Thank God for the Small Things

1 Timothy 6:6-8 
6. But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
8. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

If you say that you don't have anything to thank God for, I am greatly amazed! Learn to thank God for things that we consider small and usually take them for granted. In the real sense, the things that we take for granted are usually very very important. Learn to enjoy what God has already given you now, for you may never know the importance of something, until you loss it.

At our lower side of life, we actually realise the ever present help of God and His unfailing love. It helps us even get more closer to God and to reality than when we are fully fed.

When one is mighty and very blessed, there is always that temptation to focus on the blessings rather than the blesser and so their relationship with God is affected and continues to deteriorate.

Proverbs 30:8-9
8. Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me:
9. Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the Lord? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.
 
Do you really mean you don’t have anything to thank God for?

• What about the food you ate last night? Thought it was not your favourite or your choice, remember that some people had to go to bed on an empty stomach. Instead thank God for it and share your food with the hungry and God will bless you.
• What about the breath of life He gave you this morning? There are some people who have been put under a respirator machine to help them breath and there also some who died today. Refer to ""we don't have a signed contract with God as to when we should die". Instead of complaining about life, thank God for the breath of life, start sharing your live with others and make a difference in people's lives.
• Could it be you are getting peanuts in the job you have right now? Thank God for the job you already have to allow God to open another door for you because there is somebody who is jobless and in heavy debts.
• Are you asking God for a a fashionable outfit that you like? Thought it is not bad to do that, but remember to thank God for the outfits you already have in your wardrobe, for there are those who just have one outfit, such that they have to wash it at night for it to dry. Instead, start sharing your extra outfits with the naked and God will bless you.
• As a youth, you may be sad that you parents are unreasonable and very strict. Thank God for them and God will start changing them, for there are children out there who never saw their parents for they died. Instead start showing love to the orphans and appreciating your own parents no matter how they are.
• If you are a parent and are stressed because of your children, don't get stressed anymore. Instead, start thanking God for them, for they are women who don't have even a single fruit of the womb and have to bear the shame of barrenness and loneliness. As you thank God for your children and also pray for those who are trusting God for children, God will work wonders in you children.
• Stop complaining about your spouse. Think about the wonderful times you have had together before you think about the faults of your spouse. Remember that you also have your faults and flaws. More importantly, remember that love covers a multitude of sins. Change the tune, and start singing good about your spouse. As you start thanking God and seeking for unity and peace, God will command blessings in your home. Refer to Psalms 133:1-3
• You could be unhappy with your neighbours because of one thing or another. Thank God for your neighbours for God has put them there for a purpose. As you thank God for them, He will work out things for you. One day my little son got lost, neighbours helped me look for Him in the neighbourhood without success. Later we found Him being brought home by a woman who stayed a bit far from our house, but God used her. Neighbours are very very important.
• Do you complain about your looks? Honour God because He has given you eyes to see how you look like, there are people who are blind and they have no idea how they look like. Nevertheless, meditate on Psalms 139:14 (I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well). By the time you finish meditating on Psalms 139:14, you will realise that it was not about how you look, but it was all about your attitude and you inability to identify yourself with God to see your worth. Therefore, start praising God for who you are and for whom God has uniquely created you to be.  Isaiah 43:4 confirms that you are precious, loved and honoured.
• One might take the simple act of going the toilet as normal and insignificant, but thank God for it for they are people who have to make many trips to the hospital for dialysis in order for waste material to be removed from their bodies
• Thank God for the environment and take good care of it. Don’t take it for granted because you need a clean and beautiful environment to survive.

Feel free to comment through http://christloveforworld.blogspot.com/ by clicking comment. May God bless you all as you learn to appreciate all things in life, including the small things and those that  are usually taken for granted. Shalom.

A Winter Hideaway in Mombasa, Seeing God's Glorious Creation

Kenyan Historical Landmark, The Fort Jesus Museum
Mombasa City, Kenya (East Africa) 

 
 

Roughly the size of Texas, Kenya has dedicated 10 % of its land to wildlife conservation. The Great Rift Valley and its spectacularly dramatic scenery are beyond words in Africa.

Fort Jesus has preserved the primary formation as when it was put up 400 years ago. It has suffered a history of murder, siege, starvation and bombardment. It is a delight for holidaymakers and if you leave Mombasa without visiting this major landmark in the history of East Africa you may find it a cause for regret. Mombasa is a seaport, industrial city on the Indian Ocean



The region remains very proud of its multinational influences over a thousand years. The unmatched Swahili cuisine, a blend of co-existing Christian and Muslim religions, multiracial cultures and exquisite historical architecture give a hint of the multi-racial people that existed in the 18th and 19th century and still have an effect in the way people live here. People are very friendly and helpful. They are genuinely concerned about giving directions to visitors.

The region is at the centre of a strip of idyllic tropical beaches offering the visitor a range of excellent resorts and quiet relaxing hideaways from winter in Europe. If you enjoy sunbathing, this is your destination. It offers a wide range of accommodation – from the exclusive and luxurious resorts, to the middle-of-the-range hotels. You can get the information from a tour company.

Just next to the fort is a well-stocked stall, where you can buy assortment of Kenyan tribes’ curios and traditional clothes - ranging from Maasai, Swahili, Pokot, Kamba, Kikuyu, and Giriama among others. You can decide to indulge in a cocktail under the shade and breath the cool breeze from the nearby sea as you hear the soothing Swahili music at the background.

In the museum gift shop, you can buy selected publications (cards, books, etc) and souvenirs (African crafts). The cafeteria offers a complete variety of delicious Swahili cuisines and soft drinks. The mouth-watering spiced rice, locally called pilau – its sweet smell is mouth whetting.

 

Other Places To Visit In Kenya

Haller Park/Nature Trail is a recreational quarry at the warmer coast, which is good destination for families. Expect sightings of giraffes, onyxes, monkeys, porcupines, giant tortoises, hippopotamus, snakes etc. Activities involve leisure walks, jogging, cycling etc. Butterfly bleeding session is available for those who enjoy nature. Don’t forget to buy striking clamshells to crown the occasion (after excavation, fossils were and are still found)

Enjoy a tour to the sea (Indian Ocean) in tamarind dhow. Music played and succulent dinner makes it good site for a romantic couple.

At Nakuru, the trademark feature of Lake Nakuru inhabits beautiful pink flamingos in large numbers.

It is amazing to see the wildebeest migration, in Kenya’s Maasai Mara Game Reserve Visit the Mara and Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park for the wonderful experience.

We don't have a signed contract with God as to When we should die

Psalms 90:12 So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

What would you do if God would come and tell you the day of your death is tomorrow?
* May be you would get saved and start living right
* May be you would go to those you have hurt and ask for forgiveness
* May be you would start spending more time with your family and friends
* May be you would start praying to God to reconsider his decision like Hezekiah of old did
* May be you would spend abundance time with God in prayer and fasting
* May be you would start being loving and considerate to others
* May be you would as it were put you house in order by writing a will

You see, since we do not know the day of our death, we are to live our lives as if we will be dying tomorrow, knowing that the day and the hour is in the hands of the Almighty, the giver of life.

May God help us to live one day at time. Calculating our salvation with fear and trembling for the calling that we have received from God is worthy.

We have not signed a contract with God as to when we will die and so we should ask God to teach us to number our days so that we may live in wisdom. God gave Solomon a wise and an understand heart because Solomon neither asked him for long life, nor for riches, nor for the lives of his enemies. Wisdom comes along with what it entails and in Solomon's case it came along with riches and other blessings.

In Psalms 91:14-16, God has promised us long life, if we set our love upon him and acknowledge His name.
In Proverbs 4:1-2, God continues to promise us long life filled with peace, if we forget not His law and keep in our hearts His commandments.

The conclusion of the matter is;

1 Corinthians 15:55-57

55. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
56. The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
57. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

We who are in the Lord Jesus will not fear death, for there is life after the grave, where we shall live forever with our Lord and King Jesus beholding His glory and worshipping Him. We should be steadfast, unmoveable, and do the work of the Lord for our labour in the Lord in not in vain for we have victory over death through Jesus Christ.

* You only fear death if your sins are not forgiven and if you have not made peace with your maker. God is gracious and loving, always waiting with open hands to save.

Godly principles about Giving

Luke 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

Deuteronomy 28:12 The Lord shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.

2 Corinthians 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

God is a giver by nature and since He is our father, we should be givers, like the saying goes - like Father like son. Giving is godliness. If you are a giver, do you measure up to the life you are living. Giving should be a lifestyle. Check our your giving and see where you are lacking. A real giver does not have to wait to be told to give, he/she gives spontaneously. May God help us take the nature of our Father, and so be like Him by being givers.

Sometimes when I read Deuteronomy 28:12, I ask myself, do I really deserve that God should bless me? Am I doing as it is required. Am I following the principles that God has set? For God to really bless the works of our hands, we should show God the works that He should bless.

Who is a real giver?

• One who understand that we first have to give ourselves first to God
• One that prepares before going to church what to give because he treats giving as worship to God
• One who does not give out of being compelled or persuaded to give, but gives out of a willing and cheerful heart. (I am of the opinion that Christians should not be compelled, persuaded, pushed to give. Instead, they should be taught the plain Word of God about giving, because when one gives out of compulsion, then no blessing should be expected)
• One who understands that giving is a privilege to enable us partake of the blessings of God
• One who understands that giving is one way of showing our gratitudes to God, showing our love to God, to show our commitment to spreading the good news of Jesus Christ, and to share the love of Jesus Christ with others
• One who understands that God is not lacking in anything. He is a rich God and we can never outsmart Him in anyway. It is only that He has given us a privilege to give so as to be partakers in His blessings. Remembering that the resources we have, He is the one who has graciously given to us
• One who understands that we cannot bribe God in order for Him to bless us. Some preachers tell people to give a certain amount of money and they will in return receive it back multiplied. Of course when we give to God, He multiplies our blessings but when giving our attitudes and hearts have to be right with God because God can never be bribed in exchange of promotion, healing, anointing etc

Refer to Acts 8:18-21

18. And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,

19. Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.

20. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.

21. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.

 

Your are welcome to comment on this very sensitive topic by clicking comment on the christlove blog at the end of this article

Learn the Language of God

Psalms 34:10 The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing.

Deuteronomy 4:29 But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.

For us to communicate with God effectively, we need to learn the language of God. I don't mean that God does not understand all earthly languages, but what I mean is that the only official and the only applicable language for God is THE WORD OF GOD. Just as the only official, applicable currency on the counters of heaven is faith.

We usually neglect prayers and when we pray, we pray badly. Tell God what  you want in His language (The WORD of God). For you to talk to God in His only applicable language, you need to learn the language of God so that you can be able to talk to Him in His language. God’s language is the WORD of God.

Learn to stand in the Word by faith. Let it always be your behaviour, that every time you are asking God for something, use a scripture to claim it from God. God has not changed, He remains the same forever. Our success comes not from anointing oil but from the Word of God that we apply in our lives. When we do as required, the bible says that we will not lack any good thing. This will only happen when we seek the Lord, with all our hearts and all our souls.

God wants us to discover of the unspeakable many treasures laid down in His Word by searching, seeking, meditating the Word and then applying it in our lives IN FAITH. God is not interested in lazy people who do want to work hard searching His Word as one passionately searches for a hidden treasure.

Psalms 138:2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy loving-kindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name

The fact that God magnifies His Word above all His name is evidence enough to tell us since He is the Word Himself, we have to learn His Word, because He gives precedence to His Word than He does to His Name

Feel free to comment through http://christloveforworld.blogspot.com/  blog by clicking comment.

Author: Grace W. K.

THANK YOU

Can I get an Amen?
Thank you!

THANK-YOU
Dear GOD,
I want to thank You for what you have already done. Believe it or not, all the good things you've been running after, they will start to run after you now .
I am not going to wait until I see results or receive rewards, I am going to thank you right now.
I am not going to wait until I feel better or things look better, I am going to thank you right now.

I am not going to wait until people say they are sorry or until they stop talking about me,

I am thanking you right now.
I am not going to wait until the pain in my body disappears, I am thanking you right now
I am not going to wait until my financial situation improves, I am thanking you right now.

I am not going to wait until the children are asleep and the house is quiet, I am going to thank you right now.
I am not going to wait until I get promoted at work or until I get the job, I am going to thank you right now.

I am not going to wait until I understand every experience in my life that has caused me pain or grief, I am going to thank you right now. .
I am not going to wait until the journey gets easier or the challenges are removed.

I am thanking you right now.

I am thanking you because I am alive.
I am thanking you because I made it through the day's difficulties.
I am thanking you because I have walked around the obstacles.
I am thanking you because I have the ability and the opportunity to do more and do better.
I'm thanking you because FATHER, YOU haven't given up on me.

God is just so good and he's good all the time.

This morning I knocked at Heavens door, God asked me... My CHILD...
what can I do for you?" and I said "Daddy please protect and bless the one reading this message.
God smiled and answered....
"request granted"

Author: SHIKU

Visit Christlove at: http://christloveforworld.blogspot.com by Grace W. Kariuki

Just Simple act of Kindness

 

James 2:1-5

1. My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.

2. For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;

3. And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:
4. Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?
5. Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?

James 2:9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.

Maybe when we read this scripture, we think that it is not directed to us because we don't do what the scripture is condemning, but wait a minute - please read through. We may not tell the poor person to sit under our feet or stand outside literally, but we act or do some things that suggest that.

• People usually come to church well groomed and very smart, but imagine a situation where somebody who is roughly dressed and dirty appears and sits in church. In so many instances, the facial expressions people make clearly show that they don't feel comfortable, they keep turning their heads and staring at that person as if to suggest something is wrong. Who said that only the mouth talks, even the facial expressions talks too and clearly shows what thoughts are running across the mind.

•  Refer to Luke 7:39  Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner. The Pharisee's attitude was that he was more righteous that the woman who was crying before Jesus. Let us see others as creation of God, and candidates of salvation even when they are not saved yet. Even the worst sinner can respond to love, and change and get reformed. For the power of love is explosive like a dynamite and nobody can resist it’s blast.

• God is very much concerned on how we treat others and how we wrongly judge them. Just like God is not a respector of persons, we Christians need to have the same mind, the mind of God. We should not respect people because of their status in the society, but we should love and treasure them because they are God's creation. We should love and be merciful to all irrespective of their appearances, knowing that God has chosen the poor, rich in faith, to be heirs of His kingdom also, even those whom some among their brethren despised and oppressed. Showing kindness to the poor does not hurt. Relating and helping them shows that you have respect for God. On the other hand, not helping the poor and behaving as if we are important than them, dis-respects God who has brought them in existence.

• If you are looking for someone to help, go to the poor, because when you do, you will not expect something in return. When I say helping them, I don't necessarily mean financial assistance (though it would also come in handy), but becoming their friends, encouraging them, calling them, praying for them, listening to them, visiting them, giving them a smile, brightening their lives, showing them kindness, the list is endless.  So many times we don't want to be associated or even to socialize with the lowly, we look for people who are in our 'class'. The bible is very clear about this and even calls it a sin according to James 2:9. God loves the poor and the needy, He is very displeased when we ignore them. Helping and appreciating the poor is a service to God, and God looks with favour to those who do it. Refer to Acts 10:1-4 and see that simple acts of kindness can open new doors for God to bless you, your family and your future generations, because it provokes God into action.
  
• Partiality spirit is unfortunately working in churches and in families too. Parents are also guilty of favouring some children and leaving others out because of their performance in school or in life, causing some to suffer rejection instead of receiving love in their families. Some Pastors categorize their members as big and small, showing regard to the rich and despising the poor; God forbid that this should happen in the house of God. We are all children of God irrespective of of our social status. All of us according to psalms 139:14, are wonderfully and fearfully made.
  
• Ask yourself today, when you see people, do you categorize them according to where they live, how they are dressed, their rank, their age, their gender, their appearances, their looks, their tribe? Do you either include or exclude them quietly (thought-wise and action-wise) based on these things?
  
• All of us are important before God and no one is more important than the other. Next time you meet that street boy, or that street family , or a sick man, or a physically challenged person, remember the kindness of God, who loved us unconditionally when we were yet sinners and gave His only begotten Son to die for us. Show them kindness on your Father's behalf because your Father is a kind God.

 

Please contribute to simple acts of kindness that you can show to people and how you can cultivate the character of kindness through this blog  by clicking comment at the end of this article and God will bless you.

A CALL TO GOD

Dear God, I called tonight
to talk a little while,
I need a friend who’ll listen
to my anxiety and trial.

You see, I can’t quite make it
through the day just on my own.
I need your love to guide me
so I’ll never feel alone.
I want to ask you please to keep,
my family safe and sound.
Come and fill their lives with confidence
for whatever fate they are bound.
Give me faith, dear God, to face
each hour throughout the day,
And not to worry over things
I can’t change in any way.
I thank you God, for being home
and listening to my call.
for giving me such good advice
when I stumble and fall.
Your number, God, is the only one
that answers every time.
I never get a busy signal,
never had to pay a dime.
So thank you, God, for listening to
my troubles and my sorrow.
Good night God, I love you too,
and I’ll call again tomorrow.

GRACE!!!

..."Peace > be with you!"John 20:19
> How would
> you respond to a group of fellow workers if you were their
> leader and you
> poured your life into them, teaching them all you know for
> three years, only to
> have them disband and go their own way when troubles came?
> What would you say
> to them after you were reunited for the first time? Perhaps
> you might scold
> them. Perhaps you might cite each one's offense. At the
> least, you might shame
> them for their lack of faithfulness and courage.
> After Jesus
> was crucified and raised from the dead, He appeared to the
> disciples. His first
> words to them were, "Peace be with you!"

The word > grace means > "unmerited favor." When someone loves you
> unconditionally, without
> regard to your behavior in return, it becomes a powerful
> force in your life. Such
> was the case for the disciples when Jesus appeared to them.
> They could have
> expected reprimand. Instead, they received unconditional
> love and acceptance.
> He was overjoyed to see them. They were equally overjoyed
> to see Him.
> Jesus
> understood that the disciples needed to fail Him as part of
> their training. It
> would be this failure that became their greatest motivation
> for service.
> Failure allowed them to experience incredible grace for the
> very first time.
> Grace would transform them as human beings.
> Have > you experienced this grace in your life? Have you extended > grace to those who > have hurt you? Can you let go of any wrongs that have come
> through friends or
> associates? The grace you extend may change their lives - > and yours.

Free Yourself from the Spirit of Poverty

• Poverty is a spirit that the devil uses to keep us from achieving what God have ordained in us.
• God cannot trust us with His anointing, if we don’t know how to handle money.
• Becoming faithful in little things makes God entrust us in big things
• Lack is a golden opportunity for us to believe God for a miracle and consequently growing in faith
• Love for money has become an idol in most human hearts. Most people can do anything for money.
• Our source should not be money but God. We should reach a point whereby the economy of the world does not matter to us any more, because we are drawing from God as our source.
• Poverty may not have anything to do with material stuff and money, but is is usually manifested that way.

Put God first

Haggai 1:5-9
5. Now therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts; Consider your ways.
6. Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes.
7. Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Consider your ways.
8. Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith the Lord.
9. Ye looked for much, and, lo it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it. Why? saith the Lord of hosts. Because of mine house that is waste, and ye run every man unto his own house.

What are you busy doing? Are you working hard, but earning less, planting more but harvesting less, investing more but getting less profits or even incurring  losses? Consider your ways. Have you neglected God and all that pertains to Him? Have you ignored the great commission of spreading the Word of God? Have you put your business first than putting the business of God first? Have you put your profession first rather than putting God first?

It is as simple as it sounds - PUT GOD FIRST. When we put Him first, he will bless the works of our hands. We usually open a door for the devil to steal our resources when we stop putting God first and anything we bring home, God blows it away and we are left with nothing. Just imagine putting money in a bag that has holes. Spiritually , it happens to us Christians when we neglect the work and the ministers of God. Have you ever heard someone saying, “ I get a lot of money, but I don’t see what I do with the money or I can’t show anything I have done”? This statement is very common.

When we SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD, God will turn everything around for us because He will take full control over our lives. We shall eat and be satisfied, we shall drink and be quenched, we shall clothe and be warm, our earnings shall do great projects and God shall protect our wealth instead of blowing it off.

To walk in abundance should be our key as Christians. We should be enriched in everything because our God is rich. The bible says in Haggai 2:8, The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the Lord of hosts.


Pay your Taxes to the government

Luke 20:25  And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's.

When we withhold our taxes which are justly due, we open a door to the devil. Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar. if we expect good services from the government, we should be faithful in paying our taxes.


Pay your tithe (Malachi3:8-11)

Tithing is fundamental. Pay God the first fruits of your earnings. Tithe is not given, but it is paid. Tithe belongs to God and when we don't pay it we are robbing God. Personally, I don’t want to be labelled as robber of God – it is terrible. The bible says that when we don’t tithe we are cursed with a curse. We should test God by tithing, for He will open the windows of heaven and bless us and we will never lack anything. Tithing should not be a one year trial, but it should be a lifestyle so as to allow God to rebuke the devourer (the devil) who comes to plunder us of our blessings.

Leviticus 27:30  And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord's: it is holy unto the Lord. Tithe is our seed that we plant in God’s work (or in God’s garden). If a farmer eats the seed instead of planting it, that farmer should not expect to harvest that season. Do you want a bountiful harvest?, then sow your seeds in God.

Tithing shows our faithfulness to God, because God gives us 100% , but expects us to pay only 10%. It is a way of taking God onboard as a partner in our undertakings and therefore opening  a door for God’s protection of the 90%,  our family, our health, our jobs, our businesses, and our everything.

So the conclusion is, when we don’t tithe, we actually open a door for the devil to destroy the works of our hands. Nevertheless, as we tithe let us remember the weightier matters of the law, justice, mercy, and faith.


Remember the needy


Isaiah 58:5-14
5. Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the Lord?
6. Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
7. Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?
8. Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy rereward.
9. Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity;
10. And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday:
11. And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.
12. And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.
13. If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words:
14. Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.

For us to get healing, restoration and answered prayers, we need to stop criticizing others (pointing fingers to others). If we are part of God’s ministry in this world, we should not criticize others because we know that the devil is the accuser of the brethren and we should not help him in doing that. This does not mean that we cover sin, but we should work in restoration ministry that the Lord has given us to restore others. Most of the church splits are caused by criticizing and slander and the devil celebrates when he sees what is happening.

Sometimes we ignore relatives, whom we know very well are struggling to survive. Instead of stepping in to help without being asked, we  assume and sometimes avoid them. When we help our relatives, it touches the heart of God and provokes Him to bless us. The needy are always around us on daily basis. When we help the needy, the bible says that we lend to God, who will pay us back with an increase.

Honouring the day of worship is very important. When it is time to go to church, let your friends and family know that it is not time to come visiting you. They should know that you MUST have an appointment with God, which you can’t miss. When they see the respect you have for God, they will be convicted to repentance. Some Christians have even turned Sunday to be the time of going to the beach, for an outing and  other pleasures.

When we do as Isaiah 58: 5-14 prescribes, then we will thrive even in hard economical times (even in drought). The same God who taught Isaac how to do productive agriculture in times of drought, will teach us to make wealth even in hard, thin times.

 

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God’s concerns towards us in order to receive

• God is not concerned about the intensity of our problems or seriousness of our sicknesses, but

God is concerned about our faith, that He is able to solve ANY problem, because He specializes in impossibilities.

• God is not concerned about the pity party tears you shed because of your problems, but

God is concerned of the tears of joy you shed because you are sure He is going to do the impossible, and

the tears of compassion that you shed for the lost souls to receive Christ.

• God is not concerned about us being entertained in a church service (church isn’t meant to entertain), but

God is concerned about the worship we wholeheartedly give to Him in submission.

• God is not concerned about the amount of money we give towards His work,

God is concerned about the motive behind our giving (do we give out of our love for Him?).

• God is not really concerned about how religious you are, but

God is totally concerned about how strong your relationship is with Him.

• God is not concerned how much you know about Him, but

God is concerned about your candid personal encounter with Him and how you know him.

• God is not only concerned about how hard we work to meet the needs of our family, but

God is even more concerned about how hard we work to spend time with them and guide them.

• God is not concerned of how hard we work to be and to look perfect, but

God is concerned of our surrender to His Perfect will, to be moulded by Him.

• God is not concerned of how intelligent and smart we may be as married women, but

God is concerned about our ability to respect and submit to our husbands. 

• God is not concerned about the numerous shopping baskets we may shower our wifes with as husbands, but

God is concerned about whether we dwell with them according to knowledge, honouring them as unto the weaker vessel.

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Are you Humble or Proud?

• Any time somebody goes wrong, do you work towards helping that person, or do you make it worse by talking about it, defaming him and trying to show everybody how better you are than that person?
• When you look yourself in the mirror, what do you see? do you see yourself beautiful than so and so, or ugly or do you like what you see but don't dwell on it?
• When somebody compliments you when you are smartly dressed, do you reply, I know it, or do you reply glory to God?
• What do you regularly talk about others? Do you always see their bad side and see yourself better than them or do you see a friend in them?

You know what your answers were. Of course one can not lie to oneself, or to God or to the devil - although people do lie to one another

Philippians 2:5-9

5. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

6. Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

7. But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

8. And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

9. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

Joseph was a righteous man such that when he realized that Mary was pregnant while engaged to him, he did not want to shame her, but he planned to leave her quietly and that is when the angel confirmed to him. So many times when a brother errors, we want to shout it loud with a trumpet, but we should know that we are supposed to help him came back to faith because talking about that brother will do more harm than good and in the long run, the devil will be the winner while we lose. Pride is an unrighteous thing that makes us want to appear better than others by showing the bad things others have done.

The bible says that we are wonderfully and fearfully made. Each one of us is unique in our own ways and the differences shows God’s unique divine purpose for each one of us. So we should accept, appreciate and thank God for who are in Him. We should compliment each other in God by working together to accomplish God’s divine purpose. We should not therefore compare ourselves with others or try to be like someone else. 

Every time we look at people, let us always see the image and the creation of God. This will always help us to esteem others and socialize with all of them without feeling funny, because they are all God’s creation - before God all men are equal. I am surprised to note that even in churches, people put themselves in classes, according to their social status. This should not be the case, Christians should learn to fellowship freely with all God’s children without favouritism.

Jesus was a King and He was also God, but he humbled himself, became a servant, became a mortal man, and even died the most cursed criminal death – death of the cross.The humbleness of Jesus made God to exalt him, and to give him a name above every name. The pride of the devil made God cast him down from heaven. So, every time we are humble ourselves, we are preparing ourselves for a promotion – hallelujah. Every time we are proud, we are preparing ourselves for a downfall and for shame.

1 Timothy 6:7  For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

The bible says that pride comes before a fall. Mostly, pride shows itself every time we are lifted and so we should be careful not to take any glory but to give all the glory to God who has given us all that we have. There is nothing that we have, that we have not received from God. God must increase, but we must decrease.

TRUST

Revelations 3:8

When God leads you to the edge of the cliff , trust Him fully and let go , only 1 of 2 things will happen , either He'll catch you when you fall , or He'll teach you how to fly! 'The power of one sentence! God is going to shift things around for you today and let things work in your favor.

God closes doors no man can open & God opens doors no man can close.

Once there was a man who asked God for a flower.... and a butterfly, but instead God gave him a cactus...and a caterpillar. God always does things right. His way is always the best way,even if to us it seems all wrong. If you ask God for one thing and you receive another, TRUST. You can be sure that he will always give you what you need at the appropriate time.

what you want.....is not always what you need! God never fails to grant our petitions, so keep on going for him without doubting or murmuring.

Todays thorn...... is tomorrow's flower!

God gives the very best to those who leave the choices up to him!

God bless you!!

Common misinterpretation of Philippians 4:10

Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

I have always been hearing this verse being repeatedly used in Christian circles, until I started to wonder and ask myself why. When I decided to read the whole chapter,  it came to my understanding why Paul wrote to the Philippians and prayed this prayer for them.

When does God supply all your needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus according to Paul's epistle?

• The brethren Paul was referring to had ministered to Paul by sending him supplies during his missions. We need to support the work of God and the servants of God as they preach the Gospel. The book of Matthew says that he that receives a prophet in the name of prophet shall receive a prophet's reward. So as you do that, you will surely receive a reward.
• When we give towards the work of God, we are actually making a deposit into our heavenly account. Of course we know that you cannot go to the bank to withdraw money that you had not initially deposited into your account. As Christians use this verse, they should ask themselves, "have I made a deposit into my heavenly account? Paul told the brethren that it is not that he desired a gift from them , but he desired fruit that was to multiply in the account when they gave to the ministry. Any time you give to the ministry, you provoke the blessings  of God, your account deposits increases and produces.
• Paul clearly explains about the gifts Epaphroditus had sent to him in Phil 4:18 as pleasing to God. When we give to God's work willingly and sacrificially (even when in want), the gifts goes up to God as an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God. When our giving is acceptable to God, He is pleased and so it would be in order for us to  expect abundant blessings from Him. 
• In Philippians 10:14, Paul was commending the brethren for having done well by communicating with his afflictions. They are blessed those who communicate with the afflictions of the work of God and the servants of God. When we mind the business of God, which is preaching the Word, God will always mind our business. Are we good stewards of what God has blessed us with? Here I am not talking about tithing because tithe is paid and not given, but I am talking about supporting the work of God and being kind to the God’s ministers.

Any time a Christian proclaims Philippians 4:10 to you or you proclaim it to somebody else, ask yourself, do you deserve to draw from the heavenly deposits? Have your really done according to those who partake of such blessings?

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Fix your eyes on Jesus alone

Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Colossians 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

Just like a student who does not concentrate when the teacher is teaching would performs badly, so is the case with Christians who does not concentrate on our Saviour. When we fix our eyes on Jesus always, He leads us safely as a shepherd leads the sheep to green pastures. For sure God's power is manifested in our weakest point, only when we trust in Him to strengthen us. So we can surely say, this far has the Lord taken us, He is Ebenezer.

The devil would like us to waste our time focussing on our flaws and weaknesses. His only intention is to make sure he creates a distraction, because he knows that when we are focussed on Jesus, we are well led because Jesus is the Way. Let us always focus on Jesus and we will not be derailed. Jesus is the only way, and He is the only one who knows the way to the Father. When we let Him lead us by the hand, we are fully assured of where we are going.

We are in a race and we need to not only run race but also to make sure that we finish the race and that we are not disqualified. This will only happen if Jesus is leading the way.Then shall we receive the prize for having finished the race. Therefore, let us stop complaining and be engrossed to Jesus instead.

Gazing on Jesus heals our bodies, our souls, our thoughts, our bones and our marrows and we are made strong in Him ready to face any measure of rejection, ridicule, slander, obstacle, shame, adversary, contempt and weakness. This is because the mighty hand of God overshadows all these things and they become very tiny and meaningless to our eyes because Jesus has become so big, so mighty, so magnified, so real and so near to us.

No one knows the day or the hour

Mathew 23:36-39

36.  But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
37.  But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
38.  For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark,
39.  And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be

Ephesians 5:27  That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

John 4:34  Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

Galatians 6:9  And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

God help us to prepare for the bridegroom, because He is coming for a bride (i.e. the church) without or a spot or a blemish. That calls for sanctification and taking the cross of Jesus Christ daily.

Unfortunately, many Christians have joined the bandwagon of those who are always on the run, being busy, running up and down for the cares of this world. God cannot communicate to us when we are busy taking care of our own affairs. Some of the things most of us are busy doing, are not even necessary, most are luxuries that we can comfortably do without. Hallelujah, if God blesses us with these things, but we should not run after them. The bible says in Deuteronomy 23:2 that all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shall hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God.

We need to take care of God's business and God will take care of our business. When Jesus was in this world, He told His disciples that His food was to do the will of Him that sent Him and to finish His work. May doing the will of the Father be our food, as it was to Jesus because we are His disciples. Is doing the will of God your satisfaction today or must you be pushed in order for you to work for God? Working and living for God is a privilege and a favour, but not a burden.

It upon us to understand our place in God’s kingdom and to understand that we are called to work, for he who does not work should not expect any payment when the master is paying and giving rewards to the faithful servants. Prayer, giving, tithing, fasting, testifying to the unsaved, preaching, encouraging others, helping the needy are all works of faith and we need to continue doing good as we wait for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Above all, as we do the works of faith, we need to make sure that our wedding garments are clean by sanctifying ourselves and not allowing the world to defile us.

• Let us not compromise our faith with the ways of this world.
• The world should be changed through us and not the world to negatively affect us and so defile us.
• We should be ready to stand steadfast in our faith
• We should know that the life we have in Christ is a gift
• The Gift  we received  from Christ should be highly treasured

Dealing with emptiness

There is a void, a vacuum in every man’s heart that only God can fill. So many try to fill the void with things that are not satisfying and in the end keep searching for fulfilment that becomes slippery. Jesus is our life, peace and happiness. Being wealthy, being famous, being highly educated or having anything that you ever wanted in life cannot fill the emptiness.

Ask yourself, what you are addicted to. Are you a chronic drunkard, a wife beater, a thief, a chronic slanderer, a marriage wrecker, a phonographic addict, a masturbator, a homosexual, a lesbian, deep in wizardry, a rapist, a murderer, abortionist? Jesus is able to SAVE you and make you a new creature. Are you trying to seek satisfaction and happiness from something else apart from God? Some are addicted to sex and promiscuity such that they get blinded to the dangers they expose themselves to – the only ultimate solution is letting God occupy the void in their hearts.

Some Christians and even ministers of God are battling with lust. Know that God is the only solution to such problems. When you let Him fill your heart, mind and soul, He will give you the strength to overcome such addictions. Jesus came for our full deliverance and he is willing to help us overcome.

If one is trying to deal with lust, meditate on God's word, think about Him and get deliverance from lust. First one have to own up to the fact that he/she have that problem in order to get delivered. When one feels so weakened with such struggles, God’s power and love is increased and one is strengthened to overcome. Complaining  about oneself quenches the Holy spirit, but thanking God welcomes the Holy Spirit and therefore welcoming the help of God to overcome the weakness. Always remember that Jesus was crucified for our sins and no one is perfect. Jesus was made to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.

Lust is just one example of the struggles some Christians are trying to deal with secretly, but the struggles are numerous. The devil always wants us to keep these things secret and make us continue struggling  alone. Before you fall into sin, remember that you can share it with Jesus for your deliverance for He cares. If you need help, see your pastor for counselling and deliverance, but don’t suffer in silence. Start declaring your freedom for it is possible as long as you believe so.

If you know a Christian who is in such a situation, remember that you are your brother’s keeper. Pray for their deliverance and help them in any way possible. It could be somebody who has just gotten saved and is struggling with smoking, drinking or doing drugs. Such people really covet the support and prayers of other Christians. Above all, as I said earlier, deliverance ministry in all these cases is inevitable.

John 4:13-14

13.  Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:
14.  But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

The Samaritan woman met Jesus and once she drank the living waters of salvation, her thirst got quenched and she got delivered from a life of promiscuity. She became a powerful preacher, who managed to marshal the whole city to see the wonders of God’s deliverance.

How should married couples resolve their conflicts?

 Question

WHAT IS HAPPENING TO MARRIAGES? DIVORCE IS IN AN ALARMIC TREND IN CHRISTIAN FAMILIES TODAY. ARE CONFLICTS/PROBLEMS THE REASON FOR MISUNDERSTANDINGS IN MARRIAGES?

“Conflict exists whenever there are important differences between people. Should these differences be permitted to be an issue, they persist and if they remain unsolved, they serve to keep the couple apart in some way”.

We need to understand ourselves in order to establish these important differences in us who are married. We are not the same; we are totally different, with different ideals, visions, motives, desires, likes, degrees of independence, tasks and responsibilities etc.

Working in the same household budget and trying to meet the same goals, will these two partners agree on everything or should they agree to disagree?

Please contribute to this through this blog.

By Pastor Dick

Deliverance Church Aldina -Mombasa -Kenya

Stop Complaining

Awesome!! We complain about the cross we bear but don't realize
it is preparing us for the dip in the road that God can see and we can't.

Whatever your cross, whatever your pain,
there will always be sunshine, after the rain....

Perhaps you may stumble, perhaps even fall;
But God's always ready, to answer your call.....

He knows every heartache, sees every tear,
a word from His lips, can calm every fear...

Your sorrows may linger, throughout the night,
But suddenly vanish, dawn's early light...

The Savior is waiting, somewhere above,
to give you His grace, and send you His love...

God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage

...and you question God -'why me?'..
always look at the bigger picture....
A day without the Lord- Is a day wasted.
God is going to shift things around for you today
and let things work in your favor.

Pleasing God and not man

What propels or provokes you to do good or look good in life? Every time you want to do something, ask yourself why you are doing it. Do you do what you do to please God or to please man? Do you work hard to please your boss (soliciting for a promotion or a pay rise) or to please God? When you give towards the work of God, search your soul to see if you do it to please God or the pastor. Read through this piece and it  will help you meditate on pleasing God and not man.

2 Corinthians 5:9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.

John 5:41-42
41. I receive not honour from men.
42. But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you

If you live to be loved by people then you are in trouble, because people who are not God lovers will never love you since they are selfish. Instead find to be loved by God and even if people hate you and curse you, love and bless them. Always relate with other people well though not compromising your relationship with God so as to represent the gospel to them well. You can never please everybody, only be sure that whatever you are doing, you are pleasing God and not man.

Naturally, humans beings like to be praised. We are not supposed to expect or seek praises from men because it only satisfies fleshly desires and makes us feel good that we are being praised. Instead we should give God the glory when He uses us to do anything, knowing that we are only vessels used of God. Many servants of God who were initially used of God have fell into the trap of receiving praises from men and that has really made their ministries go down because God cannot share His glory with any other.

Ephesians 6:6 Not with eye service, as men pleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;

Colossians 3:22 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eye service, as men pleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:

In most cases, when you do what God is telling you, you end up being unpopular simply because most people don't listen to God but only listen to their flesh. The bible says that the majority of the multitude go through the wide road that leads to hell, whereas few follow the strait road that leads to heaven. That is why I don’t trust the voting system which follows the majority votes because God does not go with the majority. The majority always chooses the simple, quick way whereas the minority chooses the hard, right and sure way.

Matthew 7:13  Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

by Grace W. Kariuki at http://christloveforworld.blogspot.com