Words For Thought

YOU CANNOT BE CALLED A FOLLOWER OF CHRIST IF YOU DO NOT SPEND QUALITY TIME IN PRAYER- BENNY HINN

WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE?

By Brother Godwin

Beloved,

Scripture: But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: John 1:12
When anyone believes the substitutionary death of Jesus Christ, and receives him as lord and savior the person would be empowered to become a son. In other word the person is given the power (the Holy Spirit, Romans 8:9) to become what he believes. This is why Galatians 4: 6 said And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. So we are empowered to become whatever we believe. Jesus told the blind men, according to your faith be it unto you (Matthew 9:29). We are what we believe. Look at this, if you do not believe in the word of God, you believe in not believing the word of God. There is no middle ground, and whatever you believe is what you will become. Since the just shall live by his faith (Habakkuk 2:4), the just shall also die by his lack of faith. The fact that you are justified is not enough; what you become is a function of what you believe. The question is what do you believe?
In the account in Luke 16:20 -31, Lazarus was justified (that was why he got to Abrahams bossom) but all that he desired was to eat crumbs from the rich man’s table. That was the degree of his hope, and so reflects his faith. Of course all he had was crumbs. He was a seed of Abraham but he lived like a beggar. The rich man had his faults but Lazarus had a bigger fault vis-à-vis his taking delivery of the blessings that God gave to all seed of Abraham. If you believe that God is allowing lack, sickness and all sorts of things to come your way because he is teaching you, that is what you are going to get in abundance. If you really think that God is teaching you, either you are a very slow learner or you are simply lying against God. I think the later is true. God teaches through his word (2 Timothy 3:16). Blind Bartemaeus could have sat down and enjoyed the cheering, to learn what happens when crowd follow Jesus. He refused and put his faith on the line and immediately received his sight. The woman with the issue of blood could have enjoyed the company of the crowd, and gone back with her problem. No she used her faith and got her freedom, even without the express knowledge and permission from Jesus. Look at what Jesus said at another instance: ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day (Luke 13:16)? This means that it is not in the program of God for any seed of Abraham to be bound even for one day. Jesus is with us always. He will attend to us just the same way he attended to that woman. Hallelujah!  I want to ask again, what do you believe?
There are 3 characters I would want us to examine. The first is the woman with the issue of blood, the second is Jairus who had a very ill daughter and the third is the centurion who had an ill servant. While Jairus’s faith was hinged on Jesus getting to his house, the centurion thought that that was not necessary.  You would have noticed that it was on their way to the house of Jairus that the woman with issue of blood got her healing without prior consultation with anybody. She took time out to tell the story of what happened over a twelve year period. Imagine for a moment what was going through Jairus’s mind. Needless to say that he must have been in torment because his daughter was almost dead and here was a woman telling all the stories in the world. Do you think that the centurion would have suffered all that torment? No. He got his miracles immediately he saw Jesus but Jairus wanted Jesus to get to his house. The woman with the issue of blood did not think that it was necessary to call the attention of Jesus before she can be healed. Friend, what do you believe? You and I are living according to our faith. I mean the level of life you and I are enjoying today is a function of our level of faith. It really had nothing to do with our religion. It is by grace; yes but faith is required.
I want you to notice that each of these three characters chose how they will receive their miracles. The woman said, if I touch the herm of his garment, I shall be made whole (Mark 5:28). She touched and was made whole. Jairus said, come and lay your hand on my daughter and she shall live (Mark 5:23). Jesus went and laid hands on her, and she lived. The centurion said, speak the word only and my servant shall be made whole (Matthew 8:8) and Jesus spoke the word. Each received according to what he believed. Although their degree of faith varied, each believed in a miracle. They were specific on how they will get them and that was how each got his/hers. What do you believe? You are praying, but what do you believe? Some folks prayed in Act 12 and did not even believe that the answer will come.
Look at Jesus’s commentary on the centurion “many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.  But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 8:11). Isn’t it sad? Friend, you can only become what you believe. What do you believe? Is what you believe in line with the Word of God?

You shall be favoured.

TAKE RESPONSIBI​LITY AND KEEP YOURSELF

By Brother Godwin 

Beloved,

Scripture: We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not 1 John 5:18 

The question is this: How do I keep myself so that the enemy will not touch me or anything about me?

Let’s get back to the Word of God. Jude 1:20-21 says: "But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life." Did you notice keeping yourself in the love of God?

One of the ways the keep yourself free from the enemy is to keep yourself in the love of God. When you keep yourself in the love of God, the devil cannot touch you. Hallelujah! God is love, when you keep yourself in God who is love, all fears are cast out because a perfected love will cast out all fears (1 John 4:18). Someone may ask, “Godwin how to I keep myself in the love of God”? Jesus provided the answer. "He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him" (John 14:21). You keep yourself in the love of God by keeping God’s word. You can sing “I love you Lord” to eternity; if you do not keep his Word, you are as exposed as when you started singing. You do not sing the love of God, you obey it. God loves you alright, but you have to keep yourself in that love.

The father of the prodigal son loved him, but he consciously took himself out of that love of the father. The truth is this: disobedience to the Word of God is the mark of foolishness. When you do God’s Word, you keep yourself in the love of God and no devil can touch you. Why did Jesus say that the devil came to him and found nothing? (John 14:30) The answer is found in John 8:29: "And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him". This is why the Bible says "But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him" (1 John 2:5). Remember, perfect love cast out all fear. Putting all these together we see this; obeying God keeps you in the love of God (and God is love) and that perfected love casts out all fears. Since fear opens the way to the enemy, when it is cast off, freedom is established. The enemy will not touch you in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Let us see the second way we can keep ourselves and the enemy cannot touch us. Jude 20 says we should build ourselves up in our most holy faith. Faith is an important force of protection. The Bible says that the victory that over comes the world and anything the enemy can throw at us is faith. This is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith (1 John5: 4). With faith you can quench all the fiery dart of the enemy: everyone of them (Ephesians 6:16). Let’s look at that scripture. Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked (Ephesians 6:16). Friend, with faith in your hands, the enemy is no match for you. The thing you and I need to do is to go look for faith. Faith is only available in one place: the Word of God (Romans 10:17). Consciously take possession of faith, and use it as a tool. Just like you use your pen or spoon or plate, you can use faith same way. A lot of times people just rush to pray. No, that is not correct. You get faith first before you can speak to the mountain (Matthew 21:21). You take faith first if you want to quench the dart of the enemy. The joy is that you and I can do it. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13). So you keep yourself by taking hold of faith from the Word, and using that faith to stop every attack of the enemy. Amen.
Friend, you and I do not really have any problems. God has put us in dominion here and put the enemy under our foot. What we need to do is to take responsibility by keeping ourselves in the love of God through obedience to him and consciously take the shield of faith with which we stop all the dart of the enemy no matter how fiery they may be. Hallelujah! Obeying God includes saying what he said you should say, thinking what he said we should think and doing what he said we should do.

It is your season of restoration.

God did not leave us at the mercy of the enemy. No! The word says that in God, we have the ability to keep the enemy away from us. Whoever is born of God can keep himself or herself.  At times the way we sing, talk and even pray creates the impression that the enemy can walk in and out of our lives anytime he wants to. Friend, this is only true if we allow it (Ephesians 4:27). If you are born again, you and I have the privilege to the authority of God to stop the enemy. We are given authority over all the authority of the devil (Luke 10:19). He takes only the chance given to him. He will not take any in your life in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

TOP MEN'S MEETING

It was a wonderful time of fellowship as the Temple of Praise Men had deep, soul searching discussions about  desires, dreams and God's direction for our lives as we make decisions relating to our career, family and life in general.
Lots of experiences were shared, discussed and lessons were learnt.  Here are some pictures below:

GOD WILL PROTECT YOU

By Brother Godwin

Beloved,

Scripture: And the LORD will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defence (Isaiah 4:5).

But Godwin, do you mean I can escape all these hard times coming on the world? No, I did not say that. The Bible said that. I mean the unchanging Word of God said it.  Malachi 3:17-18  And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.  Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not. Friend, God will spare you. How will he do it? I don’t know. It is not my responsibility to wonder how it is going to be done. Look at this But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:)  Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) (Romans 10:6-7). We need to take our eyes off what is seen, and rather focus on the triumph in Jesus Christ. God's is ready to recreat heaven and earth to help you.

I want to talk about just two reasons why I know that God will protect you. There are many more. When you accept Jesus, there is an anointing of God on your life. The Bible says you are anointed. Look at this But ye have an anointing from the Holy One, and ye know all things (1 John 2:20 WEB). How does this relate to your protection? Psalms 105:14-15 said, He allowed no one to do them wrong. Yes, he reproved kings for their sakes, “Don't touch my anointed ones! Do my prophets no harm!” God does not allow anyone or anything to harm you. Jesus said “Nothing will in any way hurt you” (Luke 10:19). We are the ones that have the keys. Unless we give the enemy a place, he does not have the ability to take one (Ephesians 4:27). You can keep yourself and the wicked will not touch you (1 John 5:18). Because we are anointed, there is a "touch not" order over our lives. Hallelujah! You will escape in the name of Jesus Christ.

While praying in John 17: 23, Jesus said, And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them. The glory of God is resident in you if you have received Jesus Christ as Lord. Hallelujah! We also have a second witness of that, If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you (1 Peter 4:14). We have the glory of God in us. And the LORD will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defense (Isaiah 4:5). Friend, because you carry the glory of God, there is defense over you. You can count on God to use the whole resources of heaven to keep you. He is faithful.

But you need to consciously invoke this security. How? From Psalms 91 we can find a few things

1.       Dwell in the consciousness of who you are in God and the protection over your life. You do that by allowing the Word to abide in your heart.

2.       Declare consistently, no matter what the challenge is that the Lord is your refuge. Learn to command the mountains.

3.       Set your love on God. Let God be your priority. Anything that does not fit into God in your life should have no place in you. Plan every other thing around God and not the other way round.

I want you to know that God will protect you no matter what is happening. Jesus has the key of death and hell (Revelation 1:18). He cannot hold it to your disadvantage.

You shall not suffer in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

These are not easy times. Killings in Asia, riots and killings in the middles east, flood in the USA and murder on the streets in Europe. People are losing their jobs in thousands, and where hitherto was secure are laying off people. There is fear out there, in line with biblical prophesies that Men's hearts shall fail them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken (Luke 21:26). Yes, the time has come, that burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up (Malachi 4:1). Friend there is no security out there in the world. But that is not the whole story for though the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee (Isaiah 60:2). This clearly defines a separation. If we know who we are and do what we are supposed to do, the Sun of righteousness arises on us with healing in his wings (Malachi 4:2). Make no mistake about it, if we do things the way of the people, outside God and fear their fear, we will have the results they have. The Sun of righteousness only shines on those that fear the name of God. These are those who God’s Word is the final word. These are those that reverently obey the Word of God. The choice is really ours to determine on which side of the divide we belong.

Sunday School Topic: THE STREAMS OF THE RIVER - 15 May 2011

Scripture:  Psalms 46:1-11

·         The program of God is that we win in every challenge of life. Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place (2 Corinthians 2:14). We are “wired” to always overcome (1 John 5:4)

·         That you have challenges does not mean that you are not a Christian. But when you lose to challenges, it is a proof that you either do not know your covenant rights or what to do to make the covenant work for you. See Hosea 4:6 and Matthew 6:33 

Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

YOU NEED TO LEARN TO SEEK THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND YOUR RIGHTS IN THAT KINGDOM, AND HOW TO TAKE DELIVERY OF THOSE RIGHTS

·         We triumph by the RIVER, and the RIVER is the Holy Spirit.

And it shall come to pass, that everything that liveth, which moveth, whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live: and there shall be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come thither: for they shall be healed; and everything shall live whither the river cometh (Ezekiel 47:9).

Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts (Zechariah 4:6).

In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified) (John 7:37-39)  

·         Note that the channels through which the RIVER works are the STREAMS. The STREAMS MAKE GLAD THE CITY OF GOD

There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High (Psalms 46:4).

THE HOLY SPIRIT WORKS THROUH EACH OF US TO MAKE GLAD THE CITY OF GOD

From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love (Ephesians 4:16).

The CITY has 2 meanings

1.       The Church of God (Hebrews 12:22-23)

2.       The individual Christian (Matthew 5:14)

The Holy Spirit works through the streams of God’s glory in each of us in the church of God.

Implication

1.       It is the effectual working of every part (of every stream of the Spirit) in the measure of every part that maketh increase in the body of Christ, the Church of God.

2.       The RIVER works best when the streams are fitly joined together

Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling (Ephesians 4:3-4).

NOTE THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT

Example Psalms 133:1-3

Unity of the brethren

a.       Brings down the anointing (which destroys every yoke and lift every burden (Isaiah 10:27)

b.      Brings down refreshing which refreshes our spirit, our soul and our body. This means healing in all realms of our system

c.       God commands his blessing when there is unity. This means that when we are unity as we should, blessings just happen. There is progress, prosperity, favor etc. God commands it and we will not need to pray or toil for the blessings

SUMMARY:

When we stand alone, we lose. But when we are united (not just because we gather together), in purpose, love and pursuit, no one can stop the move of God in our time and in our land and in our churches: NOTHING CAN BE WITHHELD FROM US (Genesis 11:6)

WHAT ARE YOU DOING TODAY?

Beloved,

Scripture Reading: And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast a seed into the ground (Mark 4:26).

God controls all things by the Word of his power (Hebrews 1:2). This Word of God is also called the law of God (Psalms 1:2). Laws have definite characteristics and will produce the same way anytime you operate it. And because God is supreme, His law is supreme and overrides any other law. So if you operate any law, there are predictable consequences. Jesus said that the kingdom of God is as if a man should cast a seed into the ground. What you harvest is clearly defined at the time of planting. No matter how you cry at the time of harvest, you already determined it during the planting season, although the degree of it can be influenced during the course of time. The question is what are you planting today?

Look at how God put it back in Genesis 8:22. While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease. As long as we are on this side of eternity, anyone harvests what he plants. So your tomorrow is defined by what you do today, either positively or negatively, or even lack of activity. A lot of times, our judgment is based on what is happening now. “Lord, I have prayed for supply, but nothing is happening”. Nothing is happening because you have nothing in your account. Can you walk into any bank and ask for money, just because you are in need? No you cannot, unless you have an account in that bank. People have quoted Philippians 4:19, without quoting Philippians 4:15. God cannot supply all your needs when there is nothing in your account to draw from. Paul invoked the anointing on his life to work for philippians by the statement in verse 19 because they have been giving him in verse 15. This was his explanation in verses 16 and 17.  "For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.  Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account." Did you notice that? So there is an account to deposit into before withdrawal can be made to supply all your needs. Friend, God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that shall he reap (Galatians 6:7). The question is, what are you doing today? Now is the planting time for tomorrow’s harvest.

Let’s take this from another angle for a proper understanding. Taking money as an example. One may ask, should I just go and start giving money? No, because that will be a waste of your money. We know from the account of Ananias and Sapphira that it can even be dangerous (Acts 5:1-11). Why? The answer is found in what Jesus Christ said in John 15:5 “for without me ye can do nothing”.  Without Jesus Christ, you and I can do nothing.

Who is Jesus Christ? This is who the Bible says he is: "And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God" (Revelation 19:13). Jesus is the Word of God, and without the Word of God you can do nothing. In John 1:3, we found this entry, "All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made."

Now let us connect this to what we are discussing. The primary seed is the Word of God (Luke 8:11). This should be the basis for anything you do. The Word is not just the basis, it also defines the how of anything you do. For instance, you have been giving 10% of your income as tithe, but are you offering it the way the scripture said you should? Tithing is done with your mouth, before the money is dropped. Deuteronomy 26: 1-19 defined how. Whether it is offering you are giving or other kinds of services, the Word has to be the basis. It must also be according to the Word of God, just as the seed has to be properly planted and catered for to produce.  This means it has to be willingly (1 Corinthians 9:17), cheerfully (Joel 1:12), heartily (Ephesians 6:7-8), faithfully (1 Corinthians 4:2), diligently (Luke 16:1-2), sacrificially (Romans 12:1), tirelessly (Galatians 6:9), by faith (Hebrews 11:6) and love motivated (1 Corinthians 13: 3). The summary is this: "whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ" (Colossians 3:23-24). I guess this should warn any wise person to avoid wasting his/her seed.

Finally, let us see an example of someone that drew from his account to meet his need. He was called Hezekiah. This king came face to face with death. Look at how he drew from his account: "Remember now, O LORD, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore" (Isaiah 38:3). Now do you think he could have prayed this kind of prayer, if he had not given acceptable service? I am sure he was not thinking of such a challenge when he was serving God faithfully.  So I wish to ask you once again, what are you doing today?  The scripture says, "If you fail in the day of adversity, it is because you do not have enough strength" (Proverbs 24: 5, 10); you do not have enough reserve. The beauty of it is that you can start putting into the reserve today. Besides, our Father is merciful.

Prayer: I shall not fail in the name of Jesus Christ.

By Brother Godwin

WHAT COMPANY ARE YOU KEEPING?

Beloved,
I start on the battle of containment last week taking our cue from the parable of the sower. I will continue on that in due course.

Todays scripture: And God came unto Balaam, and said, What men are these with thee? Numbers 22:9 

We are defined by the company we keep because they mould our thoughts and character. You might claim spiritual maturity, but God cannot lie. Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners (1 Corinthians 15:33). This was the reason Jesus did not give himself to any man because he knew the heart of men (John 2:24-25). In our time when men have exalted organization more than the worship of God, it is vital that every one of us looks very well before we leap. I mean identity has taken the place of obedience to God, and so people get entangled in places they have no business in, if they have bothered to ask God. I was in a church sometime ago, and I heard the Spirit of God tell me clearly “what are you doing here? You do not belong here”. From then on, I knew that it is not every place that I belong.

So when God spoke clearly to Balaam, “what men are these with thee?” It was not because God did not want him to enjoy a good company, it was because God knew  those men will lead him astray. Later on we found out that they eventually made him to become lower than a donkey, to the extent that God would rather speak to a donkey, than speak to Balaam. The question is, what company are you keeping? The company you have been keeping might be the cause of your problems. See they might not be unbelievers. They might be tongue talking, but not everybody should be your friend. The company you keep determine what you hear, what your vision could be and what happens to you.

God wanted to reach Abraham, but could not reach him among his king folks. So God told him “Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:  And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing” (Genesis 12:1-2). Note that God could not bless him where he was. Now Abram decided he knew more than God, and took Lot along. Not only did he have a lot of strife, God did not speak to him again until Lot was departed from him. Here: "And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him. Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward." (Genesis 13:14). So Abram in the company of Lot could not hear God and could not see well. Friend, the company you are keeping for whatever reason is probably separating you from a closer fellowship with God.  See, I am not talking about sin. You cannot pray your way out of it. This was why Jesus said, “Take ye heed: watch and pray” (Mark 13:33). There is a time to watch, and a time to pray. I found out a few days ago that the greatest heed or watchfulness is on myself. I guess that applies to everyone.

There are some very good company. I think we should be attentive to identify and cherish them. Saul began to prophesy when he came in the mist of prophets (1 Samuel 10:10), and never prophesied again after he left that company. Hear what Laban said to Jacob, "I pray thee, if I have found favour in thine eyes, tarry: for I have learned by experience that the LORD hath blessed me for thy sake (Genesis 30:27). Thus Laban knew there was a reason for his blessings. In our present world, where we celebrate pride, a lot of people would rather not identify that someone is a blessing on their life.  The woman in Luke 13: 11-15, was already free by the covenant Abraham had with God, but she needed contact with the messenger of the covenant, to experience the freedom. We need a good understanding!

Let’s look at this interesting Egyptian, they call him Potiphar.  "And his master (Potiphar) saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand.  And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand." (Genesis 39:3-4). This guy was watchful. He saw that whatever Joseph touched prospered. How many of us take notice? See the frustration in the voice of God “Who is blind, but my servant? or deaf, as my messenger that I sent? who is blind as he that is perfect, and blind as the LORD'S servant? Seeing many things, but thou observest not; opening the ears, but he heareth not” (Isaiah 42:19-20). Did you read that? I also think that at times we act blind, because we are so full of ourselves. We see people that are blessings to us but intentionally short-circuit them and act big. This was not what Potiphar did. He handed over everything into the hand of Joseph. Is this what happens in our churches today? People are carefully maneuvered out when it is noticed that there is manifestation of God in their lives.

So the question is; who are those people in your house? What company are you keeping?  The truth is; there are people you should look for and others you should consciously run away from. No matter the level you are now, you need something to be added to your life, and God has made available those channels.
The choice is yours but each choice has its own implications.

Confession: In this new month, you shall recover all that the enemy has stolen from you in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen

By Brother Godwin

WHO TAKES THE BLAME?

By Bother Godwin

And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? Mark 4:38

I have done it several times in the past. You may have done it too. When we tell the stories of our challenges, the impression is that we have done everything but the problem has lasted. We say things like I prayed, I fasted, I do not miss service and so on, but yet the problem remains. Although it is not stated in these words, the implication is that God is not true to His Word; “God, you cannot defend your people”. This is a complete lie. God is faithful and He will not fail in our time (1 Corinthians 10:13). A related idea is that God allows problems in the life of his children, so that he can teach us something. Why do you think that God will cause you to have an accident, so as to teach you? Is that how you do (Luke 11:13)? Do you cut off your child’s hand so as to teach him? Does it really make sense that God kills somebody’s child so that he can teach him?  No. God is not an ally of the devil. The devil is the one that steals, kills and destroys (John 10:10). Friend, God chastens us but he does that with his Word (2 Timothy 3:16). People open the door into their lives for the enemy either by commission or by omission (Ephesians 4:27). At times we open the door to the enemy when we make decisions that are not in line with what God demands at that time. Note that some of these decisions might not be out rightly sinful but just wrong at that particular point in time. Remember Hezekiah in Isaiah 39: 1-9?  At other times, people just refuse to take their stand.

Jesus told the disciples to cross the sea (Mark 4:35). He did not say; cross over as long as the sea is calm. Inside every Word of God is the power to fulfill itself when believed (Isaiah 45:23). That Word was enough for them to depend on, no matter the challenge that confronted them. God was literarily angry with Moses. “Why are you crying to me”, God asked him? Put what you have to work (Exodus 14:14-16). So Moses’ sermon of “God shall fight for and you will hold your peace” was not completely correct. It was time to speak and use the rod in his hand and divide the sea. Likewise the disciples accused Jesus instead of standing on what he told them before the storm appeared.

The man by the pool blamed every other people (John 5:7). “I have no man to put me in when the angel moves the water”. Always like that: blame, blame and blame. We blame God; blame our parents, our relatives and every other person but ourselves. The truth is that we need to look inwards. This may be hard for us to take but we need to have a changed mindset to be free. I will explain. We might not be the cause of the challenge but we certainly have a major role to play to be free from it (Isaiah 7:9, Matthew 9:29). If you think you have done all you can do, you have basically closed the door against your freedom.

Satan destroyed everything that Job had but Job said “the Lord gave and the Lord has taken” (Job 1:21). Was it God that killed Job’s children and destroyed all that he had? No. “But God allowed it” you will say. No. He did not. Heaven only allows what we allow.  And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.” (Matthew 16:19, New Living Translation). Job like most people today was praying and acting in fear. Here him: the things which I greatly feared have come upon me (Job 3:25). Now did you read Job 1:5? He was continually afraid. Fear, to the devil is like faith in God. Fear moves the devil. Now was God aware of what happened to him? Yes, but God only allowed what Job had allowed by his continual fear. There are examples of people who refused to take the usual. Jabez was one of them. God sent his prophet to give Hezekiah the death sentence, but Hezekiah brought his strong reasons (Isaiah 38). The widow refused to accept the death of her son (2 King 4:18-30). Friend, this is the point: the whole earth is full of habitation of cruelty (Psalms 74:20). Don’t just sit there and allow things to happen the way they want. If it is not good, it is not God. It is the violent that takes the kingdom by force. Set the standard (Jeremiah 50:2); bring your strong reason (Isaiah 41:21). Happy is the man that does not condemn himself by the things he allows (Hebrew 12:22). Stop allowing bad stuff.

But all things work together for good (Romans 8:26). Yes, it certainly does but it is to them that love God. What does it mean to love God? He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him (John 14:21). If you love God, you will obey him. It is obedience to God despite that challenge that will make the circumstance to work to your advantage. This means God will deliver you and honor you. The water will not drown you neither will the fire kindle upon you dress. God delivered Daniel and the three Hebrew children and honored them. They did not lower their standard; they did not abase themselves despite all the threat. Now think on this: there is a world of difference between the trials that come to us due to our belief in God (James 1:2-4), and suffering what has already been paid for by the blood of Jesus (Galatians 3:13-14).

Why do we need to renew our mind to God’s Word? If you think that God is teaching you for instance through sickness, you cannot take your stand and refuse it. Every sickness and disease was paid for because by his stripes we were healed (1 Peter 2:24). What we do is to stand our ground, and refuse the enemy from putting what has already been paid for on us. God’s grace was enough for Paul, but for what? If grace brings salvation (Titus 2:11) and grace is for all sufficiency in all things (2 Corinthians 9:8), then the grace was available for him to use and be free. Do you imagine that Peter and John had the lame man's healing (Acts 3: 6-7), and Paul did not have for even hmself? Paul was expecting God to take the stand he (Paul) should take. Grace is for freedom and not to endure what we have been delivered from.

Let God be true and all men liars. God is a loving and faithful father. He does not deserve any blame. You and I need to take responsibility.

In this Easter week, Jesus will show himself alive in your affairs by many infallible proofs.

By Bother Godwin

Enter into His Rest

"For we which have believed do enter into rest",....because the works were finished from the foundation of the world. - Hebrews 4:3

There is power that is available to enable any man or woman can overcome their weaknesses. Have you been written off as hopeless? You can become wonderful, efficient, reliable and successful.

This is your starting point: ''If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new'' - 2 Corinthians 5:17.

All those old weaknesses and infirmities that have plagued us for years, can be done way with.

We have to exchange our weaknesses for His strength, and this transaction must happen with an attitude of repentance. We have to accept the gift of God's rest. We have to allow Jesus Christ loose us from those old weaknesses. If He did it for that woman in Luke 13:11-17, He can do it for you today. Just ask Him to take away that weakness and give you His strength.

Yes, you may be conscious of your weakness, but you will be more conscious of the mighty power that is sustaining you. Just like Paul, you can say ''I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me''- Philippians 4:13. There is no place for defeat in your life when Jesus Christ is there because there is no place for weakness in Him. In Christ, you can do everything; you can forgive, you can be humble, you can love, you can heal and be healed and you can bind and cast out demons. You can do all things through Christ! This is the strength behind the man or the woman or boy or girl, who accepts Christ as Savior. This is because Christ is the one who overpowers, overcomes all weaknesses, fear and defeat.

Remember to whom you belong, rest in Him. Carry no burdens and infirmities. Give them all to Jesus Christ. Every day, every moment dedicate your mind to Him. Ask Him to lead you and see how he will make you great.

Confessions:

I am His and by Him created; I am His and by Him redeemed; I am twice His by original right and by purchase; I am His and He will defend me. He will correct me, He will make use of me, He will love me, He will delight in me. I am my beloved's, and no one else possesses either right or power over me, except according to God's will.

He is mine and all that is mine are His. All my sin, all my weaknesses, all my condemnations, all my misery, all my fears, all my shortcomings, I give to Him. They are His. His strength is my strength; His righteousness my righteousness; His wisdom my wisdom; His holiness, His salvation, and His God is my God. His Father is my Father. His brethren are my brethren. And His Heaven is my Home.

For I belong to Him, and He is mine.

Further studies: Jeremiah  17:21-27; Isaiah 53:4; Luke 13:11-17; 1 John 3:1

Summary of the Sunday School For the 1st of May, 2011.

HUMILITY

Scripture Reading: Galatians 5:24, Galatians 2: 20, Luke 9:23, Romans 6:11

First question I will like to ask is "What is Humility?"

Answer: Humility is the opposite of pride. 

Question: So what is pride?

Answer: It is the refusal to acknowledge that we are what we actually are in the eyes of God.

That is the question we should ask ourselves as we explore the subject of humility. Most people define humility as being quiet or timid. Humility is to see yourself as God sees you. Humility cannot be boxed and written in ten steps. Principles cannot be generated to tell you how to be humble because humility is a way of life.

When you become born again, your spirit is saved and Christ comes to live your life through you. it no longer becomes you, but Christ living through you. This is the reason people say there is a difference, because you no longer speak the same, act the same or feel the same.

This change can only happen when you come to the cross and nail your self to it. When you become dead to "self" and allow the Holy Spirit live through you, He becomes the focal point of your life. Every decision you make and how you react to situations that involve anger, forgiveness, communication, thoughts will be guided by him. You can only be truly humble when you give yourself 100% to God. Not 50%  or 70% or 99%. If you give God 50% of your life, then you want to control the remaining 50% and that is not humility.

Is your "self" sleeping or is it fully dead and buried? 

The Bible says that you cannot serve God and mammon. It is either you serve God 100% or you don't serve him at all. Some people reserve Christianity for Sunday only. When Monday comes, they  are back to self. Is that how you live your life? 

Humility is denying self and obeying God no matter the cost.

Abraham was humble enough to obey God by denying himself and taking HIS only son Isaac to the mountain to be sacrificed. At that moment he saw Isaac as God's own because he had given his 100% to God.

David had the opportunity to kill King Saul. King Saul had made David destitute and caused him to hide in caves. At this opportunity, David refused to touch him because he would rather obey God than please self. How many times do you take advantage of the opportunity to harm people who have hurt you or even become happy when they are hurt by someone else. How many times do you find fault in others and talk about it instead of secretly praying for them? 

 

The Devil will either try to puff you up or bring you down. When you are a child of God, you must know who you are in the sight of God. In the sight of God, you are his righteousness in Christ Jesus. The devil will try to bring your past up to make you feel less than what you are in the eyes of God. Don't choose to focus on self and your weakness, but look at God's strength and his abundant resources provided to enable you be what he wants you to be. Anything that has to do with self will never be obedient to God and will always focus on weakness or on puffed strength. These strengths and weaknesses are spurred by the devil when one chooses to focus on self.

Prayer: Lord I submit myself totally to you. I crucify myself with you on the cross and live my life in the spirit by you and for you alone. Obeying you is now my uppermost priority. Thank you Jesus. Amen