This is to wish you a merry Christmas and a Happy New Year filled with Floodgates of God’s Blessings in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. As we enjoy the festive season eating various delicious delicacies and healthy drinks; meeting family and friends; let us remember Jesus Christ, the reason and the central person of the celebrations.
Today is a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. The king who was born in a lowly place and status; a manger indwelt by sheep and goats, because there was no room in the Inn nearby for Mary to deliver her first child.
The child grew up, overcoming all attempts to kill and get rid of him. He went about doing good and setting free those who were oppressed by the devil because God wad with him. Finally to fulfil his mission on the earth he had to die for our sins on the cross as if he was the offender! He was buried, but God raised him from the dead on the third day! He is alive, ready and willing to save all who come to God through him. A person gets saved by praying and calling upon Jesus. You believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead on the third day after dying for our sins. Then confess him as Lord and call upon him to save you. He does when you call truly. Anyone who calls upon the name of Jesus shall be saved. Romans 10: 9-13.
What would Jesus during such season as this? He would think of the needy. He would give such people comforting presents such as food, healing, acceptance, joy and laughter. Therefore in remembering Jesus Christ, let us do what he would do. It is joy and fun to be with Jesus. Please make someone else happy during this period. Let us continue the good work thereafter.
Merry Christmas. Thank you and God bless you.
Posts Tagged ‘Jesus Christ’
25 Dec
CHRISTMAS GREETINGS
2 Nov
REMEMBRANCE AND THANKSGIVING
At this time of the year , November precisely, we often remember and celebrate the lives and commitment or our beloved ones who gave their lives in order that we may have and enjoy relative peace. Our memories of them is a continuing source of encouragement and strength to our lives as individuals, as family members, as friends and as patriots. There have been moments of tears, deep sighs, thoughts, dreams and heartfelt expressions. Different emotions and sentiments are expressed, based on the depth of love or closeness with these dear, departed ones. Life is a mixture of sweet and bitter; pleasant and painful; joyful and sorrowful experiences. Some of these losses both recent and from distant past still feel fresh or are being continually refreshed.
In the midst of our pain, sorrow, loneliness, anxiety and grief, Jesus Christ offers us comfort, companionship, peace, hope and joy. Wars and hostilities, both internally and internationally have raged and are still raging. From the 1st and 2nd World Wars, to regional wars, civil wars and onslaughts of terrorist activities, human lives continue to be undervalued and wasted. Hostilities are still going on in Syria, Iraq, Ukraine and Nigeria. The conflict between Israel and the Palestinians has not been easily resolved. Abuses of military and economic powers continue to promote and fuel acts of terrorism and vandalism across the globe.Some individuals and nations are guilty in this regard.That is why irresponsible and barbarous groups as IS and Boko Haram are still flexing their muscles. The International Community looks relatively helpless! BUT THE TIME FOR UNITED NEUTRALIZING ACTION IS NOW, BEING ALREADY OVERDUE!
Christopher Foster once said:
“The memories we cherish are enduring, the pains and sorrows we feel do not often pass quickly, and we are conscious of our lives continuing to be changed by the past and the present. Often we are sustained by the love and care of others who support us while, for many, faith nourishes us with the promise that eternal love binds us together in life and death.”
It is only good and worthwhile to look after the families and dependants of the departed fallen heroes and heroines!It shows more how truly appreciative we are. On the same not ex-service men and women should be properly looked after, including those who have become disabled!
Thomas Attig said:
“As we cherish memories we return to freshen and deepen our understanding of those who have died, attend to them again, bring them closer, embrace them in their absence, reconnect with some of the best in life, feel grateful, feel the warmth of our love for them, sense that they are grateful for our remembering and feel the warmth of their love for us.”
Human beings throughout history look confused and helpless in the face of death. Death strikes when he is ready. Death is the common enemy of mankind! We are limited and powerless, but God Almighty knows it all. God has power over life and death! Jesus Christ has defeated death!
Jesus said: “I am the living one! I was dead, but I have authority over death and the world of the dead. ” (Revelations 1:18).
Death came because of sin. Mankind was designed by God to live forever! The corruption and wickedness in the world is the fruit of sin and death is the due reward. At the right time in history, God took the initiative to rescue mankind from sin and death. He did so through Jesus Christ. God then made it possible for us to receive his nature and thus become free from the power of sin and its consequences, which are spiritual and physical deaths. These bring in sicknesses, diseases and all kinds of woes! Jesus Christ delivered us from all of theses woes which come from disobeying God. Jesus set us free.
The Bible states: Being now made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ, our Lord(Romans 6:22-23).
Jesus Christ died for our sins to pay the wages for us. He arose from the dead to make us assured of pardon and give new life from God[the God-Kind-of Life] to us.
The Bible states: If you shall confess with your mouth, Jesus as Lord and shall believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you shall be saved. For with the heart a person believes and is made righteous and with the mouth he confesses and is saved. Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Romans 10:9-10, 13.
Jesus is alive. Death is vanquished! Because Jesus lives, all those who believe in him shall live also. For the believer in Christ, death is not final. At resurrection God gives those who believe new bodies; bodies which never die. (2 Corinthians 5:1-10)
Jesus said: I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. (John 11:25-26a).
Overwhelmed by the problems of life, Jeremiah encouraged himself in the prevailing power of God Almighty: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23). Jesus is the Prince of Peace. A time is coming soon when there shall no longer be wars. When Jesus comes to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords. Then people of every nation shall not learn about wars. Swords shall be converted into plowshares and spears into pruning hooks. (Isaiah 2:2-4)
Life is full of choices. We make choices daily. The choices we make affect our lives presently and for the future. Each person needs to examine his life and make a U-turn back to God. A good gift offered needs to be received in order to be owned. God offers us his peace. Peace in the heart and mind; peace at home; peace in our communities; peace in our nations and peace in our world.
Prayer: O LORD of peace; Thank You for the offer of your peace. Help us to accept the peace you have given through your Son Jesus Christ, who has made peace between us and You. Forgive us of our failures and trespasses. Help each one of us to repent and be converted to You. At this time of remembrance, we thank you for the lives of millions of our people across nations of the world who fought and served in various wars, so that we may have relative peace. Help each one of us still alive, to humbly examine himself, call upon Jesus and receive your pardon and inward peace. We ask through the same Jesus Christ, who is the coming Prince of Peace; King of kings and Lord of lords. Amen.
4 Jul
THE POWER IN THE NAME OF JESUS
Before Jesus was born as a baby in Bethlehem he pre-existed with his Father, the Almighty God. Part of this is revealed in the Intercessory prayers he made as recorded by John(John 17: 1-5). Jesus speaks of his pre-incarnation glory before the world was made! His birth in human form was prophesied and fulfilled. His ministry, betrayal, trial, flogging with stripes, the mockery of a trial given to him by the Jewish leaders and the Roman governor called Pilate; his crucifixion, death, burial, resurrection and ascension into heaven were all prophesied and literally fulfilled. Jesus Christ died for every human being, without exception. His coming back again into this world has been prophesied. My friend, only a fool would wish away the literal fulfilment of the second coming of Jesus Christ! I advice you; please do not be foolish. By written records, by traditional narratives, through authentic archaeological discoveries, the historical, scholarly, legal and factual reality of the imposing presence of Jesus Christ in human and world history cannot be denied! The only empty tomb(not a cenotaph) in history is that of Jesus of Nazareth! The other similitude of an empty tomb is that of Joseph. In Egypt, the tomb of Joseph, the Hebrew Governor of all Egypt, became empty because by his special, prophetic instruction and request. His bones were removed for reburial when the Hebrew nation was set free from Egyptian slavery through the ministry of Moses and Aaron! Those bones were reburied in the Cave of Machpelah. It is the same tomb which houses the remains of Jewish Patriarchs and Matriarchs as Abraham, Isaac, Jacob(called Israel), other sons of Jacob, Sarah, Rebekah and Leah. Therefore, in reality, the only empty tomb is that of Jesus Christ! Jesus Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures. He rose again the third day according to the scriptures. He was seen by Mary of Magdala, Peter, the 11 remaining disciples and by over 500 brethren at once. Paul saw the risen Christ later. Some Christians in modern times have testified to seeing Jesus Christ. These are true witnesses, because the testimonies of the lives of these men and women ring true and powerful; bring glory to God and were and still are blessings to their generations! Jesus Christ commanded and commissioned his followers to preach and teach the good news of salvation to all the people of the world. The Holy Spirit was promised to come upon the followers and help them to fulfil the great commission. Truly the Holy Spirit came 50 days after on the Jewish festival of Pentecost. All these were literally fulfilled. Jesus Christ humbled himself to the lowest depth. As the Son of God, he emptied himself of all glory of his divinity. He left heaven and came to the earth. He became a man in order to rescue all human beings from eternal ruin! He subjected himself to human control under his mother Mary and Joseph, his adopted earthly father. He was obedient to his parents as well as to the laws of the land where he lived. He paid tax. He subjected himself to inhumane treatment,insults,beating with stripes and unjust trials. He was crucified; he died and was buried. The death on the cross was the worst way to die in those days! It was meant for great criminals! It was and still is a curse for anyone to die on the cross! By his death on the cross, Jesus Christ fulfilled the demands of the law of God! The law was given in order to expose the sinfulness and wickedness of sin. Without the law, there would have been no sin! No man was able to meet up to the expectations of the law. If a man complied with nine out of the Ten Commandments, but failed in one; he was still guilty of death! Who then could satisfy the Holy Almighty God? Nobody! God himself had to come down to this earth on the mission to rescue man from sin and eternal death! God came in the person of Jesus Christ, who did fulfil the demands of the law and pacified the offended God! The Bible states that Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Anyone; whether Jew or Gentile who trusts and obeys God is counted along as children of Abraham. Anyone who depends on his ability to keep the law or on his own self righteousness is under the curse. The reason for the curse is that no one is able to keep the whole law; since its partial fulfilment was and still is unacceptable to God. The good news is that Christ has done it for all of mankind! It is written: For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for The just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them. Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree. That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.(Galatians 3:6-14). As a result of what Jesus did, the Almighty God gave all the powers in heaven, on earth and under the earth to be under the authority of that name. God gave Jesus a name that is above every name. Jesus stooped down to the lowest level, but God in return raised Jesus to the highest heights! God highly exalted Jesus Christ and gave him that highly honoured, respected and respectable name! God Almighty wills it and commands it that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE should bow, of THINGS IN HEAVEN AND THINGS IN EARTH; And that EVERY TONGUE should confess that JESUS IS LORD TO THE GLORY OF GOD THE FATHER. (Emphasis is ours). Before his ascension into heaven Jesus Christ emphasised the power and authority in his name. He said: Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believes shall be saved; but he that believes not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; IN MY NAME shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. In obedience to our Lord’s command, the early disciples went out to preach the gospel. The Lord worked with them. They were proof producers, because The Lord confirmed their words with signs following. Today the name of Jesus has not lost the power. Every Christian is called, cleansed,commissioned,empowered and authorised. Perhaps you are not sure of your relationship with Jesus Christ yet. There is present grace for you if you would call upon the name of Jesus; that wonderful and powerful name. The Bible states: “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth The Lord Jesus, and shall believe in thine heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” My friend, there is no discrimination. Both Jews and Gentiles are welcome by God Almighty. Anyone who comes to God, trusting and obeying God shall not be ashamed. “Whosoever shall call upon the name of The Lord shall be saved.” For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him shall nor perish, but have everlasting life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. The blood of Jesus was shed on the cross. That was the giving of the life of Jesus; because the life of the soul is in the blood! There is power in the blood of Jesus! There is power in the name of Jesus. There is healing in the name of Jesus. There is restoration of relationships and marriages in the name of Jesus. There is salvation in the name of Jesus! Jesus said that he is in union with his Father God. Both his words and works originate from God the Father. He then said these words: Verily, verily I say unto you; He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask anything in my name, I will do it. Call upon Jesus now. Have you done your asking? Please do. (Please read Genesis 1: 26-31; 3:15; Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 2:19-25; 23:1-20; 25: 7-10; Numbers 21:5-9; John 3:14-17; Genesis 49:10; Isaiah 53:1-12; Psalms 22:1,18, 69:21; Matthew 27:34,35,46,48; Matthew 28: 1-20; 1 Corinthians 15: 1-58; Philippians 2:5-11; Mark 16:15-20; Romans 10:9-13; John 14: 10-14).
28 Nov
TOLERANCE DOES NOT CONDONE IMMORALITY OR EVIL
Tolerance does not condone immorality or evil. How about the Christian B&B Ruling: Is it fair after all? The law and legal judgements are respected because legal experts and judges are expected by God to give a good and fair representation of the mind and the law of God! Therefore judges themselves shall give account of themselves before the judgement throne of God at the end! In the light of these, nobody is excusable before God, Who is the final authority.
A gay couple is declared right over the owners of a Christian Bed and Breakfast (B&B) facility! The owners do not allow unmarried couple to sleep on double beds in their B&B facility. By Biblical standard, no gay couple is truly married, but by societal laws which oppose God, they may be called married or in the so-ca!led Civil Partnership! Is it wrong or illegal to have a B&B or hotel, run along Christian principles? Is it wrong to have a school run along religious principles? Is it wrong to have a Bank run along religious principles? Why do we have FAIR TRADE? Why do we have Islamic Banks? Why must a society force people to discard their religious views in running their business of 28years standing? Because of these immorality, and many other disobedient sinful unnatural laws and activities, the wrath of God and the wrath of nature are moving across many nations of the world today and people are asking WHY, out of ignorance?
Who is right? Is it the society or God? What is justice? Is it merely to favour a section of society against another? Everyone has a right to be treated fairly. You do not rob a person of his right in order to please another person. Tolerance is the ability to be fair and understanding to people whose ways and opinions are different from one’s own. Does that empower anyone to deliberately go to a place where the views are different from his with the purpose to impose his clearly diverge views? NO. What is religious tolerance? Is it to throw away your beliefs to favour another belief? Must a person be forced to condone views which he or she clearly knows to be evil, on the basis of his beliefs? NO. Where and what are the bases of religious freedom? What is the role of the Church in all of these? Is the Church a mere spectator in the face of these absurdities and immoralities which clearly violate the rights of others, notably Christians in this instance and go further to challenge the authentic voice of God? Each one of us shall give account to God. To Mr. Peter and Mrs. Hazelmary Bull , I say; Cheer up! If you suffer for righteousness sake, be happy and do not be afraid of any terror, neither be troubled; But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts and be ready to give an answer to every man who asks you to give reason for the hope that is in you. Only do so with meekness and fear of God. Be courageous and bold and never feel ashamed at all. At the worst you may close up the B&B, but God shall reward you. You are no losers, but winners because God is on your side[1 Peter 1:12-17].
Let the Church leaders speak out now in truth and not in hypocrisy; or keep quiet forever in failure and damnation! Enough is enough! The Church must not follow the multitude to do evil! The statutes of England and the United Kingdom still indicate Biblical Christianity! Would any leader in the Church allow the way of truth to be spoken of as if evil? When did the Church become a group of cowards? Where are the Bishops, Archbishops, Presidents, Moderators, General Secretaries, Chairmen, G.Os, Superintendents, Pastors etc? Are they hiding out of fear, timidity or nonchalance? [Read Exodus 23:1-2;Romans 1:18-32; 2 Timothy 3:1-17; 2 Peter 2:1-22; Leviticus 20:10-24]. The grace of God which now gives much room for repentance, overlooking the sins and wickedness of us human beings does not condone any act of wickedness or immorality, but it gives us second chance. The patience of God should compel all of us human beings to urgent and committed repentance. Whilst offenders may not be stoned to death or hanged today, the evils committed do not change from being less evil than in the former times. Let God be true and every person else a lair. Homosexuality has not stopped from being less evil than it was in the days of Lot, in the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, which were destroyed because of their wickedness and sexual immoralities topped by homosexuality! Homosexuality is no less evil in the Twenty-First Century United Kingdom, United States of America, France, Germany, China, Japan, Nigeria, Ghana, Saudi Arabia, Greece, Egypt, Iraq, Australia, South Africa or Israel, or anywhere else! The selfish, partial and imperfect laws of mankind must not be allowed to underrate the Commandments of God! Cheap political gains, acclaim in the eyes of the public, flexing of muscles in financial and material wealth, good oratorical prowess, use of physical forces, use of legal powers, misuse of scientific and medical skills are no sufficient reasons or excuses to impose man-made rules against the commandments of Almighty God! Underrating the commandments of God would bring untold sorrows and hardships, both in the present and in the near future! The only escape route is GENUINE REPENTANCE!
God’s final testimony of His laws, rule, judgment, love and salvation has been revealed through Jesus Christ. Unto Jesus Christ God has committed all things. By this man, Jesus Christ, God made this world and the whole universe! He is coming back soon as King of kings and Lord of lords, to reign and rule in righteousness. It is therefore important that everyone pays close attention! Mankind disobeyed God and as a result, sickness, hardships and death came into our affairs in life. Abortive efforts were made by mankind to solve his problems. God sent prophets,through many generations in order to bring us back to himself. Mankind was still incorrigible and deviant. Finally God sent his Son Jesus into this world. He was born in such a miraculous way that he never inherited the sin nature of man. God by the power of his Spirit came upon a pure and chaste virgin called Mary,who bore the pregnancy of Jesus. Jesus was born into a humble family led by Joseph, the carpenter. He was engaged to be married to Mary, but before the nuptial knot was tied, Mary became pregnant miraculously. Through angelic visitation, Joseph was instructed and encouraged to take care of his pregnant intended wife before they were married and not to dump her secretly, as he was planning to do! Thus Jesus was born in Bethlehem under strange miraculous circumstances. He grew up in the town of Nazareth, under the parental care of Joseph and Mary.
Jesus Christ grew up, working as a carpenter and later started his ministry which brought healing, comfort, deliverance and hope to many. His teachings of truth brought him into conflict with the political and religious leaders of his days. He was arrested, wrongly accused and crucified. All those were in line with the divine plan of God to rescue mankind from eternal death and ruin. Jesus Christ by divine plan, voluntarily laid down his life through the shedding of his blood on the cross, to clean us all from sin. He rose up from the dead on the third day and is alive forever. For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it through Jesus Christ. If you submit to Jesus, you have life, but if you reject him, you have death. The basis for judgement and death is this: Jesus is the light of the world. God made this world, man and the universe through him. People who were evil inclined hate the light. Anyone who loves the truth comes into the light, having nothing to hide, because his deeds are in harmony with God and done through his power. Anyone who believes in Jesus, the Son of God, is not condemned, but has everlasting life. He who does not believe in Jesus shall not see life, but the wrath of God is upon him, because such a person is condemned already[ John 3:16-17,18-21,35-36 ]. The power of sin and incorrigibility have been broken by Jesus Christ, through his blood shed on the cross, outside the city walls of Jerusalem, over two thousand years ago! Whosoever shall call upon the name of Jesus Christ shall be saved. The power to save mankind has been given to Jesus Christ. Come to God through Jesus now. You are not condemned unless you condemn yourself through deliberate rejection of the provision made for us all by God. That provision is JESUS CHRIST! Come to Jesus without delay. God bless you.
AgapeFocus 
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