Shinning Forth.

‘In Him was life and the life was the light of men’. (John 1:4)

Let me start by sharing a recent experience I had with you.
Someone recently gave me a pair of genuine leather shoes. I liked them and thought they would really last long before any wear or tear. I immediately started using my genuine leather shoes but because i would usually wear them in a hurry just before leaving the house, i did not take time to check them properly to know where the buttons were as they weren’t very obvious on the shoes. As a result of this, i spent a lot of time just trying to put them on. The third time i tried to wear my shoes, i was shocked to find a tear on them already. It was then that i took time to look properly at the shoe and i discovered the hidden buttons which would have made them easier to wear and last longer.

I heard the Holy Spirit speak to me immediately, likening this experience with the life of a believer. A lot of us believers live our lifes in a hurry. Even though we have embraced the ressurrection life of Christ and the love of God, we do not take time to discover the risen Christ in His full capacity. We want to shine forth as light but haven’t got the patience to discover the life we have received in Christ Jesus. Hence we waste time and get involved in unnecessary plans and hard work which would lead to wear and tear.

God desires that we shine forth as light in all our life endeavours (Matt 5:14, Matt 5:16, John 8:12)
May I remind you that the life that we have received through the ressurrection of Christ is the light that we need to shine forth in our generation (John 1:4). Our shinning forth is directly proportional to how much life of God we have in us.

The life of God which is the light of men,
(1) Illuminates our paths, therefore gives direction.
(2) Protects so we do not stumble,fall or are easily acessible to prey.
(3) Shines even in the darkest places (1 John 1:5(b).
(4) Shines brighter and brighter (Prov 4:18).

Therefore beloved, take time to discover God more by spending quality time with Him in prayers and the study of His word. Go and shine forth as light in every area of life.

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The believer’s ‘end-time’ attitude.

Nobody can say with any degree of certainty when Jesus is coming again (Mark 13:32). We however have been given signs by Him. So we can say that we are in the end-time.

Without a shadow of a doubt, Jesus Christ is coming back again. (1 Peter 3:4-9)

As believers, we need to realise that God has already provided an avenue of escape from the corruption that is in the world through lust.
By His promises, we are also able to partake of His divine nature i.e be like Him (2 Peter 1:4.)

What does God expect of us as we await the second coming of Christ?

(1) Be diligent to be found by Him without spot and blameless. This involves giving yourself diligently to your christian walk and call.
Be diligent to make your call and election sure.

(2) Be faithful and responsible in your service to Him. (Matt 24:45-51)

(3) Be diligent in reaching out to the lost.
This is very key, because Jesus said one major thing that would herald His coming would be the proclamation of the gospel (Matt 24:14). God cares for all people, Jesus died for every person and the word of God is for every nation before the end.

(4) Live right and make peace.
A good way is by regularly examining yourself and what Christ would do in your situation.

(5) Watch
To watch means to be ready or prepared (Matt 24:42).

(6) Grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and saviour Jesus (2 Peter 3:14-18).
The more we see the day approaching, the more grace and knowledge of God we need. Peter knew this. Warning us not to fall prey to false teachers and prophets, he commanded us to grow in grace and knowledge of Christ.
We need this so that our discernment is sharpened.
Jesus also warns us of deception in Matt 24:4(b)

In conclusion, Beloved as we see the day approaching let us not grow weary in well doing for we shall reap in due season if we faint not (Gal 6:9).

These are ‘wise words’ to you today.

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10 Practical Steps For Soul Winning.

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

The Holy spirit is the person and the power by which assistance and ability are given for serving, for sharing of life and power of God’s kingdom with others.

He will give:
-Power to find the lost
-Authority to boldly declare Jesus as the son of God
-Power to establish His church locally and worldwide.

I’ll like to share 10 practical steps that I believe would help you to win souls for the kingdom of God.

1. Have a daily expectation to win a soul. (Prov 23:18, Prov 10:24, Acts 4:33)
2. Target a soul in your day to day area or walk. (The Holy spirit gives power to find the lost).
3. Pray daily for the targeted soul, for oher oppourtunities to win souls and for utterance. (Eph 1:17-29, Acts 4:29-31)
4. Look for a convenient atmosphere. (The Holy spirit will help in your discernment).
5. Be practical in your approach. Don’t quote too many scriptures or use christian terms that they may be unfamiliar with.
6.Be a good listener. Allow them to talk about their concerns and interests.
7. Start conversation from their area of interests or concern. They are more likely to listen.
8. Don’t judge or condemn them. Demonstrate the love of God in your speech and actions.
9. Share similar experiences you’ve had and how you overcame.
10. Focus on sharing the love of Christ, the warmth and eternal security found through Him.

This list is not exhaustive. Please feel free to ‘add on’ to bless others who would visit this page.
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Preparing For The New Year With A Thankful Heart.

Challenges, Oppression, trials in life are tools from the enemy to make us lose focus on the main reason for our existence.

Do you like me sometimes wonder why the armour bearers, pace setters are the ones faced with the most distabilising attacks?Attacks on marriages, finances, ministry etc being thrown by the enemy all in an attempt to make us lose focus.

As we approach the end of the year, we are alive to count our blessings despite all arrows thrown at us. For this, we should be thankful because He has provided a way of escape (1 Cor 10:13).

He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the son of His love (Col 1:13). In this kingdom, we are in a place of “completeness” that is of spiritual adequacy, authority or ability to live victoriously over and above the invisible power of darkness.

So as we approach the new year as citizens of the heavenly kingdom (phil 3:20), let us not lose focus on our enabling power to go and: Preach good tidings to the poor, proclaim liberty to the captives, open prison doors to those  who are bound, comfort all who mourn (Isaiah 61:1-3).

He is the Lord that crowns the year with goodness and He will do it in your life as we approach the end of the year (Ps 65:11).

I am thankful for you.

Please feel free to add your comments to this blog or share your testimony of 2012. Click reply to add your comments now!

 

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Fruitful growth in the faith

2 Peter 1 : 5-9. God has given us great and precious promises. These promises include the Lord’s second coming, the establishment of a new heaven and earth and the entrance into Christ’s kingdom  (2 Peter 1:11). By knowing and receiving these promises, we will become partakers of His divine nature.

God expects us to be like Him in every way. The bible comands that we give all diligence to be like Christ, to develop spiritual character within ourselves.

Peter encourages us to give all diligence (all your careful attention, perseverance and unrelenting hard work). This involves personal responsibility on our part.

Here are the ingredients that Peter the apostle advised us to add to our faith in 2 peter 1: 5-9

1. Virtue – Moral excellency and goodness, inner strength.

2. Knowledge – keep your knowledge of the word sharp.

3. Self Control – The soul always wants to act independently from God, so you must develop self control (temperance).

4. Perseverance – The spirit man operates on the timing of eternity, not on the soul’s time limit.

5. Godliness- Godliness means think like Him, act like Him and operate like Him on the earth.

6. Brotherly kindness – Brotherly kindness dissolves personal infighting and ungracious ignoring of one another. It allows refocusing on our real enemy – Satan.

7. Love – Unconditional Love.

The result of developing these Godly character is that we are not barren or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Also that our discernment is not dim or disturbed but very sharp ( 2 Pet 1:9)

We would also escape the corruption that is in the world though lust (2 Peter 1:4)

There are many more ingredients of fruitful growth in the bible. Please share your thoughts, revelations and experiences with us on this blog by adding your comment NOW!

Please click reply at the end of the blog to add your comments. God bless.

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Running The Race Of Faith.

Heb 12:1 “ Therefore we also since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily ensnares us and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us”.

The heroes of faith are not spectators watching us from heaven, rather their lives are witnesses to us, having successfully overcome.

The Christian life is often likened to a race (1 Cor 9:24, 2 Tim 4:7). We are to lay aside anything that hinders our progress, particularly every form of sin.

According to Heb 12 :2, the runner must not look to other contestants, but must ever keep his eyes fixed on Jesus.

God expects that we constantly renew our spiritual vitality so as not to be like Esau, who forfeited permanent blessings for immediate passing fleshly gratification.

In Heb 12:6, the bible called Esau a profane person. It is important as believers that we do not get carried away with the things of the world and that we let our priorities lie in God. This way, we would be more in tune with our spiritual side. Not giving room to a profane mind that allows deception to sneak in.

A profane person cannot be sensitive to God or the needs of people. He cannot discern, hence he gives easy access to the enemy to deceive him into selling his most valuable – his worship, praise and service to God. He is like Esau who sold his birth right.

Beloved, God requires that we are constantly in His presence and that we make this priority in our lives, regardless of our busy life styles. This renews our spiritual vitality and helps us to be fruitful on all sides.

Please add to this blog by sharing your experience or ideas on running the race of faith and renewing your spiritual vitality.

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Team work in the body

I had a dream in the early hours of this morning.

I was singing and matching with a group of people. All we were singing was “thank you Lord for the body of Christ”. I had never heard the song before and I do not recall ever seeing any of the people I was singing and matching with in that dream but the voices they sang with were  completely out of this world. So my guess is that they were angels.

I woke up still singing the song. It became more real to me that angels celebrate and thank God for the body of Christ. No wonder the bible says “Behold how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity”. (Ps 133:1)

 Indeed, we are all important to God. Possession of different talents or gifts does not denote differences in worth, for all belong to one body and all are interdependent.(Rom 12:3-5) Hence, the reason we have different talents or gifts is that it will be more obvious that we need one another. The need for one another also facilitates love for one another.

 The father’s gift to the body is spiritual gifts. “Having gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them”. (Rom 12:6)

The gifts are placed in the church as resources to be utilized at the point of need for ministry in the body and as a means to fulfilling purpose in life.

 What talent or gift do you believe God has given you? Remember you are an important member of the team and Rom12:6 implore you to use them.

 Share your experience of facilitating team work and unity in the body. Please click reply to add your comment to this blog now.

 

 

 

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Your responsibility in God’s prosperity plan.

 

God requires us to play our parts in His prosperity plan for us as He has already made available to us all that we require to prosper.

Meditating on the word of God is the gateway to prosperity. Psalm 1:2(b) ” And in His law he meditates day and night”.

Our responsibility is to meditate on God’s word and observe to do the things that are written in it. (Joshua 1:8)

Psalm 1:3(b) “and whatever he does shall prosper”.

This includes everything: your family, your children, your marriage, your business, your ministry, your job and your health.

Many people want the promised results without responsible commitment but none of us will ever gain everything truly worthwhile in just an instant.

The truly worthwhile takes time to develop. Do not expect God’s answers to leap to your schedule. Remember His answers occur when you put His word into action.

“Just as a period of intensive study precedes a college degree so through patient, pursuit of His promise may we wait for the word of God to mature in our lives”. F.P

 Let’s have a look at God’s word and practical fruitful living

1.    God’s word is a purifier unto Holy living (James 1:23-25)

2.    God’s word can purge as well as ignite (Jer 20:9, Jer 23:29)

3.    God’s word is a powerful delivering agent (Ps 119:9)

4.    God’s word gives strong discernment (Heb 4:12)

5.    God’s word directs and guides. (Ps119:105)

6.    God’s word gives wisdom and understanding (Ps 119:100)

7.    God’s word gives peace (Ps 119:165)

8.    God’s word carries authority (Ps119:89-91)

The all-encompassing absolutely authoritative word of God is unchangingly secured in heaven.

Though times and seasons change through social customs, human opinions and philosophical view point vary, they have no effect on the constancy or authority of God’s word.

 Please reply to this blog by sharing how God’s word has brought fruitful living to your life. Click reply to add comments now.

 God bless.

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Working the works of God.

The ministry that Jesus passed on to the church is the great commission (Matt 28:16-20).

Isa 61:1-3 explains the great commission, the basic ministry that Jesus passed on to the church.

Acts1:8 talks about how to accomplish this great commission. ‘And you shall receive power after the Holy Ghost has come upon you…..’Power to accomplish the great commission, to make disciples of all nations and to do as Isa 61:1-3 says.

Simon was a believer according to Acts 8:13 but he wanted the power of God for the wrong reasons. His heart was not right with God. He was full of bitterness and iniquity (Acts 8:18-23).

We cannot bribe God for his power; we must be willing to pay the price.

Paying the price involves:

  1. Living a life of holiness. ‘Without holiness no man can see God’.
  2. Prayer and fasting-births signs and wonders. Acts 13:1-28.
  3. Studying and meditating on the word of God. Josh 1;8, Heb 4:12
  4. Praying in the Holy Ghost and being filled with the spirit. Heb 5:18.
  5. Ask-be steadfast in asking for a miracle and opportunity to be used by God. Acts 4:30.
  6. Worship and praise.
  7. Bold faith e.g Peter walking on water. The slave girl in 2 Kings 5:3.
  8. Obedience and surrender to the Holy Spirit. Gal 5:18.

This list is inexhaustible. Please feel free to add on to this blog.

What does paying the price to work the works of God involve?

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Works Befitting Repentance

Acts 26:20(b) “…..and then to the Gentiles that they should repent, turn to God and do works befitting repentance”.

Paul the apostle in his chain was totally committed to his call to spread the gospel and establish churches throughout the known world.

He lived what he wrote that “for me to live is Christ, to die is gain” (Phil 1:21).

Works befitting repentance indicates that a true relationship with God will result in a Godly life-style. We are not saved by our own good works but salvation by grace will certainly change us.

As Christians, we are expected to live like Christians. Our conducts, responses has to befit repentance. Paul said in 1 Cor 11:1 “imitate me just as I imitate Christ”. Phil 1:27 also says “let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ”.

Through the help of the Holy Spirit, we can be Christ-like and true representatives of Him. Asking God to help us to be like Jesus in our conducts, speech, thoughts should be part of our daily prayers.

What attributes would you like to see in your life or the lives of your Christian neighbours?

Please share them by adding your comments to this blog. Click reply to add your comments now!

These are “wise words” to you today. God bless.

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