Showing posts with label church. Show all posts
Showing posts with label church. Show all posts
Wednesday, 30 September 2015
UNDERSTANDING AUTHORITY 3
MEMORY VERSE: And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire around about Elisha. 1 Samuel 16:7
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Proverbs 11-12
There are different categories of authority. We briefly looked at authority at home yesterday. Let’s look at authority in the church of God. It is important that you and I remember this at all times: all authority belongs to Christ. Matthew 28:18 says, "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and earth". Whatever authority one has is a delegated authority from Christ. The head of the church is Christ. Colossians 1:18 says, "and he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the pre-eminence". Although He (Jesus) owns all authority over the church, He has delegated some of the authority to some people. The founders, GOs, GSs, Senior Pastors, etc all have a delegated authority from Christ over their congregation or ministry. Their congregation includes pastors, workers, deacons, deaconess, etc. This delegated authority is a spiritual one. As a church leader – senior pastor, founder, GOs, GSs, etc – invested with so much authority from Christ, they can pronounce blessings upon their congregations including the pastors under them, and the Lord will grant it. They can literally ‘move the hand of God’ on your behalf or over your matter if you serve them well. Elisha cried to God on behalf of his servant and the Lord granted his request.2 Kings 6:17 says, “And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.” A man or woman, who has the authority to open the windows of heaven, also has the authority to shut it. As such, you must flee things that could cause your church leader to be unhappy with you.
Pastors have a delegated authority from Christ over their deacons, deaconess, assistant pastors, workers, etc – the whole congregation. However, their authority is under the authority of the founder, GO, GSs, Senior Pastors. Pastors too can ask God for things on your behalf and God will grant it- provided you serve them well .The deacons and deaconess, youth leaders, cell group leaders have a delegated authority from Christ over the workers under them. One thing with spiritual authority is that, it is more potent than all other forms of authorities. Whether one has been to bible school or not, the pastor has a delegated authority from Christ over one. One may be more educated than his or her pastor, the pastor still has a delegated authority from Christ over one. One may even be older than his or her pastor, the pastor has a delegated authority from Christ over one. This is why you must not argue or exchange harsh words with your spiritual leader even your youth leader. Whatever you do to them, it is not them that you have done it to, but to God who gave them the authority. Also, when one’s wife speak rudely to the pastor’s wife, it is not the pastor’s wife one has spoken rudely to but the pastor (because they are one). And, it is not the pastor really that one has spoken rudely to but God. This is why as a child of God, you must not threaten your pastor or shout at them. When you walk out on your pastor, it is not your pastor that you have walked out on but God. When people join your church, as a pastor, interview them to know why they left their church. If they left because of a quarrel with their pastor, please send them back to go and make peace and get the blessing of their pastors. It does not matter how gifted a sister is, she must not join the choir until she has made peace with her former pastors. This is discipline in the house of God.
ACTION: If you have ever been rude, openly or in secret, to any man or woman of God, please go and apologize to them and ask God to have mercy.
PRAYER POINT: Father, we come against the spirit of rebellion in the body of Christ.
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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world
Thursday, 16 October 2014
WORSHIP OR ENTERTAINMENT
MEMORY VERSE: Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; leave there thy gift before altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. Matthew 5:23-24
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Corinthians 14 – Second Corinthians 3
The line between a worship session and an entertainment session is so thin that people take them for each other. Majority of our gospel artists are entertainers not worshippers. Their prime goal is to sell albums not to worship God. This is why majority of them are concerned with danceable beats not bringing down the presence of God. No wonder we see a lot of club beats in gospel albums. Fans now come first not God. Wonder why we see all sorts of collaboration between ‘so- called’ children of God and unbelievers in gospel tracks? A lot are only concerned with winning worldly awards not heavenly awards. Every award a man or woman wins on earth is useless if he or she does not make heaven. You may receive a Grammy award; will you receive the Crown of Life?
Even in our churches, what we do most of the time is entertain ourselves not worship God. During praise and worship session, you find people sending and receiving text messages. Others are busy talking and chatting away. Is this how to worship the Most High? Sister, you are meant to lead the congregation into the presence of God through praise and worship but there are people in the congregation you are keeping malice with. Can I inform you that you are not fit to lead people into the presence of God? All you will be doing is entertain the congregation not praise God. Church organist, you had a little misunderstanding with the church drummer and you have refused to greet him. Brother, let me be real with you, whatever sound that comes out of that organ will be noise unto God. The congregation, who can not see your heart, will dance as you entertain them with your piano skills but that will be it. Then, what is the point of playing instruments when the sound it produces is noise unto God? Matthew 5:23-24 says, “Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; leave there thy gift before altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.” Before you mount the altar to offer anything to God, first of all, go and make peace with those you are not in talking terms with. We are not in church to entertain ourselves but to worship God. The kind of dresses, short skirts and tight dresses we see in our churches today, I wonder if the people wearing them are in church to worship God or seduce men or add to the figures. The kind of haircuts and jeans cut we see at times, you wonder if these brothers came to worship God or represent. The sad thing is many of them cannot wear those rag-like jeans or demonic looking haircuts to a job interview, why wear them to the place of worship? We cannot dress anyhow to the presence of God and expect Him to meet us with open hands. NO!
PONDER: If God were to be physically present in your church service, how will you conduct yourself?
Bro Samuel | Reaching the world for Jesus.
Wednesday, 8 October 2014
BE DELIBERATE
MEMORY VERSE: Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:16
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Romans 10-14
In Matthew 5:14, Jesus said:“ Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” Friend, our lights must shine not dimly but brightly. Non Christians around us must know that we are different. The way we carry ourselves must be different. As lights we must be modest in our dressing not flamboyant or sexy. 1 Timothy 2:19 says, “in like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array.” The way we talk, our choice of words, our choice of music, must be different. How can the favourite song of a born again, regenerated, spirit filled believer be ‘sexual healing’ or ‘Mr Bombastic’? How can the ringtone of a believer be ‘Get rich or die trying?” Friend, old things must pass away and all things must become new (Second Corinthians 5:17). Astrology and palm reading must pass away. Playing lottery must pass away.
Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works.” That they may see your ‘good’ works not ordinary works. Friend, I want you to know this, letting your light shine is work. One thing with ‘work’ is that, you do it, not because it is convenient, easy or pleasant, but, because you have to do it. There are times you wake up in the morning tired, especially after night vigil, and do not feel like going to work. Despite the tiredness, you still go to work because you have to. Some times, letting your light shine before men is not easy or pleasant. If someone betrays you, letting your light shine before such fellow is not very easy. This is where the ‘work’ bit comes in. Letting your light shine before a fellow who has just testified falsely against you is not pleasant. This is where the ‘work’ bit comes in. Whether it is easy or not, whether it is pleasant or not, whether it is convenient or not, our lights must shine.
In doing good works, we must be deliberate. That fellow may not deserve it, but do good to him or her. In letting your light shine, be deliberate. Deliberately greet that sister that is keeping malice with you. Deliberately pray for that fellow who has wronged you and mean the prayer. Deliberately refuse to swear and curse when you are angry. Deliberately refuse to buy cigarette and beer for your friends. Be good to people. Deliberately refuse to be nasty to people evenwhen they are nasty to you. You have nothing to gain by being nasty and you gain everything by being nice. Deliberately refuse to pay people back in their own coin. Deliberately refuse to start a big quarrel any time that man comes home drunk or late at night. Instead of shouting and asking, “where have you been,” greet him. When he is asleep, wake up and ask the Lord to touch his heart. Instead of flaring up over petty things, deliberately smile and say, “it is well”and mean it. Be deliberately nice to fellow road users. The next time that fellow wrongs you; deliberately refuse to remind him of how he has wronged you fifteen times in the last two weeks. The next time Angie, at work, leaves the kitchen dirty; deliberately clean it up without making fuss about it.
NOTE: You have a lot to lose by being nasty.
Bro Samuel | Reaching the world for Jesus.
Saturday, 12 July 2014
SLOW IN TURNING
And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons. And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years. And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband. Ruth 1:3-5
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Isaiah 61-63
Ruth 1:3-5 says and Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons. And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years. And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband. Yesterday, we discussed about Elimelech’s move to Moab – a pagan nation. The move was against God’s will for his life. How can a man leave God’s care for a pagan nation and call it the will of God? Anyway, he moved his family out of God’s care and all sorts began to happen to his family. Firstly, he died. This was the perfect opportunity to set things right by relocating back to Israel. One would have thought that they will return to Israel to bury Elimelech and stay there but they did not. Instead, they buried him in Moab and married wives in the land. At times God uses painful instances to speak to us but the reason many of us cannot hear is that we are set in our hearts to do that thing.
Mahlon died in Moab, they buried him there and still stayed put in this land. Chilion also died, it was at this point, Naomi’s eye opened and she decided to return to Israel. This was all avoidable, at the time Elimelech died, they would have returned home but they did not. Naomi waited until all her sons died leaving her with two daughter in laws before going back to Israel. Each of those deaths was a strong message and signal to return to God and to the land even if it meant pain and hunger. What kept Naomi in Moab until she lost all is unknown to anyone, we may never be able to answer this question but those who are insensitive to the voice of the Spirit of God and who are unrepentant or slow in turning from a wrong thing, wrong place, wrong steps, wrong decision, etc, usually pay heavily for it.
Is God speaking to you, through your present situation and you are refusing to change? Some of the excuse people give is i have invested so much in it – relationship, investment, business, etc, and i have no other option than to remain. It does not matter how much you have spent, if God is speaking to you to change, do not be slow in turning. Have you left the assembly where God has placed you because of scarcity of husbands or some other thing? I beg you in the name of the Lord, move back.
NOTE: Please do not procrastinate any further, act fast and decisively, repent and move away from all that represent Moab and move back to the will of God for your life.
Bro Samuel - Reaching the world for Jesus.
Thursday, 12 June 2014
THE HARVEST SEASON OF MORDECAI
On that night could not the king sleep, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king. And it was found written, that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's chamberlains, the keepers of the door, who sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus. And the king said what honour and dignity hath been done to Mordecai for this? Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him, There is nothing done for him. Esther 6:1-3
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Proverbs 11-13
The story is told about an old man who uncovered the plot to assassinate a king. In Esther 2:21-23, Mordecai EXPOSED a plot by Bigthana and Teresh (two eunuchs) against the king. The traitors were hanged as they deserved, the name of Mordecai was recorded in the king’s secret book with a particular remark that Mordecai was the man who discovered the treason. One would have expected the king to reward Mordecai immediately but he didn’t. The king did not even recognize what he did at all; instead he promoted Haman (a wicked man) who hated Mordecai with passion.
There are many like Mordecai today, they have done a lot of good things, instead recognition they are faced with persecution. I want you to know that the God who kept Mordecai is still very much alive and He will protect you from your persecutors. Amen. They are a lot of ‘Mordecais’ in the body of Christ today, they have done and are still doing good things - they obeyed God, they evangelized, fasted, prayed, gave offerings, sow seeds , etc , who are yet to be rewarded for their good deeds. There a lot of brothers and sisters who have kept their bodies, they do not fornicate or indulge in any form of sexual immoralities, who are still single and the ones that are messing up themselves are getting married left, right and center. It can be depressing at times.
Mordecai’s efforts were forgotten and his labor seemed to have been in vain, but when his harvest season came, it took God just one night to change Mordecai’s story. Yes! You have prayed and fasted in your past years; you have served God in holiness and you have been faithful, I want to announce to you that your harvest hour has come and it will come as lightening (quick and sudden) this year. I pray in the name that is above every other name that your celebration will show up faster than your past years of delay!
PRAYER: Oh GOD who made the heaven and the earth, the One who can do all things, I pray that as this reader says amen, let his or her harvest season begin in Jesus name!
Bro Samuel – Reaching the world for Jesus.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Proverbs 11-13
The story is told about an old man who uncovered the plot to assassinate a king. In Esther 2:21-23, Mordecai EXPOSED a plot by Bigthana and Teresh (two eunuchs) against the king. The traitors were hanged as they deserved, the name of Mordecai was recorded in the king’s secret book with a particular remark that Mordecai was the man who discovered the treason. One would have expected the king to reward Mordecai immediately but he didn’t. The king did not even recognize what he did at all; instead he promoted Haman (a wicked man) who hated Mordecai with passion.
There are many like Mordecai today, they have done a lot of good things, instead recognition they are faced with persecution. I want you to know that the God who kept Mordecai is still very much alive and He will protect you from your persecutors. Amen. They are a lot of ‘Mordecais’ in the body of Christ today, they have done and are still doing good things - they obeyed God, they evangelized, fasted, prayed, gave offerings, sow seeds , etc , who are yet to be rewarded for their good deeds. There a lot of brothers and sisters who have kept their bodies, they do not fornicate or indulge in any form of sexual immoralities, who are still single and the ones that are messing up themselves are getting married left, right and center. It can be depressing at times.
Mordecai’s efforts were forgotten and his labor seemed to have been in vain, but when his harvest season came, it took God just one night to change Mordecai’s story. Yes! You have prayed and fasted in your past years; you have served God in holiness and you have been faithful, I want to announce to you that your harvest hour has come and it will come as lightening (quick and sudden) this year. I pray in the name that is above every other name that your celebration will show up faster than your past years of delay!
PRAYER: Oh GOD who made the heaven and the earth, the One who can do all things, I pray that as this reader says amen, let his or her harvest season begin in Jesus name!
Bro Samuel – Reaching the world for Jesus.
Tuesday, 3 September 2013
RETURN TO YOUR DUTY POST
MEMORY VERSE: Remember therefore from when whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent, Revelation 2:5.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Num 12-13, Ps 49, Isa 2, Heb 10
What are duty posts? They are the areas God has called you to function in the vineyard of God or your ministry. If you are or use to be an usher in the church, that is your duty post. Duty post could be ushering department, choristers, sanctuary keeping, prayer warriors, evangelism, counseling, e.t.c. Every true child of God has a duty post. No true child of God is a bench warmer; he or she must be doing something in the vineyard of God or functioning in one capacity or the other. When you study Isaiah 60:1 (arise and shine; for thy light is come and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee) carefully, God was giving an order to all of His children. The word ‘arise’ and ‘shine’ are verbs (doing words) meaning get up from rest and do something or get up and begin to shine in a department. What most people don’t know is that bench warmers are visitors in the eyes of God not sons and daughter. Visitors do not really business if the house is clean or not; they don’t care if there is food or not; they don’t care about the condition of the house; they don’t business about the progress of the house only sons and daughters worry about these things and get into action by becoming a worker in the vineyard of God.
It is God that chooses people to take duty posts. John 15:16 says ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain; that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in My name, he made give it you. You did not just get up one morning and become a worker; it is God that encouraged you to work for Him. Been a wise son or daughter, immediately He encouraged you, you became a worker in the vineyard of God. The reason why He encouraged you to be a worker is because He wants to bless you. He was just looking for an avenue to bless you that was why He pushed you. He also touched the heart of the man of God so that he won’t turn you down. If you are a worker, be grateful for the opportunity because there are countless numbers of people In the grave who would give an arm just to come back to life and work in the vineyard of God.
Today the heart of God bleeds and He is highly disappointed with some of His children because they have abandoned their duty post. Because of work, have you abandoned your duty post? Because of business or marriage, have you abandoned your duty post as choir, usher, evangelist e.t.c? I besiege you repent today and run back to your duty post. Revelations 2:5 says remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly , and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. Because of extra shift at work are you beginning to abandon your duty post once in a while? Are you considering quitting your duty post because of what your pastor said to you? Is it because of a disagreement with your group leader you are contemplating quitting? Or have you actually quit because of a reason or the other? As harsh as it may sound, you quit your loss! I know you are too wise and humble to abandon your duty post (God’s assignment) because of what someone said or did. I know that you love the Lord and He loves you, I know because of your love for Him you will go back to your duty post. Don’t worry the Lord is your strength.
PRAYER POINT: Father, please continue to strengthen me to I can continually mine duty post.
Friday, 23 August 2013
THE REAL LOVE
MEMORY VERSE: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life, John 3:16.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Num 7, Ps 42-43, Sng 5, Heb 5
Love is not cheap, it costs something. Anyone who loves free stuff should forget about love because it comes at price. One of the prices sisters have to pay depending on culture is that they have to drop their maiden names and pick up the surname or last name of the brother they get married to. In other words they have to drop their identity and assume a new identity. Not only that, they have to move from a known territory (her father’s house) to an unknown territory (husband’s family) also depending on cultures. They have to move from a place where 24 hours unconditional love is guaranteed to a place where it might not be guaranteed especially if the bro is not God fearing. A bro who is not God fearing can just wake one morning and ask for divorce or worse still marry a new wife. This is why before you say 'i do’, get all clear from God first. One of the prices brothers have to pay is that what used to be ‘my salary’ now becomes ‘our salary’. Not only that, they are expected to love regardless even if the sister is the carbon copy of the devil! It even gets worse if the sister lacks the fear of God because anytime she can decide to have a boyfriend or sugar daddy, worse still ask for a divorce and take half of what you have worked for all your life. The cost is even greater when bro and sister begins to have kids because they have to channel all their resources – time, money, energy to the children in the name of love.
The love relationship between God and man is an expensive one too. This relationship cost God His one and only begotten son – Jesus. John 3:16 says for God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son. God knowing what men is capable of and what they are going to do to His son, He gave Jesus. Jesus did the same thing to. He knew Peter would deny Him despite all He would do for him. He knew Judas would betray Him, despite all the trust He would give to him. He knew that many He died for would accept Him as their personal Lord and savior but refuse to witness. He knew some of whom He died would claim he did not die for them. Despite all these, out of love he still decided to die for the entire world. The love relationship between God and man will also cost man something. Abraham to prove His love for God had to pay a very expensive price. He had to sacrifice Isaac - the son of his old age. A son he waited for over twenty years to have. Paul too out of love had to sacrifice a very profitable career to be a witness for Christ.
Friends, your love for Christ will cost you something. It cost Jesus His life on the cross of Calvary and it will definitely cost you something. You cannot really say you love Christ until that love has cost you something. I remember several years ago, while the pastor was preaching the Lord pointed my attention to the old wooden pulpit he was preaching from and I understood. I exhausted my savings and bought a brand new glass pulpit. It wasn’t a convenient thing to do but just like David said I will never give God an offering that cost me nothing, 1 Chronicles 21:24. To really love God, you must be ready for many inconveniences. Your love for Christ will cost you your sleep, strength, resources e.t.c. True love is expensive at times it might even cost you your job. During my final hearing case at work, one of the key evidences against me was a written testimony from a fellow I witnessed to and a note from one of my bible studies. They said I spent more time reading the bible and preaching than doing the job I was paid to do which was a big lie. Real love costs something but there is also a reward. Abraham gave Isaac to God and He got the land of Israel in return. Several years ago I gave all to buy a pulpit for God; today God gave all to rescue me from sure defeat at work. God Himself gave Jesus, but today He has over a million children all over the world including you and me.
PRAYER POINT: Father, help me to really love you as I should.
Thursday, 8 August 2013
WORKERS IN GOD'S VINEYARD
MEMORY VERSE : I have shewed you all things, how that so laboring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive,Acts 20:35.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : Num 2, Ps 36, Eccl 12, Phm 1
Just as organizations and companies recruit staffs from time to time, heaven also recruit staffs. Who are the staffs of God? They are workers in the vineyard of God . The moment you become a worker, heaven opens an employee file under your name. Earthly employment offer many benefits some which are good pay packages, pension schemes, insurance to mention a few. There are a lots benefits in working for God. According to Isaiah 40:31, those who wait on the Lord i.e serve, shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with Eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.
As we all know, different jobs carry different pay package. The same happens in the Kingdom of God. One of the highest paid jobs in the Kingdom are sanctuary keepers (church cleaners) and prison evangelist. When an individual is obsessed with making sure that the house of God is clean and tidy, God will ensure that such life is free from mess. When a fellow takes it upon himself to ensure that the house of God is always in order ( talking of ushers) , God will ensure that the life of such fellow is always in order. When a fellow engages in spiritual battle for the church (prayer warriors), God will engage in Spiritual battles for such fellow. When a bro or sister begins to tell the world about Jesus ( evangelism team), just as they go about telling the world about the name Jesus, the Lord will ensure that there names will be heard all over the world for good . Whatever you do for God, is what He will do for you. Malachi 3:7 says if you return to God, He will return to you. Proverbs 8:17 says those who loves Him, He loves them in return.
There is a lot to touch on this matter but for a reason or two I will quickly go to one of the most important section. Just as organizations have codes of conducts, the heaven has a code of conduct. There is an expectation on every staff to perform. Every non performer is on his way out of the job sooner or later. There is also an expectation on every staff to conduct themselves well both at work and outside work. That's why once you go to jail, your employer will automatically terminate your employment.I pray you will not go to jail. A staff who fails to abide by the code of conduct is either guilty of a misconduct or a gross misconduct. A gross misconduct attracts a heavy penalty, nine out of ten the end is dismissal. An offence classed as a gross misconduct is stealing from your employer. The same applies in the employment of God. Stealing from God is classed as a gross misconduct. How does one steal from God? By not paying your tithes, Malachi 3:8. A worker who does not pay his tithe his stealing from his employer - God. The pastor may keep quiet but heavens have taken note. I pray you will not work for God in vain.
ACTION POINT : If you are owing God tithes, as a worker you better pay up so that you don't loose your reward. This is also an opportunity for those who are not yet workers to join the workers in their church.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : Num 2, Ps 36, Eccl 12, Phm 1
Just as organizations and companies recruit staffs from time to time, heaven also recruit staffs. Who are the staffs of God? They are workers in the vineyard of God . The moment you become a worker, heaven opens an employee file under your name. Earthly employment offer many benefits some which are good pay packages, pension schemes, insurance to mention a few. There are a lots benefits in working for God. According to Isaiah 40:31, those who wait on the Lord i.e serve, shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with Eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.
As we all know, different jobs carry different pay package. The same happens in the Kingdom of God. One of the highest paid jobs in the Kingdom are sanctuary keepers (church cleaners) and prison evangelist. When an individual is obsessed with making sure that the house of God is clean and tidy, God will ensure that such life is free from mess. When a fellow takes it upon himself to ensure that the house of God is always in order ( talking of ushers) , God will ensure that the life of such fellow is always in order. When a fellow engages in spiritual battle for the church (prayer warriors), God will engage in Spiritual battles for such fellow. When a bro or sister begins to tell the world about Jesus ( evangelism team), just as they go about telling the world about the name Jesus, the Lord will ensure that there names will be heard all over the world for good . Whatever you do for God, is what He will do for you. Malachi 3:7 says if you return to God, He will return to you. Proverbs 8:17 says those who loves Him, He loves them in return.
There is a lot to touch on this matter but for a reason or two I will quickly go to one of the most important section. Just as organizations have codes of conducts, the heaven has a code of conduct. There is an expectation on every staff to perform. Every non performer is on his way out of the job sooner or later. There is also an expectation on every staff to conduct themselves well both at work and outside work. That's why once you go to jail, your employer will automatically terminate your employment.I pray you will not go to jail. A staff who fails to abide by the code of conduct is either guilty of a misconduct or a gross misconduct. A gross misconduct attracts a heavy penalty, nine out of ten the end is dismissal. An offence classed as a gross misconduct is stealing from your employer. The same applies in the employment of God. Stealing from God is classed as a gross misconduct. How does one steal from God? By not paying your tithes, Malachi 3:8. A worker who does not pay his tithe his stealing from his employer - God. The pastor may keep quiet but heavens have taken note. I pray you will not work for God in vain.
ACTION POINT : If you are owing God tithes, as a worker you better pay up so that you don't loose your reward. This is also an opportunity for those who are not yet workers to join the workers in their church.
Sunday, 3 February 2013
THE HOUSE OF PRAYER
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Gen 35-36, Mark 6, Job 2, Romans 6
Mark 11:17 and he taught, saying unto them, is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations of prayer? But ye have made it a den of thieves.
Bible studies: Mark 11:11-17
In our bible studies we read a very disturbing account of what transpired between Jesus and the church. Jesus the head and the owner of the church visited a temple to fellowship and have a good time with them. Because the visit meant a lot to Him, He got there very early hoping to perform signs and wonders , raise dead situations and marriages , restore lost opportunities , impart them, bless them and most importantly spend the night with them . He came fully prepared having spent quality time in praying and fasting and all that. When He got to the temple, He decided to inspect the temple and what He saw grieved Him greatly. He saw religious ceremonies carried out with no relationship to the Spirit. He saw commercialism, injustice, exploitation, hypocrisy and a disregard for the holiness of His Father. This made Him very sad; no one even acknowledged Him and by the time it was evening He left the church grieving in His heart. Just as He visited the temple, He visits churches today to inspect and bless them but He leaves disappointed. He sees the church turning into a social gathering instead of a spiritual gathering. He sees the church turning into a fashion centre, a place to display wealth and success. He sees a lot of activities that has nothing to do with the Spirit. He sees people fighting to the extent of hurting themselves over church posts; He sees the shepherd interested in what the sheep has to offer rather than feeding the sheep and He returns back to heaven in tears. A young girl died and went to heaven.She described an incident were Jesus was crying over souls going to hell . In her own words, she said “Jesus does not cry like humans, when He cries you can feel it even to His heart!”. She said it is a painful thing to see yet many churches make Him cry every Sunday. He visits many services and while everyone is busying having fun, He is at the back weeping because He is now invisible even in His church i.e. His house.
After the inspection, Jesus left. He returned the next morning and we saw a side of Jesus that I pray that no one will ever see. You see Jesus can be very loving .1 John 4:8 calls Him love. He can also be a consuming fire too. Hebrew 10:31 says it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Three particular activities made Him very angry – buying and selling; money changing and dove selling. There should be no buying and selling inside the church. Outside the church you are free to buy and sell. There should be no money changing, if you need to change money do it before you come into the church. Dove selling is selling of anointing handkerchiefs, apples e.t.c. and it is prohibited in the house of God! No commercial activity should take place inside the church. After throwing out the money changers, dove sellers, He taught them and told them that the church is a house of Prayer. The church is a place for serious business with God not man. It is not avenue to socialize at all. There is nothing wrong chatting with your friends after the service but whilst in the presence of the Most High it is serious business. The centre of attraction in the church should be Jesus not you or me or the pastor.
PRAYER POINT: Father, send revival into all your churches all over the world.
Mark 11:17 and he taught, saying unto them, is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations of prayer? But ye have made it a den of thieves.
Bible studies: Mark 11:11-17
In our bible studies we read a very disturbing account of what transpired between Jesus and the church. Jesus the head and the owner of the church visited a temple to fellowship and have a good time with them. Because the visit meant a lot to Him, He got there very early hoping to perform signs and wonders , raise dead situations and marriages , restore lost opportunities , impart them, bless them and most importantly spend the night with them . He came fully prepared having spent quality time in praying and fasting and all that. When He got to the temple, He decided to inspect the temple and what He saw grieved Him greatly. He saw religious ceremonies carried out with no relationship to the Spirit. He saw commercialism, injustice, exploitation, hypocrisy and a disregard for the holiness of His Father. This made Him very sad; no one even acknowledged Him and by the time it was evening He left the church grieving in His heart. Just as He visited the temple, He visits churches today to inspect and bless them but He leaves disappointed. He sees the church turning into a social gathering instead of a spiritual gathering. He sees the church turning into a fashion centre, a place to display wealth and success. He sees a lot of activities that has nothing to do with the Spirit. He sees people fighting to the extent of hurting themselves over church posts; He sees the shepherd interested in what the sheep has to offer rather than feeding the sheep and He returns back to heaven in tears. A young girl died and went to heaven.She described an incident were Jesus was crying over souls going to hell . In her own words, she said “Jesus does not cry like humans, when He cries you can feel it even to His heart!”. She said it is a painful thing to see yet many churches make Him cry every Sunday. He visits many services and while everyone is busying having fun, He is at the back weeping because He is now invisible even in His church i.e. His house.
After the inspection, Jesus left. He returned the next morning and we saw a side of Jesus that I pray that no one will ever see. You see Jesus can be very loving .1 John 4:8 calls Him love. He can also be a consuming fire too. Hebrew 10:31 says it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Three particular activities made Him very angry – buying and selling; money changing and dove selling. There should be no buying and selling inside the church. Outside the church you are free to buy and sell. There should be no money changing, if you need to change money do it before you come into the church. Dove selling is selling of anointing handkerchiefs, apples e.t.c. and it is prohibited in the house of God! No commercial activity should take place inside the church. After throwing out the money changers, dove sellers, He taught them and told them that the church is a house of Prayer. The church is a place for serious business with God not man. It is not avenue to socialize at all. There is nothing wrong chatting with your friends after the service but whilst in the presence of the Most High it is serious business. The centre of attraction in the church should be Jesus not you or me or the pastor.
PRAYER POINT: Father, send revival into all your churches all over the world.
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