“I will never forget you”
The word “God Remembers” appears many times in the Bible. God has over time remembered His faithful people in moments when it was least expected. Note that scripture does not say that He ever forgot. God Does not forget, He said so Himself.
We need to know that no matter what we are going through, or what we have done, or who we are, God knows all of this and He will always remember us.
In the beginning, God initiated a covenant with His people, and through this covenant He made promises to His people, he was bound to keep these promises. When the time came for the people to receive the promises, God remembered His covenant. And when God remembers He responds in a huge way- When He remembered Noah, the floods began to subside, When He remembered Rachel and Hannah and they conceived, when He remembered the Israelites, they started their journey out of slavery, when he remembered Abraham he saved Lot from a city about to be destroyed. Friends, when we are faithful to God, He will remember us and bless us beyond what we can ever imagine. We should never falter in our obedience of His commands because in a covenant, both parties have to keep their side of the promise if they are to reap the benefits.
The covenant we now have with God is like a marriage of sorts. This covenant was renewed when Jesus came to earth. At the Lord’s supper we are reminded that Jesus’ death initiated a new covenant to save us ALL. That God loves us no matter what, and that we have a relationship with God our Father that can never be broken by Him.
“This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.”-Luke 22:20
So, let us make sure God remembers us, let us accept His unconditional love that works miracles in us, and mostly, let us always keep in mind that never at anyone moment has the Almighty Father forgotten about us not once!
“The days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them, declares the LORD. “This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time,” declares the LORD. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will they teach their neighbors, or say to one another, ‘Know the LORD,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the LORD. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.- Jer 31:31-34
Friday, October 30, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
God's Favour
In the Old Testament, Jubilee was the year in which everything that belonged to the Israelites was returned to them. In Leviticus it is said that every 50 years, Liberty belonged to everyone. Each Israelite was to return to their family property, each one could eat food from attended fields because the land was made fruitfully and everyone was to live in a safe environment. Selling land to outsiders was forbidden and those whose houses had been sold could redeem them. It was the most anticipated year because all land and property was returned to the rightful owner and everyone had all they needed in full abundance.
Fast forward to Isaiah, the Lord promises a time of favour to the very same Israelites. During this time, a future time to come, all people would receive their deserved inheritance. Israel is promised abundance over and beyond what they think they deserve. Scripture says that all those who hope in the Lord would then receive unimaginable favour. In the stead of mourning, despair, hunger; will be double portion for all. The Lord promises that he would be their vindicator and retrieve all that had been taken from the Israelites.
My friends, i would like to let you know that we live in the times of all the above promises. We live in the times of constant Jubilee! Jesus brought to us all these promises. He brought favour, abundance, peace, love , freedom, he lightened our burdens, he retrieved all that was taken from us, he fought the war and friends... He Won! He says so Himself:
"He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me,because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.”
Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone
in the synagogue were fastened on him. He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”-Luke 4: 17-20
Jesus brought back to us, freedom, salvation, life and a lot more. He brought to fruition all of the promises of the old testament and the favour of God upon ALL mankind. We are ALL inheritors of these good things if we believe in Jesus Christ. Let us all then, endeavour to be believers.
Fast forward to Isaiah, the Lord promises a time of favour to the very same Israelites. During this time, a future time to come, all people would receive their deserved inheritance. Israel is promised abundance over and beyond what they think they deserve. Scripture says that all those who hope in the Lord would then receive unimaginable favour. In the stead of mourning, despair, hunger; will be double portion for all. The Lord promises that he would be their vindicator and retrieve all that had been taken from the Israelites.
My friends, i would like to let you know that we live in the times of all the above promises. We live in the times of constant Jubilee! Jesus brought to us all these promises. He brought favour, abundance, peace, love , freedom, he lightened our burdens, he retrieved all that was taken from us, he fought the war and friends... He Won! He says so Himself:
"He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me,because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.”
Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone
in the synagogue were fastened on him. He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”-Luke 4: 17-20
Jesus brought back to us, freedom, salvation, life and a lot more. He brought to fruition all of the promises of the old testament and the favour of God upon ALL mankind. We are ALL inheritors of these good things if we believe in Jesus Christ. Let us all then, endeavour to be believers.
What is Salvation?
I am compelled, this morning to study the meaning of Salvation.
To me, Salvation is being God's workmanship. It is being born again in Jesus Christ to do the works of God. We need to take a lot of time think about and study the reasons that God offered us this wonderful gift. Scripture says we obtain salvation through His Spirit and Grace.. we need to let God's strength and Holy Spirit work in us all day everyday.
Jesus said:
“... but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from Heaven.”- John 6:32
Everything comes from God.
There are sometimes when things are hard and our faith is tested and we feel like we cannot go on, the temptation to fall off the path of righteousness becomes so eminent and we become afraid. There are times that I have afraid when I failed to follow the commands of God. I would beat myself up about it and avoid prayer and the bible for like a week. The devil had got me thinking that God was mad at me and I could not face him. Then i remembered that one of the reasons i am born again is so that i can claim forgiveness for my iniquities.
“continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling for it is God who works in you to will and act in order to fulfil His good purpose.”- Phil 2: 12-13
Please note that the scripture says work OUT not work FOR.
In other words, even when times are tough, we need to keep the faith. In fear and trembling for me means, with intense respect and conviction, determined never to stop, no matter what our present circumstances maybe.
Salvation is more than saying a short prayer of belief out loud, it is more that telling your self and others that you are born again. Salvation is a lifestyle. It means choosing to break with all things evil, choosing to grow as a believer who reads and meditates on the word of God daily, it means being a testimony and a person who lives to please, and glorify God. Our salvation should be a practical daily lifestyle.
We have got to be serious about salvation people and not take it for granted, because the enemy after us is no joke, he does not take things lightly. We need to Continue to vigilantly work out our salvation lest we become indifferent to serving and glorifying God.
Because God works in us, everything we do should give Him credit. When we come to work, we might be working for our employers, but we are working under God, when we clean the house, watch the children, go to the movies, decide what clothes to wear.. everything and I mean everything we do, should always give God credit. We should always think, what can I do today, or how can I do what I plan to do today differently, so that I may glorify God?
The faith we have and exercise is put in us by God.
“For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience." Col 1:9-11
So my friends, we need to always evaluate ourselves, We should look into ourselves honestly and make the necessary changes in our lives. God is the source of everything that is good. We should stay obedient, walk blamelessly and we will archive success- and this success is living daily to the full purpose and glory of our God.
To me, Salvation is being God's workmanship. It is being born again in Jesus Christ to do the works of God. We need to take a lot of time think about and study the reasons that God offered us this wonderful gift. Scripture says we obtain salvation through His Spirit and Grace.. we need to let God's strength and Holy Spirit work in us all day everyday.
Jesus said:
“... but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from Heaven.”- John 6:32
Everything comes from God.
There are sometimes when things are hard and our faith is tested and we feel like we cannot go on, the temptation to fall off the path of righteousness becomes so eminent and we become afraid. There are times that I have afraid when I failed to follow the commands of God. I would beat myself up about it and avoid prayer and the bible for like a week. The devil had got me thinking that God was mad at me and I could not face him. Then i remembered that one of the reasons i am born again is so that i can claim forgiveness for my iniquities.
“continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling for it is God who works in you to will and act in order to fulfil His good purpose.”- Phil 2: 12-13
Please note that the scripture says work OUT not work FOR.
In other words, even when times are tough, we need to keep the faith. In fear and trembling for me means, with intense respect and conviction, determined never to stop, no matter what our present circumstances maybe.
Salvation is more than saying a short prayer of belief out loud, it is more that telling your self and others that you are born again. Salvation is a lifestyle. It means choosing to break with all things evil, choosing to grow as a believer who reads and meditates on the word of God daily, it means being a testimony and a person who lives to please, and glorify God. Our salvation should be a practical daily lifestyle.
We have got to be serious about salvation people and not take it for granted, because the enemy after us is no joke, he does not take things lightly. We need to Continue to vigilantly work out our salvation lest we become indifferent to serving and glorifying God.
Because God works in us, everything we do should give Him credit. When we come to work, we might be working for our employers, but we are working under God, when we clean the house, watch the children, go to the movies, decide what clothes to wear.. everything and I mean everything we do, should always give God credit. We should always think, what can I do today, or how can I do what I plan to do today differently, so that I may glorify God?
The faith we have and exercise is put in us by God.
“For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience." Col 1:9-11
So my friends, we need to always evaluate ourselves, We should look into ourselves honestly and make the necessary changes in our lives. God is the source of everything that is good. We should stay obedient, walk blamelessly and we will archive success- and this success is living daily to the full purpose and glory of our God.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Recipe For Success
Everything that happens in our lives, every good thing, comes from the lord:
“those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.“- Ps 34:10
God has already laid out plans and details concerning our lives here on earth. When we pay attention to to His call and follow His direction, we will be successful and prosperous.
Last night I studied Joshua 1-5. Here the Israelites are planning to take possession of the Promised Land for the 1st time. They are excited, anxious, and afraid and mostly they are under a new leader. The leader who led them from captivity, Moses, is dead, most of the old generation is gone and now we have a new people, most of who were born in the wilderness, waiting on the out skirts of Jericho, ready to take possession of it. God is aware of all these feeling and fears, so he encourages them, even Joshua their leader. He promises to make them successful and victorious and finally inherit this land, only if they do one thing: Obey his commands!
He tells them exactly what to do, to say and at what time.
Many times God speaks to us the same way. We hear Him tell us what we need to do and where we need to be, but how many times do we follow His instructions? One may say that they are not sure it Is God speaking. Well then, how about all the commands and instructions that are already laid out in the Bible, how often do we obey those?
Joshua conveyed the instructions, as given to him by God, to the Israelites. God told him the conditions that need to be fulfilled for the Israelites to be victorious.
This got me thinking, we have all received instructions from God. In many places, the Bible tells us explicitly what we need to do to obtain what we want. We have a basic idea of what is good and what isn’t. this of course depends on how much time we spend, reading, studying and meditating on the word. You cannot know all the commands and promises of God if you do not read the Bible:
“Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night”
Many a times we have chosen to disobey these commands and bend them to suit ourselves. How then can we expect o be prosperous and successful?
“do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”
Needless to say, we need to be blameless.
Asa Allozo Allen, a great man in spiritual history wrote that he realized that in order for him to have miracle-working power he needed to understand 13 things, two of which were:
1. He must be blameless like God Himself.
2. He must do away with sin in his body.
We are all called to conquer, just like Joshua did, however, our weapons are not against flesh, but against spirit, the worldly spirit. My friends do not let yourselves be defeated. We have God on our side who has given us all weapons and armory to succeed and be prosperous, let’s take heed.
“those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.“- Ps 34:10
God has already laid out plans and details concerning our lives here on earth. When we pay attention to to His call and follow His direction, we will be successful and prosperous.
Last night I studied Joshua 1-5. Here the Israelites are planning to take possession of the Promised Land for the 1st time. They are excited, anxious, and afraid and mostly they are under a new leader. The leader who led them from captivity, Moses, is dead, most of the old generation is gone and now we have a new people, most of who were born in the wilderness, waiting on the out skirts of Jericho, ready to take possession of it. God is aware of all these feeling and fears, so he encourages them, even Joshua their leader. He promises to make them successful and victorious and finally inherit this land, only if they do one thing: Obey his commands!
He tells them exactly what to do, to say and at what time.
Many times God speaks to us the same way. We hear Him tell us what we need to do and where we need to be, but how many times do we follow His instructions? One may say that they are not sure it Is God speaking. Well then, how about all the commands and instructions that are already laid out in the Bible, how often do we obey those?
Joshua conveyed the instructions, as given to him by God, to the Israelites. God told him the conditions that need to be fulfilled for the Israelites to be victorious.
This got me thinking, we have all received instructions from God. In many places, the Bible tells us explicitly what we need to do to obtain what we want. We have a basic idea of what is good and what isn’t. this of course depends on how much time we spend, reading, studying and meditating on the word. You cannot know all the commands and promises of God if you do not read the Bible:
“Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night”
Many a times we have chosen to disobey these commands and bend them to suit ourselves. How then can we expect o be prosperous and successful?
“do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”
Needless to say, we need to be blameless.
Asa Allozo Allen, a great man in spiritual history wrote that he realized that in order for him to have miracle-working power he needed to understand 13 things, two of which were:
1. He must be blameless like God Himself.
2. He must do away with sin in his body.
We are all called to conquer, just like Joshua did, however, our weapons are not against flesh, but against spirit, the worldly spirit. My friends do not let yourselves be defeated. We have God on our side who has given us all weapons and armory to succeed and be prosperous, let’s take heed.
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