living” (v. 20), and her subsequent first sin. It was this act, and that of Eve’s husband Adam, that brought sin into the world, and it is the reason all humankind must be redeemed from sin in order to be with God.
One day, Jesus met a woman who had been “crippled by a spirit for eighteen years” (Luke 13:11). Jesus attributes the infirmity to Satan, who had kept her “bound” (verse 16). Satan’s power was real, but it was easily overcome by our Lord: “He put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God” (v. 13). Jesus’ miracle was a clear demonstration of His authority over Satan.
Since his instigation of evil on earth, Satan has been named as the “prince,” “god,” or “ruler” of this world (John 14:30; cf. John 12:31; 16:11; 1 Corinthians 2:6, 8; 2 Corinthians 4:3-4; Ephesians 2:2; Colossians 1:13). He is the enemy of God and truth (Matthew 13:24-30; 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12), and he does everything he can to tempt individuals (Genesis 3; Luke 22:31; Matthew 2:3; 1 Timothy 3:7) and larger groups of people (1 Thessalonians 3:5; Revelation 2:10). He “leads the whole world astray” (Revelation 12:9). Satan accomplishes this by various means, including appealing to man’s pride (1 Timothy 3:6; 1 Corinthians 4:6), interfering with the transmission of truth (Matthew 13:18-22, 38-39), and placing false believers within the church (1 Timothy 4:1-2; 2 Timothy 3:1-9; Revelation 2:9; 3:9). In John 8:44, Jesus says that Satan “is a liar and the father of it.”
God still grants Satan some authority in this world, which means that his power is not yet completely broken—except in one area: his power of death. Hebrews 2:14-15 says that Jesus came as a man to die in order to “destroy him who holds the power of death – that is, the devil,” a power Satan had held “from the beginning” (John 8:44). The salvation Jesus provides has released us from Satan’s stranglehold. Death has lost its sting (1 Corinthians 15:55).
Satan’s power – the conclusion:
The Bible says that “the whole world is under the control of the evil one” (1 John 5:19), and we must “be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). Yet Christians have a great hope, for Jesus Christ (John 16:33) and our faith in Him (1 John 5:4) have overcome Satan’s evil. “The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (1 John 4:4).
Shalom
Friday, November 18, 2016
REVEALED: THE NATURAL MAN!
In 1 Corinthians 2:6-16, the natural man is compared to the spiritual man and the carnal man. Verse 14 says, “A natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised” (NASB). This verse does not define the natural man, as such; rather, it uses the term to describe one who does not understand God’s words and thoughts. The one who can understand God’s words is a “spiritual” man (verse 15).
“The 'natural' man, still unsaved, cannot appreciate spiritual truths. He must first understand Christ’s atoning sacrifice for him, but even that is ‘foolishness’ to him (1:18) until the Holy Spirit Himself convicts him of its reality (John 16:7-11).” Basically, the “natural” man is one who does not have the Holy Spirit residing within him. As Jesus said, “Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit” (John 3:6).
Let’s look at some other uses in the Bible of the word natural. In Romans 11:21 we read, “For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will He spare you.” In 1 Corinthians 15:44-46, “It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, then there is also a spiritual body.…However the spiritual is not first, but the natural; then the spiritual.” Ezekiel 44:31 speaks of a natural death. Daniel 10:8 speaks of a natural color. James 1:23 speaks of a natural face, and James 3:15 states, “This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic.”
In 1 Corinthians 2, Paul uses the word natural to refer to someone still in his original (sinful) state. Natural men are those who are occupied with the things of this material world to the exclusion of the things of God. They are led by instinct rather than by the Spirit of God. They intuitively choose sin over righteousness. They are the “pagans” Jesus refers to in Matthew 6:32 who only seek after the things of this world.
The supernatural work of God is to change the natural man into a spiritual one. When a person trusts Christ, God exchanges what is natural (received from Adam) for what is spiritual (received from Christ). “As in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive” (1 Corinthians 15:22). The Christian life is, therefore, a supernatural one. We do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit (Romans 8:1).
REVEALED BY: AN ENVOY... Have a glorious weekend... Shalom
“The 'natural' man, still unsaved, cannot appreciate spiritual truths. He must first understand Christ’s atoning sacrifice for him, but even that is ‘foolishness’ to him (1:18) until the Holy Spirit Himself convicts him of its reality (John 16:7-11).” Basically, the “natural” man is one who does not have the Holy Spirit residing within him. As Jesus said, “Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit” (John 3:6).
Let’s look at some other uses in the Bible of the word natural. In Romans 11:21 we read, “For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will He spare you.” In 1 Corinthians 15:44-46, “It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, then there is also a spiritual body.…However the spiritual is not first, but the natural; then the spiritual.” Ezekiel 44:31 speaks of a natural death. Daniel 10:8 speaks of a natural color. James 1:23 speaks of a natural face, and James 3:15 states, “This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic.”
In 1 Corinthians 2, Paul uses the word natural to refer to someone still in his original (sinful) state. Natural men are those who are occupied with the things of this material world to the exclusion of the things of God. They are led by instinct rather than by the Spirit of God. They intuitively choose sin over righteousness. They are the “pagans” Jesus refers to in Matthew 6:32 who only seek after the things of this world.
The supernatural work of God is to change the natural man into a spiritual one. When a person trusts Christ, God exchanges what is natural (received from Adam) for what is spiritual (received from Christ). “As in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive” (1 Corinthians 15:22). The Christian life is, therefore, a supernatural one. We do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit (Romans 8:1).
REVEALED BY: AN ENVOY... Have a glorious weekend... Shalom
Friday, November 11, 2016
SIR, CAN I LEAVE MY CHURCH NOW???
During the course of the week, I was trying to check on a Junior friend who wasn't in church recently via social media.. I ask why he wasn't in church, he said a brother slapped him in church the last time he was, I said did you tell any of the teenagers' coordinators about it, He replied No, I said so you have decided not to come to church again because of that? He said Yes, He will be going to his mum's church closer to his house and moreover their services are shorter.. In a nut shell, I tried my best for his level to bring him back to our church but he has made up his mind. Then, I left the remaining for the Holy Ghost. The most impressive thing he said was that he was going to return back in the new year. Then I was thinking in my mind, he is actually going to change church again after two months..A slap could actually make a young believer change church, no doubt about that. Apostle paul wasnt slapped but stoned, yet he went back into the city (Acts 14:19-20). Countless of times the Apostles went back into the temple they were persecuted, hated, imprisoned and beaten? Can we do that as believers now?
So then Sir, When can I leave My Church?
Perhaps the best way to discern whether one has grounds to leave a church is to go back to the basics. What, after all, is the purpose of the church in the first place? The Bible is clear in its teaching that the church is to be the "pillar and ground (foundation) of the truth" (1 Timothy 3:15). Everything in the church structure, teaching, worship, programs and activities is to be centered upon this fact. In addition, the church should recognize Jesus Christ as its one and only head (Ephesians 1:22, 4:15; Colossians 1:18), and submit to Him in all things. Clearly these things can only be done when the church clings tightly to the Bible as its standard and authority. It's hard to see how one would want to leave a church such as described above, but sadly, few churches today fit this description.
Believers who feel a desire to leave a church should be clear on their reasons. If the church does not proclaim truth, cling to the Bible and revere Christ as its head, and there is another church in the area that does, then there are grounds to leave. A case can be made, however, for staying and working to bring about changes for the better. We are exhorted to "contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints" (Jude 3). If one is strongly convicted of the need to move the church in a more Bible-based, Christ-honoring direction, and feels he/she can do that in a loving and non-divisive manner, then that would seem to be the better course of action.
The Bible does not outline a procedure on how to leave a church. In the early day of the church, a believer would have to move to another town to find a different church. Sadly, in our world today with a church on seemingly every corner, many believers leave one church for another instead of working through whatever problem there was. Forgiveness, love, and unity are to be the marks of believers (John 13:34-35;Colossians 3:13; John 17:21-23), not bitterness and division (Ephesians 4:31-32).
The most crucial thing for a believer to do should he/she feel be led to leave a church is to do so in such a way that does not cause division or unnecessary controversy in the church (Proverbs 6:19; 1 Corinthians 1:10). As described above, an important question to answer is why would any person want to leave the church? If the answer to this question is because of the lack of biblical teaching, then the course is clear.
However, many people are dissatisfied with their church because they are not involved in any way in the church's ministries. It is far easier to be spiritually fed by the church when one is an active part of "feeding" others in the church. The purpose of the church is clearly outlined in Ephesians 4:11-14. Allow this passage to be the guide in choosing and finding a church.
Note: Other relative reason(s) may make a person leave his/her church like relocation. Either Way, worship God in spirit and in Truth.(John 4 vs 24)
Revealed by: AN ENVOY #HB... HAVE A GLORIOUS WEEKEND... SHALOM
So then Sir, When can I leave My Church?
Perhaps the best way to discern whether one has grounds to leave a church is to go back to the basics. What, after all, is the purpose of the church in the first place? The Bible is clear in its teaching that the church is to be the "pillar and ground (foundation) of the truth" (1 Timothy 3:15). Everything in the church structure, teaching, worship, programs and activities is to be centered upon this fact. In addition, the church should recognize Jesus Christ as its one and only head (Ephesians 1:22, 4:15; Colossians 1:18), and submit to Him in all things. Clearly these things can only be done when the church clings tightly to the Bible as its standard and authority. It's hard to see how one would want to leave a church such as described above, but sadly, few churches today fit this description.
Believers who feel a desire to leave a church should be clear on their reasons. If the church does not proclaim truth, cling to the Bible and revere Christ as its head, and there is another church in the area that does, then there are grounds to leave. A case can be made, however, for staying and working to bring about changes for the better. We are exhorted to "contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints" (Jude 3). If one is strongly convicted of the need to move the church in a more Bible-based, Christ-honoring direction, and feels he/she can do that in a loving and non-divisive manner, then that would seem to be the better course of action.
The Bible does not outline a procedure on how to leave a church. In the early day of the church, a believer would have to move to another town to find a different church. Sadly, in our world today with a church on seemingly every corner, many believers leave one church for another instead of working through whatever problem there was. Forgiveness, love, and unity are to be the marks of believers (John 13:34-35;Colossians 3:13; John 17:21-23), not bitterness and division (Ephesians 4:31-32).
The most crucial thing for a believer to do should he/she feel be led to leave a church is to do so in such a way that does not cause division or unnecessary controversy in the church (Proverbs 6:19; 1 Corinthians 1:10). As described above, an important question to answer is why would any person want to leave the church? If the answer to this question is because of the lack of biblical teaching, then the course is clear.
However, many people are dissatisfied with their church because they are not involved in any way in the church's ministries. It is far easier to be spiritually fed by the church when one is an active part of "feeding" others in the church. The purpose of the church is clearly outlined in Ephesians 4:11-14. Allow this passage to be the guide in choosing and finding a church.
Note: Other relative reason(s) may make a person leave his/her church like relocation. Either Way, worship God in spirit and in Truth.(John 4 vs 24)
Revealed by: AN ENVOY #HB... HAVE A GLORIOUS WEEKEND... SHALOM
Wednesday, November 09, 2016
LORD, TEACH US TO PRAY!
"And IN THAT DAY ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.
Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full."
John 16:23-24 KJV
Mark these verses in your Bible. Don't let them get away from you.
When Jesus said "in that day ye shall ask me nothing," what day was He talking about? He was talking about the we are leaving in right now. Praying to the Father in the Name of Jesus belongs to us NOW- in this day.
Jesus said that just before He went to Calvary to die, before being raised from the dead, ascend on high, and sit at the right hand of the Father, rather which a new day dawned, and we came into the New Covenant.
Notice the 24th verse says, "HITHERTO have ye asked nothing in my name." Hitherto means up till now---until this time---you have not prayer in My Name. You see, it would not have done the disciples or anybody else any good to have prayed to the Father in the Name of Jesus while Jesus was here on earth, because, under the Old Covenant, they prayed to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Furthermore, when Jesus was here on earth, He had not yet entered into His mediatorial (high priestly or intercessory) ministry at the right hand of the Father, so it would not have done any good to have prayed in His Name. But just before He went away, Jesus changed His disciples' way of praying. During the interim when the Old covenant was going out, and the New Covenant was coming in, Jesus taught the disciples to pray what we call "The Lord's Prayer." He did not teach us to pray this way----Did you ever stop to think about that? He taught His disciples to pray this way. I did not say The Lord's Prayer isn't beautiful. I did not say we cannot learn something from it---because we can learn much from it. But where is the Name of Jesus in it? They didn't pray one thing in the Name of Jesus, did they? They didn't ask for one thing in the Name of Jesus, did they? This is not the New Testament Church at prayer! This is not the New Testament norm for prayer.
Right here in the 16th chapter of John is something we need to see: Just before He went away, Jesus changed their way of praying. Under the New Covenant between God and the Church, we are to come to God by JESUS CHRIST. (One reason we have missed a great deal is because some of us have tried to pray like they did back in the days of the old Covenant.)
Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full."
John 16:23-24 KJV
Mark these verses in your Bible. Don't let them get away from you.
When Jesus said "in that day ye shall ask me nothing," what day was He talking about? He was talking about the we are leaving in right now. Praying to the Father in the Name of Jesus belongs to us NOW- in this day.
Jesus said that just before He went to Calvary to die, before being raised from the dead, ascend on high, and sit at the right hand of the Father, rather which a new day dawned, and we came into the New Covenant.
Notice the 24th verse says, "HITHERTO have ye asked nothing in my name." Hitherto means up till now---until this time---you have not prayer in My Name. You see, it would not have done the disciples or anybody else any good to have prayed to the Father in the Name of Jesus while Jesus was here on earth, because, under the Old Covenant, they prayed to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Furthermore, when Jesus was here on earth, He had not yet entered into His mediatorial (high priestly or intercessory) ministry at the right hand of the Father, so it would not have done any good to have prayed in His Name. But just before He went away, Jesus changed His disciples' way of praying. During the interim when the Old covenant was going out, and the New Covenant was coming in, Jesus taught the disciples to pray what we call "The Lord's Prayer." He did not teach us to pray this way----Did you ever stop to think about that? He taught His disciples to pray this way. I did not say The Lord's Prayer isn't beautiful. I did not say we cannot learn something from it---because we can learn much from it. But where is the Name of Jesus in it? They didn't pray one thing in the Name of Jesus, did they? They didn't ask for one thing in the Name of Jesus, did they? This is not the New Testament Church at prayer! This is not the New Testament norm for prayer.
Right here in the 16th chapter of John is something we need to see: Just before He went away, Jesus changed their way of praying. Under the New Covenant between God and the Church, we are to come to God by JESUS CHRIST. (One reason we have missed a great deal is because some of us have tried to pray like they did back in the days of the old Covenant.)
Friday, November 04, 2016
Deliver this Man to Satan: MY GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR YOU!
This is a very popular verse, but many people don't even know why God said it to Paul.
Ok, I’ll show you. 2 Corinthians 12:7 "... I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you”.
Ok there we have it. Paul had the tendency to become proud and of course that pride would have led him to hell so God actually authorized Satan to afflict Paul’s body to keep him from being proud. Hmmmm. Who did Paul ask for healing? God. We didn’t see him casting and binding the devil, when he knew what his problem was and who had the power to stop it.
Because Paul understood this process very well, he actually suggested it to the church in Corinth for a man that was sinning by sleeping with his father's wife. He said “you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord." (1 Corinthians 5:5).
Scripture said “But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world.” (1 Corinthians 11:32).
Interesting huh? Many people simply go and start cursing out the devil, casting and binding him, when he got the legal authority to do what he is doing to them from God because of their sins. The more we sin, the more we give the devil a legal right to do things to us. Remember when Jesus said that if your eye causes you to sin that you should pluck it (figuratively speaking)? Imagine that you prayed and asked Jesus to help you to stop sinning, and He hears your prayers by doing to you what He did to Paul, authorizing the devil to afflict that part of your body that causes you to sin in order to save you? If God authorized it then casting and binding while you are still in that sin is like walking up to a police man doing his job and punching him in the face.
There is a warning against this. Jude 1:8 “Yet in like manner these people also, relying on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme the glorious ones. But when the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, was disputing about the body of Moses, he did not presume to pronounce a blasphemous judgment, but said, "The Lord rebuke you." But these people blaspheme all that they do not understand, and they are destroyed by all that they, like unreasoning animals, understand instinctively.” Peter gives the same warning in 2 Peter 2:10-11.
All we have to do is stay away from trouble and they will stay away from us. 1 John 5:18 says “We know that God’s children do not make a practice of sinning, for God’s Son holds them securely, and the evil one cannot touch them.”
So dear brothers and sisters, we have a goal for the remainder of the year!!! It's time to understand what sin does to us. Who wants to disarm the devil and stop his attacks on their lives? Who is with me?
VERSE FOR THE WEEK
2 Corinthians 12:9 KJV
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Enjoy the weekend in Christ.
Ok, I’ll show you. 2 Corinthians 12:7 "... I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you”.
Ok there we have it. Paul had the tendency to become proud and of course that pride would have led him to hell so God actually authorized Satan to afflict Paul’s body to keep him from being proud. Hmmmm. Who did Paul ask for healing? God. We didn’t see him casting and binding the devil, when he knew what his problem was and who had the power to stop it.
Because Paul understood this process very well, he actually suggested it to the church in Corinth for a man that was sinning by sleeping with his father's wife. He said “you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord." (1 Corinthians 5:5).
Scripture said “But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world.” (1 Corinthians 11:32).
Interesting huh? Many people simply go and start cursing out the devil, casting and binding him, when he got the legal authority to do what he is doing to them from God because of their sins. The more we sin, the more we give the devil a legal right to do things to us. Remember when Jesus said that if your eye causes you to sin that you should pluck it (figuratively speaking)? Imagine that you prayed and asked Jesus to help you to stop sinning, and He hears your prayers by doing to you what He did to Paul, authorizing the devil to afflict that part of your body that causes you to sin in order to save you? If God authorized it then casting and binding while you are still in that sin is like walking up to a police man doing his job and punching him in the face.
There is a warning against this. Jude 1:8 “Yet in like manner these people also, relying on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme the glorious ones. But when the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, was disputing about the body of Moses, he did not presume to pronounce a blasphemous judgment, but said, "The Lord rebuke you." But these people blaspheme all that they do not understand, and they are destroyed by all that they, like unreasoning animals, understand instinctively.” Peter gives the same warning in 2 Peter 2:10-11.
All we have to do is stay away from trouble and they will stay away from us. 1 John 5:18 says “We know that God’s children do not make a practice of sinning, for God’s Son holds them securely, and the evil one cannot touch them.”
So dear brothers and sisters, we have a goal for the remainder of the year!!! It's time to understand what sin does to us. Who wants to disarm the devil and stop his attacks on their lives? Who is with me?
VERSE FOR THE WEEK
2 Corinthians 12:9 KJV
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Enjoy the weekend in Christ.
Friday, October 28, 2016
CARNAL CHRISTIANS!!! Sigh!
Can a true Christian be carnal? In answering this question, let's first define the term, "CARNAL" which literally means "fleshly." This descriptive word is seen in the context of Christians in 1 Corinthians 3:1-3. In this passage, the apostle Paul is addressing the readers as "brethren," a term he uses almost exclusively to refer to other Christians; he then goes on to describe them as "carnal." Therefore, we can conclude that Christians can be carnal. The Bible is absolutely clear that no one is sinless (1 John 1:8). Every time we sin, we are acting carnally.
The key thing to understand is that while a Christian can be, for a time, carnal, a true Christian will not remain carnal for a lifetime. Some have abused the idea of a "carnal Christian" by saying that it is possible for people to come to faith in Christ and then proceed to live the rest of their lives in a completely carnal manner, with no evidence of being born again or a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). Such a concept is completely unbiblical. James 2 makes it abundantly clear that genuine faith will always result in good works. Ephesians 2:8-10 declares that while we are saved by grace alone through faith alone, that salvation will result in works. Can a Christian, in a time of failure and/or rebellion, appear to be carnal? Yes. Will a true Christian remain carnal? No.
Since eternal security is a fact of Scripture, even the carnal Christian is still saved. Salvation cannot be lost, {this also is a serious controversial topic in Christiandom but I believe both are correct and can be backed up scripturally but it depends on the perspective you are speaking from- to say a little about that}, because salvation is a gift of God that He will not take away (see John 10:28; Romans 8:37-39; 1 John 5:13). Even in 1 Corinthians 3:15, the carnal Christian is assured of salvation: "If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire." The question is not whether a person who claims to be a Christian but lives carnally has lost his salvation, but whether that person was truly saved in the first place (1 John 2:19).
Christians who become carnal in their behavior can expect God to lovingly discipline them (Hebrews 12:5-11) so they can be restored to close fellowship with Him and be trained to obey Him. God's desire in saving us is that we would progressively grow closer to the image of Christ (Romans 12:1-2), becoming increasingly spiritual and decreasingly carnal, a process known as sanctification. Until we are delivered from our sinful flesh, there will be outbreaks of carnality. For a genuine believer in Christ, though, these outbreaks of carnality will be the exception, not the rule.
Have a spirit filled weekend!!! Shalom
The key thing to understand is that while a Christian can be, for a time, carnal, a true Christian will not remain carnal for a lifetime. Some have abused the idea of a "carnal Christian" by saying that it is possible for people to come to faith in Christ and then proceed to live the rest of their lives in a completely carnal manner, with no evidence of being born again or a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). Such a concept is completely unbiblical. James 2 makes it abundantly clear that genuine faith will always result in good works. Ephesians 2:8-10 declares that while we are saved by grace alone through faith alone, that salvation will result in works. Can a Christian, in a time of failure and/or rebellion, appear to be carnal? Yes. Will a true Christian remain carnal? No.
Since eternal security is a fact of Scripture, even the carnal Christian is still saved. Salvation cannot be lost, {this also is a serious controversial topic in Christiandom but I believe both are correct and can be backed up scripturally but it depends on the perspective you are speaking from- to say a little about that}, because salvation is a gift of God that He will not take away (see John 10:28; Romans 8:37-39; 1 John 5:13). Even in 1 Corinthians 3:15, the carnal Christian is assured of salvation: "If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire." The question is not whether a person who claims to be a Christian but lives carnally has lost his salvation, but whether that person was truly saved in the first place (1 John 2:19).
Christians who become carnal in their behavior can expect God to lovingly discipline them (Hebrews 12:5-11) so they can be restored to close fellowship with Him and be trained to obey Him. God's desire in saving us is that we would progressively grow closer to the image of Christ (Romans 12:1-2), becoming increasingly spiritual and decreasingly carnal, a process known as sanctification. Until we are delivered from our sinful flesh, there will be outbreaks of carnality. For a genuine believer in Christ, though, these outbreaks of carnality will be the exception, not the rule.
Have a spirit filled weekend!!! Shalom
Tuesday, October 25, 2016
HELL?? A FAIR PENALTY FOR SIN??
This is an issue that bothers many people who have an incomplete understanding of three things: the nature of God, the nature of man, and the nature of sin. As fallen, sinful human beings, the nature of God is a difficult concept for us to grasp. We tend to see God as a kind, merciful Being whose love for us overrides and overshadows all His other attributes. Of course God is loving, kind, and merciful, but He is first and foremost a holy and righteous God. So holy is He that He cannot tolerate sin. He is a God whose anger burns against the wicked and disobedient (Isaiah 5:25;Hosea 8:5; Zechariah 10:3). He is not only a loving God"He is love itself! But the Bible also tells us that He hates all manner of sin (Proverbs 6:16-19). And while He is merciful, there are limits to His mercy. "Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon" (Isaiah 55:6-7).
Humanity is corrupted by sin, and that sin is always directly against God. When David sinned by committing adultery with Bathsheba and having Uriah murdered, he responded with an interesting prayer: "Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight"" (Psalm 51:4). Since David had sinned against Bathsheba and Uriah, how could he claim to have only sinned against God? David understood that all sin is ultimately against God. God is an eternal and infinite Being (Psalm 90:2). As a result, all sin requires an eternal punishment. God's holy, perfect, and infinite character has been offended by our sin. Although to our finite minds our sin is limited in time, to God"who is outside of time"the sin He hates goes on and on. Our sin is eternally before Him and must be eternally punished in order to satisfy His holy justice.
No one understands this better than someone in hell. A perfect example is the story of the rich man and Lazarus. Both died, and the rich man went to hell while Lazarus went to paradise (Luke 16). Of course, the rich man was aware that his sins were only committed during his lifetime. But, interestingly, he never says, "How did I end up here?" That question is never asked in hell. He does not say, "Did I really deserve this? Don't you think this is a little extreme? A little over the top?" He only asks that someone go to his brothers who are still alive and warn them against his fate.
Like the rich man, every sinner in hell has a full realization that he deserves to be there. Each sinner has a fully informed, acutely aware, and sensitive conscience which, in hell, becomes his own tormenter. This is the experience of torture in hell"a person fully aware of his or her sin with a relentlessly accusing conscience, without relief for even one moment. The guilt of sin will produce shame and everlasting self-hatred. The rich man knew that eternal punishment for a lifetime of sins is justified and deserved. That is why he never protested or questioned being in hell.
The realities of eternal damnation, eternal hell, and eternal punishment are frightening and disturbing. But it is good that we might, indeed, be terrified. While this may sound grim, there is good news. God loves us (John 3:16) and wants us to be saved from hell (2 Peter 3:9). But because God is also just and righteous, He cannot allow our sin to go unpunished. Someone has to pay for it. In His great mercy and love, God provided His own payment for our sin. He sent His Son Jesus Christ to pay the penalty for our sins by dying on the cross for us. Jesus' death was an infinite death because He is the infinite God/man, paying our infinite sin debt, so that we would not have to pay it in hell for eternity (2 Corinthians 5:21). If we confess our sin and place our faith in Christ, asking for God's forgiveness based on Christ's sacrifice, we are saved, forgiven, cleansed, and promised an eternal home in heaven. God loved us so much that He provided the means for our salvation, but if we reject His gift of eternal life, we will face the eternal consequences of that decision..
No one understands this better than someone in hell. A perfect example is the story of the rich man and Lazarus. Both died, and the rich man went to hell while Lazarus went to paradise (Luke 16). Of course, the rich man was aware that his sins were only committed during his lifetime. But, interestingly, he never says, "How did I end up here?" That question is never asked in hell. He does not say, "Did I really deserve this? Don't you think this is a little extreme? A little over the top?" He only asks that someone go to his brothers who are still alive and warn them against his fate.
Like the rich man, every sinner in hell has a full realization that he deserves to be there. Each sinner has a fully informed, acutely aware, and sensitive conscience which, in hell, becomes his own tormenter. This is the experience of torture in hell"a person fully aware of his or her sin with a relentlessly accusing conscience, without relief for even one moment. The guilt of sin will produce shame and everlasting self-hatred. The rich man knew that eternal punishment for a lifetime of sins is justified and deserved. That is why he never protested or questioned being in hell.
The realities of eternal damnation, eternal hell, and eternal punishment are frightening and disturbing. But it is good that we might, indeed, be terrified. While this may sound grim, there is good news. God loves us (John 3:16) and wants us to be saved from hell (2 Peter 3:9). But because God is also just and righteous, He cannot allow our sin to go unpunished. Someone has to pay for it. In His great mercy and love, God provided His own payment for our sin. He sent His Son Jesus Christ to pay the penalty for our sins by dying on the cross for us. Jesus' death was an infinite death because He is the infinite God/man, paying our infinite sin debt, so that we would not have to pay it in hell for eternity (2 Corinthians 5:21). If we confess our sin and place our faith in Christ, asking for God's forgiveness based on Christ's sacrifice, we are saved, forgiven, cleansed, and promised an eternal home in heaven. God loved us so much that He provided the means for our salvation, but if we reject His gift of eternal life, we will face the eternal consequences of that decision..
THE REVEALER
Sunday, October 23, 2016
THE REVEALER: ARE THERE 3 HEAVENS??
Bro Paul gave the closest Scripture to there being different levels of heaven as far as I know, which is found in 2 Corinthians 12:2, “I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows.” Some interpret this as indicating that there are three different levels of heaven, a level for “super-committed Christians” or Christians who have obtained a high level of spirituality, a level for “ordinary” Christians, and a level for Christians who did not serve God faithfully. This view has no basis in Scripture.
Paul is not saying that there are three heavens or even three levels of heaven. In many ancient cultures, people used the term heaven to describe three different “realms”—the sky, outer space, and then a spiritual heaven. Paul was saying that God took him to the “spiritual” heaven/realm—the realm beyond the physical, where God dwells.
Scripture does speak of different rewards in heaven. Jesus said regarding rewards, “Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done” (Revelation 22:12). Since Jesus will be distributing rewards on the basis of what we have done, we can safely say that there will be a time of reward for believers and that the rewards will differ somewhat from person to person.
Only those works that survive God’s refining fire have eternal value and will be worthy of reward. Those valuable works are referred to as “gold, silver, and costly stones” (1 Corinthians 3:12) and are those things that are built upon the foundation of faith in Christ. Those works that will not be rewarded are called “wood, hay, and stubble”; these are not evil deeds but shallow activities with no eternal value. Rewards will be distributed at the “judgment seat of Christ,” a place where believers’ lives will be evaluated for the purpose of rewards. “Judgment” of believers never refers to punishment for sin. Jesus Christ was punished for our sin when He died on the cross, and God said about us: “I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more” (Hebrews 8:12). What a glorious thought! The CHRISTIANS need not to fear punishment, but can look forward to crowns of reward that he can cast at the feet of the Savior.
In conclusion, there are no levels of heaven, but there are different levels of reward in heaven.
REVEALED BY: AN ENVOY HB.... HAPPY SUNDAY!!
Paul is not saying that there are three heavens or even three levels of heaven. In many ancient cultures, people used the term heaven to describe three different “realms”—the sky, outer space, and then a spiritual heaven. Paul was saying that God took him to the “spiritual” heaven/realm—the realm beyond the physical, where God dwells.
Scripture does speak of different rewards in heaven. Jesus said regarding rewards, “Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done” (Revelation 22:12). Since Jesus will be distributing rewards on the basis of what we have done, we can safely say that there will be a time of reward for believers and that the rewards will differ somewhat from person to person.
Only those works that survive God’s refining fire have eternal value and will be worthy of reward. Those valuable works are referred to as “gold, silver, and costly stones” (1 Corinthians 3:12) and are those things that are built upon the foundation of faith in Christ. Those works that will not be rewarded are called “wood, hay, and stubble”; these are not evil deeds but shallow activities with no eternal value. Rewards will be distributed at the “judgment seat of Christ,” a place where believers’ lives will be evaluated for the purpose of rewards. “Judgment” of believers never refers to punishment for sin. Jesus Christ was punished for our sin when He died on the cross, and God said about us: “I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more” (Hebrews 8:12). What a glorious thought! The CHRISTIANS need not to fear punishment, but can look forward to crowns of reward that he can cast at the feet of the Savior.
In conclusion, there are no levels of heaven, but there are different levels of reward in heaven.
REVEALED BY: AN ENVOY HB.... HAPPY SUNDAY!!
Wednesday, October 19, 2016
YOU WANT TO BE LIKE CHRIST?
God's desire for all who know Him is for us to become more like Christ. We do this by first growing in our knowledge of Christ. It stands to reason that we cannot grow to be like someone we don't know. The deeper our knowledge of Christ, the deeper our understanding of Him, and the more like Him we become. Among other reasons, we are to know and understand Christ so that we will be secure in the faith.
The Apostle Paul reiterates this truth in Ephesians 4:14-16: "Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work."
This fact is repeated once more in 2 Peter 3:17-18: "Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen." These passages show us that growing in the knowledge of Christ will preserve us from faith-destroying error.
Of course, knowledge alone will not produce a Christlike character. The knowledge we gain from God's Word must impact our hearts and convict us of the need to obey what we have learned. Romans 12:1-2 tells us emphatically that the process of filling our minds with the knowledge of God not only brings us closer to Christlikeness, but obedience to that knowledge aligns us with the perfect will of God: "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God"this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is"his good, pleasing and perfect will."
The natural consequence of knowing and obeying God is that He becomes greater and greater, while we become less and less as we yield control of our lives to Him. Just as John the Baptist knew that "[Jesus] must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:30), so the Christian grows to reflect more of Christ and less of his own nature. Luke sums it up best when he describes what Jesus told His disciples: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it" (Luke 9:23-24). The cross was an instrument of death, and Jesus encourages us to take up our cross in order to put to death our old sin nature upon it. God wants us to forget about this world and all its temporary pleasures and be obedient to His Word. Jesus is the living Word (John 1:1), My mentor calls Him THE LIVING LOGOS. And the Bible is God's written Word. Therefore, conforming to the Word of God is conforming to Christ. See 1 John 5:7 KJV
For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one...
Some
It is important to realize that becoming more like Christ starts by receiving Him as Savior from our sins. Then we grow in our knowledge of God by reading the Bible daily, studying it, and being obedient to what it says. This process causes us to grow and occurs over an entire lifetime in Christ. Only when we have entered Heaven for eternity with God does this process reach its culmination.
Revealed By: Jesudele Oluwatosin James #ANENVOYHB #WORDCLASS
The Apostle Paul reiterates this truth in Ephesians 4:14-16: "Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work."
This fact is repeated once more in 2 Peter 3:17-18: "Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen." These passages show us that growing in the knowledge of Christ will preserve us from faith-destroying error.
Of course, knowledge alone will not produce a Christlike character. The knowledge we gain from God's Word must impact our hearts and convict us of the need to obey what we have learned. Romans 12:1-2 tells us emphatically that the process of filling our minds with the knowledge of God not only brings us closer to Christlikeness, but obedience to that knowledge aligns us with the perfect will of God: "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God"this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is"his good, pleasing and perfect will."
The natural consequence of knowing and obeying God is that He becomes greater and greater, while we become less and less as we yield control of our lives to Him. Just as John the Baptist knew that "[Jesus] must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:30), so the Christian grows to reflect more of Christ and less of his own nature. Luke sums it up best when he describes what Jesus told His disciples: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it" (Luke 9:23-24). The cross was an instrument of death, and Jesus encourages us to take up our cross in order to put to death our old sin nature upon it. God wants us to forget about this world and all its temporary pleasures and be obedient to His Word. Jesus is the living Word (John 1:1), My mentor calls Him THE LIVING LOGOS. And the Bible is God's written Word. Therefore, conforming to the Word of God is conforming to Christ. See 1 John 5:7 KJV
For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one...
Some
It is important to realize that becoming more like Christ starts by receiving Him as Savior from our sins. Then we grow in our knowledge of God by reading the Bible daily, studying it, and being obedient to what it says. This process causes us to grow and occurs over an entire lifetime in Christ. Only when we have entered Heaven for eternity with God does this process reach its culmination.
Revealed By: Jesudele Oluwatosin James #ANENVOYHB #WORDCLASS
Tuesday, October 18, 2016
WHAT NEXT AFTER GOD SAYS "NO"
Most times we get "yes" responses from God, and we are excited about it. Some other times, we get a "wait" response, we take a chill pill, and still feel good. But at some very crucial moments, we receive a fully-blown capital "NO", Ouch!
NOW WHAT NEXT AFTER GOD SAYS NO? Huh?
Lately, I've been getting series of "yes-wait" responses from God, and I've been like, "Yea, God, I don't mind, I'd wait. Thank you." Not bad right? But just recently, I got a really saddening no, and I didn't handle it quite well. Just so you would learn how to handle a "NO", or better prepare oneself for it, I have by the Holy Spirit come up with this list to help better the moment.
1. Dearie, God had made the best decision in that situation for you. Anything else would have been brutal for you. He knows better than you do, and He made a wholesome choice for you. "Even if we feel guilty, God is greater than our feelings, and He knows everything." 1 John 3:20
2. God never makes mistake, and He is never late. When Lazarus, Jesus' friend was sick, word was sent to him to come, but then he didn't show up in time. Martha, Lazarus' sister accused Jesus of being late, and that her brother had died. We all know the rest of the story, Jesus raised a dead man of three days. John 11:38-44. God is never late, OK?
3. Be sincere with God and let Him know exactly how you feel about His "NO". For instance, when God told me no, I told Him how hurt I felt, and I needed Him to make me happy. Let Him know exactly what is on your mind, and you would be surprised at how much comforted you would be. "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28
4. Tell God to give you a gift. Yeeaa! Gifts have a way of making someone feel better. God decided not to give me something, and simply, I asked Him to replace it with something else. I even went the extra length to request something very funny that I wouldn't dare share right now. The point is, get comfortable with God, and be relaxed with your Father. "If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. If you love me, you will keep my commands" John 14:14-15.
In conclusion, the only person who's got your back is God, so please take and accept His decisions gladly! He loves you more than anybody does, not even yourself. John 3:16
Shalom.
Featuring: GOD'S ORACLE.... She is an Envoy
ADEGBOLA OLUWADAMILOLA
NOW WHAT NEXT AFTER GOD SAYS NO? Huh?
Lately, I've been getting series of "yes-wait" responses from God, and I've been like, "Yea, God, I don't mind, I'd wait. Thank you." Not bad right? But just recently, I got a really saddening no, and I didn't handle it quite well. Just so you would learn how to handle a "NO", or better prepare oneself for it, I have by the Holy Spirit come up with this list to help better the moment.
1. Dearie, God had made the best decision in that situation for you. Anything else would have been brutal for you. He knows better than you do, and He made a wholesome choice for you. "Even if we feel guilty, God is greater than our feelings, and He knows everything." 1 John 3:20
2. God never makes mistake, and He is never late. When Lazarus, Jesus' friend was sick, word was sent to him to come, but then he didn't show up in time. Martha, Lazarus' sister accused Jesus of being late, and that her brother had died. We all know the rest of the story, Jesus raised a dead man of three days. John 11:38-44. God is never late, OK?
3. Be sincere with God and let Him know exactly how you feel about His "NO". For instance, when God told me no, I told Him how hurt I felt, and I needed Him to make me happy. Let Him know exactly what is on your mind, and you would be surprised at how much comforted you would be. "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28
4. Tell God to give you a gift. Yeeaa! Gifts have a way of making someone feel better. God decided not to give me something, and simply, I asked Him to replace it with something else. I even went the extra length to request something very funny that I wouldn't dare share right now. The point is, get comfortable with God, and be relaxed with your Father. "If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. If you love me, you will keep my commands" John 14:14-15.
In conclusion, the only person who's got your back is God, so please take and accept His decisions gladly! He loves you more than anybody does, not even yourself. John 3:16
Shalom.
Featuring: GOD'S ORACLE.... She is an Envoy
ADEGBOLA OLUWADAMILOLA
Monday, October 17, 2016
THE REVEALER: JESUS CHRIST VS CHRIST JESUS
You will notice apostle Paul mostly interchange Jesus Christ and Christ Jesus in his messages.. Now, does it mean same thing or emphasizes different things
It’s a good question and here is an answer or a partial one!
1. About the names: Christ literally means anointed or the anointed one. It is the Greek translation of the Hebrew word for anointed mashiach , which being transliterated became in English, Messiah. So Christ=Messiah . Jesus, the name Gabriel announced and gave to Mary, means literally The Lord Saves or the Lord is salvation . Jesus is a transliterated from the Hebrew name, Joshua, as in Moses’ most important friend (A whole book of the Bible is appropriately named Joshua which centers on the conquest of the land under Joshua; Joshua was a warrior). So,
Jesus=Joshua=God saves.
2. Christ is less a name and more a title or an office, the Office of the Christ, the Anointed One. Just as if you would meet, say,the mayor, you would called him Mayor which would indicate simultaneously his title because of his office.
3. Christ Jesus is used some 80 times. Jesus Christ is used some 140 times.
4. Jesus Christ is used by the Gospel writers, and the Apostle Paul and in fact it used by most of the New Testament writers. Jesus and Christ are also used separately: Christ, over 500 times and Jesus, some 1,000 times. So either name, Jesus Christ or Christ Jesus, indicates a more full indication of identity of the Holy One of Israel. Both Names are more formal.
5. Christ Jesus is used almost exclusively by the Apostle Paul, and hardly by the Gospel writers. Remember: Paul was originally a devout Jew and Pharisee (see Philippians 3:4-6 ) My conjecture is that the Apostle was emphasizing Jesus’ thorough-going Jewishness as the Son of David and Son of God. This One is the Messiah Jesus, Anointed One Jesus, foretold by the prophets of Israel. So the formal nature of the Apostle’s use of Christ Jesus is suggested by the fact he uses this quite often in his opening greetings in his epistles (letters) to churches and congregations.
6. Jesus Christ has almost become for a lot people the Lord’s first name, Jesus, and His last or family name, Christ. Obviously, it is not! His parents were not Mary and Joseph Christ! It is a proclamation and witness and could be originally, “Jesus is CHRIST” and so shortened. Jesus, the One who restores all things, thoroughly occupies and lives and reigns in His divine office of Christ: God saves, God has anointed, we are saved. He thoroughly inhabited His office through His death and resurrection for sinners and the life of the world.
Author: ANENVOYHB
It’s a good question and here is an answer or a partial one!
1. About the names: Christ literally means anointed or the anointed one. It is the Greek translation of the Hebrew word for anointed mashiach , which being transliterated became in English, Messiah. So Christ=Messiah . Jesus, the name Gabriel announced and gave to Mary, means literally The Lord Saves or the Lord is salvation . Jesus is a transliterated from the Hebrew name, Joshua, as in Moses’ most important friend (A whole book of the Bible is appropriately named Joshua which centers on the conquest of the land under Joshua; Joshua was a warrior). So,
Jesus=Joshua=God saves.
2. Christ is less a name and more a title or an office, the Office of the Christ, the Anointed One. Just as if you would meet, say,the mayor, you would called him Mayor which would indicate simultaneously his title because of his office.
3. Christ Jesus is used some 80 times. Jesus Christ is used some 140 times.
4. Jesus Christ is used by the Gospel writers, and the Apostle Paul and in fact it used by most of the New Testament writers. Jesus and Christ are also used separately: Christ, over 500 times and Jesus, some 1,000 times. So either name, Jesus Christ or Christ Jesus, indicates a more full indication of identity of the Holy One of Israel. Both Names are more formal.
5. Christ Jesus is used almost exclusively by the Apostle Paul, and hardly by the Gospel writers. Remember: Paul was originally a devout Jew and Pharisee (see Philippians 3:4-6 ) My conjecture is that the Apostle was emphasizing Jesus’ thorough-going Jewishness as the Son of David and Son of God. This One is the Messiah Jesus, Anointed One Jesus, foretold by the prophets of Israel. So the formal nature of the Apostle’s use of Christ Jesus is suggested by the fact he uses this quite often in his opening greetings in his epistles (letters) to churches and congregations.
6. Jesus Christ has almost become for a lot people the Lord’s first name, Jesus, and His last or family name, Christ. Obviously, it is not! His parents were not Mary and Joseph Christ! It is a proclamation and witness and could be originally, “Jesus is CHRIST” and so shortened. Jesus, the One who restores all things, thoroughly occupies and lives and reigns in His divine office of Christ: God saves, God has anointed, we are saved. He thoroughly inhabited His office through His death and resurrection for sinners and the life of the world.
Author: ANENVOYHB
Sunday, October 16, 2016
HOW TO HEAR FROM GOD...... PRATICAL STEPS
Every now and then, people ask me, "how can I know God's will?", "How do I hear from God?". Quite a number of Christians do not know or hear the voice of God, yet God is always speaking. To help us better know how to hear from God, I have by the Holy Spirit, come up with these few practical steps. Actually, these steps are how I myself came about hearing from God, so there may be variations from person to person. But then, these are the basics.
Acts 2:17 "In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams."
1. GIVE YOUR LIFE TO CHRIST. Ok, I believe, that for you to be on this blog right now, you have an idea who Jesus is right? We give our life to Christ by turning away from our sinful life and facing Jesus. Romans 10:10. Believe that Jesus came and died for your sins and He rose again, therefore giving you victory over death. Acts 3:19.
2. GET A BIBLE. I'm sorry, I know you have a Bible. What I mean is, bring it out of where you have kept it safe! Lol. On a more serious note, you cannot hear from God if your Bible is a file to you. Inside an opened Bible is from whence life springeth forth. John 1:1
3. OWN A DEVOTIONAL GUIDE MANUAL. A devotional guide is a book that guides one to hear God. Examples of devotional guide manuals are "Open Heavens", "Everyday with Jesus", "Our Daily Manna", "Rhapsody of Realities", amongst others. So, try to get a devotional manual. Also, have a notebook and a pen. Habakuk 2:2
4. With 1, 2, and 3 above settled, we can now proceed. As you sit to begin to read the devotional guide, try to say a simple prayer of "Dear LORD, as I want to study you word this day, speak to me in simple words that I will hear and understand, Amen." After the prayer, go ahead to open the devotional manual. But, before you read what is in the manual for that day, I mean the passage there, check out the Bible text and memory verse, then go read them from your Bible.
5. After reading the text and memory verse, just hold on, and wait for God to drop something in your heart. Scribble down whatever comes to your mind in your note. Write down as much as you can, also noting the day, the date, time, and where you are at that moment.
6. Then proceed to read the passage in the devotional guide. Do not be surprised if what God has dropped in your heart is entirely different from what is in the manual.
7. During the day, try to think of that Bible text you have read over and over again. If need be, write it out and put in your pocket as a reminder. This is called meditation, Joshua 1:8. The more you practice this, the better and easier it becomes to hear God.
NB:
* The above is not just a one day affair, it is a commitment of a lifetime.
* You can't just try it in one day and not continue again.
* You should brace yourself up for the task, after all it is you who wants to hear from God.
* Have a "God n Me" notebook, where you write down anything and everything you hear God tell you.
* God won't speak through a closed Bible, you have to always open your Bible.
* Sometimes, you may do everything above and still not here a thing from God, don't worry, it happens. It doesn't mean you should stop altogether, instead pray.
* This is just one of the numerous ways to hear God, there are sure other ways. But for someone who hasn't heard God before or who isn't used to hearing God, this is where to start from.
I really would like to hear feedbacks from you (ayodamola4@gmail.com). Or (jtossy007@gmail.com) Remember, God is always speaking, we are the ones not always listening. Psalm 81:13 Shalom.
Acts 2:17 "In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams."
1. GIVE YOUR LIFE TO CHRIST. Ok, I believe, that for you to be on this blog right now, you have an idea who Jesus is right? We give our life to Christ by turning away from our sinful life and facing Jesus. Romans 10:10. Believe that Jesus came and died for your sins and He rose again, therefore giving you victory over death. Acts 3:19.
2. GET A BIBLE. I'm sorry, I know you have a Bible. What I mean is, bring it out of where you have kept it safe! Lol. On a more serious note, you cannot hear from God if your Bible is a file to you. Inside an opened Bible is from whence life springeth forth. John 1:1
3. OWN A DEVOTIONAL GUIDE MANUAL. A devotional guide is a book that guides one to hear God. Examples of devotional guide manuals are "Open Heavens", "Everyday with Jesus", "Our Daily Manna", "Rhapsody of Realities", amongst others. So, try to get a devotional manual. Also, have a notebook and a pen. Habakuk 2:2
4. With 1, 2, and 3 above settled, we can now proceed. As you sit to begin to read the devotional guide, try to say a simple prayer of "Dear LORD, as I want to study you word this day, speak to me in simple words that I will hear and understand, Amen." After the prayer, go ahead to open the devotional manual. But, before you read what is in the manual for that day, I mean the passage there, check out the Bible text and memory verse, then go read them from your Bible.
5. After reading the text and memory verse, just hold on, and wait for God to drop something in your heart. Scribble down whatever comes to your mind in your note. Write down as much as you can, also noting the day, the date, time, and where you are at that moment.
6. Then proceed to read the passage in the devotional guide. Do not be surprised if what God has dropped in your heart is entirely different from what is in the manual.
7. During the day, try to think of that Bible text you have read over and over again. If need be, write it out and put in your pocket as a reminder. This is called meditation, Joshua 1:8. The more you practice this, the better and easier it becomes to hear God.
NB:
* The above is not just a one day affair, it is a commitment of a lifetime.
* You can't just try it in one day and not continue again.
* You should brace yourself up for the task, after all it is you who wants to hear from God.
* Have a "God n Me" notebook, where you write down anything and everything you hear God tell you.
* God won't speak through a closed Bible, you have to always open your Bible.
* Sometimes, you may do everything above and still not here a thing from God, don't worry, it happens. It doesn't mean you should stop altogether, instead pray.
* This is just one of the numerous ways to hear God, there are sure other ways. But for someone who hasn't heard God before or who isn't used to hearing God, this is where to start from.
I really would like to hear feedbacks from you (ayodamola4@gmail.com). Or (jtossy007@gmail.com) Remember, God is always speaking, we are the ones not always listening. Psalm 81:13 Shalom.
Written By: Adegbola Oluwadamilola
WELCOMING ADDRESS
I appreciate your visit.. Your comments are needed to help us grow.. Follow, if you are blessed... Share, if you want to bless people too.. Thankx... #AnEnvoyHB
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)