Word of God: repentance

Sunday, 7 October 2012

Controller of Season

Ecclesiastes 3:1 says to everything there is season, a time for every purpose under heaven.

According to Ecclesiastes 3:2-9 , there are different types of seasons for example a time be born and a time to die ,a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance to mention a few. One major difference between heaven and earth is that in heaven there is only one season. Why? Because the Sun of righteousness (Malachi 4:2) resides in heaven. Also the Bright and Morning star (Revelations 22:16) resides there. Psalm 16:11 says in the presence of God is fullness of joy.

According to Daniel 2:21, the Controller of Season is God. There are few things we need to know about the Controller of Season. He is very powerful. Psalms 62:11 says power belongs to Him. He is so powerful He can shake the heavens and the earth will move out of its place – Isaiah 13:13.Luke 1:37 says with Him there is no impossibility. When He says yes no one can say no- Psalms 33:9.

His presence alone can change seasons. Psalm 16:11 says in the presence of God is the fullness of joy. Psalm 21:6 says in His presence is exceeding gladness. His presence can put an end to a season of fruitless effort. In Luke 5:1-7, Peter fished all night and caught nothing but immediately Jesus jumped on his boat he cast his net and caught so much fish to the extent two boats began to sink. His presence puts an end to a season of death. In 2 Kings 2:19-22, the presence of Elisha (man of God) cured water that was synonymous with death. Also His presence puts an end to a season of lack. The widow in 1 Kings 17:7-16, had only a meal left to eat and die during famine. Immediately Elijah stepped into her house, she was not only able to feed her herself and her son but to feed an extra mouth through the period of famine.

His words can change seasons. Psalms 33:9 says once He speaks it is done. In Genesis 1:3, He said let there be light and there was light. His word can heal. Psalm 107:20 says He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. In John 5:1-16, Jesus told a man who had been sick for thirty-eight years to rise up and walk and the man did immediately. His word can deliver. In Mark 5:1-20 is the story of the terror of Gadara. A man who was so possessed that he could break chains .Jesus simply issue the word and all the demons in Him left.

Also His touch can change seasons. Malachi 4:2 says present in His wings are healing virtue. Anyone who touches Him or anyone He touches is made whole immediately. In Mark 5:25-34 a woman who had hemorrhage touched the hem of his garment and she was healed on the spot. His touch can bring multiplication In Matthew 14:13-21, Jesus touched five loaves of bread and two fishes and multiplication began. After 5000 men had been fed not counting the women and children, there were twelve baskets left.

There are several ways He can change our seasons. He can inspire us to do something specific that will lead to our breakthrough. He inspired Solomon to give a thousand burnt offering in 2 Chronicles 1:6,Solomon obeyed and He moved from been an ordinary king to become the richest king that ever lived. He inspired the great Shunamite woman in 2 Kings 4:8-17 to begin to feed a man of God, she obeyed and her seasons changed. She went from been a barren woman to a mother of a baby boy.

By showing us mercy our seasons automatically changes .Psalm 103:11 says as the heavens are high above the earth so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him. Jeremiah 42:12 says when He shows a man mercy, the whole world will begin to show such a man mercy. He can use fire to change season. In 1 king 18:1-46, God used fire to change the season in Samaria. Because they disobeyed God the heaven was shut, for three years there was no rain. After Elijah called down fire on Mount Carmel, the next thing that followed was rain.

He can use wind to change seasons. In Exodus 14:21, He used a strong east wind to part the red sea for the Israelites. Immediately the Israelites crossed to the other side a new season of freedom began. In Numbers 11; 31, God used wind to bring quails for the children of Israel when they requested for meat. Asides wind He can use earthquake to change seasons. The early church after the day of Pentecost went through a season of fear. The lack boldness but when they gathered in Acts 4:31 to request for boldness, there was an earthquake and they were filled with the Holy Spirit and the spoke the word of God with boldness. Paul and Silas found themselves in a season of bondage in Acts 16:25. The Most High sent an earthquake and their chains were broken in immediately.

There are factors that affect the seasons in our life. One of them is our mentality. Romans 12:2 says be not 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. Gideon saw himself as a nobody. He remained in the season of been a nobody until the angel of the Lord told Him he was somebody in Judges 6:11-15. So also Saul, he saw himself as a tall farm boy .He did not walk into his season of kinship until Samuel told him there was more to him than just been a tall guy.

Another factor is laziness. It does not matter how prayerful a man is, if he is lazy things will not change. Proverbs 10:4 says lazy hands makes a man poor. Proverbs 22:29 says a man who see is diligent will stand before king. Jeroboam was born as a common man but because he was hardworking, Solomon promoted in 1 kings 11:28 to the officer in charge of the all the labor force of the house of Joseph. By the time we get to 1 Kings 12:20, the whole nation of Israel gathered and made him king.

One major factor is sin. Sin is terrible Jeremiah 5:25 say sin withholds good from us. David went from the palace to living in caves all because of adultery. Uzziah went from the palace to leper’s colony all because of pride – 2 Chronicles 26:20-21.

The Controller of seasons is alive. Luke 20:38 calls Him the God of the living and all the living live to Him. Revelations 22:13 calls Him the First and the Last, Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the Ending.

Another thing to note is that the Controller of Seasons wants to help you. Jeremiah 29:11 describes His thoughts towards us as thoughts of peace and to give us an expected end. Psalms 40:5 says His plans for us are too many to count. One thing that hinders God is sin. Isaiah 59:1-2 says Behold the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you.

The first step to deal with sin is by giving our life to Christ so that He can wash us clean from our sins and put in us the spirit of God. If you have not given your life to Christ or you have before in times past but you have back slidded, please return to Him today.

The bible said in Romans 3 v 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 v 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 saved? 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 v 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 v 32 which say whoever confesses me before me, him I will confess before my father who is heaven.

Wednesday, 26 September 2012

Do you love me

Do you love me?

Songs of Solomon 3:4 says Scarcely had I passed by them, when I found the one I love, I held him and would not let him go , until I had brought him to the house of my mother, and into the chamber of her who conceived me.

When we mention the word love, a lot of things come to mind for example giving. The bible says in John 3:16 that for God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son. Love is not only about giving but it is about giving one’s best. That was what the Lord gave, His son – His best, it’s really not about giving one’s best but it is about giving all. The bible says He gave His only begotten son. The only Son He had He gave. No wonder the bible says He loves us with great love in Ephesians 2:4

Another thing that comes to mind when we talk of love is forgiveness.1 Peter 4:8 says love will cover a multitude of sins. Proverbs 10:12 says love covers all sins. Love does not only forgive but it forgets. Proverbs 17:9 says He who covers transgressions seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates friend.

Also love is kind and patient. Colossians 3:12 says therefore as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering. Ephesians 4:32 says and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave. There is a lot to learn from love. According to 1 Peter 1:22 love is from the heart. 1 Peter 4:8 says love is fervent. 1 Timothy 1:5 says love is from a pure heart, good conscience and sincere faith.

There are different grades of love .One of the grades is found in Mark 12:31 which says love your neighbor as yourself. What you want for yourself is what you want for your neighbor. Many of us do not take alcohol because we are Christians but we do not mind buying it for people or entertain our guest with them. That is the highest level of hypocrisy and wickedness. If Salvation is good for us, it should be good for our neighbors, friends and families, how come we are reluctant to share Christ with our friends and family. Remember, we can only claim to know God when we show love to our neighbors 1 John 4:8

Another grade is the one between couples .Ephesians 5:24 says just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. The submission of the church to Christ is total. This is the standard God expects from a Christian wife. Ephesians 5:25 says husbands, love your wives just as Christ also loved the Church and gave Himself for her. Jesus did not only give Himself for the church, He sacrificed Himself for the church. A man that demonstrated this was Jacob in Genesis 29:18-20.Out of love for Rachel, he served Laban for seven years and the bible records that the seven years looked like days. This is the standard God expects from husbands .

The highest grade of love is found in Matthew 22:38-39, you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with your entire mind. This is not only a grade of love but it is a commandment. Paul demonstrated this in Acts 21:1-13. While everyone was telling Paul not to go to Jerusalem or else he will be arrested. Paul told them he is not only ready to be arrested but to die for Jesus.

In what way can we express our love to Him? Through our obedience to His commandments. Jesus says in John 14:15, “If you love me, keep My commandments”. John 15:10 says if you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I kept My father’s love and abide in His love. Our love is measured by our obedience to His words. We cannot say we love Jesus and refuse to evangelize. Luke 11:23 says he who is not with Him is against Him, he who does not gather with Him scatters. Jesus says in John 14:21 “he who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he, who loves Me, and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father and I will love him and manifest myself to him”.

To proof our love for Him, we must walk according to His commandments. 2 John 1:6 says this is love that we walk according to His commandment. If we say we love Him, what are willing to do to please Him? Our love for Him is measured by what we are willing to go through for Him. What are we willing to suffer for Him?

Our love for Him is measured by what we are willing to sacrifice for Him? Paul sacrificed his status – a prestigious Pharisee to follow Christ, Peter gave up his fishing profession to follow Christ, and Elisha gave up his father’s farm to follow Elijah. Our love is measured by the level of insult we are willing to take for His sake. Also our love is measured by what we are willing to give to Him, Abraham gave Him Isaac in Genesis 22:1-19, Jesus gave His life to Him.

Our love is measured by what we are willing to give up for Him, I know of a brother who gave up a job that pays around 1400 pounds for a job that pays around 600 pounds just to have time for church, help in opening and closing the Church. Our love is measured by the price we are willing to pay to be with Him, what we are willing to do support His projects. Jesus told Peter if you love me , feed my sheep , John 21:17 .How many of his sheep have we fed ?I know of people who have sold their cars to support Kingdom projects. Sometimes back in other to show our gratitude to Him and express our love to Him, in a single day we shared tracts from house to house (telling the world about his faithfulness) for over ten hours with no break or rest.

Someone might ask, what is in it for the individual who is prepared to love the Lord? Proverbs 8: 17 say He loves those who love Him. What happens when He loves a man? Well an example could be found in 1 Kings 3:4-12. He told Solomon to ask, after he asked, He gave him his request and what he did not ask for. If you love Him, He will tell you to make a request , out of His generosity He will grant your request and also give to you what you did not even ask for

The first step to love Him is by giving one’s life to Christ. If you have not given your life to Christ or you have before in times past but you have back slidded, please return to Him today.