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May 2016 MessagesPrayer and Thanksgiving! • do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (Philippians 4:6) • Have you ever been anxious? Are you anxious? To be anxious means/its synonyms include: to be worried, nervous, uneasy, concerned, apprehensive, restless, fretful, and fearful. Has this ever happened to you? • God does not want any of the above situations in our lives as they can easily lead to spiritual and physical health problems resulting in stress, headaches, high blood pressure, hypertension, heart attacks, stroke or even death. It is the devil’s mission to kill, it is God’s mission to keep us alive and well. You have to choose alignment with the devil’s mission or God’s mission. • God has provided a panacea/solution to these problems/your problem: in everything, every situation, past, present, future - the antidote of prayer and thanksgiving. So simple to do, yet so difficult at times. • So what is prayer? what is supplication? and what is thanksgiving? • Prayer is simply communicating with God; the part that comes naturally and we do often is the first part of uploading our requests to heaven and hitting send. More like attaching our requests as an attachment to an email and sending. • Prayer is more like using instant messaging, as you are talking to God, He is also talking to you, a two way communication, because He loves and cares for you and has not left you to fight your battles alone. • He stands every ready to help. Supplication simply is petition, and thanksgiving of course is appreciation, reverence and thankfulness (being full of thanks) even before we receive the physical results of the requests and showing it in every area of our lives, like Hannah did in 1 Samuel 1.
What Should I do? How do I approach this? • Check the state of your mind: The state of your mind determines whether God will hear you in prayer, petition or supplication. God requires that you come with a contrite and humble heart. In Jeremiah 44:10, God was angry because the people did not come with a humble and listening mind. The Lord is near to the broken-hearted and saves those who are humble in their hearts (Psalm 34:17-19). In Isaiah 66:2, God says His hands have made the heavens and the earth, and this is the nature of the person He will look on favourably and bless, a person with a contrite, humble heart and spirit, the one who trembles at His word, that His fears, respects and obeys His word. • Serve God: When God answers you He makes a difference between those who serve Him and those who do not. • Then those who feared the LORD spoke with one another. The LORD paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the LORD and esteemed his name. • And they shall be mine, said the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spares his own son that serves him. • Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him. (Malachi 3:16-18) • There is physical service (ushers, prayer band members, children’s department, protocol, choir etc.), and there is spiritual service (evangelism; prayer, intercession for leaders, nations, others etc.) • Listen to God: you want to be healthy? Listen to a doctor not a plumber; you need spiritual help? Listen to God through His word and the Holy Spirit. It helps to listen to your Pastor declaring the counsel of God. You need legal help? Listen and work with a lawyer not a pilot. Listen to the one who can help you. • Be willing to wait and walk with God while continuing instant in prayer and faithfulness: What was Abraham doing praying on one prayer point for 25 years? – to have Isaac his son through Sarah. Why was Isaac praying on one prayer point - to have children - for 20 years? Hold fast the confidence of your patience to the end. The farmer patiently waits for the harvest without uprooting the seed. The palm tree’s germination period of 2-3 years is different from that of rice or maize of 3 to 6 months. This is similar to fast food which you get in minutes or a 3 course meal in a high end restaurant that you have to wait while it is being prepared. Your waiting period also depends on the quality of the harvest you are seeking. Be followers of those who through faith and patience inherited the promises. We will receive our expectations if we do not faint. • “Whether you think you can, or you think you can't--you're right.” ― Henry Ford • Consider the patience of Job (James 5:11). He lost everything – health, children, a flourishing business empire and God restored all he had lost and got even bigger and better – a double portion. • Come to equity with clean hands (Psalm 15). Consider the violation of legal rights of a mass murderer Anders Breivik, who killed 77 people in 2011, 8 people by bombing a vehicle and then proceeded to a youth camp to shoot 69 people dead and wounded several others. Anders who is currently serving a 21 year jail time has access to "video game consoles, a television, a DVD player, electronic typewriter, newspapers and exercise machines," and is contesting inhuman treatment in his Norway prison due to high levels of solitary confinement. He won the case and the court ordered the Norwegian government to pay his court costs of about GBP 35,000. He who comes to equity should come with clean hands. Obey God and keep his commandments this is the whole duty of man, because God will bring every work into judgement whether it is good or bad. God does nothing but in answer to prayer. John Wesley
Prayers: • Give thanks
• Father, give me a heart of humility in Jesus name. • Lord, grant me the grace to be obedient always in Jesus name. • Father, fight all my battles and prevail on my behalf, give me total and complete victory, permanent victory in Jesus mighty name. • I receive deliverance from antagonism, rejection, regression, retrogression and backwardness of every kind in Jesus mighty name! • I reject loss of every kind in Jesus mighty name • Promotion, increase and supernatural lifting is my portion in Jesus name. • Every agenda of the kingdom of darkness for me and my family backfire in Jesus name. • Peace and prosperity is my portion in Jesus mighty name. • Personal prayer points • Give thanks The Invigorating Mother! May 8, 2016
Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. (Proverbs 31:31) Invigorating means energizing, refreshing and revitalizing. Mother represents the source of living, like Eve (Genesis 3:20). An invigorating mother, therefore is an energizing, refreshing and revitalizing source of life. When children become tired, weary, want to give up etc.; mothers are the source of new energy, refreshing and revitalization. May you be the source of revitalization, refreshing and energy in Jesus name! This mother not only brings you forth in life and to life, but nurtures life in and through you to enable you reach your potentials. We have heard of mothers who after carrying a pregnancy for approximately 9 months, gave birth to a fit and proper child – a bundle of joy – and then dumps the child in a garbage or dumpster, or even kills the child through drowning or other means; that is not the type of mother we are talking about today. Giving up is easy, the invigorating mother (“IM”) never gives up in the face of strain, stress, pain, despair, even to the point of almost dying for and indeed some have made the ultimate sacrifice for their children. Apostle Paul had a similar experience: We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. – 2 Corinthians 1:8 (despaired of life/we were weary even of life/ It was so extreme that it was beyond our ability to endure. We even wondered if we could go on living). In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead. – 2 Corinthians 1:9 We once talked before about a mother who single-handedly lifted up a vehicle that fell on her child, she later recounted that she did not know where the strength came from as she could not attempt it afterwards. Psychologists and several medical specialists have researched and validated that this is scientifically possible through the release of adrenaline and related chemicals to achieve this goal. It was the strength of love, as love cannot be defeated, discouraged, weighed down or stopped. You, your love will not be defeated, you will not be discouraged, weighed down or stopped in Jesus mighty name. That is why our mothers, the invigorating mother or IM’s need to be honored - the Proverbs 31 mother. Prayer 1. Thanks 2. Are you saved? If not please pray the prayers on the Life page before continuing the prayers. 3. Lord, keep and strengthen all mothers. 4. Mothers will not regret or lose out in Jesus name. 5. Father, bring their righteous expectations to pass in Jesus name. 6. Personal Prayer points. 7. Give Thanks
The Audacity of Patience May 22, 2016 • For you have need of patience, that, after you have done the will of God, you might receive the promise. KJV • Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God's will. Then you will receive all that he has promised. NLT (Hebrews 10:36) • Audacity of patience therefore is the capacity and willingness to take bold risks in the face of provocation, annoyance, misfortune, or pain, without complaint, loss of temper, irritation, or the like; while suppressing restlessness or annoyance when confronted with delay. • It is also rude or disrespectful behavior; impudence (being offensively bold) to anything and everything the devil throws at you like Job. Showing impertinence, insolence, presumption, cheek, bad manners, effrontery, nerve, gall, defiance, temerity; to the devil and his attacks - so that we may not be outsmarted by Satan. After all, we are not unaware of his intentions. Consider:
And remember, our Lord's patience gives people time to be saved. This is what our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you with the wisdom God gave him - 2 Peter 3:15 Some benefits:
Where/How can I get patience: • From and through problems (James 1:2-4) • As a Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22) • By the grace of God (1 Corinthians 15:10, 2 Corinthians 6:1) Prayer 1. Thanks 2. Are you saved? If not please pray the prayers on the Life page before continuing the prayers. 3. Lord, grant me the grace to be patient in Jesus name. 4. Father, help me to fulfill my calling and purpose in Jesus name. 5. The plans of the wicked will not prosper concerning me in Jesus name. 6. Personal Prayer points. 7. Give Thanks The Audacity of Knowledge May 29, 2016 • May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord. • His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence (2 Peter 1:2-3) • You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free (John 8:32) • Audacity of knowledge therefore is the capacity and willingness to take bold risks based on awareness, facts and information about God; a practical understanding obtained through intimate relationship with and experience of God. • It is also rude or disrespectful behavior; impudence (being offensively bold) to anything and everything the devil throws at you like Job. Showing impertinence, insolence, presumption, cheek, bad manners, effrontery, nerve, gall, defiance, temerity; to the devil and his attacks - so that we may not be outsmarted by Satan. After all, we are not unaware of his intentions. • His divine power works for you based on your knowledge of Him. The more you know, the more of God (His word) that is in you, the more God like you are (Acts 11:26) and the more your life demonstrates the nature, life and love of God. • This life displays God on earth and disposes Satan's domination, dominion and gospel. • The audacity of knowledge therefore is knowledge that demonstrates godliness on earth. Paul had it, Jesus personified it. You and I can attain it (2 Peter 3:18). Therefore seek him and his knowledge (John 14:6). Consider:
What do they have that you or I don’t? Knowledge: • delivers from death, the Bible states in Hosea 4:6 that my people perish for lack of knowledge not fame, wealth etc. • lifts up, charts the way to a better future, creates pathways of progress where there had been none. For example, medical advancements that have eradicated polio in several parts of the world. Similarly due to advancement in knowledge, malaria has been eradicated in North America, Europe, the Caribbean and some parts of Asia and South Central America. We now have airplanes for faster travel, electric powered vehicles etc.
Know that: • Knowledge can puff up, so you need to be careful by understanding that your knowledge is so little in the scheme of what can be known or researched. • Only God has infinite knowledge and is the source of knowledge and wisdom (Isaiah 11:2, Ephesians 3:10, Psalm 147:5, James 3:17). Wisdom is the application of knowledge. • Some know what to do, are unable to do it, or when the time comes to apply the knowledge somehow, the knowledge is not applied, leading to shame and unpleasant results.
Know that: • God gives knowledge and wisdom that causes a person to shine (Ecclesiastes 8:1, 2 Corinthians 4:6). • Knowledge promotes and delivers. (Daniel 1:17, 2:20-22) • The word of God gives us both knowledge and wisdom. • The word of God is your life (Deuteronomy 32:47) • The Word of God is your wisdom and understanding in the sight of all people (Deuteronomy 4:6).
Therefore: • Be humble walk with God • Let God lead and guide you • Let your knowledge of Christ deliver you and others • Be prayerful
Where/How can I get this knowledge: • Come to God the fountain of knowledge and wisdom. • From the word of God and intimate relationship with Jesus (1 Corinthians 1:30, Colossians 2:3) • Reading and studying • The Spirit of Faith (1 Corinthians 12:9, 2 Corinthians 4:13) Prayer 1. Thanks 2. Are you saved? If not please pray the prayers on the Life page before continuing the prayers. 3. Lord, grant me the knowledge that positively distinguishes in godly grace and wisdom in Jesus name. 4. I will reign as a king and not perish as a mere man in Jesus mighty name. 5. The plans of the wicked will not prosper concerning me in Jesus name. 6. Personal Prayer points. 7. Give Thanks |
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