Thursday, November 27, 2014

WHY IT SEEMS GOD HAS NO INTEREST IN NIGERIAN POLITICS. part 1

THIS IS WHY IT SEEMS AS THOUGH GOD IS DISINTERESTED IN NIGERIAN POLITICS. ( STOMACH POLITICS PART 1) By Michael Benson Ajayi . Senior Gracevine ministries international.

        It is has become a recurrent decimal in our body polity to hear of one abuse or the other against the electorate by persons whose offices are regarded as sacrosanct as epitomized by the ceremonial oath of office during the inauguration of any public officer.
       Despite the orchestrated pious disposition of these leaders under the auspices of many a clergy, one is bemused to hear of the abuse of office by these same individuals with no regards for the cries of the electorate who in desperation and despair resort to seeking divine  help. Out of frustration , many now believe that either God doesn't exist or He isn't interested in our suituation .
From a theist and biblical point of view , one is quick to make research knowing fully well that ours isn't a problem that defies logic. Case in point, by logical approach in faith we overcame the Ebola pandemic when it hit our shores through team spirit and nationalistic zeal. It was our problem and we gave it the requisite attention it deserved.This is proof that with the right attitude and spirit, evil especially corruption ,can be defeated in Nigeria.
          The concept of stomach politics  has been the bane of our political aspiration and national development as a nation. The effect of this is better understood from the case of Esau and Jacob in the bible. In Genesis Chapter 25. 28-34, chp 26, 27 Esau despised his birthright for immediate gratification failing to understand that by so doing he was mortgaging his destiny .
       The birthright to clean drinkable water, good schools for his children, standard opporational hospitals, good roads, world class universities with functional departments and hostels, security, romantic relationships and marriages, a booming agricultural system etc. , was given to Jacob ( politician ) in exchange for feeding money or car that'll soon be consumed by bad roads and without money to fuel the car. Or a trip overseas just to return back to lack of stable electicrity and general insecurity.
In this chapter of the bible , Esau haven realised his errors ran to his father with the hope of reversing the self -afflicted misfortune, but to his chagrin it couldn't be reversed because God is a covenant keeper and honours all business transactions regardless of whose ox is gored. 
        THE SPIRITUAL LAW OF EXCHANGE :
[NLT] Proverbs 17:8 "A bribe is like a lucky charm; whoever gives one will prosper!
[NLT] "Proverbs 17:23 "The wicked take secret bribes to pervert the course of justice."
[NLT] Proverbs 18:16" Giving a gift can open doors; it gives access to important people!"
The influence of the giver over the receiver cannot be over emphasized . It is an irrevocable law that givers will always rule over receivers. It is the secret of the power of influence by advanced nations over third world countries. The economic and military aid is a type of ( Jacob's porridge) . That's why  most western cultures have instituted a principle of exchange of gifts during holidays. This ensures that the dignity of reciepients is maintained . Regardless of how educated a citizen of a third nation is he or she is still brought down in submission to the superior reasoning power of advanced nations who regularly send economic aid. These third world nations are quick to make reference to how better conditions are in America or Europe and find these place as safe haven to dwell sometimes while engaged in jobs under inclement conditions. Givers rule over receivers. proverbs 22: 7 "The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender."
    Adam lost control over the garden of Eden by the same principle. It was a fair exchange. Adam had to quit the garden and Satan took over. [NLT] Romans 6:16 "Don?t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living."
        DOMINION BROKEN
The word "dominion" is the Hebrew word rûd. and it's Definition include:
1. to wander restlessly, roam (a. )(Qal) to roam( b. )(Hiphil) to be restless, show restlessness .
In Gen 27: 40 Isaac said "And by thy sword shalt thou live, and shalt serve thy  brother; and it shall come to pass when thou shalt have the dominion, that thou shalt break his yoke  from off thy neck." What this meant was that he could only survive through insurgency. Living by the sword is the same as living by the gun. And the scriptures says their is the possibility of overpowering Jacob by being restless. We have a nation inundated with youth restiveness as a result of marginalization and oppression by the ruling class. Case in point is the insurgency in the various parts of Nigeria.
This can be averted when stomach politics is replaced by a system founded on justice , equity and fairlplay.

Sunday, September 7, 2014

TRIALS, TEMPTATIONS AND TRIBULATIONS (Part 1)

GRACEVINE SCHOOL OF DISCIPLES
TOPIC: TRIALS, TEMPTATIONS AND TRIBULATIONS (Part 1)
Memory verse: Psalm 34:19  
"Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all".  

1. Tests and trials are to be expected in life  
 Acts 14:22. We must through much tribulation enter the kingdom  
1Cor 10:13a - No temptation taken you but such as is common to man.  
1Thes. 3:3 No man should be moved by these afflictions for yourselves know that we are appointed there unto.   1Pet. 5:9 knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren.  
1Pet. 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try (test) you.  

2. Trials often result when things don't go our way: James 4:2  

a. Often God will grant your hearts desire
Psalm 37:4 Delight thyself in the Lord & He shall give you the desires of thine hears.
Psalm 84:11  No good thing will He withhold.  

b. But sometimes he withholds it because it's not His time.   
Eccl. 3:1-8 There is a time to every purpose under the heaven.

c. Or because it would choke out your fruitfulness
Mk 4:7,19 - The lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, & becometh unfruitful.  

d. Or seriously stumble or offend others:  
1Thes. 5:22 Abstain (even) from all appearance of evil.  
Rom 14:14-16,21. Destroy not him with thy meat, for who Christ died.
 
e. Or being reproach on the Lord's work or ministry
2Sam. 12:14 By this deed (murdering Uriah) thou has given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme.
2Cor. 6:3 Giving no offence … that the ministry be not blamed.
My Commitment
Heavenly, father I make a commitment to live a life that would not bring blame to your work on earth.

Saturday, September 6, 2014

PRAYER WAREFARE FOR DIVINE SERVICE

PRAYER DYNAMITE
PRAYER FOR DIVINE SERVICE
Mark16:15" And he said unto them,  Go ye into all the world, and  preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that  believeth not shall be damned. 17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall  they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 They shall take up serpents; and if they  drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover." 

Prayer:
Heavenly Fathers, I thank you for calling me to serve you in your holy vineyard . I declare I am a servant of the most high God. Every covenant i have made with satan and his demons that is giving him access to my life , i renounce and reject in the name of Jesus Christ. I declare that I have been chosen and anointed by God for the work of ministry . I declare that have been blessed with all spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus.  I declare I am an instrument for the miraculous work of the Holy Spirit , through the anointing working through me I shall make the poor rich, the broken hearted shall be healed, the blind shall see  , the deaf shall hear, the lame shall work , all diseases are destroyed when I pray , the dead are raised back to life in Jesus name. Let my body become a miracle working instrument , so that extraordinary miracles will be done through me , my clothes shall touch the sick and they shall recover, the dead shall rise in the name of Jesus Christ .
I believe in the ministry of the Holy Spirit . I receive the power of the Holy ghost with the evidence of speaking in a supernatural prayer language , whenever I open my mouth to pray in tongues fire comes out and destroys wichcraft forces, demons flee, and instant miracles take place. stubborn doors of prosperity open , the prisoners are released in the name of Jesus name.
I receive fire for boldness to preach the gospel to prominent men and women , to strangers with signs and wonders following in the name of Jesus Christ.   As I preach , the hearts of men and women shall be opened to receive the word of God in the name of Jesus Christ.  They shall desire to follow me in serving God in Jesus name.  I receive fire for worship, whenever I lift up my voice in worship angels are moved and heaven responds , demons flee when I worship, miracles take place when I worship in the name of Jesus Christ. I declare that my heart is anointed with fire to love worshiping God in Jesus name.
Father let your fire for studying your word without ending rest upon me in Jesus name. I receive the spirit of wisdom, and revelation of God in Christ and the ability to interpret complicated words in the name of Jesus Christ . Let there be a stiring  up of the Holy Ghost fire to teach the word of God with simplicity , boldness , signs and wonders following in the name of Jesus Christ .
Dear Father show me my spiritual office and purpose in the house of God, let the fire for ministry swallow me up in the name of Jesus Christ, let my heart be filled with humility to serve, I reject the spirit of pride in the name of Jesus Christ. Let me serve effectively in the place you have called me to serve in the name of Jesus Christ.
Heavenly Father put in me an unquenchable fire for fellowship , every strong man planted in my life to keep me from fellowship , stumble and fall in the name of Jesus Christ , I destroy every evil covenant keeping me away from the house of God in the name of Jesus, dear  lord destroy every habit of absenteeism from church activities in my life in Jesus name. Every satanic assignment designed to keep me away from fellowship  , burn to ashes in Jesus name. Every tree producing seeds of sin in my life to stop my serving God be uprooted in the name of Jesus Christ.  Dear lord reward my service in your vineyard with extraordinary breakthroughs in my finances, health , marriage, business in the name of Jesus Christ. Let those persons that mock me be disappointed in the name of Jesus Christ. I declare the world shall see the shining of my light in the Jesus name.
Let every strongman that has vowed to see that I do not grow spiritually be disappointed in Jesus name.
Dear lord fill me with your Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in other tongues , and every time I pray in.  tongues  let Satanic alters be demolished , let evil men be set into confusion , let strength to do great exploit overshadow me in Jesus name. As I pray in tongue lord , let my name be announced in high places in Jesus name.
let revelations of your glory upon me be revealed , let Satanic dreams about failure and disaster be demolished. Let doors be opened to me to minister your word and let stubborn hearts melt as I preach with signs and wonders following in Jesus name. 

Friday, September 5, 2014

Decongesting the head.

How to Relieve Head Congestion
Head congestion is caused by swollen nasal passages and mucous membranes, over production of mucous, stuffiness and sometimes clogged ears. This congestion may be caused by a virus, an infection or simply by allergies.
Head congestion can be alleviated, but it is a multi-step process requiring dedication to the endresult. This is how to relieve head congestion.
Steps1 Drink 2 to 3 times the amount that you normally do in order to thin the mucous.
2Drink hot tea or spicy soup to help clear out the sinuses.
3Eat chicken soup to alleviate dizziness.
4Inhale steam at least 3 times a day for 10 minutes each time.The steam can come from steam vaporizers, hot tea, hot compresses or a hot shower. The steam will clear out mucous and open up the sinus cavities.
5Try acupressure.
*.Place your thumbs on either side of the bridge of your nose. Press the hollow point between the bridge of your nose and the cheekbone. Let your head relax so that its weight is resting on your thumbs and your thumbs are putting pressure on that hollow place.*.Place the middle and index fingers of each hand to the sides of the nostrils and just under the cheekbones. Press up and under the cheekbones with your fingers gently but firmly for 1 minute.
6Try medication.*.Take over the counter decongestants according to the dosage instructions on the label. These reduce the size of nasal blood vessels and mucous membranes.*.Use nasal sprays according to the instructions on the label. These willgo from helpful to harmful if you use them too often or too long.
7Try irrigation*.Use a nasal pot or a sinus rinse to flush the mucous out of your sinuses. These irrigation systems send a combination of sterile water and a special saline powder mixture through your sinus cavitiesto break up the mucous and encourage it to come out.
8Place more pillows under your head, shoulders and back while you are sleeping to prop yourself up.Remaining closer to a 45 degree angle than lying completely flat will help discourage mucous from pooling in your sinuses overnight.

9Rest and allow your immune system to repair your body and fight off any underlying causes of the congestion.
Warnings*.
Head congestion that is not relieved may turn into an infection and may require a visit to the doctor. If it is aninfection, the doctor may prescribe stronger decongestants and an antibiotic to kill the infection.

1*.Never drink alcohol while fending offhead congestion. Metabolizing alcohol steals water from your cells that they need to thin mucous and perform other congestion relieving duties.
inputs from:  Wiki know

Monday, September 1, 2014

EBOLA SICKNESS IS NOT A PURNISHMENT FROM GOD.?

SICKNESS IS NOT FROM GOD

John 9:2 "And his disciples asked him saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?" JOHN 9:1-4 The disciples asked a question that still puzzles many people today. Why is a child born with a physical defect? Is it a judgment of God upon the parents for some sin, or is it possibly God's judgment upon the child for sins that God knows he will commit? Jesus Himself had previously linked sickness with sin. In this instance, however, Jesus said this blindness was not caused by this man's or his parents' sins. This has led many people to interpret the rest of this verse as saying that God made this man blind just so that He could heal him and be glorified thereby. From this thinking, many doctrinal teachings have risen about how sickness and other problems in our lives are actually blessings from God, intended to bring glory to God and correction to us. This reasoning, however, does not line up with the other truths of God's Word. It was not God who made this beggar blind. This man was not born blind because of any one person's sins but because sin in general had corrupted the perfect balance that God had created in nature. Therefore, some maladies happen, not as a direct result of an individual's sins but as an indirect result of sin in general. Deuteronomy 28 settles forever the question of whether sickness, poverty, and oppression are really blessings in disguise. God says that sickness and poverty are curses - not blessings from God. Christ redeemed us from these curses of the law so that now the blessings may come upon us through Him (Galatians 3:13). God's curses have been placed on Jesus and removed from those who accept Jesus' sacrifice. You are blessed and as you read this now , receive healing in your body and that of member of you family in Jesus name.

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

HOW TO SPEED UP A MIRACLE

God's word of salvation is always in the now. Procrastination is the greatest impediment to the fulfilment of prophesy. Every time we delay, the enemy grows and mutates into a more complex entity requiring more faith to overcome. A doctor knows by training that medicines can only be efficacious when administered according to the proper time sequence. So is faith. Hebrews 11. 1 says" Now faith is.." It is in the now .
Very often we hear people say" I did what God said yet it did not work". If that were the case, then God does not exist and all form of consciousness does not exist , meaning we do not exist . But if we believe He exists ,the problem should be with us. Did you do it When you were told to do it or at your convenience.
In Numbers 13 the Israelites were told to invade Canaan, in the early verses of Numbers14 , they procrastinated and grumbled , they later repented but it was too late. God wasn't with them.They lost the fight woefully.Numbers14:43" For the  Amalekites and the Canaanites are there before you, and ye shall fall by the sword: because ye are  turned away from the Lord, therefore the Lord will not be with you. 44 But they presumed to go up  unto the hill top: nevertheless the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and Moses, departed not out of the  camp. 45 Then the Amalekites came down, and the Canaanites which dwelt in that hill, and smote  them, and discomfited them, even unto Hormah. "Whenever we respond at our convenience we'll have to fight with human strength .
Has God given you instructions concerning your health,relationship , ministry,  financial commitment to church (tithe and offerings), marriage , business, academics etc,? Time to act is now. We shouldn't wait for a catastrophe to take place before acting .
  As you read this now ,receive the annointing that will bring about a seven fold restoration of that which was lost at your time of weakness in Jesus name.

Thursday, August 7, 2014

HOW TO INCREASE IN FAITH

INCREASING FAITH
Luke 17:5 "And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith."
Faith is  the capacity to recieve from God. A bottle can only recieve according to its capacity .The scriptures speak of varying degrees of faith. However, the scriptures also speak of Jesus increasing in wisdom (Lk. 2:52) that certainly refers to His physical intellect drawing more and more on the perfect wisdom of God that was already in Him at birth. It is in this way that we also increase in faith. At salvation, the believer is given the supernatural faith of God Ro.12.3 . We had to use the very faith of God (not human faith) to believe the gospel (Eph. 2:8). That faith came to us through hearing the Word of God (Rom. 10:17), and once we are born again, it becomes an abiding fruit of the Spirit within us. Every believer is given the same measure of faith at salvation but not all believers use what God has given them. Therefore, it is correct to speak of growing in faith and having great faith or little faith, but it is important to understand that this is speaking of how much faith we use or manifest - not how much faith we were given. All believers were given "the" same measure of faith. Jesus' example of the grain of mustard seed underscores the truth that our faith is sufficient if we will just use it without the hindrance of unbelief. He then continues on into the parable of the servant serving his master to illustrate that our faith is not the problem but rather our use of it. We are using it to serve ourselves instead of our master who is God. Living by faith is not something special that only the "big preachers "are supposed to do. The Lord expects all of His children to live a supernatural life of faith. You have everything you need to experience the miraculous , put it to work , a testimony awaits you in Jesus name.

Saturday, August 2, 2014

Don't panic , scriptures must be fulfilled (1)

[NLT] Matthew 24:6 And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately.

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

YOU WILL PROSPER REGARDLESS OF THE PREVAILING ECONOMIC AND SECURITY CONDITION

[AMP] Genesis 26:1,2,3, 12 "And there was a famine in the land, other than the former famine ....And the Lord appeared to him and said, .... live in the land of which I will tell you......Dwell temporarily in this land, and I will be with you and will favor you with blessings; ....and I will perform the oath which I swore to Abraham your father....Then Isaac sowed seed in that land and received in the same year a hundred times as much as he had planted, and the Lord favored him with blessings". Precious child of God, you are under a covenant of blessing for prosperity, regardless of what you hear in the media ,God's promise can't be changed. Like Isaac , refuse to live a compromised lifestyle , because He who promised is very faithful. Continue in your acts of benevolence, covenant tithing (Heb 7.7-8) and preaching the gospel and be always expectant and never quit trusting in God ; this is key to having faith for financial breakthroughs. As you read this now receive grace for financial breakthrough in Jesus name.

Monday, July 28, 2014

IMPORTANT SAFETY LESSONS FROM MALAYSIAN FLIGHT MH370

A woman lost all her kids and their grandpa to the ill-fated Malaysian  MH370 plane that crashed in Ukraine. Narrating her ordeal on CNN ,she said an unusual event took place: right after they had been checked in, her little boy ran back clucthing tightly to her saying "mummy what would I do when the plane crashes..? "She was amazed as she watched her son run back into the plane with his last words being " I love you mum". God was speaking to her.
        The bible teaches that God will always send a warning before any disaster. [KJV] Amos 3:6-7 "Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? shall there be evil in a city, and the Lord hath not done it? Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets." Satan's strategy is to make us rebel against God's servants that we may fall victims of his evil schemes. [NLT] Ephesians 2:2 "You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God." Through fasting, worship, teaching others the bible, fellowship,this is the purpose of regular tithing -learning to hear from God Deut, 14:23" ...learn to fear the lord always "we develop our ability to hear from God and are saved from disaster. as you read this now, receive grace for sensitivity to God's voice in Jesus name.

Saturday, July 26, 2014

THE MYSTERY OF THE PASSOVER BLOOD OF SPRINKLING .

MYSTERY OF THE BLOOD OF SPRINKLING By Rev. Michael Benson Ajayi. Senior Pastor,  Gracevine Ministries International. Inc.

Protection from the sword, famine, pestilence, judgement
          
2Chronicles20. 9 "If, when evil cometh upon us, as the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we stand before this house, and in thy presence, (for thy name is in this house,) and cry unto thee in our affliction, then thou wilt hear and help."
  [YLT] Hebrews 12:24 "and to a mediator of a new covenant -- Jesus, and to blood of sprinkling, speaking better things than that of Abel!"
          The wages of sin is death, through the blood of Christ we subdue death by the redemption power in the blood.
The waster is out to destroy by God's permision , Satan has permision to destroy those who reject God's protective shield in the blood of sprinkling  .Isaiah 54: 16 "Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy".Isaiah 45.7 "I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and  create evil: I the Lord do all these things.Job 2. 4 -7 "And Satan answered the Lord, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all  that a man hath will he give for his life.  But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his  flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face. And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, he  is in thine hand;  but save his life.  So went Satan forth from the presence of the Lord, and smote Job with sore boils  from the sole of his foot unto his crown. "
             Job was so rich and yet unteachable and arrogant , indisciplined and was not ready to listen to preacher's instruction  despite being under God's grace.  He was an independent self seeking socialite who couldnt be corrected , that was his undoing, independence is the beginning of a man's downfall, [AMP] Revelation 3:17 "For you say, I am rich; I have prospered and grown wealthy, and I am in need of nothing; and you do not realize and understand that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked." We need each other's inputs , Job had no prayer partner and was married to a woman with no passion for God Job2.9 . 
        The church is a living organism that thrives on interdependence  [AMP] Ephesians 4:16 "For because of Him the whole body (the church, in all its various parts), closely joined and firmly knit together by the joints and ligaments with which it is supplied, when each part [with power adapted to its need] is working properly [in all its functions], grows to full maturity, building itself up in love. "The pursuit of independence is the beginning of the depreciation and eventual destruction  of any part. Therefore , the first thing the enemy does before destroying any person is to remove them from the fellowship of the living. That's what happened to Samson, Judas, the prodigal son.
                As we approach the return of , Satan has increased the tempo of destruction with the hope of taking more people to hell. Jesus foretold of an increase in terrorism in the last days Matthew 24.12 Church folks won't be exempted ,(backsliding , ignorance) Matthew 24:12. Hosea 4.6 . [AMP] John 16:2 "They will put you out of (expel you from) the synagogues; but an hour is coming when whoever kills you will think and claim that he has offered service to God". If you know your God's voice you shall be strong  Daniel 11.32
The blood  and flesh was given to pay for our sins and agaisnt untimely death and for the good life on earth.  John6.51
We are to prove our freedom from the world's arrogance by placing the blood on the lintel ( you were under His authority)
Destruction is on the path of the presumptuous&arrogant for Pride goes before a fall  , it was Job's downfall [AMP] Job 36:8-9
"And if they are bound in fetters [of adversity] and held by cords of affliction, Then He shows to them [the true character of] their deeds and their transgressions, that they have acted arrogantly [with presumption and self-sufficiency]."
Non Jews were saved by the blood as long as they were under  Moses' authority.
God created the destroyer and only He alone can stop it when we come under His cover as stipulated in scriptures.
The destroyer goes after the arrogant ( self- preserving ) . We are expected to get clearance on every journey before embarking on such. We should develop listening ears. 1chronicles 14.10, 14 It was king David's key to  success in his military campaigns.
The lord speaks everyday to His Children to give them precautionary measures against  terrorism
Arrogance & presumptuosness  , makes it difficult to hear. Through regular tithing (Deut.14:23), fasting and praying (psalm35:13) in the Holy ghost we destroy the yoke of arrogance over  our lives thus making it easier to hear God's voice. God directs the footsteps of the righteous away from terror. Prov.3.26
       Righteousness ( fellowship, evangelism, worship, discipleship, ministry) shall serve as a platform upon which faith for  divine safety is built.
It is not the will of God for any of His children to die by terrorism. Isaiah54:14 He will shield you from the terrorist. Psalm28.7
                  The blood of sprinkling of the old testament is still with us in the new testament. It is in the holy communion drink. The wine drink  or grape juice ceases to be an ordinary wine or juice as soon as it is blessed by an anointed servant of God. Jesus said in Matthew 26.28 "THIS IS MY BLOOD " it is not the same as "it represents my blood". What made it different is the prayer that was made over the wine. It is important we understand this, it is where the miracle power lies. Remember , it was sheep blood in the old testament, now it is wine. And as effective now as then . Sprinkle drops of the wine upon your household believing the plague will not come near you . It is referred to as the blood of sprinkling ( in a present continuos tense) . [YLT] Hebrews 12:24 "and to a mediator of a new covenant -- Jesus, and to blood of sprinkling, speaking better things than that of Abel! "Every time the holy communion is taken , it averts death and disaster.
                 Apostle Paul used it to his advantage, he was saved from a shipwreck, venomous snake bite Acts 27.. Survived assassination attempts , beatings several times.
When the demon behind the destroyer sees the physical sign of the blood , it passes over the recipient .
Physical problems are dealt with physically and Spiritual problems are dealt with spiritually. Death is both spiritual and physical and Jesus made provisions for both .

Hosea13. 14 "I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes".

     
  

Saturday, July 5, 2014

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO GIVE TO CAESAR WHAT IS CAESAR'S,

Matt.22. 15 "Then went  the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk.  16 And they sent out unto  him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the  way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men.  17  Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not? 18 But Jesus  perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me,  ye hypocrites?  19 Shew me the tribute  money. And they brought unto him a penny.  20 And he saith unto them,  Whose  is this image and  superscription? 21 They say unto him, Caesar’s. Then saith he unto them,  Render therefore unto  Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s. 22 When they had  heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way. "

This question is a cultural trap. We’re told they came to trap him in his words. The text is explicit so we know it’s a trap question. It’s a trick and they want to hand him over to the authorities. So they come and they ask him this question and they say, "Should we pay our taxes to Caesar or not?" What is the cultural trap? You see, the first thing asking questions does is that it exposes these cultural traps. Let me illustrate it. Why is this a trap? Well, the Jews who were asking the question know that they are God’s chosen people. God’s chosen people is being oppressed by a Roman army. The Roman army is financed through the paying of taxes. If you pay your taxes, you are financing the oppression of God’s people. You are compromising your holiness. But if you don’t pay your taxes, and you refuse to pay your taxes, you will be killed. So they come to Jesus and they say, "Teacher, you’re a man of God. You show no partiality, you aren’t scared or swayed by people. You tell the truth as it is. Should we pay our taxes?" Now can you see the trap? They’re thinking if Jesus says, "Yes, pay your taxes," they’ll say, "Ha! You too then are prepared to morally compromise in order to save your own skin." But if he says, "No, don’t pay your taxes," then he will be arrested, and if he refuses to pay, he will be executed. So it’s a win-win situation, right? It’s a cultural trap. But how does Jesus respond? Don’t look at the text, do you remember? I’m trying to make you use your brains. How does he respond?He asks a question. And what’s the question?"Bring me a denarius. Whose head this? Whose inscription?""Caesar’s," they reply."Then render unto Caesar’s that which is Caesar’s, and unto God that which is God’s."Do you see how he has answered the question? You give to Caesar that which is Caesar’s. Pay your taxes. But, you give to God that which is God’s. You pay your taxes, but paying your taxes is not a compromise of holiness. And what is holiness? Jesus has just defined it for us. It’s giving to God that which is God’s.Do you see why Jesus can’t just say yes? To say yes is not to communicate. He has to get them to open up within their cultural assumptions. Let me throw one back to you. Yes or no – is abortion wrong? Imagine that you are in a café. You are with non-Christian friends. If you don’t have any non-Christian friends, just imagine what it would be like if you did have friends. You’re just having coffee, and then someone turns to you and says:"You’re a Christian, aren’t you?""Yes.""Is abortion wrong?"Now, what do you want to say? "Yes." If you say yes, what will that non-Christian probably deduce about you, or what would they think about you?That you hate women. What else? That you’re narrow-minded. If you say, "Actually, it’s God. God says no." What would they think about God?In the world’s eyes, what is the issue of abortion about? Choice. It is a right to choose. What do you call people who eliminate other people’s rights to choose? – Dictators. Terrorists. Murderers. Intolerant. Oppressors.Would you be happy with using most of those words about God? When was the last time you sang a chorus that went, "O most wonderful dictator, we marvel at your totalitarian tyranny, and we prostrate ourselves before your oppression"?You see, the thing with cultural assumption is that it asks the wrong question. Cultural assumptions work like this: On the face of it, there is one question. "Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?" But underneath it, there is an assumed question, which is, is it right to morally compromise in order to save your own skin? Here, is abortion right or wrong? The cultural assumption underneath it is, do you think it’s okay to eliminate other people’s choices by force if necessary? Now let me ask you another question. As Christians, what would we say the real question is in abortion? What’s the real issue? The real issue is, is this a human life?Supposing you were to go into the streets in a city where you live, and you were to stop people at random and say, "I am just doing a one-question survey, could you please answer just one question for me – when is it right to kill an innocent person?" What would most people say? "Never." So now let’s go back to that question. If what is in the womb is a human life, what gives anyone the right to end it? But if what is in the womb is not a human life, then what’s wrong with getting rid of it? There’s no life to protect, is there?Giving the right answer to the wrong question is always wrong. Cultural assumptions turn questions into things which actually they are not, which makes it a wrong question. Are you grasping this? It’s very important. Jesus is not a politician. He is not playing games with people. He’s not playing word games with people. With cultural assumptions, you have to define the issue. And what he’s doing is he’s saying "No, wait a minute. The way you are defining this is wrong. We need to redefine the issue first, then I can answer." Let’s supposing you could get a non-Christian friend to understand. You ask your friend, "Look, supposing I believe that life starts at conception and I thought abortion was OK, what would that make me?" Inconsistent? Or worse – a murderer. Now you may not change them. They may not leave there saying, "Yeah, okay, I now agree with your position on abortion." But what have you done? But you’ve communicated. What you’re telling them now is if you can demonstrate to me that this is not a human life, then I have no problem. This is about human life.
Contributions by Michael Ramsden

Monday, June 30, 2014

10 WAYS TO HONOUR GOD AND DWELL IN HONOUR ,RICHES AND WEALTH

There is a power which when released upon an individual will make him or her rich and prosperous( body and soul). Deut8.18
1Chronicles 29:12" Both riches and honour  come of thee, and thou reignest  over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand  it is to make great, and to give  strength unto all. "

#1. Seek God 's kingdom and His way of living through Christ .   Mathew 6.34
#2. Make a commitment to be God's servant by sharing the gospel . Mk 16.20
#3. Be under prophetic authority and humble yourself through fasting .Psalm35.13  Gen. 24.40. 2 Chronicles 20.20
#4. Dissociate yourself from people that mock God's servants  Psalm1.1-3
#5. Leave in obedience and humility  Job36.11, Isaiah1.19 , James4.6-8
#6. Honor your parents (Spiritual , foster or biological) Ephesians6.1-3
#7. Give to God's servants and to charity . Galatians 6.6-8
Philippians 4.17-19
#8.Prove that you can be trusted with more riches , power and honour  by making a covenant or vow to give tithes (one-tenth of the Net value of your income  )according to Abrahamic principles to an anointed prophetic teacher of God's word that He will lead you to . Gen14.20, Psalm 50:14-15 , 1Cor.16.1-2 .
#9. Be active in church building projects and other church missionary projects . Haggai 1.2-11 . 1Chronicles 22.14., 2Corinthians 8.1-5
#10. Back-up every prayer with an offering , the fire for properity is attracted to our offerings. 2chronicles 7.1 Acts10.31
THE REWARD
[AMP] Proverbs 22:4 The reward of humility and the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life.
As you read this now receive the anointing  for supernatural financial enrichment that will cause many to marvel at your testimony in Jesus name.

Saturday, June 28, 2014

MID -YEAR PRAYER AND FASTING POWER POINTS

Day #1. ASK FOR AN UNQUENCHABLE HUNGER FOR THE SPIRIT LIKE CORNELIUS . ACTS 10:1-42
he was a man of immense wealth and societal influence and yet brought in many souls in to the kingdom.
Ask to be filled with the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in other tongues (mysterious prayer language by the Holy Ghost) Acts 1. 8, Acts 2.4 , Luke 11.13

Day #2. PRAY FOR CONSECRATION /DELIVERANCE FROM EVIL ADDICTIONS AND CYCLES BUILDING STRONG MARRIAGES /RELATIONSHIPS. Acts13.2   Colossians 1.12 -13, Gen.28.6-8 , 2Cor.6.14( will you marry a non-believer in Christ if he or she was poor and ugly?)
Let the anointing of the Holy Ghost consume me as I occupy my office  . Mk.16. 20,  Acts14.3
[AMP] Acts 14:22" Establishing and strengthening the souls and the hearts of the disciples, urging and warning and encouraging them to stand firm in the faith, and [telling them] that it is through many hardships and tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God."

Day # 3 .ASK FOR THE  MANIFESTATION OF  SPIRITUAL GIFTS FOR EXPLOITS , SIGNS AND WONDERS 1 kings 41-45 , Isaiah 8.18
ACTS [AMP] Acts 4:30 "While You stretch out Your hand to cure and to perform signs and wonders through the authority and by the power of the name of Your holy Child and Servant Jesus"
.
DAY #4 . PRAY FOR RESTORATION , LIBERATION OF LOVED ONES.HOUSEHOLD FOES ,EVIL SOUL- TIES ( Degrading emotional ties with the ungodly )  Joshua24.15 , Matthew 10.36,  [AMP] Acts 16:31" And they answered, Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ [give yourself up to Him,  take yourself out of your own keeping and entrust yourself into His keeping] and you will be saved, [and this applies both to] you and your household as well."
[AMP] 1 Corinthians 6:18 "Shun immorality and all sexual looseness [flee from impurity in thought, word, or deed]. " IT INCLUDES PORNOGRAPHY

DAY #5 PROTECTION AGAINST SEXUAL LOOSENESS AND SOUL IMPRISONMENT ( witchcraft sex ) .
destroy Satan's strategy to imprison you by sex addiction like he did to Solomon and Sampson.
1 kings11.8-9, Ezra10.11-44 , Prov 2.16 ,prov. 22.14 prov23.27 , Judges16.4-18 , Pro.7.5-27 , 1 cor 3.16-19
[AMP] 1 Corinthians 6:18 "Shun immorality and all sexual looseness [flee from impurity in thought, word, or deed]. Any other sin which a man commits is one outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body."
It destroys faith and our protective shield against witchcraft.
SEXUAL RELATIONS WITH A GOD-HATER WILL LEAD TO YOU HATING  GOD AND YOUR PASTOR AND YOU MAY BE WASTED AND INFECTED WITH DISEASES AND ABANDONED ( STD'S ARE BEHIND MOST CASES OF BARENESS AND BIRTH COMPLICATIONS )  . REJECT THE TEMPTATION . 1cor6.12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
1cor6. 16 What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.
Addiction to Prostitution leads to poverty and failure in ministry.

DAY #6 ACTIVATE THE LAWS OF SUPERNATURAL PROPERITY . DESTROY THE CYCLE OF POVERTY , SICKNESS AND BARRENESS . FAVOUR FOR ABUNDANCE, CONTROL OVER KINGDOM RICHES AND WEALTH. WEALTH TRANSFER.

Psalm107. 20 "He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions."
Psalm30. 2 "O Lord my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me."
[AMP] Psalms 112:3" Prosperity and welfare are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever."
[AMP] Psalms 112:2 "His [spiritual] offspring shall be mighty upon earth; the generation of the upright shall be blessed."
[AMP] Job 36:11" If they obey and serve Him, they shall spend their days in prosperity and their years in pleasantness and joy."
Ex23.26 "There shall nothing cast their young, nor be barren, in thy land: the number of thy days I will fulfil."
[AMP] Proverbs 22:4 "The reward of humility and the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life."
[AMP] Leviticus 26:10 "And you shall eat the [abundant] old store of produce long kept, and clear out the old [to make room] for the new." #NEVERBROKE

Day # 7 . WARFARE AGAINST MY OPPRESSORS. PROTECTION FROM EVIL ATTACKS.
Isaiah49.25 "But thus saith the Lord, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children."
Pray for the release of all captives mention them by name including the Chibok girls.
Micah 6. 1 "Hear ye now what the Lord saith; Arise, contend thou before the mountains, and let the hills hear thy voice."
Gen14.20" And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all."
Exo.23. 27 "I will send my fear before thee, and will destroy all the people to whom thou shalt come, and I will make all thine enemies turn their backs unto thee."
Gen22. 17 "That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;"
Lev, 26. 7 "And ye shall chase your enemies, and they shall fall before you by the sword."

Friday, June 27, 2014

10 HINDRANCES TO PRAYERS

Hindrances to prayers being heard or answered.

a)We fight for what we want instead of asking Jas. 4:2
b)We ask with selfish motives Jas. 11:3
c)We ask while making a practice of sin Ps, 66:18, Isa. 59:1-2
d)We are deaf to the cry of the poor Pr. 21:13
e)We oppose the saints of God Mica 3:2-4
f)We are disobedient to known commands of God Prov. 28:9
g)We have an unforgiving spirit Mark11. 22-24, 6:12-15
h)We lack faith Heb. 11:6, Jam. 1:6
i)We keep idols in our heart. Eze. 8:5-18,14:1-3
j)We have turmoil in our homes. I Pet.3:7

For accelerated manifestation embrace God's word in prayer, it also requires an attitudinal change towards life , be accountable to an anointed servant of God with a vision that requires help spiritually and materially . This is very important to those who desire to have a successful marriage relationship in a fast changing world. covenant relationship principles teaches that partners automatically share in the grace that is at work in the life of the servant of God [AMP] Galatians 6:6 Let him who receives instruction in the Word [of God] share all good things with his teacher [contributing to his support].
Psalm 50. 5" Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice."
2corinthians 8. 5" And   this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God. " The Colossians gave to God And Apostle Paul and prospered .
The Philippians church enjoyed divine favour because they partnered with Apostle Paul.Philippians 1.5  AMP:[I thank my God] for your fellowship (your sympathetic cooperation and contributions and partnership) in advancing the good news (the Gospel) from the first day [you heard it] until now........Vs 7 (kjv ).ye all are partakers of my grace." The church in Macedonia experienced freedom from financial lack by the same principle. 2Corinthians8.1-5 .  Prayerfully consider to partner with this ministry that is changing lives and raising an army for the kingdom of God. For partnership considerations Text . +234 (0)  98035536911 ,+234 (0) 8098536911

Monday, June 23, 2014

WHY DOES GOD APPEAR HIDDEN

2 Corinthians4.4 :For the god of this world has blinded the unbelievers’ minds [that they should not discern the truth], preventing them from seeing the illuminating light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ (the Messiah), Who is the Image and Likeness of God.

Matt.5. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

Thursday, June 19, 2014

YOU ARE TOO BLESSED TO BE POOR .

YOU ARE TOO BLESSED TO BE POOR
[NIV] James 4:13-15 Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money. Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.  Instead, you ought to say, If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil."
Do not put your safety on your job or business , that is poverty mentality , it leads to constant fear and stress, but rather live with a consciousness that you are blessed and it is God's will for you to be rich 2Cor.8.9 . Seek God's counsel through prayer or through a mature spiritual authority before taking major decisions in your life. It will save you from disaster Jer.3:15 . Play active roles in the place where you are nourished spiritually by supporting the work of the minister [AMP] Gal 6:6 "Let him who receives instruction in the Word [of God] share all good things with his teacher [contributing to his support]" this is God's formula to be rich  .  Heb13.17 . The world's anti-God economy is failIng because of its anti-people policies and only a commmitment to your divine assignment on earth can guarantee true safety and prosperity. You shall not fail nor be poor in Jesus name.

Saturday, June 14, 2014

ARGUMENTS AND LOGICAL PROOF OF THE RESSURECTION OF JESUS CHRIST part 2

Part 2
Refutation of the Hallucination Theory: Seven  Arguments to consider .
If you thought you saw a dead man walking and talking, wouldn’t you think it more likely that you were hallucinating than that you were seeing correctly? Why then not think the same thing about Christ’s resurrection?   1. There were too many witnesses. Hallucinations are private, individual, subjective. Christ appeared to Mary Magdalene, to the disciples minus Thomas, to the disciples including Thomas, to the disciples at Emmaus, to the fishermen on the shore, to James (his “brother” or cousin), and even to five hundred people at once (1 Cor. 15:3-8). Even three different witnesses are enough for a kind of psychological trigonometry; over five hundred is about as public as you can wish. And Paul says in this passage (v. 6) that most of the five hundred are still alive, inviting any reader to check the truth of the story by questioning the eyewitnesses – he could never have done this and gotten away with it, given the power, resources and numbers of his enemies, if it were not true. 2. The witnesses were qualified. They were simple, honest, moral people who had firsthand knowledge of the facts. 3. The five hundred saw Christ together, at the same time and place. This is even more remarkable than five hundred private “hallucinations” at different times and places of the same Jesus. Five hundred separate Elvis sightings may be dismissed, but if five hundred simple fishermen in Maine saw, touched and talked with him at once, in the same town, that would be a different matter. (The only dead person we know of who is reported to have appeared to hundreds of qualified and skeptical eyewitnesses at once is Mary the mother of Jesus [Fatima, to 70,000]. And that was not a claim of physical resurrection but a vision.) 4. Hallucinations usually last a few seconds or minutes; rarely hours. This one hung around for forty days (Acts 1:3). 5. Hallucinations usually happen only once, except to the insane. This one returned many times, to ordinary people (Jn. 20:19 – 21:14: Acts 1:3). 6. Hallucinations come from within, from what we already know, at least unconsciously. This one said and did surprising and unexpected things (Acts 1:4,9) – like a real person and unlike a dream. 7. Not only did the disciples not expect this, they didn’t even believe it at first – neither Peter, nor the women, nor Thomas, nor the eleven. They thought he was a ghost; he had to eat something to prove he was not (Lk 24:36-43).

Refutation of the Myth Theory:
The style of the Gospel is radically and clearly different from the style of all the myths. Any literary scholar who knows and appreciates myths can verify this. There are no overblown, spectacular, childishly exaggerated events, nothing is arbitrary. Everything fits in. everything is meaningful. The hand of a master is at work here.   Psychological depth is at a maximum. In myth it is at a minimum. In myth such spectacular external events happen that it would be distracting to add much internal depth of character. That is why it is ordinary people like Alice who are protagonists of extraordinary adventures like Wonderland. The character depth and development of everyone in the Gospels – especially, of course, Jesus himself – is remarkable. It is also done with an incredible economy of works. Myths are verbose; the Gospels are laconic.   There are also tell tale marks of eyewitness description, like the little detail of Jesus writing in the sand when asked whether to stone the adulteress or not (Jn 8:6). No one knows why this is put in: nothing comes of it. The only explanation is that the writer saw it. If this detail and others like it throughout all four Gospels were invented, then a first-century tax collector (Matthew), a “young man” (Mark), a doctor (Luke), and a fisherman (John) all independently invented the new genre of realistic fantasy nineteen centuries before it was reinvented in the twentieth.   A second problem is that there was not enough time for myth to develop. The original demythologizers pinned their case onto a late second-century date for the writing of the Gospels; several generations have to pass before the added mythological elements can be mistakenly believed to be facts.   Eyewitnesses would be around before that to discredit the new, mythic versions. We know of other cases where myths and legends of miracles developed around a religious founder – for example, Buddha, Lao-tzu and Muhammad. In each case, many generations passed before the myth surfaced.
A little detail, seldom noticed, is significant in distinguishing the Gospels from myth: the first witness of the resurrection were women. In first-century Judaism, women had low social status and no legal right to serve as witnesses. If the empty tomb were an invented legend, its inventors surely would not have had it discovered by women, whose testimony was considered worthless. If, on the other hand, the writers were simply reporting what they saw, they would have to tell the truth, however socially and legally inconvenient. With the elimination of swoon, conspiracy , myth, hallucination, we are left with only one standing.Christianity. The choice of Christianity is only safe and is ever open to logical analysis.

ARGUMENST AND LOGICAL PROOFS OF THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST part 1

10 CONFUSIONS ABOUT THE RESURRECTION
1. The resurrected Christ isn't a ghost. Lk24.36-43 He ate food.
2. The resurrection is not a resuscitation like Lazarus Jn11.44, the grave clothes where neately kept aside Jn20.6-7 , Lazarus died again, Jesus never died again. Rom6.9
3. Resurrection is not reincarnation . Jesus's body was more old and more new than what you supposedly get in reincarnation . It was recognizable by his friends and new in that it was immortal.
4. it is distinguished from simple immortality as the Gnostic or platonist who think it's just a freeing of the soul from the bodily prison. It is the immortality of the soul.
5. It is distinct from enlightenment or Nirvana : a loss of personal individuality and a reabsorption into the One, the All. The risen Jesus was very distinct individual , an embodied one .
6. It is distinct from translation or assumption into heaven . That's a Jewish notion, e.g Elijah and Enoch and Moses. Catholics believe that's what happened to Mary. Jesus came from death back to earthen land of the living.
7. it's distinct from a vision . Jesus was touched, he ate.
8. it is distinct from legend fictions deviced by mortal minds .
9. Ressurection isn't a myth. myths are symbolically true. Christ's resurrection is pinned down to a real, specific, concrete time and place in history, and certified by eyewitnesses . 2pet 1.16
10.It is a ressurection of the" Easter faith". Easter without a real Easter is a faith in faith. Question now would be if it is a faith in faith , then faith in faith in what?
5 possible Theories to the arguments on the Ressurection of Christ

           Jesus died.        \---Jesus rose----------------------------------------------------------1. Christianity
       /                                   \                
     /                                        \Jesus didn't rise. a-The apostles were deceived --------------------2 Hallucination
  /                                                                               b.  the apostles were myth-makers ---------------3Myth
  \                                                                               c-The apostles were decievers--------------------4. conspiracy
      \
          Jesus didn't die----------------------------------------------------------------------------5 Swoon
From the above , either1) the resurrection really happened 2) the apostles were deceived by hallucination 3) the apostles created a myth, not meaning it 4) the apostles were deceivers with the plan to deceived the world with the most famous lie ever told.   5) Jesus only swooned and was resuscitated, not resurrected. These are the 5 possibilites .
If we can refute all other theories (2-5 ), we will have proved the truth of the resurrection (1)
REFUTING THE SWOON THEORY
1. Jesus could not have survived crucifixion. A soldier could die for letting  a condemned prisoner go.
2.The fact that Jesus' legs were not broken confirmed  they were sure he was really dead. Jn19.31-33   
3. John witnessed blood and water come from the pierced body signifying collapse of the lungs meaning medically proving Jesus died of asphysiation
4. The body was totally encased in winding sheets and entombed In 19.38-42
  5. The postresurrection appearance convinced the disciples even a doubting Thomas with Atheistic or agnostic inclinations.  Jn20.19-29 a half dead man does not have the ability to instil such awe on the disciples as recorded by witnesses.
6. How were the Fiercely armed Roman soldiers overpowered by the half dead man or an unarmed disciple ?
7 . How could a half dead swoon move the stone to the tomb?  If the story of Matthew28.11-15 is anything to go by then, it was impossible for the soldiers to sleep for they would have been woken upmby the noise from those who moved the stone.
8.If Jesus woke up from a swoon where would he had gone to? it was impossible to hide such a personality either by a friend or foe.
REFUTING THE CONSPIRACY THEORY
1. The human heart is susceptible to frickleness, to change, to promises, to bribery but non of the disciples could change the story of the reseurection because of the difficulty in following such a story through no one In human history has stepped up to disprove this fact despite the advancement in technology and criminal investigation . People rather denied Christ under toture but never the resurrection. No bribe was large enough to induce anyone especially the disciples to embark on such a conspiracy
2. If the disciples made up the story then they would have been adjudged the. ost clever fantasists that ever walked the earth .
3. There was no economic reason which would have been the. motivating element for such a conspiracy by the disciples since they were all sustained by Jesus.  The easiest way out would have been to go back to their businesses , a conspiracy would have been of no benefit whatsoever . 
4. The disciples' character argues strongly against such a conspiracy. They were not even lawyers but mostly peasants. The change in their lives from fear to faith, despair to confidence , Confusion to certitude, runaway cowardice to steadfast boldness under great affliction not proved their sincerity but confirmed they were under a divine influence. Martyrdom is the ultimate proof of sincerity, these men died for their belief in the resurrection .

Thursday, June 5, 2014

HOW TO ARGUE WITH AN ATHEIST ON THE APPARENT CONTRADICTIONS IN BIBLE

Contradictions in the Bible? The most obvious and straightforward apologetical question about the Bible is this: Can we prove any parts of it false by showing either (1) that it contradicts itself or (2) that it contradicts some other known facts outside itself? Pro- and anti-biblical controversialists have argues about thousands of examples for hundreds of years. Here are a few samples and summaries of this debate here. Internal Contradictions? Here are five diverse but typical examples of supposed self-contradictions or internal contradictions, in the Bible. 1. In the Old Testament, the populations of the peoples and armies are often estimated differently in different account of the same events. 2. One passage in Exodus says God parted the waters of the Red Sea, but another passage says a strong east wind did it by blowing all night. 3. The chronological order of events in the life of Jesus is not the same in any two of the four Gospels. 4. One account of the first Easter morning says the women who went to Jesus’ empty tomb saw two angels, while another account says they saw one. 5. One account of Judas’s death says he hanged himself; another says he fell down and his guts burst asunder. Two things can be in response to questions like these. First, a sense of perspective is needed. These are not contradictions in substance. The Bible could well be infallible in all its teaching, its message, even while being fallible in incidental details like these. Second, even these minor contradictions can all be explained as only apparent. For instance: 1. Ancient histories rarely claimed exact numbers. Inexact estimates were common and expected. So were the use of symbolic numbers instead of literal numbers to describe real events. 2. First and second causes do not exclude each other: God parted the Red Sea by using a wind. 3. Only Luke, who was a Greek scientist (a doctor) claimed anything like exact chronological order (1:3). 4. Perhaps one woman saw one angel and the other saw two. “I saw two angels” is not contradicted by “I saw only one.” 5. Perhaps Judas’ hung himself with a rope was not strong enough to carry his body for long and it broke and he fell head long given that he hung himself on a tree by the edge of a hill. Hundreds of other minor details like these can all be made to fit a consistent and trustworthy pattern. But we must not impose our modern standards of accuracy on materials that was never intended to have it, it is bad literary criticism to exaggerate the importance of details for which the ancient author was in all likelihood unwilling to vouch

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

BAD THEOLOGY AND ATHEISM . EISEGESIS VS EXEGESIS

EXEGESIS VS EISEGESIS
Bad theology does more harm to the propagation of the glorious gospel of grace than anything else. Very often Christians  and non Christians are given the picture of an inconsistent God and atheist capitalize on this misrepresentation of the gospel to justify the non existence of a creator even when the human conscience says the contrary. It is against this backdrop that a sound knowledge of apologetics is a prerequisite before anyone is ordained a minister of the gospel. God is hated because of how he is represented by inequipped preachers especially in this day and age of internet technology .
Question: "What is the difference between exegesis and eisegesis?"
Answer: Exegesis and eisegesis are two conflicting approaches in Bible study. Exegesis is the exposition or
explanation of a text based on a careful, objective analysis. The word exegesis literally means “to lead out
of.” That means that the interpreter is led to his conclusions by following the text.
The opposite approach to Scripture is eisegesis, which is the interpretation of a passage based on a
subjective, non-analytical reading. The word eisegesis literally means “to lead into,” which means the
interpreter injects his own ideas into the text, making it mean whatever he wants.Obviously, only exegesis does justice to the text. Eisegesis is a mishandling of the text and often leads to a misinterpretation. Exegesis is concerned with discovering the true meaning of the text, respecting its grammar, syntax, and setting. Eisegesis is concerned only with making a point, even at the expense of the meaning of words.
Second Timothy 2:15 commands us to use exegetical methods: “Present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” An honest student of the Bible will be an exegete, allowing the text to speak for itself.
Eisegesis easily lends itself to error, as the would-be interpreter attempts to align the text with his own preconceived notions.                Exegesis allows us to agree with the Bible; eisegesis seeks to force the Bible to agree with us.
The process of exegesis involves
1) observation: what does the passage say?
2) interpretation: what does the passage mean?
3) correlation: how does the passage relate to the rest of the Bible? and
4) application:how should this passage affect my life?

Eisegesis, on the other hand, involves
1) imagination: what idea do I want to present?
2) exploration: whatScripture passage seems to fit with my idea? and
3) application: what does my idea mean? Notice that, in eisegesis, there is no examination of the words of the text or their relationship to each other, no cross-referencing with related passages, and no real desire to understand the actual meaning. Scripture serves only as a prop to the interpreter’s idea.
          bTo illustrate, let’s use both approaches in the treatment of one passage:2 Chronicles 27:1-2
“Jotham was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem sixteen years. . . .
He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father Uzziah had done, but unlike him he did not
enter the temple of the LORD.”
EISEGESIS
First, the interpreter decides on a topic. Today, it’s “The Importance of Church Attendance.” The interpreter
reads 2 Chronicles 27:1-2 and sees that King Jotham was a good king, just like his father Uzziah had been,except for one thing: he didn’t go to the temple! This passage seems to fit his idea, so he uses it. The resulting sermon deals with the need for passing on godly values from one generation to the next.  Certainly, there is nothing wrong with preaching about church attendance or the transmission of values.
And a cursory reading of 2 Chronicles 27:1-2 seems to support that passage as an apt illustration. However, the
above interpretation is totally wrong. For Jotham not to go to the temple was not wrong; in fact, it was very
good, as the proper approach to the passage will show.Just because King Uzziah went to the temple every week didn’t mean that his son would continue the practice.
In the same way, many young people today tragically turn from their parents’ training, and church
attendance drops off. The sermon ends with a question: “How many blessings did Jotham fail to receive,
simply because he neglected church?”Certainly, there is nothing wrong with preaching about church attendance or the transmission of values. And
a cursory reading of 2 Chronicles 27:1-2 seems to support that passage as an apt illustration. However, the
above interpretation is totally wrong. For Jotham not to go to the temple was not wrong; in fact, it was very
good, as the proper approach to the passage will show.
EXEGESIS
First, the interpreter reads the passage and, to fully understand the context, he reads the histories of both
Uzziah and Jotham ( 2 Chronicles 26-27 ; 2 Kings 15:1-6 , 32-38 ). In his observation, he discovers that King
Uzziah was a good king who nevertheless disobeyed the Lord when he went to the temple and offered
incense on the altar—something only a priest had the right to do ( 2 Chronicles 26:16-20 ). Uzziah’s pride
and his contamination of the temple resulted in his having “leprosy until the day he died” ( 2 Chronicles
26:21 ).Needing to know why Uzziah spent the rest of his life in isolation, the interpreter studies Leviticus 13:46 and
does some research on leprosy. Then he compares the use of illness as a punishment in other passages,
such as 2 Kings 5:27 ; 2 Chronicles 16:12 ; and 21:12-15 .
By this time, the exegete understands something important: when the passage says Jotham “did not enter
the temple of the LORD,” it means he did not did not repeat his father’s mistake. Uzziah had proudly
usurped the priest’s office; Jotham was more obedient.The resulting sermon might deal with the Lord’s discipline of His children, with the blessing of total
obedience, or with our need to learn from the mistakes of the past rather than repeat them.
Of course, exegesis takes more time than eisegesis. But if we are to be those unashamed workmen “who
correctly handle the word of truth,” then we must take the time to truly understand the text. Exegesis is the
only way. May God give you a personal exegetic insight into the wisdom of His word as you read this in Jesus name. Ask Jesus Christ into your life now .

Saturday, April 19, 2014

FEET WASHING ORDINANCE IN THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH

The root of this practice appears to be found in the hospitality customs of ancient civilizations, especially where sandals were the chief footwear. A host would provide water for guests to wash their feet, provide a servant to wash the feet of the guests or even serve the guests by washing their feet. This is mentioned in several places in the Old Testament of the Bible (e.g. Genesis
18:4 ; 19:2 ; 24:32 ; 43:24 ; I Samuel 25:41
Feet washing was instituted by Christ in John13.14-16
It showed humility, as the participants have to stoop low to wash the feet. Humility is from the greek word 'tapeinoo 'to depress; figuratively, to humiliate (in condition or heart):--abase, bring low, humble (self). This is a prerequisite for upliftment according to 1peter5.5-6. The greatest hindrance to faith is pride, a false estimation of self. Feet washing break the yokeof pride. Great miracles follow folks who observe this ordinance. In Genesis 18. from verse 4, Abraham received , revelations , became an intersesor, rescued a family member, broke the yoke of barrennes , experienced security , through the ordinance of feet washing . Widows in the early church broke through the barrier of poverty and enjoyed favour through feet washing 1Timothy 5.9-10  The ordinance of feet washing predates the laws of Moses. originated by the same token through which the holy communion originated. If you believe in the potency of holy communion then you should believe in feet washing.

Friday, April 18, 2014

DO YOU WANT TO KNOW GOD ? NOW IS THE TIME FOR SALVATION

DO YOU WANT TO KNOW GOD ? NOW IS THE TIME FOR SALVATION  .  
God decided to come down to human level by manifesting in Jesus Christ to reconcile man back to Him. This was to settle once and for all the misunderstandings between God and man. 
    During His earthly ministry Jesus Christ taught about the Kingdom of God being real and dwelt amongst us. He told us the kingdom of God was within our reach, Mathew 4:17, however man-made religions makes it difficult to realize this  .
    Religious practices are based on what man thinks as acceptable conditions for entrance in to the kingdom of God and they fall short of God's plan to save man.  The bible says in Colossians 2:20-23 “ You have died with Christ, and he has set you free from the spiritual powers of this world. So why do you keep on following the rules of the world, such as,  "Don't handle! Don't taste! Don't touch!"?  Such rules are mere human teachings about things that deteriorate as we use them. These rules may seem wise because they require strong devotion, pious self-denial, and severe bodily discipline. But they provide no help in conquering a person's evil desires. NLT Bible , in Matthew 7:22-23 Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles? Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' and also in Lk 18:10-14  "Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector.  The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: 'I thank you, God, that I am not a sinner like everyone else. For I don't cheat, I don't sin, and I don't commit adultery. I'm certainly not like that tax collector!  I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.'  "But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, 'O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.'  I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."    
Seven Things That Will Not Take A Person To Heaven
1. Ability to prophesy
2. Ability to cast out devils
3 .Ability to work miracles
4.  Having a religious title or name
5 .fasting and prayer
6 tithing and offering
7.church membership.
      The Word of God teaches salvation is a gift to be received with thanksgiving  Tit 3:5 “he saved us from all that. It was all his doing; we had nothing to do with it. He gave us a good bath, and we came out of it new people, washed inside and out by the Holy Spirit.” Mssg Bible. This process is known as being born again. Rejecting this free gift the bible says would lead to eternal damnation (Separation from God)Mark16:16 Mk 16:16 ..”whoever does not believe will be condemned ”NIV How To Be Saved : Jesus said “you must be born again” John3:3-7  Ro 10:9-11 “For if you tell others with your own mouth that Jesus Christ is your Lord and believe in your own heart that God has raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in his heart that a man becomes right with God; and with his mouth he tells others of his faith, confirming his salvation.    For the Scriptures tell us that no one who believes in Christ will ever be disappointed.”
DO YOU WANT TO BE SAVED? Then pray this prayer: Heavenly father I come to you as a sinner; forgive me of my sins, I accept Jesus Christ as my lord and  saviour .Thank you for accepting me as your child .Amen   
For counseling call or email Pst. Michael Benson Ajayi 234+08035536911. 234+ 08098536911 ,
Gracevine family church beside shipyard  by new flyover  off Alcon road last bus stop. woji town PH. Nig
You may inbox me and share your testimony . Michael Benson Ajayi // www.facebook.com
email:gracevinemin@yahoo.com :
gracevine ministries international/ facebook.com,
www.gracevinefamilychurch.com ,
twitter.@pastormikeblive.

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

SCIENCE , FAITH IN HARMONY? ( GOD AND THE BLACK HOLE )

SCIENCE AND FAITH IN HARMONY (GOD AND THE BLACK HOLE)
CASE IN STUDY :
ASTRONOMY - THE BLACK HOLE PHENOMENON
What Is a Black Hole?
A black hole is a place in space where gravity pulls so much that even light
can not get out. The gravity is so strong because matter has been squeezed
into a tiny space. This can happen when a star is dying.
Because no light can get out, people can't see black holes. They are
invisible. Space telescopes with special tools can help find black holes. The
special tools can see how stars that are very close to black holes act
differently than other stars.
How Do Black Holes Form?
Scientists think the smallest black holes formed when the universe began.
Stellar black holes are made when the center of a very big star falls in upon
itself, or collapses. When this happens, it causes a supernova. A supernova
is an exploding star that blasts part of the star into space.
Scientists think supermassive black holes were made at the same time as
the galaxy they are in.

If Black Holes Are "Black," How Do Scientists Know They Are There?
A black hole can not be seen because strong gravity pulls all of the light into
the middle of the black hole. But scientists can see how the strong gravity
affects the stars and gas around the black hole. Scientists can study stars to
find out if they are flying around, or orbiting, a black hole.
When a black hole and a star are close together, high-energy light is made.
This kind of light can not be seen with human eyes. Scientists use satellites
and telescopes in space to see the high-energy light.
NO BODY CAN CLAIM TO HAVE SEEN A BLACK HOLE BUT WE BELIEVE THEY EXIST BECAUSE WE BELIEVE OUR SCIENTISTS DESPITE THEIR IMPERFECTIONS.
Let's examine their claims , 1)a black hole has a middle ( implying there is a beginning and therefore an end or it has a perimeter or radius ) 2) black holes have masses ( they can be weighed based on standards determined only by a few persons out  of 7 billion persons on earth)
We believe this because WE CHOOSE  TO . This helps us understand the universe
FAITH , SCIENCE AND GOD
Hebrews 11:1, 3 NLT
"Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen."
What this means is that there is a difference between what was created and what was made.
You create something from what can not be seen while things a made from what has been created.
Therefore , it is wrong to give credit to a scientist  for making something out of an intelligent object created by God. Scientists make things out of what God has created. Without the innate intelligence in the nucleus andmby extension the  molecules of a cell , it will be absolutely impossible to manipulate a cell in to taking a desired shape . The human hand moves according to an invisible will of man, the various motor cells are intelligent enough to respond to our command.
From the above it will be contradictory to say faith and science are at a crossroad but rather they run parallel with each other. 
EMPERICAL DATA AND FAITH
Science deals with imperical data and the general consensus of peer groups in the scientific community. However, from the study of black holes certain assumptions where made in order to make progress , these sometimes are later proven wrong based on new more reliable data and evidence, case in point , the continental plates or shells where once seen as one continual plate by the scientific community until new data proved otherwise. There is also debate on the effect of global warming and climate change. The scientific community is torn on what to believe on the issue of climate change. Against this backdrop one could not base ones belief on a subjective system of analysis and yet arrive on an objective truth. That's why truth is seen as subjective , one man's meat being another's poison, thus there 'll be no obligation whatsoever to a righteous cause since righteousness doesn't exist in a world where truth is relative .

Does faith allow for imperial analysis , Yes, it does however , we are reminded of it's limitations .
John 20:24-25 NLT
One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), was not with the others when Jesus came. They told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he replied, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.”
John 20:26-27 NLT
Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!”
John 20:29 NLT
Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.”

Friday, April 11, 2014

DO NOT CHOKE ON A DREAM

WORLDLY CARES ARE THORNS
Luke 8:14, "And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection."
This third type of ground is characteristic of a large part of the Body of Christ today. These are people who have received God's Word, committed themselves to it to the degree that they are able to remain faithful in persecution, but because of being occupied with the affairs of this life, the Word sown in their heart is choked and no fruit is produced. Just as weeds in a garden will steal all of the nutrients and starve the plant, so the pleasures of this life, if we allow them to dominate our thinking, will stop the fruit that the Word would have produced. Throughout history, the Church has always grown in size and strength during persecution. This is because during persecution we get our priorities straight. We realize our life is in Jesus (Jn. 14:6) and not in things (Lk. 12:15), and we focus all of our attention on the Lord. However, prosperity has been far more damaging to the Body of Christ for the exact reason stated here in this verse. God wants to bless His children with things (Ps. 35:27; Mt. 6:33), but a preoccupation with these things will choke God's Word and make it unfruitful. If we would follow God's formula for prosperity found in Matthew 6:19-34, we would have the Word bringing forth fruit and we'd enjoy the physical blessings of this life, too. Notice Jesus said that no fruit was brought to perfection. This type of person will exhibit some fruit, but it will always be small and far short of what it should be. Do you feel frustrated because you are just getting by and are not really experiencing the abundant life that Jesus came to give? (Jn. 10:10) Examine your lifestyle and see if the cares of this life, deceitfulness of riches, or pleasures of this life could be choking God's Word. His Word never fails.

Saturday, March 15, 2014

ATHEISM AND MORALITY AT CROSS ROADS

ATHEISM AND MORALITY A GREAT CONTRADICTION
The Moral Argument in Theism  1.  Real moral obligation is a fact and  we are really, truly, objectively obligated to do good and avoid evil. 2.  Either the atheistic view of reality is correct or the “Godly” one. 3.  But the atheistic one is incompatible with there being moral obligation. 4.  Therefore the “theistic ” view of reality is correct.
  The first premise posits that human beings really are obligated; that our duties arise from the way things really are, and not simply from our desires or subjective dispositions. It is claiming, in other words, that moral values are obligations themselves –and not merely the belief in moral values – are objective facts.   Now given the fact that of moral obligation, a question naturally arises. Does the picture of the world view presented by atheism accord with this fact? It does not. Atheists hold the view that we are the chance products of the motion of matter: a motion which is purposeless , meaningless and blind to every human striving. If that is the case this question arises: Given this picture, in what exactly is the moral good rooted? Moral obligation can hardly be rooted in a material motion blind to purpose.   Suppose we say it is rooted in nothing deeper than human willing and desire. In that case, we have no moral standard against which human desires can be judged. For every desire will spring from the same ultimate source – purposeless, pitiless and meaningless matter. And what becomes of obligation? According to this view, if I say there is an obligation to clothe the naked, I would be stating a fact about my wants and desires and nothing else. I would be saying that I want the naked to be clothed, and that I choose to act on the desire. But this amounts to an admission that neither I nor anyone else is really obliged to clothe the naked – that, in fact, no one has any real obligation at all. Therefore the atheistic view of reality is not compatible with there being genuine moral obligation.   What view is compatible? One that sees real moral obligation as grounded in its Creator; that sees moral obligation as rooted in that fact that we have been created with a purpose and for an end. We may call this view, with deliberate generality, “the theistic view.” But however general the view, reflection on the fact of moral obligation does seem to confirm it.
Psalm 53.1 Bible.  Only fools say in their hearts, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, and their actions are evil; not one of them does good!

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Devils go to church too.

THE CHURCH IS'NT FOR SAINTS ONLY .
Mark 1:23, "And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out;...."
MK. 1:21-28; LK. 4:33-37
Many people don't associate demon possessed people with places of worship. Yet most of the demons that Jesus cast out were
encountered in the church. Why would demon possessed people be in church?
In some cases, the people were there because they were seeking help. The church, like a hospital, offers people the cure and therefore,
attracts those who are sick.
In other cases, the devil sows these types of people in the church to spread spiritual disease. A church that is teaching the true Word of
God should either try to evangelize these individuals or make them so convicted that they move on. Sad to say, demon possessed people
can thrive in most religious settings today. It is unwise not to follow due diligence when dealing with Church folks in your dealings. It will
save you from major heart breaks.
We always need to show love for the sinner as Jesus did, but we should give no room for the devil . If a person wants to keep an evil
spirit on the inside of them, they should not feel at home in church.
Let the Spirit of God live through you as He did through Jesus christ and exercize dominion over satan and his cohorts in Jesus name.

Monday, February 17, 2014

THE BLESSING OF BEING WEAK .

GOD USES THE LEAST LIKELY TO DO THE EXTRAORDINARY
Mark 1:16, "Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea:
Non of Jesus's disciple was religious , they were twelve ordinary circular men chosen from the real world to experience a real God who
was on a mission to help men with real problems. Jesus did not chose religious folks because they had no faith in God. The religious
always put faith in themselves and their system. They think God will use them because of their great holiness or special skills.
Paul said, "But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world
to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, [yea], and things
which are not, to bring to nought things that are" (1 Cor. 1:27-28).
People who recognize their own shortcomings are of necessity more dependent on God. That is the way God wants it. The Lord is
constantly searching for someone who recognizes they are nothing so He can do something through them (2 Ch. 16:9).
As we loose sight of our responsibilities and concentrate on and celebrate God's abilities , His power will be released through us to do the
extraordinary.

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

HOW TO KNOW GOD'S WILL IN EVERY AREA OF LIFE. (PART 1)

UNDERSTANDING GOD'S WILL FOR AN EXCELLENT RELATIONSHIP .?
"For whoever does the things God wills is My brother and sister and mother!" MARK 3.35 AMP
The Greek word " thelema " which means "a determination (properly, the thing), i.e. (actively) choice (specially, purpose, decree; abstractly, volition) or (passively) inclination:-- desire, pleasure.
God's ways are not our ways. As He reminds us in Isaiah 55:8-9 ;
For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the Lord. For
as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My
thoughts than your thoughts.
This is simply saying that God's ways of doing things are often completely opposite to
what we would do, and thus, can be very confusing to our own rational and logical mind.
In 1 Peter 4:2 , it tells us that we are to "live the rest of [the] time... [no longer for] the lusts
of men, but to the will of God." The question is: How can we live according to God's will unless we know what it is?
The  Bible, reveals four different aspects to God's Will: which could be safely categorised as :
1) His Sovereign Will - God's ultimate redemptive goals and purposes that are often hidden from mankind.
2) His Revealed Will - God's will already disclosed through His Word, the Bible.
3) His Will For Humanity- Salvation: union with Christ and thus, freedom from sin.
4) His Will For Believers - Sanctification: purification of the body, soul and spirit.
Understanding what the will of God for us eliminates what setbacks we may encounter during our times of trials and temptations.

God Sovereign Will
(His ultimate redemptive goals and purposes)
Ephesians 1:9-10 says;
Having made known unto us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He hath purposed in
Himself; That in the dispensation of the fulness of times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which
are in heaven, and which are on earth: even in Him.
This Scripture tells us that God's sovereign will is not only "a mystery," but also the redemption of all things. In other
words, mankind does not understand how God is guiding the universe and the human race toward His ultimate goals.
Thus, much of God's sovereign will is still a mystery and hidden from us.
A case in study is Samsons passion for women of less virtue as revealed in scriptures . We see God's military strategy to legally bring down the Philistines through what the ignorant may have termed samsons excesses. Judges 14:3-4 MSG

"His parents said to him, “Isn’t there a woman among the girls in the neighborhood of our people? Do you have to go get a wife from the uncircumcised Philistines?” But Samson said to his father, “Get her for me. She’s the one I want—she’s the right one.” (His father and mother had no idea that God was behind this, that he was arranging an opportunity against the Philistines. At the time the Philistines lorded it over Israel.)"
Could some marriages be like that of Samson, though not popular to many but strategic in bringing the manifestation and fulfillment of God's purpose for a particular people.?

Friday, February 7, 2014

THE 16 INDICATORS OF TRUE LOVE . This How to identify true love.

1 Corinthians 13:3-7 MSG

If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don’t love, I’ve gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.
1.Love never gives up.
2.Love cares more for others than for self.
3.Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.
4.Love doesn’t strut,
5.Doesn’t have a swelled head,
6. Doesn’t force itself on others,
7.Isn’t always “me first,”
8.Doesn’t fly off the handle,
9.Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others,
10.Doesn’t revel when others grovel,
11.Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
12.Puts up with anything,
13.Trusts God always,
14. Always looks for the best,
15.Never looks back,
16.But keeps going to the end.

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY TO PRAY

PRAYING THE WORD . THE MOST EFFECTIVE FORM OF PRAYER
God loves to hear your voice in harmony with His written word. Speaking the word of God converts it from potential energy to kinetic energy or energy in motion . Until energy is in motion nothing moves. This is how praying the Bible out loud brings spiritual breakthrough? God’s spoken Word is much more powerful than we realize it . Faith power is released when we pray with a good conscience , the moral consciousness of man fused with the word of God releases tremendous power . We cannot live without it, for it is there where our prayers unite with God’s heart bringing tremendous rewards of breakthrough. The Bible is absolute truth. We pray from the foundation of absolute truth. We believe it, and as we pray God’s Word out loud, our faith grows.
Praying the Bible out loud is powerful for spiritual breakthrough. Praying God’s Word with our lips is a dangerous weapon
to Satan. He knows the power of the Word of God it breaks through his defenses brings destruction to his plans and bring victory to God’s purposes. Let’s not be ignorant of the power we have in the Bible. It carries with it the same authority and power that created the universe and everything is subjects to the authority of God's word .   When we do, the spiritual atmosphere of entire cities can change.We can make a huge impact in our neighborhoods through praying or singing God’s Word out loud and over it. The grace of God is released through our prayers.
Declaring God’s Promises Out Loud
"As soon as they were freed, Peter and John returned to the other believers and told them what the leading priests and elders had said. When they heard the report, all the believers lifted their voices together in prayer to God: “O Sovereign Lord, Creator of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them— you spoke long ago by the Holy Spirit through our ancestor David, your servant, saying, ‘Why were the nations so angry? Why did they waste their time with futile plans?

The kings of the earth prepared for battle; the rulers gathered together against the L ord and against his Messiah.’ “In fact, this has happened here in this very city! For Herod Antipas, Pontius Pilate the governor, the Gentiles, and the people of Israel were all united against Jesus, your holy servant, whom you anointed. But everything they did was determined beforehand according to your will."
Acts 4:23-31 NLT

And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word. Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness.This is a new testament example of what happens when the Word of God is prayed out . The disciples quoted psalm 2 in their prayer and the miraculous took place.  The Word of God contains many life changing promises about the circumstances and situations we face each day. Reading, proclaiming, declaring, and meditating on these promises found throughout Scripture will increase our faith.
Faith comes from hearing the Word (Romans 10:17). Angels are empowered by our words of faith to bring about breakthroughs. Psalm  103.20 . We actually pray the Holy Spirit’s inspired words back to God. He is faithful to His Word. His promises are
consistent with His character. You will be able to pray with wisdom and authority as you pray God’s promises. Here are a few
from the New Testament but there are many more.
Luke 24:49 - Father's promise to clothe the Church with power . Luke 10.19
Acts 1:8 - Promise to receive power through encounters with the Holy Spirit and to be witnesses, even to the ends of the earth.
John 14:12 - Promise that those who have faith in Jesus will do even greater works than those of Jesus because He goes to the Father
. John 14:13-14 - Promise of answered prayer when asked in Jesus’ name so that He may bring glory to the Father.
John 14:27 - Promise of peace and encouragement so as not to be afraid or troubled.
Matthew 10:1, 8 - Promise of having authority to heal the sick and cast out demons. Mark 16:17; Luke 10:19
Ephesians 6:11-18 - Promise for the ability to stand against the devil's schemes and his flaming arrows.

Apostolic breakthrough Prayers

Paul reveals to us in his prayers, the power of intercession and the high focus we should have in prayer for the spirit of revelation. Through apostolic prayers the Church would experience the full experience of the knowledge of God in active intimacy (Ephesians 1:17-19) as they walked out these spiritual blessings (Ephesians 1:3-14). Through prayers the Church  encountered God deeply with eyes enlightened. We need divine encounters with God.  When we pray these apostolic prayers regularly:
Our hearts are supernaturally influenced by God - This helps us have a sustained lifestyle of pursuing God’s purpose for our lives . We need the Spirit to do this, to enable our human capacity to receive more of God (1 Corinthians 2:12-14). We need to have our consciousness of the spirit fully alive.
We receive divine revelation to enlighten the eyes of our understanding - We begin to see God unveiled experientially in our understanding (John 17:3; Ephesians 1:18).
We receive confidence and hope in our individual calling from God - These divine assignments encompass all of time and eternity. We cannot walk firmly in our assignment in this age unless our faith is permanently anchored on God's eternal will (Ephesians 1:17-18; 2:10;
Colossians 1:9-10).We receive a deeper understanding of our spiritual identity in Christ - We discover the essence , tangibility and wealth of being God’s chosen people - the focus of God’s affection (John 15:9; 17:23).
We are empowered to live our life in God (Ephesians 1:17-21).
We have the authority of Jesus Christ the head of all principalities and powers as we resist sin and Satan. The church is the embodiment of the trinity on earth and God's word from our mouth is as valid as God speaking with the same expected result or effect.