CHRISTIANITY IS A TEAM RACE

16th December 2012

Beloved,

FOCUS: 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).

While we receive Jesus Christ into our lives as individuals, we succeed by functional as part of one body. This is why we were warned not to neglect the assembling of brethren. The Holy Spirit through Paul put it this way: For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you (1 Corinthians 12:12, 20-21).

If the Bible is true, then every Christian needs the other Christian. You might have been born again for many years or just today, all of us need one another. When we stay aloof from what happens in the church or spend our time only talking on the errors of others, and gossip and slander one another, we do ourselves a great harm. Have you ever bitten your tongue? Who feels the pain? The whole body feels the pain! The whole body feels any joy or hurt. This is how the Church of God functions. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;  One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all (Ephesians 4:4-6).

In 2 Chronicles 5:13-14, when the people gathered to “make one sound” the glory was so thick that the priest could not minister due to the presence of God. Oh how I pray for similar attitude so that we can have similar experiences in our time!  The same experiences was narrated in Acts 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. First note that they were not just in one place, they were in one place with one accord. They had a unity of the Spirit, and heaven was opened. Secondly notice that the Bible did not say they were praying but the Holy Spirit was poured down all the same. Get this clear, just like you do not need to pray when you open the tap water for water to flow, once you dwell together in one accord, heaven pours out the anointing and the blessings (Psalms 133). Paul was stoned and left as dead. The brethren just stood together, and he rose up (Acts 14:19-20). There was no prayer! I am condemning prayers? Not at all but Jesus said that the world shall believe that He is the son of God when we function as one (John 17:21).

An important component of staying as one is knowing what your role is and diligently accomplishing it. You and I are important, as the eyes cannot tell the nose, I have no need of you (1 Corinthians 12:15-17). The whole body can only function maximally when both the eyes and the nose are functioning well. When you function in the church of God whenever it is convenient for you, you do yourself, the church and the kingdom of God a lot of harm. True!

It is only when the whole body fitly joined together, and compacted by the supply of every part, according to the effectual working of very part, that the body makes progress (Ephesians 4:16). This is what is called a healthy church. Not only does this grow the church, it also grows you as an individual in the church.

Thus we need to refuse divisions. Don’t make your brother’s errors a talking point. Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:1-2). Don’t come to church only when you have a need and wants prayers. Don’t hide your skills and gifts. Those skills and gifts are given to profit everybody (1 Corinthians 12:7). The church is not just my life, I also believe that it is a duty to play my part so that others can be blessed. It is part of the covenant seed I endeavor to sow.  

In closing let’s look at this scripture again: John 17:21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.Could it be that why not many people are believing us is because of the disunity in our churches? People in same church are working hard to destroy one another, and the different churches want to prove that they are the only one doing the right thing by their criticisms. Brethren this is not who we are.

We need to learn from this: And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all(Acts 4:32-33).

Friend, great power and great grace come from being of one heart and one soul.

Shalom

Brother Dr.Godwin Enwere

Elder at Temple of Praise Geneva

AMBASSADOR FROM HEAVEN

9th December 2012

Beloved,

FOCUS: Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:20).

I found out from the scripture that it is not enough for me just to believe in God. In fact that does not make me different from the devil (James 2:19). My true believe is reflected in how much I love and serve God (Hebrew 11:6). I also found out it is not enough for me to know who God is. It is also crucial for me to know who I am in him, if I am to fulfill my purpose on earth. Eve knew God but did not know she was in God. That was the basis on which she was deceived; she wanted to be who she already was (Genesis 3:4-6). Unless we consciously seek to find out who we are, and double down on living that way, the enemy shall continue to lord things over us. They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course. I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.  But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes (Psalms 82:5-7). If we know who we are in God, we do not die like men. True! You shall not die like men, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Now this is for the person that has accepted Jesus into his/her life. If you have not, you have the opportunity to do that right away. When you are born again, you are no more a citizen of this world. You are from heaven, just like Jesus. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world (John 17:16). When we know that and work in the consciousness of it, we stay above the things that control the world system.  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2). You have been made free from the law of sin, failure, sickness, misfortune and lack because you are from above. I am not really interested in knowing your experience. Tell me who you are. We are from above, and we are above all. We are above sudden death. We are above destruction. We are above disappointment. We are above sickness and disease. We are above dishonor. We sit in heavenly places in Christ Jesus, far above where the devil can operate. Hallelujah! Can you receive this? You are from above (John 3:31). Friend, The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all (Psalms 103:19). That is where we belong.

An ambassador lives according to the place he came from. The fact that the ambassador of USA is in Nigeria, does not make him a Nigerian. The consciousness of where he came, makes him live in line with the system of America, not Nigeria. Therefore, If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.  Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth (Colossians 3:1-2). When we do that, we live according to the law of the spirit of life in Christ, and so remain free from the law of sin and death. The laws that control the economy of this world has no hold on us. Yes, we live above their law. When darkness covers people around us, we stay free (Isaiah 60:1-2). Hallelujah! This is your portion in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Ambassadors have access to the power of the home country. If we live our lives as ambassador, we have access to the powers of heaven. The Bible says we taste the powers of the world to come (Hebrews 6:5). The same power that would keep eternity becomes operational in us. This is why Jesus could enter the house even when the doors were locked (John 20:26). Yes, Philip was transported by the Holy Spirit to another place in the twinkle of an eye (Acts 8:39-40). Talk of the power of the world to come! This is available now. It is called eternal life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God(1 John 5:13). This is a great news. We have eternal life, NOW. As God is, so are we in this world (1 John 4:17). You are unstoppable from now on in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

When we know who we are, and are conscious of it, it becomes easy for us to hear from God (John 10:16). It simplifies manifestation of the gift of the Spirit (Mark 16:17). It becomes easy to scoop wisdom from above to work for us (Luke 7:35), and the resources of heaven are cheaply available to us (1 Corinthians 3:21). You and I are ambassadors from heaven. Our lives are heavenly; our protection is from above and our resources are limitless. We are freed from the corruption that is in this life (2 Peters 1:3-4).

From now on, we shall live who we are and shall not suffer or die like men in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring (Acts 17:28).  

Shalom

Brother Dr.Godwin Enwere

Elder at Temple of Praise Geneva

DO NOT LEAVE IT TO CHANCE. SET THE STANDARD

3rd December 1212

Beloved,

 FOCUS: Declare ye among the nations, and publish, and set up a standard; publish, and conceal not: say, Babylon is taken, Bel is confounded, Merodach is broken in pieces; her idols are confounded, her images are broken in pieces (Jeremiah 50:2).

After Satan confused Eve because of his greed and envy for the dominion and authority God gave to his man, God did not leave things for chance. God set a standard of how things should turn out. This was what God said And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel (Genesis 3:15). By that declaration, God defined what happened four thousand years later. When God took Ezekiel to the valley full of dry bone and asked what he thought. Ezekiel responded, “I do not know”. God informed him that whatever will happen was in Ezekiel’s hands. He told him, “Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the LORD” (Ezekiel 37:4).  At his old age Jacob said to his sons, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days (Genesis 49:1). He established what would happen to them. To show that God honored that, Jacob decreed that Jesus shall be born from the lineage of Judah, and that was what happened. This is what blessings are about. This is what curses are about too; setting a standard for the future.

Jesus was mocked by the lying fig-tree. He did not stand there complaining. He set the standard on what should happen to the tree, and that came to pass. When there were five thousand men without food in a desert place, Jesus set the standard. “They need not depart”; he told the disciples “give ye them to eat” (Matthew 14:16). Therefore it was not by chance that the bread multiplied in the hands of the disciples (Matthew 14:19).

This is what you and I need to do in all areas of our life. Concerning your job, don’t just sit and watch, or worse still join the pity-party. Stop talking how bad your boss is. Take a stand and declare it. Remember the enemy cannot invalidate or resist what you say (Luke21:15). Declare to that situation what you want to happen. Stop talking doctor’s report. People’s sympathy cannot help you. Start saying what the Bible said about your health. What do you want to happen? Say it because you can only have what you say (Mark11:23). About your children, stop telling stories of how bad they are? Declare what you want them to become….call those things that be not as though they were (Romans 4:17). Friend, don’t just say words, send them to fulfill a purpose. This should be the same for your Pastor or other Christians. Tell them what you want them to be; not what they are.

Someone may ask, but I have been saying it and nothing has happened. See, perhaps it has not happened because you said it has not happened. God spoke about the advent of Jesus for four thousand years before it happened. When Jesus spoke to the fig tree, nothing happened in the physical till the next day.  The truth is that a lot is happening. Don’t unplug the power. Jesus said that the kingdom of God, is as if a man should cast seed into the ground;  And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how.  For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear (Mark4:26-29). You do not plant a seed today and harvest it tomorrow.  Do you? This calls for consistency….saying the same thing no matter how long it takes. Don’t be unstable; saying one thing today and the next moment saying the exact opposite.

The New Year is around the corner. Now is the time to locate from the scriptures what you desire your 2013 to be. Don’t leave your future to chance. You are the prophet of your life.  What do you want tomorrow to be? Today is the time to start planting the seed….and the seed is the word of God (Luke 8:11).

Shalom

Brother Dr.Godwin Enwere

Elder at Temple of Praise Geneva

NEVER SAY "I CANNOT"

25th November 2012

Beloved,

FOCUS: I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me(Philippians 4:13).

News: One of my young friends asked for permission to share one of these write ups with his friend. Note that no one needs my permission to share any of them with anybody. If it blessed you, please spread it around. You do not even need to have my name on it.

I want to start from the outset to say that if you are born again, there is nothing that is beyond you. Jesus himself said: If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth (Mark 9:23). If you and I do all we should do, nothing can be impossible to us. You can pass that examination even if no one has ever passed it; you can get that job no matter what people think are your advantages. You can have children despite the things you have been told. Yes, you can get healed no matter what the doctor’s report say. Did I say you can get healed? No. By God’s record, you are already healed. Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed(1 Peter 2:24).You can get your liberty. Yes, you can. You can do all things through Christ who is at work in you. Whatever thing you desire, the Bible said you can have it (Mark 11:24). Hallelujah!

Let’s review this important scripture. But as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become God's children, to those who believe in his name (John 1:12 WEB). The word “right” in this scripture also means authority, liberty and power to do anything. Thus when we received Jesus Christ into our lives, he gave us power to do anything. Hallelujah! Now see this meaning: that power denies the presence of a hindrance. Yes, the Christian has a surpassing power that does not recognize any hindrance that the enemy may try to put on our way. Friend, whatever that is born of God has the capacity to deprive the enemy of power to harm him (1 John 5:4). I think the main question is whether we accept that we have that power, and are willing to use apply it. Unless we acknowledge what God has given us and apply it, we shall continue to live as mere men (Psalms 82:5-9).”I cannot” should never be your language.

It is important we understand that it is the ability of God in us, through the indwelling Holy Spirit that makes us able. I just want to remind someone out there that we are talking of the same Holy Spirit that was at the beginning (Genesis 1:1-2); the one that raised Christ from the dead that is in you and I (Romans 8:11). The same Holy Spirit enabled Jesus to go about doing good and healing all that were oppressed by the devil (Acts 10:38). Until Jesus received the Holy Spirit, he was very ordinary. But when he received the Holy Spirit, Jesus changed the landscape of history and called many sons (you and I) into that brotherhood of glory. Look at what he told them:if he called them Gods, unto who the word came, and the scriptures cannot be broken (John10:35). Friend, God recognizes that your case is settled. You are fully loaded with divinity and carry the very power that raised Christ from the dead. The same way all things are possible to God, that is how all things are possible to you through Jesus. Now this is scripture we are talking about, not religion. You can do all things through Christ!

God played a scenario to me earlier this week. I switched on a generator in my house in Nigeria some time ago. Although that machine was on, I did not engage the main switch so that there was no light in our house. Note that the machine was on and generating electricity but there was disconnect and so it could not supply light. God showed me a scripture to explain this. For it is God who works in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure (Philippians 2:13). God is at work in me now. He is at work now, just like that generator I switched on. But the power at work in me needs to be engaged.

Jesus told us one of the ways to engage the power that is already at work in us: For most assuredly I tell you, whoever may tell this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and doesn't doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is happening; he shall have whatever he says (Mark 11:23 WEB). Did you see that; it says you shall have whatever you say? Therefore why should you ever say “I CANNOT”?

You must wake up to this truth: Someone is in control on this side of eternity, and that’s you!

You can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth you (Philippians 4:13). Spend some time and repeat this to yourself.

Shalom

Brother  Dr.Godwin Enwere

Elder at Temple of Praise Geneva

PRAY

26th November 2012

May the Lord answer you when you are in distress;
    may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.
² May he send you help from the sanctuary
    and grant you support from Zion.
³ May he remember all your sacrifices
    and accept your burnt offerings.
⁴ May he give you the desire of your heart
    and make all your plans succeed.
⁵ May we shout for joy over your victory
    and lift up our banners in the name of our God.

May the Lord grant all your requests.

⁶ Now this I know:
    The Lord gives victory to his anointed.
He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary
    with the victorious power of his right hand.
⁷ Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
    but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
⁸ They are brought to their knees and fall,
    but we rise up and stand firm.
⁹ Lord, give victory to the king!
    Answer us when we call!

 

·       Let your season of glory appear in the name of Jesus

·       you shall  sing of the goodness and the mercy of the lord forever in Jesus name

·      Thank you  Lord for answered  prayers

 

Amen

 

Deckoness Jane

At Temple of Praise Geneva

REMEMBER O LORD

12th November 2012

Beloved,

FOCUS: And said, 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)

Throughout the scripture, people stand on the integrity of their service to make demands on the supernatural. Think about Hezekiah. God himself told Hezekiah he was going to die. He turned his face to the wall and challenged that verdict. This was how he put it:Remember Lord how I have walked before you in truth and with a perfect heart. You know what? God did change his mind because for Hezekiah to die would have gone against God’s own word. This might tickle some religious folks but that is the truth. God cannot go against his Word. He fulfills the number of days of those that serve him (Exodus 23:26). The main question is this: when your work is tested, shall it validate who you claim to be?

One guy appeared in the palace of Ahad, the king. They called him Elijah the Tishbite. This was what he told the king: As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word (1 Kings 17:1). Did you notice the last phrase, “according to my word”? That is being audacious; the word of a mortal man (a man of like passion) controlling heaven? His actions tested the validity of who he claimed to be. Read that verse again. Did you notice something? He said As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand. His demand was based on where he stood. Before whom are you standing? Psalms 24:3  said Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place?  He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. Let’s break this down. The person that shall stand before God is someone that lives a holy life, whose mind is renewed by the word of God, takes the word of God as the final authority and speaks the Word of God at all times. Do you think that God would have known if Elijah was just making mouth? His word (Elijah’s word) said there shall be no rain and there was no rain.

Now let’s talk about another man, Elisha. In most of the miracles he did he just spoke as if he was God himself. You can study it for yourself. When the widow whose husband owed so much came to him, he just gave her instruction and that gave birth to the oil that stayed (2 Kings 4:1-7). No prayers! With the shunammite woman that had no child, Elisha simply spoke “About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son” (2 Kings 4:16). With Naaman, he did not even talk to him directly. There was no mention of God and no long prayers. Friend, the long hollow prayers we pray are simply a reflection of how far our walk with God is. True! Find out for yourself how much prayer Peter and John prayed to get the lame man healed (Acts 3:1-9). They just spoke. We are talking about testing the validity of our walk with God.

Paul was in danger in a strange ship. All hopes were lost and then he had an encounter. Look at his next words Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me (Acts 27:25). What a certainty; what a confidence! But see what he said earlier For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve (Acts 27:23). Thus he was not just a christian, he also rendered quality service to God.

What is the quality of our service? When circumstances test the validity of who you are, will it stand?  If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward (1 Corinthians3:14).

Hezekiah said “Remember O lord”. Elijah said “before God whom I stand”. What are you saying? Do you know what? Where you stand is a powerful tool for your manifesting divinity or deliverance.

When you speak, how shall God respond?

Shalom

Brother Godwin Enwere

Elder at Temple of Praise Geneva

Ask God for grace to major on love and not on judgment

29th October 2013

Beloved,

FOCUS:  When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more (John 8:10-11).

His life has been full of troubles over the past few months due to the choices he made. Not only did he walk out on the father, he joined himself to riotous people. In no time the royalty in him was reduced to a beggar. He was so low to the extent that the foods served to pigs were considered good for him. And suddenly he remembered home, and his father.  “ I have been disobedient but I am still a son”. What a thought! As he walked home filthy and guilty, he rehearsed in his mind what his opening statement to the father will be. It is interesting that it did not occur to him that the father could of his own will, decide not to take him. What a confidence; a confidence in the love of the father! He knew and believed the love that his father had for him, and therefore had no torment because fear was cast out (1 John 4:16). How much confident do you have in the love of the father (God) for you? This love does not reject anyone.  This love encourages us to boldly come to him in order to obtain mercy no matter what we may have done (Hebrews 4:16).    

The interaction that the prodigal son had with the father when he got home was very revealing (Luke 15:11-32). While he was interested in highlighting his own errors and what he deserved, his father on the other hand was desperate to make him comfortable. The father was eager to celebrate the value of his son; value born out of his decision and not based on what the son did.  Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honorable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life (Isaiah 43:4). The older brother of the prodigal son had a different mindset. He accused the father and his brother, and reminded the father of all the bad things the brother did. In fact as far as he was concerned, the boy was the father’s son, and not his brother.

You can see clearly the two types of hearts.  There is the heart of love that is interested in mercy, comfort and forgiveness, and the heart that highlights and emphasizes faults, judgment and condemnation. When I had an understanding of Romans 5:8  [But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us], it dawn on me that God was ready to lose Christ for nothing because of love.  What if no one believed? Did you see that Christ died while we were yet sinners? It was not that we were good and ready to come to him. What an awesome love!

Those folks confronted Jesus. It was so obvious and there were witnesses to the lady’s sin. The law said she ought to die, and the law must be fulfilled. Jesus bent down and wrote on the ground. What do you think he was in his mind? The woman sinned and the law must be obeyed, but there is something weightier: the need for the woman to experience love. To Jesus that trumps everything. There must be a way to set her free. “Father, help me”! And bang, the wisdom came. ‘Let him that has never sinned cast the first stone’. Note that the primary goal of Jesus was to free the woman and what he told the woman was revealing. “Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more”. The woman did not confess; she did not repent; she did not promise not to do whatever she did again but yet Jesus did not condemn her (John 8:1-11). What a love!

The time has come for us to lay less emphasis on people’s errors. Should we condone evil? I did not say that but the Psalmist said: If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand(Psalms 130:3)? We should look for ways to free people instead of condemning them. Give them benefit of doubts. We should love people. We can love like God because the love of God is shade abroad in our hearts (Romans 5:5). Enough of the judgments! We have judged our spouses for too long; we have judged our children enough; we have judged our colleagues so much. We should rather have mercy than sacrifice (Matthew 9:13).

I found out something else. Faith stops the enemy and deprives the world of the power to hurt us (Ephesians 6:16; 1 John 5:4). So faith is a weapon of war but love is the instrument of dominion. With love you do not fight; you dominate. How do I know that? Read the account in Job 29:1-25. Why did Job dominate?  Here it is: I was eyes to the blind, and feet was I to the lame.  I was a father to the poor: and the cause which I knew not I searched out.  And I brake the jaws of the wicked, and plucked the spoil out of his teeth (Job 29:15-17). He was in charge!

1 Corinthians 13:13 said And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. Friend, the greatest is love! Love is far greater than faith.

Ask God for grace to major on love and not on judgment!

God shall crown 2013 with his goodness for you in the name of Jesus Christ

Shalom

Brother Godwin Enwere

Elder at Temple of Praise Geneva