WHAT SORT OF NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION SHOULD A CHRISTIAN MAKE???
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 ENSURE I STUDY ALL THE BOOKS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT OF THE BIBLE ACCORDINGLY
STRATEGY EMPLOYED: PRAYER, DISCIPLINE AND SELF CONTROL
CHALLENGES ENCOUNTERED: WEAR OUT, FINISHED BEFORE YEAR ENDED
SOLUTIONS APPLIED: SELF DISCIPLINE, PLANNING, HOLY SPIRIT
STATUS: ACCOMPLISHED✔
HAVE A PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR... GREAT GRACE IS UPON YOU..
Sunday, December 31, 2017
Wednesday, August 16, 2017
WALKING WITH GOD-3
HINDRANCES TO WALKING WITH GOD – Gen.6: 1-22; 7: 1-24; Lk.17: 26-30
Enoch was the first man mentioned in the Bible to ever walk with God. Noah was another man who walked with God. We surely have some great lessons to learn from the life of Noah because the Lord Jesus Christ likened our time – the end-time to the time of Noah and Lot. The life of Noah (and also Lot) show us certain hindrances to walking with God but if Noah could walk with God in his generation despite these hindrances, we can walk with Him in our time too.
1. The Problem of Large Population and Widespread Sin:
Generally, sin hinders our walk with God. At the time of Noah, the whole world was full of sin and corruption that only Noah was perfect and just before God. Sodom & Gomorrah also were so vile and corrupt that only Lot was fit for rescue with his family.
Large number can be deceptive! Men turned the blessing of God (in increasing and
multiplying them – Gen.1: 28) against Him. The world now like the time of Noah is facing the problem of overpopulation. It is not easy to manage growth or success e.g. the Rich Fool – Lk.12: 16-21 & Early Church – Acts 6: 1; Ps.62: 10. Let us multiply for God and be rich toward Him and not against Him – Prov.29: 16. That was the problem at Babel also. Any idea at all, like infectious diseases spread faster in densely populated cities. We must be careful! The fact that everybody does something or majority of believers accept certain behaviors or practices does not make them right (Exod.23: 2). We must not conform to the world in any way but be transformed by renewing our minds – Rom.12: 1-2. Like Noah, our life must testify for God against the world.
2. The Problem of Unequal Yoke, Sexual immorality & Perversion:
Here we see for the 1st time, a strange form of mixed marriage between fallen angels or demonic beings and daughters of men. This in itself broke the law of procreation as God’s command and blessing was that everything should bring forth fruits after its kind – Gen.1: 21-28. Then, it is an unequal yoke forbidden by God – Exod.34: 12-16; Deut.7: 3-4; 2Cor.6: 14-18. It was also a form of sexual perversion the products of which were depraved giants or supernatural beings that were half human and half demons. God forbids such cross-breeding and mixed-cropping – Lev.19:19. Angels don’t even procreate in the first place but these demons needed human bodies to express their depravity and lawlessness.
So, God decided to wipe out that entire generation except Noah and his family who were not involved in such perversion and pollution. The Bible already prophesied in 2Tim.3: 13 that in the end-times, men shall wax worse in seduction and evil, and that is already happening. All manner of sexual perversions unheard of in the past are now common place in the society – prostitution, rape, orgies, husband/wife swap, homosexuality, lesbianism, bestiality, transgender, baby-sale, etc. As we near the end and begin to see a repeat of the events of the time of Noah and Lot, we must make every effort to keep ourselves pure as enjoined in scripture – 1Tim.5: 22. We must flee all forms of sexual immorality – 2Cor.6:18-20.
3. The Problem of Idolatry:
Idolatry is a sin that provokes God so, the Bible warns us to flee from it – Exod.20: 1-
5; 34: 14; 1Cor.10: 14. God commanded the Israelites not to marry the Canaanites in the first place to prevent idolatry – Exod.34: 17; 1Kg.11: 1-4. We must understand the fact that in every form of idolatry, beyond the material objects that men worship is
‘spiritism’. According to Paul (1Cor.8: 4), the material idol in itself is nothing, it is
these fallen angels or demons behind these material objects that seek for worship from men. And that is what God forbids. (Please, take note that true angels of God don’t accept worship from men).
Idolatry and sexual immorality are related and usually intertwined. That is why idolatry
is always referred to in scripture as spiritual adultery e.g. the classical parable of Aholah and Aholibah representing Samaria and Jerusalem in Ezekiel 23. An unfaithful Christian who dabbles into idolatry (directly or indirectly) is like a whore or an unfaithful wife!
There is doctrinal seduction also that lures people into what the Bible calls the doctrines of devils – 2Tim.3: 13; 1Tim.4: 1-2. We must shun every form of unfaithfulness and avoid every deception and anything that could remove us from the narrow way or make us stray away from God and His word. We must hold on firmly to the wholesome truth of the word of God to the end – Eph.4: 11-15; Gal.1: 8-9; 2Tim.2: 2. We must be committed, dedicated and faithful to God to the end of our lifetime. Psalm 48: 14
should always be our watchword and song!
4. The Problem of Unbelief or Lack of Faith in God:
Hebrews 11: 6 clearly declares that, “…without faith it is impossible to please Him”. And we know that throughout the Bible and in history, all those who walked closely with God have always been men and women of faith. It is therefore obvious that Noah was a man of faith. While the entire world around him sank in unbelief and ungodliness, he believed God. Noah believed God and His sure word of impending judgment by flood and warned the people around him but they would not heed his warning. In faith, he obeyed God and constructed the Ark from the scratch till he finished it against the odds of cruel mocking of ungodly men around him. In faith, Noah obeyed God and carefully selected every species of animals and birds – two by two; male and female, and eventually moved into the Ark after it was completed.
Meanwhile, the unbelievers around him did not believe God and His warning through Noah until the flood came and destroyed them all. Truly, it is not impossible to walk with God or please Him without faith. We therefore have no option in life than to always believe God and His word irrespective of our feelings and experience. It doesn’t matter really, the level of unbelief in the world now; we must hold tightly to God and His word and never allow our faith in God to waiver at anytime. And without any doubt, the fruit of faith is obedience to God. If we believe God like Noah; we would also obey God like Noah!
We would be patient like him also because Noah was patient in constructing the Ark; he patiently selected all the animals and birds – two by two, male and female. He patiently endured the rain that lasted 40 days and 40 nights, and waited patiently for another 3 months until the water subsided before coming out of the Ark. Surely, we cannot walk with God without faith and patience for, you show your faith by patience!
#WalkingWithGod1-3 #Revealed by An Envoy #Grace and Peace be multiplied unto you this week
Enoch was the first man mentioned in the Bible to ever walk with God. Noah was another man who walked with God. We surely have some great lessons to learn from the life of Noah because the Lord Jesus Christ likened our time – the end-time to the time of Noah and Lot. The life of Noah (and also Lot) show us certain hindrances to walking with God but if Noah could walk with God in his generation despite these hindrances, we can walk with Him in our time too.
1. The Problem of Large Population and Widespread Sin:
Generally, sin hinders our walk with God. At the time of Noah, the whole world was full of sin and corruption that only Noah was perfect and just before God. Sodom & Gomorrah also were so vile and corrupt that only Lot was fit for rescue with his family.
Large number can be deceptive! Men turned the blessing of God (in increasing and
multiplying them – Gen.1: 28) against Him. The world now like the time of Noah is facing the problem of overpopulation. It is not easy to manage growth or success e.g. the Rich Fool – Lk.12: 16-21 & Early Church – Acts 6: 1; Ps.62: 10. Let us multiply for God and be rich toward Him and not against Him – Prov.29: 16. That was the problem at Babel also. Any idea at all, like infectious diseases spread faster in densely populated cities. We must be careful! The fact that everybody does something or majority of believers accept certain behaviors or practices does not make them right (Exod.23: 2). We must not conform to the world in any way but be transformed by renewing our minds – Rom.12: 1-2. Like Noah, our life must testify for God against the world.
2. The Problem of Unequal Yoke, Sexual immorality & Perversion:
Here we see for the 1st time, a strange form of mixed marriage between fallen angels or demonic beings and daughters of men. This in itself broke the law of procreation as God’s command and blessing was that everything should bring forth fruits after its kind – Gen.1: 21-28. Then, it is an unequal yoke forbidden by God – Exod.34: 12-16; Deut.7: 3-4; 2Cor.6: 14-18. It was also a form of sexual perversion the products of which were depraved giants or supernatural beings that were half human and half demons. God forbids such cross-breeding and mixed-cropping – Lev.19:19. Angels don’t even procreate in the first place but these demons needed human bodies to express their depravity and lawlessness.
So, God decided to wipe out that entire generation except Noah and his family who were not involved in such perversion and pollution. The Bible already prophesied in 2Tim.3: 13 that in the end-times, men shall wax worse in seduction and evil, and that is already happening. All manner of sexual perversions unheard of in the past are now common place in the society – prostitution, rape, orgies, husband/wife swap, homosexuality, lesbianism, bestiality, transgender, baby-sale, etc. As we near the end and begin to see a repeat of the events of the time of Noah and Lot, we must make every effort to keep ourselves pure as enjoined in scripture – 1Tim.5: 22. We must flee all forms of sexual immorality – 2Cor.6:18-20.
3. The Problem of Idolatry:
Idolatry is a sin that provokes God so, the Bible warns us to flee from it – Exod.20: 1-
5; 34: 14; 1Cor.10: 14. God commanded the Israelites not to marry the Canaanites in the first place to prevent idolatry – Exod.34: 17; 1Kg.11: 1-4. We must understand the fact that in every form of idolatry, beyond the material objects that men worship is
‘spiritism’. According to Paul (1Cor.8: 4), the material idol in itself is nothing, it is
these fallen angels or demons behind these material objects that seek for worship from men. And that is what God forbids. (Please, take note that true angels of God don’t accept worship from men).
Idolatry and sexual immorality are related and usually intertwined. That is why idolatry
is always referred to in scripture as spiritual adultery e.g. the classical parable of Aholah and Aholibah representing Samaria and Jerusalem in Ezekiel 23. An unfaithful Christian who dabbles into idolatry (directly or indirectly) is like a whore or an unfaithful wife!
There is doctrinal seduction also that lures people into what the Bible calls the doctrines of devils – 2Tim.3: 13; 1Tim.4: 1-2. We must shun every form of unfaithfulness and avoid every deception and anything that could remove us from the narrow way or make us stray away from God and His word. We must hold on firmly to the wholesome truth of the word of God to the end – Eph.4: 11-15; Gal.1: 8-9; 2Tim.2: 2. We must be committed, dedicated and faithful to God to the end of our lifetime. Psalm 48: 14
should always be our watchword and song!
4. The Problem of Unbelief or Lack of Faith in God:
Hebrews 11: 6 clearly declares that, “…without faith it is impossible to please Him”. And we know that throughout the Bible and in history, all those who walked closely with God have always been men and women of faith. It is therefore obvious that Noah was a man of faith. While the entire world around him sank in unbelief and ungodliness, he believed God. Noah believed God and His sure word of impending judgment by flood and warned the people around him but they would not heed his warning. In faith, he obeyed God and constructed the Ark from the scratch till he finished it against the odds of cruel mocking of ungodly men around him. In faith, Noah obeyed God and carefully selected every species of animals and birds – two by two; male and female, and eventually moved into the Ark after it was completed.
Meanwhile, the unbelievers around him did not believe God and His warning through Noah until the flood came and destroyed them all. Truly, it is not impossible to walk with God or please Him without faith. We therefore have no option in life than to always believe God and His word irrespective of our feelings and experience. It doesn’t matter really, the level of unbelief in the world now; we must hold tightly to God and His word and never allow our faith in God to waiver at anytime. And without any doubt, the fruit of faith is obedience to God. If we believe God like Noah; we would also obey God like Noah!
We would be patient like him also because Noah was patient in constructing the Ark; he patiently selected all the animals and birds – two by two, male and female. He patiently endured the rain that lasted 40 days and 40 nights, and waited patiently for another 3 months until the water subsided before coming out of the Ark. Surely, we cannot walk with God without faith and patience for, you show your faith by patience!
#WalkingWithGod1-3 #Revealed by An Envoy #Grace and Peace be multiplied unto you this week
Tuesday, August 08, 2017
IMPLICATIONS OF WALKING WITH GOD
Few days ago, using Enoch as a study we understood what it means/entails in walking with God; shortly we shall look at the implications of walking with God, but firstly, we should understand that God desires all of His children to walk with Him.
Walking with God connotes friendship with God as only friends walk together
When friends walk together they talk and share with each other
This goes beyond coming to Church every Sunday or any meeting or programme at all
Walking with a close friend requires separating oneself from the company of other people or things that may distract or are in opposition – Ps.1: 1-3; 2Cor.6: 14-18
Walking with a friend also requires agreement and over time having things in common
– Amos 3: 3
Walking with God implies being like Him– Ps.42:7; Matt.5:48
Walking with God means aligning our will with His –Matt.6:10; 26:42; Rom8:29
Biblically, "walking," refers to a lifestyle as one can walk in the ways of the world –2Kg.8: 27; Eph.2: 2; Col.3: 7
Walking with God is also walking in the Spirit – Gal.5: 16; Rom.8: 4
Walking with God implies overcoming the flesh - Rom.8: 5-8
Walking with God means we choose to glorify Him in every way we can, regardless of personal cost – Matt.16: 24; 1Cor.10: 31
It is not difficult to identify people who walk with God. Their lives are a contrast to the world around them, they shine like stars in a nighttime sky – Phil.2:15
Those who walk with God produce the fruit of the Spirit (Gal.5: 22) and not the works of the flesh (Gal.5: 19-21)
When we walk with God every day, the world cannot help but recognize that we have been with Jesus, in spite of our imperfections and lack of knowledge in some areas e.g.Peter & John – Acts 4:13
No doubts, God bless those who walk with Him
#TheseImplications #YourLifestyle
#Communion #Fellowship #Partnership #SharingTogether
Enjoy the rest of the week.. Shalom!!
Up Next #HindrancesOfWalkingWithGod
Walking with God connotes friendship with God as only friends walk together
When friends walk together they talk and share with each other
This goes beyond coming to Church every Sunday or any meeting or programme at all
Walking with a close friend requires separating oneself from the company of other people or things that may distract or are in opposition – Ps.1: 1-3; 2Cor.6: 14-18
Walking with a friend also requires agreement and over time having things in common
– Amos 3: 3
Walking with God implies being like Him– Ps.42:7; Matt.5:48
Walking with God means aligning our will with His –Matt.6:10; 26:42; Rom8:29
Biblically, "walking," refers to a lifestyle as one can walk in the ways of the world –2Kg.8: 27; Eph.2: 2; Col.3: 7
Walking with God is also walking in the Spirit – Gal.5: 16; Rom.8: 4
Walking with God implies overcoming the flesh - Rom.8: 5-8
Walking with God means we choose to glorify Him in every way we can, regardless of personal cost – Matt.16: 24; 1Cor.10: 31
It is not difficult to identify people who walk with God. Their lives are a contrast to the world around them, they shine like stars in a nighttime sky – Phil.2:15
Those who walk with God produce the fruit of the Spirit (Gal.5: 22) and not the works of the flesh (Gal.5: 19-21)
When we walk with God every day, the world cannot help but recognize that we have been with Jesus, in spite of our imperfections and lack of knowledge in some areas e.g.Peter & John – Acts 4:13
No doubts, God bless those who walk with Him
#TheseImplications #YourLifestyle
#Communion #Fellowship #Partnership #SharingTogether
Enjoy the rest of the week.. Shalom!!
Up Next #HindrancesOfWalkingWithGod
Friday, August 04, 2017
WALKING WITH GOD- ENOCH
"Enoch walked with God" (Genesis 5:24).
Enoch’s walk implies that he went up and down, in and out, to and fro, arm in arm with God, always talking with Him, growing closer and growing more like Him.
Enoch did not start to walk with God until he gave birth to Methuselah. That means, he lived a portion of his life without walking with God. What portion of your life has been wasted and how much more do you still want to waste before you start to walk with God?
Enoch could have started his walk with God earlier before having his 1st born. What if he never had any child? How many wrong goals have you set for yourself, saying, “Until I have done this or that” before you start to walk with God? – Jam.4:13-15
Enoch had other children after bearing Methuselah. Look around you – those who don’t
serve God are not usually better off in the end.
Enoch gave birth to Methuselah. Whereas Enoch lived for 365years and walked with God, Methuselah lived for 969years without any mention of his relationship with God or any tangible achievements than having children. Enoch’s life and walk with God proved that it is not how long we live that matters to God but how well.
Enoch lived for 365 years. Enoch’s 365 years like 365 days represent a typical “year” of our years. He lived a full and fulfilling life. We can live full and fulfilling lives too. And if we so desire, we also can live for 365 days each year walking hand in hand with God like Enoch.
Enoch was translated out of life. Like Enoch, those who walk closely with God are translated out of Satan's reach. They are taken out of his kingdom of darkness and put into Christ's kingdom of light:
“Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son” (Col.1:13).
Enoch pleased God in the midst of a wicked, crooked and perverse society. All around Enoch, mankind grew increasingly ungodly. Yet as men changed into wild beasts full of lust and ungodliness, Enoch became more and more like the One with whom he walked.
He was a man of like passion as we are, an ordinary man with similar problems and
challenges, not an isolated hermit hidden away in a cave in the forest or wilderness. He
was involved in everyday life with family, friends and neighbours.
"And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him" – Genesis 5:24
Although, this verse actually speaks of Enoch's translation, the fact that he did not taste
death. But there is more to it. That phrase, ‘he was not’, also means, “he was not worldly” or “he was not of this world.” Practically speaking, Enoch was not part of this wicked world. Each day as he walked with the Lord he became less attached to the things of this world but set his affection on things above. Like Paul, he died daily to this earthly life and he was taken up in the spirit to a heavenly realm.
However, while on earth, Enoch was responsible, caring for his family, working,
ministering, etc. But "he was not" – i.e not earthbound. None of the demands of this life
kept him from his walk with God.
Hebrews 11:5 testifies clearly that Enoch pleased God. How? His walk with God
produced in him the kind of faith God loves because Hebrews 11: 6 says, “But without
faith it is impossible to please him”. Throughout the Bible and in history, all those who
walked closely with God have always been men and women of faith. We cannot walk
with God without faith and true faith pleases God.
“By faith Enoch was translated…” Heb.11: 5.
This is a great truth! All of Enoch's faith and desire to be with the Lord; And God granted his heart desire and translated him according to his faith. Enoch could no longer stay away from the Lord. So, God took him straight to be with Him.
Enoch had no Bible, no hymn book, no fellow church member, no teacher; no indwelling Holy Spirit and he did not speak with tongues. But he knew God and walked with Him.
"… He that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him" – Hebrews 11:6.
Enoch believed God was a Rewarder and his faith pleased God.
How God reward his faithful followers and friends who believe and walk with Him:
1. Friends share secrets (Gen.18:17; Amos 3:7). When we walk with the Lord in the light of His presence and word, we have guidance, direction, discernment and revelation. God helps us to know things supernaturally.
2. God controls the lives of those who walk with Him (Jn.14: 23). Satan has no real control over those who daily walk and talk with Christ (Rom.8:1).
3. Walk with God gives us divine protection from all the attacks of the enemy – Ps.91:1; Isa.54: 17; Lk.10: 19.
4. Above all, that you will not fulfill the lust of the flesh Gal 5:16
#WalkingWithGodRevealed
#UpNextImplicationsOfWalkingWithGod
Enoch’s walk implies that he went up and down, in and out, to and fro, arm in arm with God, always talking with Him, growing closer and growing more like Him.
Enoch did not start to walk with God until he gave birth to Methuselah. That means, he lived a portion of his life without walking with God. What portion of your life has been wasted and how much more do you still want to waste before you start to walk with God?
Enoch could have started his walk with God earlier before having his 1st born. What if he never had any child? How many wrong goals have you set for yourself, saying, “Until I have done this or that” before you start to walk with God? – Jam.4:13-15
Enoch had other children after bearing Methuselah. Look around you – those who don’t
serve God are not usually better off in the end.
Enoch gave birth to Methuselah. Whereas Enoch lived for 365years and walked with God, Methuselah lived for 969years without any mention of his relationship with God or any tangible achievements than having children. Enoch’s life and walk with God proved that it is not how long we live that matters to God but how well.
Enoch lived for 365 years. Enoch’s 365 years like 365 days represent a typical “year” of our years. He lived a full and fulfilling life. We can live full and fulfilling lives too. And if we so desire, we also can live for 365 days each year walking hand in hand with God like Enoch.
Enoch was translated out of life. Like Enoch, those who walk closely with God are translated out of Satan's reach. They are taken out of his kingdom of darkness and put into Christ's kingdom of light:
“Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son” (Col.1:13).
Enoch pleased God in the midst of a wicked, crooked and perverse society. All around Enoch, mankind grew increasingly ungodly. Yet as men changed into wild beasts full of lust and ungodliness, Enoch became more and more like the One with whom he walked.
He was a man of like passion as we are, an ordinary man with similar problems and
challenges, not an isolated hermit hidden away in a cave in the forest or wilderness. He
was involved in everyday life with family, friends and neighbours.
"And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him" – Genesis 5:24
Although, this verse actually speaks of Enoch's translation, the fact that he did not taste
death. But there is more to it. That phrase, ‘he was not’, also means, “he was not worldly” or “he was not of this world.” Practically speaking, Enoch was not part of this wicked world. Each day as he walked with the Lord he became less attached to the things of this world but set his affection on things above. Like Paul, he died daily to this earthly life and he was taken up in the spirit to a heavenly realm.
However, while on earth, Enoch was responsible, caring for his family, working,
ministering, etc. But "he was not" – i.e not earthbound. None of the demands of this life
kept him from his walk with God.
Hebrews 11:5 testifies clearly that Enoch pleased God. How? His walk with God
produced in him the kind of faith God loves because Hebrews 11: 6 says, “But without
faith it is impossible to please him”. Throughout the Bible and in history, all those who
walked closely with God have always been men and women of faith. We cannot walk
with God without faith and true faith pleases God.
“By faith Enoch was translated…” Heb.11: 5.
This is a great truth! All of Enoch's faith and desire to be with the Lord; And God granted his heart desire and translated him according to his faith. Enoch could no longer stay away from the Lord. So, God took him straight to be with Him.
Enoch had no Bible, no hymn book, no fellow church member, no teacher; no indwelling Holy Spirit and he did not speak with tongues. But he knew God and walked with Him.
"… He that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him" – Hebrews 11:6.
Enoch believed God was a Rewarder and his faith pleased God.
How God reward his faithful followers and friends who believe and walk with Him:
1. Friends share secrets (Gen.18:17; Amos 3:7). When we walk with the Lord in the light of His presence and word, we have guidance, direction, discernment and revelation. God helps us to know things supernaturally.
2. God controls the lives of those who walk with Him (Jn.14: 23). Satan has no real control over those who daily walk and talk with Christ (Rom.8:1).
3. Walk with God gives us divine protection from all the attacks of the enemy – Ps.91:1; Isa.54: 17; Lk.10: 19.
4. Above all, that you will not fulfill the lust of the flesh Gal 5:16
#WalkingWithGodRevealed
#UpNextImplicationsOfWalkingWithGod
Tuesday, July 18, 2017
LONGSUFFERING???
It has been said that longsuffering means “suffering long.” That is a good answer, but a better definition is needed. The word longsuffering in the Bible is made up of two Greek words meaning “long” and “temper”; literally, “long-tempered.” To be longsuffering, then, is to have self-restraint when one is stirred to anger. A longsuffering person does not immediately retaliate or punish; rather, he has a “long fuse” and patiently forbears. Longsuffering is associated with mercy (1 Peter 3:20) and hope (1 Thessalonians 1:4). It does not surrender to circumstances or succumb to trial.
God is the source of longsuffering because it is part of His character (Exodus 34:6; Numbers 14:18–20; Psalm 86:15; Romans 2:4; 1 Peter 3:9; 2 Peter 3:15). He is patient with sinners. At the same time, God’s longsuffering can come to an end, as seen in the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 18--19) and the sending of Israel into captivity.
The believer in Jesus Christ receives the very life of God, His divine nature (2 Peter 1:4). That life produces certain characteristics (fruit) that are displayed in the believer as he obeys the Holy Spirit who lives within him. One of those godly characteristics from Galatians 5:22–23 is “longsuffering.” The word is translated “patience” in the New American Standard Bible. Longsuffering is to be exhibited by all believers (Ephesians 4:2; Colossians 1:11; 3:12).
Think how our lives would be affected if longsuffering were exhibited in individual relationships, family relationships, church relationships, and workplace relationships. The old nature can be very short-fused at times, and we tend to strike back against offenses with unkind words and unforgiving spirits. By obeying the Holy Spirit, the believer in Christ can say “no” to retaliation and exhibit a forgiving and longsuffering attitude. As God is longsuffering with us, we can and must be longsuffering with others (Ephesians 4:30–32).
The ultimate example of God’s longsuffering is His waiting for individuals to respond in faith to Jesus Christ. God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). Have you made that decision to believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for you and that He rose again to provide forgiveness and eternal life? If not, read Romans 10:9–13.
#ANENVOY #REVEALED #LONGSUFFERING/PATIENCE
God is the source of longsuffering because it is part of His character (Exodus 34:6; Numbers 14:18–20; Psalm 86:15; Romans 2:4; 1 Peter 3:9; 2 Peter 3:15). He is patient with sinners. At the same time, God’s longsuffering can come to an end, as seen in the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 18--19) and the sending of Israel into captivity.
The believer in Jesus Christ receives the very life of God, His divine nature (2 Peter 1:4). That life produces certain characteristics (fruit) that are displayed in the believer as he obeys the Holy Spirit who lives within him. One of those godly characteristics from Galatians 5:22–23 is “longsuffering.” The word is translated “patience” in the New American Standard Bible. Longsuffering is to be exhibited by all believers (Ephesians 4:2; Colossians 1:11; 3:12).
Think how our lives would be affected if longsuffering were exhibited in individual relationships, family relationships, church relationships, and workplace relationships. The old nature can be very short-fused at times, and we tend to strike back against offenses with unkind words and unforgiving spirits. By obeying the Holy Spirit, the believer in Christ can say “no” to retaliation and exhibit a forgiving and longsuffering attitude. As God is longsuffering with us, we can and must be longsuffering with others (Ephesians 4:30–32).
The ultimate example of God’s longsuffering is His waiting for individuals to respond in faith to Jesus Christ. God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). Have you made that decision to believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for you and that He rose again to provide forgiveness and eternal life? If not, read Romans 10:9–13.
#ANENVOY #REVEALED #LONGSUFFERING/PATIENCE
Wednesday, July 05, 2017
THIS IS ETERNAL LIFE
When the Bible speaks of eternal life, it refers to a gift of God that comes only “through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23). This gift is in contrast to the “death” that is the natural result of sin.
The gift of eternal life comes to those who believe in Jesus Christ, who is Himself “the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25). The fact that this life is “eternal” indicates that it is perpetual life—it goes on and on and on, with no end.
It is a mistake, however, to view eternal life as simply an unending progression of years. A common New Testament word for “eternal” is aiónios, which carries the idea of quality as well as quantity. In fact, eternal life is not really associated with “years” at all, as it is independent of time. Eternal life can function outside of and beyond time, as well as within time.
For this reason, eternal life can be thought of as something that Christians experience now. Believers don’t have to “wait” for eternal life, because it’s not something that starts when they die. Rather, eternal life begins the moment a person exercises faith in Christ. It is our current possession.John 3:36 says, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life.” Note that the believer “has” (present tense) this life. We find similar present-tense constructions in John 5:24 and John 6:47. The focus of eternal life is not on our future, but on our current standing in Christ.
The Bible inextricably links eternal life with the Person of Jesus Christ. John 17:3 is an important passage in this regard, as Jesus prays, “Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” Here, Jesus equates “eternal life” with a knowledge of God and of the Son. There is no knowledge of God without the Son, for it is through the Son that the Father reveals Himself to the elect (John 17:6;14:9).
This life-giving knowledge of the Father and the Son is a true, personal knowledge, not just an academic awareness. There will be some on Judgment Day who had claimed to be followers of Christ but never really had a relationship with Him. To those false professors, Jesus will say, “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!” (Matthew 7:23). The apostle Paul made it his goal to know the Lord, and he linked that knowledge to resurrection from the dead: “I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead” (Philippians 3:10–11).
In the New Jerusalem, the apostle John sees a river flowing from “the throne of God and of the Lamb,” and “on each side of the river stood the tree of life. . . . And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations” (Revelation 22:1–2). In Eden, we rebelled against God and were banished from the tree of life (Genesis 3:24). In the end, God graciously restores our access to the tree of life. This access is provided through Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29).
Right now, every sinner is invited to know Christ and to receive eternal life: “Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life” (Revelation 22:17).
How can you know that you have eternal life? First of all, confess your sin before our holy God. Then accept God’s provision of a Savior on your behalf. “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13). Jesus Christ, the Son of God, died for your sins, and He rose again the third day. Believe this good news; trust the Lord Jesus as your Savior, and you will be saved (Acts 16:31; Romans 10:9 –10).
John puts it so simply: “God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life” (1 John 5:11–12).
#ThisIsEternalLife
#Revealed John 17:3
Shalom
The gift of eternal life comes to those who believe in Jesus Christ, who is Himself “the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25). The fact that this life is “eternal” indicates that it is perpetual life—it goes on and on and on, with no end.
It is a mistake, however, to view eternal life as simply an unending progression of years. A common New Testament word for “eternal” is aiónios, which carries the idea of quality as well as quantity. In fact, eternal life is not really associated with “years” at all, as it is independent of time. Eternal life can function outside of and beyond time, as well as within time.
For this reason, eternal life can be thought of as something that Christians experience now. Believers don’t have to “wait” for eternal life, because it’s not something that starts when they die. Rather, eternal life begins the moment a person exercises faith in Christ. It is our current possession.John 3:36 says, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life.” Note that the believer “has” (present tense) this life. We find similar present-tense constructions in John 5:24 and John 6:47. The focus of eternal life is not on our future, but on our current standing in Christ.
The Bible inextricably links eternal life with the Person of Jesus Christ. John 17:3 is an important passage in this regard, as Jesus prays, “Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” Here, Jesus equates “eternal life” with a knowledge of God and of the Son. There is no knowledge of God without the Son, for it is through the Son that the Father reveals Himself to the elect (John 17:6;14:9).
This life-giving knowledge of the Father and the Son is a true, personal knowledge, not just an academic awareness. There will be some on Judgment Day who had claimed to be followers of Christ but never really had a relationship with Him. To those false professors, Jesus will say, “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!” (Matthew 7:23). The apostle Paul made it his goal to know the Lord, and he linked that knowledge to resurrection from the dead: “I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead” (Philippians 3:10–11).
In the New Jerusalem, the apostle John sees a river flowing from “the throne of God and of the Lamb,” and “on each side of the river stood the tree of life. . . . And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations” (Revelation 22:1–2). In Eden, we rebelled against God and were banished from the tree of life (Genesis 3:24). In the end, God graciously restores our access to the tree of life. This access is provided through Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29).
Right now, every sinner is invited to know Christ and to receive eternal life: “Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life” (Revelation 22:17).
How can you know that you have eternal life? First of all, confess your sin before our holy God. Then accept God’s provision of a Savior on your behalf. “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13). Jesus Christ, the Son of God, died for your sins, and He rose again the third day. Believe this good news; trust the Lord Jesus as your Savior, and you will be saved (Acts 16:31; Romans 10:9 –10).
John puts it so simply: “God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life” (1 John 5:11–12).
#ThisIsEternalLife
#Revealed John 17:3
Shalom
Saturday, June 24, 2017
GROW IN FAITH!!!
All Christians want, or should want, to increase their faith. But those who have given their lives to Christ have come to realize that success does not come from our own human attempts; we always fail. First Corinthians 4:7 reminds us, "What makes you better than anyone else? What do you have that God hasn't given you? And if all you have is from God, why boast as though you have accomplished something on your own?" Without God, we are left to our own resources, which plague us with pride, stubbornness, indifference, insensitivity, and failure. The only one we can count on who absolutely will not fail us is God (Hebrews 13:5).
If our trust in God is going to grow, we have to learn to step out in faith, moving out of our comfort zone and taking chances. If we believe that God will sustain us for that day, we can be free to carry out His will, regardless of the consequences. Whenever we face temptations, God will always provide a way out so that we will not be overcome (1 Corinthians 10:13). We need to look for that way out, and praise God when we find it. First Peter 1:7 says He will use trials to test our faith and to make us stronger Christians; we will be given much honor if we can stand strong and not waver. "Yet faith comes from listening to this message of good news " the Good News about Christ" (Romans 10:17).
#FOR KINGDOM ENVOYS
#REVEALED GROW IN FAITH
#HEBREW 11 VS 6A
Enjoy your weekend in Christ
Beginning our journey of faith with God requires that we immerse ourselves in His Word (Romans 10:17; 1 Peter 2:2). We must learn about His love, His justice, His mercy, and His plan. We must form a relationship with Him, so that we can know Him personally through His Son, Jesus Christ (John 17:3). We should ask Him to reveal Himself to us and change us. The Bible promises that if we seek God, we will find Him (Matthew 7:7). And if we allow Him to, He will transform us into new people who can know His will (Romans 12:2). We have to be willing to die to our old selves and let go of the pride and selfishness that kept us from Him for so long. As God changes us, we will learn to develop the fruit that comes from the Holy Spirit, who dwells in all Christians (Galatians 5:22-23; John 14:17). As we walk in the Spirit, allowing Him to control our lives, we will begin to trust in Him. “Let your roots grow down into him and draw up nourishment from him, so you will grow in faith, strong and vigorous in the truth you were taught. Let your lives overflow with thanksgiving for all he has done” (Colossians 2:7).
If our trust in God is going to grow, we have to learn to step out in faith, moving out of our comfort zone and taking chances. If we believe that God will sustain us for that day, we can be free to carry out His will, regardless of the consequences. Whenever we face temptations, God will always provide a way out so that we will not be overcome (1 Corinthians 10:13). We need to look for that way out, and praise God when we find it. First Peter 1:7 says He will use trials to test our faith and to make us stronger Christians; we will be given much honor if we can stand strong and not waver. "Yet faith comes from listening to this message of good news " the Good News about Christ" (Romans 10:17).
#FOR KINGDOM ENVOYS
#REVEALED GROW IN FAITH
#HEBREW 11 VS 6A
Enjoy your weekend in Christ
Sunday, May 28, 2017
GOD'S REST.
The concept of entering into God’s rest comes from Hebrews 3—4. What is this “rest” the Hebrew writer is talking about? How do we enter it? And how do we fail to enter it? The writer to the Hebrews begins his discussion of God’s rest in chapter 3, where he references the Israelites wandering in the desert. In giving them the land of Canaan, God had promised them that He would go before them and defeat all their enemies in order that they could live securely (Deuteronomy 12:9–10). All that was required of them was to fully trust in Him and His promises. However, they refused to obey Him. Instead, they murmured against Him, even yearning to go back to their bondage under the Egyptians (Exodus 16:3; 17:1–7; Numbers 20:3–13).
The particular “rest” referred to here was that of the land of Canaan. Into that rest God solemnly said the Israelites who disobeyed Him would never enter (Hebrews 3:11). They had been rebellious. All the means of reclaiming them had failed. God had warned and entreated them; He had caused His mercies to pass before them, and had visited them with judgments in vain; and He now declares that for all their rebellion they should be excluded from the Promised Land (Hebrews 3:16–19). But, eventually, the next generation did place their faith in God and, by following the leadership of Joshua, they, some forty years later, entered into God’s rest, the land of Canaan (Joshua 3:14–17).
Using the Israelites as an example of those who were not resting in God’s promises, the writer of Hebrews goes on in chapter 4 to make the application personal, both to the Hebrew Christians and to us: “Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it” (Hebrews 4:1). The promise that still stands is the promise of salvation through God’s provision—Jesus Christ. He alone can provide the eternal rest of salvation through His blood shed on the cross for the remission of sins. God’s rest, then, is in the spiritual realm, the rest of salvation. Faith, the author goes on to assert, is the key to entering God’s rest. The Hebrews had had the gospel preached to them, just as the Israelites knew the truth about God, but the messages were of “no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith” (Hebrews 4:2). Some had heard the good news of Christ, but they rejected it for lack of faith.
Hebrews 4:10–13 explains the nature of this faith. The kind of faith that enables us to enter into God’s rest is a faith that first demands that we rest from relying on our own works. Then the writer seemingly contradicts himself by telling us to make every effort: “For anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience” (Hebrews 4:10–11). What this apparent paradox means is that such biblical faith involves our submissiveness to God, and our efforts in that area.
Though we desist in our self-efforts to earn salvation and the promised eternal rest, we also “make every effort to enter that rest” by choosing to depend solely on God, to trust Him implicitly, to yield totally to the promises of God through the free grace of His salvation. Why? So “that no one will fall by following their [the Israelites’] example of disobedience” (Hebrews 4:11). We either trust ourselves to save ourselves, or we trust God to do that for us through the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. By failing to trust God fully in His promises, we become disobedient and fail to enter the rest that is eternal life, just as the children of Israel became disobedient when they failed to enter the Promised Land.
So how do we stop trusting ourselves? How do we place our full trust in God and His promises? We enter into God’s rest by first understanding our total inability to enter God’s rest on our own. Next, we enter God’s rest by our total faith in the sacrifice of Christ and complete obedience to God and His will. “And to whom did God swear that they would never enter his rest if not to those who disobeyed? So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief” (Hebrews 3:18–19). Unlike the Israelites whose unbelief prevented them from entering the Promised Land, we are to enter God’s rest by faith in Him, faith which is a gift from Him by grace (Ephesians 2:8–9).
GOD'S REST REVEALED... HAPPY SUNDAY TO ALL KINGDOM ENVOYS... SHALOM
The particular “rest” referred to here was that of the land of Canaan. Into that rest God solemnly said the Israelites who disobeyed Him would never enter (Hebrews 3:11). They had been rebellious. All the means of reclaiming them had failed. God had warned and entreated them; He had caused His mercies to pass before them, and had visited them with judgments in vain; and He now declares that for all their rebellion they should be excluded from the Promised Land (Hebrews 3:16–19). But, eventually, the next generation did place their faith in God and, by following the leadership of Joshua, they, some forty years later, entered into God’s rest, the land of Canaan (Joshua 3:14–17).
Using the Israelites as an example of those who were not resting in God’s promises, the writer of Hebrews goes on in chapter 4 to make the application personal, both to the Hebrew Christians and to us: “Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it” (Hebrews 4:1). The promise that still stands is the promise of salvation through God’s provision—Jesus Christ. He alone can provide the eternal rest of salvation through His blood shed on the cross for the remission of sins. God’s rest, then, is in the spiritual realm, the rest of salvation. Faith, the author goes on to assert, is the key to entering God’s rest. The Hebrews had had the gospel preached to them, just as the Israelites knew the truth about God, but the messages were of “no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith” (Hebrews 4:2). Some had heard the good news of Christ, but they rejected it for lack of faith.
Hebrews 4:10–13 explains the nature of this faith. The kind of faith that enables us to enter into God’s rest is a faith that first demands that we rest from relying on our own works. Then the writer seemingly contradicts himself by telling us to make every effort: “For anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience” (Hebrews 4:10–11). What this apparent paradox means is that such biblical faith involves our submissiveness to God, and our efforts in that area.
Though we desist in our self-efforts to earn salvation and the promised eternal rest, we also “make every effort to enter that rest” by choosing to depend solely on God, to trust Him implicitly, to yield totally to the promises of God through the free grace of His salvation. Why? So “that no one will fall by following their [the Israelites’] example of disobedience” (Hebrews 4:11). We either trust ourselves to save ourselves, or we trust God to do that for us through the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. By failing to trust God fully in His promises, we become disobedient and fail to enter the rest that is eternal life, just as the children of Israel became disobedient when they failed to enter the Promised Land.
So how do we stop trusting ourselves? How do we place our full trust in God and His promises? We enter into God’s rest by first understanding our total inability to enter God’s rest on our own. Next, we enter God’s rest by our total faith in the sacrifice of Christ and complete obedience to God and His will. “And to whom did God swear that they would never enter his rest if not to those who disobeyed? So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief” (Hebrews 3:18–19). Unlike the Israelites whose unbelief prevented them from entering the Promised Land, we are to enter God’s rest by faith in Him, faith which is a gift from Him by grace (Ephesians 2:8–9).
GOD'S REST REVEALED... HAPPY SUNDAY TO ALL KINGDOM ENVOYS... SHALOM
Wednesday, May 10, 2017
Deliver this man unto Satan: MY GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR YOU
My Senior Partner (The Holy Ghost) laid it in my heart to republish this piece during my study on THE PURPOSES OF TEMPTATION and my going to do just that..
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?
#REVEALER #REBROADCAST
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?
#REVEALER #REBROADCAST
Wednesday, April 26, 2017
"TAKE UP YOUR CROSS AND FOLLOW ME"
What did Jesus mean when he said "take up your cross and follow me" (Matthew 16:24, Mark 8:34 and Luke 9:23)?
Let's begin with what Jesus didn't mean. Many people interpret "cross" as some burden they must carry in their lives: a strained relationship, a thankless job, a physical illness. With self-pitying pride, they say, "That's my cross I have to carry." Such an interpretation is not what Jesus meant when He said, "Take up your cross and follow Me."
When Jesus carried His cross up Golgotha to be crucified, no one was thinking of the cross as symbolic of a burden to carry. To a person in the first-century, the cross meant one thing and one thing only: death by the most painful and humiliating means human beings could develop.
Two thousand years later, Christians view the cross as a cherished symbol of atonement, forgiveness, grace, and love. But in Jesus' day, the cross represented nothing but torturous death. Because the Romans forced convicted criminals to carry their own crosses to the place of crucifixion, bearing a cross meant carrying their own execution device while facing ridicule along the way to death.
Therefore, "Take up your cross and follow Me" means being willing to die in order to follow Jesus. This is called "dying to self." It's a call to absolute surrender. After each time Jesus commanded cross bearing, He said, "For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?" (Luke 9:24-25). Although the call is tough, the reward is matchless.
Wherever Jesus went, He drew crowds. Although these multitudes often followed Him as Messiah, their view of who the Messiah really was"and what He would do"was distorted. They thought the Christ would usher in the restored kingdom. They believed He would free them from the oppressive rule of their Roman occupiers. Even Christ's own inner circle of disciples thought the kingdom was coming soon (Luke 19:11). When Jesus began teaching that He was going to die at the hands of the Jewish leaders and their Gentile overlords (Luke 9:22), His popularity sank. Many of the shocked followers rejected Him. Truly, they were not able to put to death their own ideas, plans, and desires, and exchange them for His.
Following Jesus is easy when life runs smoothly; our true commitment to Him is revealed during trials. Jesus assured us that trials will come to His followers (John 16:33). Discipleship demands sacrifice, and Jesus never hid that cost.
In Luke 9:57-62, three people seemed willing to follow Jesus. When Jesus questioned them further, their commitment was half-hearted at best. They failed to count the cost of following Him. None was willing to take up his cross and crucify upon it his own interests.
Therefore, Jesus appeared to dissuade them. How different from the typical Gospel presentation! How many people would respond to an altar call that went, "Come follow Jesus, and you may face the loss of friends, family, reputation, career, and possibly even your life"? The number of false converts would likely decrease! Such a call is what Jesus meant when He said, "Take up your cross and follow Me."
If you wonder if you are ready to take up your cross, consider these questions:
" Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means losing some of your closest friends?
" Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means alienation from your family?
" Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means the loss of your reputation?
" Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means losing your job?
" Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means losing your life?
In some places of the world, these consequences are reality. But notice the questions are phrased, "Are you willing?" Following Jesus doesn't necessarily mean all these things will happen to you, but are you willing to take up your cross? If there comes a point in your life where you are faced with a choice"Jesus or the comforts of this life"which will you choose?
Commitment to Christ means taking up your cross daily, giving up your hopes, dreams, possessions, even your very life if need be for the cause of Christ. Only if you willingly take up your cross may you be called His disciple (Luke 14:27). The reward is worth the price. Jesus followed His call of death to self ("Take up your cross and follow Me") with the gift of life in Christ: "For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it" (Matthew 16:25-26).
Revealers, take up your cross and follow christ... Enjoy the rest of the week... Shalom
Let's begin with what Jesus didn't mean. Many people interpret "cross" as some burden they must carry in their lives: a strained relationship, a thankless job, a physical illness. With self-pitying pride, they say, "That's my cross I have to carry." Such an interpretation is not what Jesus meant when He said, "Take up your cross and follow Me."
When Jesus carried His cross up Golgotha to be crucified, no one was thinking of the cross as symbolic of a burden to carry. To a person in the first-century, the cross meant one thing and one thing only: death by the most painful and humiliating means human beings could develop.
Two thousand years later, Christians view the cross as a cherished symbol of atonement, forgiveness, grace, and love. But in Jesus' day, the cross represented nothing but torturous death. Because the Romans forced convicted criminals to carry their own crosses to the place of crucifixion, bearing a cross meant carrying their own execution device while facing ridicule along the way to death.
Therefore, "Take up your cross and follow Me" means being willing to die in order to follow Jesus. This is called "dying to self." It's a call to absolute surrender. After each time Jesus commanded cross bearing, He said, "For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?" (Luke 9:24-25). Although the call is tough, the reward is matchless.
Wherever Jesus went, He drew crowds. Although these multitudes often followed Him as Messiah, their view of who the Messiah really was"and what He would do"was distorted. They thought the Christ would usher in the restored kingdom. They believed He would free them from the oppressive rule of their Roman occupiers. Even Christ's own inner circle of disciples thought the kingdom was coming soon (Luke 19:11). When Jesus began teaching that He was going to die at the hands of the Jewish leaders and their Gentile overlords (Luke 9:22), His popularity sank. Many of the shocked followers rejected Him. Truly, they were not able to put to death their own ideas, plans, and desires, and exchange them for His.
Following Jesus is easy when life runs smoothly; our true commitment to Him is revealed during trials. Jesus assured us that trials will come to His followers (John 16:33). Discipleship demands sacrifice, and Jesus never hid that cost.
In Luke 9:57-62, three people seemed willing to follow Jesus. When Jesus questioned them further, their commitment was half-hearted at best. They failed to count the cost of following Him. None was willing to take up his cross and crucify upon it his own interests.
Therefore, Jesus appeared to dissuade them. How different from the typical Gospel presentation! How many people would respond to an altar call that went, "Come follow Jesus, and you may face the loss of friends, family, reputation, career, and possibly even your life"? The number of false converts would likely decrease! Such a call is what Jesus meant when He said, "Take up your cross and follow Me."
If you wonder if you are ready to take up your cross, consider these questions:
" Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means losing some of your closest friends?
" Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means alienation from your family?
" Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means the loss of your reputation?
" Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means losing your job?
" Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means losing your life?
In some places of the world, these consequences are reality. But notice the questions are phrased, "Are you willing?" Following Jesus doesn't necessarily mean all these things will happen to you, but are you willing to take up your cross? If there comes a point in your life where you are faced with a choice"Jesus or the comforts of this life"which will you choose?
Commitment to Christ means taking up your cross daily, giving up your hopes, dreams, possessions, even your very life if need be for the cause of Christ. Only if you willingly take up your cross may you be called His disciple (Luke 14:27). The reward is worth the price. Jesus followed His call of death to self ("Take up your cross and follow Me") with the gift of life in Christ: "For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it" (Matthew 16:25-26).
Revealers, take up your cross and follow christ... Enjoy the rest of the week... Shalom
Wednesday, April 12, 2017
THE CONCEPT OF SPIRITUALITY
Last week we were able to detect what manner of man we were and also we understood what manner of man God ultimately plan for us to be. Which is a state where we become not natural nor carnal but Spiritual. This week we shall learn what it takes to get to that state.
Genuine spirituality involves three factors.
The first, REGENERATION: No one can be spiritual in the biblical sense without having first experienced the new life that is freely given to all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as personal Saviour (2 Cor 5:17). Spirituality without regeneration is Reformation.
The second, The HOLY SPIRIT: The Holy Spirit is preeminently involved in producing spirituality. This is not to say that the other Persons of the God-head do not have a part in it, nor that the believer himself has
no responsibility, nor that there are not other means of grace, but it is to affirm His major role in spirituality. The ministries of the Spirit involve teaching (John 16:12-15), guiding (Rom. 8:14),
assuring (Rom. 8:16), praying (Rom 8.26), the exercise of spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 12:7) and Warring against the flesh (Gal. 5:17). All of these depend for their full manifestation on the filling of
the Spirit (Eph. 5:18).
To be filled with the Spirit means to be controlled by the Spirit. The clue to this definition is found in Ephesians 5:18
where there is contrast and comparison between drunkenness and
Spirit-filling. It is the comparison which gives the clue, for just
as a drunken person is controlled by the liquor which he consumes, so a Spirit-filled Christian is controlled by the Spirit. As a result he will act in a manner unnatural to him-not an erratic or
abnormal manner, but one contrary to the old life. Control by the Spirit is a necessary part of spirituality.
The third factor involved in spirituality is TIME. If the Spiritual person judges or examines or discerns all things (1 Cor 2:15), this must involve time in order to gain knowledge and to acquire experience for discerning all things. The Amplified Bible elaborates on the verse in this fashion: “He can read the
meaning of everything, but no one can properly discern or appraise or get an insight into him.” This could not be accomplished overnight; it is something Which is true only of a mature Christian.
That word maturity seems to hold the key to the concept of spirituality, for Christian maturity is the growth which the Holy Spirit produces over a period of time in the believer. To be sure, the same amount of time is not required for each individual, but some time is necessary for all. It is not the time itself which produces maturity; rather, the progress made and growth achieved are all-important.
Rate multiplied by time equals distance, so that the distance to maturity or spirituality may be covered in a shorter time if the rate of growth is accelerated. And it will only be accelerated if none of the control which ought to be given to the Holy Spirit is retained by self. Remember, the spiritual man is one who His spirit has gained the ascendancy over his intellectual processes. And his spirit has gained the l ascendancy over his body and his physical senses.
Apostle Paul encourages us in Gal 5:25
"If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit"
#REVEALED BY: AN ENVOY
Genuine spirituality involves three factors.
The first, REGENERATION: No one can be spiritual in the biblical sense without having first experienced the new life that is freely given to all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as personal Saviour (2 Cor 5:17). Spirituality without regeneration is Reformation.
The second, The HOLY SPIRIT: The Holy Spirit is preeminently involved in producing spirituality. This is not to say that the other Persons of the God-head do not have a part in it, nor that the believer himself has
no responsibility, nor that there are not other means of grace, but it is to affirm His major role in spirituality. The ministries of the Spirit involve teaching (John 16:12-15), guiding (Rom. 8:14),
assuring (Rom. 8:16), praying (Rom 8.26), the exercise of spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 12:7) and Warring against the flesh (Gal. 5:17). All of these depend for their full manifestation on the filling of
the Spirit (Eph. 5:18).
To be filled with the Spirit means to be controlled by the Spirit. The clue to this definition is found in Ephesians 5:18
where there is contrast and comparison between drunkenness and
Spirit-filling. It is the comparison which gives the clue, for just
as a drunken person is controlled by the liquor which he consumes, so a Spirit-filled Christian is controlled by the Spirit. As a result he will act in a manner unnatural to him-not an erratic or
abnormal manner, but one contrary to the old life. Control by the Spirit is a necessary part of spirituality.
The third factor involved in spirituality is TIME. If the Spiritual person judges or examines or discerns all things (1 Cor 2:15), this must involve time in order to gain knowledge and to acquire experience for discerning all things. The Amplified Bible elaborates on the verse in this fashion: “He can read the
meaning of everything, but no one can properly discern or appraise or get an insight into him.” This could not be accomplished overnight; it is something Which is true only of a mature Christian.
That word maturity seems to hold the key to the concept of spirituality, for Christian maturity is the growth which the Holy Spirit produces over a period of time in the believer. To be sure, the same amount of time is not required for each individual, but some time is necessary for all. It is not the time itself which produces maturity; rather, the progress made and growth achieved are all-important.
Rate multiplied by time equals distance, so that the distance to maturity or spirituality may be covered in a shorter time if the rate of growth is accelerated. And it will only be accelerated if none of the control which ought to be given to the Holy Spirit is retained by self. Remember, the spiritual man is one who His spirit has gained the ascendancy over his intellectual processes. And his spirit has gained the l ascendancy over his body and his physical senses.
Apostle Paul encourages us in Gal 5:25
"If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit"
#REVEALED BY: AN ENVOY
Enjoy God's Grace in the rest of the week. Shalom
Wednesday, April 05, 2017
WHAT MANNER OF MAN ARE YOU???
WHAT MANNER OF MAN ARE YOU?
"Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God." —I Corinthians 10:32
Here we have God's ethnic division of the human race: Jew, Gentile, Church of God. The Jew is ever a Jew. Gentile means the heathen world. Everyone outside of Christ who is not a Jew is a heathen, or a Gentile. The Church, the body of Christ, the new creation stands utterly alone. Paul has another division in his writings: the natural man, the carnal man, and the spiritual man.
The natural man is one who has never yet passed out of death into life. He has never been born-again. He's never been recreated. He's never become a new creature in Christ Jesus.
The carnal man is a new creature. He has been born-again. But he's never developed or grown. It is sad but true that the carnal man may remain in this condition all his life long. He may never develop beyond the babyhood state of the new creation. He is governed by his body; by his physical senses, rather than by his spirit.
The spiritual man is one who has developed in divine things. His spirit has gained the ascendancy over his intellectual processes. And his spirit has gained the ascendancy over his body and his physical senses. God governs him through the Word. This state is the will and intension of God for us all because the was the state of the Adam when he was created before the fall of man or before he became carnal (ruled by flesh) and natural (spiritual death)
Let's look carefully at these three men to see which one we are, and what we can do about it.... And in doing this, the next article will be on the biblical concept of spirituality that is how do I become a spiritual man (if I am not) or how to be sure I am a spiritual man (if you feel you are)..
Enjoy the rest of the week.
REVEALED BY: An envoy HB
"Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God." —I Corinthians 10:32
Here we have God's ethnic division of the human race: Jew, Gentile, Church of God. The Jew is ever a Jew. Gentile means the heathen world. Everyone outside of Christ who is not a Jew is a heathen, or a Gentile. The Church, the body of Christ, the new creation stands utterly alone. Paul has another division in his writings: the natural man, the carnal man, and the spiritual man.
The natural man is one who has never yet passed out of death into life. He has never been born-again. He's never been recreated. He's never become a new creature in Christ Jesus.
The carnal man is a new creature. He has been born-again. But he's never developed or grown. It is sad but true that the carnal man may remain in this condition all his life long. He may never develop beyond the babyhood state of the new creation. He is governed by his body; by his physical senses, rather than by his spirit.
The spiritual man is one who has developed in divine things. His spirit has gained the ascendancy over his intellectual processes. And his spirit has gained the ascendancy over his body and his physical senses. God governs him through the Word. This state is the will and intension of God for us all because the was the state of the Adam when he was created before the fall of man or before he became carnal (ruled by flesh) and natural (spiritual death)
Let's look carefully at these three men to see which one we are, and what we can do about it.... And in doing this, the next article will be on the biblical concept of spirituality that is how do I become a spiritual man (if I am not) or how to be sure I am a spiritual man (if you feel you are)..
Enjoy the rest of the week.
REVEALED BY: An envoy HB
Wednesday, March 29, 2017
WHO CAN BE SAVED???
Jesus clearly taught in John 3:16 that He will save anyone who believes in Him: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life..” This “whoever” includes you and every other person in the world.
The Bible says that, if salvation were based on our own efforts, no one could be saved: “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Psalm 143:2 adds, “No one living is righteous before you.”Romans 3:10 affirms, “There is no one righteous, not even one.”
We cannot save ourselves. Instead, we are saved when we believe in Jesus Christ.Ephesians 2:8–9 teaches, “It is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” We are saved by God’s grace, and grace, by definition, cannot be earned. We do not deserve salvation; we simply receive it by faith.
God’s grace is enough to cover all sin (Romans 5:20). The Bible is filled with examples of people who were saved from sinful backgrounds. The apostle Paul wrote to Christians who had formerly been living in a variety of sinful conditions, including sexual immorality, idolatry, adultery, homosexuality, thievery, greed, and drunkenness. But Paul tells them that, upon salvation, “You were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:9–11).
The apostle Paul himself had been a persecutor of Christians, approving of the death of Stephen (Acts 8:1) and arresting Christians and throwing them into prison (Acts 8:3). He would later write, “Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst” (1 Timothy 1:13–15).
God often chooses to save unlikely candidates to serve His purposes. He saved a thief on a cross with only minutes to live (Luke 23:42–43), a persecutor of the church (Paul), a fisherman who had denied Him (Peter), a Roman soldier and his family (Acts 10), a runaway slave (Onesimus in Philemon), and many others. There is no one beyond God’s ability to save (see Isaiah 50:2). We must respond in faith and receive His free gift of eternal life.
Who can be saved? One thing is for certain—you can, if you receive Jesus Christ as your Savior! If you are not certain you have accepted Jesus as your Savior, you can respond right now with a prayer similar to this:
“God, I realize I am a sinner and could never reach heaven by my own good deeds. Right now I place my faith in Jesus Christ as God’s Son who died for my sins and rose from the dead to give me eternal life. Please forgive me of my sins and help me to live for you. Thank you for accepting me and giving me eternal life.”
#WHO CAN BE SAVED REVEALED... ENJOY THE REST OF YOUR WEEK IN CHRIST.... SHALOM
The Bible says that, if salvation were based on our own efforts, no one could be saved: “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Psalm 143:2 adds, “No one living is righteous before you.”Romans 3:10 affirms, “There is no one righteous, not even one.”
We cannot save ourselves. Instead, we are saved when we believe in Jesus Christ.Ephesians 2:8–9 teaches, “It is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” We are saved by God’s grace, and grace, by definition, cannot be earned. We do not deserve salvation; we simply receive it by faith.
God’s grace is enough to cover all sin (Romans 5:20). The Bible is filled with examples of people who were saved from sinful backgrounds. The apostle Paul wrote to Christians who had formerly been living in a variety of sinful conditions, including sexual immorality, idolatry, adultery, homosexuality, thievery, greed, and drunkenness. But Paul tells them that, upon salvation, “You were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:9–11).
The apostle Paul himself had been a persecutor of Christians, approving of the death of Stephen (Acts 8:1) and arresting Christians and throwing them into prison (Acts 8:3). He would later write, “Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst” (1 Timothy 1:13–15).
God often chooses to save unlikely candidates to serve His purposes. He saved a thief on a cross with only minutes to live (Luke 23:42–43), a persecutor of the church (Paul), a fisherman who had denied Him (Peter), a Roman soldier and his family (Acts 10), a runaway slave (Onesimus in Philemon), and many others. There is no one beyond God’s ability to save (see Isaiah 50:2). We must respond in faith and receive His free gift of eternal life.
Who can be saved? One thing is for certain—you can, if you receive Jesus Christ as your Savior! If you are not certain you have accepted Jesus as your Savior, you can respond right now with a prayer similar to this:
“God, I realize I am a sinner and could never reach heaven by my own good deeds. Right now I place my faith in Jesus Christ as God’s Son who died for my sins and rose from the dead to give me eternal life. Please forgive me of my sins and help me to live for you. Thank you for accepting me and giving me eternal life.”
#WHO CAN BE SAVED REVEALED... ENJOY THE REST OF YOUR WEEK IN CHRIST.... SHALOM
Thursday, March 16, 2017
GOING TO HEAVEN- HOW CAN I GUARANTEE MY ETERNAL DESTINATION???
Face it. The day we step into eternity may come sooner than we think. In preparation for that moment, we need to know this truth—not everyone is going to heaven. How can we know for sure that we are going to heaven? Some 2,000 years ago, the apostles Peter and John were preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to a large crowd in Jerusalem. Peter made a profound statement that resonates even in our postmodern world: “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
Now as then, Acts 4:12 is not politically correct. Today it’s popular to say, “Everyone’s going to heaven” or “All paths lead to heaven.” There are many who think they can have heaven without having Jesus. They want the glory, but they don’t want to be bothered by the cross, much less the One who died there. Many don’t want to accept Jesus as the only way of going to heaven and are determined to find another path. But Jesus warns us that no other path exists and that the consequence for rejecting this truth is an eternity in hell. He told us that “whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him” (John 3:36). Faith in Christ is the key to going to heaven.
Some will argue that it’s extremely narrow-minded of God to provide only one way to heaven. But, frankly, in light of mankind’s rebellion against God, it’s extremely broad-minded for Him to provide us with any way to heaven. We deserve judgment, but God gives us the way of escape by sending His one-and-only Son to die for our sins. Whether someone sees this as narrow or broad, it’s the truth. The good news is that Jesus died and rose again; those who are going to heaven have received this gospel by faith.
Many people today hold to a watered-down gospel that does away with the need for repentance. They want to believe in a “loving” (non-judgmental) God who never mentions sin and who requires no change in their lifestyle. They may say things like, “My God would never send a person to hell.” But Jesus spoke more about hell than He did about heaven, and He presented Himself as the Savior who offers the only means of going to heaven: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).
Who will actually enter God’s kingdom? How can I guarantee that I’m going to heaven? The Bible makes a clear distinction between those who have eternal life and those who do not: “He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life” (1 John 5:12). It all goes back to faith. Those who believe in Christ are made the children of God (John 1:12). Those who accept Jesus’ sacrifice as the payment for their sins and who believe in His resurrection are going to heaven. Those who reject Christ are not. “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son” (John 3:18).
As awesome as heaven will be for those who accept Jesus Christ as their Savior, hell will be that much more awful for those who reject Him. One cannot read the Bible seriously without seeing it over and over again—the line is drawn. The Bible says there is one and only one way to heaven—Jesus Christ. Follow Jesus’ command: “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it” (Matthew 7:13–14).
Faith in Jesus is the one means of going to heaven. Those who have faith in Jesus are guaranteed to get there. Do you trust in Jesus?
Make the decision today, if you have not before now...
Eternal Destination Revealed... An Envoy
Now as then, Acts 4:12 is not politically correct. Today it’s popular to say, “Everyone’s going to heaven” or “All paths lead to heaven.” There are many who think they can have heaven without having Jesus. They want the glory, but they don’t want to be bothered by the cross, much less the One who died there. Many don’t want to accept Jesus as the only way of going to heaven and are determined to find another path. But Jesus warns us that no other path exists and that the consequence for rejecting this truth is an eternity in hell. He told us that “whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him” (John 3:36). Faith in Christ is the key to going to heaven.
Some will argue that it’s extremely narrow-minded of God to provide only one way to heaven. But, frankly, in light of mankind’s rebellion against God, it’s extremely broad-minded for Him to provide us with any way to heaven. We deserve judgment, but God gives us the way of escape by sending His one-and-only Son to die for our sins. Whether someone sees this as narrow or broad, it’s the truth. The good news is that Jesus died and rose again; those who are going to heaven have received this gospel by faith.
Many people today hold to a watered-down gospel that does away with the need for repentance. They want to believe in a “loving” (non-judgmental) God who never mentions sin and who requires no change in their lifestyle. They may say things like, “My God would never send a person to hell.” But Jesus spoke more about hell than He did about heaven, and He presented Himself as the Savior who offers the only means of going to heaven: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).
Who will actually enter God’s kingdom? How can I guarantee that I’m going to heaven? The Bible makes a clear distinction between those who have eternal life and those who do not: “He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life” (1 John 5:12). It all goes back to faith. Those who believe in Christ are made the children of God (John 1:12). Those who accept Jesus’ sacrifice as the payment for their sins and who believe in His resurrection are going to heaven. Those who reject Christ are not. “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son” (John 3:18).
As awesome as heaven will be for those who accept Jesus Christ as their Savior, hell will be that much more awful for those who reject Him. One cannot read the Bible seriously without seeing it over and over again—the line is drawn. The Bible says there is one and only one way to heaven—Jesus Christ. Follow Jesus’ command: “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it” (Matthew 7:13–14).
Faith in Jesus is the one means of going to heaven. Those who have faith in Jesus are guaranteed to get there. Do you trust in Jesus?
Make the decision today, if you have not before now...
Eternal Destination Revealed... An Envoy
Saturday, March 04, 2017
HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER WARRIOR???
Although the phrase “prayer warrior” is not found in Scripture, a prayer warrior is generally thought of as a Christian who prays continually and effectively for others in the manner of praying taught in Scripture. Therefore, prayer warriors pray to The Father (God The Father) (Matthew 6:9) in the power of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 3:16; Jude 1:20) and in the name of Jesus (John 14:13). To be a warrior in prayer is to engage in the spiritual battle and fight the good fight of faith wearing the full armor of God and “pray[ing] in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests” (Ephesians 6:10-18).
While all Christians are to be prayer warriors, there are some people who feel they have a special and unique ability to pray and have been called by God to pray as their special ministry. The Bible never specifies certain people who are to pray more often, more diligently, or more effectively than other Christians, but there are diligent pray-ers who are known for their emphasis on prayer. Paul commands that “requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone” (2 Timothy 2:1), and he says nothing that would indicate some people are exempt from doing so. All believers in Christ have the Holy Spirit who helps us communicate our prayer requests (Romans 8:26-27). All believers are to be praying in the name of Jesus, which means that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior, that we trust in Him for everything, including His interceding with the Father for us in all things, and that we live and pray in accordance with God's will. Praying in Jesus' name does not mean merely adding “in Jesus’ name” to a prayer. Rather, it means praying in submission to His will.
As prayer warriors, we rejoice in all things and have a spirit of thankfulness for what God is doing in our lives and the lives of others, and our own spirits grow day by day as we come to realize the magnitude of our blessings. We know with certainty that God provided the breath we just took (Isaiah 42:5); that He has forgiven our past, present and future sins (1 John 2:12); that He loves us with an eternal love (Ephesians 2:4-7); and that we have a place in heaven with our Lord (1 Peter 1:3-5). Our hearts, then, are filled with joy and peace and overflow with love for God, and we want others to have this same love, joy and peace. Therefore, we work for them by praying.
Effective prayer is indeed work. We have to learn to walk with God, so we meditate daily on Him and His ways in order to become more and more humble, which is essential for effective prayer (2 Chronicles 7:13-15). We also study Scripture thoughtfully every day to learn what is pleasing to God and therefore what constitutes acceptable prayer. We learn to eliminate hindrances to prayer (Mark 11:25; 1 Peter 3:7; 1 John 3:21-22) and not to grieve the Spirit of God (Ephesians 4:30-32). We learn that we are in a spiritual battle with Satan, so we must pray for our own spiritual well-being to maintain our strength and focus in praying for others (Ephesians 6:12-18).
Prayer warriors have a heart for God, a heart for prayer, a heart for people, and a heart for Christ's church. Therefore, we pray continually and trust that God answers each prayer according to His perfect will and in His perfect timing..
How To Be Come A Prayer Warrior #REVELED
HAVE A REVELATORY WEEKEND IN JESUS NAME...
While all Christians are to be prayer warriors, there are some people who feel they have a special and unique ability to pray and have been called by God to pray as their special ministry. The Bible never specifies certain people who are to pray more often, more diligently, or more effectively than other Christians, but there are diligent pray-ers who are known for their emphasis on prayer. Paul commands that “requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone” (2 Timothy 2:1), and he says nothing that would indicate some people are exempt from doing so. All believers in Christ have the Holy Spirit who helps us communicate our prayer requests (Romans 8:26-27). All believers are to be praying in the name of Jesus, which means that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior, that we trust in Him for everything, including His interceding with the Father for us in all things, and that we live and pray in accordance with God's will. Praying in Jesus' name does not mean merely adding “in Jesus’ name” to a prayer. Rather, it means praying in submission to His will.
As prayer warriors, we rejoice in all things and have a spirit of thankfulness for what God is doing in our lives and the lives of others, and our own spirits grow day by day as we come to realize the magnitude of our blessings. We know with certainty that God provided the breath we just took (Isaiah 42:5); that He has forgiven our past, present and future sins (1 John 2:12); that He loves us with an eternal love (Ephesians 2:4-7); and that we have a place in heaven with our Lord (1 Peter 1:3-5). Our hearts, then, are filled with joy and peace and overflow with love for God, and we want others to have this same love, joy and peace. Therefore, we work for them by praying.
Effective prayer is indeed work. We have to learn to walk with God, so we meditate daily on Him and His ways in order to become more and more humble, which is essential for effective prayer (2 Chronicles 7:13-15). We also study Scripture thoughtfully every day to learn what is pleasing to God and therefore what constitutes acceptable prayer. We learn to eliminate hindrances to prayer (Mark 11:25; 1 Peter 3:7; 1 John 3:21-22) and not to grieve the Spirit of God (Ephesians 4:30-32). We learn that we are in a spiritual battle with Satan, so we must pray for our own spiritual well-being to maintain our strength and focus in praying for others (Ephesians 6:12-18).
Prayer warriors have a heart for God, a heart for prayer, a heart for people, and a heart for Christ's church. Therefore, we pray continually and trust that God answers each prayer according to His perfect will and in His perfect timing..
How To Be Come A Prayer Warrior #REVELED
HAVE A REVELATORY WEEKEND IN JESUS NAME...
Sunday, February 19, 2017
HOW IS THE FEAR OF THE LORD, THE BEGINNING OF WISDOM?????
Proverbs 9:10 says, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Basically, this verse teaches that the fear of God is foundational to true wisdom; all other types of learning are worthless unless built upon a knowledge of the Lord Himself. Many other passages talk about the fear of the Lord (e.g., Psalm 111:10;Proverbs 1:7; 14:27; 15:33). Before we can understand how the fear of the Lord leads to wisdom, we need to define what the Bible means by “fear” in this context.
In the Bible, the word translated “fear” can mean several things. It can refer to the terror one feels in a frightening situation (Deuteronomy 2:25). It can mean “respect” in the way a servant fears his master and serves him faithfully (Joshua 24:14). Fearcan also denote the reverence or awe a person feels in the presence of greatness (Isaiah 6:5). The fear of the Lord is a combination of all of these.
Fear of the Lord can be defined as “the continual awareness that our loving heavenly Father is watching and evaluating everything we think, say, and do” (Matthew 12:36; Psalm 139:2; Jeremiah 12:3). As Jesus told each of the seven churches in Revelation 1—2, “I know your works.” Nothing escapes His attention.
In order to develop the fear of the Lord, we must recognize God for who He is. We must glimpse with our spirits the power, might, beauty, and brilliance of the Lord God Almighty (Revelation 11:17; Hosea 12:5; Isaiah 6:1–5). Those who fear the Lord have a continual awareness of Him, a deep reverence for Him, and sincere commitment to obey Him.
Proverbs 1:7 says, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” This verse gives us some added insight with its antithetical parallelism—there is a sharp contrast between the wise life and the foolish life. A wise person fears/reverences/obeys the Lord; a fool despises God’s instruction and cannot be told what to do. The wise person is wise because he has started at the starting place; the fool has no foundation on which to build wisdom.
Romans 1:21–22 speaks of those who “neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools.” This is a description of people who try to obtain wisdom while ignoring God—it cannot be done for the simple reason that God is the source of wisdom.
The link between the fear of God and wisdom means we cannot possess wisdom if we recreate God in our own image. Too many people want to “tame” God into a non-threatening nobody. But, if we redefine the Lord as a god that makes us feel comfortable, a permissive “buddy” who exists simply to bless us and give us what we want, we will not fear Him in the way He deserves to be feared. The Lord God Almighty is far greater than that, and the fear of the Lord begins when we see Him in His majesty and power (Revelation 4:11; Job 42:1–2) The Lord shows Job (and us) a glimpse of His power in Job 38—41 when He describes His absolute sovereignty over everything.
When the reality of God’s true nature has caused us to fall down in worship, we are then in the right position to gain wisdom. Wisdom is merely seeing life from God’s perspective and responding accordingly. Wisdom is a priority, and we are told to seek it above all else (Proverbs 3:13; 16:16). Proverbs is known as the wisdom book, and the entire second chapter gives a detailed explanation of the value of gaining wisdom.
Until our hearts are in a right relationship with God, we are unable to have the “wisdom that comes from heaven” (James 3:17). Without the fear of the Lord, we may gain knowledge of earthly things and make some practical choices for this life, but we are missing the one ingredient that defines a wise person (Psalm 14:1; Exodus 20:3; 34:14; Jeremiah 25:6; Matthew 22:37). In the parable of the rich farmer, the rich man had a “wise” and practical plan for his profits, but God said to him, “You fool!” because the farmer’s plans were made with no thought of God and eternity (Luke 12:16–21).
Without the fear of the Lord, we make final decisions based on our faulty human understanding (Proverbs 3:5–6). When we incorporate the fear of the Lord into every moment of our lives, we make decisions based upon His approval. We live with the knowledge that the Creator of the universe is intimately involved in our every move. He sees, knows, and evaluates all our choices, and we will answer to Him (Psalm 139:1–4).
Our respect for God’s majesty causes us to honor Him (Psalm 29:2). Our gratitude for His mercy causes us to serve Him well (Psalm 2:11; 107:15). And the understanding that our God of love is also a God of wrath inspires enough fear to help us stay away from evil (Romans 1:18;Proverbs 8:13). Sin is foolish; righteousness is wise. When we live righteously, we are on the path to wisdom, and everyone in our lives benefits (Proverbs 13:20; 19:8).
REVEALED BY: AN ENVOY
HAPPY SUNDAY.... SHALOM
In the Bible, the word translated “fear” can mean several things. It can refer to the terror one feels in a frightening situation (Deuteronomy 2:25). It can mean “respect” in the way a servant fears his master and serves him faithfully (Joshua 24:14). Fearcan also denote the reverence or awe a person feels in the presence of greatness (Isaiah 6:5). The fear of the Lord is a combination of all of these.
Fear of the Lord can be defined as “the continual awareness that our loving heavenly Father is watching and evaluating everything we think, say, and do” (Matthew 12:36; Psalm 139:2; Jeremiah 12:3). As Jesus told each of the seven churches in Revelation 1—2, “I know your works.” Nothing escapes His attention.
In order to develop the fear of the Lord, we must recognize God for who He is. We must glimpse with our spirits the power, might, beauty, and brilliance of the Lord God Almighty (Revelation 11:17; Hosea 12:5; Isaiah 6:1–5). Those who fear the Lord have a continual awareness of Him, a deep reverence for Him, and sincere commitment to obey Him.
Proverbs 1:7 says, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” This verse gives us some added insight with its antithetical parallelism—there is a sharp contrast between the wise life and the foolish life. A wise person fears/reverences/obeys the Lord; a fool despises God’s instruction and cannot be told what to do. The wise person is wise because he has started at the starting place; the fool has no foundation on which to build wisdom.
Romans 1:21–22 speaks of those who “neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools.” This is a description of people who try to obtain wisdom while ignoring God—it cannot be done for the simple reason that God is the source of wisdom.
The link between the fear of God and wisdom means we cannot possess wisdom if we recreate God in our own image. Too many people want to “tame” God into a non-threatening nobody. But, if we redefine the Lord as a god that makes us feel comfortable, a permissive “buddy” who exists simply to bless us and give us what we want, we will not fear Him in the way He deserves to be feared. The Lord God Almighty is far greater than that, and the fear of the Lord begins when we see Him in His majesty and power (Revelation 4:11; Job 42:1–2) The Lord shows Job (and us) a glimpse of His power in Job 38—41 when He describes His absolute sovereignty over everything.
When the reality of God’s true nature has caused us to fall down in worship, we are then in the right position to gain wisdom. Wisdom is merely seeing life from God’s perspective and responding accordingly. Wisdom is a priority, and we are told to seek it above all else (Proverbs 3:13; 16:16). Proverbs is known as the wisdom book, and the entire second chapter gives a detailed explanation of the value of gaining wisdom.
Until our hearts are in a right relationship with God, we are unable to have the “wisdom that comes from heaven” (James 3:17). Without the fear of the Lord, we may gain knowledge of earthly things and make some practical choices for this life, but we are missing the one ingredient that defines a wise person (Psalm 14:1; Exodus 20:3; 34:14; Jeremiah 25:6; Matthew 22:37). In the parable of the rich farmer, the rich man had a “wise” and practical plan for his profits, but God said to him, “You fool!” because the farmer’s plans were made with no thought of God and eternity (Luke 12:16–21).
Without the fear of the Lord, we make final decisions based on our faulty human understanding (Proverbs 3:5–6). When we incorporate the fear of the Lord into every moment of our lives, we make decisions based upon His approval. We live with the knowledge that the Creator of the universe is intimately involved in our every move. He sees, knows, and evaluates all our choices, and we will answer to Him (Psalm 139:1–4).
Our respect for God’s majesty causes us to honor Him (Psalm 29:2). Our gratitude for His mercy causes us to serve Him well (Psalm 2:11; 107:15). And the understanding that our God of love is also a God of wrath inspires enough fear to help us stay away from evil (Romans 1:18;Proverbs 8:13). Sin is foolish; righteousness is wise. When we live righteously, we are on the path to wisdom, and everyone in our lives benefits (Proverbs 13:20; 19:8).
REVEALED BY: AN ENVOY
HAPPY SUNDAY.... SHALOM
Saturday, February 11, 2017
HOW DO I GET RIGHT WITH GOD???
The bad news is that the penalty for sin is death. “The soul who sins is the one who will die” (Ezekiel 18:4). The good news is that a loving God has pursued us in order to bring us salvation. Jesus declared His purpose was “to seek and to save what was lost” (Luke 19:10), and He pronounced His purpose accomplished when He died on the cross with the words, “It is finished!” (John 19:30).
Having a right relationship with God begins with acknowledging your sins. Next comes a humble confession of your sins to God (Isaiah 57:15). “For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved” (Romans 10:10).
This repentance must be accompanied by faith – specifically, faith that Jesus’ sacrificial death and miraculous resurrection qualify Him to be your Savior. “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9). Many other passages speak of the necessity of faith in Salvation, such as John 20:27; Acts 16:31; Galatians 2:16; 3:11, 26; and Ephesians 2:8.
Being right with God is a matter of our response to what God has done on our behalf. He sent the Savior, He provided the sacrifice to take away our sin (John 1:29), and He offers us the promise: “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Acts 2:21).
A beautiful illustration of repentance and forgiveness is the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32). The younger son wasted his father’s gift in shameful sin (verse 13). When he acknowledged his wrongdoing, he decided to return home (verse 18). He assumed he would no longer be considered a son (verse 19), but he was wrong. The father loved the returned rebel as much as ever (verse 20). All was forgiven, and a celebration ensued (verse 24). God is good to keep His promises, including the promise to forgive. “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18).
If you want to get right with God, here is a sample prayer. Remember, saying this prayer or any other prayer will not save you. It is only trusting in Christ that can save you from sin. This prayer is simply a way to express to God your faith in Him and thank Him for providing for your salvation. 'God, I know that I have sinned against You and am deserving of punishment. But Jesus Christ took the punishment that I deserve so that through faith in Him I could be forgiven. I place my trust in You for salvation. Thank You for Your wonderful grace and forgiveness – the gift of eternal life! Amen!'
Being right with God is a matter of our response to what God has done on our behalf. He sent the Savior, He provided the sacrifice to take away our sin (John 1:29), and He offers us the promise: “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Acts 2:21).
A beautiful illustration of repentance and forgiveness is the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32). The younger son wasted his father’s gift in shameful sin (verse 13). When he acknowledged his wrongdoing, he decided to return home (verse 18). He assumed he would no longer be considered a son (verse 19), but he was wrong. The father loved the returned rebel as much as ever (verse 20). All was forgiven, and a celebration ensued (verse 24). God is good to keep His promises, including the promise to forgive. “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18).
If you want to get right with God, here is a sample prayer. Remember, saying this prayer or any other prayer will not save you. It is only trusting in Christ that can save you from sin. This prayer is simply a way to express to God your faith in Him and thank Him for providing for your salvation. 'God, I know that I have sinned against You and am deserving of punishment. But Jesus Christ took the punishment that I deserve so that through faith in Him I could be forgiven. I place my trust in You for salvation. Thank You for Your wonderful grace and forgiveness – the gift of eternal life! Amen!'
SHALOM... HAVE A GLORIOUS WEEKEND!!!
Thursday, February 02, 2017
YOU CAN PUT YOUR THOUGHTS UNDER CONTROL!!!
Many Christians struggle with this issue, especially in our highly technological world, but taking control of our thoughts is essential. Proverbs 4:23 amp states, "Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life." The “heart” includes the mind and all that proceeds from it. Someone said that every sin we commit, we commit twice, once in our thoughts and again when we act upon those thoughts. It is easier to rid our lives of sin if we attack it at this fundamental thought level rather than waiting for it to become rooted in our lives by our actions and then try to pull it out.
There is also a difference between being tempted (a thought entering into the mind) and sinning (dwelling upon an evil thought and wallowing in it). It is important to understand that when a thought enters our mind, we examine it based upon God's Word and determine if we should continue down that path or reject the thought and replace it with another thought. If we have already allowed a habit to form in our thought lives, it becomes more difficult to change the path of our thoughts, even as it is hard to get a car out of a deep rut and onto a new track. Here are some biblical suggestions for taking control of our thoughts and getting rid of wrong thoughts:
1. Be in God's Word so that when a sinful thought enters our mind (a temptation), we will be able to recognize it for what it is and know what course to take. Jesus in the wilderness (Matthew 4) responded to each of Satan's temptations with Scripture that applied to the direction He knew His mind should take instead of beginning down the path of the sinful thought. When tempted to meet His physical need (turn stone into bread), He recited the passage about the importance of relying upon God. When tempted to serve Satan in order to obtain the glory of the world, He brought up the passage that says we are to serve and worship God alone and speak of the glory that belongs to Him and those who are His. When tempted to test God (to see if God was really there and would keep His promises), Jesus responded with passages that stress the importance of believing God without having to see Him demonstrate His presence.
Quoting Scripture in a time of temptation is not a talisman or amulet, but rather serves the purpose of getting our minds onto a biblical track, but we need to know the Word of God AHEAD of time in order to accomplish this. Thus, a daily habit of being in the Word in a meaningful way is essential. If we are aware of a certain area of constant temptation (worry, lust, anger, etc.), we need to study and memorize key passages that deal with those issues. Looking for both what we are to avoid (negative) and how we are to properly respond (positive) to tempting thoughts and situations—before they are upon us—will go a long way to giving us victory over them... Psalm 119:11 KJV says "Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee".
2. Live in dependence upon the Holy Spirit, majorly through seeking His strength through prayer (Matthew 26:41). If we rely upon our own strength, we will fail (Proverbs 28:26;Jeremiah 17:9).
3. We are not to feed our minds with that which will promote sinful thoughts. This is the idea of Proverbs 4:23. We are to guard our hearts—what we allow into them and what we allow them to dwell on. Job 31:1states, "I have made a covenant with my eyes; Why then should I look upon a young woman" (NKJV). Romans 13:14 states, "But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts." Thus, we are to avoid periodicals, videos, websites, conversations, and situations that will set us up for a fall. We should also avoid spending time with those who would encourage us down these wrong paths (evil association)..1 Corinthians 15:33 KJV Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
4. We are to pursue hard after God, substituting Godly pursuits and mindsets for sinful thoughts. This is the principle of replacement. When tempted to hate someone, we replace those hateful thoughts with Godly actions: we do good to them, speak well of them, and pray for them (Matthew 5:44). Instead of stealing, we should work hard to earn money so we can look for opportunities to give to others in need (Ephesians 4:28). When tempted to lust after a woman, we turn our gaze, praise God for the way He has made us—male and female—and pray for the woman (for example: "Lord, help this young woman to come to know you if she does not, and to know the joy of walking with you"), then think of her as a sister (1 Timothy 5:2). The Bible often speaks of "putting off" wrong actions and thoughts but then "putting on” godly actions and thoughts (Ephesians 4:22-32). Merely seeking to put off sinful thoughts without replacing those thoughts with Godly ones leaves an empty field for Satan to come along and sow all sought of nonsense (worse than the initial) (Matthew 12:43-45).
5. We can use fellowship with other Christians the way God intended.(this can be very helpful and effective than you think) Hebrews 10:24-25 states, "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Fellow Christians who will encourage us in the changes we desire (best if of the same gender), who will pray for and with us, who will ask us in love how we are doing, and who will hold us accountable in avoiding the old ways, are valuable friends indeed.
Last and most important, these methods will be of no effect and value unless we have placed our faith in Christ as our Lord and personal Savior from our sin. This is where we absolutely must start! Without this, there can be no victory over sinful thoughts and temptations, and God’s promises for His children are not for us, nor is the Holy Spirit’s power available to us!
God will bless those who seek to honor Him with what matters most to Him: who we are inside and not just what we appear to be to others. May God make Jesus’ description of Nathanael true also of us In Jesus Name — a man [or woman] in whom there is no guile (John 1:47)...
Shalom
REVEALED BY: AN ENVOY HB
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