Matthew 6:6
The bible says.....When you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
What is Prayer?
To a Christian, the meaning of prayer is to communicate to the Lord about everything. It is a daily part of life, just like breathing or walking. It's not a necessity, but a desire to talk to the Lord, praise Him, thank Him, and ask His Blessing on us or others. There are many ways one can pray - silently, publicly, privately, and in meditation. Each of them has their own purpose, whether it be for rejoicing, praising, asking blessing, or confessing.
A Christian looks to the Lord as a friend who is there for them day or night. The belief is that He is their companion and therefore involved in every aspect of their life, good or bad. A Christian also then has the desire to please God in their service to Him, whether it be in helping others physically or spiritually, or asking God to help them through prayer.
Prayer is like talking to your best friend, someone whom you trust and can tell anything in confidence without the fear of it being repeated to anyone else.
A true friend is one you don’t fear to face day or night….
It is the ability to honestly let go off your inhibitions and feel comfort, knowing that no matter what, God is listening and will be there for you. Therefore prayer is many things, including peace, security, fellowship, guidance, worship and love.
I requested several people to engage into a midnight prayer for Kenya n the President from
yesterday night btwn 12 and 3am.
I personally set my alarm for 1.30am and i was up in prayer...
God never sleeps so anytime u can knock and enter.
Jesus did not say, "Dream about your Father who is in the secret place," but He said, ". . . pray to your Father who is in the secret place. . . .
Prayer is an effort of the will, and we must be willing to pray.
After we have entered our secret place and shut the door, the most difficult thing to do is to pray.
We cannot seem to get our minds into good praying order, and the first thing we have to fight is wandering thoughts.
The great battle in private prayer is overcoming this problem of our idle and wandering thinking.
We have to learn to discipline our minds and concentrate on willful, deliberate prayer.
We must have a specially selected place for prayer, but once we get there this plague of wandering thoughts begins, as we begin to think to ourselves, "This needs to be done, and I have to do that today. ....wandering.
" Jesus says to "shut your door.
" Having a secret stillness before God means deliberately shutting the door on our emotions and remembering Him.
God is in secret, and He sees us from "the secret place"
He does not see us as other people do, or as we see ourselves.
When we truly live in "the secret place," it becomes impossible for us to doubt God.
The bible says "All things are Possible to them that believe"
Believe what? That God is able to perform a miracle.
We become more sure of Him than of anyone or anything else.
Enter into "the secret place," and you will find that God was right in the middle of your everyday circumstances all the time.
Get into the habit of dealing with God about everything.
Unless you learn to open the door of your life completely and let God in from your first waking moment of each new day, you will be working on the wrong level throughout the day.
But if you will swing the door of your life fully open and "pray to your Father who is in the secret place," every public thing in your life will be marked with the lasting imprint of the presence of God.
Remember that every day we are praying between 12midnight and 3am.
Schedule your sleep and set time in btwn to pray for PBN, Kenya, Family n church in the world.
May God bless His word today...
Shared by Arms At the Mwafrika chatroom on Friday Mar 19, 2010
Monday, March 22, 2010
GOD IS IN CONTROL:: Shared By Arms
Rev 12:17 And the dragon was enraged with the woman,and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Note: The woman here stands for the church...
The other day the Lord spoke to me...
He said, His bride the Church has been tried and tested in these last days..
Disunity amongst the church leadership, Compromise of faith and believe with the political waves…
God said….
There is the next well planned tactic from the enemy’s camp to bring about if the church continue sleeping. Satan will cause a spiritual dust n smoke to blow that will bring blindness in the body of Christ.
The same spirit mentioned in the book of Samuel.....About Eli the High Priest
That things may happen and the church fails to see..
He became old and blind..
There is a reason -- a very good reason -- why the devil is angered at the Church. He wanted to destroy Israel, but he couldn't. He thought he had destroyed Israel when he sent them into exile, but Israel survived and returned to their promised land. He thought he had finished them off with the death of the last prophet of God about 400 BC. He was sure he had done it when he killed their Messiah in 33 AD. Having failed in all those attempts, he left little doubt when Titus over ran Jerusalem in 70 AD.
But God had other plans. He sent Israel into exile again -- and this was a protection plan for them. Not that it was pleasant.
Notice something in life, when satan plans for your destruction, God plans for ur prosperity.
The chosen of God were so scattered that satan had no focal point to attack. He could never destroy them all. They were too numerous and too scattered.
Satan chose to war with those of Israel's offspring who not only kept God's commandments, but clung tightly to their faith in Jesus, the Christ, their Redeemer and Savior -- that's the Church -- you and me.
Our believing family members and fellow saints around the world.
I honestly don't believe satan thinks he can destroy the Church. If God protected Israel by
Scattering, the Church is even more so. No, he may make war against the saints, but he does not expect victory there. He still has his sights set on Israel -- the new Israel -- the reborn Israel (The Church)
The Israelites were inhabiting the land given to them by God through Abraham many centuries ago.
Church, Kenya is our land.........
Satan thought he would marshal all of his efforts on their destruction.
The Palestinians can't do it.
All of Islam can't do it.
But he thinks all the forces of the East can.
It's a shame that satan can't read, because the end of the book says that God wins, he loses, and Israel and the Church live on forever!
In all of this, whether peace for you and me, or persecution, or rapture, or suffering, remember that GOD IS IN CONTROL!
There is no doubt about it.
You can read! Read the end of the Book!
All is well as long as we are in the palm of God's hand!
Amen
God bless you all.
Shared by Arms At the Mwafrika chatroom on Friday Mar 12, 2010
Note: The woman here stands for the church...
The other day the Lord spoke to me...
He said, His bride the Church has been tried and tested in these last days..
Disunity amongst the church leadership, Compromise of faith and believe with the political waves…
God said….
There is the next well planned tactic from the enemy’s camp to bring about if the church continue sleeping. Satan will cause a spiritual dust n smoke to blow that will bring blindness in the body of Christ.
The same spirit mentioned in the book of Samuel.....About Eli the High Priest
That things may happen and the church fails to see..
He became old and blind..
There is a reason -- a very good reason -- why the devil is angered at the Church. He wanted to destroy Israel, but he couldn't. He thought he had destroyed Israel when he sent them into exile, but Israel survived and returned to their promised land. He thought he had finished them off with the death of the last prophet of God about 400 BC. He was sure he had done it when he killed their Messiah in 33 AD. Having failed in all those attempts, he left little doubt when Titus over ran Jerusalem in 70 AD.
But God had other plans. He sent Israel into exile again -- and this was a protection plan for them. Not that it was pleasant.
Notice something in life, when satan plans for your destruction, God plans for ur prosperity.
The chosen of God were so scattered that satan had no focal point to attack. He could never destroy them all. They were too numerous and too scattered.
Satan chose to war with those of Israel's offspring who not only kept God's commandments, but clung tightly to their faith in Jesus, the Christ, their Redeemer and Savior -- that's the Church -- you and me.
Our believing family members and fellow saints around the world.
I honestly don't believe satan thinks he can destroy the Church. If God protected Israel by
Scattering, the Church is even more so. No, he may make war against the saints, but he does not expect victory there. He still has his sights set on Israel -- the new Israel -- the reborn Israel (The Church)
The Israelites were inhabiting the land given to them by God through Abraham many centuries ago.
Church, Kenya is our land.........
Satan thought he would marshal all of his efforts on their destruction.
The Palestinians can't do it.
All of Islam can't do it.
But he thinks all the forces of the East can.
It's a shame that satan can't read, because the end of the book says that God wins, he loses, and Israel and the Church live on forever!
In all of this, whether peace for you and me, or persecution, or rapture, or suffering, remember that GOD IS IN CONTROL!
There is no doubt about it.
You can read! Read the end of the Book!
All is well as long as we are in the palm of God's hand!
Amen
God bless you all.
Shared by Arms At the Mwafrika chatroom on Friday Mar 12, 2010
Friday, February 5, 2010
FORGIVENESS IN LOVE:: Shared By Arms
Scripture Reading - Luke 15:11-32
Introduction.
Forgiveness is a choice we make through a decision of our will, motivated by obedience to God and his command to forgive.
Forgiveness does not come easy for most of us.
The Scripture says in Colossians 3:13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. (NIV)
How do we forgive when we don't feel like it?
This is how we do it............We forgive by faith, out of obedience. Since forgiveness goes against our nature, we must forgive by faith, whether we feel like it or not.
Matthew 18:21-22 says...........Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?" Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. (NIV)
Many times we get worked up if we forgive someone then they repeat same mistakes again and again. This is what breaks friendships, relationships etc.
Jesus said……..Seventy-Seven times! It does not sound practical..Does it?
This answer by Jesus makes it clear that forgiveness is not easy for us. It's not a one-time choice and then we automatically live in a state of forgiveness. Forgiveness may require a lifetime of forgiving, but it is important to the Lord. We must continue forgiving until the matter is settled in our heart.
Why must we forgive?
The best reason to forgive is because Jesus commanded us to forgive. We learn from Scripture, if we don't forgive, neither will we be forgiven:
Now Forgiveness brings a condition....if we don't forgive, neither will we be forgiven.
Matthew 6:14-16……………………………… For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. (NIV)
We also forgive so that our prayers will not be hindered: Mark 11:25 …………………….And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins. (NIV)
Now we understand what hinders answers prayer!
BACK TO OUR SERMON Luke 15:11-32
Jesus tells the story of a man who has two sons. The younger son asks his father to give him his portion of the family estate as an early inheritance.
We love asking.........
NB: Once received, the son promptly sets off on a long journey to a distant land (Away from the Father) and begins to waste his fortune on wild living.
My dear friends….be careful on the action u take after God blesses you.
Be careful on the life you lead after the miracle..
Watch over the world and generation of fun and merry..
The bible records…….he went to a distant land.
After the job, business, money, family, friends that God gave you, do you find time for fellowship?
Do you consistently attend church?
Is your faith walk in order?
How is your testimony?
The Prodigal son went away….
My bible records…..When the money runs out, a severe famine hits the country and the son finds himself in dire circumstances…..He takes a job feeding pigs. He is so destitute that he even longs to eat the food assigned to the pigs. (Desperate situation).
When the money runs out,.....................The young man finally comes to his senses, remembering
his father.
When the job, the contract, the internship comes to an end…
When the girl/man you loved so much walks away…
When your health deteriorates….
When your bank account reads negative……..
How are your senses concerning your relationship with God… The young man finally came to his senses, remembering his father…..he decided to go back.
In humility, he recognizes his foolishness.
Money n wealth has made people lose senses for the father......
NB: The father had been watching and waiting……….just like our God will do for a sinner.
The Son comes back and asks for forgiveness.
Forgiveness is born out of mercy, Mercy is provoked by love.
You cannot forgive when you don’t love….John 3:16…For God so loved the world…
God Loved, then Sent the Son. The son was to come, die n buy forgiveness of our sins with blood……..
If u can’t recognize the Love, you can’t ask for forgiveness.
The Son knew that the father loved him, and was ready to receive him.
Are you ready for God? Do you care about your life? Are you tired with your life?
God is ready to forgive us.
Think abt your life for a moment..............Is it in order?
Are you worth forgiveness?
Lessons
- A son would receive his inheritance at the time of his father's death.
- For the Prodigal son to ask early, shows his rebellious and proud disregard for his father's authority,
- Selfish and immature attitude.
- Pigs were unclean animals.
- Jews were not even allowed to touch pigs.
- It reveals that he had fallen as low as he could possibly go.
- This son represents a person living in rebellion to God.
- The father is a picture of the Heavenly Father.
- God is patient, loving and full of compassion to restore us when we return to him with humble hearts.
- He offers us everything in his kingdom, restoring full relationship with joyful celebration. As this father ordered for a fatted calf to be slaughtered…..Calves have soft meat….I miss their meat.
- Once we come back to Him, He doesn't even dwell on our past waywardness..
Forgiveness in Love.
Shared by Arms At the Mwafrika chatroom on Friday Feb 5, 2010
Introduction.
Forgiveness is a choice we make through a decision of our will, motivated by obedience to God and his command to forgive.
Forgiveness does not come easy for most of us.
The Scripture says in Colossians 3:13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. (NIV)
How do we forgive when we don't feel like it?
This is how we do it............We forgive by faith, out of obedience. Since forgiveness goes against our nature, we must forgive by faith, whether we feel like it or not.
Matthew 18:21-22 says...........Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?" Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. (NIV)
Many times we get worked up if we forgive someone then they repeat same mistakes again and again. This is what breaks friendships, relationships etc.
Jesus said……..Seventy-Seven times! It does not sound practical..Does it?
This answer by Jesus makes it clear that forgiveness is not easy for us. It's not a one-time choice and then we automatically live in a state of forgiveness. Forgiveness may require a lifetime of forgiving, but it is important to the Lord. We must continue forgiving until the matter is settled in our heart.
Why must we forgive?
The best reason to forgive is because Jesus commanded us to forgive. We learn from Scripture, if we don't forgive, neither will we be forgiven:
Now Forgiveness brings a condition....if we don't forgive, neither will we be forgiven.
Matthew 6:14-16……………………………… For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. (NIV)
We also forgive so that our prayers will not be hindered: Mark 11:25 …………………….And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins. (NIV)
Now we understand what hinders answers prayer!
BACK TO OUR SERMON Luke 15:11-32
Jesus tells the story of a man who has two sons. The younger son asks his father to give him his portion of the family estate as an early inheritance.
We love asking.........
NB: Once received, the son promptly sets off on a long journey to a distant land (Away from the Father) and begins to waste his fortune on wild living.
My dear friends….be careful on the action u take after God blesses you.
Be careful on the life you lead after the miracle..
Watch over the world and generation of fun and merry..
The bible records…….he went to a distant land.
After the job, business, money, family, friends that God gave you, do you find time for fellowship?
Do you consistently attend church?
Is your faith walk in order?
How is your testimony?
The Prodigal son went away….
My bible records…..When the money runs out, a severe famine hits the country and the son finds himself in dire circumstances…..He takes a job feeding pigs. He is so destitute that he even longs to eat the food assigned to the pigs. (Desperate situation).
When the money runs out,.....................The young man finally comes to his senses, remembering
his father.
When the job, the contract, the internship comes to an end…
When the girl/man you loved so much walks away…
When your health deteriorates….
When your bank account reads negative……..
How are your senses concerning your relationship with God… The young man finally came to his senses, remembering his father…..he decided to go back.
In humility, he recognizes his foolishness.
Money n wealth has made people lose senses for the father......
NB: The father had been watching and waiting……….just like our God will do for a sinner.
The Son comes back and asks for forgiveness.
Forgiveness is born out of mercy, Mercy is provoked by love.
You cannot forgive when you don’t love….John 3:16…For God so loved the world…
God Loved, then Sent the Son. The son was to come, die n buy forgiveness of our sins with blood……..
If u can’t recognize the Love, you can’t ask for forgiveness.
The Son knew that the father loved him, and was ready to receive him.
Are you ready for God? Do you care about your life? Are you tired with your life?
God is ready to forgive us.
Think abt your life for a moment..............Is it in order?
Are you worth forgiveness?
Lessons
- A son would receive his inheritance at the time of his father's death.
- For the Prodigal son to ask early, shows his rebellious and proud disregard for his father's authority,
- Selfish and immature attitude.
- Pigs were unclean animals.
- Jews were not even allowed to touch pigs.
- It reveals that he had fallen as low as he could possibly go.
- This son represents a person living in rebellion to God.
- The father is a picture of the Heavenly Father.
- God is patient, loving and full of compassion to restore us when we return to him with humble hearts.
- He offers us everything in his kingdom, restoring full relationship with joyful celebration. As this father ordered for a fatted calf to be slaughtered…..Calves have soft meat….I miss their meat.
- Once we come back to Him, He doesn't even dwell on our past waywardness..
Forgiveness in Love.
Shared by Arms At the Mwafrika chatroom on Friday Feb 5, 2010
Thursday, November 12, 2009
WHO I AM I THAT I SHOULD GO:: Shared By Niceness
And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them. So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt. But Moses said to God, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt (EXODUS.3)
I thank God for the book of Exodus, I hope we all know the story of Moses, born from house of Levi brought up by pharaohs daughter, killed an Egyptian, fled to Midian where he met and married Zipporah, met with God at Horeb where he was sent back to Egypt to deliver the Israelites.
Mhhh! “Who am I that I should go”. Moses conversation with God in the mountain was all about him arguing the reasons why he should not be the one, however like always Gods word was final; I wonder how many times we have argued with God? I have, but he always wins.
Exodus reveals how God knows us from our mother’s womb and plans our lives a head of us. In Midian, it was planned by God that he will go there and be taught Gods way by Jethro his father in law. He needed to know his God first before introducing him to the world, to pharaoh. But in this place had become so comfortable, even had a family of his own such that he dint want to take the next step of faith towards his destiny, resulting to the argument with God (But Moses said to God, "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?)
What does this mean? He may have being looking after goats at the time, but his call was not to be a shepherd in that town, he had being called to be a deliverer, but shepherding was part of the journey.
Church of God, some people are in their location of their assignment, they have gone to Jethro and being taught and has now gone back to deliver that assignment and I thank God for you. But on the other hand, many are in Moses shoes at the time, comfortable with where we are and actually have been fooled into thinking that is all there is. Shepherding and going back to the family is not all God had fro Moses, NO! More fun was to follow, like dividing the sea among others.
I want to encourage some one today, wherever you are at the moment is path best days, and the shaking and sending few drops of tears is part of it, for on our way we get attached to places and things, but in order to go to the next level we have to leave them behind. Most of the time we even argue like Moses, BUT please may we not delay our blessing knowing that at the end of our resistance to his voice, Our awesome God always get it his own away! AMEN.
He says “Am not a man that I should lie”. Therefore, every thing that he has spoken concerning you, it shall happen. Most of the time, prophesy and the current situation always looks so different. Moses is to deliver Israel from Egypt, but he is on asylum in a foreign country. Do not let what you are going through determine the result, stand in faith and let God do his work. DO NOT GIVE UP!The massage is don’t argue with God, if he wants you in that place, stay there. If he decides that your time is up, you need to pack and move in a foreign land or back to the previous one, do it because that’s where your assignment is. He don’t always reveal the full picture, we might be so excited or too afraid to act, so he needs us to TRUST in him, and walk the walk until we find our selves there and mature enough to handle the blessings.
There are people out there in captivity, there are situation out there that need to be confronted, Justice that need to prevail, Poverty that have to be abolished, sins in the society such as abortion and homosexuality that need to bow down to righteousness. God is preparing you “for these pharaohs”, that’s why you are on the run, that’s why you are in a foreign environment to learn, that’s why God has placed some Jethros in your life to teach you , that’s why you feel inadequate, (Moses and his speech problem) so that Gods power can be manifested you. So do not ask “who am I that I should go?” You are the one that has being set apart for that purpose. AMEN!!
who has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, (2timothy 1:9)
BE BLESSED
Shared by Niceness At the Mwafrika chatroom on Friday Nov. 6, 2009
I thank God for the book of Exodus, I hope we all know the story of Moses, born from house of Levi brought up by pharaohs daughter, killed an Egyptian, fled to Midian where he met and married Zipporah, met with God at Horeb where he was sent back to Egypt to deliver the Israelites.
Mhhh! “Who am I that I should go”. Moses conversation with God in the mountain was all about him arguing the reasons why he should not be the one, however like always Gods word was final; I wonder how many times we have argued with God? I have, but he always wins.
Exodus reveals how God knows us from our mother’s womb and plans our lives a head of us. In Midian, it was planned by God that he will go there and be taught Gods way by Jethro his father in law. He needed to know his God first before introducing him to the world, to pharaoh. But in this place had become so comfortable, even had a family of his own such that he dint want to take the next step of faith towards his destiny, resulting to the argument with God (But Moses said to God, "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?)
What does this mean? He may have being looking after goats at the time, but his call was not to be a shepherd in that town, he had being called to be a deliverer, but shepherding was part of the journey.
Church of God, some people are in their location of their assignment, they have gone to Jethro and being taught and has now gone back to deliver that assignment and I thank God for you. But on the other hand, many are in Moses shoes at the time, comfortable with where we are and actually have been fooled into thinking that is all there is. Shepherding and going back to the family is not all God had fro Moses, NO! More fun was to follow, like dividing the sea among others.
I want to encourage some one today, wherever you are at the moment is path best days, and the shaking and sending few drops of tears is part of it, for on our way we get attached to places and things, but in order to go to the next level we have to leave them behind. Most of the time we even argue like Moses, BUT please may we not delay our blessing knowing that at the end of our resistance to his voice, Our awesome God always get it his own away! AMEN.
He says “Am not a man that I should lie”. Therefore, every thing that he has spoken concerning you, it shall happen. Most of the time, prophesy and the current situation always looks so different. Moses is to deliver Israel from Egypt, but he is on asylum in a foreign country. Do not let what you are going through determine the result, stand in faith and let God do his work. DO NOT GIVE UP!The massage is don’t argue with God, if he wants you in that place, stay there. If he decides that your time is up, you need to pack and move in a foreign land or back to the previous one, do it because that’s where your assignment is. He don’t always reveal the full picture, we might be so excited or too afraid to act, so he needs us to TRUST in him, and walk the walk until we find our selves there and mature enough to handle the blessings.
There are people out there in captivity, there are situation out there that need to be confronted, Justice that need to prevail, Poverty that have to be abolished, sins in the society such as abortion and homosexuality that need to bow down to righteousness. God is preparing you “for these pharaohs”, that’s why you are on the run, that’s why you are in a foreign environment to learn, that’s why God has placed some Jethros in your life to teach you , that’s why you feel inadequate, (Moses and his speech problem) so that Gods power can be manifested you. So do not ask “who am I that I should go?” You are the one that has being set apart for that purpose. AMEN!!
who has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, (2timothy 1:9)
BE BLESSED
Shared by Niceness At the Mwafrika chatroom on Friday Nov. 6, 2009
Thursday, November 5, 2009
His Temptation Our Temptation :: From "My Utmost For His Highest"
Hebrews 4:14therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, jesus the son of god, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15for we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. 16let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Until we are born again, the only kind of temptation we understand is the kind mentioned in james 1:14, "each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed." but through regeneration we are lifted into another realm where there are other temptations to face, namely, the kind of temptations our lord faced. The temptations of jesus had no appeal to us as unbelievers because they were not at home in our human nature. Our lord’s temptations and ours are in different realms until we are born again and become his brothers. The temptations of jesus are not those of a mere man, but the temptations of god as man.
Through regeneration, the son of god is formed in us (see galatians 4:19 ), and in our physical life he has the same setting that he had on earth. Satan does not tempt us just to make us do wrong things— he tempts us to make us lose what god has put into us through regeneration, namely, the possibility of being of value to god. He does not come to us on the premise of tempting us to sin, but on the premise of shifting our point of view, and only the spirit of god can detect this as a temptation of the devil.
Temptation means a test of the possessions held within the inner, spiritual part of our being by a power outside us and foreign to us. This makes the temptation of our lord explainable. After jesus’ baptism, having accepted his mission of being the one "who takes away the sin of the world" ( john 1:29 ) he "was led up by the spirit into the wilderness" ( matthew 4:1 ) and into the testing devices of the devil. Yet he did not become weary or exhausted. He went through the temptation "without sin," and he retained all the possessions of his spiritual nature completely intact.
For Similar Resources... read.
Shared at the Mwafrika Chatroom on October 30, 2009.
Until we are born again, the only kind of temptation we understand is the kind mentioned in james 1:14, "each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed." but through regeneration we are lifted into another realm where there are other temptations to face, namely, the kind of temptations our lord faced. The temptations of jesus had no appeal to us as unbelievers because they were not at home in our human nature. Our lord’s temptations and ours are in different realms until we are born again and become his brothers. The temptations of jesus are not those of a mere man, but the temptations of god as man.
Through regeneration, the son of god is formed in us (see galatians 4:19 ), and in our physical life he has the same setting that he had on earth. Satan does not tempt us just to make us do wrong things— he tempts us to make us lose what god has put into us through regeneration, namely, the possibility of being of value to god. He does not come to us on the premise of tempting us to sin, but on the premise of shifting our point of view, and only the spirit of god can detect this as a temptation of the devil.
Temptation means a test of the possessions held within the inner, spiritual part of our being by a power outside us and foreign to us. This makes the temptation of our lord explainable. After jesus’ baptism, having accepted his mission of being the one "who takes away the sin of the world" ( john 1:29 ) he "was led up by the spirit into the wilderness" ( matthew 4:1 ) and into the testing devices of the devil. Yet he did not become weary or exhausted. He went through the temptation "without sin," and he retained all the possessions of his spiritual nature completely intact.
For Similar Resources... read.
Shared at the Mwafrika Chatroom on October 30, 2009.
ACCEPTING YOUR ASSIGNMENT :: Shared By Sharniz
The sermon is mainly derived from Rick Warrens book Purpose Driven Life ….
I will start by asking why are u here on earth for? Just ask yourself that question.
In the book of Ephesians :
Tells us that for we are God’s workmanship .created in Jesus Christ to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do.
We were put on earth to make a contribution but not to consume resources. God designed you to make a difference with your life were created to add to life on earth, not just take from it.God wants to you to give something back.
This is one of God’s purposes for your life, and it is called your Ministry’ or servic.The bible gives us the details
1) u were created to serve God
the bible says God had created us for life of good deeds, which he has already prepared for us to do” these good deed are your service. Whenever u serve others in any way you are actually serving God. and fulfilling one of your purpose.
What God told Jeremiah is also true for us all.. ‘Before u were born, i set you apart in your mothers womb, I chose you, before u were born iet you apart for a special work” you were’
You were placed on this planet for a special assignment.
II) you were saved to serve God
The bible sys, it he who saved us and chose us for his holy work not that was this plan.
God redeemed you so you could do his ‘holy works’ you are not saved by service, but you are saved for service. In God’s kingdom you have a place, a purpose, a role and a function to fulfill. This gives your life great significance and value.
It cost Jesus his own life to purchase your salvation. We don’t serve God out of quilt or fear or even duty, but out of joy, and deep gratitude for what he’s done for us. We owe him our lives. Through salvation our past has been forgiven, our present is given meaning and our future is secured. In light of these incredible benefits Paul concluded because of God’s great mercy.. Offering yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to his services”
Have u ever wondered why God doesn’t just immediately take us to heaven the moment we accept his grace? Why does he leave us in a fallen word? He leaves us to here to fulfill his purpose. Once you are saved, God intends to use you for his goal. God has a ministry for you in his church and a mission for u in the world.
III) you were called to serve God
Growing up you may have thought that being ‘called by God was something ony missionaries, pastors, us and others ‘full fill’
Some people may try to serve God in hopes that this will either earn them eternal salvation or help them hang on to it. Of course, this is contrary to the grace of God in salvation and in sanctification (Eph. 2:8-9; Gal. 3:1-9).
Serving God – Making it PersonalReflect: I would encourage you to spend some time reflecting on your own spiritual walk to this moment in time. We have much to learn from the circumstances of our past. These situations have molded us into the people we are today. We need to be able to recognize God’s involvement along that path with grateful hearts. I challenge you to recognize that you are learning from the Master Himself every day as He personally takes you by the hand and points your way. Take a look at all the “coincidences” of your life and you will soon see God’s pattern. Be sure to journal your findings, as one day they will all make perfect sense.
Point to ponder: service is not optional
Shared by Sharniz At the Mwafrika chatroom on Friday Oct 23, 2009
I will start by asking why are u here on earth for? Just ask yourself that question.
In the book of Ephesians :
Tells us that for we are God’s workmanship .created in Jesus Christ to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do.
We were put on earth to make a contribution but not to consume resources. God designed you to make a difference with your life were created to add to life on earth, not just take from it.God wants to you to give something back.
This is one of God’s purposes for your life, and it is called your Ministry’ or servic.The bible gives us the details
1) u were created to serve God
the bible says God had created us for life of good deeds, which he has already prepared for us to do” these good deed are your service. Whenever u serve others in any way you are actually serving God. and fulfilling one of your purpose.
What God told Jeremiah is also true for us all.. ‘Before u were born, i set you apart in your mothers womb, I chose you, before u were born iet you apart for a special work” you were’
You were placed on this planet for a special assignment.
II) you were saved to serve God
The bible sys, it he who saved us and chose us for his holy work not that was this plan.
God redeemed you so you could do his ‘holy works’ you are not saved by service, but you are saved for service. In God’s kingdom you have a place, a purpose, a role and a function to fulfill. This gives your life great significance and value.
It cost Jesus his own life to purchase your salvation. We don’t serve God out of quilt or fear or even duty, but out of joy, and deep gratitude for what he’s done for us. We owe him our lives. Through salvation our past has been forgiven, our present is given meaning and our future is secured. In light of these incredible benefits Paul concluded because of God’s great mercy.. Offering yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to his services”
Have u ever wondered why God doesn’t just immediately take us to heaven the moment we accept his grace? Why does he leave us in a fallen word? He leaves us to here to fulfill his purpose. Once you are saved, God intends to use you for his goal. God has a ministry for you in his church and a mission for u in the world.
III) you were called to serve God
Growing up you may have thought that being ‘called by God was something ony missionaries, pastors, us and others ‘full fill’
Some people may try to serve God in hopes that this will either earn them eternal salvation or help them hang on to it. Of course, this is contrary to the grace of God in salvation and in sanctification (Eph. 2:8-9; Gal. 3:1-9).
Serving God – Making it PersonalReflect: I would encourage you to spend some time reflecting on your own spiritual walk to this moment in time. We have much to learn from the circumstances of our past. These situations have molded us into the people we are today. We need to be able to recognize God’s involvement along that path with grateful hearts. I challenge you to recognize that you are learning from the Master Himself every day as He personally takes you by the hand and points your way. Take a look at all the “coincidences” of your life and you will soon see God’s pattern. Be sure to journal your findings, as one day they will all make perfect sense.
Point to ponder: service is not optional
Shared by Sharniz At the Mwafrika chatroom on Friday Oct 23, 2009
SERMON: ARE YOU BLINDED & BEGGING, CALL THE MORE! :: Shared By Pappa
Read Mark 10:46-52
The story is straight forward, the man had been blind (probably all his life). His life must have been one long routine, sitting by the roadside and begging. On this day he heard a crowd… he must have initially told himself … leo nime angukia, nitapata kitu ya kishua!! However as information filtered through he had that it was Jesus and immediately started calling out for Him. He did not just call out but also placed his request to Jesus as well. Verse 47, When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"
However, it is recorded that many rebuked the blind beggar telling him to keep quiet, BUT… he shouted all the more… Son of David, have mercy on me!
As candid as the blind man was with his request to Jesus, so was Jesus with His request from the blind beggar, verse 51"What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus asked him. And the man was clear in his mind about what he wanted, his immediate reply?? Rabbi, I want to see.
Lets stop for a moment and think about this situation and our lives. Many of us have ‘issues’. We may not be blind but we have struggled or are struggling with some darkness in our lives. Probably its your relationships, your financial status may be health or just your walk with Christ.You know that Jesus is always available to you and have been calling out to Him to have mercy on you!! But the crowd has kept us at bay. The crowd could be your brethren, your parents, your siblings… indeed the crowd could also be inside you, your doubts, your lack of faith, you logic or your impatience. Lets learn a quick lesson from the beggar!! When the crowd tried to bring him down, he shouted all the more… have you done that? What do you do when things seem not to be going your way? What do you do when you seem to trapped in one long routine? Do you shout the more or do you look for your ‘own’ solutions? Do you reason out with yourself and the world, sometimes even compromising your faith? Hear me out my brothers and sisters calling out the more is not just a matter of repeating your selfish prayers (prayers based on what you want rather than what you need, prayers based on mere prosperity rather than the will of God) calling out the more is seeking God earnestly, developing your relationship with Him, engaging with Him through out, involving Him in all that we do, knowing His purpose in you … in so doing your faith in Him grows and it is recorded that without faith you cannot please God (Heb 11:6)… that’s a sermon for another day.
That’s not the only lesson from the blind man… after calling out and Jesus seeking Him out Jesus asked him what he wanted… and the blind beggar was quick with His answer!! My dear brothers, after calling out to God in the right way and pleasing God by your growing faith well then Jesus turns to you and asks what you want done for you!! How many of us have reached this level of relationship with JC hadi anatuuliza, naweza ka kuduia what? And yet because of our spiritual insensitivity have ended up missing out on the question… or may be we jusy get caught up with the crowd and just do not hear Jesus ask.
Brethren, lets call out to Jesus all the more (through prayer, bible reading, study of the bible, continued meditation on the Word of God and through fellowship with believers) and also lets build up our spiritual sensitivity to hear Jesus speak to us and we answer appropriately.
For further study, check out the story of the Israelites exploring the promised land and the reaction of different people to what they saw and further, the CROWDS reaction to the report that was given in Numbers 13:1 to Numbers 14:4
Are you blinded and begging? Call on Jesus!!
Is the crowd putting you off? Call the more!!
Shared by Pappa At the Mwafrika chatroom on Friday Oct 16, 2009
The story is straight forward, the man had been blind (probably all his life). His life must have been one long routine, sitting by the roadside and begging. On this day he heard a crowd… he must have initially told himself … leo nime angukia, nitapata kitu ya kishua!! However as information filtered through he had that it was Jesus and immediately started calling out for Him. He did not just call out but also placed his request to Jesus as well. Verse 47, When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"
However, it is recorded that many rebuked the blind beggar telling him to keep quiet, BUT… he shouted all the more… Son of David, have mercy on me!
As candid as the blind man was with his request to Jesus, so was Jesus with His request from the blind beggar, verse 51"What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus asked him. And the man was clear in his mind about what he wanted, his immediate reply?? Rabbi, I want to see.
Lets stop for a moment and think about this situation and our lives. Many of us have ‘issues’. We may not be blind but we have struggled or are struggling with some darkness in our lives. Probably its your relationships, your financial status may be health or just your walk with Christ.You know that Jesus is always available to you and have been calling out to Him to have mercy on you!! But the crowd has kept us at bay. The crowd could be your brethren, your parents, your siblings… indeed the crowd could also be inside you, your doubts, your lack of faith, you logic or your impatience. Lets learn a quick lesson from the beggar!! When the crowd tried to bring him down, he shouted all the more… have you done that? What do you do when things seem not to be going your way? What do you do when you seem to trapped in one long routine? Do you shout the more or do you look for your ‘own’ solutions? Do you reason out with yourself and the world, sometimes even compromising your faith? Hear me out my brothers and sisters calling out the more is not just a matter of repeating your selfish prayers (prayers based on what you want rather than what you need, prayers based on mere prosperity rather than the will of God) calling out the more is seeking God earnestly, developing your relationship with Him, engaging with Him through out, involving Him in all that we do, knowing His purpose in you … in so doing your faith in Him grows and it is recorded that without faith you cannot please God (Heb 11:6)… that’s a sermon for another day.
That’s not the only lesson from the blind man… after calling out and Jesus seeking Him out Jesus asked him what he wanted… and the blind beggar was quick with His answer!! My dear brothers, after calling out to God in the right way and pleasing God by your growing faith well then Jesus turns to you and asks what you want done for you!! How many of us have reached this level of relationship with JC hadi anatuuliza, naweza ka kuduia what? And yet because of our spiritual insensitivity have ended up missing out on the question… or may be we jusy get caught up with the crowd and just do not hear Jesus ask.
Brethren, lets call out to Jesus all the more (through prayer, bible reading, study of the bible, continued meditation on the Word of God and through fellowship with believers) and also lets build up our spiritual sensitivity to hear Jesus speak to us and we answer appropriately.
For further study, check out the story of the Israelites exploring the promised land and the reaction of different people to what they saw and further, the CROWDS reaction to the report that was given in Numbers 13:1 to Numbers 14:4
Are you blinded and begging? Call on Jesus!!
Is the crowd putting you off? Call the more!!
Shared by Pappa At the Mwafrika chatroom on Friday Oct 16, 2009
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