LIFE IN THE SPIRIT

A radical change is expected and required when a person comes to faith in Jesus Christ. When no change becomes apparent, we begin to wonder if there has been a genuine conversion or if the one who was truly saved understands God’s Word concerning sanctification and discipleship.

Our dear Paul has explained in the book of Romans 8 the nature of God’s provision for our deliverance. The words of our text in verses 1-17, along with the rest of scriptures in this chapter are some of the most encouraging words in the Bible.

HAVE YOU REACHED THE POINT WHERE YOU DESIRE TO SERVE GOD AND TO OBEY HIS COMMANDS AND YET FIND IT IMPOSSIBLE TO DO SO? OR EITHER YOU ARE NOT A BELIEVER IN JESUS CHRIST, AND YOU FAILED TO UNDERSTAND WHAT GOD REQUIRES?  IS THIS YOU MY FRIEND?

Please, read the following passage of God’s word written by Apostle Paul. There is more good news for you in Romans 8. The solution to your problem is now the topic under discussion in this chapter.

Romans 8:1-17 (Please read the whole chapter)

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature.

So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit.

Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. 

So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God.

But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.) And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God. The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.

Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do.  For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.

So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children.  And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.

Amen!

Remain blessed

FINISHING STRONG

For the man who wants to climb the character ladder more than the corporate one, this book “FINISHING STRONG” by Steve Farrar, is an essential tool. 

I strongly recommend reading this book.

If you need to finish strong “Stay close to a friend”

Stay close to a friend who loves you enough to tell you when you are screwing up and who will never violate a confidence.

Remember, sin always tends to make us blind to our own faults. We need a friend to stop us from deceiving ourselves that what we are doing is not so bad after all. We need a friend to help us overcome our low self-image, inflated self-importance, selfishness, pride, our deceitful nature (Hebrew 3:12-13), our dangerous fantasies and so much else. If you don’t have daily encouragement, you could be deceived by sin. You could get hard and begin to turn away from the Lord. Friendship of this kind isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity.

May be you have a friendship that has grown a little distant. Why don’t you call your friend up and take him to lunch? Do a little friendship repair. All you probably need to do is to change the oil or replace a few points and plugs. Whatever it needs, fix it! If he doesn’t want to fix it, then move on to someone who is willing to be a friend.

There’s an old Scottish proverb that says, 

“He who ceases to be your friend never was a good one”.

For example, if you don’t maintain any other friendship, start with your wife. Maintain that one. She knows you like a book, or at least she should. Perhaps you need to take off tinfoil and let her see your heart. All of it! A woman who is allowed to see inside her husband’s heart is a woman who will become a friend for life.

Remain blessed!

FINISHING STRONG

FINISHING STRONG:

I just thought I can share some amazing things I read from the book “FINISHING STRONG”.

Steve Farrar, the author of this book has shared some different ways of how man can finish 
strong. The statement that stood out for me was when he said:

 “It doesn’t, matter if you’ve had a great start in the Christian life. It doesn’t matter if you have stumbles time and again, or even fallen flat on your face. What matters most is how you finish. The man who hangs in for the long haul with his wife, his kids, and his Lord is an exception these days. May be one man in ten will do it”

He also said that if you need to finish strong.

     1) You have to "Stay in the word of God"

Joshua 1:8-9 

"Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

You may be thinking that’s great for Joshua, but I’ve got a company to run, people and family to manage, ledgers to balance, and decisions to make and so I can’t think about the bible all day long. This sound good but it is not practical!

Be assured that, meditation of God’s word is the most practical thing in the world.

For example, if you think you don’t have, let’s say 30 minutes to read one chapter, then, read half in the morning and the next half the following morning. When reading God’s word you will come across some verses that jump out at you. This may apply to a situation or a decision you have to make. Mark it, write it down either on a sticky note and put it everywhere possible. It could be on the dash of your car, date book, shirt pocket, bathroom mirror so that when you shave the word can be seen. After a while the word becomes familiar to you. Throughout the day you’ll be chewing God’s word in your cheek, getting the juice and flavour out of it and that is meditation. By doing this, consciously or unconsciously you will always be chewing the word of God all day long. Remember, during the day you’ll come up against temptation. You may be tempted to lie, to lust, to tell a client that a check is in the mail when you know full well that it isn’t in the mail.

So what would you do when you are tempted? 

Here it comes the time you have to spit the word of God right into the eye of that temptation, that is how you beat it!

But if you don’t have a pinch between your cheek and gum, you have got nothing to spit. That is why men who finish strong, are guys who chew
God’s truth all day long. It works! Try it for a week and see. You chew, you spit and guess what? You finish the day strong and finally, you finish life strong!

I will share another way of finishing strong after sometime. But for now keep God's word in your cheek so that you can spit it when the time comes!

Remain blessed

ASSIGNMENT THAT GOD HAS DESIGNED YOU FOR!

WHAT IS YOUR ASSIGNMENT?

I was watching God TV channel about “God designed assignment" by Dr. Mike Murdock and I would like to share this with you the lessons I have learned from his teaching.

In Jeremiah 1:5 the bible remind us that, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you” Before your parents even thought about having you, God designed you for a special assignment! Your parents might have considered you to be an accident, but God had already designed you to serve Him! Glory be to God!

The facts about your designed assignment:

·         Your assignment is, any “problem” you were created to solve while on Earth.

·         What you love is the clue to the gifts and wisdom that you contain to complete your assignment on earth. So what do you love?

·         What you hate (for example if you hate injustice) is the clue to something you are assigned to correct. So what do you hate?

·         What grieves you is the clue to something you are assigned to heal. For example in Mark 1:40-41 when Jesus saw the man with leprosy, He was moved with compassion and healed the man. So ask yourself, what grieves you?

·         Always remember that, your assignment is geographical. This means that, when you are at the place where God has divined place you, nobody can compete with you. It means you are perfect, skilled and greatly qualified for your assignment in that place.

·         Your assignment must become your obsession. Therefore, never invest in something that you don’t want to know much about it. You will only succeed when your assignment becomes an obsession.

·         If you rebel against your assignment, God may permit pain experiences to correct you. Please read the bible story of Jonah in the book of Jonah chapters 1-4.

·         Your assignment will require seasons of preparation. The longer your assignment is the longer training you require! There will be price to pay for your future. Please read the story of Joseph in Genesis chapters 37-50 and see the price Joseph paid before reaping his reward.

Let’s pray:

God, may You expose and destroy every false voice that has stopped our assignments from taking place in our lives in Jesus name and May You swiftly, bring one person in our lives to help us to complete our assignment in Jesus name – Amen!

Remain blessed!

 

GOD IS ABLE

“….. being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform” (Romans 4:21NKJV)

The reason we don’t turn to God more often is because at some basic and unconscious level we are not “fully convinced” that, He is able and willing to move on our behalf. Being able to admit that to yourself is humbling; it’s also the point at which you begin to deal with your lack of faith in God. Nothing in your life will change until you pray:

‘Lord, help me. I say things with my lips that I don’t follow through in my behaviour.

Once you begin to pray that way, you can start walking through your bible, re-discovering that, ‘God is able.’ He is able to provide for you when you are in a wilderness. He is able to defeat the giants that stand in your way. He is able to go through fiery trials with you and bring you out unharmed. He is able to promote you when you’ve been overlooked or oppressed. ‘Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us’ (Ephesians 3:20NKJV). Whatever it takes to own the words, ‘God is able,’ do it; otherwise you won’t be able to pray with confidence. You’ll make a few wishes on your knees, but you won’t be able to persevere in prayer until you know in your heart of hearts that God is able and that He is willing! Nothing is too difficult for Him. He is just waiting for you to recognise that, and to come to him in faith asking for help.

THE FOUNDATION OF TRUE FRIENDSHIP

"But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin" (1John 1:7NLT).

The Bible says, ‘Better a nearby friend than a distant family’ (Proverbs 27:10). Sometimes it’s easier to develop close friendships with those outside your immediate family circle. But there’s another kind of ‘blood relative’ mentioned in the Bible: brothers and sisters joined together through the blood of Jesus (1John 1:7). It’s the kind of relationship that doesn’t allow you to go off and do your own thing (Colossians 3:15 TM). It requires us to ‘do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with…honour’ (James 3:18). It calls for a long-term commitment not readily understood by the ‘me generation,’ where, when the going gets tough, it’s acceptable to bail out of a relationship and move on. One pastor points out that the world doesn’t understand the Christian concept of brotherhood and sisterhood: ‘It says find friends among like-minded, like-income people who vote like you and have the same golf handicap. These friendships work until the bottom falls out of your life, you face a pressing problem, or a tragic loss, or a serious illness, and suddenly you realise that no one cares much about you. Why? Because you’ve made no investment in anybody’s life, and now when you need to make a withdrawal there’s no money in the friendship bank.’ Sacrificial love is the foundation of true friendship. Paul writes, ‘I have no one else like Timothy, who genuinely cares about your welfare. All the others care only for themselves…But you know how Timothy has proved himself’ (Philippians 2:20-22 NLT).

UCB

THIS IS APOSTLE PAUL’S PROFILE

Paul, the Apostle who started as one of Christianity's most extreme enemy was especially selected by Jesus Christ to become the gospel's most committed messenger. Paul traveled tirelessly through the world, taking the message salvation to the Gentiles. He was known as one of the all-time colossal of Christianity.

Paul’s Home: Tarsus, province of Cilicia which is known as southern Turkey in present days.
Accomplishments: When Saul of Tarsus, who was then, renamed Paul, saw Jesus Christ on the Damascus Road, Saul converted to Christianity. He made three long missionary journeys throughout the Roman province, establishing churches, spreading the gospel, and giving strength and encouragement to early Christians. Paul is credited as the author of (13) books among the (27) books in the New Testament. His books have been characterized as being the most influential books of the New Testament after the gospel of Matthew and John. While he was proud of his Jewish heritage, Paul saw that the gospel was not only for Jews but also for the Gentiles (Non-Jews). Paul suffered a lot for his faith in Christ.

Paul's Strengths: Paul had a commanding knowledge of philosophy and religion, a brilliant mind and could argue with the top educated and intellectual people of his days. At the same time, his clear, understandable explanation of the gospel made his letters to early church the foundation of Christian theology. Tradition portrays Paul as a physically small man, but he endured enormous physical hardships on his missionary journeys. His perseverance in the face of danger and persecution has inspired countless missionaries since.

Paul's Weaknesses: Paul approved of the death of stephen before he became christian (Acts 7:58), and was a merciless persecutor of the early church.

What can we learn from Paul’s life? God can change anyone anytime. God gave Paul the strength, wisdom, and endurance to carry out the mission Jesus entrusted Paul with. One of Paul's most famous statements is: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me," (Phil 4:13), reminding us that our power to live the Christian life comes from God, not ourselves (Amen!).   

Paul also recounted a "thorn in his flesh" that kept him from becoming conceited over the priceless privilege God had entrusted to him. In saying, "For when I am weak, then I am strong," (2 Corinthians 12:2), Paul was sharing one of the greatest secrets of staying faithful: absolute dependence on God. 

Much of the Protest during the reconstruction was based on Paul's teaching that people are saved by grace, not works: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God" (Ephesians 2:8) This truth frees us to stop striving to be good enough and to instead rejoice in our salvation that we gained through the loving sacrifice of Lord Jesus Christ.

Read from: the 13 letters of Apostle Paul in the bible & from (http://christianity.about.com)

Through your bible reading and having understanding about him?what is your comment about Apostle Paul ?

 

 

YOU ARE NOT WHO THEY SAY YOU ARE! (1 Corinthians 12:13)

Sunday service (5^th May 2013) by Pastor Peter Wilson

Title: REFUSE TO BE LABELLED! (A short notes)

There so many labels people attach to us. I don't know how long you have been labelled for either of your past mistakes or failures. People may have been labelled you as 'you can or cannot become', 'what you can have or can't have', 'you have done too many mistakes', 'you are short', 'ignorant', 'not clever enough', 'you can never succeed' 'nothing important you can say', and so on. But I am here to encourage you that, those labels are no longer useful! They are not true. You need something greater and more comprehensive! You have to know who you are in Christ, that you are successful in Him! Your identity is not defined by your 'family name or labels' but by the name that is greater and higher than all other names-JESUS CHRIST THE MESSIAH SON OF THE MOST HIGH GOD! He is our identity! If you believe and accept Him, God will give you the right to become His child (John 1:12). Be aware of the dangers of accepting labels in your life. They will hinder the great plans that God has for you. Refuse to be labelled! Please, read the story of David and Goliath in 1 Samuel 17. David was labelled by King Soul as 'only a boy' and so how could he manage to kill Goliath (v33) and in (v42) Goliath labelled David as 'ruddy-faced-boy' you come to me with a stick, I am I a dog?  Now see how David refused to be labelled, in (v45) David replied to Goliath, 'you come to me with your swords and spears, but I come to you, in the name of the LORD OF HEAVEN'S ARMIES' You see, as Christian believers, the only way to refuse labels is through our Lord Jesus Christ (Philippians 4:13)

I am sorry for the long statement, but I believe you have been encouraged as I was when I listened to Pastor Peter. From today make a choice to refuse to be labelled, as it can destroy you and not live a purposeful life.

May God bless us all!

The Benefits of Soursop(STAFELI in Swahili)

The Benefits of Soursop

The Power of the Word Spoken (Genesis 1:1-31)

Remember in the begining God created the heaveans and the earth because the earth was formless and empty, darknes and the spirit of God was hovering over the waters. Then God spoke His word over everything that He wanted to create. He send His word and He created light. He made the expanse by separating water under the expanse from the water above it, and He called the expanse "SKY" and He gathered the waters to one place and He named it "SEAS" and the land without water, He called "LAND". He then spoke His word for the land to produce seed, plants and fruits.
In short, God spoke/send His word and created everything that was created.
In the same way as Christ followers (Christians), or as children of the Most High God, we should believe and be bodly in speaking God's word into our lives. For example: If you or anyone around you is sick, you should be bodly to say, "But he was wounded for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with His stripes we are healed"(Isaiah 53:5). We should confess it loud. If you are in financial difficulties, the word of God in Philippians 4:19 says, "And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus". If it is about the fruit of the womb, speak God's word. God blessed Sarah (Gen21:2), Hannah(1 Samuel 1:20),Rebekah(Genesis 25:21), Leah Genesis 29:32). He also did to Elizabeth, Rachel and son on. God does not show favoritism and therefore He is more than able to bless you beyond your own imagination. You will see the glory of God, if you only believe (John 11:40).
My friends, Your tongue has the power of life and death (Proverbs 18:21) and those who love it will eat its fruits. Therefore we should always speak the good things for ourselves and for everyone around us.
God bless you.

"What does the Bible say about procrastination?"

Procrastination is “the act of willfully delaying the doing of something that should be done,” and in some people it is a habitual way of handling any task. While the word itself is not found in the Bible, we can find some principles to help guide us.

Sometimes, procrastination is the result of laziness, and the Bible has plenty to say about that. The Bible commends hard work and industry (Proverbs 12:24; 13:4) and warns against sloth and slackness (Proverbs 15:19; 18:9). One cure for procrastination is more diligence, regardless of the task. The Christian should be supremely motivated to be diligent in his work, since he is ultimately serving the Lord. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men” (Colossians 3:23). If we put our hearts into our work, as this verse says to do, we will probably find it difficult to procrastinate too much.

The Bible says that when it comes to some things, we should never delay. Jesus taught that reconciling with an offended brother should be done immediately upon our remembrance of the situation (Matthew 5:23-24). He also said to “settle matters quickly” with our adversaries (verse 25). However distasteful it may be to pursue peace with an enemy, we must avoid stalling. Similarly, we are instructed, “Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry” (Ephesians 4:26). Dealing appropriately with our anger is a matter of great importance, and we must not put it off until tomorrow, which will give the devil “a foothold” (verse 27).

Christians must not procrastinate when it comes to sharing the gospel with the lost. There is no time to waste. Jesus linked evangelistic efforts to a man inviting people to a great banquet. As he sent out his servants with the invitations, he said, “Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame” (Luke 14:21). The most striking qualities of the invitation are its openness (anyone and everyone was invited) and its urgency (the call to the feast must go out “quickly”).

Some people, upon hearing the gospel and knowing their spiritual need, delay in making a response. This is the most dangerous type of procrastination. Life is short, and we do not know what will happen tomorrow (James 4:13-14). The Bible urges us to get right with God today. “See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. As has just been said: ‘Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion’” (Heb 3:12-13, 15). To procrastinate and put off getting right with God is to harden one’s own heart.

Jesus could return at any time; we do not know when (Luke 12:40). Our Lord illustrated the importance of being prepared for His coming in Matthew 25:1-13. In this parable, ten virgins await the arrival of the bridegroom and the commencement of the wedding feast. Five of the virgins were prepared for his arrival; five did not attempt to prepare until it was too late, and they were left behind. Jesus calls the unprepared virgins “foolish”; one reason they were unprepared may have been that they procrastinated.

So in the matter of our spiritual life, we dare not procrastinate. It is also unwise to delay healing a broken relationship or dealing with anger. And since our service to God motivates all we do, we have no reason to procrastinate. In short, procrastination is a bad habit that can have eternal effects.

Remain blessed!
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