There is nothing that can arise in this life so great as to compare to
the glory that awaits us at Christ’s glorious coming. There is nothing
so horrible that can happen in this life that will not be forgotten in
an instant of time when we see Jesus Christ face to face. Nothing that
goes on in this life, whether good or bad, is worthy to be compared to
the eternal weight of glory that constitutes our hope.
I believe the epistles of Paul, Peter, Jude and John present a picture
of our hope which not only gives us comfort during difficult times but
great strength during times of stress, great encouragement during times
of duress and great joy at all times. I believe that if all we have to
live for is this life only, we of all people are most to be pitied.
When Paul could not endure any more hardship, God caught him away and
showed him what is coming after Christ returns. Whatever Paul saw,
provided him with the strength and focus to endure everything that arose
the rest of his ministry. Paul lived and breathed not only to share the
Gospel now, but with the burning hope that Christ would return any
minute.
It is obvious that those who participated in the First Century church,
lived each day with the burning realization the trumpet could indeed
sound any minute and they would leave this life to spend an eternity
with God. It was this firm conviction which allowed men and women to
totally commit themselves to serving Christ in this life with no
interest in accumulating earthy treasures or so afraid of death they
could not live.
So much of our current society is built on either extending life a few
extra years or finding that elusive fountain of youth that eliminates
the aging process and keeps us looking and feeling like a teenager when
we are 85 years old. Most of the products advertised in various media
all promise to make one feel or look younger. With all the emphasis on
this life and none on the future, of course there will be little
emphasis placed on the spiritual side of things.
Solomon spoke extensively of vanity. When the emphasis of life is only
what is best for “me”; that is vanity. When all of life’s endeavors are
for self gain; that is vanity. When every dream and detail in life
revolves around “me”; that is vanity. When there is nothing any greater
to live for than this life; that is vanity.
We all really need to look in the mirror and think about WHY we are so
hung up on this body of ours. Why do we spend so much time, energy and
money trying to transform this flesh into a shining temple? Paul said
these bodies we live in are earthly tabernacles that will be discarded
when Christ returns. Of course we should seek to take care of ourselves
but not because of vanity.
The day is fast approaching when the Lord Jesus will call us home,
either through death or His return. In light of this, what is our
purpose in living? What is our reason for what we do? What is the great
aim of our heart and motive for what we live for? Is our time, energy
and money really ours to hoard and spend only on ourselves? Is not all
that we have in this life a gift from God to share with others?
I urge us all to spend a little time thinking about how we live and what
we live for. It never hurts to make sure we have not fallen into the
bottomless pit of vanity and the self serving pursuit of happiness. We
have life because God gave it to us and that life is a gift to be shared
with others in light of our short stay as sojourners in this life.
Saturday, 30 June 2012
Friday, 29 June 2012
God Knows best.
Suddenly, an acorn fell from the tree, bouncing lightly off the top of the young mans head.As the truth slowly dawned , he sheepishly spoke, “Dan , thank Go
Saturday, 23 June 2012
Remembering the Forgotten.
Psalm
115 vs 12 says The Lord has been mindful of us; He will bless us; He
will bless the house of Israel ; He will bless the house of Aaron.
It
is a terrible thing to be forgotten. Proverbs 13 vs 12 says when hope
is deferred the heart becomes sick .To be forgotten is like hope been
deferred . When a man or woman is forgotten his or her destiny is put
on hold. Jeremiah 29 vs 11 says for I know the plans that I have for
you , says the Lord. “plans to prosper you and not to harm you
,plans to give you hope and a future. When an individual is forgotten
every plans and agenda is suspended. For example God had big plans
for Solomon .Before the birth of Solomon , God sent Nathan to
inform David of His plan to make Solomon king and establish his
throne forever - 2 Samuel 7 vs 5-16. When the time came for David
to choose his successor , He forgot all the prophet said about
Solomon. Meanwhile Adonijah was making preparations to make himself
king and this was brought to David's attention , instead of rebuking
him , he kept quiet because the young man was good looking -1 Kings 1
vs 5-6 .Although the king kept quiet, the Lord did not . He inspired
Nathan to speak to Bathsheba. By the time we get to 1 Kings 1 vs
28-40 , David had remembered Solomon and made him king.
In
Mark 5 vs 1-20 is the story of the demoniac in Gadara . He was born
to be a great evangelist but unclean spirits possessed him and put
his destiny on hold. This demons made sure he lived among the dead
(in the tomb). Proverbs 14 vs 20 says the poor is hated by his
neighbor but the rich has many friends. If the poor is hated by his
neighbor how much more a mad man who resides in the tomb. Proverbs 19
vs 4 says wealth brings many friends , but a poor man's friend
deserts him. If the friends of the poor desert and forget about him ,
how much more a demonic man who cuts himself and cry day and night .
The man was totally forgotten but the Most High remembered him and
paid him a visit. All demons disturbing were sent out and this man
started witnessing for Jesus. By the time we get to Mark 5 vs 20-21 , he had already won
a whole nation for Jesus.
When
a man is forgotten , his blessings and breakthrough are withheld . In
2 Samuel 9 vs 1-9, Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan,grand son of King
Saul was stripped of all his belonging and Saul's estate.
Mephibosheth was a prince and the only place you find princes are in
palaces not a small house in Lo Debar. A prince sits at the King's
table to eat with the king and other princes but Mephibosheth was
eating lone in small hut . Whether a prince is lame or fit , when
he wants to travel he uses royal chariots but people had to carry
this prince .The Lord remembered this young prince and nudged the
heart of the king. David suddenly felt a need to show kindness to
the house of Saul and began to inquire if any one was left so that he
could show kindness to him or her. As the Lord will have it , Mephibosheth was the
only one left and David restored all that belonged to him .He began
to sit and dine with the king of Israel .
The
Lord told Abram that He was going to give his descendant the land of
Canaan as an everlasting possession in Genesis 17 vs 1. This promise
did not materialize until the Lord remembered the great grand
children of Abraham in Exodus 2 vs 24 . The children of Israel were
stuck in Egypt for four hundred and thirty years because they were
forgotten . The Most High remembered them and He raised up Moses who
led them out of Egypt and Joshua who took them to Canaan -the land
flowing with milk and honey.
When
a man is forgotten , he experiences stagnancy in all areas of his
life. After Joseph had interpreted the dreams of the king's butler
and baker in Genesis 40 vs 1-23 , he expected the butler to put a
word for him in the presence of the King as agreed but the man
forgot . Because the man forgot , Joseph remained in the prison for
another two years . Throughout the two years , he did not make any
progress ,even the bible had nothing to record about him because all
he achieved in those years was zero . The Lord remembered him and
caused Pharaoh to have a dream in Genesis 41 vs 1-40 . Pharaoh told
his dreams to the palace officials and the butler remembered Joseph .
The butler told the King about Joseph and he was asked to come and interpret the king's dream. He interpreted the dream
and from that day , Joseph never returned to the prison again.
When
a man or woman is forgotten , if care is not taken he or she might
miss the day of his or her breakthrough. The Lord told Prophet Samuel
in 1 Samuel 16 vs 1-13 to fill his horn with oil and go to the house
of Jesse to anoint one of his sons . When he got there , he asked to
see the sons of Jesse and Jesse brought out his sons but forgot David who was busy with the sheep in the field. It was until
the Lord told Samuel that He had not chosen any of the seven that
Samuel asked if there were other children before Jesse remembered his
last born in the field . Imagine David missing the day he was meant
to be made the number one citizen in the land of Israel. I pray that
you will not miss the day of your breakthrough in the name of Jesus.
It
is almost impossible for one who is forgotten to become fruitful .
The Lord expects his children to be fruitful . The first blessing He
gave man in the garden of Eden is to be fruitful and multiply –
Genesis 1 vs 18 . The Second promised he gave to Abram in Genesis 12
vs 2 was to make him a great nation – make him fruitful. An
individual who is forgotten might find it hard or impossible to be
fruitful . Genesis 29 vs 31 says when the Lord saw that Leah was
unloved, He opened her womb; but Rachel was barren . While everyone
around Rachel were becoming fruitful , Rachel was barren . The Lord
remembered Rachel in Genesis 30 vs 32 and she became fruitful and
gave birth to Joseph. Hannah saw hell in the hands of her rival –
Peninnah because the Lord had forgotten her . In 1 Samuel 1 vs 6 ,
Peninnah took it upon herself to torment Hannah because she was
barren but by the time the Lord remembered her , she became a mother
of six – four boys and two girls , 1 Samuel 2 vs 21 .
When
a man is forgotten , he will continue to face the same challenge
again and again. This was the case of the man at the pool of Bethesda
for thirty-eight years – John 5 vs 1-16 . The man's biggest problem
was getting someone to put him into the pool when the water is
stirred up by an angel. This man remained sick and in the same state
for several years because there was no one to put him in the pool but the
Lord remembered him and visited him. Before Jesus left the pool of
Bethesda , his challenge was dealt with once and for all . The man
never had the need to lie by the pool again.
When
a man is forgotten , mercy is withdrawn from him. Lamentations 3 vs
22 says through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, because of
his compassions fail not. Jesus was approaching Jericho in Luke 18 vs
35 -43 when a blind man began to shout “ Son of David , have mercy
on me !” . This man's life was devoid of mercy . While he was
crying to Jesus , people began to tell him to be quiet . The people
that were meant to help started telling him to shut up and keep quiet
. No one around him was willing to show him mercy . Jesus remembered
him and asked him to be brought over. Jesus spoke the word and he
began to see .
Many
are going through a challenge or two and are wondering if the Lord has
forgotten us. We have prayed and fasted , sown seeds , attended night
vigils and nothing seems to happen. Some of us are now at the stage
when we begin to ask if the Lord actually cares The Lord has not forgotten you. Isaiah 49 vs 15-16 says can a woman
forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the son of her
womb? Surely they may forget , yet I will not forget you. See, I have
inscribed you on the palms of My hands; your walls are continually
before me. Deuteronomy 7 vs 9 says therefore know that the Lord your
God , He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a
thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His
commandments. Job 23 vs 13 says but He is unique , and who can make
Him change ? And whatever His soul desires , that He does . Job 36 vs
7 says He does not withdraw His eyes from the righteous. The Lord has
not forgotten you .
The
reason why we are yet to break through or get our blessings could be
the timing. God has a time and schedule for everything.
Ecclesiastes 3 vs 1 says to everything there is a season . There is
an appointed time for your blessings . Habakkuk 2 vs 3 says for the
vision is yet for an appointed time , but at the end it shall speak,
and not lie: though it tarry , wait for it, because it will sure
come, it will not tarry. In John 9 vs 1-12 , we see the disciples of
Jesus asking Him whose sin it was that caused a man to be born blind
and Jesus replied them that neither this man nor his parents sinned,
but that the works of God should be revealed in him. There was an
appointed time for this man's miracle. When the time came , Jesus
walked by and he got his sight .
Another
reason for unanswered prayers could be because we have stopped crying
to God . Some of us are now fed up of crying to God , we have
now accepted fate . We are now comfortable with the challenges that we
no longer cry to God for help . Although the children of Israel had
over stayed their visit in Egypt the Lord did not fight on their behalf until
they started to cry out for help . Whilst they were quiet the Lord
held His peace but immediately they began to cry He remembered them-
Exodus 2 vs 24 . If they had not cried , they probably will be there
for another two hundred years. Are you now so comfortable in your
place of work or ministry that you no longer cry to God for help ?
Sir /Ma it is very dangerous.
Another
reason could be the Lord has decided to forget about us . There are many who the
Lord has purposely forgotten because they have forgotten to redeem
their pledges , vows,e.t.c. Many have made promises to Him and
forgotten . We told him that if only if He will deal with a
particular challenge , we will give an offering , we will buy something
for the church ,some said they will join the choir,others promised to
serve Him for the rest of their life , some even promised to live a life holiness
but after He did it we forgot about the promises and pledges . Psalm
18 vs 24 says therefore the Lord has recompensed me according to my
righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in His sight.
Psalm 18 vs 25-26 says with the merciful , He shew Himself merciful ,
with the blameless ,He shew Himself blameless , with the Pure, He
shew Himself pure and with the devious , He shew Himself shrewd. If
the Lord shows himself shrewd, with the devious what of those who
have forgotten Him or their promises to Him ?
Proverbs
8 vs 17 says I love those who love Me , the Lord said in 1 Samuel 2 vs 30 , those
who honor Me will I honor. Some have forgotten about our first
love . We no longer yearn for the presence of God . Heaven and hell
are no longer preached .The Lord wants us to know about heaven and
hell . Many of us have forgotten to be grateful to Him , we complain
about what He is yet to do and we forget about His mercies and what
He has already done . One thing we all forget is that only the living
has challenges , the dead In the grave has no challenges . If you
having challenges just thank Him for the gift of life. Only the
living fails an exam , the dead do not write exams .
Sin
is leads to a shut heaven . At times things do not work out because
of our disobedience to the Most High God. Psalm 66 vs 18 says if I
regard iniquity in my heart , the Lord will not hear me . Romans 6 vs
1 says what shall we say then? Shall we continue In sin that grace
may abound ?
The
bible said in Romans 3 vs 23 that for all have sinned and fall short
of the glory of God. Romans 6 s 23 says For the wages of sin is
death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The gift was explained in John 3 vs 16 , For God so loved the world
that He gave His only begotten son that whoever believes in Him
should not perish but have everlasting life. What shall we do to be
save ? The bible says in Romans 10vs 9 that 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 vs 10 – For it is with
your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with our
mouth that you confess and are saved.
Pray this prayer from your heart today!
Dear Jesus , I believe that You died for me and rose again on the third day. I confess I am a sinner. I need your love and forgiveness. Come into my heart . Forgive my sins. I receive Your eternal life. Confirm You love by giving me peace, joy and supernatural love for others, Amen.
Welcome to Christ brethren, Please join a bible believing church.
Samuel Oluwatoki
Please forward this newsletter to a friend, family or colleague . Remember Matthew 10 vs 32 which says whoever confesses me before me , him I will confess before my father who is heaven.
Pray this prayer from your heart today!
Dear Jesus , I believe that You died for me and rose again on the third day. I confess I am a sinner. I need your love and forgiveness. Come into my heart . Forgive my sins. I receive Your eternal life. Confirm You love by giving me peace, joy and supernatural love for others, Amen.
Welcome to Christ brethren, Please join a bible believing church.
Samuel Oluwatoki
Please forward this newsletter to a friend, family or colleague . Remember Matthew 10 vs 32 which says whoever confesses me before me , him I will confess before my father who is heaven.
Tuesday, 19 June 2012
When He enters
When
the Lord enters a life, a situation or a place ,His presence is felt
instantly . Psalm 16 vs 11 says You will show me the path of life:
in thy presence is fullness of joy , at thy right hand there are
pleasures forever more . The Most High God needs no introduction when
He enters into any life or a challenge, Exodus 15 vs 8 says and with
the blast of Your nostrils the waters were gathered together ; the
floods stood upright like a heap; The depths congealed in the heart
of the sea.
When
He enters , a failure becomes a success. It is a good thing to be
successful ,Proverbs 13 vs 19 says a desire accomplished is sweet to
the soul . If a desire accomplished is sweet to the soul then we know
that a desire unaccomplished ( failure) is bitter to the soul .A
typical example of a failure was Peter . No matter how hard he tried
he had nothing to show for his efforts . He fished all night and
caught absolutely nothing in Luke 5 vs 1 -7 . No matter how hard he
tried it was as if he was not making any efforts at all, I mean what
is the difference between a fisherman who fished all night and caught
nothing and a fisherman who slept all night, they both have the same
results which is zero fish . The King of Kings entered his boats and
there was a complete turn around. Peter who was bitter suddenly began
to grin when he let down his net and caught so much fishes that the
nets began to break.
Joseph
was another man who failed despite his credentials and CV. Joseph had
the looks,the charisma and the brain. He was visionary leader with
incredible foresight ,at a tender age he began to see what others
could not see. He began to see the sun and moon bowing down to him –
Genesis 37 vs 5-10 . He had excellent management skills, Potiphar
must have noticed some talents in the life of Joseph before making
him the overseer of his house -Genesis 39 vs 3-5 .Despite his resume,
he ended up in the prison. Failure does not respect qualifications or
grammar ,if it enters into a life that individual will go down.
Failure had taken permanent residence in the life of Joseph but the
Lord of the whole universe came into his situation and his story
change. He became a prime minister in Egypt without campaign or
election -Genesis 41 vs 14-40 .
When
He enters , weakness turns to strength .Psalm 18 vs 2 calls Him our
Strength in whom we trust, Psalm 46 vs 1 says God is our refuge and
strength , A very present help in trouble. Isaiah 40 vs 31-32 says
God renews the strength of those who wait on Him. When there is
strength a man can do a lot for example Leviticus 26 vs 8 says five
men will chase a hundred and a hundred will put then thousand to
flight ,Joshua 23 vs 10 says one man of you shall chase a thousand.
The book of Leviticus 26 vs 6 says you will chase your enemies and
they shall fall by the sword before you. Only a strong man can chase
his enemies . The lame man in Acts 3 vs 1-12 had so many enemies like
poverty,lack,shame ,stagnancy, because he was weak in his feet and
ankle bones there was nothing he could do about it. He could not get
a proper job to deal with poverty in his life so he resulted to
begging for alms. On a day like this , the Lord decided to pay Him a
visit. Immediately the representative of the Most High God (Peter)
grabbed him by the arm, strength came and He began to walk and dance
. He could not chase all his enemies.
When
He enters chronic illness turns to perfect health. Exodus 15 vs 26
calls Him Jehovah Rapha – The Lord our healer. In Mark 2 vs 1-11 ,
four men carried their friends to Jesus but could not get to were
Jesus was because of the crowd. They decided to uncovered the roof
and let down the bed on which the man was lying. Jesus forgave his
sins and told him to take up his bed and go home. Immediately this
fellow stood and began to walk. John 5 vs 1-16 talks about a man by
the pool of Bethesda who had infirmity for thirty-eight years .This
man's infirmity defiled medical science that, was why he took
residence at the porch waiting for an opportunity to jump into the
pool when the angel of the stirs the water. Immediately Jesus enter
his health, he was healed instantly .
Lack
becomes abundance when He enters. Genesis 20 vs 13-14 calls Him
Jehovah Jireh ( the Lord will provide)The people of Samaria lacked in
every area or their life because they were besieged by the King of
Syria- 2 Kings 6 vs 24. This siege led to a great famine , it was so
bad that only the rich could afford bird droppings while the poor had
no other choice than to eat their dead children. They cried to the
Lord and He answered. Within 24 hours they moved from absolute lack
to extreme wealth . The wife of the sons of prophet in Kings 4 vs
1-11 got into debt because of lack . The creditors knew that she
could not afford to pay her debts because she was experiencing first
class lack so they decided to take her sons and sell them to raise
cash. She ran to Elisha the man of God who gave her a simple
instruction . She went and borrow vessels and did as she was told. By
the time she knew it her house was filled with several vessels of
oil. The little jar oil had multiplied in several vessels of oil .
Death
becomes life when He enters .According to John 11 vs 25 ,Jesus is the
resurrection and the life . Isaiah 42 vs 5 says the Most High gives
breath to the people on earth and spirit to those that walk on it.
Revelations 1 vs 18 says He holds the key to life and death. Because
He holds the keys to life and death ,He decides what dies and what
lives .Matthew 3 vs 9 says He could bring children out of stones. The
womb of Sarah was dead as a stone. Romans 4 vs 19 says Abraham's body
was a good as dead- since he was about a hundred years old – and
that the womb of Sarah was also dead. After the Lord's visit in
Genesis 18 vs 1-15 , the bodies of Abraham and Sarah came alive . Out
of a womb that was considered dead came a bouncing baby boy. Sarah
became nursing mother at the age of ninety. J
Jesus
went to Nain with His disciples in Luke 7 vs 11-17. On getting to the
gate, He saw a group of people going to bury a young man , the only
son his mother and she was a widow. When Jesus saw the mother , He
was moved with compassion and He told the crying mother not to sweep.
He touched the coffin of the boy and told him to wake up and
immediately the boy stood and began to speak. The waters of Jericho
was bad and the ground was barren- 2 Kings 2 vs 19-22 . The water
brought death and bareness to everything around it. The men of the
city reported this to Elisha (man of God) . He asked them to bring a
new bowl with some salts and poured it at the source of the water.
The water became healed seized to cause death but life.
The
Most High God is so big when He passes , He can not go unnoticed. It
will be impossible not to notice the One whose arms are everlasting –
Deuteronomy 33 vs 27 .His legs are so long the bible says He sits in
heaven and makes earth is footstool-Isaiah 66 vs 1. His ears are so
big that He hears when the whole world is praying at the same time.
His eyes are so big they run to and fro throughout the whole earth-1
Chronicles 16 vs 9. According to Exodus 15 vs 8 , the blast of His
nostrils are powerful enough to part a sea.
He
is not only big but very powerful .Jesus calls Him Power in Mark 14
vs 62. David says in Psalm 62 vs 11 God has spoken once ,twice I have
heard this: Power belongs to God. Psalm 33 vs 8-9 says let all the
earth fear the Lord; Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in
awe of Him , for He spoke, and it was done; He commanded , and it
stood fast. He is so powerful fire travels before Him to consume His
enemies – Psalm 97 vs 3.Psalms 68 vs 1 says when He arises His
enemies are scattered and those who him flee before Him. It is
impossible for a God like this to enter your life and your enemies
will not be roasted. It is impossible to have such a God in your life
and one manager or boss will withhold your promotion or bully you. No
one can withstand Him. Your challenges can not stand Him. Psalms 50
vs 3 says our God comes and will not be silent, a fire devours around
him, and around him a tempest rages. Your mountains can not stand the
One who smoke rose from His nostrils; consuming fire came from His
mouth , burning coals blazed out of it .
If
you can get Him into that matter then consider it resolved. The only
problem is moving Him into the situation. It is not an easy to invite
earthly kings and queens into our houses. The presidents of the world don’t
just go to anywhere ,anyhow . You don’t see them everyday on TV
chatting and talking , you don’t see them every where . They don’t
attend every parties, they only go to special functions . If the
Kings of this world are like that how much more the King of Kings .
To move Him, requires going extra miles . For example to get Him to
fight on our behalf we have to really praise Him. When we talk of
praises , we are not talking of the 20 minutes praise and worship .
We are talking of real praise not thank you Jesus four times. Praises
move Him a lot because He loves people with a heart of gratitude. In
Acts 16 vs 25-26 , Paul and Silas began to sing praises to Him and He
caused an earthquake . The chains on every prisoner fell .
A
Life of righteousness moves Him. Job was a man whose life moved God,
Job 1 vs 1 says the man was blameless and upright, one who feared and
shunned evil. God blessed him until he became the greatest man of
all the people of east- Job 1 vs 3. The bible said in Daniel 1 vs 8
that Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile with the
portion of the Kings meal. Daniel decided not to defile himself and
keep himself pure for His maker. Daniel 1 vs 17 says as for these
young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and
wisdom and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
Obedience
also moves him . Isaiah 1 vs 19 says if you are willing and obedient
you shall eat the good of the land. Exodus 15 vs 26 says and said, if
you will diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord your God, and
will that which is right in his sight, and will give ear to his
commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put non of these
diseases upon you, which I brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the
Lord that heals you. Jeremiah 7 vs 23 says but I gave them this
command: Obey me , and I will be your God and you will be my people.
Walk in all the ways I command you , that it may go well with you.
Our earthly parents dislike children who don’t obey them , how much
the our Father in heaven. When He says pay tithe , pay it without
question. When He says forgive , forgive because if choose not
forgive we are disobeying Him. When He says Love your neighbor as
your self do that . When He says Honors your father and your mother
so that your days will be long ,just do it. When we choose not to
obey Him , we are rebelling against Him.1 Samuel 15 vs 23 says
rebellion Is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as
iniquity and idolatry.
If
we are living In sin , it will be impossible to move Him because He
is too holy. He can not come near anything unholy .It will might
impossible for anyone who is yet to give his life to Christ to
actually move Him to . John 14 vs 6 says Jesus said to him' I am the way,
the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
Jesus said in John 10 s 30 that I and the Father are one. Matthew 10
vs 40 says He who receives Jesus receives the One who sent Jesus
which is the Most High God. If you have Jesus, you have the Most High
God.
The
bible said in Romans 3 vs 23 that for all have sinned and fall short
of the glory of God. Romans 6 s 23 says For the wages of sin is
death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The gift was explained in John 3 vs 16 , For God so loved the world
that He gave His only begotten son that whoever believes in Him
should not perish but have everlasting life. What shall we do to be
save ? The bible says in Romans 10vs 9 that 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 vs 10 – For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with our mouth that you confess and are saved.
Pray this prayer from your heart today!
Dear Jesus , I believe that You died for me and rose again on the third day. I confess I am a sinner. I need your love and forgiveness. Come into my heart . Forgive my sins. I receive Your eternal life. Confirm You love by giving me peace, joy and supernatural love for others, Amen.
Welcome to Christ brethren, Please join a bible believing church.
Samuel Oluwatoki
You are free to forward this message . Remember Matthew 10 vs 32 which says whoever confesses me before me , him I will confess before my father who is heaven.
your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10 vs 10 – For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with our mouth that you confess and are saved.
Pray this prayer from your heart today!
Dear Jesus , I believe that You died for me and rose again on the third day. I confess I am a sinner. I need your love and forgiveness. Come into my heart . Forgive my sins. I receive Your eternal life. Confirm You love by giving me peace, joy and supernatural love for others, Amen.
Welcome to Christ brethren, Please join a bible believing church.
Samuel Oluwatoki
You are free to forward this message . Remember Matthew 10 vs 32 which says whoever confesses me before me , him I will confess before my father who is heaven.
Monday, 18 June 2012
The expectation of the righteous
Proverbs
23 vs 18 says for surely there is an end, and thine expectation shall
not be cut off .
Everything
that has a beginning has an ending . According to the bible ,a day
begins in the evening and ends in the morning. Genesis 1 vs 5b says
so the evening and the morning were the first day;Genesis 1 vs 8b
says so the evening and the morning were the second day e.t.c
The
only One who has no ending is God because He has no beginning. The
book of Revelations 1 vs 8 refers to Him as the Alpha and the Omega,
the Beginning and the End , the One Who is and Who was and Who is to
come, the Almighty. 1 Timothy 1 vs 17 calls Him King Eternal , Isaiah
26 vs 4 refers to Him as an Everlasting Strength and Isaiah 41 vs 4
says He is the First and the Last .
The
One who is decides the outcome your challenges or the results of your
effort or how you will end is the Most High God. Proverbs 19 vs 21
says there are many plans in a man's heart , nevertheless the Lord's
counsel – that will stand. Isaiah 46 vs 10 says declaring the end
from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet
done , saying 'My counsel shall stand , and I will do all My
pleasure' . Psalm 33 vs 11 says the counsel of the Lord stands
forever, the plans of His heart to all generations. Isaiah 14 vs 24
says The Lord of hosts has sworn saying, “surely as I have thought
, so it shall come to pass, and as I have purposed it shall stand .
Isaiah 14 vs 27 says For the Lord has purposes , and who will annul
it? His hand is stretched out , And who will turn it back ?
Sickness
can not decide your end .Exodus 15 vs 26 says He is the Lord that
heals you . Exodus 23 vs 25 says He will take away sickness from you
, Deuteronomy 7 vs 15 says He will keep you free from every disease
and inflict them on all who hate you .Psalm 41 vs 3 says the Lord
will sustain him on his sickbed and restore him from his bed of
illness . Psalm 147 vs 3 says He heals the brokenhearted and binds up
their wounds .In Mark 5 vs 25-34 is the story of a woman who had an
incurable illness-blood hemorrhage. She suffered from this illness
for twelve years . She did everything possible but instead of getting
better ,she got worse. She exhausted all her resources because the
doctors knew her sickness had no cure and decided to use her as a
cash cow. She touched the hem of the garment of Jesus and was cured
of an ailment that was meant to kill her. The man at the beautiful
gate in Acts 3 vs 1-13 was reduced to a beggar because he was lame.
He could not pursue any career because he was disabled from birth but
the Lord touched him through Peter and John and he began to walk and
dance .The mother-in-law of Peter was a hardworking woman and a very
good host but high fever confined her to the bed in Mark 1 vs 29-31 .
Jesus took her be the hand and her she was healed.
Humans
can not decide your end .Jeremiah 17 vs 17 says God is the hope in
the day of doom. Psalm 18 vs 31 says For who is God, except the Lord
? And who is a rock , except our God? Psalm 10 vs 14 calls Him the
Helper of Fatherless .Psalm 62 vs 11 says God has spoken once , Twice
I have heard this : That power belongs to God. Psalm 33 vs 8 – 9
says Let all the earth fear the Lord ; Let all the inhabitants of the
world stand in awe of Him,for He spoke , and it was done ; He
commanded and it stood fast. It does not matter of how they try ,
they are only wasting their time . Psalm 115 vs 3 says But our God is
in heaven ; He does whatever He pleases. Isaiah 54 vs 17 says No
weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises
against you in Judgment He shall condemn. Proverbs 18 vs 10 says the
name of the Lord is a strong tower ,the righteous run to it and are
safe. The citizens of Judah conspired against Samson in Judges 15 vs
11-15 . They bounded Samson and gave him to the Philistines , the
spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him and he killed a thousand men
with the jaw bone of an ax. The brothers of Joseph tried everything
in their power to make sure that the dreams of Joseph did not
materialize. They said to one another “look the dreamer is coming
,let us kill him and throw in a pit ,we shall see what becomes of his
dream- Genesis 37 vs 19-20.At the end Joseph became a prime minister
in Egypt and by the time we get to Genesis 50 vs 18 , we see the
brothers falling before Joseph and begging to be his servant.
Circumstances
can not decide your end. Daniel 2 vs 21 says our God changes times
and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them. Every circumstances
bow at the name of Jesus .Philippians 2 vs 10 says at the name of
Jesus every knee should bow ,of those in heaven, and those on earth ,
and of those under the earth. Romans 8 vs 31 says if God be for us ,
who can be against us ? 2 Peter 2 vs 9 says then the Lord knows how
to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust
under punishment for the day of Judgment. Psalm 113 vs 7- 8 says He
raises the poor out of the dust , and lifts the needy out of the ash
heap , that He may seat him with princes . Isaiah 45 vs 11 says thus
says the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, and his maker: “ask Me of
things to come concerning My sons;and concerning the work of My hands
,you command Me. Luke 1 vs 37 says for with God nothing will be
impossible. In 2 Kings 2 vs 19-22 is the story of a lake that
brought death to the people of the city. The city was lovely situated
and everything was perfect except the water was bad. Because the
water was bad , the ground was barren and this meant death to all
inhabitants. They consulted the man of God over this issue and he put
salt at the source of this water and it was healed. One of the wives
of the sons of the prophet was owing some money and creditors
threatened to come and take her sons as slaves in 2 Kings 4 vs 1-7.
She was very poor and she inherited debt from her husband . She ran
to Elisha the prophet of God and her story changed.
Lack
or poverty can not decide your end. Poverty and lack can not decide
your end because the world belongs to God. Genesis 14 vs 19 says our
God is the possessor of the heavens and the earth . Psalm 24 vs 1
says the earth is the Lord's , and all its fullness,the world and
those who dwell there in. Psalm 89 vs 11 says heaven and earth
belongs to God,He founded the world and all that in it. Deuteronomy
10 vs 14 says to the Lord our God belong the heavens,even the highest
heavens the earth and everything in it. Because everything belongs to
God your lack will be taken care of . Psalm 23 vs 1 says the Lord is
my shepherd , I shall not want . Philippians 4 vs 19 says He will
meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
Psalm 34 vs 10 says the lions may grow weak and hungry , but those
who seek the Lord lack no good thing. James 1 vs 5 says God gives
generously to all without finding fault .In Luke 5 vs 1-7 is the
story of Peter who fished and caught nothing. Peter did what any
fisherman would do , he fished all night and caught nothing because
of circumstances beyond his control. The fishes for some reasons were
no were to be found but Jesus came on his boat and lack turned to
abundance.
The
economy has no say in how you will end up . The Lord is the owner of
the economy . Haggai 2 vs 8 says silver and gold belong to God. The
outcome of your business does not depend on the FTSE 100 index .John
3 vs 27 says a man receives nothing except it be giving from heaven.
James 1 vs 17 says every good gift and every perfect gift is from
above , and comes down from the Father of Lights , with whom there is
no variation or shadow of turning. The only one who can build you a
house regardless of the economy or wages is God. Psalm 127 vs 1 says
except the Lord builds the house , they labor in vain they that build
it. Isaac sowed during famine and reaped in the same year a hundred
fold- Genesis 26 vs 12. The same land that was barren for others was
extremely fertile for Isaac. The King of Syria besieged Samaria and
this resulted In famine in 2Kings 6 vs 24-26.The people cried to God
and a nation ravaged by famine began to dwell in abundance all
because the Lord made the foot steps of few lepers to sound like the
marching of a mighty army. The Syrians heard it and fled leaving food
and other garments 2 Kings 7 vs 6-8 .
I
have a good news for you today , because the Lord decides the end
your end shall be great . Jeremiah 29 vs 11 says For I know the
thoughts that I have toward you , said the Lord , thoughts of peace
, and not of evil , to give you an expected end .The bible says in
Job 8 vs 7 that though your beginning maybe small, yet your latter
end would increase abundantly. Your situation might be causing you to
cry but can I show the book of Psalm 126 vs 5 which says those who
sow in tears shall reap in joy. You maybe crying but I can assure you
that joy is coming because Psalm 30 vs 5 says for His anger is but
for a moment , His favor is for life; weeping may endure for a night
but joys comes in the morning.
Aside
God , the other individual who has a say in our we end is us. How do we decide
our end? it is through our expectation because our expectation will not
be cut short. Many of us are expecting good things but our actions
says otherwise. The only way to expect good things is through our
action. As a single man you can not be lazy and you expect God to
give you His daughters as wife , it is impossible . Proverbs 10 vs 4
says lazy hands makes a man poor. As a woman you can not be lazy and
not know how to cook or clean the house and you want God to give you
His son. No one wants their children to suffer and that applies to
God too. We do not need to tell God our expectation because He knows
by our actions. If we are diligent in our business God knows that we
are expecting promotion because Proverbs 22 v 29 says seest a man
diligent in his business , he will not stand before ordinary men but
he will stand before kings. If we forgive those that offends us , the
Lord knows that we want forgiveness too because Matthew 6 vs 12
forgive us as we have also forgiven those who sin against us. When a
boy or girl begins to obey his parents the Lord knows that such a
child is expecting long life and prosperity because Ephesians 6 vs
2-3 says Honor your father and your mother that it may be well and
that you may enjoy long life on the earth. When you honor God with
your tithes and offerings , He definitely knows what you expect!
When
you come to God He knows what you are expecting because James 4 vs 8
says come near to God and He will come near you, wash your hands ,
you sinners , and purify your hearts , you double minded. If you take
a little step to God , He will take a mighty step to you.
The
bible said in Romans 3 vs 23 that for all have sinned and fall short
of the glory of God. Romans 6 s 23 says For the wages of sin is
death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The gift was explained in John 3 vs 16 , For God so loved the world
that He gave His only begotten son that whoever believes in Him
should not perish but have everlasting life. What shall we do to be
save ? The bible says in Romans 10vs 9 that 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 vs 10 – For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with our mouth that you confess and are saved.
Pray this prayer from your heart today!
Dear Jesus , I believe that You died for me and rose again on the third day. I confess I am a sinner. I need your love and forgiveness. Come into my heart . Forgive my sins. I receive Your eternal life. Confirm You love by giving me peace, joy and supernatural love for others, Amen.
Welcome to Christ brethren, Please join a bible believing church.
Samuel Oluwatoki
You are free to forward this message . Remember Matthew 10 vs 32 which says whoever confesses me before me , him I will confess before my father who is heaven.
your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10 vs 10 – For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with our mouth that you confess and are saved.
Pray this prayer from your heart today!
Dear Jesus , I believe that You died for me and rose again on the third day. I confess I am a sinner. I need your love and forgiveness. Come into my heart . Forgive my sins. I receive Your eternal life. Confirm You love by giving me peace, joy and supernatural love for others, Amen.
Welcome to Christ brethren, Please join a bible believing church.
Samuel Oluwatoki
You are free to forward this message . Remember Matthew 10 vs 32 which says whoever confesses me before me , him I will confess before my father who is heaven.
Oil of gladness
Psalm
45 vs 7 says You love righteousness and hate wickedness ;Therefore
God ,your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness more than
your companions .
The
plan of God for you and your family is a good one. Jeremiah 29 vs 11
says For I know the plans I have for you , “declares the Lord ,
“plans to prosper you and not to harm you , plans to give you hope
and a future . Psalms 40 vs 5 says Many, O Lord my God , are the
wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no one can
recount to you ;were I to speak and tell of them , they would be too
many to declare . According to John 10 vs 10 , the reason why Jesus
came to this world is to give you abundant life both on earth and in
heaven. His plans is to set you high above all the nations on earth-
Deuteronomy 28 vs 1 and in whatever thing you lay our hands on He
wants you to be the head and not the tail, only above and not
underneath . That is why I am happy because if you are the tail now ,
you are going to be the head ,if you are the head then you will
continue to be the head in Jesus mighty name.
According
to Psalm 45 vs 7 , the Most High God is the one who anoints with the
oil of gladness. David says in Psalm 23 vs 5 that You (God) anointed
my head with oil , and my cup overflows. Acts 10 vs 38 says how God
anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he
went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of
the devil because God was with him.1John 2 vs 20 says But you have an
anointing from the Holy One , and all of you know the truth. The only
One who anoints with the oil of gladness is God. The function of
anointing oil is to break yokes , Isaiah 10 vs 27 says it shall come
to pass in that day that his burden will be taken away from your
shoulder , and his yoke will be destroyed because of the anointing
oil. The anointing breaks the yoke . Immediately after David was
anointed in 1 Samuel 16 vs 13 his story changed. Amongst his father's
brethren he was considered last but after his anointing he became the
first man in Israel because he was the king. Although Saul had
impressive qualities and the stature of a king , he was the most
handsome man in Israel - head and shoulders taller than anyone else
in the land – 1 Samuel 9 vs 2 , he was only confined to the farm
i.e he was a farm boy. After his anointing in 1 Samuel 10 vs 1, Saul
went from an ordinary man to become the king of Israel.
One
thing the oil of gladness does is it breaks yokes and every form of
mourning is turned to gladness .David was able to rise from a
forgotten boy in the field to a king in the palace because the oil
of gladness was on him. David says in Psalm 92 vs 10 but my horn you
shall exalt like the horn of a wild ox: I shall be anointed with
fresh oil. Once the Lord pours the oil , every yoke is broken be it
yoke of bareness, unemployment , failure at the edge of success,
ancestral curses just name it. Once the oil touches you , everything
causing you to mourn will be broken and you will be glad all your
life. To be anointed with the oil of gladness , we need to satisfy
one condition – love righteousness and hate wickedness . We need to
love what the Lord loves and hate what He hates . Psalm 33 vs 5 says
He (God) loves righteousness and justice ; the earth is full of the
goodness of the Lord. Psalm 11 vs 7 says for the Lord is righteous ,
he loves justice ;upright men will see his face .
To
love righteousness means to love what God loves and to hate
wickedness is to hate what God hates . Ephesians 5 vs 1 admonishes us
to imitate God ,Matthew 5 vs 48 says be perfect , therefore as your
heavenly Father is perfect . How do we imitate God ? To live in love.
1 John 4 vs 8 says whoever does not love does not know God , because
God is love .Mark 12 vs 31 says and the second like it , is this :
you shall love your neighbor as your self.' There is no other
commandment greater than these .' Those that live in love do not have
enemies . As far as there are one or two people we do not want to see
or hear their voice the bible says we are not living in love and when
we do not live in love we do not know God. Love forgives , 1 Peter 4
vs 8 says and above all things have fervent love for one another ,
for “love covers a multitude of sins”. Love does not only forgive
but it forgets , Proverbs 17 vs 9 says He who covers a transgression
seeks love ,but he who repeats a matter separates friends. As a wife
or husband , once we say we have forgiven we should not repeat what
happened again or use it to abuse our spouses because love forgives and
forgets .As far as we are in this body , people will offend us from
time to time but we should forgive.
Every
thing we do should be motivated by love . Everything Jesus did on
earth was motivated by love. The healing , teaching , signs and
wonders was motivated by love . Do you know that chastisement or
discipline is a type of love ? Hebrews 12 vs 6 says for whom the Lord
loves He chastens , and scourges every one whom He receives .Proverbs
3 vs 12 says For whom the Lord loves He corrects , just as a father
the son in whom he delights. The Lord says In Revelations 3 vs 19
that As many as I love , I rebuke and chastens . Therefore be zealous
and repent. As parents we are required to discipline our children and
correct them in love not abuse them. Any parents who refuses to
rebuke his or her child when they do wrong hates the child. When we
see our friends gossiping or doing what is wrong lets be moved with
love and correct them .Proverbs 13 vs 18 says poverty and shame
will come to him who disdains correction , but he who regards a
rebuke will be honored. Everything we do should be motivated out of
love. To learn more about love we should read 1 Corinthians 13 vs
1-13 , 1 Peter 1 vs 22.
God
loves humility . God is humble , Psalm 113 vs 4-6 says although the
Lord is high above all nations and His glory above the heavens ,He
dwells on high , yet He humbles Himself to behold the things that are
in the heavens and in the earth. One of the reasons why Moses was
able to see God face to face and work with God was because he was
very humble. Numbers 12 vs 3 says Now the man Moses was very humble,
more than all the men who were on the face of the earth. We have a
lot to gain by been humble and a lot to loose by been proud. 1 Peter
5 vs 5b says God resist the proud but gives grace to the humble.
Psalm 5 vs 5 says the boastful shall not stand in Your sight ; You
hate all workers of iniquity. Luke 14 vs 1 says for whoever exalts
himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted . Psalm
25 vs 9 says the humble He guides in justice, and the humble He
teaches His ways. The Lord does not associate Himself with the pride
because He hates proud people. The cost of pride is too high .
Proverbs
11 vs 2 says that when pride comes , then comes shame ;but with the
humble is wisdom. Miriam (the senior sister of Moses) was one of the
first prophetess in Israel , she was not only a prophetess she was a
woman all the women in Israel looked up to and held in high regard .
Exodus 15 vs 20 says then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron
, took the timbrel in her hand, and all the went after her with
timbrels and with dances. Miriam allowed pride in her heart and she
began to speak against Moses because Moses married an Ethiopian woman
and the Lord got really angry with her and she became a leper –
Numbers 12 vs 10 . A woman a whole nation looked up to suddenly
became an outcast although she was cured after 7 days ,her name was
not mentioned again in the bible until her death in Numbers 20 vs
1.The God who lifted her very high , took of His hand and she fell
from grace to grass never to rise again.
Is
there any gift or opportunity the Lord has giving to you ,please be
humble . No matter how high a man is the Lord can bring him very very
low due to pride . Nebuchadnezzar a mighty emperor went from grace to
grass in Daniel 4 vs 30-37 . Nebuchadnezzar stood and begin to
praise himself and the Lord turned him into an animal for seven
years. For the whole seven years the emperor lived like an
animal in the forest , no one cared about him. After the Lord restored
him , he said in Daniel 4 vs 37 that Now I , Nebuchadnezzar praise
and extol and honor the king of heaven , all of whose works are truth
and His ways are justice . And those who walk in pride He is able to
put down. Beware of pride brethren . A king was eaten up by worms
because people began to compare him to God in Acts 12 vs 22-23 . Are
people praising you and calling your name ? You better watch out !
The
Lord loves hardworking people and hates laziness. The Lord is
hardworking , John 5 vs 17 says Jesus said to them , “My Father is
always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working” . The
Lord is hardworking and He rewards hard work. Proverbs 27 vs 23 says
be diligent to know the state of you flock and attending to your
herds. Our flocks and herds are the work ,jobs,employment the Lord
has giving to us . Proverbs 10 vs 4 says He who has a slack hand
becomes poor , but the hand of the diligent makes rich. Proverbs 20
vs 19 says he who tills his land will have plenty of bread, but he
who follows frivolity will have poverty enough. Proverbs 12 vs 11
says a man who follows frivolity has no understanding. Proverbs 27 vs
18s says Whoever keeps the fig tree will eats its fruit .Proverbs 13
vs 4 says the soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing but the
soul of the diligent shall be made rich .Jeroboam went from no body
to become a leader through hard work. 1 Kings 11 vs 28 says the man
Jeroboam was a mighty man of valor; and Solomon ,seeing that the
young man was industrious , made him officer over all the labor
force of the house of Joseph. One thing with hard work is people
notice it .
The
Lord loves the wise and hates the foolish. Our God is a wise God.
Paul refers to God in 1 Timothy 1 vs 17 as a God who alone is wise.
Everything the Lord does , He does them through wisdom .Proverbs 3 vs
19 -20 says the Lord by wisdom founded the earth, by understanding He
established the heavens. Psalm 104 vs 24 says how many are your
works, O Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your
creatures.Wisdom is very important. Proverbs 4 vs 7 says wisdom is the principal
things;therefore get wisdom ,and in all your getting , get
understanding. To get wisdom fear God . Proverbs 9 vs 10 says the fear of the Lord is the
beginning of wisdom , and the knowledge of the Holy One is
understanding .Those who fear God will be His friends because they
know it is a foolish thing to be His enemy. Hebrews 10 vs 31 says
it is a fearful says things thing to fall into the hands of the
living God. Those who are wise will do everything in their power to
be His friends. John 15 vs 14 says You are my friends if you do what
I command. Those who are wise will not only be His friends but His
family. Matthew 12 vs 50 says for whoever does the will of my Father
in heaven is my brother and sister and mother. The friends of Jesus
are with Him and are not against Him. Matthew 12 vs 30 says he who is
not with Me is against Me ,and he who does not gather with Me
scatters abroad.
We
cannot accept God and refuse Jesus . Matthew 10 vs 40 says He who
receives Me (Jesus) receives God . Those who fear the Lord hates sin
.Sins takes us far from God. Jeremiah 5 vs 25 says iniquities and
sins withhold good from us. There is one thing the Lord can not do ,
he can not behold sin or touch sin .There is no way you will anoint
an individual without touching them. For the Lord to
anoint us with the oil of gladness He has to touch us and if we are
In sin it will be impossible for Him to touch us because He can not
touch sin. That is why He sent Jesus to come and die . Once we accept
Jesus into our life , the blood of Jesus washes us clean and the Lord
is able to touch us.
The
bible said in Romans 3 vs 23 that for all have sinned and fall short
of the glory of God. Romans 6 s 23 says For the wages of sin is
death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The gift was explained in John 3 vs 16 , For God so loved the world
that He gave His only begotten son that whoever believes in Him
should not perish but have everlasting life. What shall we do to be
save ? The bible says in Romans 10vs 9 that 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 vs 10 – For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with our mouth that you confess and are saved.
Pray this prayer from your heart today!
Dear Jesus , I believe that You died for me and rose again on the third day. I confess I am a sinner. I need your love and forgiveness. Come into my heart . Forgive my sins. I receive Your eternal life. Confirm You love by giving me peace, joy and supernatural love for others, Amen.
Welcome to Christ brethren, Please join a bible believing church.
Samuel Oluwatoki
You are free to forward this message . Remember Matthew 10 vs 32 which says whoever confesses me before me , him I will confess before my father who is heaven.
your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10 vs 10 – For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with our mouth that you confess and are saved.
Pray this prayer from your heart today!
Dear Jesus , I believe that You died for me and rose again on the third day. I confess I am a sinner. I need your love and forgiveness. Come into my heart . Forgive my sins. I receive Your eternal life. Confirm You love by giving me peace, joy and supernatural love for others, Amen.
Welcome to Christ brethren, Please join a bible believing church.
Samuel Oluwatoki
You are free to forward this message . Remember Matthew 10 vs 32 which says whoever confesses me before me , him I will confess before my father who is heaven.
Loose him, and let him go
John
11 vs 44 says And he who died came out bound hand and foot with grave
clothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth , Jesus said to them
“Loose him, and let him go.”
In
John 11 vs 1-46 is the story of Lazarus . He died and was in the tomb
for four days . After Jesus had said a short prayer , he shouted
“Lazarus , come forth!” and immediately he came out . After he had come
out Lazarus was bound hand and foot and his face was wrapped and Jesus
said to them “loose him, and let him go” . Lazarus had gotten his
miracle but because he was bound the miracle could not materialize.
Many
have been praying and asking God for a thing or two .We have been
seeking God for the fruit of the womb ,a life partner , promotion in the
place of work , success in career and business , financial blessings ,
employment e.t.c and we are yet to see results. We wonder after several
months what is happening , we have prayed , we paid our tithes ,we
fasted , we attended special programs organized by churches ,
participated in several seminars and everything remains the same. Many
are asking if God still answers prayers because they have done
everything and yet instead of things to get better they are actually got
worse . I want to inform you that your prayers have been answered .
How
do I know that your prayers have been answered ? I know because the
Lord has promised in Isaiah 65 vs 24 that before you call , He will
answer and while you are still speaking He will hear. Psalm 91 vs 15
says He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him
and honor him; I will deliver him and honor him. Psalm 50 vs 15 says
call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you , and you shall
glorify Me. Luke 11 vs 9 says so I say to you , ask , and it will be
given to you ; seek , and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to
you. Luke 11 vs 13 says if you then , being evil , know how to give
good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly father
give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him. The Lord does not take
pleasure in your pain , He is not happy to see you cry, unemployed,sick
,barren or single . He wants you to be happy , Psalm 68 vs 19 says
Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loads us with benefits , The God of our
salvation. Jesus said in John 10 vs 10 that the thief does not come
except to steal, and to kill ,and to destroy. I have come that they may
have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. That is God's plan
for your life , abundant life.
One
of the reasons why we have not seen results or manifestation is because
we are in bounds by our thoughts, mentality and views of life. Proverbs
23 vs 7 says For as he thinks in his heart , so is he . Another
translation says as a man thinketh in his heart so is he. We are the
product of our thought. We can fast and pray all night , if we do not
change the way we reason ,it will be difficult to see the manifestation
of God in our life. We can not be thinking of defeats and expect
victory. Job 3 vs 25 says What I feared had come upon me , what I dread
has happened to me. Job had been thinking of loosing all he had , and
was scared .The enemy got him through his thought . Romans 12 vs 2 says
and do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the
renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and
acceptable and perfect will of God. Results and manifestation comes when
we renew our minds , when we fill our minds with positive thoughts .
One
of the main reasons why the Lord speaks in dreams or prophesy or vision
is to change our mentality. He does that to encourage our faith . The
reason for Joseph's dream in Genesis 37 vs 5 -11 was to give him a king
mentality .The Lord wanted him to see himself as king and begin to act
like one. Because of Joseph's mentality his master was able to make him
the overseer of his household. The reason for Peter's vision in Acts 10
vs10 -17 was to change Peter's mentality that gentiles are clean not
unclean . Moses could not fulfill his destiny because of his mentality.
Moses believed he was a nobody , Exodus 3 vs 11 says But Moses said to
God, Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the
children of Israel out of Egypt. The Lord had to deal with his mentality
by telling him In Exodus 3 vs 12 that He will be with him meaning he is
now a force to reckon with , someone who the Lord is on his side.
The reason for God's visit in
Genesis 18 vs 1-16 is to change Abraham and Sarah's mentality. Abraham
considered Sarah's womb as dead ,Genesis 17 vs 17 says then Abraham fell
on his face and laughed, and said in his heart, “shall a child be born
to a man who is one hundred years old? And shall Sarah who is ninety
years old?” . Sarah saw herself as barren that was why she gave Hagar to
Abraham ,Genesis 16 vs 2 says so Sarai said to Abram , “ see now , the
Lord has restrained me from bearing children . Please , go in to my maid
; perhaps I shall obtain children by her.” And Abram heeded the voice
of Sarai . The Lord visited them to correct this mentality , Genesis 18
vs 10 says and He said , “I will certainly return to you according to
the time of life, and behold, Sarah your wife shall have a son” . He was
indirectly telling Abraham that Sarah's womb is not dead and was
telling Sarah she was not barren. Gideon had potentials but his
mentality put him in bondage. Imagine someone Heaven referred to as a
mighty man of valor in Judges 6 vs 12 hiding to thresh wheat in
winepress . Gideon did not only see himself as a nobody but saw his
position In the family as a disadvantage and his clan as inferior,
Judges 6 vs 15 says ,so he said to Him, “O my Lord, how I can save
Israel? Indeed my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in
my father's house”. The Lord had to correct his mentality by telling
him he will be with him. Out of the twelve that were sent to spy on the
land , it was only Joshua and Caleb that entered the promise land .
Others could not make it because they had grasshopper mentality, Numbers
13 vs 33 says there we saw the giants (the descendant of Anak came from
the); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight,and so we were in
their sight.
It
is high time we changed our mentality. Many still think it is a good
thing to be poor. Many are still clued up in the thinking that you have
to be poor to get into heaven. Many still believe wearing dirty clothes
will get you to heaven . It is all lies . Psalm 149 vs 4 says For the
Lord takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with
salvation. Proverbs 19 vs 17 says He who is kind to the poor lends to
the Lord , and He will reward him for what he has done. Smiling to
someone in need of financial help will not solve his problems, telling
an homeless person Jesus loves you means nothing or telling a man with
no shoes that Jesus cares is a waste of time. The only way to
effectively put a smile on anyone who needs financial help is to offer
financial help or try and get help for the homeless or find a shoe no
matter how cheap for him to wear . Some of us think by suffering or by
been sick the Lord is trying to test us , it is a lie! James 1 vs 13 say
let no one say when he is tempted, “ I am tempted by God”; for God
cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. Let us
loose our self from the bounds of our mentality and we will see begin to
see results.
Another
reason why we are yet to see results is because we are sending mixed
messages to heaven. We are praying for a thing and confessing another
thing. Our confession is as effective prayers , Numbers 14 vs 28 says
“say to them , 'As I live,' says the Lord, ' just as you have spoken in
My hearing , so I will do to you”. To get results we need to confess
positive things with our mouth. We need to always confess what we want
regardless . Joel 3 vs 10 says beat your plowshares into swords and your
pruning hooks into spears; Let the weak say, 'I am strong'”. Jesus did
not only pray but He confessed the outcomes He wanted at the beginning
of His ministry. John 1 vs 50 says Jesus answered and said to him, “
Because I said to you , 'I saw you under the fig tree,'do you believe?
You will see greater things than these. Matthew 12 vs 33 says either
make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its
fruit bad ; for a tree is known by its fruit. We can not depend on
prayers alone to brings results we need to make those trees good with
our mouth. Matthew 12 vs 37 says “for by your words you will be
justified, and by your words you will be justified or condemned”.
Matthew 15 vs 11 says “ Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but
what comes out of the mouth,this defiles a man. We should put our
confession to good use . Many are praying for a life partner and they
are confessing with their mouth that there are no good women around or
all men are the same. Many are praying and seeking employment and at the
same time confessing that there is no job out there . Many of us are
praying for successes in our careers or business and we are at the same
time claiming that the economy is hard or as an ethnic minority you are
limited In what you can achieve in a foreign land. Many are facing
challenges in their health, after praying they begin to tell everyone
about their sickness. Lets confess victory and healing.
Lack
of wisdom can also delay our results. When we talk of wisdom , we are
talking of divine wisdom not wordily wisdom. James 3 vs 17 says but the
wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure ; then peace-loving ,
considerate,submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and
sincere. Proverbs 4 vs 7 says wisdom is the principal thing; therefore
get wisdom , and in all your getting,get understanding. What is
definition of wisdom ? Wisdom is the application of Knowledge . The Lord
said in Hosea 4 vs 6 , My People perish from a lack of knowledge. In
Matthew 5 vs 3-12 , we see our Lord Jesus Christ imparting knowledge .
For example He said in Matthew 5 vs 5 that blessed are the meek , for
they shall inherit the earth. If we take a close look at the top five
billionaires in the world today we see that they are meek .another is
Matthew 5 vs 8 , Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.
Do you want to see God in that matter or marriage , just be pure in
heart. Do you know that part of divine wisdom is soul winning ? Proverbs
11 vs 30 says the fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who
win souls is wise. James 5 vs 20 says remember this : whoever turns a
sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover a
multitude of sins. Proverbs 14 vs 25 says a truthful witness saves
lives, but a false witness is deceitful. When we witness about Jesus to
people we are saving lives. Daniel 12 vs 3 says those who are wise will
shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to
righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever. If we want to shine in
all areas of our lives we need to witness to friends and family.
Another
reason why we have not seen the results of our prayers could be the
timing. God could be waiting for the perfect time to give us our
blessings. Ecclesiastes 3 vs 1 says to everything there is a season and a
time for every purpose under the heaven. Our God operates with time ,
He answers prayers at the right time . Ecclesiastes 3 vs 11a says He has
made everything beautiful in its time. Psalm 126 vs 1 says when the
Lord brought back the captives ones of Zion , We were like those who
dream. I will like to admonish us to be patient ,because by the time God
begins to give you result it will be like by a dream.
Another
reason why we have not seen results could be the Lord decided not to
answer. Why will the Lord decide not answer prayers? Well it could be
due to unforgiveness . If we fail to forgive people that wrong us ,the
Lord will not forgive us. Matthew 6 vs 12 says Forgive us our sins , as
we also have forgotten those who sin against us. We should always
remember the parable of the man who owed a king some money in Matthew 18
vs 22-35. The king canceled his huge debt but he failed to cancel petty
debts of another man. The King got angry and punished him . We have
done worse things to God and if He can forgive us , then we should be
able to forgive others. Another reason for unanswered prayers could be
sin. Isaiah 59 vs 1-2 says the Lord's hand is not shortened , that It
cannot save ;Nor His eyes heavy, that it cannot hear. But your
iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden
His face from you. Psalm 66 vs 18 says if I regard iniquity In my heart
the Lord will not answer me. If we are sinning and the Lord is answering
our prayers , it will mean God is rewarding sin . The Most High God
wants us to live a life of holiness and as such he can not be
encouraging sin.
The
bible said in Romans 3 vs 23 that for all have sinned and fall short of
the glory of God. Romans 6 s 23 says For the wages of sin is death, but
the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. The gift was
explained in John 3 vs 16 , For God so loved the world that He gave His
only begotten son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but
have everlasting life. What shall we do to be save ? The bible says in
Romans 10vs 9 that 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 vs 10 – For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with our mouth that you confess and are saved.
Pray this prayer from your heart today!
Dear Jesus , I believe that You died for me and rose again on the third day. I confess I am a sinner. I need your love and forgiveness. Come into my heart . Forgive my sins. I receive Your eternal life. Confirm You love by giving me peace, joy and supernatural love for others, Amen.
Welcome to Christ brethren, Please join a bible believing church.
Samuel Oluwatoki
your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10 vs 10 – For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with our mouth that you confess and are saved.
Pray this prayer from your heart today!
Dear Jesus , I believe that You died for me and rose again on the third day. I confess I am a sinner. I need your love and forgiveness. Come into my heart . Forgive my sins. I receive Your eternal life. Confirm You love by giving me peace, joy and supernatural love for others, Amen.
Welcome to Christ brethren, Please join a bible believing church.
Samuel Oluwatoki
Sunday, 17 June 2012
Hinderance to greatness
Hindrance
to greatness
Isaiah
60 vs 1 says Arise, shine ; for your light has come ! And the glory
of the Lord is risen upon you .
One
of the titles of the Most High God is Father of Lights. James 1 vs 17
says every good gift and every perfect gift is from above , and comes
down from the Father of lights , which whom there is no variation or
shadow of turning. Because the Most High God is the Father of lights
, we His children are lights . Matthew 5 vs 14 says you are the light
of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. One of God's
expectation for His children is that they shine because they are
lights .
There
are various ways to shine for example we can shine in kindness . In
Acts 9 vs 36-42 is the story of Dorcas – a woman who shown in
kindness. The bible records that she was full of good works and
charitable deeds. We can also shine in our career
like Bezalel the son of Uri who shown to the extent that the Most
High God personally recommended him for work in Exodus 31 vs 2-3 . We
can shine wisdom like Solomon .During the days of Solomon there were
few wise men for example Ethan the Ezrahite , Heman , Chalcol, and
Darda the sons of Mahol but Solomon shown. The bibles says Solomon
spoke three thousand proverbs – 1 Kings 4 vs 32 . It is possible to
shine in faith like Abraham . The bible said Abraham not being weak
in faith , did not consider his own body , already dead ( since he
was about a hundred years old) , and the deadness of Sarah's womb. He
did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was
strengthened in faith, giving glory to God – Romans 4 vs 18-19 .
We can shine in Humility like Moses . He was so humble the bible
records that he was more humble than all men who were on the face of
the earth – Numbers 12 vs 3.
We
can shine in obedience like Elijah who the Lord asked to go and show
himself to King Ahab in 1 Kings 18 vs 1 .King Ahab saw Elijah has a
rebel , he even addressed him as the troubler of Israel in 1 Kings 18
vs 13 -18 ;Elijah obeyed without question . We can shine in diligence
like Jeroboam who was so hardworking King Solomon noticed him and
promoted him over all the labor force of the house of Joseph – 1
Kings 11 vs 28.We can shine in our work places like Daniel who shown to the
extent that Darius began to consider setting him over the whole
empire in Daniel 6 vs 3. It is possible to shine in integrity like
Joseph who had the opportunity to sleep with the wife of his master
and ran away -Genesis 39 vs 7-14 . He was so honest he preferred
prison to fornicating with his master's wife. We can shine in
business like the the great woman of Shunem who when Elisha was
trying to show off about his business contacts , simply told him I am
fine with my own people – 2 Kings 4 vs 11-14 .We can shine in
material possession like Isaac who a whole nation began to envy in
Genesis 26 vs 12-14. We can shine in our walk with God like Abraham
who the Lord called His friend – James 2 vs 23 . Hannah
shown in fulfilling her vow . She told the Lord that if He will give
her a son , she will give him back to God -Samuel 1 vs 11 . Because
she fulfilled her vow , the Lord decided to bless her with five more
children -1 Samuel 2 vs 21.
When
we shine we make God proud.In Job 1 vs 8 We see God bragging about Job
to satan , He asked him " have you considered My servant Job, that
there is none like him on the earth, blameless and upright man, one
who fears God and shuns evil ?" It is God's plan for you to shine .
John 10 vs 10 says a thief comes to steal and destroy but I have come
that
they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly.
There
are few things which can hinder us from shining. As far as any of
these is present in our lives , achieving greatness might be
impossible. The following are hindrance to greatness :
- Fear – the fear of tomorrow , the fear of failing ,fear of making mistake , fear of what people will say ,fear of how we are perceived , fear of falling In love , fear of marrying the wrong person to mention a few. 2 Timothy 1 vs 7 says For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. Romans 8 vs 15 says For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear , but you received the spirit of adoption by which we cry out , “Abba , Father” . Fear rubs us of opportunities to shine . The reason why only peter walked on water in Matthew 14 vs 26-32 was because the other eleven were afraid of the wind. They lost there only chance to walk on water and the opportunity never came back again. Before God used Moses , he had to address his fears. Moses had a particular phobia for snakes, the Most High purposely asked him to drop his rod and he did and the rod became a snake in Exodus 4 vs 2-4. Immediately Moses saw the snake he fled , the Lord purposely asked him to pick the snake up at the tail(the most dangerous part) , Moses did and the snake turned back into a rod. From that day every from fear in the heart of Moses vanished. Deuteronomy 7 vs 17-19-21 shares some insight on how to handle fear. 1- stop thinking of how to solve the problem ,2-remember your past victories ,remember testimonies you have heard, remember all God has done for you ,3- remember the way God solved your past problems ,4 -the same way He solved your past problems is the same way He will solve the present one , 5-remember the Great and Awesome God is with you. Isaiah 41 vs 10 says “fear not , for I am with you ; be not dismayed , for I am your God. I will strengthen you , Yes , I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand”
- Our belief – Proverbs 23 vs 7 for as he thinks in his heart , so is he. We are what we think of our selves. If we see ourselves as failures , we will fail and if we see ourselves as winners we will always win. Self defeating beliefs have rub many of glorious destinies. Gideon was born to be great but could not achieve greatness because of self defeating beliefs. He believed that because his clan was the weakest in Manasseh , and he was the least in his father house so he stood no chance -Judges 6 vs 14 -15 . Romans 12 vs 2 says do not be conformed to this world , but be transformed by the renewing of your mind , that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
- Impatience -many have missed their breakthrough through impatience .We pray and expect results immediately . Many through impatience have tried to help God only to find themselves in bigger mess .Some of us want the rewards of twenty years of hard work in a day which is impossible. An impatient might rush into things and live to regret it for life .Impatience leads to rash decisions. A pastor was in a rush to travel , Whilst praying the Lord asked him to wait for fifteen minutes but because he could not wait he had an accident which left his wife totally paralyzed for life. Most of the accidents today can be traced to impatience ,everyone is rushing and before you know it there is a collision. One of the reason why God called David a man after his own heart was because David was very patient. The Lord asked David to wait until he heard sounds of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees before attacking the philistine – 1 Chronicles 14 vs 14-17. David did as God advised him and he won the war ,his fame spread throughout the whole land. The Lord brought the fear of David on all nations because of this simple act of patience. Are you still waiting for sounds of the marching in the tops of the mulberry trees or you are tired of waiting and you want to attack the philistine ? James 5 vs 11 says indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord – that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful
- quitting easily – as they say quitters do not win and winners do not quit. Any one who wants to achieve greatness must not be a quitter. Many have quit at the edge of success without knowing it , they try the first time , second time ,third time and conclude that they are not destined to have what they have been trying at . We only stand a chance of succeeding when we try .Many men are still single today because they can not handle rejection. Once they get a rejection from a lady they stop trying. The sick man at the pool of Bethesda in John 5 vs 1-18 would have died a sick man if he had quit and left the pool. This man did not quit , he stayed by the pool for thirty-eight years at the end Jesus came by and healed him.
- Unforgiveness can also be a source of hindrance . The condition for forgiveness from God is to first forgive people who have wronged us. Matthew 6 vs 12 says forgive us our sins as we forgive those who have sinned against us. If Joseph had not forgiven his evil brothers he would not have seen his beloved father again -Genesis 43 vs 1-33 . I know of a man who went into business with his best friend . The best friend duped him and he vowed never to forgive him. The friend went to church and the Holy Spirit picked him out , he asked for forgiveness from God and approached this man for forgiveness but he refused .This man started having financially problems ,meanwhile the friend his best friend began to prosper and buy new cars . One day , this man cried God and God advised him to go and forgive his friend who duped him or else he wont bless him .The man forgave his friend and things changed.
- Negative confessions -Proverbs 18 vs 21 says the tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruits. With our mouth we can destroy our destiny and we can build our destiny. Matthew 12 vs 37 says For by your words you will be acquitted , and by your words you will be condemned. Numbers 14 vs 28 says so tell them, “as surely as I live , declares the Lord, I will do to you the very things I heard you say” . When David told Goliath in 1 Samuel 17 vs 46 that he will cut his head , he did not have a sword actually all he had on him was a sling and stones but at the head of the day David took the head of Goliath to Jerusalem. Darius told Daniel in Daniel 6 vs 16 that the God,whom he served continually will deliver him . The next morning when Darius got to the den of lion , Daniel was alive and unhurt. Joel 3 vs 10 says let the weak say “ I am strong” .
- Lack of gratitude – Anyone who wants to shine must first have a heart of gratitude.1 Thessalonians 5 vs 18 says in everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Ephesians 5 vs 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything , in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. The act of praising God brings victory. When Jesus was faced with the task of feeding five thousand men in Matthew 14 vs 13-21 , instead of moaning and complaining that bible said he gave thanks and broke the bread. Paul and Silas had reasons to worry and moan because they were in chains and was going to be killed the next morning. They began to pray and praise God and their chains fell off - Acts 16 vs 25-27.
- Laziness and procrastination – Proverbs 22 vs 29 says seest thou a man diligent in his business? He shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men. Proverbs 27 vs 23 says be diligent to know the state of your flocks, and put your heart into caring for your herds. Proverbs 28 vs 19 says he that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread : but he that runs after worthlessness will be filled with poverty. Many of us have missed open doors and opportunities to shine through laziness and procrastination. Many have been put in positions to shine but due to carelessness and laziness they have missed the opportunities. Many of us are lazy in prayers and love sleeping. We can not afford to be lazy because the enemy is very hardworking. When the Lord asked satan in Job 1 vs 7 from where he came , he said from going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it. If the devil is hardworking we need to be hardworking or else. We need to be watchful especially at night , we should remember Matthew 13 vs 25 when Jesus said that while men slept, his enemy came and sow tares among the wheat and went his way. We should not be too lazy that we will not do night vigils .
- Carelessness – carelessness also hinders God's glory. Many of us are careless spenders , we spend all our resources and do not save . If the Lord opens a door of business to us , it will be impossible to take advantage of it if we have not saved. Many spend all their money on alcohol and cigarette instead of saving to buy a house or buy a plot of land or start business. Many women who occupy decent post instead of investing they begin to buy gold and jewelries, they begin to compete with their friends over how many bags and shoes they have. The world does not care about how many bags we have or how big our box of jewelry is , the world do not care about the number women we have slept with or the cost of wines we drink. They want to see our achievements. Many are careless in eating which leads to overeating. We over eat chocolates and sweets and all this things. Eating unhealthily leads to sickness which could lead to early death , I pray we will not die early in Jesus Name, Amen
Another
hindrance to glory is sin. Sin rubs of God's favor . John 3 vs 27
says a man receives nothing except it be given from heaven. If the
Lord decides not to help a man who can help such a man ? No one !
The
bible said in Romans 3 vs 23 that for all have sinned and fall short
of the glory of God. Romans 6 s 23 says For the wages of sin is
death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The gift was explained in John 3 vs 16 , For God so loved the world
that He gave His only begotten son that whoever believes in Him
should not perish but have everlasting life. What shall we do to be
save ? The bible says in Romans 10vs 9 that 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 vs 10 – For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with our mouth that you confess and are saved.
Pray this prayer from your heart today!
Dear Jesus , I believe that You died for me and rose again on the third day. I confess I am a sinner. I need your love and forgiveness. Come into my heart . Forgive my sins. I receive Your eternal life. Confirm You love by giving me peace, joy and supernatural love for others, Amen.
Welcome to Christ brethren, Please join a bible believing church.
Samuel Oluwatoki
You are free to forward this message . Remember Matthew 10 vs 32 which says whoever confesses me before me , him I will confess before my father who is heaven.
your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10 vs 10 – For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with our mouth that you confess and are saved.
Pray this prayer from your heart today!
Dear Jesus , I believe that You died for me and rose again on the third day. I confess I am a sinner. I need your love and forgiveness. Come into my heart . Forgive my sins. I receive Your eternal life. Confirm You love by giving me peace, joy and supernatural love for others, Amen.
Welcome to Christ brethren, Please join a bible believing church.
Samuel Oluwatoki
You are free to forward this message . Remember Matthew 10 vs 32 which says whoever confesses me before me , him I will confess before my father who is heaven.
Friday, 15 June 2012
There is power in the name of Jesus
Philippians 2 vs 9& 10 says Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name , that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow , of those in heaven , and of those on earth , and of those under the earth.
What is power ? Power is the ability to do something or act in a particular way .
All power belongs to God. Psalm 62 vs 11 says God has spoken once ,twice I have heard this that power belongs to God. Psalm 33 vs 8-9 says let all the earth fear the Lord;Let all the inhabitants stand in awe of Him. For He spoke , and it was done ;He commanded , and it stood fast. Deuteronomy 32 vs 39 says now see that I, even I , am He and there is no God besides Me ; I kill and I make alive ; I wound and I heal;Nor is there any who delivery from My hand.1 Samuel 2 vs 6 says He brings to the grave and raises up . Job 5 vs 18 says for He wounds but He also binds up . Psalm 18 vs 31 says for Who is God besides the Lord , and who is the Rock except our God ?
Because our God is all powerful , He can do and undo . I pray that you will not see the wrath of God. When He is angry and decides to act against a fellow , no one can deliver or rescue that fellow from Him. Psalms 50 vs 22 says now consider this , you who forget God , lest I tear you in pieces and there be none to deliver. Hebrews 10 vs 31 says it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. If the Lord decides to help a fellow that fellow is made . The whole nation might be against the fellow but he or she will prosper beyond recognition. That was why David said in Psalm 27 vs 10 that when my father and mother forsake me, Then the Lord will take care of me. In Genesis 26 vs 14-30 , the nation of Philistines hated Isaac with a passion but because the Lord was on his side , they had no choice than to come and sign a peace treaty with him .
According to Philippians 2 vs 9 , God exalted the name of Jesus above every other name which means every other name is under the name of Jesus. As far as your challenges has a name it is under the name of Jesus, as far as your sickness has a name It is under the name of Jesus. If your challenge has no name ,you better give it a name so that it will fall under Jesus. All demons, witches, principalities are under the name of Jesus.That is why as you begin to shout the name of Jesus all your problems will start to bow .Let somebody shout JESUS !
Every time the name of Jesus is mentioned knees bow. In Acts 3 vs 1-11, Is the story of a man at the beautiful gate. The bible say he was lame from the womb which meant his challenges started from the womb. Throughout his life he had tried and failed at walking or making progress because his feet and ankle bones lacked strength. He was forty years of age when he was healed which meant that for forty years this man was stagnant or had not recorded any progress in his life. All his life he had been a common man and for forty years he had no testimony but immediately Peter mentioned the name of Jesus all the problems in his life bowed down . All his challenges bowed their knees and this man was liberated . Every effort began to yield results because as he could now walk,people began to run to him to hear his testimony . I pray that in the name of Jesus you will have a testimony to share every time people come to you .
In Luke 18 vs 38-43 is the story of a blind man .The only color he knew was black and black symbolizes death . Everything was dead in his life . The word joy and happiness were strange words in the dictionary of his life. He was living in permanent darkness . To the man all days were night , no morning at all . He heard Jesus was passing and he began to scream Jesus !People asked him to keep quiet but he began to shout more. Immediately Jesus knew this fellow was tired of his challenges . Jesus asked him what he wanted from him and he said “Lord , that I may receive my sight” and Jesus said done. Immediately his sight was restored and the man began to see other colors like white which symbolizes purity and cleanliness ,pink which symbolizes love and beauty , gold symbolizes wealth , prosperity , yellow symbolizes joy and happiness and green symbolize life .
The girl In Acts 16 vs 16-20 was possessed with the spirit of divination. She was in physical and spiritual bondage . This spirit took her freedom ,her hope and dreams and turned her into slave girl . Immediately Paul mentioned the name of Jesus , she was set free from the spirits who had put her in bondage for a long time. She could now have a normal life like any other child.
A name by definition is a word or term by which a person or a thing is known. If a person becomes famous his or her name becomes famous too. If power or authority is conferred upon a fellow ,his or her name becomes powerful . Before the election of the current president of United States of America, the name Barack Obama was like any other name in the country but from the day he was made president that name seizes to be an ordinary name. The name Barack Obama represents power because all the authorities and powers of the land had been conferred upon him. So also is the queen of England ,her name represents power because all authorities and powers of the land had been conferred upon her. If the police ask you stop in the name of the queen , you have no choice than to stop because that name has the backing of the authorities and powers of the land.
The name of Jesus has authority because all authority had been giving to Him. Matthew 28 vs 18 says And Jesus came and spoke to them saying , “ all authority has been giving to Me in heaven and on earth.” The name of Jesus has power because the Most High God conferred power upon Him. Acts 10 vs 38 says how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power , who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him .The name of Jesus has power because He is Lord. The bible says a man can only testify that Jesus is Lord through the Holy Spirit-1 Corinthians 12 vs 3 . Jesus has the backing of the power and authority of the Most High God that was why He could restore Joy to homes for example in Luke 7 vs 12 -16 , a widow lost her only son and she was deeply sad. Joy had left her life permanently and sorrow had taken residence . She was on her way to bury her only son when she met the Lord , Jesus moved out of compassion told her to stop crying . He touched the coffin and told the boy to stand and immediately the boy stood and began to talk. The widow who was weeping immediately began to beam with joy and smiles.
Because Jesus has the backing of the power and authority of the Most High God, He can set people free . John 8 vs 36 says therefore if the Son of man makes you free, you shall be free indeed. In Mark 5 vs 1-14 is the story of the mad man of Gadara. This man was In bondage , he had no control of his brain ,he would he would use stones to cut himself. The enemy hijacked his senses , when every one slept at home he preferred to sleep in the tomb but he met Jesus and was set free . Peter was under the bondage of failure in Luke 5 vs 1-7 , no matter how hard he tried he caught nothing but immediately Jesus entered his boat that bondage of failure was broken and he was set free. His next attempt he caught so much fish that the boat began to sink. The woman with the issue of blood in Mark 5 vs 21- 34 ,was under the bondage of sickness for twelve years . Because she was under bondage of sickness , every efforts of the doctors proved abortive .She touched the hem of the garment of Jesus and was set free for life. In John 5 vs 1-18 is the story of a man who was under the bondage for thirty eight years. He had an infirmity which confined him to a sick bed .Jesus Christ told him to take his bed and walk and immediately he was delivered of his infirmity .
Because Jesus has the backing of the power and authority of the Most High God, He has the power to forgive. A paralytic man was brought to Jesus in John 2 vs 2-12 . This man was paralyzed from the neck downward and such he became very heavy . Four men were required to move him about . When they brought the man to Jesus , He said sons your sins are forgiven and the man received his healing. The name of Jesus has the same backing of the power and authority of God. No wonder Romans 10 vs 13 says whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved !Jesus is Lord – Romans 10 vs 9.
Another reason why there is power in the name of Jesus is that whatever you ask for in that name you will receive. John 14 vs 13 says and whatever you ask in My name , that I will do , that the Father may be glorified in the Son. The bible says whatever which means we can ask for anything . The power in the name of Jesus is not limited by anything . The power is not limited by geographical boundary , resources , weather or by humans. Matthew 11 v 27 says that all things have been delivered to Me(Jesus) by My Father. Jesus says in John 14 vs 14 that if you ask for anything in My name , I will do it. If you study this passage carefully you will notice that Jesus was not addressing a crowd when He said this , He was talking to His friends . Another thing you will notice is that this was not just statement but it was a promise . Do you know that not every who ask in the name of Jesus receives ?The promise was for only His friends . The name Jesus is for His friends not everyone .If you do not believe me please read Acts 19 vs 13-16 . The sons of Sceva were exorcising a demon by the Jesus whom Paul preaches and the evil spirit answered them and said Jesus I know , and Paul I Know, who are you ? The evil spirit gave them a thorough beating .
Only the friends of Jesus can ask for anything in the name of Jesus and will receive it. Who are the friends of Jesus ? According to John 15 vs 14 , the friends of Jesus are those who do what He commands . There is a mistake we all make , not everyone going to church are the friends of Jesus . Many go to church for different purposes , some go to look for a partner , some go because people invited them, some go because of the nice music, some attend because of the food after the service , some go because their friends are going , some go because that was how they were raised , some go just to please the pastor or their partners. Some go because there is nothing to do on Sunday .
Not all those who claim they are the friends of Jesus are actually His friends .Anyone can claim they are your friend but deep inside you know who your friends are . For example you know that your true friends will tell you the truth regardless even though at times the truth is bitter. You know that your true friends will not seek to hurt you .The same thing applies to Jesus , He know his true friends. The only way to know a true friend is by their fruit . Matthew 7 vs 16 says you shall know them by their fruits . Jesus knows His friends by their fruit. Many claim they are your friend , if you tell them you are hungry all they will tell you is sorry as if sorry can feed a man. Many call themselves the friends of Jesus and they have people they do not greet in their places of work . Some have even vowed not to forgive some people. A true friend is not shy of his or her friend . Many of us call ourselves the friends of Jesus but we are shy of Him. We do not want people to know we are Christians.
If you are His friends , you will gather with Him and not scatter what He was gathered. Matthew 12 vs 30 says He who is not with me is against Me and he does not not gather with Me scatters abroad. No true friend will scatter what his or her friend is gathering. The friend of Jesus do not fornicate or commit adultery. The friends of Jesus will always honor him with their tithes and first fruit. The friends of Jesus do not take bribes.
If you are not a friend of Jesus , you can make a decision to be His friend today. If you have been His friend before and no longer His friend you can come back today and He will receive you back as a friend. Only His friends can ask for things in His name and He will do it. A friend of Jesus will go out of his or her ways to please Jesus . He knows His friends and He never forsakes His friends . Proverbs 18 vs 10 says the name of the Lord is a strong tower , the righteous run to it and they are saved. The name of the Lord is a strong tower to only the righteous . You can make that decision now to be His friend so that whatever you ask for in His name , He will do it.
The bible said in Romans 3 vs 23 that for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 6 s 23 says For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. The gift was explained in John 3 vs 16 , For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. What shall we do to be save ? The bible says in Romans 10vs 9 that 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 vs 10 – For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with our mouth that you confess and are saved.
Pray this prayer from your heart today!
Dear Jesus , I believe that You died for me and rose again on the third day. I confess I am a sinner. I need your love and forgiveness. Come into my heart . Forgive my sins. I receive Your eternal life. Confirm You love by giving me peace, joy and supernatural love for others, Amen.
Welcome to Christ brethren, Please join a bible believing church.
Samuel Oluwatoki
You are free to forward this message . Remember Matthew 10 vs 32 which says whoever confesses me before me , him I will confess before my father who is heaven.
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