While I was reading my bible early this morning I was left thinking and contemplating by the very Word of God! I can never forget when God said the world will love its own. It really made me thinking. God I pray that I will never long for this world to Love me, i'd rather receive hatred of this world than to lose my purpose for your kingdom. I would rather seek your love rather than the love of the people of this world. May I always please you and not men. Help me not to BE THE VERY KIND OF THIS WORLD. In Jesus Name! Amen!John 15:18-27New King James Version (NKJV)The World’s Hatred18 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 He who hates Me hates My Father also. 24 If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would have no sin; but now they have seen and also hated both Me and My Father. 25 But this happened that the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law, ‘They hated Me without a cause.’[a] The Coming Rejection26 “But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. 27 And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning. Galatians 1:6-7 Nkjv 6 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. Will it be a great dishonour to God to turn away from our calling so quickly just because of so many listed reasons that we have. Is there a far more long list of reasons why God should not call us but He still did? He called us by grace. I will never forget what Pastor Benny Ho said last night. This is one principle I always live by and want to continue living by, "Don't you ever dishonour God just to honour people!" We are created to be worshippers and pleasers of God and not of men. Life is not about the number of your friends and fans, but the quality of followers of Christ turned because of your life. We are not here to collect friends but to be made worthy of God by doing what is pleasing to His sight. Will it also not a disgrace to God to quickly turn away from God just because we are hurt, offended or displeased by someone else? Isn't it God the one who called you? Isn't it God the one who made you qualified by grace? Should it be God the one we are supposed to be serving? Should it be God the only one we should look at. When ever you are disheartened look at the cross! Jesus was mocked, bruised and killed just because of us. He did not look at himself and the suffering but He looked upon us. He fixed his eyes on getting us save. The Matter of the Heart Matters! Don't just respond on the call, keep it, sustain it, protect it, grow from it THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHEN US! #grace #forgiveness #thecross #Godslove #calling #passion #honour #christianlife #walkwithGod #followerofChrist #love #blessed #favoured #saved #allforJesus #allglorytoGod #iamachildofGod Sometimes it is easy to say we have faith, but when there is chaos and riot around us and everything we see is unstable can we still say that we have faith on God over the situation? It's easy to believe when we see it coming but what if God extend it a little bit to test us, will you stop believing half way? Brothers and sisters I encourage you to keep on believing the promises of God, keep on believing the favours of God and don't lose trust on Him. He is in control. Live by faith and not by sight. Stop looking upon the situation with your natural eyes but look forward and beyond. There is always something great that is about to happen every after challenges, there is always light at the end of the tunnel and there is always a rainbow after the rain though we never see it during rain. Hold on! Have Faith! It is coming! "Be still and know that He is our God!" Hebrews 11:1New King James Version (NKJV)11 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Love is more than just a feeling. It is an action word. It is not something that we just talk about and say just to get love in return. Love needs an action where in people can see it. Jesus demostrate it clearly when He died for us in the cross. He willingly gave His life just to show us how much He loves us all. John 15:9-13New King James Version (NKJV)Love and Joy Perfected9 “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. 11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. 12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. Truly there is no greater love than to lay down your own life for a friend. Thank You Jesus for dying for us. Thank You Daddy God for your unconditional love and immeasurable grace! We often present ourselves the way this world can accept. We often create another us for the eyes of men but God look at us differently. He knows who we really are. Be the exact person God created you to be not how this world wants you to be. 1 Samuel 16:7New King James Version (NKJV) 7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees;[a] for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” Footnotes: 1 Samuel 16:7 Septuagint reads For God does not see as man sees; Targum reads It is not by the appearance of a man; Vulgate reads Nor do I judge according to the looks of a man. Paul was once Saul. The book of acts stated how cruel he once were. He was once a murderer and persecuter of the followers and believers of Jesus Christ but it doesn't stop God from choosing Him. He became a living testimony for many of How great the mercy and grace and love of God. Through His life it was clearly stated that anyone can be a disciple of God if we will only have an authentic personal encounter with God. Because only if you had that encounter you can really leave your old life and surrender to our Most Holy God. He will make you qualified of your calling no matter what. Act upon your calling and never look upon yourself like how people look at you. Look from within you, look at yourself like How God sees a jem when He looks at you. Stop dwelling from the past mistakes and move away from the darkness and life without the peace of God. Make your path straight and open your eyes from the blindness of this world. When saul's sight was restored he never stopped preaching the good news from that day onwards. He never looked back but instead repented and moved forward for the Glory of God. Acts 9:15-16New King James Version (NKJV) 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.” #worship #wordofGod #calling #purpose #allglorytoGod #allforJesus #loved #qualified #blessed #favoured #Godmoves #Godslove #devotion John 15:1-8 (NKJV) The True Vine 15 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away;[a] and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. God prunes so we can grow beautifully and the less we get the more we bear fruits. I always wonder during school days when the care takers prunes and cuts our yellowtops plants in the school while actually it still look good and just went high. Then they will cut it in one level and amazingly it will grow back with much brighter colors. In verse 2 Jesus said that anything that don't bear fruits will be taken away. In our mind we might think, yeah! They just deserve it. But going on we will read the part when Jesus said that those who bear fruits He will prune. Then we might say, God! We are bearing fruit how come you still put a knife or pruning tools to chop us off. I can be painful you know? Why do You need to take and cut? Is that what I get from bearing fruit? Well them that is exactly what God wants to do, he wants to shape us in the best shape that we can get and while bearing fruits due time there can also be some unwanted grass and unhealthy elements that grow alongside with us. He needs to take it off so we can continue to grow beautifully. Do you have some stuff in your life that needs to be chop off for you to bear fruit and grow? Some vices that needed to quit, bad habit that needs to turn away from, immoral or unwholesome relationship, unhealthy lifestyle? Whichever it is God will sure prune you until you thing you have less or even left with nothing at all but God, then you will realize while you have less there is more opportunity and space to bear more. 😊😊😊 John 8:7King James Version (KJV)7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. In the Jewish culture if you fail to abide in the law you will surely be stone to death. I wonder if the jewish law will be implemented worldwide by this date how many people will still be living? Zero I guess. How thankful I am to be living in grace because none of us can ever escape from those many lists of commandments. In some point we did lie or should I say still lying, in some point we people became fornicators, drunkens, cheaters, thief, adulterers or what ever is listed in the commandments. Nobody is perfect but God so all of us will be guilty of those. We all deserved to be stone to death but God said we are loved and can be forgiven, if only we know. Many people though we are not experiencing the stoning to death physically nowadays we still experience it emotionally,mentally and spiritually. Many people cast stones intentionally or unknowingly to other people by words or by condemnation and I believe we can all be guilty of that. But as the recipient of the stones what should we do about it? Like what I have said earlier if we know God's grace we will know how to react. Everyone makes mistakes and the more we get critism, condemnation and stoning we should draw closer to God because the only comfort we can get in times of darkness and whenever we are lost is found in Jesus. It is very sad when most people in times of wilderness and failure instead of picking up those stone to build bridge towards God they build a high wall blocking everyone and even God. If we do that we are blocking the way for God to be able to help and saves us from the situation. Are you building wall from the stones thrown to you by people, separating you from the presence of God? Or are you building bridge so you can get closer to God? I hope you are making the right choice. Come closer to God. He loves you and is always wiling to forgive. We are all saved by grace. Ephesians 2:5New King James Version (NKJV)5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), Peace? What comes first in your mind when you hear the word peace?Jesus said in the book of John,John 14:27 (nkjv)27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.Jesus said He will leave peace unto us. The kind of peace Jesus is talking about here is not a peace that we usually know which is the absence of war but the peace from within. He said it's not the peace that this world gives because the peace of this world is temporary. It is a cotton candy peace wherein it's floppy, it's colorful and looks beautiful but after you taste it, it melts easily and after few seconds its gone. The true and genuine peace come from knowing God, honoring God and coming into agreement with God in righteousness. The other side of that, if we choose to do things apart from righteousness of God and honoring God, and keep on living in a sinful life it will be a life with an opposite of peace and destruction will come your way. Jesus continued and said let not your heart be troubled. That is exactly what we will feel when we have true genuine peace of God. We will not worry about anything. Apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 4:6-7(NKJV)6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. The peace of God is the kind of peace that we will not be able to explain and understand it comes from within. It is not of this world, it is not an absence of conflicts for this is a fallen world that will continue to get cruel day by day. It is the peace that we have even in the midst of trouble because we trust fully in the presence of our God. That peace can only be attained if we truly know our God, knowing God is knowing His grace that He loves and forgives no matter what and He will always provide for us; And being satisfied by that mindset and heartset will result to peace.Try to look for every first page of all the epistles of paul, you will read these words: "GrAce to you and peace from God our Father and The Lord Jesus Christ."It is his common greeting for everyone because he knows that it is important for everyone to know Gods grace and peace. Have a peaceful day everyone.😊🙏🏻 So, I got a new lunch and travel buddy! Today is the mark of the first day of our journey. Time for new things to learn. This book is about one thing that best describe my Christian walk. I always find joy in pure evangelism. 😊 I have found much interest from the movie inspired by this book and I'm sure I will a lot more after reading this book. But before I even start sharing about the content I want to share with you what first comes to my mind upon seeing the title. Luke 12:34New King James Version (NKJV)34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. What comes to your mind when you hear about treasures? Something valuable right? So where ever you put much value on your life that is where your heart also. But where can we fund treasures? Does the word treasure itself sounds very hard to find already? That's why the most famous line "treasure hunt" is formulated. Treasures are mostly being hunt, very seldom you will pick treasures randomly and easily. Now, what if we put it in our hearts and believe that we can find treasures in the streets, In the most unexpected areas? Would you rather consider that? I always find treasures when ever I go out in the streets and different places, lost souls are treasures. Everytime I find one my heart rejoices immeasurably. What ever we put much value and importance and priority in life it reflects where our hearts really is. If you have already given your heart to Jesus and you have truly fall in love with the Saviour you will always find treasures where ever He calls you and what ever He ask of you to do. Most of time we try to hide in a personality that best represent us in the crowd, a person that is well acceptable in the trend of society and a person that was made up of the choices and words of other people but he/she is not completely you. Are you trying to win people through a person you made up to be acceptable? Are you trying to seek love from the people who can only love what you show but not who you really are? By the way, Who are you? Really? We are humans. I know! What a species huh. We are emotional and highly intellectual but we can easily get caught up with this world. Easily manipulated by the lies of the fallen world. I don't get it. From what I read in the creation we are created to actually take care of this world. We are created above and with the full authority of this world but why is that the world is the one controlling? You need to know who you are my friend! YOU ARE A CHILD OF GOD! But you will never know that unless you know Jesus. John 1:12New King James Version (NKJV)12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: I heard a joke about a gorilla who died of old age in a zoo right before the zoo opens. It is the only gorilla at the zoo since they are not very profitable. However, the gorilla is their most popular attraction by far, and they cannot afford to go a day without it. So the zoo owner asks one of his workers to wear a gorilla suit they have in storage for an extra $100 a day if he will go in the gorilla cage and pretend to be the gorilla until the zoo can afford a new one. Quickly, the new "gorilla" becomes the most popular craze at the zoo. People from all over are coming to see the "Human-like" gorilla. About a month in, the craze has started to wear off. So, to get peoples attention back, he decides to climb over his enclosure and hang from the net ceiling above the lions den next to him. A large crowd of people gather watching the spectacle in awe and terror. Suddenly the man loses his grip and falls to the floor of the lions den. The man starts screaming "HELP!! HELP!!!" Suddenly a lion pounces him from behind and whispers in his ear, "Shut the fuck up right now or you're going to get us both fired." Oww how amazing how we can sometimes be like that gorilla man. We tend to try to be someone else out of many reasons that initially we thought was forced to us to do, out of life circustances or pressure. But eventually why most people stay and enjoy? I don't know how long you can enjoy this world or the person you are trying to be but you know what it will end. Sometimes people will just realiZe who they really are when life gets tough. When we get in such a mess that we can't seems to get out. Like what happened to the gorilla man when he end up in the Lion's den. We begin to shout for help and show our vulnerability. Whatever your past is you can always call out to God. Brothers and sisters from the very start we belong to God. We are children of the Most High. We are not part of this world but we are just too caught up to realize. Do not be deceived! Don't fall for the devil's lie! You are A child of God! Believe! Most of time we try to hide in a personality that best represent us in the crowd, a person that is well acceptable in the trend of society and a person that was made up of the choices and words of other people but he/she is not completely you. Are you trying to win people through a person you made up to be acceptable? Are you trying to seek love from the people who can only love what you show but not who you really are? By the way, Who are you? Really? We are humans. I know! What a species huh. We are emotional and highly intellectual but we can easily get caught up with this world. Easily manipulated by the lies of the fallen world. I don't get it. From what I read in the creation in the beginning we are created to actually take care of this world. We are created above and with the full authority of this world but why is that the world is the one controlling? You need to know who you are my friend! YOU ARE A CHILD OF GOD! But you will never know that unless you know Jesus. John 1:12New King James Version (NKJV) 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: I heard a joke about a gorilla who died of old age in a zoo right before the zoo opens. It is the only gorilla at the zoo since they are not very profitable. However, the gorilla is their most popular attraction by far, and they cannot afford to go a day without it. So the zoo owner asks one of his workers to wear a gorilla suit they have in storage for an extra $100 a day if he will go in the gorilla cage and pretend to be the gorilla until the zoo can afford a new one. Quickly, the new "gorilla" becomes the most popular craze at the zoo. People from all over are coming to see the "Human-like" gorilla. About a month in, the craze has started to wear off. So, to get peoples attention back, he decides to climb over his enclosure and hang from the net ceiling above the lions den next to him. A large crowd of people gather watching the spectacle in awe and terror. Suddenly the man loses his grip and falls to the floor of the lions den. The man starts screaming "HELP!! HELP!!!" Suddenly a lion pounces him from behind and whispers in his ear, "Shut the fuck up right now or you're going to get us both fired." Oww how amazing how we can sometimes be like that gorilla man. We tend to try to be someone else out of many reasons that initially we thought was forced to us to do, out of life circustances or pressure. But eventually why most people stay and enjoy? I don't know how long you can enjoy this world or the person you are trying to be but you know what it will end. Sometimes people will just realiZe who they really are when life gets tough. When we get in such a mess that we can't seems to get out. Like what happened to the gorilla man when he end up in the Lion's den. We begin to shout for help and show our vulnerability. Whatever your past is you can always call out to God. Brothers and sisters from the very start we belong to God. We are children of the Most High. We are not part of this world but we are just too caught up to realize. Do not be deceived! Don't fall for the devil's lie! You are A child of God! Believe! Revelation 3:16So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouthWe cannot put one foot in the world and one foot in Jesus. Many times we have heard this but why most of the christians still do so because mankind is as stubborn as their ears. We tend not to listen. John 12:30 Jesus answered and said,"This voice did not come because of Me, but for your sake." Many times we have heard the voice of God telling us to do this or not to do this but still we did not listen. God said we need to choose. Are you hot and ready to go for the passion and calling given to you? Are you on fire? Or are you cold? Numb? Careless? Are you called as ice that doesn't feel and care anymore? Are you either one or another? God said don't be lukewarm and just stay in the middle. There was one youth under the care of Pastor Mike Reeds of Calvary Chapel when he is still a youth pastor and this kid really struggled. He was trying to walk in the world and walk with Jesus. One foot in the world and one foot in the church. One foot in the world and one foot with Jesus. He describe it as, "walking in the fence." Have you tried sitting in a fence? Or has one foot in the world and one foot in Jesus you know you only need much to get just to make you miserable. And the kid was miserable and week after week he saw the kid and he kept on telling him that, "you can't be like that. Jesus said you can either be hot or cold or He will spit you out of His mouth." So he goes with that for 6 weeks saying, "Bro! Man! You need to be hot or cold or Jesus will spit you out of His mouth." Then Pastor Mike did not see this kid for a couple of weeks and then one day he showed up in a one youth group night. Then after the service that week the kid went up to Pastor mike and said, " Pastor mike you will not believe this, I went to the youth group the other night and I heard the most powerful thing I have ever heard. Incredible! The pastor was tAlking about how you can't be lukewarm and you either be hot or cold because Jesus will spit you out of His Mouth." And the pastor was like: 😳😳😳 Ha? I have been telling you that for 6 weeks?!!!! Hahahahah Aren't we like that at times? We only listen when we chose to listen. We only manage to listen when things already got too bad and everything starts to make sense. Friends! We can't serve two masters at the same time. We can not be in two world at the same time. We can not live two lives at the same time. It's either you are a child of God or Not. Choose. Philippians 2:12-13New King James Version (NKJV)Light Bearers12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Work it Out!!! "Christ's image cannot be cultivated cheaply. Yes it is a gift given freely when we believe, but it's working out in daily life is COSTLY." - Evangelist Daniel Kolenda Our Salvation is free that is true. It was also given to us by the power of grace and by our own work but right at the moment that it was given freely to us what are we supposed to to after? Being Christ like doesn't happen overnight. It is not like when you wake up after sleep you are alreAdy transformed. Have you watch any transformation programs? Does it happen so quickly? Come on! Even the most recent technology can't do sucg transformation of one being in a day or an hour. How much more to transform our whole life. Maturity ib the walk with the Lord doesn't happen in a blink of an eye. We can not even get it in one sunday worshup service, conference and seminars. Becoming like Christ happens on our daily lives. We are being shaped and transformed in tge rough and tumble of real life. You will only know the real capacity of the items you bought once you tested it and so are we. We are in a daily basis test. We cannot be seasoned saints or children of God who knows how to act spuritual in the church or when life is easy but when serious pressure or injustice comes we react just like the world. We believers and followers of Christ are work in progress. We are redeemed once but being transformed daily. Our transformation is a daily and continuous process. If you think you are being stagnant in your walk with God or you seems to be in wilderness don't loss hope. God is not done with you yet! Kinds of Wilderness from Daniel Kolenda's book surviving your wilderness: *The Wilderness of Opposition "Sin can reroute us into a spiritual wasteland." Do you remember what happened to the Israelites when they went out from egypt on their travel to the promised land? God multiplied the years of their travel as the result of their disobedience. "You will suffer for your sins and know what it is like to have me against you," He told them (Num 14:34 NIV 1984). "Most of Israel's wilderness was a wilderness of opposition" - God's opposition to their disobedience and unbelief (Heb. 3:17-19). Sin is an evil power that stands contrary to God. When we allow unresolved sin to grow and become habit, not only do we experience a wilderness of separation, but also of divine resistance. James 4:4 New International Version (NIV) 4 You adulterous people,[a] don’t you know that friendship with the worldmeans enmity against God?Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. Are you trying to walk against the stiff headwind of God's resistance? It will be an exhausting battle for sure. It is not necessary to go through such. There is no need to stay in that wilderness that long. There is an easier way of dealing with our wilderness of opposition. James 4:6-10New International Version (NIV) 6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”[a] 7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.9 Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. Footnotes: James 4:6 Prov. 3:34 #wordofGod #christianlife #repentance #wilderness #Godspromise #LoveofGod Jesus is our good shepherd and God the father also shows his compassion as a shepherd in Psalm 23. God loves us all. Jesus died in the cross not to give us religion but relationship. It is not about the matter of what is the truth that we want to believe in. Jesus said in John 14:6 "I am the way, the TRUTH and the life. No one comes to the father exept through me." 😊😊😊 that is the truth I believe in. Jesus came not to condemn the world but to save. He loves us All. 😊😊😊 he is willing to die for you and me again. John 10:11-18 11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. 12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. 13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. 15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. 17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. 18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father. Sheep is one of the dumbest and stubborn creature you will ever know. It is fully dependent and got minimal ability to take care of themselves. They are weak and can not defend themselves. They can not even find their own way or own food. They have poor eye sight but got very good ears. That is sheep and most often you will see in the bible that we, "people" are compared to a sheep. What a comparison given by God! Of all why are we compared to a sheep??? Well then if you will think about it, It is true! Even we try to deny it. Without a shepherd a sheep will most likely die. We too, if we don't have our shepherd we will also die. We can both die physically and spiritually if we don't have our great shepherd Jesus. A sheep recognizes its shepherd's voice and so are we. We should learn to listen to our God, to the Holy spirit that leads us to the right way: to be able to do that and be able to hear our shepherds voice we need to stay close. Friends, stop wondering! Stop fooling around! Stay close to your shepherd, He will lead you in the right path. His Love for you is never failing. Stop running away from God. He is shouting!!!! Listen!!!! John 10:1-5/7-11 1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. 4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. 5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. 10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. One part of the body of Christ is not meant to battle struggles ALONE. The body of Christ is meant to be together to uplift and encourage one another. If you are struggling with any addiction, bad habit or in trials in life you need your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ to help you. We are not meant to go to our wilderness and spiritual drought Alone. I read from the book of Daniel Kolenda "surviving your wilderness" that if we chose to face our trials and struggles alone without the help of our brothers and sisters in Christ, without our accountability partners we will be an easy prey to the enemy." Remember friends the enemy is just waiting for an opportunity to attack us and it will be so easy with him if we are ALONE. In the illustration given have you watch a documentary in national geographic channel when a lion waits for its prey? It will wait until one stubbon fellow strays away from a herd then the lion with quickly attack the astray one because there is always POWER IN NUMBERS. That goes the same thing with satan! Are you choosing a life wherein no body can come in and give you advises? Do you chose to be alone always when you are battling with something in your life? Well, i guess time to change some perspective. God will always send the right people to help us. He loves us and He will never want us to be astray. Seek help when needed. Find your accountability partners and be part of corporate prayers. Choose the right people to be with. Surround yourself with people that will bring out the best from you for God. It willl help you. 1 Peter 5:8New King James Version (NKJV) 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because[a]your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. #wordofGod #Devotion #christianlife Rest is essential for our physical body and soul. You will be less efficient in what ever things you do if you are too tired. Balance is important always. It is good to be productive always but take time to have a good sleep, quite time with God and just relax. Stay at home and do nothing. You will be surprise how good and light the feeling afterwards that will enable you to do even more. How can God use you to do the works of the kingdom if you don't have enough strength anymore to carry on the call? God introduced rest. In the creation after God did all He did, He rested. Genesis 2:2-3 2 And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. 3 Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made. True Vision and True BlindnessJohn 9:35-41 35 Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when He had found him, He said to him, “Do you believe in the Son of God?”[e] 36 He answered and said, “Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?” 37 And Jesus said to him, “You have both seen Him and it is He who is talking with you.” 38 Then he said, “Lord, I believe!” And he worshiped Him. 39 And Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may be made blind.” 40 Then some of the Pharisees who were with Him heard these words, and said to Him, “Are we blind also?” 41 Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say, ‘We see.’ Therefore your sin remains. Those religious leaders that have heard about the healing if the blind man in the story still did not believe in the works of Jesus and cast out the man because he proclaim about Jesus work unto His condition and emphasizes that He is truly from God. Then When Jesus met him again Jesus asked, "do you believe in the Son of God?" Then he longed to worship Him and Jesus revealed Himself unto him. You see my friend, there is power in believing and Jesus will reveal Himself unto us when we believe. The revelation that He is our Lord and Saviour. Praise the name of Jesus! True Vision and True BlindnessJohn 9:35-41 35 Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when He had found him, He said to him, “Do you believe in the Son of God?”[e] 36 He answered and said, “Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?” 37 And Jesus said to him, “You have both seen Him and it is He who is talking with you.” 38 Then he said, “Lord, I believe!” And he worshiped Him. 39 And Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may be made blind.” 40 Then some of the Pharisees who were with Him heard these words, and said to Him, “Are we blind also?” 41 Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say, ‘We see.’ Therefore your sin remains. Those religious leaders that have heard about the healing of the blind man in the story still did not believe in the works of Jesus and cast out the man because he proclaim about Jesus work unto His condition and emphasizes that He is truly from God. Then When Jesus met him again Jesus asked, "do you believe in the Son of God?" Then he longed to worship Him and Jesus revealed Himself unto him. You see my friend, there is power in believing and Jesus will reveal Himself unto us when we believe. The revelation that He is our Lord and Saviour. Praise the name of Jesus! Who is you father? I am not talking about your biological father but of your spiritual father. God is love and everything He does is a result of Love while the devil is the father of lies and everytime he opens his mouth everything that comes out are lies. So, which one is your father? Are you someone who spread peace and love or are you someone who kill, steal and destroy? Remember that even though you are from a chistian family it doesn't make you a christian because your parents ate christians. Christianity should be a personal choice. It doesn't mean also that you say you are a christian or perhaps you believe so but you don't do what Jesus has been commanding ever since that doesn't mean you are a christian. You are those so called christian only by name and you are no difference with the rest. The pharisees of the time of Jesus ministry on earth thought of the same thing. They mistakenly thought that they are the lawful and just and special people of God just because they are decendants of Abraham. They claim to be children of abraham but they don't act like one. Jesus said a very powerful message in John 8:44. He went straight in their face and told them that, "the devil is your father and the desires of your father you want to do." That was a hard accusation in the face of the pharisees but that is the truth. Jesus only speaks of truth. Who you really are from within will eventually comes out. Who you follow will be seen in your words and actions but we always have a choice. Choose to walk in such a way that shows where you came from. Are you from the Father of light and love? Or are you from the father of darkness and lies? Think about it.John 8:37-4737 “I know that you are Abraham’s descendants, but you seek to kill Me, because My word has no place in you. 38 I speak what I have seen with My Father, and you do what you have seen with[l] your father.” 39 They answered and said to Him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham. 40 But now you seek to kill Me, a Man who has told you the truth which I heard from God. Abraham did not do this.41 You do the deeds of your father.” Then they said to Him, “We were not born of fornication; we have one Father—God.” 42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. 43 Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. 44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. 45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me.46 Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me? 47 He who is of God hears God’s words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God.” Hebrews 13:5-8New King James Version (NKJV)5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”[a] 6 So we may boldly say: “The LORD is my helper; Concluding Religious Directions7 Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of theirconduct. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Footnotes:Honestly I have always been quoting that "God will never leave us nor forsake us" but i couldn't remember exactly where it can be found and when God led me to this passage last sunday I was overwhelmed with Joy. In whatever situations we may be in today, struggles and challenges that not only ours but also of the people we love and around us let's always keep in mind that He may seems silent in the midst of our storm we might not see Him at work through our struggles and we might not feel His presence He is just there. Call upon Him. He promised to be our helper and command us not to be fearful.(v6) Remember How God free israel from slavery He will do the same to you, Jesus healed the sick, Jesus stretched His arms to Peter when he is sinking and call upon the Name of God. Jesus forgave the adulterers when they Turned unto Him. Remember what He have done to our ancestors and His people long ago and even to the people who have shared the Gospel to you.(v7) Jesus touched their lives. He is Jesus the same as yesterday, today and forever.(v8) He will be the same God over your circumstances. Believe and Trust God He is at Work Always. He loves you and me and that love is unconditional and unchangeable. Have a Blessed and Wonderful day ahead.😊😊😊😊 Isn't it Cool to wake up in the morning everyday and remember that you are L❤️ved by our Holy God? Isn't it enough to put a smile on our face everyday? You are precious! You are amazing! You are loved! Remind yourself always about that! Jesus died for you in the cross and is still dying for you when you sin! Isn't that the greatest expression of love you will ever witness and experience? He loves you and me! I am sure of that. It's time for you and me to see that love and be joyful each day knowing that God loves us. ☺️☺️☺️ Spread Love! 😊😍 Romans 5:8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. There is power in our Words. We proclaim what we believe and today I am declaring awesome things to come in your life. Isn't it exciting to start your day believing in the awesomeness of our God. I believe i will be witnessing it Later in the breakfast With Love for the elders. I encourage you friends to always find ways to see Gods mercy, power and strength. Find people, places and events that will reveal to you Gods awesomeness. Be zelous on this one and your will witness great things to Come! God You Are Awesome! Psalm 68:35 New International Version "You, God, are awesome in your sanctuary; the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people. Praise be to God!" We all know how the pharisees and religious leaders mocked Jesus in His time on earth. I believe most of us is also aware that Jesus never stopped proclaiming about Him being the Messiah. All the days of His life of His ministry He was already giving away the answer to the many questions but many chose to reject it. He already prove Himself many times but many chose not to believe. Some even went until the crucial stage. Remember the two sinners in the left and right of Jesus during His crucifixion? One of them at the very last hour still chose to dishonor God while one at the very last moment of His life put that remaining time in faith and chose to believe in Jesus. Is anybody in this world can ever tell me that they figured out earlier in their life that some thing is just TOO LATE? I don't know how super are you but i believe we can only know if it is too late if it's already too late; where we got minimal chances to actually make things right and great amount of damage in our life has already been done and you can never redo it one more time. Would you rather choose to be in the too late situation and hear Jesus say this to you: "I am going away and you will seek me, and will die in your sin. WHERE I GO YOU CANNOT COME." (John 8:21) Would you like to hear that from Jesus, telling you that you can not join Him in Heaven? Don't wait until it's too late. This also speaks to the believers of Jesus. After Jesus said those to the pharisees many have believed but we should not merely receive but must retain it and walk it. Jesus said, "If you ABIDE in my word, you are my disciple indeed." (John 8:31) Abide in hebrew is "Yashab" it is not just merely acceptance but to REMAIN in Him; to dwell in His presence. Meaning you don't just accept Him once then you actually do everything backwards with the rest of your life. Abiding in the Lord is to continue following His word for us to be a true disciple of Christ. If you are still a slave of sin then you are not a true disciple of Christ. True, we will still sin but we should never be a slave if we have Jesus. We should not have the bondage of sin. Open your eyes and ears and see and listen to God. We have no idea how in bondage are we until we are set free. Right? Don't be fool by the devil. He will always lie on us that is why most of the believers of Christ are still hold hostage of the devil because we are letting him. He will lie to you to Sin and enjoy this moment now, you might not have another opportunity, your God will forgive you anyway. Come on! True, God will always forgive us but if we fell on that, you know what will happen? Sin will steal your fellowship with Jesus and brings you sorrow. Then the devil will lie to you again, You're completely a mess and a total offender of God. He does not love you anymore. You are a disgrace and not worthy of His love. Come on friends! We should know that is not true. If we know our God all the lies of the devil we can fight it back with the truth. But are eyes will only be washed clear from the dirt that blocking our sight if we abide in the Lord. He promised that if we abide in Him, "you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you FREE." (John 8:32) It will never be too late if we just choose to dwell in the presence of God always. It will never be too late if we will not listen to the lies of the devil. If you are not a believer of Christ right now this is one of the best promise you will ever hear, HE WILL FREE YOU. Isn't that awesome? If you are already a believer but you are still in bondage of sin and it seems like forever for you to get away from your habits, addictions and many others then it's about time to quit listening to the devil and focus on God's voice He will Set You free by the truth. The truth is He Loves Us So Much. Choose to believe that and I hope It is not yet Too late. |
AuthorI am a FOLLOWER OF CHRIST Cleverly disguised as an Architect who loves to share my experiences and encounters with God in every simple and possible way to the people out there who needs to hear Gods' greatness and goodness. Archives
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