Anti-aging remedies are remedies that promise the user that they will retard the skin deterioration rate. Many anti-aging remedies are costly while the ones unknown to many people are absolutely free.
You might have read about our ancestors who lived up to 900 years plus. I mean the likes of Methuselah who lived up to 969 years and Noah lived 930 years. These accounts are in the book of Genesis. However, most people question the credibility of these accounts. I researched and found that they had an anti-aging remedy that retarded their rate of growth.
The Quickening Spirit
Our ancestors had what is called a Quickening Spirit. To quicken is to make alive that which is dying or is dead. Therefore, what was happening to them is that as the body under goes that natural process of aging the Spirit would make it alive and strong again. Nevertheless, God retrieved the Spirit because sin increased in those days and consequently the maximum years of man reduced to 120 years (Genesis 6:3)
How to receive the Quickening Spirit
Today, the good news is that you can ask for and receive that anti-aging Spirit from God. He is so willing to give it to you and actually, it is free. It is the same Spirit that made Christ live again after being crucified and buried (Romans 8:11).
Instead of applying the remedy on the skin, this anti-aging remedy is rather applied on the heart. Therefore, you need to involve your heart to receive it. I mean that your heart should sincerely desire to receive this free gift. That is step number one. Step number two involves your mouth. You ask for it with enthusiasm that God should give you the promise of the Holy Spirit. Once you have done step one and two, start thanking God for this free gift. You will notice in no time that you will begin to speak in a language that you have not learnt. The unknown language is the evidence that you have also received this gift.
I did what I have just explained several years ago. Look at my photo at the bottom of this article. Try to guess my age. My age is your guess plus 10 years. This anti-aging remedy can be yours if you have just understood what you have just read.
Be Blessed.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Science verses Religion
Does Science contrast Religion? No! God used scientific methods to create the universe. For instance, He used gravitational pull to balance the right conditions for the existence of life and to determine how long it takes the earth to spin the sun. God is the most brilliant scientist ever known and ever existed.
God is referred to as the Omniscient God. The word is derived from two Latin words: Omnis (all), and scientia (science). Hence, God is the God that knows all science. Actually, the science of God is perfect. He knows astronomy, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Medicine, etc. God used astronomy to guide the three wise men from the east to the place where Christ was born (Matthew 2:1-2)
Dinosaurs
The evidence that Dinosaurs ever trekked the earth does not contrast the creation story of Genesis. God created dinosaurs before he created man. According to the book of Genesis, the earth was formless and desolate. The raging ocean that covered everything was engulfed in total darkness, and the Spirit of God was moving over the water. (Genesis 1:2 GNB) The scripture does not mean that that was the beginning of creation. Why? Because no one creates formless and desolate things. When you build a house, you make it beautiful and to the best of your capabilities. Why then would God create a mess?
Before God reorganized the mess of Genesis 1 verse 2, Dinosaurs trekked this earth. They died out when the raging waters covered the earth. The earth of today is just a rebuilding of the original.
Satan caused the destruction the original earth
When Satan rebelled against God, there was a battle in heaven. The shift in spiritual things made a shift of physical things as the spiritual controls the physical. Hence, when Satan was cast to the earth, the earth suffered an imbalance that resulted in the extinction of the first created life forms including dinosaurs.
Science and religion agree
Science and religion do not contrast but they agree. However, most religious people lack scientific knowledge. It is not possible to understand what is beyond your comprehension. On the other hand, most scientists lack spiritual knowledge and experience. Someone said who feels it knows it all. Spiritual people know that God is real because they feel Him. Scientist too know the facts of science because they have experimented on them. I am both religious and scientific and I know that science and religion agree and do not contrast.
Be Blessed.
God is referred to as the Omniscient God. The word is derived from two Latin words: Omnis (all), and scientia (science). Hence, God is the God that knows all science. Actually, the science of God is perfect. He knows astronomy, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Medicine, etc. God used astronomy to guide the three wise men from the east to the place where Christ was born (Matthew 2:1-2)
Dinosaurs
The evidence that Dinosaurs ever trekked the earth does not contrast the creation story of Genesis. God created dinosaurs before he created man. According to the book of Genesis, the earth was formless and desolate. The raging ocean that covered everything was engulfed in total darkness, and the Spirit of God was moving over the water. (Genesis 1:2 GNB) The scripture does not mean that that was the beginning of creation. Why? Because no one creates formless and desolate things. When you build a house, you make it beautiful and to the best of your capabilities. Why then would God create a mess?
Before God reorganized the mess of Genesis 1 verse 2, Dinosaurs trekked this earth. They died out when the raging waters covered the earth. The earth of today is just a rebuilding of the original.
Satan caused the destruction the original earth
When Satan rebelled against God, there was a battle in heaven. The shift in spiritual things made a shift of physical things as the spiritual controls the physical. Hence, when Satan was cast to the earth, the earth suffered an imbalance that resulted in the extinction of the first created life forms including dinosaurs.
Science and religion agree
Science and religion do not contrast but they agree. However, most religious people lack scientific knowledge. It is not possible to understand what is beyond your comprehension. On the other hand, most scientists lack spiritual knowledge and experience. Someone said who feels it knows it all. Spiritual people know that God is real because they feel Him. Scientist too know the facts of science because they have experimented on them. I am both religious and scientific and I know that science and religion agree and do not contrast.
Be Blessed.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Free Christian E-Books
The titles listed are Free Destiny Changing Christian E-books that I have found to be good and useful, and therefore recommend to you.
Click on the Title to download.
To download click here Kenneth Copeland Ministries
Please let me know if you have any free Christian Ebooks that you might want to share on this blog.
Thanks.
Click on the Title to download.
- The value of praying in tongues by Dave Roberson
- The Laws of Prosperity
- The Laws of Prayer
- Growing in Agape Love
- The Laws of Health
- Demonology
- The Gifts of the Holy Spirit
- The Anointing of the Holy Spirit
- Knowing the Ministries of God
- The Laws of Healing
- How to be Led by the Holy Spirit
- Developing your Devotional Life
- Meditation on God's Word
To download click here Kenneth Copeland Ministries
Please let me know if you have any free Christian Ebooks that you might want to share on this blog.
Thanks.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Which Picture are you looking at?
One day I received an e-mail from a certain woman who wrote about how I would become so lucky with the possibility of winning the lottery within 7 days if I followed her instructions. At that time, I was in need of so many things so I give in to her request and asked her to send me those instructions. After three days she replied back. She asked me to download her picture from her website. She further instructed that if I kept gazing at her picture for seven days I would receive something I had always been looking forward to having. I am sure this story sounds familiar to many people.
The concept of looking at the same picture time after time was not new to me. I had read about a similar story in the bible. Jacob made solid coloured cattle give birth to spotted and speckled kids by making them look at pilled rods set in the watering trough.
“And it came to pass, whensoever the stronger cattle did conceive, that Jacob laid the rods before the eyes of the cattle in the gutters, that they might conceive among the rods”. (Genesis 30:41) “And the flocks conceived before the rods, and brought forth cattle ringstraked, speckled, and spotted.” Genesis 30:39)
As the animals were drinking from the gutters, their image reflected on the water. The pilled rods laid in the water made their image appeared speckled and striped. Hence, the cattle saw themselves as speckled and striped.
Which picture are you looking at?
Looking at the same image again and again makes the mind develop a belief that the image is true. Once the mind has believed something, it will cause you to become or do what it has conceived to be true. Hence, Christ said, “If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.”(Mark 9:23) Believing removes boundaries to what you can do and attain. Actually, what you have believed you will attain it even unconsciously.
Imaging Concepts
They are two most important imaging concepts to take note of: Concentration or Meditation, and Enthusiasm or Excitement.
1. Concentration or Meditation
In Jacobs’s formula, the animals conceived before the rods set in the gutters. As we have seen from the diagram above, the animals saw themselves speckled and striped through the water. On the other hand, there is another aspect to consider. When animals mate, they stand still on one position from a long time. Therefore, as these animals mated before the gutters they would concentrate on the image being reflected by the water for a long time. Hence, through meditating on the image in the water they conceived a very clear image of themselves and consequently brought forth cattle ringstraked, speckled, and spotted.
2. Enthusiasm or Excitement
In addition, during mating there is an aspect of eagerness. During this empowered state there is a release of energies that bring about the manifestation of the picture conceived into physical reality. This process is like completing an electrical circuit by switching on the power.
The picture to constantly look at
There is a picture provide for us in the bible that we should always look at. The word of God says, “They shall look on him whom they pierced.” (John 19:37) The picture of Jesus Christ on the cross is that picture which will manifest all your desires into reality if you meditate on his word with enthusiasm.
This is what I see in the image of Christ crucified. I see:
1. That He has borne our griefs
2. That He has carried our sorrows
3. That he was wounded for our transgressions
4. That he was bruised for our iniquities
5. That the chastisement of our peace was upon him
6. That with his stripes we are healed.
7. That He came poor that we might be rich
8. That He has made us Kings and Priests and we shall reign on earth
The cross is a point where we trade in our sorrows in exchange for our joy. Approach the cross with excitement. Remember what the Psalmist said. I was glad when they said to me let us go to the house of the Lord. Excitement releases the power of the Holy Ghost.
Meditate also on Isaiah chapter 53 until you believe that report. Mutter the word of that Chapter like the Ethiopian eunuch did. Soon and very soon, whatsoever you desire will be made manifest.
This shall be your song if you have understood what you have just read.
At the cross, at the cross, where I first saw the light,
And the burden of my heart rolled away.
It was there by faith I received my sight,
And now I am happy all the day.
Be Blessed.
The concept of looking at the same picture time after time was not new to me. I had read about a similar story in the bible. Jacob made solid coloured cattle give birth to spotted and speckled kids by making them look at pilled rods set in the watering trough.
“And it came to pass, whensoever the stronger cattle did conceive, that Jacob laid the rods before the eyes of the cattle in the gutters, that they might conceive among the rods”. (Genesis 30:41) “And the flocks conceived before the rods, and brought forth cattle ringstraked, speckled, and spotted.” Genesis 30:39)
As the animals were drinking from the gutters, their image reflected on the water. The pilled rods laid in the water made their image appeared speckled and striped. Hence, the cattle saw themselves as speckled and striped.
Which picture are you looking at?
Looking at the same image again and again makes the mind develop a belief that the image is true. Once the mind has believed something, it will cause you to become or do what it has conceived to be true. Hence, Christ said, “If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.”(Mark 9:23) Believing removes boundaries to what you can do and attain. Actually, what you have believed you will attain it even unconsciously.
Imaging Concepts
They are two most important imaging concepts to take note of: Concentration or Meditation, and Enthusiasm or Excitement.
1. Concentration or Meditation
In Jacobs’s formula, the animals conceived before the rods set in the gutters. As we have seen from the diagram above, the animals saw themselves speckled and striped through the water. On the other hand, there is another aspect to consider. When animals mate, they stand still on one position from a long time. Therefore, as these animals mated before the gutters they would concentrate on the image being reflected by the water for a long time. Hence, through meditating on the image in the water they conceived a very clear image of themselves and consequently brought forth cattle ringstraked, speckled, and spotted.
2. Enthusiasm or Excitement
In addition, during mating there is an aspect of eagerness. During this empowered state there is a release of energies that bring about the manifestation of the picture conceived into physical reality. This process is like completing an electrical circuit by switching on the power.
The picture to constantly look at
There is a picture provide for us in the bible that we should always look at. The word of God says, “They shall look on him whom they pierced.” (John 19:37) The picture of Jesus Christ on the cross is that picture which will manifest all your desires into reality if you meditate on his word with enthusiasm.
This is what I see in the image of Christ crucified. I see:
1. That He has borne our griefs
2. That He has carried our sorrows
3. That he was wounded for our transgressions
4. That he was bruised for our iniquities
5. That the chastisement of our peace was upon him
6. That with his stripes we are healed.
7. That He came poor that we might be rich
8. That He has made us Kings and Priests and we shall reign on earth
The cross is a point where we trade in our sorrows in exchange for our joy. Approach the cross with excitement. Remember what the Psalmist said. I was glad when they said to me let us go to the house of the Lord. Excitement releases the power of the Holy Ghost.
Meditate also on Isaiah chapter 53 until you believe that report. Mutter the word of that Chapter like the Ethiopian eunuch did. Soon and very soon, whatsoever you desire will be made manifest.
This shall be your song if you have understood what you have just read.
At the cross, at the cross, where I first saw the light,
And the burden of my heart rolled away.
It was there by faith I received my sight,
And now I am happy all the day.
Be Blessed.
How Jesus destroyed Death
A certain wise man said that to successfully deal with a problem, you have to uproot it from its source.
In this article, we shall discuss how Jesus Christ destroyed the root of death.
It is written that, “Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.” (1 Corinthians 15:54-56)
Let us endeavor to understand the above quoted verse with the aid of the diagram below.
We see that the strength of every tree is its roots. The bible says that the strength of sin is the law. Therefore, in our illustration, the roots represent the law and the tree represents sin. Moreover, every tree bears fruits. The bible says that the sting of death is sin. That is, the wages of sin is death. Therefore, in this diagram, the fruits of the tree represent death.
From the picture above, we see three things involved in death. That is, law, sin and death itself. Nevertheless, there are actually four things. The forth one is the agent of death.
• The agents of death
Poverty and sickness are the agents of death. When you study the curses of Deuteronomy 28, from verse 15 through 68, you will conclude that all the curses produce poverty, or sickness, or a combination of the two.
Therefore, when Adam and Eve sinned, they immediately experienced lack. They realised that they were missing something that had previous covered them (a type of poverty).
And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. (Genesis 3:6-7)
That is, death had come to the human race as God had promised. However, the reality had to come through the agents of death, which are poverty and sickness.
• Death
Death is the product of sin. “For the wages of sin is death”. (Romans 6:23). The sting of death is sin.
Death has two-fold meaning in the word of God.
1. It means separation from God i.e. spiritual death, and
2. It means the actual physical deterioration of the body.
Hence, when man sinned, God expelled them from Eden-the place of His presence. Then outside Eden, Cain killed Abel. That is the first manifestation of physical death.
In the diagram above, the fruit of the tree represents death.
• The Law
The law entered, that the offence might abound. (Romans 5:20)
Jesus knowing the root of sin, that is the law, He had to take it out of the way.
How did he do that? He took the law out of the way through two steps.
Step number one:
By fulfilling it. “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.”(Matthew 5:17)
He fulfilled every dot of it by observing the law a hundred percent. Jesus lived a sinless life. Hence, He fulfilled all the requirements of the law for you and me. The law cannot judge us because its requirements have been satisfied.
Step number two:
By blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross. (Colossians 2:14)
The word interpreted as ordinance is from a Greek word dogma. According to strong’s concordance, dogma is a law (civil, ceremonial or ecclesiastical).
Therefore, the ordinances are that law which stood in the way so that the offence (sin) might abound. (Romans 5:20)
The diagram below will help us picture how the law stood in the way.
The same law, which stood in the way, Christ has taken it out of our way and nailed it to the cross.
This then means that when the law wants to pass judgement against us, the blood of Christ says, “I have already paid the price.”
• Grace through Faith
For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. (Romans 6:14)
Now that our paths are without the law, we are no longer under it. We are but under grace. The law is lonely, with no one to accuse.
Hence, sin has no dominion over us and consequently death cannot sting us any longer. We are alive in Christ Jesus forever. The agents of death too can no longer enslave us. Christ came poor that we may be rich and by His stripes we are healed.
Herein is the conclusion of the whole matter. If ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. (Galatians 5:18)
“Blessed be the Lord Jesus by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” (Romans 5:2)
Amen.
In this article, we shall discuss how Jesus Christ destroyed the root of death.
It is written that, “Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.” (1 Corinthians 15:54-56)
Let us endeavor to understand the above quoted verse with the aid of the diagram below.
We see that the strength of every tree is its roots. The bible says that the strength of sin is the law. Therefore, in our illustration, the roots represent the law and the tree represents sin. Moreover, every tree bears fruits. The bible says that the sting of death is sin. That is, the wages of sin is death. Therefore, in this diagram, the fruits of the tree represent death.
From the picture above, we see three things involved in death. That is, law, sin and death itself. Nevertheless, there are actually four things. The forth one is the agent of death.• The agents of death
Poverty and sickness are the agents of death. When you study the curses of Deuteronomy 28, from verse 15 through 68, you will conclude that all the curses produce poverty, or sickness, or a combination of the two.
Therefore, when Adam and Eve sinned, they immediately experienced lack. They realised that they were missing something that had previous covered them (a type of poverty).
And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. (Genesis 3:6-7)
That is, death had come to the human race as God had promised. However, the reality had to come through the agents of death, which are poverty and sickness.
• Death
Death is the product of sin. “For the wages of sin is death”. (Romans 6:23). The sting of death is sin.
Death has two-fold meaning in the word of God.
1. It means separation from God i.e. spiritual death, and
2. It means the actual physical deterioration of the body.
Hence, when man sinned, God expelled them from Eden-the place of His presence. Then outside Eden, Cain killed Abel. That is the first manifestation of physical death.
In the diagram above, the fruit of the tree represents death.
• The Law
The law entered, that the offence might abound. (Romans 5:20)
Jesus knowing the root of sin, that is the law, He had to take it out of the way.
How did he do that? He took the law out of the way through two steps.
Step number one:
By fulfilling it. “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.”(Matthew 5:17)
He fulfilled every dot of it by observing the law a hundred percent. Jesus lived a sinless life. Hence, He fulfilled all the requirements of the law for you and me. The law cannot judge us because its requirements have been satisfied.
Step number two:
By blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross. (Colossians 2:14)
The word interpreted as ordinance is from a Greek word dogma. According to strong’s concordance, dogma is a law (civil, ceremonial or ecclesiastical).
Therefore, the ordinances are that law which stood in the way so that the offence (sin) might abound. (Romans 5:20)
The diagram below will help us picture how the law stood in the way.
The same law, which stood in the way, Christ has taken it out of our way and nailed it to the cross.This then means that when the law wants to pass judgement against us, the blood of Christ says, “I have already paid the price.”
• Grace through Faith
For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. (Romans 6:14)
Now that our paths are without the law, we are no longer under it. We are but under grace. The law is lonely, with no one to accuse.
Hence, sin has no dominion over us and consequently death cannot sting us any longer. We are alive in Christ Jesus forever. The agents of death too can no longer enslave us. Christ came poor that we may be rich and by His stripes we are healed.Herein is the conclusion of the whole matter. If ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. (Galatians 5:18)
“Blessed be the Lord Jesus by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” (Romans 5:2)
Amen.
Courtship How to Know your Fiancee within 7 days
Courtship is a prelude to marriage where in the Christian sense the couple gets to discover each other. Most couples employ the time factor in getting to know each other. It is commonly believed that the longer you spend time with each other, the more acquainted you become. As much as this phenomenon is true, it does not deliver the best results in most cases. People say familiarity breeds contempt. As a Christian, the dangers of prolonged courtship are sex before marriage. Sex before marriage has undeserving consequences that I will discuss with you in another article if the Spirit allows. Today, let us stick to our topic-Courtship.
How do you get to know your Fiancée within 7 days?
People of all colours, ages, size, culture, and origin are known discriminately by their speech. When I say speech, I do not mean their mother tongue or language that they articulate. I mean the substance that comes out of their mouths. Jesus said, “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth the good. And an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth the evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” (Luke 6:45 MKJV). People have been designed by their maker to say things that they meditate on all the time. For instance, if my meditation is preaching the Gospel, you will hear it through and through from my words. I will easily notice Churches and make comments about them as I drive through a new city. However, if what I am noticing are bars, and street girls, then know that that is my obsession.
Beloved, your fiancée will always speak about what fascinates them. By their words you will know them. It will not take months to do that if you are a careful listener. Actually, if you are preparing for marriage, then you had better learn the vital lesson of becoming a good listener to your spouse. Every qualified marriage counsellor will tell you that.
What if my fiancée has read this article and then decides to tame their mouth. The Holy Spirit through Apostle James has revealed that the mouth cannot be tamed. “But no one can tame the tongue, it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.” (James 3:8 MKJV). Actually, the mouth works to your disadvantage if your try to filter the words that come out of it. Why? Because then you mediate more on the negatives and as we have already alluded to, the mouth speaks the abundance (meditations) of the heart.
What if my fiancée tries to get round it by saying it was just a slip of the tongue. Wise King Solomon wrote in Ecclesiates saying, “Do not allow your mouth to cause your flesh to sin; do not say before the angel that it was an error.” (Ecclesiastes 5:6 MKJV). Believe me it is never an error but the meditation of the heart. Be prudent.
In my conclusion, Jesus further said, “But the things which come out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile the man.” (Matthew 15:18 MKJV) Beloved, a defiled person is not good material to continue in courtship with for long. Why do I say so? Because bad company corrupts good morals.
Be Wise.
How do you get to know your Fiancée within 7 days?
People of all colours, ages, size, culture, and origin are known discriminately by their speech. When I say speech, I do not mean their mother tongue or language that they articulate. I mean the substance that comes out of their mouths. Jesus said, “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth the good. And an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth the evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” (Luke 6:45 MKJV). People have been designed by their maker to say things that they meditate on all the time. For instance, if my meditation is preaching the Gospel, you will hear it through and through from my words. I will easily notice Churches and make comments about them as I drive through a new city. However, if what I am noticing are bars, and street girls, then know that that is my obsession.
Beloved, your fiancée will always speak about what fascinates them. By their words you will know them. It will not take months to do that if you are a careful listener. Actually, if you are preparing for marriage, then you had better learn the vital lesson of becoming a good listener to your spouse. Every qualified marriage counsellor will tell you that.
What if my fiancée has read this article and then decides to tame their mouth. The Holy Spirit through Apostle James has revealed that the mouth cannot be tamed. “But no one can tame the tongue, it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.” (James 3:8 MKJV). Actually, the mouth works to your disadvantage if your try to filter the words that come out of it. Why? Because then you mediate more on the negatives and as we have already alluded to, the mouth speaks the abundance (meditations) of the heart.
What if my fiancée tries to get round it by saying it was just a slip of the tongue. Wise King Solomon wrote in Ecclesiates saying, “Do not allow your mouth to cause your flesh to sin; do not say before the angel that it was an error.” (Ecclesiastes 5:6 MKJV). Believe me it is never an error but the meditation of the heart. Be prudent.
In my conclusion, Jesus further said, “But the things which come out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile the man.” (Matthew 15:18 MKJV) Beloved, a defiled person is not good material to continue in courtship with for long. Why do I say so? Because bad company corrupts good morals.
Be Wise.
Abounding in Grace
What is Grace?
Grace is the unmerited favor of God. For instance, Grace is being picked for a High Paying job in a Reputable institution without applying and without the necessary qualifications where 500 qualified professionals have applied. Therefore, grace applies where you do not merit or qualify. Grace seizes to be grace if you merit something by what you have done.
The bible contrasts grace and the law. Hence, by the law, you merit the favor of God, but by grace, you do not. Hence, Apostle Paul wrote, “But to him working, the reward is not reckoned according to grace, but according to debt.” (Romans 4:4 MKJV)
How Grace ABOUNDS
The Grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men (Titus 2:11 MKJV). However, we all have varying degrees of the Grace of God. Apostle Peter said, “May grace and peace be multiplied to you.” (1 Peter 1:2 MKJV) Hence, Grace can be multiplied. The question is, What are the multiplying factors of Grace?
* LOVE
Walking in love will make the grace of God abound in your life.
And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. (1 Timothy 1:14 MKJV)
I have written an article entitled “love your neighbor” where I have dealt comprehensively on this subject of love.
* GIVING
Each one, as he purposes in his heart, let him give; not of grief, or of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that in everything, always having all self-sufficiency, you may abound to every good work. (2 Corinthians 9:7-8 MKJV)
On giving, I would like to caution that not all giving results in abounding grace. Proverbs says that he that gives to the rich shall surely come to poverty. (Proverbs 22:16 KJVR) The rule of the thumb pertaining to giving is giving to the needs of people. The bible encourages giving to Church leaders who do their duties well (1 Timothy 5:17 KJVR), Widows, Orphans, Strangers, Ministries, and the general needy people.
* KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST
Grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, (2 Peter 1:2 MKJV)
Part of this knowledge includes knowing that the law came through Moses but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ (John 1:17). You see ignorance of what Christ accomplished on the cross only frustrates the Grace of God. It is written that My People perish for lack of Knowledge. Study earnestly to present yourself approved to God, a workman that does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth. (2 Timothy 2:15 MKJV). Amen.
* HUMILITY
But He gives more grace. Therefore He says, God resists the proud, but He gives grace to the humble. (James 4:6 MKJV)
Humility attracts the abounding grace of God. I have observed this especially in women. Humble women are usually the ones who are well married and prosperous. Pride frustrates the grace of God.
* FAITH
Through Him we also have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice on the hope of the glory of God. (Romans 5:2 MKJV)
Without faith you cannot please God. To understand the subject of faith comprehensively, please read Papa Kenneth Haggins (Sr.) books on faith. He is best faith teacher I know.
ENEMIES OF GRACE
* THE LAW
I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. (Galatians 2:21 KJVR)
Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. (Galatians 5:4 KJVR)
I have dealt comprehensively concerning the subject of the law in my article entitled “How Christ destroyed death.” Please refer to this article for more understanding of the law.
* BITTERNESS
Follow peace with all, and holiness, without which no one shall see the Lord; looking diligently lest any fail of the grace of God, or lest any root of bitterness springing up disturb you, and by it many are defiled, (lest there be any fornicator, or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. (Hebrews 12:14-16 MKJV)
* FALSE TEACHERS
For certain men crept in secretly, those having been of old previously written into this condemnation, ungodly ones perverting the grace of our God for unbridled lust, and denying the only Master, God, even our Lord Jesus Christ. (Jude 1:4 MKJV)
Be careful of false doctrines. Again, this pertains to studying earnestly to present yourself approved to God, a workman that does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth. (2 Timothy 2:15 MKJV). Amen.
In conclusion, I would like you to take note that the bible concludes with these words: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you. Amen. (Revelation 22:21 MKJV)
Grace is the unmerited favor of God. For instance, Grace is being picked for a High Paying job in a Reputable institution without applying and without the necessary qualifications where 500 qualified professionals have applied. Therefore, grace applies where you do not merit or qualify. Grace seizes to be grace if you merit something by what you have done.
The bible contrasts grace and the law. Hence, by the law, you merit the favor of God, but by grace, you do not. Hence, Apostle Paul wrote, “But to him working, the reward is not reckoned according to grace, but according to debt.” (Romans 4:4 MKJV)
How Grace ABOUNDS
The Grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men (Titus 2:11 MKJV). However, we all have varying degrees of the Grace of God. Apostle Peter said, “May grace and peace be multiplied to you.” (1 Peter 1:2 MKJV) Hence, Grace can be multiplied. The question is, What are the multiplying factors of Grace?
* LOVE
Walking in love will make the grace of God abound in your life.
And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. (1 Timothy 1:14 MKJV)
I have written an article entitled “love your neighbor” where I have dealt comprehensively on this subject of love.
* GIVING
Each one, as he purposes in his heart, let him give; not of grief, or of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that in everything, always having all self-sufficiency, you may abound to every good work. (2 Corinthians 9:7-8 MKJV)
On giving, I would like to caution that not all giving results in abounding grace. Proverbs says that he that gives to the rich shall surely come to poverty. (Proverbs 22:16 KJVR) The rule of the thumb pertaining to giving is giving to the needs of people. The bible encourages giving to Church leaders who do their duties well (1 Timothy 5:17 KJVR), Widows, Orphans, Strangers, Ministries, and the general needy people.
* KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST
Grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, (2 Peter 1:2 MKJV)
Part of this knowledge includes knowing that the law came through Moses but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ (John 1:17). You see ignorance of what Christ accomplished on the cross only frustrates the Grace of God. It is written that My People perish for lack of Knowledge. Study earnestly to present yourself approved to God, a workman that does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth. (2 Timothy 2:15 MKJV). Amen.
* HUMILITY
But He gives more grace. Therefore He says, God resists the proud, but He gives grace to the humble. (James 4:6 MKJV)
Humility attracts the abounding grace of God. I have observed this especially in women. Humble women are usually the ones who are well married and prosperous. Pride frustrates the grace of God.
* FAITH
Through Him we also have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice on the hope of the glory of God. (Romans 5:2 MKJV)
Without faith you cannot please God. To understand the subject of faith comprehensively, please read Papa Kenneth Haggins (Sr.) books on faith. He is best faith teacher I know.
ENEMIES OF GRACE
* THE LAW
I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. (Galatians 2:21 KJVR)
Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. (Galatians 5:4 KJVR)
I have dealt comprehensively concerning the subject of the law in my article entitled “How Christ destroyed death.” Please refer to this article for more understanding of the law.
* BITTERNESS
Follow peace with all, and holiness, without which no one shall see the Lord; looking diligently lest any fail of the grace of God, or lest any root of bitterness springing up disturb you, and by it many are defiled, (lest there be any fornicator, or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. (Hebrews 12:14-16 MKJV)
* FALSE TEACHERS
For certain men crept in secretly, those having been of old previously written into this condemnation, ungodly ones perverting the grace of our God for unbridled lust, and denying the only Master, God, even our Lord Jesus Christ. (Jude 1:4 MKJV)
Be careful of false doctrines. Again, this pertains to studying earnestly to present yourself approved to God, a workman that does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth. (2 Timothy 2:15 MKJV). Amen.
In conclusion, I would like you to take note that the bible concludes with these words: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you. Amen. (Revelation 22:21 MKJV)
Understanding your Woman, A must for every Man
This article is a must read for every man. We shall explore what every man needs to know about his woman. The best place to begin is Genesis Chapter 2. This is an account of the creation and making the first woman. The account is divided into (4) stages:
Stage One-The need for a woman
Stage Two-The architecture of the woman
Stage Three-Mans operation manual for his woman
Stage Four-Realizing your woman
• The need for a Woman
Somebody said that behind every successful man there is a woman. Although the making of a woman was in the initial plans of creation, Adams inability to succeed alone prompted her manifestation.
Jehovah God said, It is not good that the man should be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him. (Genesis 2:18 MKJV)
What is success? Success is achievement of intention or a plan. The intention of God for man is to “Be fruitful, and multiply and fill the earth, and subdue it.” (Genesis 1:28 MKJV) This plan could not be realised without a woman.
This need for a woman to make a man successful has not changed. Even a Eunuch is useless unless he stands in the Queens court. Apostle Paul was not married but he depended on women who washed the Apostles feet and lodged them (1 Timothy 5:10). Jesus Christ too had women who ministered of their possessions to him. (Luke 8:3)
Hence, Women are designed to bring man into the destiny that God has planned for him.
I alone know the plans I have for you, plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring about the future you hope for. (Jeremiah 29:11 GNB)
• The architecture of the woman
Who was the architect of Eve? Adam. An architect is a building designer: somebody whose job is to design buildings and advise on their construction (Microsoft® Encarta® 2007)
God made the first woman based on Adams architectural drawing. How could this be? You see, when God thought of making the woman he made Adam study the entire animal kingdom first.
And out of the ground Jehovah God formed every animal of the field and every fowl of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name. And Adam gave names to all the cattle, and to the birds of the air, and to every animal of the field. But there was not found a suitable helper for Adam. (Genesis 2:19-20 MKJV)
What did Adam see? Adam saw that all the animal where paired and that they reproduced by virtual of being paired. He also saw that the females looked different from the males.
Therefore, Adam being unpaired started to create mental images in his spirit about how his missing side should look like. The concept of meditation was used here. By the time Adam had finished naming all the animals, he had also constructed images of his wife. This process lasted for a long time as there where millions of animals to be named.
You see meditation involves thinking about the same thing for a long enough time until you have a very clear picture of it. Having a clear picture of what you want is known as believing. Believing is being certain that what you have conceived in your mind is the absolute truth. That is the believing that makes all things possible.
Hence, God searched Adam’s spirit (inward parts) to see what was there before He made Eve. That is one of the reasons why Adam was made to go into a comma.
The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly. (Proverbs 20:27 KJVR)
Beloved you are the designer of your wife, hence treat her as such.
• Mans operation manual for his woman
The second reason why God made man to go into a comma is so that He would give instructions to Adam about his wife. At night when people are asleep, God speaks in dreams and visions. (Job 33:15 GNB)
And Jehovah God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept. And He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh underneath. And Jehovah God made the rib (which He had taken from the man) into a woman. And He brought her to the man. (Genesis 2:21-22 MKJV)
In order to appreciate this segment, you have to be aware that Adam is in a dream as he is receiving instructions on how to live with his wife. There are no physical happenings. All is but a vision.
What instructions did Adam receive? The following are instructions that Adam received:
1. God took a rib and made it into a woman. A rib represents protection of delicate parts essential for life. The bible says Keep your heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Have you notice how women go mad over their children if someone provokes them. Hence, a woman is the mother and protector of life. (Genesis 3:20 MKJV)
2. God showed Adam that there is no difference between him and the woman by making her from his rib. Hence, he proclaimed that she is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh.
3. God opened Adam side, the same side that Christ was pierced on. When Christ was pierced, blood and water gashed out. Side speaks of companionship i.e. side by side. Water speaks of cleaning. Hence, women ought to be corrected by the washing of the water by the word of love. Just speak, do beat! Blood represents the marriage covenant sealed with the blood. That is, when God opened Adams side, Adam actually saw the blood. Remember the covenant and do not break it!
4. God closed up the opening meaning that it is a sealed covenant that cannot be reversed.
5. Ribs are delicate which means a woman ought to be handled likewise.
In conclusion, God gave man instructions about their women and not vice versa. I do not understand why in Africa women receive prolonged premarital counselling while men do not. Maybe that is where we have gone wrong. The bible says Husbands dwell with your wives according to knowledge. (1 Peter 3:7) These instructions are that knowledge.
• Realize your wife
Adam realised his wife upon first sight because he had already seen her in his dreams. He exclaimed with excitement, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh. She shall be called Woman because she was taken out of man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave to his wife and they shall be one flesh.” (Genesis 2:23-24 MKJV)
Every wife is a product of her husband’s meditation. Her colour, structure, height, shape of the noise, etc. God gives us as we dream. Please let us be in seventh heaven about our wives.
Be blessed.
Thanks for reading my article! Readers may also enjoy reading Courtship-How to know your fiancee within 7 days article by Love Kingdom Ministries.
Stage One-The need for a woman
Stage Two-The architecture of the woman
Stage Three-Mans operation manual for his woman
Stage Four-Realizing your woman
• The need for a Woman
Somebody said that behind every successful man there is a woman. Although the making of a woman was in the initial plans of creation, Adams inability to succeed alone prompted her manifestation.
Jehovah God said, It is not good that the man should be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him. (Genesis 2:18 MKJV)
What is success? Success is achievement of intention or a plan. The intention of God for man is to “Be fruitful, and multiply and fill the earth, and subdue it.” (Genesis 1:28 MKJV) This plan could not be realised without a woman.
This need for a woman to make a man successful has not changed. Even a Eunuch is useless unless he stands in the Queens court. Apostle Paul was not married but he depended on women who washed the Apostles feet and lodged them (1 Timothy 5:10). Jesus Christ too had women who ministered of their possessions to him. (Luke 8:3)
Hence, Women are designed to bring man into the destiny that God has planned for him.
I alone know the plans I have for you, plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring about the future you hope for. (Jeremiah 29:11 GNB)
• The architecture of the woman
Who was the architect of Eve? Adam. An architect is a building designer: somebody whose job is to design buildings and advise on their construction (Microsoft® Encarta® 2007)
God made the first woman based on Adams architectural drawing. How could this be? You see, when God thought of making the woman he made Adam study the entire animal kingdom first.
And out of the ground Jehovah God formed every animal of the field and every fowl of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name. And Adam gave names to all the cattle, and to the birds of the air, and to every animal of the field. But there was not found a suitable helper for Adam. (Genesis 2:19-20 MKJV)
What did Adam see? Adam saw that all the animal where paired and that they reproduced by virtual of being paired. He also saw that the females looked different from the males.
Therefore, Adam being unpaired started to create mental images in his spirit about how his missing side should look like. The concept of meditation was used here. By the time Adam had finished naming all the animals, he had also constructed images of his wife. This process lasted for a long time as there where millions of animals to be named.
You see meditation involves thinking about the same thing for a long enough time until you have a very clear picture of it. Having a clear picture of what you want is known as believing. Believing is being certain that what you have conceived in your mind is the absolute truth. That is the believing that makes all things possible.
Hence, God searched Adam’s spirit (inward parts) to see what was there before He made Eve. That is one of the reasons why Adam was made to go into a comma.
The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly. (Proverbs 20:27 KJVR)
Beloved you are the designer of your wife, hence treat her as such.
• Mans operation manual for his woman
The second reason why God made man to go into a comma is so that He would give instructions to Adam about his wife. At night when people are asleep, God speaks in dreams and visions. (Job 33:15 GNB)
And Jehovah God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept. And He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh underneath. And Jehovah God made the rib (which He had taken from the man) into a woman. And He brought her to the man. (Genesis 2:21-22 MKJV)
In order to appreciate this segment, you have to be aware that Adam is in a dream as he is receiving instructions on how to live with his wife. There are no physical happenings. All is but a vision.
What instructions did Adam receive? The following are instructions that Adam received:
1. God took a rib and made it into a woman. A rib represents protection of delicate parts essential for life. The bible says Keep your heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Have you notice how women go mad over their children if someone provokes them. Hence, a woman is the mother and protector of life. (Genesis 3:20 MKJV)
2. God showed Adam that there is no difference between him and the woman by making her from his rib. Hence, he proclaimed that she is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh.
3. God opened Adam side, the same side that Christ was pierced on. When Christ was pierced, blood and water gashed out. Side speaks of companionship i.e. side by side. Water speaks of cleaning. Hence, women ought to be corrected by the washing of the water by the word of love. Just speak, do beat! Blood represents the marriage covenant sealed with the blood. That is, when God opened Adams side, Adam actually saw the blood. Remember the covenant and do not break it!
4. God closed up the opening meaning that it is a sealed covenant that cannot be reversed.
5. Ribs are delicate which means a woman ought to be handled likewise.
In conclusion, God gave man instructions about their women and not vice versa. I do not understand why in Africa women receive prolonged premarital counselling while men do not. Maybe that is where we have gone wrong. The bible says Husbands dwell with your wives according to knowledge. (1 Peter 3:7) These instructions are that knowledge.
• Realize your wife
Adam realised his wife upon first sight because he had already seen her in his dreams. He exclaimed with excitement, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh. She shall be called Woman because she was taken out of man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave to his wife and they shall be one flesh.” (Genesis 2:23-24 MKJV)
Every wife is a product of her husband’s meditation. Her colour, structure, height, shape of the noise, etc. God gives us as we dream. Please let us be in seventh heaven about our wives.
Be blessed.
Thanks for reading my article! Readers may also enjoy reading Courtship-How to know your fiancee within 7 days article by Love Kingdom Ministries.
THE MAJOR SECRET TO ANSWERED PRAYER REVEALED
I f you read any book entitled keys to answered prayers, the will list a number of important factors necessitating answered prayer such as Faith, forgiveness, persistence, earnestness, etc, etc. However, the major secret to answered prayer remains hidden from many people. In this article, I will reveal that secret to you beloved.
What is prayer?
The word prayer or proseuchomai (in Greek) is derived from two words ‘pros’ and ‘euchomai’. Pros a preposition of direction and euchomai means to wish.
What is a wish?
Microsoft Encarta says a wish is a transitive verb meaning to have strong desire: to have a strong feeling of wanting something to happen or wanting to have something. "I wish she'd say yes". Hence in our context therefore, prayer is directing our strong desires to God Almighty through the name of Jesus Christ.
Types of prayer you want to know
1. Prayer of supplication.
Supplication means to petition or entreat someone for something.
Luke 11: 9 - 13, James 5: 17-18, 1 kings 8: 37-40, 54 - 55
2. Prayer of intercession
To intercede means to plead or mediate on behalf of another person.
Genesis 18: 22 - 33 (Abraham) 1 Kings 18: 41 - 46 (Elijah) 2 Kings 4: 32-36 (Elisha) Acts 12: 1 - 18 (The early church)
3. Prayer of faith
The prayer of faith is prayer based on God's Word.
Mark 11:12 - 14, Mark 11: 20 - 25, Luke 7: 1 - 10, James 5: 13 - 18, Matthew 9: 18 - 26
4. Prayer of agreement
The prayer of agreement is when two or more people come together and agree with one another and with the Word of God that something specific will be done.
Genesis 11: 1-9, Matthew 18: 19-20, Exodus 17: 8-13, Psalm 133: 1-3, Acts 4:23, Hebrews 10: 24-25
5. Prayer of praise and thanksgiving
Praise and worship is what brings us into the presence of God.
Psalm 100, Acts 16:16-34, Psalm 149:4-9, 1 Thessalonians 5:15-19
What is praying amiss?
Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. (James 4:3)
Praying amiss is directing a selfish wish towards God. You see beloved, when God blesses, He blesses so that others may be blessed through you also. God said to Abraham, “I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing”. All selfish prayers have their root in worldliness: the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. (1 John 2:16). Believe me brother, a prayer engineered by worldliness will go unanswered even if you are earnest.
How to condition yourself for answered prayer
All texts in the bible that talk about asking and receiving are sandwiched by the keyword to answered prayer. We shall examine a few texts to determine the word that unlocks the secret to answered prayer.
Text number one:
“Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you”. (John 15:16)
Herein lies the secret to answered prayer-The Fruit you are bearing. God will give you based on the fruit that you are bearing. What fruit are we talking about? The fruit of the Holy Spirit is what is needed to qualify someone to receive answered prayers. There are nine fruits of the Holy Spirit love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance. All these fruits are of benefit of someone else and not you. I am a beneficiary of the Lord’s loving-kindness which is a fruit of the holy Spirit. It is written, “It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not”. (Lamentations 3:22)
Text number two:
For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. (1 Peter 3:12)
The word righteous used here is the Greek word dikaios that means equitable. To be equitable is to be characterized by justice or fairness and impartiality toward those involved. A scripture which immediately comes to mind is “Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child”. (Exodus 22:22)
Brethren, equitability or righteousness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit.
Text number three:
If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. (John 15:7)
What are the words of Christ? “This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you”. (John 15:12) Love, love, love fills all the words of Christ. Moreover, God is love. Love is the first fruit of the Holy Spirit. Actually, love is the mother of the remaining eight fruits. Without love you cannot suffer long for instance. Wherever you see the fruit of patience, love is the root of it.
Text number four:
And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. (1 John 3:22)
This text is probably a magnification of text number three. The condition here is the commandments. Which is the commandment? John 15:12 is the answer again. The commandment is to love one another as He has loved us.
Conclusion
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. (Colossians 3:12-14)
Walking in Unconditional Love is the major secret to have all your prayers answered.
Amen.
BECOMING A SPIRIT LED CHRISTIAN eBook.
What is prayer?
The word prayer or proseuchomai (in Greek) is derived from two words ‘pros’ and ‘euchomai’. Pros a preposition of direction and euchomai means to wish.
What is a wish?
Microsoft Encarta says a wish is a transitive verb meaning to have strong desire: to have a strong feeling of wanting something to happen or wanting to have something. "I wish she'd say yes". Hence in our context therefore, prayer is directing our strong desires to God Almighty through the name of Jesus Christ.
Types of prayer you want to know
1. Prayer of supplication.
Supplication means to petition or entreat someone for something.
Luke 11: 9 - 13, James 5: 17-18, 1 kings 8: 37-40, 54 - 55
2. Prayer of intercession
To intercede means to plead or mediate on behalf of another person.
Genesis 18: 22 - 33 (Abraham) 1 Kings 18: 41 - 46 (Elijah) 2 Kings 4: 32-36 (Elisha) Acts 12: 1 - 18 (The early church)
3. Prayer of faith
The prayer of faith is prayer based on God's Word.
Mark 11:12 - 14, Mark 11: 20 - 25, Luke 7: 1 - 10, James 5: 13 - 18, Matthew 9: 18 - 26
4. Prayer of agreement
The prayer of agreement is when two or more people come together and agree with one another and with the Word of God that something specific will be done.
Genesis 11: 1-9, Matthew 18: 19-20, Exodus 17: 8-13, Psalm 133: 1-3, Acts 4:23, Hebrews 10: 24-25
5. Prayer of praise and thanksgiving
Praise and worship is what brings us into the presence of God.
Psalm 100, Acts 16:16-34, Psalm 149:4-9, 1 Thessalonians 5:15-19
What is praying amiss?
Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. (James 4:3)
Praying amiss is directing a selfish wish towards God. You see beloved, when God blesses, He blesses so that others may be blessed through you also. God said to Abraham, “I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing”. All selfish prayers have their root in worldliness: the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. (1 John 2:16). Believe me brother, a prayer engineered by worldliness will go unanswered even if you are earnest.
How to condition yourself for answered prayer
All texts in the bible that talk about asking and receiving are sandwiched by the keyword to answered prayer. We shall examine a few texts to determine the word that unlocks the secret to answered prayer.
Text number one:
“Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you”. (John 15:16)
Herein lies the secret to answered prayer-The Fruit you are bearing. God will give you based on the fruit that you are bearing. What fruit are we talking about? The fruit of the Holy Spirit is what is needed to qualify someone to receive answered prayers. There are nine fruits of the Holy Spirit love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance. All these fruits are of benefit of someone else and not you. I am a beneficiary of the Lord’s loving-kindness which is a fruit of the holy Spirit. It is written, “It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not”. (Lamentations 3:22)
Text number two:
For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. (1 Peter 3:12)
The word righteous used here is the Greek word dikaios that means equitable. To be equitable is to be characterized by justice or fairness and impartiality toward those involved. A scripture which immediately comes to mind is “Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child”. (Exodus 22:22)
Brethren, equitability or righteousness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit.
Text number three:
If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. (John 15:7)
What are the words of Christ? “This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you”. (John 15:12) Love, love, love fills all the words of Christ. Moreover, God is love. Love is the first fruit of the Holy Spirit. Actually, love is the mother of the remaining eight fruits. Without love you cannot suffer long for instance. Wherever you see the fruit of patience, love is the root of it.
Text number four:
And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. (1 John 3:22)
This text is probably a magnification of text number three. The condition here is the commandments. Which is the commandment? John 15:12 is the answer again. The commandment is to love one another as He has loved us.
Conclusion
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. (Colossians 3:12-14)
Walking in Unconditional Love is the major secret to have all your prayers answered.
Amen.
BECOMING A SPIRIT LED CHRISTIAN eBook.
THE GENESIS OF SIN. Pt. 1
Many of us agree to the fact that the genesis of sin was in the Garden of Eden through the first man and woman called Adam and Eve respectively. However, we do not agree on what actually the sin they committed was. The purpose of this article is to expose that sin.
This article is a 7 part series surrounding the events leading to and after the genesis of sin. We shall answer questions like, “What is the tree of Knowledge of good and evil?” “Why did Adam and Eve realize there nakedness only after sinning?” and many more.
The misconception
Satan has deceived man that the genesis of sin was because of fornication. This teaching weakens the moral commitment to serve Christ in righteousness."If Adam and Eve who were created without sin sinned, why can't you do it", whispers Satan into the ears of many people.
Let us analyze a few scriptures to iron out this misconception. In Genesis chapter 2 verses 23 through 24, we read, “And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh”. (Genesis 2:23-24)
Adam’s exclamation when he saw Eve explains it all. The first word to consider is “now” which means “at the present time, not the past or future”. The second observation is the use of words bone of my bones, which signifies “joining together”. The body of humans is made up of bones joint together called the skeleton. Therefore, the word bone of my bones signifies the concept of joining things together. The third observation is the use of words flesh of my flesh. You see it is not possible to distinguish where flesh is joined to together. Hence, the concept of flesh means oneness. This is a complete wholeness as joint bones wrapped in one piece of flesh.
Therefore, to paraphrase Adam’s speech it will sound like this, “This is at this present time, the one I am joined to, and we are one and inseparable”.
Christ said the same thing. In the Gospel of Matthew and chapter 19 verses 4 through 6, we read, “And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. (Matthew 19:4-6)
Once more Christ amplifies the concept of one flesh and joining. That is Male and Female joined together (bone to bone) by God and made one flesh, hence, inseparable.
The background of Christ’s quotation is the question concerning divorce that the Pharisees tempted Him with. Therefore, Jesus is explaining the concept of marriage in the above quoted verse. He is actually reverberating Adams words. Hence, Adam too was talking about his marriage to Eve. How at that very present time, they were so one and joined such that they were absolutely inseparable”.
This sounds like marriage to me.
Although through Adam and Eve is the Genesis of sin, through Adam and Eve is also the genesis of marriage. Adam married Eve at first site and hence could not commit any sexual sin with her. Sex in marriage is a gift from God to be enjoyed.
Be Blessed.
This article is a 7 part series surrounding the events leading to and after the genesis of sin. We shall answer questions like, “What is the tree of Knowledge of good and evil?” “Why did Adam and Eve realize there nakedness only after sinning?” and many more.
The misconception
Satan has deceived man that the genesis of sin was because of fornication. This teaching weakens the moral commitment to serve Christ in righteousness."If Adam and Eve who were created without sin sinned, why can't you do it", whispers Satan into the ears of many people.
Let us analyze a few scriptures to iron out this misconception. In Genesis chapter 2 verses 23 through 24, we read, “And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh”. (Genesis 2:23-24)
Adam’s exclamation when he saw Eve explains it all. The first word to consider is “now” which means “at the present time, not the past or future”. The second observation is the use of words bone of my bones, which signifies “joining together”. The body of humans is made up of bones joint together called the skeleton. Therefore, the word bone of my bones signifies the concept of joining things together. The third observation is the use of words flesh of my flesh. You see it is not possible to distinguish where flesh is joined to together. Hence, the concept of flesh means oneness. This is a complete wholeness as joint bones wrapped in one piece of flesh.
Therefore, to paraphrase Adam’s speech it will sound like this, “This is at this present time, the one I am joined to, and we are one and inseparable”.
Christ said the same thing. In the Gospel of Matthew and chapter 19 verses 4 through 6, we read, “And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. (Matthew 19:4-6)
Once more Christ amplifies the concept of one flesh and joining. That is Male and Female joined together (bone to bone) by God and made one flesh, hence, inseparable.
The background of Christ’s quotation is the question concerning divorce that the Pharisees tempted Him with. Therefore, Jesus is explaining the concept of marriage in the above quoted verse. He is actually reverberating Adams words. Hence, Adam too was talking about his marriage to Eve. How at that very present time, they were so one and joined such that they were absolutely inseparable”.
This sounds like marriage to me.
Although through Adam and Eve is the Genesis of sin, through Adam and Eve is also the genesis of marriage. Adam married Eve at first site and hence could not commit any sexual sin with her. Sex in marriage is a gift from God to be enjoyed.
Be Blessed.
The water turned into wine
What on earth was the Savior up to! Is it to get the guests drunk or what? Doesn’t wine intoxication and lead to sin? Well, I asked myself the same questions until I got understanding.
Christ was invited to witness a marriage where during the course of celebrations (FEASTING), the wine had run out. When Jesus was tasked to make wine available by his mother, he took advantage of the occasion to demonstrate his mission on earth.
If you are familiar with the old covenant of the bible, God had instructed the covenant people to keep feasts/celebrations in which blood of animals were shed as a seal of the covenant (marriage) between them and God. This is where Christ picks it up. He realizes that the old wine representing the blood of bulls has run out and hence, he should introduce the new wine that represents his blood. How does he do this?
There were six water pots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews somewhere in the vicinity. Christ ordered the servants to fill all the six water pots to the brim. What is he doing this time? You may ask. Six represents humanity in biblical numerology, (the number 666 represents a man Revelation 13:18) and brim meant everyone. You see the blood of Christ was shed for every kindred, nation, tongue, and people.
Notice also that the event took place at a marriage. A marriage is a covenant were two people are made one. Hence, the blood of Christ came to make us one with GOD.
As a tradition during the covenant making celebrations, wine is served to the guests. Christ came to serve the blood of the new covenant. He said, “This is the blood of the new covenant which is shed for you”.
With this background, let us understand the events from John chapter 1 verse 1 through 10 in more detail.
In verse one the Holy Spirit reveals that it is on the third day when the marriage took place. The third day is of spiritual significance. It is on the third day when Abraham almost offered up Isaac a type of Christ on Mount Moriah.
“Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off... And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood”. (Genesis 22:4-9)
This same third day Christ demonstrates how his hour shall be. Instead of Isaac the ram (CHRIST) caught in the thicket (the CROSS) was offered up as a sacrifice.
Next we notice that there were witnesses called at this marriage covenant. You see beloved, when Christ suffered on the cross many witnessed it as it is said, “and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn”. (Zechariah 12:10)
The next observation is that we wanted wine; that is the blood of Christ. We were longing for it because the first wine (the blood of bulls) did not make us as joyful as we should be. Jesus said,”These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full”. (John 15:11) Beloved there is no complete joy until you have drunk his blood. For his blood is drink indeed. “For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed”. (John 6:55)
In verse 4 Christ introduces the Hour or time of His passion. “And Jesus answered them, saying, “The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. (John 12:23) Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour””. (John 12:27)
Although this was the hour of Christ’s passion, for us it is the hour of joy and celebration. The next time you take the Holy Communion, please do not be gloomy because it is the hour to celebrate and proclaim our liberty and blessedness in Christ Jesus.
The next concept we see in verse 5 is the concept of servanthood. When we come to the table of the communion, we should come as servants and do whatsoever he has commanded. That is to love one another as he loved us.
“Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet”. (John 13:13-14)
Notice it was immediately after supper that Christ washed the feet of his disciples. The washing of one another’s feet here symbolizes receiving with whole heartedness one another into our homes and all that we have at our disposal. I will talk more about this when I discuss the events of the Eucharist in the New Testament Church.
Next in the passage are the six water pots of stone after the manner of the purifying of the Jews. These six water pots were not for drinking water. There were for washing defiled Jews who need cleansing from sin, for example the lepers. However, here are standing in the vicinity of Jesus six water pots. Six is the number of humanity. Hence, the number 666 is the number of the anti-Christ. Furthermore, in verse 7 Christ commands that the pots should be filled to the brim. Why brim you may ask? “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23) is the answer. Brim means everyone. Christ shed his blood for everyone.
I will jump to verse 10. I will leave you with homework to figure out who the bridegroom is in verse 9, and who the governor is in verse 8. In verse 10 is the good wine. The blood of Christ is the good wine. It speaks better things than the first blood, Abel’s blood. (Hebrews 12:24)
The next time you set your eyes on wine, please remember that Christ shed his blood for your sanctification.
Be blessed.
Christ was invited to witness a marriage where during the course of celebrations (FEASTING), the wine had run out. When Jesus was tasked to make wine available by his mother, he took advantage of the occasion to demonstrate his mission on earth.
If you are familiar with the old covenant of the bible, God had instructed the covenant people to keep feasts/celebrations in which blood of animals were shed as a seal of the covenant (marriage) between them and God. This is where Christ picks it up. He realizes that the old wine representing the blood of bulls has run out and hence, he should introduce the new wine that represents his blood. How does he do this?
There were six water pots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews somewhere in the vicinity. Christ ordered the servants to fill all the six water pots to the brim. What is he doing this time? You may ask. Six represents humanity in biblical numerology, (the number 666 represents a man Revelation 13:18) and brim meant everyone. You see the blood of Christ was shed for every kindred, nation, tongue, and people.
Notice also that the event took place at a marriage. A marriage is a covenant were two people are made one. Hence, the blood of Christ came to make us one with GOD.
As a tradition during the covenant making celebrations, wine is served to the guests. Christ came to serve the blood of the new covenant. He said, “This is the blood of the new covenant which is shed for you”.
With this background, let us understand the events from John chapter 1 verse 1 through 10 in more detail.
In verse one the Holy Spirit reveals that it is on the third day when the marriage took place. The third day is of spiritual significance. It is on the third day when Abraham almost offered up Isaac a type of Christ on Mount Moriah.
“Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off... And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood”. (Genesis 22:4-9)
This same third day Christ demonstrates how his hour shall be. Instead of Isaac the ram (CHRIST) caught in the thicket (the CROSS) was offered up as a sacrifice.
Next we notice that there were witnesses called at this marriage covenant. You see beloved, when Christ suffered on the cross many witnessed it as it is said, “and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn”. (Zechariah 12:10)
The next observation is that we wanted wine; that is the blood of Christ. We were longing for it because the first wine (the blood of bulls) did not make us as joyful as we should be. Jesus said,”These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full”. (John 15:11) Beloved there is no complete joy until you have drunk his blood. For his blood is drink indeed. “For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed”. (John 6:55)
In verse 4 Christ introduces the Hour or time of His passion. “And Jesus answered them, saying, “The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. (John 12:23) Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour””. (John 12:27)
Although this was the hour of Christ’s passion, for us it is the hour of joy and celebration. The next time you take the Holy Communion, please do not be gloomy because it is the hour to celebrate and proclaim our liberty and blessedness in Christ Jesus.
The next concept we see in verse 5 is the concept of servanthood. When we come to the table of the communion, we should come as servants and do whatsoever he has commanded. That is to love one another as he loved us.
“Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet”. (John 13:13-14)
Notice it was immediately after supper that Christ washed the feet of his disciples. The washing of one another’s feet here symbolizes receiving with whole heartedness one another into our homes and all that we have at our disposal. I will talk more about this when I discuss the events of the Eucharist in the New Testament Church.
Next in the passage are the six water pots of stone after the manner of the purifying of the Jews. These six water pots were not for drinking water. There were for washing defiled Jews who need cleansing from sin, for example the lepers. However, here are standing in the vicinity of Jesus six water pots. Six is the number of humanity. Hence, the number 666 is the number of the anti-Christ. Furthermore, in verse 7 Christ commands that the pots should be filled to the brim. Why brim you may ask? “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23) is the answer. Brim means everyone. Christ shed his blood for everyone.
I will jump to verse 10. I will leave you with homework to figure out who the bridegroom is in verse 9, and who the governor is in verse 8. In verse 10 is the good wine. The blood of Christ is the good wine. It speaks better things than the first blood, Abel’s blood. (Hebrews 12:24)
The next time you set your eyes on wine, please remember that Christ shed his blood for your sanctification.
Be blessed.
Love your Neighbor
For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. (Galatians 5:14)
Who is your neighbor?
As trivial as the question may sound it is not that straightforward to know your neighbor. A certain lawyer asked Jesus the same question. Jesus, in answering the question He told a parable commonly known as the parable of the Good Samaritan.
The parable of the Good Samaritan
And answering, Jesus said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell among robbers, who stripped him of his clothing and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by coincidence a certain priest came down that way and seeing him, he passed by on the opposite side. And in the same way a Levite, also being at the place, coming and seeing him, he passed on the opposite side. But a certain traveling Samaritan came upon him, and seeing him, he was filled with pity. And coming near, he bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine, and set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And going on the next day, he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, Take care of him. And whatever more you spend, when I come again I will repay you. Then which of these three, do you think, was neighbor to him who fell among the robbers? And he said, The one doing the deed of mercy to him. And Jesus said to him, Go and do likewise.(Luke 10:30-37)
From the above quoted parable of the Good Samaritan, we see that this neighbor was not a common neighbor that we know of. Although all neighbors ought to be loved, the commandment to love our neighbors needs extra thought if we are to execute according to the will of God.
Webster’s 1828 Dictionary has six definitions for the word neighbor.
Who is your neighbor?
As trivial as the question may sound it is not that straightforward to know your neighbor. A certain lawyer asked Jesus the same question. Jesus, in answering the question He told a parable commonly known as the parable of the Good Samaritan.
The parable of the Good Samaritan
And answering, Jesus said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell among robbers, who stripped him of his clothing and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by coincidence a certain priest came down that way and seeing him, he passed by on the opposite side. And in the same way a Levite, also being at the place, coming and seeing him, he passed on the opposite side. But a certain traveling Samaritan came upon him, and seeing him, he was filled with pity. And coming near, he bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine, and set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And going on the next day, he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, Take care of him. And whatever more you spend, when I come again I will repay you. Then which of these three, do you think, was neighbor to him who fell among the robbers? And he said, The one doing the deed of mercy to him. And Jesus said to him, Go and do likewise.(Luke 10:30-37)
From the above quoted parable of the Good Samaritan, we see that this neighbor was not a common neighbor that we know of. Although all neighbors ought to be loved, the commandment to love our neighbors needs extra thought if we are to execute according to the will of God.
Webster’s 1828 Dictionary has six definitions for the word neighbor.
- One who lives near another. In large towns, a neighbor is one who lives within a few doors. In the country, a neighbor may live at a greater distance; and in new settlements, where the people are thinly scattered over the country, a neighbor may be distant several miles. Such is the use of the word in the United States
- One who lives in familiarity with another; a word of civility.
- An intimate; a confidant.
- A fellow being. Acts 7.
- One of the human race; any one that needs our help, or to whom we have an opportunity of doing good.
- A country that is near.
Out of the six (6) meanings for the word neighbor, which one do you think applies to the passage of the Good Samaritan? Certainly, it is meaning number five (5). Any one that needs our help, or to whom we have an opportunity of doing good is the neighbor the bible commandment refers us to.
What place does meaning number one (1) take then? The word of God says, “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”(Romans 12:18). Peace is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:18), and is a product of love. You cannot live peacefully with people you do not love. Hence, we ought to love everyone. However, in the context of the commandment to love our neighbors, we shall attempt to classify this neighbor more clearly.
How to identify your neighbor
We may live in the same neighborhood but have different neighbors. In the parable of the Good Samaritan, all the three characters in the parable saw the man in need. The Priest saw him, the Levite looked on him, and the Good Samaritan saw him. The neighbor is the one you see in need. You see, although we all have two eyes and may seem to look at the same thing, the details of what we see are always different. Most of the times when I walk into a new Church building, I notice how beautifully or how carelessly kept the church is. Not everyone notices that. Hence, the people who do not see what I see will not be held responsible for taking no act. However, I will be held responsible, because I saw it. Hence, the neighbor is the one you see in need. If you do not take any action, the law to love your neighbor will judge you. Apostle John wrote, “But whoever has this world's goods and sees his brother having need, and shuts up his bowels from him, how does the love of God dwell in him?” (1 John 3:17).
You see John says the same thing. Seeing is the first key to identify your neighbor.
The second key to identify your neighbor is need. Who needs your help? A neighbor is anyone rich or poor who you are able to render assistance of any kind. For instance, Benny Hinn is not poor. However, he needs your financial support to reach millions of lost souls. Therefore, Benny Hinn is a neighbor in need in that regard. Hence, if you see a neighbor having a need that you are able to meet but you take no action, then the law to love your neighbor will judge you.
Next time you notice a neighbor in need do not ask yourself why the other neighbor having more resources did not help first. He may have not noticed it. The Holy Spirit in us causes us to see what others do not see. (For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. (Romans 8:14)) Hence, what you see is your responsibility. When you take action, you shall surely be blessed.
Amen.
Thanks for reading my article! Readers may also enjoy reading How Jesus Christ Destroyed Death article by Love Kingdom Ministries.
Rise Up Early-The Secret to a Perfect Day
In this Bible study entitled Rise up Early, we shall learn about the hidden blessings that are in rising early. You see the Master and our Lord Christ Jesus gave us an example. He was an early riser. "And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed". (Mark 1:35)
Let us begin with a view from Genesis. In the book of the beginning we observe in Chapter 2 and verse 8 that God planted a garden ( a place for habitation of the first man ) EASTWARD in Eden. A question arises in my mind beloved and I will want to know why God chose the east side of Eden and not the west, south or even the west. You see, God is a God of purpose and He is all knowing. This means that he does not do things just for the sake of doing it. Everything that He does is done with understanding and wisdom. So then what wisdom is behind the placing of the first man eastward in Eden?
East is where the sun rises from. It symbolizes the first of times. You see as I am writing this article, the time here in Zambia is 08:30 AM, but in the USA, it is Midnight. Zambia is East of USA, so we rise up earlier then people living in the USA. Today is May 14 but in some parts of the world west of Zambia, there are still in May 13. Having said that we see that the place where God placed Adam in
Eden experienced sunshine earlier than all the other parts of Eden. There must be a secret behind placing Adam eastward in Eden. I will reveal the secret by quoting the words of Jesus that at first hearing do not seem to relate to the discussion of today. Towards the conclusion of the long Sermon on the Mount,popularly known as the beatitudes (Be Attitudes) Christ says, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you". (Matthew 6:33)
Notice Jesus is talking about first things here. The concept of first things is from old inscribed all over the old covenant. I will quote just one verse for you now. I will discuss first things later with you in more detail in an article entitled First Things”.
For now only one verse form the Old Testament will do.
"Only the firstling of the beasts, which should be the LORD'S firstling, no man shall sanctify it; whether it be ox, or sheep: it is the LORD'S". (Leviticus 27:26)
Just one verse from the OT, which says that the first born of animals should be offered to God. Back to our text in Matthew chapter 6. We looked at verse 33 were Christ tells us that we should place God first in all we do. Actually, this part of the long discourse starts at verse 24 with “No man can serve two masters”. Now in His explanation He introduces two creatures, the fowls of the air in verse 26 and he lilies of the field in verse 28. Let us learn something that does not seem too obvious.
The fowls of the air and the lilies of the field have something in common. They both rise up early to praise the creator. They put God first.Wake up early and you will certainly hear birds singing songs of praise to the creator. In my observation, the singing lasts for about an hour. They sing from 05 AM to 06 AM. The Psalmist in blessing God writes, "By them shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation, which sing among the branches". (Psalm 104:12)
What about the lilies of the field you may be asking. You see beloved the lilies close there petals when the sun goes down. Walk through your garden tonight to appreciate this fact. Early in the morning when the sun is rising they unfold there petals in worship to God the creator. I picture the petals as hands spread out wide in worship to our father in heaven."Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD". (Psalm 134:2)
See, beloved, the fowls of the air and the lilies of the field rise up early to worship God the creator. We should do even the more as we are the only creatures created in His likeness and image.
Lastly, the Blessedness in rising up early to worship lies in verse 30 of Matthew 6. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? (Matthew 6:30)
See beloved, Shall he not much, much, much, much more clothe you, feed you, enrich you with both wisdom and honor. O ye of little faith!
Rise up early. Amen.
Download free worship lyrics. Goto worship lyrics
Let us begin with a view from Genesis. In the book of the beginning we observe in Chapter 2 and verse 8 that God planted a garden ( a place for habitation of the first man ) EASTWARD in Eden. A question arises in my mind beloved and I will want to know why God chose the east side of Eden and not the west, south or even the west. You see, God is a God of purpose and He is all knowing. This means that he does not do things just for the sake of doing it. Everything that He does is done with understanding and wisdom. So then what wisdom is behind the placing of the first man eastward in Eden?
East is where the sun rises from. It symbolizes the first of times. You see as I am writing this article, the time here in Zambia is 08:30 AM, but in the USA, it is Midnight. Zambia is East of USA, so we rise up earlier then people living in the USA. Today is May 14 but in some parts of the world west of Zambia, there are still in May 13. Having said that we see that the place where God placed Adam in
Eden experienced sunshine earlier than all the other parts of Eden. There must be a secret behind placing Adam eastward in Eden. I will reveal the secret by quoting the words of Jesus that at first hearing do not seem to relate to the discussion of today. Towards the conclusion of the long Sermon on the Mount,popularly known as the beatitudes (Be Attitudes) Christ says, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you". (Matthew 6:33)
Notice Jesus is talking about first things here. The concept of first things is from old inscribed all over the old covenant. I will quote just one verse for you now. I will discuss first things later with you in more detail in an article entitled First Things”.
For now only one verse form the Old Testament will do.
"Only the firstling of the beasts, which should be the LORD'S firstling, no man shall sanctify it; whether it be ox, or sheep: it is the LORD'S". (Leviticus 27:26)
Just one verse from the OT, which says that the first born of animals should be offered to God. Back to our text in Matthew chapter 6. We looked at verse 33 were Christ tells us that we should place God first in all we do. Actually, this part of the long discourse starts at verse 24 with “No man can serve two masters”. Now in His explanation He introduces two creatures, the fowls of the air in verse 26 and he lilies of the field in verse 28. Let us learn something that does not seem too obvious.
The fowls of the air and the lilies of the field have something in common. They both rise up early to praise the creator. They put God first.Wake up early and you will certainly hear birds singing songs of praise to the creator. In my observation, the singing lasts for about an hour. They sing from 05 AM to 06 AM. The Psalmist in blessing God writes, "By them shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation, which sing among the branches". (Psalm 104:12)
What about the lilies of the field you may be asking. You see beloved the lilies close there petals when the sun goes down. Walk through your garden tonight to appreciate this fact. Early in the morning when the sun is rising they unfold there petals in worship to God the creator. I picture the petals as hands spread out wide in worship to our father in heaven."Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD". (Psalm 134:2)
See, beloved, the fowls of the air and the lilies of the field rise up early to worship God the creator. We should do even the more as we are the only creatures created in His likeness and image.
Lastly, the Blessedness in rising up early to worship lies in verse 30 of Matthew 6. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? (Matthew 6:30)
See beloved, Shall he not much, much, much, much more clothe you, feed you, enrich you with both wisdom and honor. O ye of little faith!
Rise up early. Amen.
Download free worship lyrics. Goto worship lyrics
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Growing in Grace
Grace is defined as the unmerited favor of God. This favor of God does grow if you dare to grow it. Have you noticed how some people seem to be more favored by God while for others it seems as though there God were dead. The difference is in the levels of the grace of God towards them.
Grow in grace and in knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 3:18 MKJV)
Grace in the Old Testament
In the Old Testament Grace was only found by a few individuals. That is, a few people received favors that others had to sweat for in order to enjoy the same rewards. As a matter of fact, Grace is a short cut to being rewarded. It is like obtaining a Recognized University Degree without being enrolled at any university.
Noah found grace in the eyes of God (Genesis 6:8) resulting in being the only one saved from the flood. Moses received grace and had his petitions granted (Exodus 33:12). Ruth found grace in the eyes of Boaz (Ruth 2:10), and Hanah found grace in the eyes of Eli (1 Samuel 1:18). Ester found grace in the eyes of King Ahasuerus (Ester 2:17) and Joseph found grace before Potiphar (Genesis 39:4).
Those who found grace in the Old Testament, received salvation, promotion, children, and their prayers were answered.
Grace in the New Testament
In the New Testament you will not read a single scripture that says grace was found. In the New Testament, Grace is received as opposed to being found. However, the results of grace in the New Testament and grace in the Old Testament are the same. Those who have received New Testament grace have been saved, promoted, had children, been healed, and have had their prayers answered.
Out of His fullness we all have received, and grace for grace. (John 1:16-17 MKJV)
The second major difference is that grace in the New Testament is for everyone. That means that, you do not need to work to receive salvation, healing, answered prayers, children, and even promotion. For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. (Titus 2:11 MKJV)
Work in the bible means following certain prescribed laws in order to be rewarded. For example, when you sacrifice something in order to be healed is not grace but works. Grace is always unmerited. However, grace does grow from one degree to another. That is, when someone else gets a pay raise once a year, you get yours four times a year.
Growing in Grace
May grace and peace be multiplied to you. (1 Peter 1:2 MKJV)
There are certain things you want to know to grow in the grace of God.
Endeavor to grow in the grace of God in which we stand. Amen
Grow in grace and in knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 3:18 MKJV)
Grace in the Old Testament
In the Old Testament Grace was only found by a few individuals. That is, a few people received favors that others had to sweat for in order to enjoy the same rewards. As a matter of fact, Grace is a short cut to being rewarded. It is like obtaining a Recognized University Degree without being enrolled at any university.
Noah found grace in the eyes of God (Genesis 6:8) resulting in being the only one saved from the flood. Moses received grace and had his petitions granted (Exodus 33:12). Ruth found grace in the eyes of Boaz (Ruth 2:10), and Hanah found grace in the eyes of Eli (1 Samuel 1:18). Ester found grace in the eyes of King Ahasuerus (Ester 2:17) and Joseph found grace before Potiphar (Genesis 39:4).
Those who found grace in the Old Testament, received salvation, promotion, children, and their prayers were answered.
Grace in the New Testament
In the New Testament you will not read a single scripture that says grace was found. In the New Testament, Grace is received as opposed to being found. However, the results of grace in the New Testament and grace in the Old Testament are the same. Those who have received New Testament grace have been saved, promoted, had children, been healed, and have had their prayers answered.
Out of His fullness we all have received, and grace for grace. (John 1:16-17 MKJV)
The second major difference is that grace in the New Testament is for everyone. That means that, you do not need to work to receive salvation, healing, answered prayers, children, and even promotion. For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. (Titus 2:11 MKJV)
Work in the bible means following certain prescribed laws in order to be rewarded. For example, when you sacrifice something in order to be healed is not grace but works. Grace is always unmerited. However, grace does grow from one degree to another. That is, when someone else gets a pay raise once a year, you get yours four times a year.
Growing in Grace
May grace and peace be multiplied to you. (1 Peter 1:2 MKJV)
There are certain things you want to know to grow in the grace of God.
- Knowledge of God-Growing in the knowledge of God increases Gods grace upon someone’s life
Grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, (2 Peter 1:2 MKJV) - Faith and Love-Walking in faith and love increase God’s grace upon one’s life.
And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. (1 Timothy 1:14 MKJV) - Giving-God loves a cheerful giver. God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that in everything, always having all self-sufficiency, you may abound to every good work. (2 Corinthians 9:7-8 MKJV)
- HumilityGod gives more grace to the humble. (James 4:6 MKJV)
Endeavor to grow in the grace of God in which we stand. Amen
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