Teaching on 24th March 2013

SHARE YOUR GOD STORY

Sharing our stories and testimonies of how God has touched our lives is key. To share his impact on our lives opens people up to the love of Christ and is part of our duty as Christians:

Matthew 28:19-20 ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Christ has given us authority to make disciples of men. To secure his presence we must testify and be witnesses of his existence. As we share His good news it is the holy spirit who converts, therefore we share in love, creating grounds for the holy spirit to do his work.

Lifestyle is a major way of attracting people to the “Christ” in us.
Evangelism is also wonderful tool:

Mark 16:15-17  ¹⁵ And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. ¹⁶ Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. ¹⁷ And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues;

My thoughts: People tend to make fun of Jehovah’s witness and their door to door evangelism. I actually admire that about them … It takes much courage.

Share your testimony of how GREAT God is and has been in your life. Its not about carrying a bible by the way, Its the word of God in us that we share with others and this is why we need to empower ourselves with The Word.

The Social Media is another amazing tool for sharing Christ and our testimonies- Twitter, blogs, facebook etc. Tell a story, write a poem, tweet a word of scripture or testimony.

As workers in God’s vineyard trying to call others in, not only should we speak his good news, but also make manifest His love to ALL and most especially those in want- Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, reach out to the poor in spirit by words of prayer and encouragement… just help where you can a brother or sister in need.

Its said “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” When we give/share Christ’s love we gain so much- Love, Knowledge, Blessing on so many levels.

Lets build people up with our words and our actions- Not only do they need our love, care and prayers, they also need to hear our “God Story”.

God bless and do have a wonderful week 🙂

Teaching on 23rd September 2012

EXPERIENCING THE GLORY OF GOD THROUGH PRACTICAL CHRISTIANITY

To “Experience” is “to have knowledge of and to function with” and in order for this to occur in our lives we must position ourselves in accordance with the desire of God.

“I being in the way , the Lord led me”. (Genesis 24:27)

‘The way’ means God’s way, the pathway prepared for us. We have to be in His way before we can tap into this blessing of divinity.

 ²⁷ but Laban said to him, “If I have found favor in your sight, I have learned by divination that the Lord has blessed me because of you.-Gen 30:27

The scripture above illustrates how when we walk in accordance to God’s ordinance we allow for Divine blessings. Being obedient to divine instruction allows for a display of miracles in our lives. Take Moses for instance in Exodus 7:19

¹⁹ The Lord said to Moses, “Tell Aaron, ‘Take your staff and stretch out your hand over the waters of Egypt—over the streams and canals, over the ponds and all the reservoirs—and they will turn to blood.’ Blood will be everywhere in Egypt, even in vessels of wood and stone.”

Observe that there will always be a human action before divine manifestation …We as his children must first heed the Father’s instruction in order for a supernatural reaction.

However this doesn’t always apply (do and then it gets done) we are sometimes challenged to wait in our obedience and that is why we as Christians must be disciplined to the extent of  undoubted certainty that our God exists and even where he may seem silent, we follow through on all his commandments. The trial of Job is a perfect example.

“Practical Christianity” can therefore be defined as total obedience to divine instruction.

¹² That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.- 2 Timothy 1:12

Our faith will always be tested one way or the other. This is in order that it might produce works (perfect references: the trails of Job- The book of Job and the test of Abraham’s faith- Genesis 22)

¹⁷ In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead- James 2:17

Trials are bound to occur but by leaning on the strength of the holy spirit, let us always be reminded that it is only for a time. God will show up in our lives as long as we live by this instruction.

²¹ He that hath my commandments, and keeps them, he it is that loves me: and he that loves me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself unto him.- John14:21

God has covenanted with humanity in order to use humanity. We are his temple and in us He manifests His power.

²¹ and with thee will I break in pieces the horse and his rider;- Jeremiah 51:21

Our obedience being the key to this great happening.

¹⁶ Thus did Moses: according to all that Jehovah commanded him, so did he…³⁴ Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of Jehovah filled the tabernacle. – Exodus 40:16&34

1 Thessalonians 5:23 tells us how God desires to sanctify us wholly in order that He may materialize Himself in us soul, body and spirit. We must let our lives show the practical part of Christianity, the first step, being born again.

¹⁷ Wherefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature: the old things are passed away; behold, they are become new.- 2 Corinthians 5:17

And then the second, the manifestation of the holy ghost in our spirit man as was witnessed by the apostles in Acts 2:3-4

Furthermore, we have the responsibility to work on our soul and body.

² And be not fashioned according to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, and ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.- Romans 12:2

We must take the power of the holy spirit into our spirit (hearts) to help us work on our body (activities) and soul (our minds). For God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). We must unlearn the things and habit of old through the power of the Holy Spirit. This is what is meant by “the renewing of the mind”.

Isaiah 55:8-9  tells us that the mind of God is heavy and unfathomable. Hallelujah! For we can tap into this treasure through the power of the Holy Spirit. 🙂

From Isaiah 11:1-2, we learn that the human soul is for the manifestation of God’s glory through his holy spirit which include wisdom and understanding, counsel, might. and knowledge.(aren’t we just blessed!)

The testimony of Joseph in the house of Potiphar (Genesis 39:1-4) is a perfect example of the might of God being made manifest in our mortal lives.

God wants to manifest in all realms of our lives and that includes the Holy of Holy’s (our spirit), the Common sanctuary (our body), and the holy sanctuary ( our soul), and the key to this is to yield totally to His holy spirit.

The word of God is the tool for change and being able to talk to people about His word along with our actions of true love will signify his manifestation in our lives.

Let me end by saying that us sharing this salvation is our willingness to be a spiritual blessing to others and will only channel The Lord’s willingness to manifest His blessing upon us. Therefore let us not be ashamed…

¹⁶ For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes…”- Romans 1:16

Teaching on Love- 16th September, 2012

LOVE AND THE FAMILY

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose- Romans 8:28

Family, or the home so to speak, is Ministry on its own. It consists of:

• Husband: The provider and head of the home.
• Wife: The helpmate and homemaker.
• Offspring(s): Product(s) of the union of husband and wife or even adopted children, and therefore their responsibility.

Forgive me as I digress a bit, but although the wife may seem secondary in a Christian home, and the Bible affirms how the husband is the authority of the family, I am encourage by an adage I once heard “The man may be the head of the family, but what is he without his neck?” 😉 … back to the subject at hand!

God’s love is the binding force of any truly happy home. Each of us is a part of a family unit and have our part to play, whether as Husband/Father, Wife/Mother, Son or daughter (both young and adult), but how else would we be able to accomplish this without Love?

1 Corinthians 13:4-74 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

THE BASIC INGREDIENT OF LOVE IN THE FAMILY:

UNDERSTANDING:

Prov 24:3-4 By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.

Lets put in the extra effort to get to know our family members. Spouses, get to know the likes and dislikes of your partner, what ticks him/her off, what even turns them on; Parents, talk to your children, make an effort to figure out what motivates them, their strengths and weakness. Let them see you not only as mom or dad but as a friend; Children (yes, the older ones too), stretch out a hand of friendship towards your parents. Try not to see them as bugging, over-bearing housemates who you can hardly wait to get away from once you turn 18!

FORGIVENESS:

We are still human, therefore differences, misunderstandings and even some very regretful mistakes may arise. Under such circumstances we must be encouraged by the power of the Holy spirit. The ability to truly forgive can only be accomplished through this means.

Esau was cheated of his birth right by his own brother Jacob; Joseph the dreamer was sold into slavery by his own blood brothers; Jesus Christ was crucified by the same people he might have healed, fed or ministered to, yet they all did one and the same thing. They FORGAVE. Let us learn from this.

Ephesians 4:31-32 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

PRAYER:

This is an important part of the Christian’s life. In a Godly home, prayer as a unit and individually is key. And how often should we do this?

1 Thessalonians 5:17 says: “pray without ceasing”

“Those persons who know the deep peace of God, the unfathomable peace that passeth all understanding, are always men and women of much prayer.”~ R. A. Torrey

KNOWING ONE’S PLACE IN THE FABRIC OF THE HOME:

(Using Scriptural quotes)

Husbands:

Ephesians 5:23 says: “For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and He is the savior of the body.”

Ephesians 5:33 However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

1 Timothy 5:8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

* PS- I agree with the statement that a Christian husband is a leader and NOT a dictator

Wives:

Proverbs 31:10-31 An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life. She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands. She is like the ships of the merchant; she brings her food from afar. …

Ephesians5:33 However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

Sons and Daughters:

Ephesians 6:1–2 Children (and that goes for you big boys and girls!), obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise)

Parents (Fathers & Mothers):

Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.

Finally, let us note that God will not come down to help us love our neighbor or family member. It is a conscious effort that entails our seeking the help of the holy spirit, who alone moves one in the way of Agape.

This Sunday sermon ends with instructions from Titus 2:3-4 & 6

³ Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, ⁴ and so train the young women to love their husbands and children….. ⁶ Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled.

As we mature in Love as Christians, let us teach others in our lives to love in the same way.

Stay blessed!

Teaching on Success- 15th July 2012

STRATEGY FOR SUCCESS

Luke 14:28-32
28 “But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it? 29 Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of money, and then everyone would laugh at you. 30 They would say, ‘There’s the person who started that building and couldn’t afford to finish it!’ 31 “Or what king would go to war against another king without first sitting down with his counselors to discuss whether his army of 10,000 could defeat the 20,000 soldiers marching against him? 32 And if he can’t, he will send a delegation to discuss terms of peace while the enemy is still far away.

God created us for success. The complete man succeeds in every endeavour of his life, the major ingredient is planning.

*PS- Do not substitute prayer for planning. Prayer is vital. However, God expects us to plan as He too is a planner. Notice how His plans unravel throughout The Bible, from the creation; the fall of man in the garden of Eden till his redemption through Christ and so on.

THE IMPORTANCE OF PLANNING:

• Good planning makes us realise the worth of what we have got.
• Good planning prevents us from transferring our responsibility.
• It makes us resourceful and creative.

In order to plan we need the following:

To Sit: I think in sitting down he meant to meditate and reason.

Isaiah 1:18 “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD…”

We can see the practical aspect of this in Acts 6:1-7

In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the HellenisticJews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. ² So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. ³ Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them ⁴ and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”⁵ This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. ⁶ They presented them to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. ⁷ So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.

We abandon our plans when we don’t sit to evaluate the cost from the beginning.

Information: Be informed about the intricacies of your plan and evaluate the cost of whatever you decide on. Even in going to God in pray for a need, we must go with our laid out plan.

Separate Yourself: Take time out to isolate yourself so as to meditate.

Mark 6:45-46 ⁴⁵ Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. ⁴⁶ After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray.

ENEMIES OF PLANNING:
Passing the bulk:
Meaning blaming of others for our problem or circumstance. In John 5:7 we observe that Christ asks the invalid whether he wanted to get well, which requires a simple yes or no, but instead giving an answer this man starts to look for reasons why he hasn’t yet been healed.

⁶ When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?”⁷ “Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.”

Not enough syndrome:
The challenge is where we feel we do not have enough and therefore feel discouraged to plan. God expects you to plan. Have faith, let HIM worry about the supply. When we put our mind on “Not enoough” we find it hard to climb. Life will not give u want you what you want, you take it.

Mark 8:1-8  Another time there were many people with Jesus. The people had nothing to eat. So he called his followers to him and said, ² “I feel sorry for these people. They have been with me for three days, and now they have nothing to eat. ³ I should not send them home hungry. If they leave without eating, they will faint on the way home. Some of them live a long way from here.” ⁴ Jesus’ followers answered, “But we are far away from any towns. Where can we get enough bread to feed all these people?” ⁵ Then Jesus asked them, “How many loaves of bread do you have?” They answered, “We have seven loaves of bread.” ⁶ Jesus told the people to sit on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves and gave thanks to God. He broke the bread into pieces and gave them to his followers. He told them to give the bread to the people, and they did as he said. ⁷ The followers also had a few small fish. Jesus gave thanks for the fish and told them to give the fish to the people. ⁸ They all ate until they were full. Then the followers filled seven baskets with the pieces of food that were left.

People without a plan will only drag you down:

Proverbs 13:20– ²⁰ Be friends with those who are wise, and you will become wise. Choose fools to be your friends, and you will have trouble

Enough said! 😉

People having little or no value for Time:
When we read through Genesis 41 we see how Joseph when in the presence of the Pharaoh went straight to the point of his mission there. He could however have seized the opportunity to lay his complaints before the great leader, but he knew his purpose for that moment and it wasn’t to gist. Let us learn from this. To be coordinated and to view matters objectively

Finally, let us remember that its not just about drawing up a great plan…

The success of a plan is born only from its execution!

Cheers! 🙂

1st Teaching on Love- 2nd September 2012

LOVE IS OUR NATURE

⁷ Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. ⁸ Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.-1John 4:7-8

When you love you are practically living out the “God Life”.

Love is not only an act, it is a nature. You can love as a result of nurture based on your environment or as a result of stimuli but when you truly love beyond circumstance it becomes your nature.

I quote the preacher, “Love is profound affection which compels one to demonstrate their perception of ones value”. A mouth full, I know! 🙂 … From my own understanding of this, I think  he means that Love is an intense emotion that allows one to act out selflessly and self-sacrificingly for the sake of another. For example, John 3:16 tells us that

“God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

This one act expressed the embodiment God’s selflessness and self sacrifice towards mankind. However, observe that loving the way God loves can never be based on human ability. Romans 5:5 explains it best:.

⁵ And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

In Galatians 5:22, the Apostle Paul mentions loves as one of the fruits of the Spirit:

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

And in John 8:37- 44, where Christ rebuked the Pharisees, we see some of the qualities that exist outside of this nature:

³⁷ I know you are Abraham’s descendants. Yet you are looking for a way to kill me, because you have no room for my word. ³⁸ I am telling you what I have seen in the Father’s presence, and you are doing what you have heard from your father.³⁹ ‘Abraham is our father,’ they answered.‘ If you were Abraham’s children,’ said Jesus, ‘then you would do what Abraham did. ⁴⁰ As it is, you are looking for a way to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do such things. ⁴¹ You are doing the works of your own father.’ ‘We are not illegitimate children,’ they protested. ‘The only Father we have is God himself.’ ⁴² Jesus said to them, ‘If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me. ⁴³ Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. ⁴⁴ You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

Please note the condition for possessing this nature of Love in John3:3

³ Jesus replied, ‘Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.

In my opinion, seeing the kingdom of heaven doesn’t necessarily mean dying and going to paradise, but can also be seen as being able to partake of what some may call “The Kingdom Life”. If we could truly love our neighbor then we would find ourselves fulfilling all ten commandments of God towards that person.

¹³ You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. ¹⁴ For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ – Gal 5:13-14

Therefore let us make this our highest aspiration, to love in the “God like” manner, and how best to do this but through the help of His Holy spirit. Let us also pray for the capacity to love everyone (family, colleagues, strangers, needy and even those that consider us their enemy).

Finally, please allow me reiterate that you cannot have the capacity to love like God if you are not of God…. If you have not, then PLEASE accept Him today.

P.S- I do apologize as the messages do not follow consecutively, but its my hope that my notes have made an impact in some small way.

Stay blessed! 🙂

2nd Teaching on Love- 9th Sept’12

LOVE WITHOUT BOUNDARIES

My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. ² Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. ³ If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” ⁴ have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? ⁵ Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? ⁶ But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? ⁷ Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong? ⁸ If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,”^[a] you are doing right. ⁹ But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.- Jame 2:1-9

Today I learned or was reminded rather that God loves everyone the same. Agape love is color blind and does not value one person more than the other. This is God’s nature, which we are born into spiritually- John 3:6

⁶ Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit^[a] gives birth to spirit.

God is not partial- Act10:34.

³⁴ Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism

Do not let your heart be full of prejudice. Luke 5:27-32 gives us a clear idea about the ministry of  Christ. He dinned with tax collectors, the dregs of society and sinners, but when confronted by the scribes and teachers of the law he said unto them

^31…. “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. ³² I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

God’s love is all inclusive. The people that the world rejects are those that God accepts. Only hypocrites will judge another by their own pious standard.

Remember Matt 7:1 says

“Do not judge so you are not judged“

In Acts 9 God teaches the Apostle Paul that we have no right to call unclean what He has made clean- (pay attention to Acts 10:9-16) –

⁹ About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. ¹⁰ He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. ¹¹ He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. ¹² It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. ¹³ Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”¹⁴ “Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”¹⁵ The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”¹⁶ This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.

God wants all of us saved, but if we are to walk in the God kind of love there are a lot of characters we will encounter in our spiritual journey. That being said, we must set all sense of bias aside. For instance:

Christ spoke about Class Distinctions in  Matthew 5:43-48-

⁴³ “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor^[a] and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵ that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. ⁴⁶ If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? ⁴⁷ And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? ⁴⁸ Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Apostle Paul also spoke against class distinction in 1Cor 11:17-33. He then went further and spoke against Gender prejudice in Gal 3:28-

²⁸ There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Take a look at the attitude of Christ. The strength of his preaching and ministry was in his acceptance of all men. You only win the trust of others over when you genuinely love and care for them. Let us be reminded by all of this, to look at one another through God’s eyes, without prejudice….

“Get up Peter. Kill and eat… Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.“