Seeing Things The Way They Are

Is it fasting that ENABLES God to answer our prayers? When does fasting become a religious activity? Why do we really fast? Does the Bible say anything about fasting? What does the Bible actually say? Are we commanded to fast? Have you ever searched the Bible for yourself to know firsthand what God actually said?

Do we rely on man (no matter how close they are to God) for everything including our relationship with God? Is that what God wants, another third party to come between the relationship that He bought with His life? Can you answer these questions without bias?

If God was satisfied with having a prophet AS A GO-BETWEEN, without any personal relationship with His people, do you think Jesus really had to come? The Bible tells us God sent His only begotten son because of His love for us so we won't die but have everlasting life. Do you know that in this verse, everlasting life does not refer to living forever as everyone gets to live forever in one of two places? The Bible does not stop at John 3:16 but goes on to say in the last verse of the same chapter that eternal life is knowing God. Do you know God for yourself or is it all about what someone else has said?

Jesus came to remove the go-between, giving His people the opportunity to access Him personally. At His death, the veil in the temple, separating the Holy of Holies from other parts was torn in two. Do you know what that signifies? Are you living in the reality or is it a waste in your life?

To Live Freely Is To Live With God At The Centre

What does it mean to live abundantly, to live free? The Bible tells us in the presence of God, there is liberty. You might think  it's only during spiritual activities like church services, personal prayer/Bible study, other fellowships, etc but Jesus has raised us up to live every waking moment in His presence.
Ever think of why there's no place of worship in Heaven? This is because there is no need for one particular building/time as we'll live in His presence every minute and worship Him everywhere.
Do you ever feel burdened with the weight of people's expectations? Do you ever feel like people place you on a high pedestal and you've got a problem keeping up?
You're not alone. I feel that way too. Sometimes it feels like my life is a show.
He (talking of the Holy Spirit) tells me to serve Him. He tells me to follow Him and focus on Him and not on people and their expectations.
If it's such a burden, why do we so willingly exchange the freedom Christ bought with His life for bondage?
He has called us to live freely, to live abundantly. Not free to sin but free from sin. People find it so easy to live under the law but in fact, it's not easier. Later posts will talk on this further, the attention shifting from sin and law to God.
Paul asked the Ephesians, rather very emotionally why they were trying to work for something that they were given freely.
Some people think Christianity is about having a lot of do's and don'ts and that Christians are driven by fear and guilt. Sadly, this is true about some people who claim to be Christians.
Till you get to the point where you realize that you're truly free; you cannot freely accept God's love. You'll have to realize that being a Christian does not take away but gives you freedom.
Recommended: Galatians 5
That's what makes it love, the fact that it's not forced but of your own free will. Do not let people's expectations guide you but serve God alone. Let Him be your own focus and for all who think anyone's got it perfect/sorted, know this: we're all on the race towards perfection. All of us. There are things we may not admit to each other because ... (I really don't know for everyone) but most commonly; to keep up a reputation so people won't think you're struggling but for some of us, it's only because we've developed a strong relationship with God and when these things come up, we don't just go to Him to receive power but to talk it through with Him. It's a love relationship. His love (unconditional and undying, never giving up on us) gives us all the strength and encouragement we need.
If there's anything worth pursuing, it's a relationship with God. It's priceless. It's secure. It's safe. You're allowed to be you, to be vulnerable without fear of rejection. It's real, I mean really practical. It's awesome.

Love @ The Centre Of It All

It may seem quite sadistic to call this funny but how else do you describe a person putting all he has including himself into something he is so sure would fail? (There are probably other ways but the intro. seems quite captivating so I'll stick with it.)

As I was saying, why would anyone want to do that? That should be the next question so I'll just answer straight up. People do that every day because of ignorance. It's that simple. Or maybe not. I'll just explain.

People fight an already won battle but the irony of it all is they still manage to lose. Why is that and how does it all connect with the topic?

If you want to find out, watch out for the next post and subsequently, (until there is a leading to move on) I would be dealing extensively with this. Take the post title as the theme.

God bless you.

Hello everyone!!

Even though it’s almost halfway into the semester, it is not too late to say “happy new semester to all”

So far, we have had tons of learning sessions in the Word and two Saturdays ago, we had a special interactive session of questions and answers based on all we have learnt thus far. 

On this post, you will find the questions and answers discussed at the meeting. Read, Learn and Enjoy!! Please do not hesitate to comment and share your views... We carry the Life of God J

Questions about Prayer

1.    Is there a particular way to pray, referring to Luke 11: 1-4

Answer- There isn’t an exact way to pray, the scripture referred to above is a guide/ format to approaching God.

2.   Why do we pray when God is all knowing?

Answer- do we pray only to let God know of something? C’mon prayer is about communication, we also get to ‘know’ when we pray. God wants us to depend on Him, so we must pray. It is a basic principle in the Bible. Note: prayerlessness is the highest form of arrogance. (Ref: Jeremiah 6:16)

3.   Some people said to have received without asking. However, the Bible says ask and you shall receive (Luke 11:10)

Answer- Our thoughts are loud in Heaven and our God is very sensitive to our needs. Most times people receive without asking because they may have settled the need a long time ago in their secret prayer altars even without knowing or remembering. This emphasizes how important it is that we pray in the Holy Ghost.

4.   Is it compulsory for a person to have a prayer time?

Answer- the need for a prayer time is that we discipline ourselves because of the unwillingness of our bodies. But we need to bring it to subjection of the Spirit. Hence, a prayer time is essential for the believer who desires to grow. Nevertheless, the Bible tells us to pray always, without ceasing. (Ref: 1Thes 5:17)

The questions were raised and the answers were given during the course of the meeting. Don’t miss next week’s!!!

Tuesdays: 7pm and Saturdays: 10:00am.

Venue is at the university chapel, peace entrance.

Stay Blessed!!!

Royal sword J

DEEP GROANING

And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob.

Exo 2:24

And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel, whom the Egyptians keep in bondage; and I have remembered my covenant.

Exo 6:5

When God heard the groaning of His servants: the Israelites; He remembered His covenant and sent Moses to deliver them from their bondage.

In the New Testament [new covenant], we see a different kind of groaning:

...but the Spirit Himself goes to meet our supplication and pleads in our behalf with unspeakable yearnings and groanings too deep for utterance.

Rom 8:26 [Amplified Bible]

            You see, we have received a Spirit whereby we cry; Abba, father;

For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

Rom 8:15

            The Israelite’s groaning enforced their covenant rights as servants of God, so God had to deliver them but via the Spirit of adoption, when we groan in the Spirit in the place of prayer we enforce our covenant rights as Sons of God.

            You see God has to hear you when you pray in the Spirit, because He keeps His Covenants.

            Servant-hood changes, son-ship doesn’t!

LESSONS FROM THE TOMB (2)

IN THE TOMB

            So, we know that Jesus gave up His life to save us, and is the propitiation for our sins, then it may interest us to just behold the perfectness of His eternal sacrifice.

In Jn 20:6-12 we see a beautiful picture of the resurrection morning, but notice the picture that Mary saw when she stooped to look into the tomb:

·         Two angels sited; one to the left and the other at the right.

·         The blood drenched clothes of Jesus in the center.

 Look familiar?

You see in the old testament, the priest went into the holiest of holies which contained the ark of God, which was covered with a mercy seat on which 2 cherubim (angels) where placed;  one to the left and the other at the right.

And then he would sprinkle the blood of the atoning sacrifice for that year on the mercy seat to cover the sins of the people for that year.

I guess you've figured out by now.

Jesus is the platform on which we enjoy the mercies of God: He is our mercy seat

His blood- His own life is the atoning sacrifice, and because He lives forever, our sins are much more than covered: they are blotted out!

The Ark of the Covenant contained:

·         Manna: God’s provision, despite man’s ingratitude [manna means ‘what is this?’].

·         The Rod of Aaron: Divine election vs. Man’s opinion [They revolted against God’s choice for the priesthood]

·         The law: Man couldn't uphold it.

All these grievances of men were kept under the mercy seat, so that an acceptable sacrifice could ascend to heaven. Therefore;

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace[Jesus], that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Heb 4:16

LESSONS FROM THE TOMB (1)

·         The stone was rolled away!

In Matt 28:1-3 there came the faithful (Mary Magdalene and the other) to render service to God via anointing the body of Jesus, but then something held them back- THE STONE! But as they looked up on that resurrection morning the stone was rolled away- Jesus was alive.

You see, the stone represents anything that causes us to draw back from service to God-guilt, sickness, poverty and any disability. The stone is already rolled-off our way in the light of the resurrected Christ. All you have to do is look up and see the finished work- He’s alive!

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus...

Rom 8:1

That’s not all- He also sat on it!

This indicates restfulness- permanence if you like. That stone was not just moved away it’s also not moving into our way so far as God is concerned. I don’t know about you- but I’m so glad that guilt can’t get in the way of my service to God.

If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

Jn 8:36