Fear Not!

As Christians we do not need to live in constant fear in assumption that something terrible may happen to us. For nothing can happen to us except our heavenly Father wills it and maybe,  just maybe God doesn't even permit those fears we have in our lifetime,  but we cannot know until the moment comes (or never comes),  So we must live in the confidence of God's protection everyday, every moment of our lives. 

"Fear not" is written in the bible 365 times. That means at all times, everyday of our lives we are to live without fear. 

Sometimes in our lives we face challenges that are so unpleasant that at that moment it is difficult to believe that God has permitted such trial to come our way. Let us refer to Job's story (Job 1vs. 12),  here God gives satan permission to try job.  Also in Luke 4: 14-31 when Jesus preached in Nazareth and was almost pushed over a cliff but passed right through the crowd because His time had not yet come, in other words God had not yet permitted it. 

The bible constantly reassures us that God is with us,  that God never leaves us and He will never forsake us, so my dear friends in Christ,  why live in fear? 

Now you know that nothing ever happens to you without HIS consent and that HE doesn't want you to live in fear,  will you obey HIM? Will you live in the confidence of God's protection and in courage to face life's challenges knowing that God is with you? 

Here are 10 Scriptural refrences to the promise that God will never forsake or abandon you and I :

Deuteronomy 31:6

Deuteronomy 31:8

Joshua 1:5

1Kings 8:57

1Chronicles 28:20

Psalms 37:28

Psalms 94:14

Isaiah 42:16

Hebrews 13:5. 

........... We were made to be courageous! 

Peace, Love & Joy. 

Ms'Lin.

What does it mean to have the fear of God?"

"What does it mean to have the fear of God?" 

After reading 2Corinthians 7:1;  "Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit,  perfecting holiness in the fear of God."

I realized that holiness could be perfected in the "fear of God",  I wanted to know what it truly means to have "the fear of God". 

Answer: 

For the unbeliever, the fear of God is the fear of the judgment of God and eternal death, which is eternal separation from God (Luke 12:5; Hebrews 10:31). 

For the believer, the fear of God is something much different. The believer's fear is reverence of God. Hebrews 12:28-29 is a good description of this: “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our ’God is a consuming fire."

This reverence and awe is exactly what the fear of God means for Christians. This is the motivating factor for us to surrender to the Creator of the Universe. Proverbs 1:7 declares, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge.” Until we understand who God is and develop a reverential fear of Him, we cannot have true wisdom. 

True wisdom comes only from understanding who God is and that He is holy, just, and righteous. Deuteronomy 10:12, 20-21 records, “And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Fear the LORD your God and serve him. Hold fast to him and take your oaths in his name. He is your praise; he is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes.”                The fear of God is the basis for our walking in His ways, serving Him, and, yes, loving Him. Some redefine the fear of God for believers to “respecting” Him. While respect is definitely included in the concept of fearing God, there is more to it than that. 

A biblical fear of God, for the believer, includes understanding how much God hates sin and fearing His judgment on sin—even in the life of a believer. Hebrews 12:5-11 describes God’s discipline of the believer. While it is done in love (Hebrews 12:6), it is still a fearful thing. As children, the fear of discipline from our parents no doubt prevented some evil actions. The same should be true in our relationship with God. We should fear His discipline, and therefore seek to live our lives in such a way that pleases Him. 

Believers are not to be scared of God. We have no reason to be scared of Him. We have His promise that nothing can separate us from His love (Romans 8:38-39). We have His promise that He will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). Fearing God means having such a reverence for Him that it has a great impact on the way we live our lives. 

The fear of God is respecting Him, obeying Him, submitting to His discipline, and worshipping Him in awe. 

 

Recommended Resources: Knowing God by J.I. Packer and Logos Bible Software. 

Writers Credit: www.gotquestions.org

I was glad to have read this and I am sure you would be too! 

Peace,  Love & Joy! 

Mis' Lin.

Why Does God Bless Some People Even When They Have Nothing to do With Him?

Why Does God Bless Some People Even When They Have Nothing to do With Him?

Have you ever asked yourself what success is in the eyes of God? We often say a person is successful if they have wealth or power–and that is understandable. But God doesn’t define success the way we do, and His definition is different from ours.

Success in God’s eyes has to do with our character and with our faithfulness to what God wants us to do. Jesus wasn’t successful in a material sense, nor was He socially or politically powerful–not at all. And yet in God’s eyes He was absolutely successful, because “He was faithful to the one who appointed him” (Hebrews 3:2). God sent Him into the world to save us from our sins by His death on the cross, and He was successful because He did exactly what God sent Him to do.

You see, a person may be very successful in the eyes of the world and yet be a failure in God’s eyes. This is why material success isn’t necessarily a sign of God’s blessing. Yes, sometimes it is; God does call some people to positions of wealth or influence. But often it is only a sign of a person’s selfish determination or even greed.

What is your goal in life? Is it to achieve success in the eyes of others–or is it to please God? Some day this life will be over, which is why Jesus said, “Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven” (Matthew 6:20). Begin this today by putting Christ first in your life.

Written by Billy Graham

The Four Laws of Gods Blessings

The Four Laws Of God’s Blessings

“I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you . . . and you will be a blessing to others” (Genesis 12:2 NLT).

The Bible teaches that we should use our blessings to bless others –

Our blessings should flow to others 
The Bible teaches us that we are blessed not just so that we can feel good, not just so we can be happy and comfortable, but so that we will bless others. God told Abraham, “I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others” (Genesis 12:2 NLT). This is the first law of blessing: it must flow outwardly.  

When we bless others, God takes care of our needs
God promises that if we will concentrate on blessing others, he’ll take care of our needs. There’s almost nothing that God won’t do for the person who really wants to help other people. In fact, God guarantees this blessing. Jesus said, “I tell you the truth . . . no one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age and, in the age to come, eternal life” (Luke 18:29-30 NIV). 

When you care about helping other people, God assumes responsibility for your problems. And that’s a real blessing, for he’s much better at handling your difficulties than you are.

Our blessings to others will come back on us
The more you bless other people . . . the more you help others, the more God blesses your life. Luke tells us, “Give away your life; you'll find life given back, but not merely given back--given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity" (Luke 6:38 MSG). 

You cannot out give God. The more you try to bless other people in the world around you, the more God says, “I’m going to pour blessings out on you. We’ll play a little game here. Let’s see who will win. Let’s see who can give the most. The more you bless others the more I’m going to bless you in return.”

The more we’re blessed by God the more He expects us to help others. 
Jesus said it this way: “Much is required from the person to whom much is given; much more is required from the person to whom much more is given” (Luke 12:48 TEV). 

Would you agree that based on the blessings of your life you probably have a greater responsibility than other people in the world? If you live in the United States, I’m sure you’d agree, because it’s obvious we’ve been given freedom that many people don’t have. We’ve been given opportunities that many people don’t have. We’ve been given material and physical and spiritual abundance that a lot of people around the world simply do not have. 

Think this through with me. If I’ve been blessed more than the rest of the world then it would stand to reason that God would want me to care about the rest of the world. Does that make sense? 

Written by Rick Warren

WHAT IS THE DEVIL DISTRACTING ME FROM?

WHAT IS THE DEVIL DISTRACTING ME FROM? 

As a child of God where should my focus be?  What is my mission here?  According to the bible our no. 1 rule is  to "LOVE GOD" and to "LOVE MY NEIGHBORS ". 

God is love,  love is everything, for in love there is joy,  peace,  gentleness,  patience,  kindness,  faith,  hope,  perseverance,  tolerance,  forgiveness,  truthfulness,  etc.  

When we love God righteousness and holiness fall into place naturally,  it becomes our nature. But it's a different outcome when we are being distracted by the devil. Our focus shifts from loving God to satisfying ourselves. 

The devil is desperate!  The devil is running out of time!  Anything or anyone could be used to distract you.  From the television to the internet to hunger,  poverty, family conflicts, spiritual warfare, ignorance, confusion, sickness,  and so many more devices. So your daily focus changes from "How can I love  God better today? " to "How can I solve my problems?" The first question interprets that you love God while the second interprets that you love yourself.  It is not bad to love yourself  neither is it unimportant but loving God should be top on the list.  

When you are being distracted by the devil,  your life is centered around you but when your focus is on God  there's more meaning to your life,  you love God so you are sensitive to things,  thoughts and actions that would grieve the spirit of God (hurt God),  So you do the right things always,  you flee from sin,  from wickedness,  from evilness. 

The Gospel is a message of Love, so if your focus is not on God and His loving nature where do you derive your own message from?  

Even in God's anger,  He still loves us so why shouldn't we always love Him back?  

Don't be deceived,  Don't be distracted,  ignorance is not an excuse, ALWAYS LOVE GOD! 

By:

Ms' Lin.

Must Have I

Must Have I

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me” Jn.10:27.

The Supernatural: Simply put, the supernatural means the natural that is super and in plain language, the unseen world. There is a world that cannot be seen and the world that cannot be seen is so active it is unbelievable. In the unseen world there are two things that I want you to know and that you have to develop. The first is the ability to hear heavenly conversations. Every child of God should be able to hear God. You should be able to hear your Father that is what makes you a son. The ability to listen in on spiritual conversations is so powerful. When I am discipling people I make a lot of effort to make sure that they can hear God by themselves. It is because when you can hear God by yourself a lot of things are solved. In fact, one of the most important question you will ever have to answer in your life is what is God saying? In your career - what is God saying? In your business - what is God saying. You want to get married to that person, what is God saying? You are upset and you want to make a decision, what is God saying? It is one of the most, if not the most important question you will ever have to answer.

“There once was a man named Job who lived in the land of Uz. He was blameless—a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil… One day the members of the heavenly court came to present themselves before the Lord, and the accuser, satan, came with them. “Where have you come from?” the Lord asked satan. satan answered the Lord, “I have been patrolling the earth, watching everything that’s going on.” Then the Lord asked satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil.” Satan replied to the Lord, “Yes, but Job has good reason to fear God. You have always put a wall of protection around him and his home and his property. You have made him prosper in everything he does. Look how rich he is! But reach out and take away everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face!” Job 1:1, 6-11.

I am praying that the wall of protection around you will not go down. The important thing here for you and I is a conversation was going on about Job’s life in heaven and Job did not have a clue. What do you think would have happened when the heavenly host gathered, if Job could gain access to the Presence of God and listen in, what do you think would have happened? Would that have changed something? You have to be able to listen in to heavenly conversations.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, please give me the ability to listen in to spiritual conversations concerning me and my sphere of influence, in Jesus Name.

Credit: God's Favorite House

Who God says Will Make Heaven.

Let's remind ourselves of God says will go to heaven.

Matthew 7:21-23

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

John 5:24 

Truly, truly, I say to you, WHOEVER HEARS MY WORD  and BELIEVES HIM  who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

John 3:3 

Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Romans 6:23 

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Revelation 21:8

But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

Hebrews 10:26-31

For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses. How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has spurned the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace? For we know him who said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.” ...

Matthew 25:31-46 

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, ...

John 3:13 

No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man.

John 14:6 

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Ephesians 2:8-9 

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

John 3:16 

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

Who is the Devil?

Who is the devil?

Ephesians 4:26-27 - "In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.

Do not give the devil a foothold.

There are two extremes when it comes to the devil – not believing in him or giving him credence, and giving him too much. For those who do not give him enough credence, we know from Ephesians 6 that our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms, and we also know from Revelation 12 and 2 Kings 6 that there is an unseen spiritual dimension behind our everyday experiences. And for those who give the devil too much power, we are reminded that he is only a created being who is not a god but a fallen angel, and that some bad things that happen are just a product of bad decisions, not because “the devil made me do it.”

Let me begin by doing a brief introduction to who the devil is. Satan is a created being, an angel who rebelled against God and took 1/3 of the angels with him, and is now bent on destroying the people of God. He is called the adversary – working against the people of God; the accuser of the brethren – accusing us before God; the ruler of this world; the tempter (1 Cor 7:5) – tempting us to sin, testing us to leave or disobey God. (1 Pet 5:8) He is a roaring lion seeking who he can devour, (2 Cor 11:14) he disguises himself as an angel of light. John 10:10 - He is the thief who comes to steal, kill, and destroy. He can work through people (like Peter in Matthew 16:23 or Judas in John 13:2). He can snatch away the word of God before it affects you.

But – he is not all-powerful or all-knowing. He only works within the limits God lays down (Job 1:12, 1 Cor 10:13, Rev 20:2,7). Jesus came to destroy the work of the devil. Jesus healed those who were under the power of the devil (Acts 10:38). At the cross, Satan is judged (John 16:11) and cast out (John 12:31), giving God the victory (Heb 2:14, 1 John 3:8). There is an eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels (Mt 25:41), and in Rev 20:10 John sees this come to pass. 

Submit yourself to God – do what he says. Resist the devil – don’t do what he says. And, as Paul writes in Ephesians 4:27, do not give the devil a foothold.

Think of your life as a house. Jesus uses that metaphor himself in Luke 11 when talking about how demons can affect you. Giving the devil a foothold is like leaving the door open, even it is just a crack, so that he can come inside. Not many of you would be comfortable sleeping with all your windows and doors wide open. But that is what many of you are doing spiritually. You rest, but you have left openings to the influence of demons everywhere.

1 Peter 5:8-9 - Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

John 10:10 - The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Speaker: Eric Stillman

Do you deserve to live?

Why Should God Keep You Alive?

I want us to ask ourselves some key questions as Christians. Let's say you are pleading your case and justifying the reason why you should be in the land of the living.

Why should God continue to keep you alive? 

Is there any reason why God should say, I need so and so to live to 80 or more because he/she is.......

Whether we live or die,God never changes. He is the same today and forever. God doesn't need you so why should He keep you alive? The bible says in Hebrew 1:3 that God sustains all things by the mighty power of His command.

This means that you are alive because God has kept you alive. 

You are not alive because you are smart, beautiful or the best that God has ever created. Solomon tells us in Ecclesiastes what He has observed in this world 

"I again saw under the sun that the race is not to the swift and the battle is not to the warriors, and neither is bread to the wise nor wealth to the discerning nor favor to men of ability; for time and chance overtake them all". Ecc 9:11

Let me offer a reason why I believe God is keeping us alive. I believe he keeps us alive for the same reason He kept Paul alive! Paul says that God keeps him alive because 

"But the Lord stood with me and gave me strength so that I might preach the Good News in its entirety for all the Gentiles to hear. And he rescued me from certain death" 2 Tim 2:17

God kept Paul just like He is keeping us alive so that the world can hear about Jesus. 

Though we are not apostles like Paul, we do share in the same basic mission: to tell the world about Jesus (Matt 28:18-20). So whether you’re a parent, a student, a plumber, a pastor, a grandpa, a brick-layer, or a missionary, God kept you alive today because he wants the world to hear about Jesus.

"18Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matt 28:18-20

Are you living for yourself, for your success, for your comfort? If yes, then why should God continue to sustain you?

When Ordinary Things become Worship!

When Ordinary Things become Worship!

We all have routines! Waking up, preparing the kids for school, school run, work, house chores, cooking, running errands for our boss,reading, watching tv,gardening e.t.c. We all have activities that consume our days. Some activities are routine, some are occasional and are all ordinary.

These ordinary everyday activities pile up into weeks, months and years of ordinary activities which eventually makes up an ordinary lifetime.

These ordinary activities are what our lives are made off as ordinary as they are. These ordinary activities are what we are going to held accountable for in the presence of God!

God says we should put Him first in all things. " So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything to the glory of God." 1 Col: 10:31. 

These ordinary activities make up the "everything" God is asking us to Glorify Him with.

Imagine putting God first while doing ordinary house chores, while working in the office, in your everyday relations? It changes these ordinary activities to Worship! 

We worship God when we put Him first. I hear people say I would have beaten or dealt with him/ her if not for God. I would have spent the money if not for God!. I gave her the last money in my pocket to feed just because of God! That is putting God first in these situations.

Let's take this further and worship God with our trials, temptations and everyday activities. We will do all these ordinary activities anyway so how about making these ordinary activities holy, spiritual and supernatural. Let's pray and let God know that He is the reason why we live, why we breathe, why we do.

Jesus was an ordinary carpenter that worshipped God with his ordinary activities. Moses was an ordinary man,Abraham was ordinary, David was an ordinary shepherd boy, Daniel an ordinary young man! 

So Let us worship!

Find Your Crusade!

Find Your Crusade! 

At this very moment, there are people in hospital who are in pain; some families do not know where their next meal is coming from; some people are grieving because a loved one just died, some are in emotional pain because their relationships are disintegrating, and there are people with overwhelming health challenges. People are in dire situations and they want a way out. Millions are looking for fulfilment but they do not know how to get it. In trying to find satisfaction, they try to get more money, acquire many material possessions, some eat and drink excessively, while others acquire more sexual partners. Unfortunately, these acts do not give lasting satisfaction. Jesus met a woman at the well in Samaria and struck up a conversation with her. When He told her about the Living Water, she was very interested. However, Jesus was trying to draw her attention to the very core of her life. He showed her that this earthly life only gives temporary satisfaction; none is permanent (John 4). Most people cannot correctly identify that it is fulfilment they are looking for but when they experience it, they recognise it.

You will experience lasting fulfilment when you find alignment with what God had in mind before He brought you to this world.  Your fulfilment is tied to your purpose. Majority of us do not find our purpose because the sin nature has birthed self-centredness in us. Unfortunately, your life is too small to be the reason why you are on earth. In order to find your purpose, you will have to step out of your “bubble” – your comfort zone. Inside this bubble, our focus is on our self (Proverbs 11:24). When we are unfulfilled, there is a tendency to give in to anger and frustration. In this state of mind, when we have issues with others, we believe they are the ones with the flaws (James 4:1-3). Shifting your focus away from yourself helps you to understand other people’s behaviour better. The people who hurt us the most have issues they are dealing with. Hurting people hurt people. When we understand people better, we have the capacity to bear with them. Jesus and His disciples had divergent solutions to solving the problem of hunger; the disciples wanted to send the people away but He took responsibility for feeding them (Mark 6:35-44). Helping others requires that we accept more responsibility. When you focus on yourself, you notice your lack of ability and resources but when you look out for others, you will solve a problem for someone. Then, start from helping one person instead of trying to take on the problems of the whole world simultaneously. Until you get out of your bubble, you will not find the relationships and resources God has provided. The purpose of power is to help others and to cancel the prevalent inequality. You are not on earth to feed your selfishness.

In order to find your crusade, have goodwill towards all men and wish others well. Secondly, use your opportunities, no matter how small, to make life better for others. Lastly, set up non-profit and profit-making platforms that will give you a voice. Whatever your business is, make it a crusade; don’t just work to earn money.

Written by Sam Adeyemi

Jesus in Your Boat!

Jesus in Your Boat

If I am with Jesus, there shouldn't be a storm.Christianity is not a playground but a battle ground. It is Warfare! Smooth life is a distortion of the gospel. We will face problems and pain but it will never sink you because Jesus is in your boat. Don't ever let the presence of a storm make you doubt the presence of God.  The storm will rock u but it will not sink you. You are in d storm with His presence and for his purposes. It was Jesus's idea for disciples  to get to the other side. So Jesus knew there would be a storm.They were not in the storm because they were out of Gods will but because they were in Gods will. James1:2-4

In psalm 23: David understands that the presence of God is always with him " though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil for thou are with me, thy rod and thy staff. Thou comfort me..."

You are in middle of a test, why does a good teacher test you? So u can move to a new level.Sometimes the difference between  where you  are and where God wants you to be might be a storm.

Scripture implies that Christians seasoned by heartache are the heroes most likely to be entrusted with the divine grace to comfort others (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.Matthew 18:14 

Though it may not seem possible at the time, God does not allow pain without purpose

Written by Kachi

He Still Loves You

HE STILL LOVES YOU.

Have you ever been in such a terrible situation as Job was?  Have you known loss, disappointments, defeat, shame, poverty, sicknesses, e.t.c? 

How did you handle it or how are you handling it?  We all know about the story of Job in the bible, so are we asking like job did, "Why me Lord"? or "God where are you? " Have you been compelled to doubt God's existence because of your experiences/situations? 

This message is for you, 

Just like I've read in Job, and other similar stories in the bible, God is with you in all of this, He hasn't gone deaf neither is He asleep, He hasn't forsaken you, and He never will. Yes God is still in control and above all God still loves you. 

Be encouraged! 

Written by:

Mis Lin.

I Choose Not To Grieve God! Do You?

I Choose Not To Grieve God! Do You?

I am a Mother. I went through the stress of pregnancy, the pains of labor, the sleep deprivations, the constant sacrifice, doing my very best to give my children the best, working hard to make all things better for them in every way.

A lot of us can relate to these feelings, either as a child or a parent. You remember how your parents loved you unconditionally, how they deprived themselves, how they cry when we cry and hurt when we make mistakes that affect us. They love us whole heartedly and unconditionally.

Then this child grows and wants independence. The child you sacrificed everything for is ashamed to call you father or Mother. Your child that you love so much no longer loves you back. This child even goes as far as insulting you, rejecting you, and basically hating everything that you are and that you stand for. The child spits on you and chooses to dine with and glorify your enemy.

You have to be inhuman as a parent to not be heartbroken. Happiness will seem far,the one you love so much and sacrificed so much for now hates you.

As parents, we have not and cannot do a quarter of what God has done and does for us as His children. He sacrificed His Only, His best to die a painful, disgraceful death so that man that He loves can make it.

He sacrificed His all so that you can have victory. Jeremiah 32:42 "I will rejoice in doing them good, and I will plant them in this land in faithfulness, with all my heart and all my soul"

Now look at these so called Children God loved enough to sacrifice His everything. They claim He is non-existent, they say all kinds of Horrible things about Him, they hate Him, they want to destroy all that He stands for, they want to destroy His house and everything related to Him.

How do think God will feel? After all God has feelings. He gets angry like He got angry with the Israelites time and time again. He was happy with David that's why He said" David is a man after my own heart", He was happy with Abraham.

Psalm 78:40"How often they rebelled against him in the wilderness and grieved him in the desert!" 

Gen 6:6 "And the Lord regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart"

I feel bad that we grieve God after all He has done for us! I do not want to join with those who grieve God. Who continue to show ingratitude for all He has done for us.  

If God is regretting creating humans, let us be the reason why He is glad He did!

Please Choose not to grieve God!

Written by Kachi

I Am Blind Like That

I Am Blind Like That

I believe in God. He is my sovereign, the Almighty, the Creator of the heavens and the earth, my God.

I follow the edicts and commandments of God to the best of my ability. If God says this is ugly, then to me it is ugly, if He says this is good then I agree that it's good, if God says this is beautiful, then I say it is beautiful, if God says this is dirty no matter how clean it is to me, I say it is dirty too. If God says it is then it is. No more, No less. If God says its 30%  dark, even if my brain says it's 40% and I can see a lot of light ,I still say No it's 30%.

I have no higher thoughts than God. No matter how smart I think I am,how logical or how creative, I bow to the one who knows it all. 

Yes I may not know all about God but I know He is a good God and He loves me so that's enough for me. Besides if I knew everything about God then what makes Him God?

I don't need to ask or to question God because how smart are humans anyway? We are still discovering things about the human body even though humans have been on earth for over a million years. We are still digging the ground for evidence of the past and trying to piece the puzzles together. We are still discovering creatures. We haven't even reached the ocean floors. We haven't touched the sun. No human has even created a distinct creature even if it's an ant. Doctors have to divide the human body and specialize in each part but yet a neurologist that has been studying the brain for years is still discovering new things, an orthopedic is still discovering new things about the human skeleton and bone, we still have the 7 wonders of the world, we witness unexplained happenings, miracles, mysteries.

So please tell me again why I should not agree with God.? When any human can do a quarter of what God has done. His creation of the world, humans, Infact everything then you can question my blind follower-ship until then I remain blind, daft, deaf and a foolish foolish sheep following my one true Shepherd.

Written by Kachi

Grand Entrance Into Heaven

HOW TO GET A GRAND ENTRANCE INTO HEAVEN.

2Peter 1:3-11.

The bible says that God has given us everything we need for a godly life. He has given us great and precious promises, these promises enable us to share His divine nature and escape the world's corruption caused by human desires. It admonishes us to make every effort to respond to these promises of God. 

How?:

-Have faith in Christ, 

-Supplement your faith with a generous amount of moral knowledge, 

- Knowledge with self-control

- Self-control with patient-endurance

- Patient-endurance with godliness, 

- Godliness with brotherly affection, 

- Brotherly affection with love for everyone.  

The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. The bible warns that, if you fail to develop in this way, you will be short-sighted and blind (spiritually), you will forget that you have been cleansed from your old sins (you will be tormented with guilt,  forgetting the essence of Christ's death on the cross).

Work hard to prove that you really are among those who have been called and chosen. Do these things listed above and you will never fall away, then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

The rules are:

- Have faith in Christ, 

- Be morally excellent, 

- Be knowledgeable in all things    Christ,    

- Have self-control, 

- Be patient and enduring (pesevere), 

- Be godly, 

- Have brotherly affection (be kind),

- Love everyone!    

Written by

Mis'Lin.

All Access Pass to Gods Banquet

All Access Pass to Gods Banquet

Every Home has it's rules. In some homes, you will be asked leave your shoes at the entrance door as one of rules.

Well in Psalm 15, God tells us His requirements to be a guest at His table. We all want to be allowed to eat at Gods table, we want full clearance, all access, we even want to have permanent seats or permanent rooms. Here are Gods requirements:

Psalms 15:1-5 

Who may stay in God's temple or live on the holy mountain of the Lord? ( requirements for staying in Gods temple or living on His mountain)

Only those who obey God and do as they should.( walk uprightly, always doing the right thing).

 

They speak the truth and don't spread gossip; (no lies, deceit, cheating,falsehoods)

They treat others fairly and don't say cruel things.(no insults, no discouraging,no criticizing, no pulling people down, putting them at their level or in their place)

They hate worthless people, but show respect for all who worship the Lord. ( we delight in spending time with people who have hearts for God, good Godly friends,staying away from people who have no heart for God)

They keep their promises, no matter what the cost. ( they honor their words, they have integrity,they are not quick to make promises because they have to honor it)

They lend their money without charging interest, and they don't take bribes to hurt the innocent. 

Those who do these things will always stand firm. 

Written by Kachi

5 Tips to Success in Everything You Do

5 Tips to Success in Everything You Do

Let the bible  give you it's 5 tips to being happy and successful in everything you do!

We have a lot of self help tips to being successful, to being productive, to being rich. I don't have anything against self help books but sometimes some self help tips encourage things completely against Gods commandment. Some teach you how to be selfish, be more self absorbed, more manipulative while the bible teaches us to be selfless, to love and sacrifice. A popular book I would note is " POWER"

Well the bible's 5 tips for success in everything you do is all in Psalm 1. 

1) Happy are those who reject the advice of evil people.

2) Happy are those who do not follow the example of sinners.

3) Happy are those who do not join those who sneer at God and have no use for God.

4) Happy are those who find joy in obeying the Law of The Lord.

5) Happy are those who think and chew on the scripture ( word of God) day and night.

The bible gives us a picture of what you would be like when you begin to apply these 5 tips to your everyday life; 

1) You would be like a tree planted beside a stream ( that means, you will never need any artificial source of water,you will never have to beg for nourishment, you don't need a gardener, you are self sufficient, independent, straight from the source, no processed food)

2) You will produce fruit in season ( this means that when it's time for your fruit to ripe and be harvested, no stories, no failures, no delays, no postponement, all glory no story) 

3) You will always have leaves ( you will never be bare, naked, you will always be surrounded with blessings, you will never be ashamed, you will always have something to be thankful to God about.

People who follow these tips will be successful in everything ( job, marriage, parenting, business, lifestyle) they do. Psalm 1:3

Not only does the bible give us tips, a picture and the result, it always tells us that we get a bigger bonus because in Psalm 1: 6 " The Lord protects everyone who follows Him". This means that your blessings are bulletproof. 

So next time you see a tree beside a stream or river, look at how the tree looks and think about this and tell yourself; I can be this tree!

Written by Kachi

Questions For God?

If You Have a Question For God

In the story of Job, in the midst of Jobs sufferings, he constantly complains that he did not deserve his sufferings. He says in Job 31:35 " if God has something against me let Him speak up and put in writing"

When God finally answers in Chap 39. God did not explain anything to Job. He makes it clear to Job that He owes him no explanation so think about this next time you want to ask God why.lol

He asks Job in 39:" have you been there when mountain goats and deer give birth?", how long are they pregnant before they deliver? Did you give the horses strength and flowing hair? Did you teach hawks to fly south for the winter? Did you train eagles to build their nests on rocky cliffs? 

( so next time you think you are just too smart. Think again)

God asks Job  in Chap 40:8" are you trying to prove that you are innocent by accusing me of injustice?" 

( people do this all the time, they say after all I have done for God, for the church, after all my prayers, after all my sacrifice)

God asks Job " do you have a powerful and thundering voice like mine? If so, surround yourself with glory and majesty, show your furious anger" ( the point here is this: if you think you are more sensible, more powerful, more successful than God, then think again because you can't do a tiny bit of what God can do. But if you think you can get into the ring with God or drill Him with questions then try some of these things in chapter 40)

God tells Job I created you and the Hippo. Look at how magnificent the hippo is. I made it more powerful than any other creature,it eats grass while other animals play nearby..his skeleton is made of steel, he is the most magnificent of all my creatures but I lead him around like a lamb. there is no way to capture the hippo. Chap 40

(So if the hippo as strong and powerful as he is still eats grass and is a gentle animal you better think hard next time you feel too proud or try to abuse whatever power you have)

The hippo cannot be a pet yet he is a docile animal. I think we should dwell on this. We can be powerful, knowledgeable, successful yet humble. We can be spiritually strong but still not a slave to the world and all its lures. We can do it. Why? because just as God leads the Hippo around like a lamb, He can lead you too.

Written by Kachi

Knowing Deceit: In Relationships, Business and Everything

Knowing Deceit: In Relationships, Business and Everything

You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Matt 7:11

The Bible amazes me, God amazes me! The key to so much can be found in just a verse in the bible. The word of God says by their fruit you shall know them.

A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. Matt 12:35

So many people claim to be what they are not, even what they are very very far from being.

So many of us wonder if our friends are good, honest, God fearing people as they claim to be? We wonder if our Priests.Pastors, Spiritual leaders are as God fearing as they seem on the altar? If our fiancé will make a good husband? If perhaps the person we work with is honest?

Everyone can carry a bible but very few actually read it and even fewer understand what they read. Deceit is everywhere,in the house of God, in relationships, in business, everywhere!

How do we find and sieve the real from the fake? The illusion from the reality of a person? How do we see what deceit and hidden motives? BY THEIR FRUIT!

A diseased tree can never produce a healthy fruit. Sometimes a fruit may even look great from the outside and then you open it and you see that it is diseased in some way. This happens to me all the time especially with garden egg. Sometimes you can see evidence of a diseased fruit just by looking at it. Other times you buy believing it to be healthy only to open it and see the contrary.

Don't be deceived by talk, and all kinds of external appearances but wait and study the fruits of these people around you and you will see, recognize and understand their fruits.

If you see your fiancé disrespecting his mother in any way, how will he respect you when you are married. If he is nasty to people he considers lower class (waiters,helps e.t.c), those are fruits you should not ignore.

As is the tree, so is its fruit; if the tree is good, it will bring forth good fruit. The tree that brings forth good fruit, is good antecedent to the fruit it produces; it is first good, and then puts forth good fruit: it is not the fruit that makes the tree good, but makes it appear to be so; but it is the goodness of the tree that makes the fruit good. As a good man does, and will do good works, but his works do not make him a good man; he is so before he performs good works, or he would never be able to do them; " Gills exposition"

Written by KACHI

Prayer: Heaping Empty Phrases

Prayer: Heaping Empty Phrases

“And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Matt 6:7

According to the canons of the Pharisees, every day a man ought to pray eighteen prayers. Their prayer books abound in tautologies, and in expressing the same things in different words, and by a multiplicity of them. " Gils exposition on the bible"

There are formulas, programs, advice and techniques for getting what you want from God.This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need. 

As loving Parents, we all want the best for our children. Their wants and desires are not always the best for them. I for one as a parent would like my kids to approach me with their desires and wants in the most simple way without a lot of drama. I would rather they come as they are not with escorts to ask on their behalf but as they are even if they are incoherent. No matter how incoherent my child is, he/she is my child, I will understand the incoherence.

God loves us so much that He gave us His only Son without our asking  so why do we find it difficult to approach the One who loves so much more than our parents ever could. God says in Matt 7:10-11"If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

"He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?" Romans 8:32

Some people feel their voice is not good enough or strong enough for God to hear but God loves you just as you are!    For God so loved (not just love "so loved") the world (we sinful,unworthy people) that He sent His only Son (the best that heaven has to offer) that whosoever (thief,prostitute,ugly,stammerer,ex-convict,my father was a missionary,my mother is a senator,my father was in the occult,my mother hates me,disowned child,mad men,serial killer,Boko haram,Isis) believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life! john 3:16

God says whosoever! Let us come bodly to the throne of grace that we may obtain grace for help in the time of need.

Written by Kachi

Grow Down

Grow Down

How honest and direct children are with their needs! If it feels good, they laugh. If it hurts, they cry. If they want it, they ask for it—or just take it.

In Luke 18:17 Jesus says, “Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

These words about children actually preceded Jesus’ conversation with the rich young ruler who couldn’t admit his need for God and Jesus’ interaction with Zacchaeus, who scaled a tree — like a child — to catch a glimpse of Jesus. Jesus set the stage with a truth and then illustrated it both negatively and positively. By contrasting two men’s actions — one who couldn’t admit his needs and one who readily admitted his needs to the point of making himself look like a child — Jesus clearly teaches us how to approach God with our needs.

What do you need? Patience with a potty-training three-year-old? Wisdom with a truth-stretching six-year-old? Compassion with a troubled thirteen-year-old? Jesus reminds us that when we admit our needs with the honesty of a child, he’ll meet them.

Take a moment to pray today:

Dear God, I need _________. Today. Right now. Please provide for this need in a way that I can understand. Like a child, I’m asking, I’m reaching out, I’m standing on tiptoe to watch you work. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

From the Moms bible

Posted by kachi

Exercise for Your Soul

Exercise for Your Soul

Can you think of any other exercise that yields more results than prayer?

• We can converse with the God of the universe. When we bow our heads and utter God’s name, we have an audience with a king more powerful than the leader of any country on earth.
• We’re reminded that we’re not alone. Even after a terrible tragedy or trial, God waits to be with us in prayer. Our trust is stretched and we gradually gain perspective.
• We’re united to God and to other believers. When we pray for a sister, we’re joined with her and with others who have the same desire. Our bond with others is strengthened.
• We grow when we pray. By uniting our wills with God’s, we can see ourselves making progress toward becoming more like him. Our faith is flexed.
• We wee God answer. Friends are healed. Children begin a relationship with Jesus. Patience appears in the face of trials. Jobs are provided. Our spirits expand.
• We learn to wait. When answers are slim, we learn that God is still at work while we wait. Our patience develops.

There is no other exercise that yields more results in our souls than prayer. Want to get your soul in shape? How about bending those knees?

Credit: Moms bible

Posted by Kachi

Grow Down

Grow Down

How honest and direct children are with their needs! If it feels good, they laugh. If it hurts, they cry. If they want it, they ask for it—or just take it.

In Luke 18:17 Jesus says, “Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

These words about children actually preceded Jesus’ conversation with the rich young ruler who couldn’t admit his need for God and Jesus’ interaction with Zacchaeus, who scaled a tree — like a child — to catch a glimpse of Jesus. Jesus set the stage with a truth and then illustrated it both negatively and positively. By contrasting two men’s actions — one who couldn’t admit his needs and one who readily admitted his needs to the point of making himself look like a child — Jesus clearly teaches us how to approach God with our needs.

What do you need? Patience with a potty-training three-year-old? Wisdom with a truth-stretching six-year-old? Compassion with a troubled thirteen-year-old? Jesus reminds us that when we admit our needs with the honesty of a child, he’ll meet them.

Take a moment to pray today:

Dear God, I need _________. Today. Right now. Please provide for this need in a way that I can understand. Like a child, I’m asking, I’m reaching out, I’m standing on tiptoe to watch you work. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

From the Moms bible

Posted by kachi

The Reason We Ask, Seek, and Knock

The Reason We Ask, Seek, and Knock

God answers prayer, but asking prayer is not primarily about answers. Asking prayer, like all other forms of prayer, is about relationship. If you make asking prayer about answers, you're moving into dangerous territory.

When prayer is primarily about answers, our relationship with God becomes results focused. When God says no or works outside of our time schedule, we desperately question why and are tempted to feel inadequate or unloved by God. Be assured that as you grow in the area of asking prayer, the Devil will seek to shift the focus of your prayers from relationship to results.

Christ was well aware of the relational purpose of asking prayer. In the seventh chapter of Matthew when Jesus dared His followers to ask for things – big things – like "elephants" in prayers. He immediately transferred the focus from the asking to the fatherly or paternal relationship that surrounds each request we make.

Jesus was saying that whenever you ask in prayer you open up the familial lines of communication and put yourself in a position to experience relationship with a loving and compassionate Father.

When God answers your prayers in dramatic fashion, you will grow in the knowledge of His power and care for you. When God works on His schedule instead of yours, you will come to know more about His sustaining power. And when God says no and your dreams die or perhaps you lose someone close to you, you will come to know the God of all comfort who weeps with you. If you want to know God as Father, begin to assault the throne of heaven in asking prayer.

Written by Pastor Adam Stadtmiller

Posted by Kachi

Abandon Laziness

Abandon: Laziness

You may or may not remember the “get rich quick” commercials promising little work, lots of pay, and early retirement. The underlying messages were that the best life was to have more money than you could ever need, quit working, and be lazy gallivanting around in a beautiful mansion with everything you ever wanted. (i.e., cars, food, trips) This, however, is not how God designed us to function.

As humans, we’re made for work; work gives us meaning. In fact, work begins with God in the first book of the Bible: Genesis. In the creation story (see Genesis 1), God works for six days and rests on the seventh. This is the example we as people, made in the image of God, are suppose to follow. If we don’t, the Bible has some tough words for us. Paul says in 2 Thessalonians 3:10, “...The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.” (NIV)

How do we abandon laziness? We find what it is that we love doing that serves other people. Instead of focusing on what it is that will make us the most money for an "early retirement," we focus on what it is that God has called us to do to give back to the community. If you don’t know what it is that you love to do, then seek out someone who can pray with you and help you find it.

Prayer: 
Our Father, please show us the gifts that you have given us to serve. Help us to understand that You have uniquely purposed us to be a blessing to others. It’s not about money. It’s not about fame. It’s about loving You and loving others through service. May we find joy and pleasure in meaningful work.

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Written by Brian Price

Posted by kachi 

Belief before Behaviour

BELIEF BEFORE BEHAVIOR 

People conceived and brought into life by God don’t make a practice of sin. How could they? God’s seed is deep within them, making them who they are. It’s not in the nature of the God-begotten to practice and parade sin. Here’s how you tell the difference between God’s children and the Devil’s children: The one who won’t practice righteous ways isn’t from God, nor is the one who won’t love brother or sister. A simple test. (1 John 3:9-10 MSG)


This is a difficult verse, but it speaks volumes about the priority of heart change over behavioral change. John is telling us that belief is the essential act required before behavior will change. When we believe and are "born of God", the Holy Spirit comes to reside in us and empowers us to live a life that is free of habitual sin. That's not to say that we will never commit individual sins, but that we will not be trapped in a pattern of behavior characterized by long term, blatant sin. 

This speaks to our relationship with our kids, too. We should be concentrating our efforts towards a change of heart, rather than just trying to modify their behavior. When your child asks why you have a certain rule for your family that other families don't have, you should be willing to explain it in a way that demonstrates the way your heart for God directs your behavior. It is easy to say, "Because I said so!" but that doesn't engage your child's heart, it just asks for a certain behavior. 

Heart change drives behavioral change

Written by parenting and design

Posted by kachi 

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Sufficiency and excess

SUFFICIENCY AND EXCESS 

Paul used the example of manna to make the point that God will provide just what each person needs, and no more. No one in Moses' time could keep extra manna around because it would rot, become worm-infested, and demonstrate a lack of trust in God. Like manna, grace cannot be stored up for the future. That would lessen our dependence on God for our "daily bread." 

Similarly, when we try to store up our material possessions and ignore others who have little or nothing, we are violating God's call for us to use what we need and share the rest. God blesses us with what He knows we need and asks us to use the extra "plenty" to supply those who don't have enough. 

The way we handle our money is a gauge of our affections. Generous giving demonstrates to our children that we see our resources as God's rather than our own. 

Be a model of generosity, trust, and dependence on God.

Written by parenting and design 

 Posted by kachi 

7 Suggestions when God is silent

Elijah had been used of God to hold back rain from the people for over three years, because of their sins. Obviously, he was not well liked as a preacher. I can imagine the stress he experienced during those years.

Consider 1 Kings 18:1:

"After a long time, in the third year, the word of the LORD came to Elijah: "Go and present yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain on the land."

According to a couple New Testament passages, this "After a long time" was actually three and a half years. The famine was three and a half years long. For three and a half years, the people apparently continued to sin, Elijah continued to hold on by faith, but God said nothing. God was apparently inactive...not speaking...even to His great servant Elijah during this time.

Have you ever been there? Has the silence of God in your life ever been eerily strong?

Imagine you had been faithfully serving...God is using you...you are in constant communication with Him...and then suddenly...everything is quiet. You have to wait.

The separation must have seemed unbearable. Elijah is not liked and unpopular. He's an outcast from the people and the One he trusted most was seemingly absent.

God would soon do a miracle through Elijah...one he couldn't even imagine...certainly not script, but during this period all Elijah could do was wait.

If you have been follower of Christ very long, you have had periods where it seems God is nowhere to be found. We often call them periods of spiritual dryness. Sometimes I refer to it as being in a spiritual funk.

What should we do during the times of silence, before the miracles of God come through for us?

If you are like me, you can figure out how to celebrate a miracle. You don't need much help doing that. The tough part of life is figuring out what to do during the years of silence...during the years when miracles are seemingly nowhere to be found.

What do we do during the spiritually dry periods of life when we don't hear clearly the voice of God?

Here are 7 suggestions for those times:

Don't ignore the silence... - Some of the biggest moves God has made in my life have come after a period of spiritual dryness...when it seemed like God was doing nothing in my life. Stay very close to God and watch for Him to eventually display His power. He will in the fullness of time.

Confront known sin in your life - This wasn't the problem of silence for Elijah, but the problem for the Israelites was that they were chasing after other gods and living lives in total disobedience to God. Sin may not be the reason you don't sense closeness to God right now, but if you have known sin in your life it will affect your intimacy with God.

Go back to what you know - Get back to the basics of the faith that saved you. You'll do it 100's of times in your life, but you must remind yourselves of the basis of faith...which is the very character and promises of God. God is in control. He really is...even when it doesn't seem that He is anywhere to be found.

Make a decision...Choose sides - You can't adequately serve God and the world. (Consider Joshua 24:15) Something happens in life, often sin, busyness, boredom, or a tragedy...but if we are normal, we have periods where we grow away from our close relationship with God. God hasn't moved, but if you've shifted in your obedience, get back securely on the right side.

Trust More...Not less - Times of silence may be filled with fear, but ironically, these times require more faith. Times come in our spiritual life when our enthusiasm isn't as real as when we began our walk with God. That's not an indication to quit...it may be that God is using that time for something bigger than you could have imagined...but whatever is next will most likely require a deeper level of trust.

Listen and Watch Closely - Some day God is going to make His plans known to you. Don't miss them. He may come to your personally, through His Word, circumstances or another person. You'll need to be in a position to know that God is moving. (Read THIS POST if you need help discerning God's will.)

Get ready to receive - God will break the silence some day...and when He does it WILL be good. If you mope around in your sorrows, you'll be less prepared to receive the good things to come. Not because of your circumstances, but because of your faith, clothe yourself in joy as you wait for God to bless you after the period of silence.

Written by Ron Edmondson

Posted by Kachi