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.

Please feel free to post your comments about this article through the blog.

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?

Please send in your comments towards this articles through christlove blog.

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

Spiritual Healing

Are you seeking for complete Spiritual healing? Seek no further than in the Word of God.

The Word of God Heals

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

The Word of God is quick and powerful, it divides and penetrates deeper in your life. It pierces between bones and marrows, soul and spirit and even thoughts. The word is able to heal our thoughts, our souls, our spirit, our bones, our marrows, our joints etc. God's Word has the power to reach where doctors cannot reach. Every man’s need is met by the Word of God, including healing because everything is created and made by the Word of God.

Proverbs 4:20-22

20. My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.

21. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.

22. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.

This scripture directs us on how to receive spiritual healing from God.

• We should keep our hearts with the Word of God because it answers to whatever needs we have in life

• We should look for the scriptures that will energize our bodies and flush out every sickness out of our bodies. It is the living Word of God that is able to walk right inside of our  bodies and remove every sickness.

• Give the Word of God the required attention to find out what it is that makes it work to receive your healing.

• Listen to what God is saying by keeping your heart diligently with the word of God for all issues of life are drawn forth from it.

• Allow the the Word to soak into your being  in order for it to quicken your body to good health. The Word of God is Light, which expels any darkness of sicknesses and diseases out of our bodies. Allow the Light (The Word) to walk in your body.

• Exercise the Word and also speak it.

Psalms 107:20 He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.

The Word that we receive from God is the one that does the healing and the deliverance from all the troubles we may be in. It is not the anointing oil or the prayers that we may receive, but the Word that we receive and believe. God's power is communicated through His Word. The Word is the seed planted in the hearts of men, which causes the healing only when received in faith.

 

He is the Lord that healeth thee

We should appreciate God as our healer so as to get healed. As Moses lifted the serpent in the wilderness and those who looked at it were healed, even so Jesus the Son of man be lifted up and whosoever believes in Him will be saved. Jesus is our only Physician and when we acknowledge and look unto him, we are healed of ALL OUR DISEASES.

Exodus 15:26 And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee.

He is Lord that heals us. We only need God to receive healing. Our complete solution for our health problems is not in man's hand but in God. Think about it this way; God is our creator and so He knows how our bodies were initially created to function. He has the original manual to our bodies. He is the Master Planner of every part of our bodies. He has all the formulas to every chemical reaction that takes place in our bodies

Man only learns in a medical school how the body functions, whereas God is the Master Planner and so He is the ultimate solution to any problems we face. If anybody was to be asked to choose, nobody would choose going to the learner for treatment, but everybody would choose to be treated by the Greatest Physician, who is Jesus Christ. I choose Jesus as my doctor.

We should stand on the promises of God. He has promised in His Word, that will not put any of those diseases He brought upon the Egyptians on us if we diligently love and follow Him.

Ask Forgiveness

It is a requirement for every Christian to ask forgiveness when we have wronged someone. All of us at one time or another will need to ask forgiveness from others since we are not angels - we hurt each other. If we need to be healed fast, to ask forgiveness is one way of getting God’s healing and being reconciled to others.

Matthew 5:23-24

23.  Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
24.  Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

 

Steps  to ask forgiveness

1. I am sorry – Acknowledge the fact that you are really sorry for having offended the person.
2. I was wrong – Acknowledge the wrong  thing that you have done and the fact that there is no excuse to do what you did. This is owning up or taking the responsibility. Sometimes we want to justify ourselves for having done the wrong we did, but that does not make things any better.
3. I did not intend to hurt you – Explain that you did not intentionally do what you did in order to hurt that person.
4. Is there anything that I can do to make things better for the wrong I did? – This is making  making restitution.
5. I truly repent  and I don’t want repeat the same thing to you – This shows your sincere regrets
6. Wound you please forgive me? I am really hurt, because I know I have really hurt you”. Let that person know that his/her forgiveness is very important to you because you value your relationship and would want to keep it healthy.

Dreams and Visions

Do you have a dream? If you don't have, you better start asking God for a dream because God is a dream giver. A dream is a mental picture of what your are going to become. When you see in the future you are not discouraged by the present but you keep working towards that dream.

Acts 2:17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

Genesis 37:5 And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more.

Joseph was a dreamer, no wonder he made a mark on human history. We have to be dreamers like Joseph to make an impact. Joseph was hated by his brothers because he dreamt of great things. They thought he was over ambitious and wanted to rule over them.

Joseph’s is father loved him because he understood him better, since he too was a dreamer. If you are a dreamer, associate with dreamers, because they will encourage you. Non-dreamers will only kill your dream. Don't share your dream with many people because they will abort it by discouraging you against it. Guard your dream diligently to allow it be accomplished.

A dreamer make things happened whereas a common person watches as things happened. Dreamers are movers and shakers, whereas non-dreamers are just spectators.

A dreamer sees the future before it comes. We have the Holy Spirit within us, who should lead us to all truth and to all secretes. The bible says that the secrets of God are in those who are righteous.

When God gives you a dream, He is giving you a mental picture about your life. The dream helps you realize that what you go through before you get to the dream is temporal whether negative or positive.Jesus endured the cross because he saw the glory set before him. Paul endured death because he saw beyond the grave, he saw the crown of righteousness. Hope comes from a vision.

Genesis 28:11-12

11.  And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep.
12.  And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it.

Christ is the solid Rock. Lay your head on the Rock(Jesus) and you will receive a dream like Jacob did, because there is a connection to God when you lay your head on the Rock . The foundation  of our dream is Jesus. In Jacob’s dream, angels ascending meant his prayers were being taken to God and descending angels meant answers for his prayers were being brought back to him.

God will never give you a dream that He cannot finance, the resources has to be drawn from God. A dream from God expands your faith to receive treasures from heaven to make it come to pass.

Jacob never forgot the house of God. He promised to God saying,  “If you clothe and protect me, I will serve and tithe all that you blesses me with”. A dream from God will always raise your level of commitment . Jacob raised a memorial of God's dream by putting a rock, anointing it and declaring to give tithe of everything God gave him.

A dreamer is a tither because he knows that best things in life are free for instance air, appetite, peace, sleep etc and money cannot buy them.

It is high time we left our history behind, and looked in the future. We should not wear a sour attitude, but change our attitude. when going through hard situations we should not sulk and be angry, but instead smile and put a positive attitude. Just like God showed Isaac to do agriculture in a dry season, even those believers who are farmers and are facing drought, should believe God for a bumper harvest because God teaches us to make wealth.

Jude 1:14  And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,

In his dream, Enoch saw the ruptured saints and God honoured him by rupturing him first for he did not die like his father. He lived a quality life than his father. A dream given by God is a seed which becomes fruitful and increases going beyond one’s future. Pass your dream to your children and to your children’s children. Our dreams should be based on the promise of God and we are supposed to run with what God has shown us if somebody should challenge us.

Acts 16:9-10

9.  And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.
10. And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.

In his dream, Paul saw a man calling him and so he perceived he had to be jailed, in order to lead this man (the prison warden) who was calling him in his dream to the Lord.  To propagate the gospel of Christ, we need to have a dream of the unsaved, so that we can know where God is leading us to go and preach each moment.

 

By Grace Kariuki    

at http://christloveforworld.blogspot.com

Secrets of Spiritual Meditation

Meditation is spiritual pondering over what is written. It is spiritual digestion to absorb the truth of God’s word and to locate the mysteries within the word of God. It is understanding  and figuring out what God is actually saying or showing you.

Psalms 119:97-100

97. O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.

98. Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.

99. I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.

100. I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.

101. I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.

• Spiritual meditation helps us dig deeper into the word of God. To get the treasures of the Word of God, we have to swim in the deeper waters by meditating.
• When we meditate on God's work, it makes us wise because thinking makes wise.
• It is not enough to read or listen to the Word of God as if we are reading a newspaper or a magazine. When the Word is read or listened to, and then pondered on, then it becomes part of our lives.
• What enhances our energy level is not the food we eat now but it is the food we absorb. Any time you listen to the word, try to absorb it so that you can be able to apply it in your life.
• The Word that we eat should be able to be absorbed in our spiritual systems so as to make us grow spiritually. Are you looking for spiritual growth? If you answered yes, then you should discipline yourself to have a quiet time of meditation.
• spiritual meditation wades away any bad thoughts the devil may want to cast in our minds. When the devil tries to cast bad thoughts, he finds that our thoughts are already fully engaged on thoughts about the Word of God.
• I usually install different programs on computers. When you program a computer to do something, it will not do the opposite. Similarly, when the mind of a Christian is programmed by the Word of God, then that Christian will not do anything opposite to the programming done. When you let your mind go through spiritual meditation, you are actually programming your mind, your soul and your spirit to the Word of God so that you cannot do the opposite of the Word.  You are actually building up your spiritual muscles to enable you overcome any kind of temptation.
• Whatever you think in the end becomes whatever you speak because a word is actually a though let out by way of speaking. What we talk, speaks volumes about who we really are. What we think, we eventually do it because that is what we have programmed our inner beings to do. When we keep doing the same thing for a long time, then it forms a habit and so in the end we have a character shaped out of our thoughts. A character shaped on God’s word is a surety of having a DESTINY of GOD’S WILL. John 1:1 says, in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. If then the Word was God, then learn to think/meditate, speak, act, and continually act the Word of God to eventually form a character that will  fulfil God’s destiny in your life. A character is build on what you read, listen to, watch, the people you associate with and what you think. Godly character is formed by doing the work of God, bible study, prayers, psalms, hymns, spiritual songs, fellowship with other believers and meditation of the Word of God.
• You are what you are today because of the things you allow your mind to dwell on.God is more interested on what we are inside that outside. Before someone goes to murder somebody, they must think and plot how they will do it. That is why Jesus said that we should clean our inside because all the issues of life comes from the heart.

 Psalms 19:14  says, Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.

Mathew 15:18-20

18.  But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.
19.  For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:
20.  These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.

• Philippians 4:8  Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

The only way we can regulate the things we think is by meditating on the word of God. Review what you think about. You can do that by taking notes of the things that come into your mind and the things that you also dream about. This will give you a picture of what you think about and the areas that you need to work on so that you can be a better thinker/meditator. You can start by picking some verses each day so that as you go about your work,  your will think about them and repeat them quietly in your heart.

How to get Promotion

There are so many things that people do to get promotion in their current status or to get a pay rise. May be you have exhausted all the tips you know of how to get a promotion. You could have tried to do some or all of the following.

• Many of us work very hard to earn a promotion. We try to get noticed by the boss, but most of the times we get passed over and somebody else whom we feel is less desiring  gets the promotion instead. This leaves us feeling so depressed and disoriented.
• You may have tried to show willingness by volunteering to do even work that is outside your area of responsibilities.
• You have tried to cope and work well with other team members to show off your communication skills and earn yourself a promotion, but this has not helped.
• You have even tried to voice your positive contributions to the management on how things can be done in a better way, but it seems your suggestions are not noticed
• You have tried to make new contacts outside the company to see whether you can actually get a well paying job.
• You have even registered for an evening course to spice up your profile or have even enrolled for a degree, a masters degree or a PHD and yet your efforts have not been fruitful; not to mention the cost involved.

Look no further, but in the Word of God. What does the Word say about promotion? When you finish this you will have a better understanding on how to get promotion.

Psalms 75:6-7
6. For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south.
7. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.
 
True promotion comes from God. God can create a position for you. He can transfer your boss so that you can be promoted. God will make a way. Just get serious with God and He will do his part.
 
Esther 6:1-3
1. On that night could not the king sleep, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king.
2. And it was found written, that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's chamberlains, the keepers of the door, who sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus.
3. And the king said, What honour and dignity hath been done to Mordecai for this? Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him, there is nothing done for him.
 
Esther 6:11 Then took Haman the apparel and the horse, and arrayed Mordecai, and brought him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaimed before him, Thus shall it be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour.
 
True promotion comes from God and not from your boss. Get your eyes from your boss and fix your eyes on God because you can't get from your boss what you can only get from God. You even don’t need to tell your boss to promote you because when God does it your boss will comply.
 
Whether the king wanted to promote Mordecai or not, he had to comply because he could have no peace until he had done so. Here we see how God can turns tables for the righteous. He stirs up things for the just you to get a promotion. He works behind the scenes to orchestrate a promotion for the godly.
 
The bible say that He will prepare a table before us in the presence of our enemies, He will anoint our head with oil such that our cup will run over. All you need to do is to pray for you enemies to live long so that they can see when God eventually promotes you. Mordecai was a just man, who believed in prayer and fasting. Have you prayed to God and fasted before Him not necessarily for a promotion, but for the things that touch the heart of God, like praying for unsaved to get saved, praying for the salvation of a nation, praying for the church, praying for a backslidden brother/sister, e.t.c.?

Mordecai was a kind man. The kindness he showed to the king when some people wanted to kill him, eventually resurfaced even when it had been forgotten. The fruits of kindness for the seed of kindness he had sowed were very sweet for Mordecai when harvesting time came. Kindness shown to others is usually a seed sowed. A seed takes a period of time to germinate, grow and then produce fruits.

1 Samuel 1:18 And she said, Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad.
1 Samuel 2:8 He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the Lord's, and he hath set the world upon them.

If you are feeling oppressed and rejected right now, be encouraged by the word of God. The many prayers you have offered to God are not for nothing. God hears prayers. Just rise up and shine, apply oil on your face, release your faith in God, be merry and change your attitude.  Hannah's  reproach was taken from her the moment  she decided to eat well without sorrow and her countenance was no more sad. Her promotion was attributed to her sudden change of attitude because year after year she used to go to worship at Shiloh and no miracle was forthcoming, not until the time she changed her approach.



Ephesians 6:5-8
5. Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;
6. Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
7. With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:
8. Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.

Before you start asking for a promotion, it is always in order to ask yourself whether you deserve a promotion. Are you really a good employee? Do you say unkind things about the company or about your boss? Do you sneak out of the office? Do you do fishy things in the office? Do you waste time at work? Do you have a habit of getting late to work? Even if your boss is not aware of things that you do, know that God sees you, and since He is the one who promotes, don't expect any promotion if you are not a good, faithful, hardworking worker. If you are a good worker, then just as it happed to Mordecai, God will make sure that He promotes you before the eyes of your enemies because He takes record of everything. Take ownership of the company, as if it was your company because you are serving God, not men



Ecclesiastes 12:14 For God will judge us for everything we do, including every hidden thing, good or bad.

If God puts you in a position, nobody can try to remove you there. Nothing matters because it is God’s doing and nobody can contend with God.

What is prayer and why are your prayers not answered

WHAT IS PRAYER?

 
Prayer is communication with God, just like we communicate with our friends.

Math 6:7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

Prayer should not be repetitive. God is our friend. When we talk to our earthly friends we don't keep repeating ourselves, lest they think we are mad. In fact, no one will be willing to listen to a sentence more than four times because it is boring. Being repetitive in prayer means that you don't trust that God is really listening. You must know that the minute you start talking, God is already listening. The unbelieving are repetitive because they are doubtful whether or not God is listening. Repetitiveness is actually a religious thing done to try to impress God with long, repetitive, meaningless words and it is also a sign of doubts.

Most of the religions in the world today teach their followers to recite prayers over and over; they even have prayer books where they recite their prayers from. Maybe that is why people think that prayer is a set of words that have to be repeated, but this is just a lie from the devil who is the father of all lies.

A born again Christian should pray from the heart not from a book. Pray through the help of the Holy Spirit and not by reciting memorized prayers. That means that if you pray through the Holy Spirit, then your prayers are renewed daily, and so your prayers are different on daily basis. This principle is the same to your prayer items, they should be different because they are directed by the Holy Spirit. When you pray through the power of the Holy Spirit you pray the will of the Father and not you own will because you are directed on what to pray for, how to pray and when to pray. It is obvious that such prayers must be answered because they are in line the will of God.

Just as when we are communicate with a friend, we should be confident that God is listening attentively. We should also be sincere and right to the point because God already knows our problems and our weaknesses. There is nothing we can really hide from God because before Him, we are totally bare.

Prayer is humbling before the Sovereign God

Luke 18:10-14
10. Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
11. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortionists, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
12. I fast twice in the week; I give tithes of all that I possess.
13. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
14. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalts himself shall be abased; and he that humbles himself shall be exalted.

Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 

Isaiah 64:6  But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

 

The moment you reach a point of repenting your sins before God shows that you are humbling before God and not having a 'holier that thou' attitude like the Pharisee had. The bible says that our own righteousness  are like filthy rags before God. We are only justified by believing in God, confessing to Him and looking on him to forgive and cleansing  us by the blood of Jesus.

The very action of humbling before God , casting all our cares upon Him and trusting Him to take care of them as He has promised in His word provokes God into action in relation to our requests. His grace is sufficient in every situation.

 

Prayer is using the authority given to us by God
Mathew 16:18-19
18. And I say also to you, That you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
19. And I will give to you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever you shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

We should be fully convinced of the fact that the gates of hell shall not prevail so long we know Christ with the revelation that Simon Peter had; “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.”. We have been given the authority to bring down the works of evil in every area of our lives. The only thing we are supposed to do is to USE that authority by releasing our faith in prayer.

Take a review of your life and list down those things that are not going the way God would like them to go. You will be surprised to realize how you have been putting the keys away instead of using them to open closed doors of blessings and to close undesirable doors that the devil has opened in your life.

 

Prayer is seeking God consistently
Acts 3:1 Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour
Daniel 6:1 0. Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime

If God is our friend then we would certainly want to communicate with Him often. Are you treating God as a stranger or as a friend. Abraham treated God as a friend and that is why God uses to tell Him what He is about to do because their relationship was very consistent and strong.

It is about time we made our relationship with God strong and consistent by forming a habit of talking with Him continually. Peter and John were in the habit of going to the temple to pray at the ninth hour daily and that is why their lives were victorious and full of signs and wonders. Daniel was never short of revelations from God because he was in the habit of praying consistently; he used to pray three times a day even when under a death threat from the king of that day.

Put up a daily prayer schedule and remain faithful to it. Prayer should be a lifestyle and we should be disciplined towards a prayerful lifestyle.

Prayer is seeking God without ceasing
1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing.

Ephesians 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

 

Of course we can't be on our knees continually, but we should have a heart attitude of praying, giving thanks and rejoicing continually. Effective and powerful prayer is a proper attitude expressed throughout the day with silent prayers and communication with God. When in agreement with the Holy spirit we will of course pray continually since we are following His leading. You can be doing something else like cooking, washing, walking, but inside of your heart, you are praying. It is possible and very powerful, but also needs discipline. Discipline yourself to listen to the Holy Spirit and to pray continually.

I have personally experienced that the times that I am very prayerfully, I even pray while sleeping such that when I wake up I actually remember the prayer that I prayed when I was asleep. It is usually the prayer of the heart (subconscious mind ) to God. Continued prayer nourish and strengthens our spiritual bodies.

Prayer is a way of Peace
Phil 4: 6-7
6. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus

When we pray and we don't have peace, it means that we have not yet cast our cares upon the Lord. This is one way of knowing why your prayer were not answered. When you pray and experience peace it means that you have actually cast your burdens to the Lord and have also acknowledged that you are unable to carry your burdens or cares. So long as we are worrying, we are not trusting God and we don't experience the peace that comes in our hearts when we trust God.

When God searches our hearts and sees trust, He takes away the burdens and we actually feel spiritually light and peaceful, enabling us to soar high and high above all challenges that we may come across. Where Cares and worries occupy in our heart should be an occupation of peace, but not until we cast away the cares and worries in prayer to make space for peace.

Prayer is resting in God
Mathew 11:28-30
28. Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.
29. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto yr souls.

30. for my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Hebrews 4:3 For us which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, as I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.

 

Human soul is always at war with something, trying to cope with situations and challenges, but in the long run ends up in a mess. When we pray and cast our cares to Him we become carefree and so we are not burdened with sorting out things and running up and down trying to solve our problems. Some Christians say that God helps those who help themselves. This is not true. God helps the helpless and not those who can be able to help themselves because the power of God is manifest in our weakest points. When we cast our cares to Him, then we rest peacefully and wait for Him. We can never receive or listen to God when we are busy because our spirits are not tuned to Him, even when He speaks we don't hear because we are not tuned to Him. To tune up to God, rest and wait for Him. Position yourself to receive.

When patients are at the lounge waiting to be called by the doctor, they wait patiently, they don't pace up and down the room, neither do they leave the room because they might be skipped by other patients. Think about it and relate it to prayer.

 

Prayer is patiently and hopefully waiting unto God
Romans 5:2-4
2. By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
3. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation works patience;

4. And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

It is not an easy thing to wait, but remember that God strategically uses some situations to allow you grow spiritually in patience and hence in character. This is the only way we can grow in the fruits of the Spirit. How do we attain patience which is one of the fruit of the holy Spirit? My answer is, by going through situations that require our patience to overcome. Yes that is the only way we can learn patience.

In the midst of trials and tribulations, we have to keep going in our faith in God and not to quit, because quitters never become winners. We only mature after going through hurdles and are able to climb over mountains and go though barriers. Every mountain we climb translates to a higher glory. Every trial and tribulation we overcome translates to a higher glory.God is gracious to us during hard times and He turns even the hardest times into a blessings because all things work together for good.

Prayer is Unity

Acts 1:14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

Philippians 2:2  Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

Two are better than one. Personally, I have several people that I usually pray with. I am also part of a fellowship where we pray together. I am also part of a leaders team, and we usually pray together from time to time. When the whole church is gathered, we pray together too.

When believers pray united and in one accord, there is massive power present because of  their united faith and agreement. This kind of prayer brings the presence of God by the Holy Spirit in a mighty way. Such prayers are usually explosive and very effective

Unity touches the heart of God and provokes Him into action, and of course the devil is sent packing. To learn more about the advantages of unity, go to six reasons why strife and bitterness should be avoided.

 

Prayer is standing in the gap for God to change people

Intercessory means praying for others and pleading for mercy on their behalf from God. An intercessor watches and prays for others as led by the Holy Spirit. To see more about intercessory prayers click this link: prayer of faith and intercessory

Prayer is yielding or submitting yourself as God’s temple
1 Corinthians 3:9  For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.

1 Corinthians 3:16  Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?

We have been united with Christ and are God’s living temple because the Holy Spirit dwells in us and so we are the house of God. The house of God is not the actual physical church we know, but the house of God is the body of Christ, the  believers themselves. Therefore we can worship God anywhere and at anytime because we carry with us the presence of God wherever we go.

Prayer is sincerely confessing our sins to God

James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

James 5:17 Elijah was a man of like passions with us, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain; and it rained not on the earth for three years and six months

1 Peter 3:7  Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

If God regards iniquity in us, He will not hear us because God is not mocked. We are naked before God and there is no amount of hiding that works where God is involved.  The earlier we learn to be open before God and before man the quicker we learn to confess to one another and to confess before God. If we have bitterness and forgiveness, this hinders our prayers. Un-confessed sins also hinders our prayers too.

Effective, passionate, earnest prayer of a man/woman, who has been justified by faith and sanctified by the blood of the Lamb prevails much. Having confidence in prayer and in the power of prayer make all the difference, although one may be imperfect just as Elijah was. We should not let our imperfections and weaknesses discourage us.

Married men are supposed to love their wives and treat them well , knowing that although they have been given authority over them, they are also heirs of the kingdom of God. My husband always wants to make sure that I am comfortable in all ways, because he is a very prayerful man and does not want his prayers hindered because of me.

The healing of God comes the very moment we let go all these things; bitterness, un-confessed sins, un-forgiveness, hidden sins and unreasonably living with our wives.

Prayer is reminding God of His promises
Mathew 7:7-8
7. Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
8. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

Jeremiah 1:12  Then said Jehovah unto me, Thou hast well seen: for I watch over my word to perform it.

When we are waiting upon God, we should keep talking to Him about what he has promised.  Just as God is watching over His word so that He can perform it, we should watch over the Word of God to see God performing it. Persistent prayer shows God of your determination to receive. It shows your resilience and spiritual maturity of being able to patiently wait and watch. Most of the times we miss our blessings narrowly because we quit shortly before the blessings are released. Being expectant that God is surely going to do it, is a virtue that is needed in effective prayer.

Reminding God of His promises is showing God that you are still waiting for an answer and you are not losing hope no matter what. Being persistence on a certain prayer item should not be out of doubt and unbelief, but should be out of faith and persistence. So if you are reminding God of something you had prayed for before and you are still waiting for an answer, keep thanking him as if you have already received it by faith, knowing that God is working on the situation. Let not the period of time that you wait upon God make you loose faith because He who promised is faithful.

Prayer is believing God for an answer
1 John 5:14-15
14. And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he hears us:
15. And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him

John 11:41-43
41. Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. 42.  And I knew that thou hears me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.
43.  And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.

Jesus prayed with confidence because he knew He was praying the will of His Father and that His Father was looking forward to glorifying Himself by raising Lazarus from the dead. When Jesus died on the cross, each one of us was given access to the throne of grace. We were also given a Name, the Name of Jesus which is above all other names. When we use the Name of Jesus in our prayers, demons must bow to that name, sickness and diseases must bow to that name and even death itself must bow to that name.Hallelujah.

Prayer is talking to your Father
Luke 11:1-4
1. And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.
2. And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.
3. Give us day by day our daily bread.
4. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.

God is a loving, listening Father. The bible says that He is a  father to the fatherless and a judge to the widows. The relationship between us and our heavenly father must be very strong and intimate. Anything that a son asks the Father is done without any question, except in situations where the Father sees that what the son is asking might destroy their relationship. God knows us well and He knows how we behave when He blesses us. When God wants to bless us, He will first analyse whether we will be able to handle the blessings responsibly. To whom much is given, also much is required.

Prayer is talking to your Friend, who is God
Luke 11:5-8
5.  And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves;
6.  For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him?
7.  And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee.
8.  I say unto you, though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needed.

I am not ashamed to go before God and pour out my heart to Him because He is my friend and between Him and me there is no secret or hiding. Even when I feel that I have failed Him in one way or another, I can still go before Him and cry out my heart to Him for Him to cleanse me. He understands me. He carries my burdens, He consoles me , He lifts me up when I am down. He knows everything about me and that gives me all the confidence. I can go to God at anytime, in every situation, at any place and not feel like I am disturbing Him because He is my friend.

When we obey Jesus by doing the things He commands us, then we become His friends. If then, Jesus is our friend, we spend a lot of time with Him and we do know Him intimately.

Prayer is boldly going before God

Hebrews 4:15-16
15.  For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
16.  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Your level of closeness to the Lord, will automatically raise your level of boldness when you pray to Him. Confidence and boldness is needed to effectively communicate to God. The bible says that even before we talk He already knows what we want to say, so He is always ready to listen even before we start our prayers. God does not only listen to us but is always willing to answers our requests according to His will which is in His Word. Having confidence means you have faith that God is able to do what you are asking Him to do. Knowing that Jesus is also praying for us should raise our confidence.

Jesus understands very well what we go through daily because He became flesh and dwelt among us. He knows what it means to be tempted, abused, ridiculed,despised, rejected, betrayed more that anyone else does. He understands our infirmities and feelings because he also went through the same and so He is well able to help us go through hard situations in our lives.

Prayer is talking to God in the Holy Spirit
Jude 1:20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
Romans 8:27  And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

When I got saved, I could not pray for more thirty minutes because at that time I had not yet received the infilling of the Holy Spirit. After asking God to fill me with the Holy Spirit, my prayer life changed because  I was no longer praying by my own mind only , but I was also praying through the power of the Holy Spirit. Today, I am able to pray for longer periods as the Holy Spirit leads me. I am also able to pray for things that the Holy Spirit leads me to pray for. For we know not to pray but the Holy Spirit teaches us, even in our weaknesses, we are strengthened.

When we pray in the Holy Spirit, we are then praying according the will of God since God through His Holy Spirit is the one leading us as we pray. That assurance is there when we obey His leading and so we know our prayers will be answered.

When you feel the urge to pray, obey by leaving what you were doing that time and praying immediately. You can pray at anytime and anywhere; you don't need to wait to get to a convenient place in order to pray. That is how the Holy Spirit works. 

Prayer is being courageous and fearless
2 Timothy 1:7  For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Revelation 21:8  But the fearful, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Fear is the opposite of courage. The bible tells us so many times not to fear, because fear is a man’s greatest enemy. Fear comes from the devil and it is one of his greatest device used to fight against Christians. God has given us a spirit of power , and of love, and of a sound mind and not a spirit of fear. If you find that you are fearful, know that the devil is involved, he is throwing darts of fear to you – you are under attack. Pray to God and have faith in Him, let His Spirit work through you, and submit to His perfect will and fear will never enslave you anymore because the bible says that the fearful will not enter the kingdom of God.

WHY ARE YOUR PRAYERS NOT ANSWERED?

Disobedience, self condemnation, and iniquity

1 John 3:21-22
21.  Beloved, if our heart condemns us not, then have we confidence toward God.
22.  And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

Proverbs 15:29 The Lord is far from the wicked: but he hears the prayer of the righteous.

Proverbs 28:9 He that turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.
John.9:31.  Now we know that God hears not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he hears
James 4:3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
Psalms 66:18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me

Are you guilty conscious? confess and repent for God is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1John 1:9).  After repentance you will be confident to go before God because you are freed and cleansed from any condemnation, guilt or sin.

Lack of boldness
John 16:2-24
23.  And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.
24.  Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

We are supposed to initiate the process of our prayers being answered by first asking God. If we don’t ask we will never get anything. It is high time we stopped complaining, sulking, and disregarding ourselves as sons of the Most High, and start asking God. It is our duty to not only ask, but to ask boldly and it the duty of God to answer.

Are you praying within the will of God?

Praying in the Holy Spirit ensures that you pray within the will of God. That is why we need to take our cross everyday and crucify the desires of the flesh so that we pray  through the leading of the Holy Spirit. Reading the Word of God and letting yourself soak in the Word, will give you an understanding whether you are really in the will of God or not. The word of God is God himself (John 1:1  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God).

 

Are your motives right or wrong?

James 4:2-3
2.  Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.
3.  Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

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.

What is the motive behind your prayers? Do you want to show off in an ungodly manner that you are rich or strong? Search your heart and analyse your motives. Are you praying for that beautiful car so that you may compete with a colleague at work or with a certain brother in church? Are you asking for a house so that you may compete with your younger brother who have bought a house before you did? Was your prayer motivated by something you saw and lusted after it? what is your the motive? Are you praying out of necessity or luxury? Are you praying out of a a need or a want?

Our motives should be godly, in line with the will and the word of God

 

Doubt and Unbelief
Mark 11:23.  For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
James 1:5,6
5.  If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that gives all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
6.  But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavers is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
2 Corinthians 5:7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight :)

Revelation 21:8  But the fearful, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. Doubts rises when we don’t have enough of God’s Word. When the devil comes tempting us about the authenticity of God’s promises, he tries to cast doubts in our minds concerning what God has really said about the situation facing us in our lives. The devil can only succeed to make us doubt only when we don’t know what God is saying about us. To put away any doubts, feed on the Word of God so that you don’t hinder your own prayers by doubting.

Remember that when you are doubting or not believing God, you will obviously confess doubts and unbelief. The bible says that death and life are in the power of the tongue.This means that when we have doubts and unbelief in our hearts, out tongues will also confess it, which will work against our prayers. The bible says that the unbelieving will not inherit the kingdom of God. Refuse to be enslaved by the spirit of unbelief, call it by it’s name and get delivered from it.

 

An Un- grateful and complaining Spirit

Psalms 100:4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

Number 14:27-29

27. How long shall I bear with this evil congregation, which murmur against me? I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel, which they murmur against me.
28.  Say unto them, As truly as I live, saith the Lord, as ye have spoken in mine ears, so will I do to you:
29.  Your carcases shall fall in this wilderness; and all that were numbered of you, according to your whole number, from twenty years old and upward which have murmured against me.

When I do something for my own children, I usually expect them to say thank you and hen they tell me “thank you mum, and God bless you”, I usually feed very nice and it encourages me to do more. I always remind them to always say thank you when somebody does something good for them and so they have formed a habit of appreciating things they get in life.

when we get blessings from God, it is usually a privilege to partake of his blessings, it is not a MUST. We should behave not as spoilt children who instead of thanking their parents, they keep crying for more. We should humbly thank Him first for what He has already given us before we even think of asking for more. Murmuring, complaining and dissatisfaction always provokes God’s anger let alone hinder prayers. Murmuring brings judgement and destruction. Thanksgiving provokes God to do more for us.

 

Your prayers should be based on the Word of God 
Isaiah 55:11 So shall my word be that goes forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
Jeremiah 1:11 Moreover the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Jeremiah, what seest thou? And I said, I see a rod of an almond tree
Jeremiah 1:12 Then said Jehovah unto me, Thou hast well seen: for I watch over my word to perform it..

These scriptures are evidence enough that we can only expect to get answers for prayers that are in line with the Word of God. Soaking ourselves in the Word of God is soaking ourselves in God and therefore our prayers will be bent on the Word of God since we are full of God. We should read the Word, pray the Word, walk/practise the Word, think the Word, dream the Word and speak the Word. The devil capitalises on the scarcity of the Word of God in us to attack us. Christians should be armed with the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, to accomplish the purpose of God in our lives

 

Negative Confession

Proverbs 18:20-21
20. A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.
21.  Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
Proverbs 13:3 He that guards his mouth keeps his life; But he that opens wide his lips shall have destruction.

Confess positive things and good things. There are wicked spirits in the second heavens, who are ready to carry out wicked assignments when summoned by wicked agents; as well as you when you confess things negatively.Do not unknowingly collaborate with the workers of wickedness by confessing negatively. Confess good things about your husband or wife. Confess greatness about your children. confess success to your business instead of failure. Confess growth to the church instead of lack. Confess spiritual strength and anointing to your Pastor instead of shame and dis-honour. Confess peace and prosperity to your country, instead of death, civil wars or economic perils. The list is endless because we talk about so many things before the day ends and therefore we should discipline ourselves to talk good, uplifting, encouraging,  exhorting words that minister healing to our listeners. If we are not ministering healing, are we then ministering  sicknesses and diseases by the words that we speak? Prayer is whatever we talk among ourselves.

 

Strife and Bitterness
2 Timothy 2:24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
Ephesians 4:31  Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
James 2:13 For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy; yet mercy triumphs over judgment. (At the Judgment, will show no mercy to the person who did not show mercy to others. Mercy triumphs over judgment.)
John 8:7.  So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.

Do not condemn other people when you are also doing the same things you are condemning them for. We are saved by grace. if a brother errors, then by love we should bring him back to the faith because condemning and judging him will drift him further from faith. When we show compassion and mercy, then we know that mercy will triumph over judgment. When we show mercy, we will also receive mercy.

Bitterness, strife, and malice are all a recipe of a disastrous life. Learn to forgive and not to hold grudges against others. It is good for your spiritual and physical health. God is unhappy with us when we live in bitterness because it poisons our hearts and even makes us sick. Bitterness and strife are evil seeds planted by the devil in order to derail the blessings of God from us. To read more on strife, clink on Six reasons why  strife and bitterness should be avoided.

 

Un-forgiveness
Mark 11:25-26
25.  And when ye stand praying, forgive, if you have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
26.  But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.

Matthew 18:21-22

21.  Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Till seven times?
22.  Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, until seven times: but, until seventy times seven.

The foundation of our salvation is forgiveness. Christ has forgiven us and accepted us as His own; we belong to Him. Likewise, we MUST also forgive those who hurt us. There is no debate about this because God cannot forgive us if we can’t forgive others. Face that person you are have a grudge with and forgive him/her, no matter has happened between you. The moment you forgiving you will feel a burden lifted off your shoulders and behold the beauty of forgiving just as you did when Jesus forgave you. When you forgive and  forget, God will bless you. Jesus told Peter that he must be ready to forgive four hundred and ninety times per day. Of course, nobody can error all those times per day. Sometimes we say that some people are unbearable, but we must be willing to bear with them in love and forgive them every time they trespass against us. When we forgive we show our love towards those we forgive and therefore share the love of Christ with them

We should use the Name of Jesus

Philippians 2:9-11

9.  Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10.  That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11.  And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Acts 2:21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Luke 9:1-2
1.  Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.
2.  And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.
James 5:14  Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
James 5:15  And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him

There is only one Name under the sun given to man under which we shall get salvation, and that is the Name of Jesus. When we pray we should pray in the Name of Jesus. When we cast out demons, we should cast them out in the Name of Jesus. There is Power in the Name of Jesus and we should release our faith by using the Name of Jesus to make any challenges before us bow to the kingship of Jesus. Death, sin, addiction, sicknesses, diseases, lack, poverty, depression, rejection, demons, should bow to the Name of Jesus when we command.  James 5:14 shows us that God’s divine purpose for our bodies is that we should not be sick, and if we are sick, a prayer of faith should be offered to get healing and forgiveness.

To use the Name of Jesus,we must know Jesus as Lord. We must walk in obedience  and we must have an intimate relationship with Jesus. Sometimes God allows hard things to come our way so that we can see the power vested in the Name of Jesus when we call upon it and also to make us grow spiritually. There is power in the name of Jesus for every crisis we will ever face. We need to exercise the authority given to us and command situations in our lives. The name of Jesus is able to bring salvation, deliverance and baptism of the Holy Spirit. Let us use the Name of Jesus to reconcile people to God and to intercede for others before God.

 

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