Be A Profitable and Not An Unprofitable Servant

Scripture: Luke17: 7-10
Jesus was teaching the standards of God for us to live by through this parable. The principle is humanly difficult and hence the disciples said to the Lord,''increase our faith'',that is Lord please give us more grace to live as this. All that pertains to living for Christ is humanly impossible.
''Everything that has to do with true Christianity (of Christ) is a mystery i.e it is revealed step by step according to what we are able to bear.
 People around us may misunderstand us because of the way we live because the mystery of Christ has not be unfolded to them.
Just as Nicodemus couldn't understand the regeneration of a man spiritually because it is a mystery.
The Bible is like a language except you are born into a language or you learn it,it can not be understood. Just as the same except you are born of the Spirit with which the Bible is written,one can not understand. One of the greatest character of Christ we must learn is to be as a servant. Jesus was servant to God,to the body of Christ,to the whole world. And in that servant hood,Christ was teaching us how to operate in the Spirit of servant hood willingly and not by compulsion. Philippians 2: 5-11.
 Jesus did not count it a right to be equal with God. He became an obedient servant to the point of death. Our obligation as servants to the Lord Jesus Christ,to the body of Christ is as follows:
Exodus 21:5, Proverbs 17:2, Matthew 24:45.

5 Points as Duties of a Faithful Servant (Ephesians 6:5-8)
-Obedience Ephesians 6:9
to hear what our master says and just do as He says
-Faithfulness Colossians 3:22
to stay committed,dedicated to the life's purpose to which one has been called to.
-Respect for the masters 1 Timothy 6:1
honor and treat those above us with dignity.
-Desire to please our master at all cost Titus 2:9
-Patience in hard places 1 Peter 2:18
sometimes the master may send us to places which are not comfortable for our flesh,faithfulness will help us in this point.
-In Humility,willingness and sacrificial love
we should willingly lay down our lives,it takes humility to serve others, we need to learn the attitude of Christ so that He may be formed in us.
These are the major duties of all of us as believers in Christ.

Maximize Your God Given Opportunities and Chances

Scripture: Mark 12:1-11

''Don't get mad at God He has a right to place a demand on you because of what He has invested in you''- Pastor Elijah
  Everything in our lives given to us by God must be fully maximized. As we read through
Mark 12:1-11,the vineyard represents the chances,privileges God has put in our lives and the vine-dressers are you and I.
 Time,Opportunities,privileges, everything in our lives,our academic pursuits, achievements, businesses, links are the symbols of talents.
 The ministry,anointing are the symbols of God's deposit. It is a confirmation of the fact that he owns us. Everything we have in our lives do not belong to us,we are just vine dressers.
 Each one of us have some areas of life that we struggle with to give to God. What shall it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul. Are you ready to trade all the deposits that God has placed in you profitably with the owner?
 How did you spend your time?
Herodias used her God given beauty wrongly and Jezebel misused the God-given opportunities, privilege instead she destroyed the priesthood and sanctity in the land of Judah.
 Esther used her beauty to please God,influencing the King's decision to preserve the Jewish people from the genocide plans of Haman.
Sodom and Gomorrah perverted the relationship originality according to God. God usually gives opportunity for repentance to everyone here on earth till the last time (minute). Proverbs 29:1
 When we take a good look at the word below:

           CHRISTIAN
Without Christ the letters left are IAN 
which represents I AM NOTHING
The number 10 represents Headship with
1- Supremacy, Christ the head
0- Nothingness
So my dear brothers and sisters,bring your nothingness to Christ and He will make it something. Join your Zeroes with Christ's headship and you become somebody.

The Names and Titles of The Church

Scripture:
Deuteronomy 32:9-12, Hebrews 12:22-23.

 The word Church is translated from the Greek word: ''Ecclesias'' and does not refer to a denomination or religious movement.
  It means the gathering together or assembly of God's called out people. People called out from the world of sins as Jesus said He is where two or three are gathered.
 There are lots of people who belong to a denomination or religious tradition but are not members of Jesus. In order to be a member of the church of Christ,you must be BORN AGAIN.
   The Names/Titles given by Christ to the church are:
1. The Body of Christ (Hebrews 12:5, Ephesians 1:23)
2. The Spiritual Temple and Building (Matthew 16:18):
 This means a dwelling place.It wasn't a coincidence that Joseph was a carpenter/builder, God the Father working through God the Spirit to build God the Son within us.
3. Bride (Isaiah 62:5):
a bride;a young girl preparing to marry her husband,the church is the bride and Jesus is the bridegroom (Revelation 19:7)
4. God's people (1 Samuel 12:22, Deuteronomy 26:19)
5 .Chosen ones (Deuteronomy 7:6, 1 Peter 2:10)
6. Children of God (Matthew 5:4, Romans 8:16)
7. Heirs of God (Romans 8:17):
therefore we have every right to inherit every blessings of God.
8. Peculiar Treasure: not kept in usual places, not living a usual /common lifestyle.
9. Flock or Sheep of God (Luke 12:32, Isaiah 40:11, Zechariah 9:16):
  Belonging to God's circle of followers. God compares believers with sheep and unbelievers with goats. Sheep have a teachable spirit, ability to turn away from wrong. Sheep are always in company of other sheep,with his parents.
10. Sons of God (John 1:12, Romans 8:14, Galatians 4:7)
11. Sons of Light (Ephesians 5:8, 1 Thessalonians 5:5)
12. Soldiers of Christ (2 Timothy 2:3):
Who is a soldier? a military force man,to keep and protect the territory of Christ,there is a characteristic to a soldier which is discipline from which the word disciple stems from. The military training changes the thinking, behavior of the recruits and is now under certain commands,brings you out of yourself. They are also taught to go in offensive and take captives in addition to protecting the territories. Jesus is our chief-commander.
13. Ambassadors of Christ: a person sent diplomatically to country to represent the interest of his country. God expects us to be His true representatives in this world,we are to defend the interests of Heaven here on earth.
14. Pilgrims (Hebrews 11:13, Hebrews 13:14, 1 Peter 2:11):
a person who went to visit a place with the intention of going back to his country.
15. Disciples and Followers of Christ (John 13:35)
16. Believers of Christ (John 2:22, John 4:53, Acts 9:42)
17. Family of God/Family in Heaven (Ephesians 3:15)
18. Brethren (Matthew 23:8): we are brothers in the Lord
19. Branch (Isaiah 60:21, John 15:2-5)
20. Pillar and Ground of Truth (1 Timothy 3:15):
Jesus is the truth while the devil is a liar and fraud. Once we become believers,we become truth,Christ has no diplomacy.
21. Priest
22. Kings (Revelation 1:5-6)
  A priest intercedes on behalf of others and a king rules over a kingdom,we are to rule, reign and establish the dominion of Christ.
23. Christian (Acts 11:26): Christ like people,to live like Christ.
24. Assembly of Upright (Psalm 111:1)
25. Assemblies of Saints: means to be holy,upright,perfect, undefiled. When we are born again,you have a right standing before God,justified, Psalm 89:7, perfect before God. It is not a religious promotional status given by men.
Why we need to study these powerful titles and names are as follows:
-It shows that God's love through Christ to the church is immeasurable just like endearing names between a couple.
-Because the church is the most precious thing God has here on earth.
-The church is the only means by which God's plan can be carried out here on earth.
-You and I must be grateful for God calling us His church.
-We must do everything to justify God's love calling us His church
-All of us, we must make sure that the meaning of all these titles are reflected in our daily lifestyle.

Don't Let Him Go!!!!

Scripture: Genesis 32:24-30

''Greater future is waiting for the person who has never fallen but for the person who each time he falls,he manages to rise up''- Oliver Goldsmith
  If you refuse to give up,your prayers will be answered.
  If you keep fighting,you will win the battle.    
  If you will keep running,you will win the race.                                                                                         Keep on;
Striving
Battling
Fighting in prayers
In Supplications
In Dedication
In Consecration
In Sacrificial giving
Walking with God
Living for Christ
Waiting and trusting
In expectation from God
In Obedience
In Holiness
In the Fear of God
In the Fruit of the Spirit
Being Crucified with Christ
Carrying your cross
In Daily following Him as a True Soldier
As a Student and Disciple and Ambassador of Christ here on Earth.
   You have gone too far with Him to quit now,your reward is too close to you. Your blessings are about to be unfolded and unleashed upon you. Keep on going with Him on this narrow path. You are about to be blessed.
 At the most strategic point in Jacob's life,he was alone,why?
 -in order for him to develop a personal relationship with God
 -to prevent distractions
 -so that God's instructions could get into his inner being
The following scriptures shows us some others who were also alone: Luke 9:18, Luke 5:16,
 Psalm 55:7, Jeremiah 9:2.
There is power in perseverance and importunity as we see as Jacob wrestled with the angel of God. There were certain significance in this wrestle which we must understand,this is
- the touching of his hips
(this was to test whether Jacob wold stop fighting or battling also God was telling Jacob to stop fighting by his own strength and learn to trust God.
-when the angel saw that Jacob wasn't stopping
(Jacob wasn't trading his chance,he was maximizing his moment) then the angel moved to the next level.
-what is your name? (the next level)
this involved Jacob confessing,acknowledging and repenting. God wanted him to mention his name, to acknowledge his name. His name representing his identity and reality.
  God allowed him to wrestle and prevail with Him, God changed his name and then blessed him.
Stay blessed...

Turn Your Weaknesses to Strengths (Unlimiting your limitations)

Have you ever been asked what your weakness(es) is? What was your immediate thought and feeling? Shame, something not to be proud of? Don't we all have some streak of weakness whatever it might be. The devil is aware of this and desires to use our weaknesses to limit our spiritual growth, blessings and productivity.

Isaiah 40:28-31 brings to our understanding 3 major points to consider, these are:

-Humans have weaknesses, limitations therefore get tired and fall.

-God has no weaknesses and in strength He has no measure.

-Humans have weaknesses but God has none and He's not only able but more than able to strengthen humans. Lets consider the following:

1. Human weaknesses are manifested in every human being

Natural and biological weakness have been inherited from Adam and Eve and concerns all the 7 billion souls in the earth. No matter how radical, holy and anointed one is, the trait of weakness is always there and it requires a right attitude towards this so that the enemy does not exploit it to destroy our purpose with God. We can understand this from the following scriptures: Numbers 11:14, Matthew 26:40. We also see how Peter overestimated his biological weakness as shown in Acts3:12

 The difference between Matthew 26:40 and Acts 3:12 is that Peter is now humble, he recognises that he has no strength and God alone has strength.

2.Human weaknesses enable/help us to forgive others easily because we are reminded at all times we need God's forgiveness due to our own weaknesses.

3. Our human limitations helps us to appreciate the grace of God in our lives because we realize that we can do nothing alone.

4. Spiritual and Physical helplessness of man is because of our limitations. Luke 13:11, John 5:7.

5.These helplessness and human limitations force us to depend on God. 2Chronicles 20:12, Psalm 127:1, John 15:5.

6. Man's extremity of weaknesses and limitations which we face as human beings becomes God's opportunity to help and manifest His power. Mark 4:38, John 15:5. 

7.Those limitations could be as a result of sin in our lives. Samson was anointed but unfortunately there was a weakness as a result of man's biological weakness. We should be careful, watchful, prayerful, we shouldn't allow the devil have a place in our lives.

8. Strength (moral and spiritual) is promised from God for us.

2Samuel 22:33-40, Isaiah 28:33-40, Isaiah 28:6, Hebrews 11:33-34.

It's so humbling yet wonderful to remember that in all of our weaknesses God is indeed merciful.

I am blessed/You are blessed/We are blessed

Scriptures:Genesis 1:22,28

The word ''Bless'' is translated in Hebrew as ''Barak''.

''Barak'' means to bless God as an act of adoration

                         to bless man as an act of a benefit

This word is used intensively when God blesses people or people bless each other.

Its also translated in Greek as ''Eulogeo''

''Eulogeo'' means to speak well of,to bless,to evoke a benediction upon,to prosper,to be blessed,to be given power,to prosper and to excel.

To be blessed means to be given power to prosper and to excel.

When one is blessed it means one is empowered to triumph,to prosper,to excel but not only to have these things but to carry and be a channel to others. 

We can read about this in the following scriptures:

 2 Samuel 6:6-12, Genesis 50:20, Deuteronomy 23:4-5,Psalm 32:1-2,Psalm 1:1, 2 Samuel 7:29,Genesis 9:1;12:2;17:20;32:29;27:24-29.

Its not enough to be blessed,its important to be a blessing to others as Proverbs 10:22 says.

There are two levels of Blessings,these are:

-Personal/Individual: a blessing pronounced by God/another person on an individual.

-Corporate/Group: a blessing pronounced by God on a group of people such as family,towns,cities,nations,countries,continents,spiritually to the body of Christ.

 What makes the blessing of man different from all other creatures is the supremacy God gave to man.

Let us not be contented with being blessed but being a blessing,an unstoppable stream to everyone around us so that through us others may become blessed.

God bless us all in Jesus name.

( Sunday,March 14,2016)

Thankfullness, Gratitude and the secret of Ungratefulness.

Scripture.
1st Thessalonians 1:1-3.
Deuteronomy 8:10.
Psalms 100
Ist Thessalonians 5:18.
Ruth 2:10.
1st Corinthians 15:57.

 Reading 1st Thessalonians 1:1-3, we see Apostle Paul giving salutations and thanksgiving to God on behalf of the saints. We can break down what he did here in three fold steps. They include;

1} He remembered the saints.

2} He prayed for them.

3} He gave thanks to God for them.

These are the things that Paul and other saints did all the time. Our Lord Jesus Christ also gave thanks to God.
We must always give thanks to God and our hearts must always be full of thanksgiving at all times. Every believers heart should be as this. This is the will of God for us. When the thanks go up, the blessings come down.
In this life, there will be a lot of pain, trials and challenges. Jesus didnt tell us we wouldnt have all these but assured us that he would be with us forever till the end of the age. Beloved thats an amazing promise that he is fulfilling even till this moment. Whenever we look around us and see that things arent going the way we want or planned lets keep our heads above water and still thank him.
There is a song by Mavin Sapp called ''Praise Him in advance'' every time i listen to it i am reminded of how important praise is. Our lips should always be filled with praises and thanks to God at all times even if we are going through situations that are challenging. We must not allow the cares of this world to stop us from thanking God. we must not become ungrateful, if we are ungrateful for what God does for us, how much more what mere mortals do for us.
So what are the things that stop us from being thankful?

1} Lack of appreciation.

2} We take things for granted.

3} Tendency to forget God and who he is.

4} We think it is our right. We believe that there is nothing to thank God for.

5} We deserve none than what God has done. We still thank like that.

6} Pride.

7} We pay attention to only what God has done for us.

8} When we compare ourselves with others. We believe we are doing better spiritually so why should we be thankful.

9} You don't see what God has done as a need so you aren't thankful. 

No matter what you are going through, remain thankful.