There have been many times when I thought God was opening up doors for me to exit out of my current situation and move on to another phase of my life but it was not so. There have also been many occasions when I thought God was ready to bless me abundantly but it was not so too.
Proverbs 16:1, “The preparations of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.”
Proverbs 16:9, “A man’s heart plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps.”
Isaiah 43:19, “Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”
As I stand on the above Word of God and wait upon God to navigate me through my life, it came to a point whereby I was no longer overly excited about new business opportunities that come along my way or extremely happy when I clinch a deal. I became indifferent to a certain extent.
And when things do not turn out well, I will encourage myself with the following scriptures:
Philippians 3:13-14, “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
From the life of Paul, we are able to see that serving God is Paul’s passion and focus in whatever situations God presented to him. My personal opinion is Paul must have experienced many times when he thought God was going to bring him out of his hardship but it turned out to be otherwise. Eventually he was fully persuaded that while good and bad things happen to him, Jesus is still there for him. That is why Paul was able to write in Philippians 4:11-12.
Philippians 4:11-12, “Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.”
Similarly Joseph being given the promise by God to rule over his brothers ended up being sold as a slave. Nevertheless, there were many occasions whereby he must have thought God would bring him out of his captivity but it turned out otherwise. He was made to oversee his master’s household only to find himself jailed over a false accusation. Subsequently he interpreted the dream of a royalty while in prison, with the hope of being released, only to find himself being forgotten and continuing to stay in prison for a couple more years. However eventually he was promoted overnight to be the right hand man of the pharaoh. At that point in time, I believe Joseph must have been happy that God delivered him. However I also believed that God has molded his character to an extent that he was cool and not overly hyped up about his latest promotion. He would be a good testimony to what Paul wrote in Philippians 4:11-12, “for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:”
We create plans for our personal life eg getting a good job, getting married, having children, getting a bigger house etc. While we are charting the way we hope it will turn out and desiring God to lead us the way we want it, it dawned on me one day during worship that God was more interested in developing our character. He is more interested in planning and charting the way we can develop our character.
Therefore while we anticipate the way God will open up doors for us to meet our needs, I believe we need to look into our heart and see if God is trying to use the present opportunity to develop our character or attitude towards certain matter or person.
This is especially true when we are faced with difficult situations.
Psalm 139:23-24, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
Steve
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Friday, July 2, 2010
We need to maintain the holy fear in our heart towards God to stay in His will
Recently a friend of mine shared with me the story of Samson and pointed out certain revelations which inspired me to read more about the story in the Book of Judges.
Before Samson was born, he had been chosen by God to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines. Unfortunately Samson backslided to the point that he thought he could get away with his sins. He must have thought that “God does not see” what he was doing.
Ezekiel 9:9, “… the LORD does not see.”
As a result, God gave him the desire of his heart according to his covetous desires and eventually the judgment of God catches up on him.
Ezekiel 14:4, “… I the LORD will answer him who comes, according to the multitude of his idols,”
Firstly before Samson’s birth, God has appointed Samson to be a Nazirite to God. As a Nazirite, he should not drink wine (Numbers 6:3) or go near a dead body (Numbers 6:6). However Samson broke the above two laws that God had set.
Then Samson married a Philistine woman, an enemy, when he was ordained to deliver Israel out. Not only that Judges 14:5, “… came to the vineyards of Timnah.” gave hints that Samson had hanged around vineyards to know this Philistine woman and most probably drank wine in his younger days although the bible did not specifically state so. I believe this might be the beginning of his willful disobedience to God’s instructions.
The scriptures revealed that Samson later drank honey from a lion carcass, went in with a harlot and married Delilah who caused his ultimate downfall.
He became so complacent that he thought God would not judge him when he realized his supernatural strength stayed with him even while he was sinning.
1 Timothy 4:2, “… having their own conscience seared with a hot iron,”
How could he not discern something was wrong when his wife, Delilah, repeatedly taunt him to reveal the secret of his supernatural strength? How could Samson treat something so sacred and divine so lightly and carelessly? At that point in time, he was still playing along with Delilah and joked with her.
Judges 16:20, “But he did not know that the LORD had departed from him.”
Samson did not know that the Lord had departed from him when his hair was shaved. The words “did not know” suggested that Samson had not been spending time with God for a long time as he could not discern the presence of God had left him.
Judges 16:20, “So he awoke from his sleep, and said, “I will go out as before, at other times, and shake myself free!””
He still thought that he had his supernatural strength because he said, “I will go out as before, at other times, and shake myself free!”
It is sad to learn that a man ordained to do great things for God by God himself no longer know the Person who gave him his supernatural strength, probably forgot about his mandate and was deceived by his own pride. He seek the power but not the source. He assumed that the power will stay with him forever.
Judgment finally caught up with him in the end; and his fall from grace was great. Samson got his eyes put out, cast into prison and put to mockery as a performer before the very people he was ordained to defeat.
Nevertheless, it was a good but sad ending for Samson when he repented before God.
Judges 16:28-30, “Then Samson called to the LORD, saying, “O Lord GOD, remember me, I pray! Strengthen me, I pray, just this once, O God, that I may with one blow take vengeance on the Philistines for my two eyes!” And Samson took hold of the two middle pillars which supported the temple, and he braced himself against them, one on his right and the other on his left. Then Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines!” And he pushed with all his might, and the temple fell on the lords and all the people who were in it. So the dead that he killed at his death were more than he had killed in his life.”
The scriptures showed that Samson burial was a simple affair.
Judges 16:31, “And his brothers and all his father’s household came down and took him, and brought him up and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the tomb of his father Manoah.”
If Samson has stayed in the will of God and finished his race, his death would be one that is greatly mourned and his burial would have been a glorious affair. Why wouldn’t it be if he had delivered Israel out of the hands of the Philistines?
Steve
Before Samson was born, he had been chosen by God to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines. Unfortunately Samson backslided to the point that he thought he could get away with his sins. He must have thought that “God does not see” what he was doing.
Ezekiel 9:9, “… the LORD does not see.”
As a result, God gave him the desire of his heart according to his covetous desires and eventually the judgment of God catches up on him.
Ezekiel 14:4, “… I the LORD will answer him who comes, according to the multitude of his idols,”
Firstly before Samson’s birth, God has appointed Samson to be a Nazirite to God. As a Nazirite, he should not drink wine (Numbers 6:3) or go near a dead body (Numbers 6:6). However Samson broke the above two laws that God had set.
Then Samson married a Philistine woman, an enemy, when he was ordained to deliver Israel out. Not only that Judges 14:5, “… came to the vineyards of Timnah.” gave hints that Samson had hanged around vineyards to know this Philistine woman and most probably drank wine in his younger days although the bible did not specifically state so. I believe this might be the beginning of his willful disobedience to God’s instructions.
The scriptures revealed that Samson later drank honey from a lion carcass, went in with a harlot and married Delilah who caused his ultimate downfall.
He became so complacent that he thought God would not judge him when he realized his supernatural strength stayed with him even while he was sinning.
1 Timothy 4:2, “… having their own conscience seared with a hot iron,”
How could he not discern something was wrong when his wife, Delilah, repeatedly taunt him to reveal the secret of his supernatural strength? How could Samson treat something so sacred and divine so lightly and carelessly? At that point in time, he was still playing along with Delilah and joked with her.
Judges 16:20, “But he did not know that the LORD had departed from him.”
Samson did not know that the Lord had departed from him when his hair was shaved. The words “did not know” suggested that Samson had not been spending time with God for a long time as he could not discern the presence of God had left him.
Judges 16:20, “So he awoke from his sleep, and said, “I will go out as before, at other times, and shake myself free!””
He still thought that he had his supernatural strength because he said, “I will go out as before, at other times, and shake myself free!”
It is sad to learn that a man ordained to do great things for God by God himself no longer know the Person who gave him his supernatural strength, probably forgot about his mandate and was deceived by his own pride. He seek the power but not the source. He assumed that the power will stay with him forever.
Judgment finally caught up with him in the end; and his fall from grace was great. Samson got his eyes put out, cast into prison and put to mockery as a performer before the very people he was ordained to defeat.
Nevertheless, it was a good but sad ending for Samson when he repented before God.
Judges 16:28-30, “Then Samson called to the LORD, saying, “O Lord GOD, remember me, I pray! Strengthen me, I pray, just this once, O God, that I may with one blow take vengeance on the Philistines for my two eyes!” And Samson took hold of the two middle pillars which supported the temple, and he braced himself against them, one on his right and the other on his left. Then Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines!” And he pushed with all his might, and the temple fell on the lords and all the people who were in it. So the dead that he killed at his death were more than he had killed in his life.”
The scriptures showed that Samson burial was a simple affair.
Judges 16:31, “And his brothers and all his father’s household came down and took him, and brought him up and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the tomb of his father Manoah.”
If Samson has stayed in the will of God and finished his race, his death would be one that is greatly mourned and his burial would have been a glorious affair. Why wouldn’t it be if he had delivered Israel out of the hands of the Philistines?
Steve
It is easier at times to share the gospel without prior knowledge of the person’s background
I read about 2 amazing testimonies of people sentenced to death but was miraculously being released from prison in John Bevere’s Honor’s Reward as well as Reinhard Bonke’s Even Greater.
In John Bevere’s book, he gave a prophetic word to one of the prisoners, who was sentenced to 3 life sentences, in the middle of his prison service. He was not even aware of this until 16 years later, he bumped into the prisoner who became a worship leader in a big church.
In Reinhard Bonke’s book, he was instructed by God to give a prophetic word to one of the prisoners telling him he will be released in due time. In this case, Reinhard Bonke struggled to speak these words to the prisoner for he thought it was cruel. These prisoners were on the death row and there is no way he can leave the place. Nonetheless Reinhard Bonke yielded to God’s leading and spoke forth the prophetic word. However he felt that he was giving the prisoner a false hope and did not feel good about it. Little did he know that many years later, Reinhard Bonke met that person on the streets. The prisoner was miraculously released from the prison. Praise God!
From these 2 accounts, we can see why Paul wrote in Corinthians:
1 Corinthians 2:1-3, “And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.”
If Reinhard Bonke did not know what his prisoner friend was going to be put in death, if would have been easier for him to speak the prophetic word to him. It would have been easier for John Bevere in this case.
Moreover, I recalled in one of the soul I managed won to God’s kingdom. Little did I know that the person declare that he detest Christianity prior to our conversation. I reckon that if I knew his background and perception, I might not have been as free and as bold to share the Word of God to him then and there. It could have hindered the flow of God as a result of my thinking.
Anonymous
In John Bevere’s book, he gave a prophetic word to one of the prisoners, who was sentenced to 3 life sentences, in the middle of his prison service. He was not even aware of this until 16 years later, he bumped into the prisoner who became a worship leader in a big church.
In Reinhard Bonke’s book, he was instructed by God to give a prophetic word to one of the prisoners telling him he will be released in due time. In this case, Reinhard Bonke struggled to speak these words to the prisoner for he thought it was cruel. These prisoners were on the death row and there is no way he can leave the place. Nonetheless Reinhard Bonke yielded to God’s leading and spoke forth the prophetic word. However he felt that he was giving the prisoner a false hope and did not feel good about it. Little did he know that many years later, Reinhard Bonke met that person on the streets. The prisoner was miraculously released from the prison. Praise God!
From these 2 accounts, we can see why Paul wrote in Corinthians:
1 Corinthians 2:1-3, “And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.”
If Reinhard Bonke did not know what his prisoner friend was going to be put in death, if would have been easier for him to speak the prophetic word to him. It would have been easier for John Bevere in this case.
Moreover, I recalled in one of the soul I managed won to God’s kingdom. Little did I know that the person declare that he detest Christianity prior to our conversation. I reckon that if I knew his background and perception, I might not have been as free and as bold to share the Word of God to him then and there. It could have hindered the flow of God as a result of my thinking.
Anonymous
Knowing which church to attend and staying where God wants you to be
For the past few years in His Harvest Church, I have witnessed various phases of transformation of our church size. People have came and have left the church for various reasons. I have been asked if I have ever considered leaving the church and I said, “No.” So I started to ask myself why I would not do so at this point in time and the following reasons came to my mind.
1. I treat His Harvest as my home church.
It is not the church of the pastor but a church that belongs to everyone who recognize it as their home church. Just as in a secular family setting, there will be good times and there will be bad times. However the home is still where we belong. Therefore; the church is also the place where we could learn to overlook each other weaknesses, keep off offense and we do our best to stay together.
2. I came for the message and not for the Pastor.
John 14:26, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.”
The Holy Spirit has been using the messages that I have received under the ministry of Pastor Amos to guide my life throughout the years. To correct me in times of err, to comfort me in times of despair, to encourage me in times of disappointment and to guide me in times of dilemma. I honor the Pastor but I came for his message more than the person himself.
3. I have learned to submit and honor my leaders
We should always submit and honor our leaders as much as we can, even at times when they might have offended us. Samuel honored Priest Eli although his sons were living in sin and that Priest Eli has lost his anointing. David honored King Saul by withholding his sword to kill him on two separate occasions even though King Saul sought over his life repeatedly. In fact, David mourned after King Saul’s death. We must keep a submissive heart towards our leaders instead of being critical or judgmental, in order for the anointing upon the leaders to flow into our lives.
4. Isaiah 55:12, “ For you shall go out with joy, and be led out with peace;”
Last but not least, I believe that if it is God’s will for us to leave, we should leave with peace in our heart. If we feel that God wants us to move away from the spiritual covering of one church to that of another church, we need to know very clearly in our hearts that it is His will for us to do so.
Steve
1. I treat His Harvest as my home church.
It is not the church of the pastor but a church that belongs to everyone who recognize it as their home church. Just as in a secular family setting, there will be good times and there will be bad times. However the home is still where we belong. Therefore; the church is also the place where we could learn to overlook each other weaknesses, keep off offense and we do our best to stay together.
2. I came for the message and not for the Pastor.
John 14:26, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.”
The Holy Spirit has been using the messages that I have received under the ministry of Pastor Amos to guide my life throughout the years. To correct me in times of err, to comfort me in times of despair, to encourage me in times of disappointment and to guide me in times of dilemma. I honor the Pastor but I came for his message more than the person himself.
3. I have learned to submit and honor my leaders
We should always submit and honor our leaders as much as we can, even at times when they might have offended us. Samuel honored Priest Eli although his sons were living in sin and that Priest Eli has lost his anointing. David honored King Saul by withholding his sword to kill him on two separate occasions even though King Saul sought over his life repeatedly. In fact, David mourned after King Saul’s death. We must keep a submissive heart towards our leaders instead of being critical or judgmental, in order for the anointing upon the leaders to flow into our lives.
4. Isaiah 55:12, “ For you shall go out with joy, and be led out with peace;”
Last but not least, I believe that if it is God’s will for us to leave, we should leave with peace in our heart. If we feel that God wants us to move away from the spiritual covering of one church to that of another church, we need to know very clearly in our hearts that it is His will for us to do so.
Steve
God helped me to release my bitterness of feeling shortchanged
My company is approaching the end of the fiscal year and this was the time when our performance reviews were done and the amount of variable bonus to receive was determined.
In my case, I had some contention with my supervisor on the way my bonus was calculated. Although I left the meeting with a common agreement and understanding, I later realized that there were still some areas which I have overlooked that could contribute more to my overall performance bonus. However looking at how the meeting had proceeded earlier, I knew that if I continue to pursue the matter, it would not benefit my long term relationship with my supervisor. I was not happy and felt that I was stuck in a compromising position.
I wanted so much to complain to my other colleagues on how unfair my bonus was calculated. However I knew that such an act would not contribute a cubit to my bonus but only cast a bad light on my supervisor. Not only that, it will stir up my bitterness over the matter. At that point in time, God reminded me that it is right to control my tongue. I knew the Holy Spirit was constraining me. I did well in this area in the past and I should and could do it again.
Ephesians 4:29, “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.”
Eventually, I kept the matter to myself.
On the same day, I attended my church night service. The congregation was having a great time worshipping God and Pastor Amos was telling us the presence of God is in this place and encouraging us to continually praise and worship and enjoy the presence of God. Time passed and it was almost more than an hour that we worship God.
However while everyone around me was worshipping God, I knew I was not flowing with the anointing as much as I wanted. In fact throughout that time, my mind was so cluttered with what happened during performance review meeting I had earlier in the day. I kept thinking how unfair my case was, what I could do later, how I should justify my bonus etc. Images after images keep appearing in my mind. Thoughts after thoughts of bitterness flood my mind. “Its not fair” became the focus of my mind. The bible says
Hebrews 12:1, “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us,”
It was not easy. I knew that if this matter could pull me down so badly that I could not worship God, something is not right. I told God to help me to get into the place of worship because I was struggling to offer sacrifices of praise to God while keeping those thoughts at bay.
It was then at some point in time, I felt impressed in my heart that Jesus was asking me, “Is it fair for me to go to the cross?” I was caught in my tracks. Jesus asked again, “Is it fair for me to go to the cross?” I did not reply. He asked the same question the third time, “Is it fair for me to go to the cross?” Eventually I relented. I said to Him in my heart, “No.” His questioning and my response to Him somehow helped me put an end to the contentions I had in my mind. One touch of God is indeed better than a thousand words.
While a better way to get out of the rut is to put my faith into the Word of God and ask God to increase my faith to help me release this bitterness, God could see I was struggling and He loves me so much to drop a word of correction into my heart. I knew God was trying to help me release this bitterness, accept the outcome and let the matter rest.
In the later part of the service, Pastor Amos shared on Ephesians 5:17-19.
Ephesians 5:17-19, “Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,”
I realized that. I was “drunk in my thoughts” dwelling for so long on the matter leading to “waste”, when I should be worshipping God in spirit and in truth. This serves as a reminder to me that we should be constantly praising and worshipping God to keep us in the presence of God. In the presence of God, there is fullness of joy.
Psalm 16:11, “You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
Anonymous
In my case, I had some contention with my supervisor on the way my bonus was calculated. Although I left the meeting with a common agreement and understanding, I later realized that there were still some areas which I have overlooked that could contribute more to my overall performance bonus. However looking at how the meeting had proceeded earlier, I knew that if I continue to pursue the matter, it would not benefit my long term relationship with my supervisor. I was not happy and felt that I was stuck in a compromising position.
I wanted so much to complain to my other colleagues on how unfair my bonus was calculated. However I knew that such an act would not contribute a cubit to my bonus but only cast a bad light on my supervisor. Not only that, it will stir up my bitterness over the matter. At that point in time, God reminded me that it is right to control my tongue. I knew the Holy Spirit was constraining me. I did well in this area in the past and I should and could do it again.
Ephesians 4:29, “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.”
Eventually, I kept the matter to myself.
On the same day, I attended my church night service. The congregation was having a great time worshipping God and Pastor Amos was telling us the presence of God is in this place and encouraging us to continually praise and worship and enjoy the presence of God. Time passed and it was almost more than an hour that we worship God.
However while everyone around me was worshipping God, I knew I was not flowing with the anointing as much as I wanted. In fact throughout that time, my mind was so cluttered with what happened during performance review meeting I had earlier in the day. I kept thinking how unfair my case was, what I could do later, how I should justify my bonus etc. Images after images keep appearing in my mind. Thoughts after thoughts of bitterness flood my mind. “Its not fair” became the focus of my mind. The bible says
Hebrews 12:1, “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us,”
It was not easy. I knew that if this matter could pull me down so badly that I could not worship God, something is not right. I told God to help me to get into the place of worship because I was struggling to offer sacrifices of praise to God while keeping those thoughts at bay.
It was then at some point in time, I felt impressed in my heart that Jesus was asking me, “Is it fair for me to go to the cross?” I was caught in my tracks. Jesus asked again, “Is it fair for me to go to the cross?” I did not reply. He asked the same question the third time, “Is it fair for me to go to the cross?” Eventually I relented. I said to Him in my heart, “No.” His questioning and my response to Him somehow helped me put an end to the contentions I had in my mind. One touch of God is indeed better than a thousand words.
While a better way to get out of the rut is to put my faith into the Word of God and ask God to increase my faith to help me release this bitterness, God could see I was struggling and He loves me so much to drop a word of correction into my heart. I knew God was trying to help me release this bitterness, accept the outcome and let the matter rest.
In the later part of the service, Pastor Amos shared on Ephesians 5:17-19.
Ephesians 5:17-19, “Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,”
I realized that. I was “drunk in my thoughts” dwelling for so long on the matter leading to “waste”, when I should be worshipping God in spirit and in truth. This serves as a reminder to me that we should be constantly praising and worshipping God to keep us in the presence of God. In the presence of God, there is fullness of joy.
Psalm 16:11, “You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
Anonymous
Be faithful in little
In one of my night church service, Pastor Amos wanted me to share some of my experiences with God with the people. It was a last minute request and the only time I had to prepare was during the worship session.
The sharing was brief and it went well. Then I thought about how I managed to quickly put my thoughts together. While part of the reason was Holy Spirit inspired ideas, I was also reminded that the other part of the reason was I have been faithfully updating my church testimony blog, sharing God’s Word with people around me as well as regularly reading God’s Word.
Matthew 25:23, “His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’”
God has showed me that by constantly sharing of God’s Word, reviewing and improving what I have shared, such practices are important and will prepare me well when he create opportunities for us to bless people or evangelize. I believe as we continue to do our best in various service that we offer to God, God will definitely open up more opportunities to use us as a vessel to bless others. His expectation of us will be raised as well.
Matthew 13:12, “For whoever has, to him more will be given,”
Steve
The sharing was brief and it went well. Then I thought about how I managed to quickly put my thoughts together. While part of the reason was Holy Spirit inspired ideas, I was also reminded that the other part of the reason was I have been faithfully updating my church testimony blog, sharing God’s Word with people around me as well as regularly reading God’s Word.
Matthew 25:23, “His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’”
God has showed me that by constantly sharing of God’s Word, reviewing and improving what I have shared, such practices are important and will prepare me well when he create opportunities for us to bless people or evangelize. I believe as we continue to do our best in various service that we offer to God, God will definitely open up more opportunities to use us as a vessel to bless others. His expectation of us will be raised as well.
Matthew 13:12, “For whoever has, to him more will be given,”
Steve
God gave Jesus to the world but He gave the Holy Spirit to His Children
Pastor Timothy shared with the church a revelation that he received previously. He taught about the relationship between spiritual facts and truths in our hearts.
It is a spiritual fact that Jesus died for our sins and whoever believes in Him will have everlasting life. God gave Jesus to the world.
John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
It is also a spiritual fact that God has already prepared all the promises for us and it is our responsibility to access by grace through faith to claim these promises in our lives.
Ephesians 1:3, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,”
However how do we establish these truth in our lives?
Romans 8:14, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.”
Holy Spirit is given to His children. We are the children of God. Therefore we need to be led by the Holy Spirit to translate what the bible says into reality in our lives. We need to receive these promises as established truths in our heart in a manner that we are fully persuaded by the Word of God through the revelation that the Holy Spirit brings to us.
Ephesians 1:17, “that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him,”
One example is in the area of tithing/ giving. You will not be fully established in this truth unless the Holy Spirit leads you to tithe/ give accompanied by experiences of the supernatural blessing and protection from God in the area of finances.
After establishing the various truths of the bible in our lives, we will then be able to minister effectively to believers or non believers who need to hear our personal experiences.
Like what John C. Maxwell wrote in his book: Everyone Communicates Few Connects, “Nothing can happen through you until it happens to you.”
Therefore it is necessary that we spend time reading the bible, praying in the Holy Ghost so that Holy Spirit is able to teach us and guide us and bring the reality of God’s promises into our lives.
1 John 2:27, “But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.”
Steve
It is a spiritual fact that Jesus died for our sins and whoever believes in Him will have everlasting life. God gave Jesus to the world.
John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
It is also a spiritual fact that God has already prepared all the promises for us and it is our responsibility to access by grace through faith to claim these promises in our lives.
Ephesians 1:3, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,”
However how do we establish these truth in our lives?
Romans 8:14, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.”
Holy Spirit is given to His children. We are the children of God. Therefore we need to be led by the Holy Spirit to translate what the bible says into reality in our lives. We need to receive these promises as established truths in our heart in a manner that we are fully persuaded by the Word of God through the revelation that the Holy Spirit brings to us.
Ephesians 1:17, “that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him,”
One example is in the area of tithing/ giving. You will not be fully established in this truth unless the Holy Spirit leads you to tithe/ give accompanied by experiences of the supernatural blessing and protection from God in the area of finances.
After establishing the various truths of the bible in our lives, we will then be able to minister effectively to believers or non believers who need to hear our personal experiences.
Like what John C. Maxwell wrote in his book: Everyone Communicates Few Connects, “Nothing can happen through you until it happens to you.”
Therefore it is necessary that we spend time reading the bible, praying in the Holy Ghost so that Holy Spirit is able to teach us and guide us and bring the reality of God’s promises into our lives.
1 John 2:27, “But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.”
Steve
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