Posts Tagged ‘grace’

4 Dec

HAVE THE RIGHT ATTITUDE OF FAITH WHICH RECEIVES FROM GOD

Posted by AgapeFocus in HAVE RIGHT ATTITUDE WHICH RECEIVES FROM GOD. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

As we start this special month of December, I greet you in the mighty name of Jesus. May the LORD bless you and keep you. May you increase in the knowledge and wisdom of God our Father, excelling one another in the love, humility and goodness of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. The LORD who has call us out of darkness into his marvelous light is faithful and eager to help us run the race set before us blamelessly, as we look unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith. God is glorious in holiness, fearful in praises; and doing wonders. He holds our hands. He is with us. He will never leave us nor forsake us. So he promised. Though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we shall fear no evil. As our Shepherd, His rod and staff comfort us. He shall continue to set a table of nourishment before us, as our foes behold in consternation and bewilderment, in the mighty name of Jesus. Psalms 23:5. [The Message translation states: You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies. You revive my drooping head; my cup brims with blessing.] God’s refreshing oil is on our heads; and our blessings overflow.

The LORD has already commanded his Holy angels to guard us, day and night, as we journey through far and near; TO KEEP US IN ALL OUR WAYS, in the mighty name of Jesus.
This new month and always, henceforth, let the thoughts of our hearts, the words of our mouths, the works of our hands and the steps of our feet, be holy and acceptable unto God. That would assure our victory and joy, daily in Jesus name.

Eleven whole months have rolled past; and we have entered the twelfth and last one of the year 2019. Multitudes have left the stage through death. Many others have been sidelined through sickness, weakness, failures or discouragement. My friend, brace up. Do not give up. God loves you. He wants to help you; and he is eager to do so. The simple fact that you are still alive today is indicative of God’s love and plan to help you through.

Call upon him. Ask for his help. The Bible states that those who know God’s name put their trust in him; for the LORD has never forsaken those who seek him. Psalms 9:10. Those who trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abide forever. Psalms 125:1.

Jesus said: Come unto me all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30. In other words, Jesus tells us to come over for a unique exchange experience. He wants us to stop struggling in our own limited strength and wisdom. He wants to infill us with his own strength and wisdom, which are unlimited, by submitting to him, allowing him to guide and lead us. Burdens are lifted. Yokes are broken. Problems are solved. Sicknesses and diseases are healed.

This month and always, henceforth, we shall think good [THINK RIGHT]. We shall speak goodness [SAY RIGHT]. We shall take right action- Do goodness [DO RIGHT]. Certainly, the LORD God is with us. Therefore, we should expect and receive goodness from him. [RECEIVE RIGHT]. God’s reliability gives us confidence of the fulfilment of our expectations. Therefore, when the LORD has done his usual goodness to us, we should testify his goodness to anyone who would listen to us.

The Psalmist said; Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he had redeemed from the hand of the enemy. Psalms 107:2.

The woman with the issue of blood testified; telling all her experience to Jesus before the crowd. Mark 5:24-34.
What have you been thinking about? Is there anything worrying you? NOTHING is too hard for the LORD God. The woman referred to above thought right. She spoke right to herself and to her difficult situation. She had faced 12 years of UNSTOPPABLE MENSTRUATION! Twelve years of severe bleeding!
She did herself good. She did right. She did not allow the crowd to block or hinder her from getting to Jesus. She did not allow her unpleasant bodily condition to block or hinder her. In Israel, a woman going through normal menstruation was not allowed to mingle with people; worse still, to touch a man, in a culture that looked down upon women in olden days!
SHE SET ASIDE CULTURE, SO-CALLED DECENCY, LEGALITY OR PROTOCOL! Forcing her way through the crowd, she touched the helm of the garment of Jesus. INSTANTLY, she was healed. The abnormal menses stopped.

She exercised a NO-DELAY; NO-PROTOCOL; NO-ARGUMENT KIND OF FAITH! That is RIGHT ACTION; DOING RIGHT. THAT IS FAITH IN ACTION.

Our Lord, Jesus Christ commended the woman for her faith. The woman had earlier talked to herself thus: “IF I MAY TOUCH BUT HIS CLOTHES, I SHALL BE WHOLE.” [Mark 5:28].
She did touch the clothes of Jesus. She received instant, expected, positive healing.
Anybody can do the same today; even now. IT IS NOW TIME FOR DOING RIGHT; TAKING THE RIGHT STEP! Confront anything or anyone who stands as hindrance to your progress and the manifestation of your joy. God is on your side. He wants and has made adequate provision for the fulfillment of your dreams. THERE IS NEVER A PROBLEM WHICH JESUS CHRIST CANNOT SOLVE. THERE IS NO PHYSICAL, OR PHYSIOLOGICAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL, SOCIOLOGICAL, SEXUAL, GENDER-BASED, PRODUCING YOUR OWN CHILDREN OR FINANCIAL PROBLEM, THAT IS BEYOND SOLUTION BY JESUS CHRIST! CALL UPON HIM SINCERELY AND HUMBLY. Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Romans 10:13.

God said: Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. Isaiah 45:22.

Take for example the problem of lack of sleep. Sleeplessness can wreck a human life. It can disorganise the natural processes of our bodies. That could lead to illness and generate deseases in our bodies.

William Shakespeare in one of his works ‘Macbeth’; described sleep thus:

..”great nature’s second course; chief nourisher in life’s feast.”

Macbeth, the main character in the play, by his wicked secret deeds, wrecked his conscience and the entirety of his life, in addition to his knowledge of the bad consequences of sleeplessness, for murdering his honoured royal guest, King Duncan ‘The Meek’, while asleep!

Sleep surely tunes up our body. It refreshes our organs and body systems; enabling it to function optimally.

I have met some people who struggled to get sleep, for many days. Is that the problem you face or the need of anyone around you? If you have not been able to sleep, I say to you, get a right attitude. Stop carrying the burden or load which the LORD has already taken care of for you. Are you alright with God? If not, get right quickly; now. Repent of any sin or wrongdoing. Ask God to forgive you. Forgive those who offended you. Live at peace with your family, friends and neighbours.

God forgives you immediately and gives you peace of mind. The blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, washes us clean from all sin. Thence, our fellowship with God and our fellow human beings become peaceful.
The Psalmist said: Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.
That is the right step to having good sleep. All your anxieties and cares should be deposited with God. Do not try to pick them up again.

It is taught from the Bible that through trust and obedience of God’s word, we gain and maintain peace of mind.

Great peace have they that love the word of God; trusting and obeying the LORD. Nothing shall by any means harm or offend them. Psalms 119:165.
LAY DOWN IN PEACE ON YOUR BED. SLEEP CONFIDENTLY, AS I OFTEN DO, AS IF LIKE A BABY, BECAUSE GOD WATCHES OVER ME; AND YOU TOO.[Psalms 4:8].
CAST THAT PROBLEM UPON THE LORD.

In the mighty name of Jesus; I pray for you. Begin to get sleep tonight; even now! Get good sleep from God, your Father, in Jesus name. Amen. Medication from the doctor can help you to get sleep, but that does not give a lasting solution, because you become enslaved to the use of the medicine. However, for some, that may be a starting point.

SLEEP AS FROM TONIGHT LIKE A BABY IN THE HANDS AND LOVING CARE OF OUR FATHER, GOD, WHO LOVES US. AMEN.

All your anxieties, all your cares and worries, bring them to God in prayer. drop them with God. anything, whatsoever that stands as obstacle or problem before you, should be submitted to God. Nothing is to hard for the LORD God to handle. No problem is beyond solution before God. Trust him. I should be glad to receive good news of God’s blessings on your situation. I am praying for you.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

HAPPY NEW MONTH TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.

1 Sep

COURAGE

Posted by AgapeFocus in COURAGE, Problems in our world today. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

Courage is the power or quality of life that makes a person able to meet threats or deal with dangers to life without fear. Courage is needed by all; needed by young and old; needed in the battles and struggles of life. At home, at work, in the school, in the church and in the community, courage is needed. Courage is needed to break new grounds. Courage is needed to maintain the old paths and qualitative standards of good and strong moral conduct. Courage is needed to ignore all distractions, face oppositions positively and learn from antagonists and their antagonisms. Courage is needed in marriage and all human relationships. Courage is needed at the battle field in order to fight; keep alive, and stay on to win. Courage is needed when wrong to say “I am sorry”. Courage is needed when wronged to be willing and accommodating enough to forgive. Anyone who uses courage negatively to perpetrate evil is the enemy of human society in any generation. Courage is needed with hope when faced with bereavement; and for the Christian, there is the hope of a better future dawn at the resurrection. Courage is needed to know, think and change location in order to experience freshness and guidance from God! When at the crossroads of life, needing to take decisions, courage is needed to see it through. Each person is divinely imbued with varying degrees of courage to face the problems or challenges of life. Several examples do abound of persons who faced problems, misfortunes, and hardships in many human generations, who with fortitude overcame those challenges.

Moses needed courage with his faith in the LORD to stand before Pharaoh in Egypt and through all insults and provocations, he stood his ground before leading out the Israelites out of bondage! God spoke to Joshua, the assistant of Moses, as he stepped on to continue in his new role as leader of Israel, after the death of Moses. “Be strong and courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you, do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth, 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”. (Joshua 1: 7&8).
David needed courage in addition to his faith in God to kill a lion and a bear and eventually defeat the intimidating giant, called Goliath of Gath! (1 Samuel 17:33-51). Elijah had courage which he applied to his faith in the LORD as he confronted and defeated the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah, who ate at Jezebel’s table, on Mount Carmel! (1 Kings 15:19-46). Call it various names. Call it boldness, heroism, bravery, valour, fortitude, confidence or fearlessness; you are referring to the same thing; courage!
The greatest example of human courage is seen in Jesus Christ. Jesus showed the greatest act of courage in history when he left his glory in Heaven to volunteer to come into this world in order to die for the sins of every person ever born and every person yet to be born! The best action any living person can take is to respond to the love move of Jesus by making a U-turn to God. The Almighty God says: “Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.” (Isaiah 45:22). Demonstrate true courage by looking unto God. Ignore liars, deceivers and oppressors. Trust God who truly loves you. Jesus has already paid the price for your condemnation and death. He died instead of you. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)
In these days, commonly referred to as the last days, courage is needed more than ever before. Courage is needed by the Church in order to face many challenging and intimidating counterfeits in the world today! There are the counterfeits of Al-Qaida, Boko Haram and Isis! The frequent abuses by these and other similar violent religious fanatics and extremists continue to pose threats to the peace and security of nations across the world, especially in Africa and the Western world! There are cases of renewed slavery and women oppression! There is the counterfeit of re-emergence of oppressive regimes as in Russia, Syria, Iran and North Korea! Mere economic sanctions have not been effective enough to stop these regimes! The ploy of Islamic fanatics and extremists to lure the United Kingdom into gradual Sharia law practice; soon to be compelling on the entire nation, is being viewed as harmless by the innocently spiritually-ignorant, unsuspecting leadership! The accommodating stance of secularism does not imply that Britain is no longer a Christian country statutorily! HAVE THE STATUTES BEEN CHANGED? No Christian dares to practice openly in Saudi Arabia or Iran as these Islamic fanatics and extremists are doing in the United Kingdom, with reckless abandon! A peace-loving and accommodating society is being taken for granted and used as a training ground for Islamic extremism and terrorism! God Almighty shall judge these acts of ingratitude, intolerance, unpatriotism and inhumanity! The frequent and recent barbaric acts of killings, kidnappings, raping, forced marriages and decapitations of fellow human beings clearly demonstrate that those perpetrators do not love humanity, do not know God and therefore cannot truly claim to be serving God! The LORD who made Heaven and the Earth shall expose these ruffians and they shall have no hiding place. All nations who fund these vicious activities shall continually experience the judgement of God. The financiers of terrorism across the globe shall not escape the punishment of God; unless they repent quickly and make a U-turn to God!
The Church should continue to pray for the innocent majority in society and governments for wisdom and alertness! The Church does not use or need physical weapons to overcome these challenging counterfeits! The Bible states: “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds; Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled. (2 Corinthians 10:4-6).
Brothers and sisters in Christ, let us go on to follow the LORD fully! Let us follow the LORD in obedience, in love, in unity and with courage! Let nothing be found within that exalts itself against the knowledge and the will of God. Let nothing be done through strives and vain glories! Let us build up one another in love and humility. Let the combined resources of the Corporate gifts and Anointing be made available to strengthen the people of God at such a time as this. No more of back- biting and back- stabbing should be found in the house of God! If a brother or sister makes a mistake or sins, the Church should not start a celebration party along with the world and Satan! Let there be a distinction! Let us make a difference! Let us throw strong long rope to a brother or sister who fell into a pit or ditch! Let us stop throwing stones of condemnation. (Ecclesiastes 4:10). With love and compassion; faith, hope and courage; let us put on the WHOLE armour of God to fight the intimidating, challenging counterfeits of our generation! Let us go on to win. On our knees praying; we shall win! On our feet standing, watching and praying; we shall win. With our wills and mouths reducing delicacies and meats; we shall win. In the powerful name of Jesus, we shall win. Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; we shall win. Ministers of the Church have been appointed as watchmen and women! Indeed, all true Christians are watchmen.
In conclusion, we should remember that we do not fight or battle against flesh and blood! We are drawn in battle against rulers, authorities, and powers of this dark world; we are confronting the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. That is why we need the whole might of God in us to be at work against these agents of evil in society and our contemporary world, this Century! Finally, brothers and sisters, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.(Ephesians 6:10-18). To stand properly in these evil days we must not toy with sin and worldliness! We ought also to watch our brothers’ backs! We should not ask the foolish question of Cain again, who asked God: “Am I my brother’s keeper?” The answer comes quickly to you and me. Yes indeed, you and I are our brothers’ keepers! BE COURAGEOUS! Shalom. Grace be with you.

3 Mar

MEDITATION: Thinking of You – ‘An Ambassador’

Posted by AgapeFocus in 'Thinking of You', MEDITATION VERSES. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

2 Corinthians 5:20-21: Ambassadors For Christ: So, You are an ambassador? An ambassador indeed, simply because of what God Almighty, through Jesus Christ has done. For God has made Jesus to be sin for you and me. He never knew sin, never committed any sin. He was even bold enough to face his accusers and ask them; Which one of them could really convince him that he had committed any sin?No one was able, yet he was falsely arrested, accused, tried, beaten, mocked and crucified. Within the space of less than 24 hours all these treatments were given to him. He suffered injustice and the mockery of an illegal trial, which condemned him to die as though he were the worst offender. He died alongside condemned, hardened criminals. He was sensitive enough to hear the inward heart-cry of one of the thieves dying beside him! Because that theif repented at the last passing moments of his life Jesus forgave him. Though the thief was not pardoned by the laws of the land, he obtained the full pardon of heaven, through Jesus Christ. Jesus had on his mind and spirit the souls of everyone born and ever yet to be born into this world in all lands and throughout  all generations! Jesus thought about you and me in particular. Jesus Who knew no sin, was made sin. That meant He tasted death for every human being. The Bible declares that the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ, our Lord(Romans 6:23). Jesus paid the price that sin demanded with his life blood shed on the cross. The life of a person is contained in his blood. When blood flows through our hearts and blood vessels that is an indication of life still existing. When blood is shed, the life goes with it and the person dies. Jesus therefore gave his life as a ransom paid to rescue every human individual from spiritual and eternal death. The Bible declares: But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all(Isaiah 53:5-6). Jesus died for our sins on the cross, he was buried in a donated tomb, not borrowed. He rose up from the grave on the third day, just as the Holy Scriptures foretold. God does not condemn any person for his /her sins. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that through him the world might be saved(John 3:17). The good news is this: That God offers full pardon to all, because of what Christ did on the cross and rose again. God is no more angry at you, because He had visited His full anger through judgment upon Jesus Christ, His Son, who surrendered to become our substitute; our sin-bearer and our ransom. As a result of the pleasing sacrifice made  by Jesus during which he fulfilled the standard of the law of God by his death on the cross, we are declared not guilty by God, basically. The taste of the pudding is in the eating. Every person ought to claim the priviledged benefit of the sacrificial, substitutionary death of Jesus. God gave his approval by raising Jesus from the grave on the third day.  The word of God declares that if you believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead and confess him as Lord with your mouth, you shall be saved.  For with the heart a person believes, fully trusting in and relying on Christ and so is justified and made acceptable to GOD. With the mouth, the person confesses that Jesus Christ is Lord and he is saved. Through Jesus Christ, peace was made with Almighty God by his blood which he volunteered to be shed on the cross. The whole of the human race has  eversince been reconciled to God. Everybody ought to hear and know this good news personally. The blood of Jesus so shed, has present and everlasting power to wash each trusting person from sin. Each trusting or believing person is given power to live to please God. His or her past has been forgiven, he or she has been given power to become a child of God. A new life has begun. The power of God is given not on merit or because a person has done particularly well. It is by virtue of the mercy of God. It is called grace. By the influence of the Holy Spirit, the apostle Paul wrote: For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them(Ephesisns 2:8-10).  Each believing Christian is a workmanship of God; that is, the handiwork of God. Each one as such is created in Christ Jesus. It is a brand new creation. We were former antagonists of God because we shifted our allegiance from Him to Satan. Through Christ, however, we became transformed. Henceforth, our lives are being enabled to please God. It is written:Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away;behold, all things are become new(2 Corinthians 5:17).  Having become beneficiaries of the peace made with God and become reconclied to him, every believing Christian is sent to take and share this good news with any person who would listen. Every Christian is a representative of Christ equiped with the word and message of reconciliation. TELL, URGE, INVITE people everywhere to come to experience the same reconciliation we have experienced. Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20). An ambassador goes out with delegated authority. He / she goes out with words of commission- THE MARCHING ORDERS. He has been thoroughly briefed-his FEET SHOD WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE.He also has Divine cover and protection.GOD is our refuge and strength; a very present help in trouble.Therefore we shall not fear, because GOD is with us. We go taking the whole armour of God with us. This is not carnal or physical armour, but the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said: And Lo, I am with you alway, unto the ends of the world (Matthew 28:20)! The power and might of the Kingdom of Heaven is behind us and gone ahead of us.       Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ stead, be ye reconciled to God(2 Corinthians 5:20). Let the redeemed of the Lord say so!