The Devil's Most Popular Strategy

Psalms 144:1 Blessed be the Lord my strength which teacheth(trains) my hands to war, and my fingers to fight:

 

Divisions

The devil knows that a divided house cannot stand. This is the reason why he uses divisions in church by using Christians to war against their own brethren, which  of course strengthens the devil.

The devil causes divisions on every possible level of relationship.

• Churches with each other relationship. In the church Christians become overly judgmental and even think they are being used of God to fight others. Instead of helping the wounded soldier, they hurt them even more by being judgmental because they think that they fell because they were under God's judgment. In so doing they help the devil by attacking their fellow Christians. I have seen a case whereby a ‘pastor’ targets the weak vulnerable members by luring them to sin with him by disguising himself as kind, comforting and caring. Such type of people are used of the devil to even hurt the wounded ones more and more and therefore pushing them farther and farther from God. This is usually very easy to happen because the wounded ones are imprisoned by fear, depression, condemnation and shame. Being true servants of God, let us identify such Christians so as to be able to help, encourage and pray for them to stand firm in faith and to receive deliverance from bonds of shame, guilt, condemnation and shame.

• Congregation with their pastor relationship. If there is no unity between the pastor and the congregation, blessings of God are hindered and the work of God is affected.Unity is power.

• Husband and wife relationship. If you are a married couple and you find yourself going for a day, a week, a month or even an year without communication in the house, you should know that you are under attack. In most cases, when ladies are upset, they resort to cold war whereby they don't talk to their spouse. This kind of thing is very common in most marriages because people don't realize that it is the strongest weapons in the devil’s armoury – silence. Silence between married people gives the devil a chance to work in the minds of each one of them putting a wide wedge between you. Ladies, cheer up when your husband arrives home, welcome him warmly even if you are upset about something. Later, when he is jovial, rested and happy, then you can discuss what you are upset about. I promise you that he will be willing to listen and to do something about it when the atmosphere is jovial, cozy, welcoming  and appealing than when the atmosphere is tense  and scaring. Ephesians 4:26 commands,  Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath. Psalms 133 says that God will command the blessing, even life for evermore to a home where brethren dwell together in unity. I don't want to be the reason of God not blessing me by not embracing unity and love in my home.

• children and parent relationship

• children with each other relationship

Christians Most Effective Strategy

Courage and unity

Christians should learn to fight in unity against the devil. They should group up for war, fully armoured.

• Unity causes courage to spread throughout the army of God.

• Unity causes every soldier of God to be determined to stand and fight

• unity causes the angels of God to come and stand together with the army of God. When angelic enforcement is there, it is definitely a sure way to victory.

• Unity consequently turns despair to faith which pleases God who is provoked to give deliverance

• Being united when we worship God makes the glory of God to come upon us and so we are surrounded all around by the glory of God. No enemy can withstand the glory of God.

• When Christians reach the level of ' the unity of the brethren', the battle is won fast. Since the devil knows this fact, he fights the unity of brethren so that he can capitalize on divisions

Fight for Salvation

• When we fight as Christians, let us fight for the sake of the kingdom of God, the truth, and the love for the lost

• When we fight for salvation, let us fight against those evil spirits holding the lost captives and as we do that, the lost will be let loose, their eyes will be opened and they will eventually see the light and come towards the light having woken from the deception of the devil

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God Cannot Be Mocked

Galatians 6:7
Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

God cannot be mocked meaning that His word is true so where we sow is where we reap. If we continue to honor God and sow into our relationship with Him, we will reap a harvest of blessings (Psalm 137:4). And, as we continue to bless others, we will reap from that. Thank You God that we sow to please the Spirit!!

Do you have a family Altar?

Sometimes back a friend was sharing with me about a pastor who never had breakthrough in his family life and in the mininistry. When the pastor resorted to seeking God about it, God told him it was because he had no family altar, where they could pray, read the Word, share and woship together as a family. When the pastor did what God told him, things changed drastically for the better.

Deuteronomy 6:6-9

6. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:
7. And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

8. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.

9. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.

 

The bible is our reference book as Christians. Deuteronomy 6:6-9 teaches us how we are supposed to handle things in the home as far as things of God are concerned. Not having a family altar is making things complicated for the family and it is like sealing our own fate.

 

Children learn by example faster than by instructions. Praying and reading the bible daily with the children gives them a good foundation and an opportunity to understand the Word of God. The Word of God will always remain in their hearts even when they are old. If at one time they might be rebellious, the Word will always pop up in their minds and hearts as a warning – it will always linger in their lives forever. Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

 

Praying and believing God together as a family in unity is powerful and dynamic. It generate spiritual enforcement and anointing that you can never imagine. It changes the spiritual atmosphere in the environs to the kingship of Jesus. As time passes by, even the  neighbours start responding to God’s will and lordship. Things are propelled toward glorious deliverance and power. United family time with God lifts the faith of the family members when they see God has answered a need they prayed for. This is how some big power packed churches started - just by a family altar. This is becasue charity(love) begins at home.

 

If your family is fragmented because of issues here and there, then family altar is the in thing, where you shall invite and allow God to take over and work out the much needed reconciliation. It is the solution for broken families, broken relationships and about to break families because once you invite the Prince of peace, He comes along with His peace. Family altar prayers can bring back home a wayward wife or husband, a lost child and many more.

 

There are things that God can only do at the family altar forum. One of  these things is commanding blessings. When your refer to Psalms 133. 1-3, the bible says that God will command a blessing, even life for evermore to a family that dwells together in unity - this is because unity in faith, in prayer, in worship, in word, in action and in purpose brings such an explosive anointing which runs to generations of that family. That family never again walks under dry heaven, but the dew of heaven satisfies them. If all families would heed to this call, then we would eventually have spiritually strong churches and hence a spiritually strong  nation.

• Do you want a breakthrough in your life? Start a family altar now. It is better late than never.
• Do you want God's presence in your home and it's neighbourhood? Do as the scriptures command, propagate the gospel from the grassroots.
• Do you want peace within family members? Set quiet time with God. 

Ways to do a family altar

• All family members should be taught to respect the family altar time
• You can decide that all members will be leading  the family altar in turns. One member preaches, another one leads the worship, another one reads the Word etc. These helps each member to search the Word of God before hand if he/she will be preaching.
• Agree on days when the family should seek God in prayer and fasting. Although this should be done discretely especially if children are involved and are not yet saved. Always encourage voluntary fasting for the children but don’t impose it on them.
• Make it an established, set apart time with God, where everything and everyone focuses on worshipping God only the Almighty.
• Apart from setting time for family altar, learn to talk and teach about God as you sit, as you walk, as you work, as you rise and as you lie down. Put stickers and posters with the Word of God in your house as a reminder. Unfortunately, most our time is preoccupied with television and other activities that eventually make us spiritually starved and prone to demonic attacks
• If no one will take the initiative to start a family altar, you can start it irrespective of who you are in the family, even if you are alone in this. Once you start, the rest will follow suit.

Testimony 
Seventeen years ago, my baby was very sick and he was supposed to be operated on in a week's time. When we went to the house of the pastor of church we were fellowshipping concerning our predicament, they advised us that we would be taking our son to the hospital on a weekly basis clinic, claiming that their son also have the same problem and that is what they used to do.  As we went home that day, we knew our hope was in God only. 

So, that evening, me and my husband agreed, we tore off the operation appointment letter we were given by the doctor and started praying. Ignoring the crying child who was in great pain, we laboured in prayer declaring good health and burying that disease forever through the blood of Jesus. After a long prayer session, the child was a bit comfortable and so we slept. The boy got healed. He is now eighteen years old, very healthy and there are no cuts on his body because of Jesus. We never took him for those weekly clinics because we trusted God, who sends His Word and heals our diseases.Hallelujah!

I don't mean that you should not go to your pastor if need be, but you should also learn to go before God and beseech Him for your needs as a family. If we had not learnt to have family altar and how to apply the Word of God, we would have been stranded on how to handle the situation considering the advise we got from our pastor. Maybe we would have opted to go ahead with the operation. Always remember that Jesus is always there for you, focus on Him alone and not on any other. HE IS ABLE.

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.

 

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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.

 

Feel free to comment about this article through the blog.

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!!