CELEBRATION JESUS @ 80

 

CELEBRATING JESUS AT 75 YEARS

My Reflections – OSAGIMA

1. Who is Jesus?
2. Prayer – Old Age
3. Introduction – Reconciliation
4. My Testimony
5.  
6. Life & Time–Interview with Punch Newspaper – Saturday Jan.22, 2011.
7. Forgive, Reconcile and be Transformed
8. Excerpts from “My Prayer Diaries”

(a). Forgiveness: Dr. Babatunde Palomeras (Pastor & Medical Director).

(b). When you are Transformed: Pastor Femi Adeyemi. (Physician)

9. Useful information on Osagima Reconciliation Ministry. (Contacts)

WHO IS JESUS?

1. Jesus ( 1:21)
2. Prince of Peace, Mighty, Wonderful, Counsellor – ( 9:6).
3. Advocate – ( 2:1).
4. Lord God ( 15:3).
5. Lamb of God ( 1:29).
6. Lion of the Tribe of Judah ( 5:5).
7. Author and Finisher of our Faith (12:2).
8. Son of God ( 1:34).
9. Emmanuel ( 1:23).
10. Morning Star ( 22:6)
11. Chief Shepherd ( 5:4).
12. Sun of Righteousness ( 4:2).
13. The Alpha and Omega ( 1:18).
14. Light of the World ( 8:12).
15. Day Spring ( 1:78).
16. The Way, the Truth and the Life ( 14:6).
17. Ancient of Days ( 7:9).
18. Last Adam ( 15:45).
19. Apostle of our Profession ( 3:1).
20. A Merciful High Priest ( 2:17).
21. Branch ( 4:2).
22. Beloved Son ( 2:15).
23. Bread of Life ( 6:35).
24. Beginning of God’s Creation ( 3:4).
25. Captain of our Salvation ( 2:10).
26. The Door ( 10:7).
27. Dead but Alive ( 2:8).
28. Eternal One ( 42:1).
29. Everlasting Father ( 9:6).
30. Elect of God ( 5:28).
31. Fore-Runner ( 6:20).
32. Faithful and True ( 19:11).
33. Great High Priest ( 4:14).
34. God in the Flesh ( 3:4).
35. Holy One ( 4:24).
36. Healer ( 2:2).
37. Horn of Salvation ( 1:69).
38. Heir of All things ( 1:2).
39. Head of the Church ( 1:22).
40. Lord of All ( 10:36).
41. Image of the Invisible God ( 1:15).
42. First Born from the Dead, the Creator ( 1:18).
43. The Mediator ( 2:15).
44. The Governor ( 2:6).
45. Redeemer ( 60:16).
46. Messiah ( 4:25).
47. Justifier ( 2:16).
48. Sanctifier ( 17:19).
49. Divine Servant ( 42:1).
50. Amen ( 3:14).
51. Good Master ( 13:13).
52. Word of God ( 1:1).
53. The Resurrection and Life ( 11:25).
54. Wisdom of God ( 1:25).
55. King of kings ( 19:16).
56. Root of David ( 22:16).
57. Rock of Offence ( 1:33).
58. Commander ( 55:4).
59. Rose of Sharon (Songs of Solomon. 2:1).
60. Son of Man ( 8:20).
61. Seed of Woman ( 3:15).
62. Arm of the Lord ( 53:1).
63. Glory of God ( 40:5).
64. Gift of God ( 4:10).
65. True Vine ( 15:1).
66. Son of David ( 1:1).
67. Shepherd and Bishop of our Soul ( 2:25).
68. The Rock ( 10:4).
69. Prince of Life ( 3:15).
70. Lord of lords ( 6:15).
71. King of the Jews ( 2:2).
72. Almighty ( 1:8).
73. Deliverer ( 11:26).
74. God of Justice ( 11:4).
75. Great Prophet ( 24:19).
76. Christ Jesus, “OUR LORD” ( 8:3).
77. Anointed Preacher ( 61:1).
78. I AM ( 8:58).
79. Bridegroom ( 9:1).
80. Conqueror of Death ( 2:24).
81. Conqueror of Sin ( 8:5).
82. First Begotten ( 1:5).
83. Faithful Witness ( 19:6).
84. Omnipotent ( 11:1).
85. Rod of Jesse ( 11:1).
86. Saviour ( 1:21).
87. The Lily of the Valley (Songs of Solomon. 2:1).
88. Holy One of Israel ( 41:14).
89. Great Provider ( 15:36).
90. Chief Corner Stone ( 2:20).
91. Everlasting Ruler ( 7:14).
92. Burden Bearer ( 53:4).
93. Omnipresent ( 18:20).
94. Omniscient ( 4:29).

 

PROFESSIONAL NAMES OF JESUS CHRIST

1. Archeologists call Him “The Beginning” ( 1:1).
2. Animal Scientists call Him “The Good Shepherd” ( 5:4).
3. Botanists call Him “The Tree of Life” ( 2:7).
4. Food Scientists call Him “The Bread of Life” ( 6:8).
5. Carpenters call Him “The Door” ( 10:7).
6. Zoologists call Him “The Lion of the Tribe of Judah” ( 5:5).
7. Sociologists call Him “The Love of God” ( 3:16).
8. Medical Doctors call Him “The Great Physician” ( 8:4; Exo. 15:26).
9. Morticians call Him “The Risen One” ( 24).
10. Photographers call Him “The Image of God” ( 14:9).
11. Sportsmen call Him “The Strength and Energizer ( 8:10).
12. Industrialists call Him “The Great Supplier” ( 4:19).
13. Lawyers call Him “The Mediator/Advocate” ( 2:5; 1Jn. 2:1).
14. Oceanographers call Him “The River of Living Water” ( 4:10).
15. Horticulturists call Him “The First Fruit” ( 15:12).
16. Transporters call Him “The Way” ( 14:6).
17. Administrators call Him “The Governor” ( 2:8).
18. Journalists call Him “The Truth” ( 14:6)
19. Biologists call Him “The Life” ( 14:6).
20. Gardeners call Him “The Rose of Sharon” (Songs of Solomon. 2:1).
21. To the government “The Supreme Authority” ( ).
22. Professors call Him “The wisdom of God” ( 1:24).
23. Theologians call Him “The Baptizer” ( 1:33).
24. Evangelists call Him “The Soul Winner” ( 4:7-12).
25. Publishers refer to Him “The Author” ( 12:2).
26. Architects call Him “The Chief Cornerstone” ( 2:20).
27. Footballers call Him “The Captain” ( 2:10).
28. Judges call Him “The Righteous Judge” ( 11:14).
29. Electrical Engineers call Him “The Light of the World” ( 8:12).

 

NAMES OF GOD

1. Jehovah El-Shadai – My All Sufficient , Almighty God ( 17:1).
2. Jehovah Hoseenu – The Lord my Maker ( 95).
3. Jehovah Eloheenu – The Lord my God (99:5).
4. Jehovah Shalom – The Lord my peace ( 6:24).
5. Jehovah Nissi – The Lord my Banner ( 17:16).
6. Jehovah Elolam – The Everlasting God ( 21:33).
7. Jehovah Eloheka – The Lord my God ( 20:2).
8. Jehovah Saboath – The Lord of Host ( 1:3).
9. Jehovah Shammah – The Lord is present ( 40:35).
10. Jehovah Elohim – The Eternal Creator ( 1:1).
11. Jehovah Mekaddishkem – The Lord my Sanctifier ( 31:12).
12. Jehovah Rapha – The Lord my Healer ( 15:26).
13. Jehovah Elyon – The Lord Most High ( 40:35).
14. Jehovah Jireh – The Lord my Provider ( 22:14).
15. Jehovah Adonai – My Sovereign God ( 15:2).
16. Jehovah Elgibbor – My Mighty God ( 9:6).
17. Jehovah Rohi – The Lord my Shepherd ( 23:1).
18. Jehovah Tsidkenu – The Lord my righteousness ( 23:6).

 

OLD AGE                                                                                                  Ps. 91:16.

• 20:29. “…The glory of young men is in their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old…”

Prayer – God will prosper you with old age and excel in wisdom and counsel, in Jesus’ Name.

• 46:4. “…Even to your old age, I am HE, And even to gray hairs I will carry you, I have made, and I will bear, Even I will carry; I will deliver you…”
• 65:24. Before you call I will answer –

Prayer: Before you call on God, He will answer you, in Jesus’ Name.

(4). Eph. 2:13; “…But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ…” Rev. 12:11; “…And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death…” Jas. 4:7. “…Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you…”

(5). Ps. 1:3: “…And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper…”

(6). Prov. 21:1 Just like changing the direction of a moving River, God can change hearts and give you favour, in Jesus’ Name. No matter the darkness, the sun will rise again.

(a). In every obstacle, there will be opportunities for you, your wife and children, in Jesus’ Name.

(b). In every difficulty, there will be open doors for you, in Jesus’ Name.

(c). In every stumbling block, there will be stepping stones, in Jesus’ Name.

No matter the season;

No matter the weather;

No matter the storm;

Jesus will be in your boat.

With Jesus in your boat,

You will not go under;

You will overcome –

You will flourish and overflow, in Jesus’ Name

Note: Ps. 128:4-6, Ps. 91:14,16 Calmness: Acts. 27:23-25. Phil. 4:19, 1Sam. 4:11.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RECONCILIATION

LET THE LORD DECIDE

“I have not wronged you, but you are doing me wrong by waging war against me. Let the LORD, the Judge, decide the dispute this day between the Israelites and the Amorites…” Judges. 11:27 (NIV).

Have you noticed? Relationships are complicated! And adversity only complicates them more. Often the pain of strained relationship is more difficult than the physical pain of our suffering. What do you do after you’ve done everything you can do to patch things up and hostility still radiates from the other party? You’ve forgiven, asked forgiveness for your actions, tried to talk it out, prayed for reconciliation, and acted with integrity and in love …but all you get in return is animosity, false accusation and slander. What do you do? You heed the wise words of Judge Jepphan, “Let the LORD, the Judge decide the dispute.” You leave the dispute with God, and continue to show the love of Christ. Scripture acknowledges that we are to do all we can do within our sphere of responsibility (Rom. 12:18). Having done things, we can leave all matters in His hands including our anxieties. – Jan Dravecky.

NOTE: 1Cor. 4:5-6. “…Let the Lord be the judge. He sees the hidden man of the heart…” Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God. “…And these things brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another. See also 2Cor. 5:12. “…For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart…”

 

 

 

MY TESTIMONY

What are Testimonies?

1. Statement or declaration of a witness under oath.
2. Affirmation – evidence in support of a fact or statement.

• Open declaration or profession as of faith.

1. The precepts of God – precept – a commandment or direction given as a rule of action or conduct.
2. The Decalogue as inscribed on the two tablets of the law or the ark in which the tablets were kept ( 16:34; 25:16). The testimony here refers to the ten (10) commandments. The Ark itself is also called the testament because it contained the covenant (Lev. 16:13; Num. 17:4, 10).

 

Any covenant or word of God is called a testament because it testifies of God’s revelation and provision of redemption in Christ (Ps. 19:7; 119:88; 132:12; Isa. 8:16; 1Cor. 1:6; 2:1).

Various parts of the Word of God are called testimonies (Deut. 4:45; 6:17, 20; 1Kgs. 2:3; Ps. 119:2, 14, 22, 24, 36, 46, 59, 79, 95).

 

Testimony is a shared experience of God’s intervention in one’s life, that of a loved one, or others. God’s promises that have come to pass.

 

TESTIMONIES

1. Paul gave testimony of the fulfillment of God’s promises ( 13:16-33)
2. Jesus’ resurrection confirmed by fulfilled prophesies ( 2:7; 16:10).
3. Jesus’ resurrection proved by many witnesses ( 15:1-23; Matt. 28; Mk. 16; Lk. 24; Jn. 20).
4. Crucifixion of Jesus fulfilled – The Prophets ( 53; Ps.22). Nebuchadnezzar. Dan. 3:28-30.

Hebrew 11 – Full of testimonies, Heb. 11:11.

Testimony:

EMPLOYMENT BEFORE APPLICATION WHILE IN LEGAL PRACTICE AND IN MY FAMILY LIFE IN 1995

I retired from employment after 35years in December, 1994. I had a lot of challenges while in Legal Practice in 1995.

Thus I wrote a letter to the General Overseer, Pastor E. A. Adeboye to have audience with him.

I was invited to have audience with G.O. on 23^rd October, 1995 for 10:30am at Ebutte-Metta via a letter dated 11^th October, 1995 signed by Bro. Kolawole Babatunde – Admin Secretary.

At the meeting, the G. O. prayed for me and said I would receive a letter within 7days. I got the letter from the Stock Exchange that they were processing my application. I did not write any application.

At the Holy Ghost Night at the National Stadium, Surulere in December, 1995, the G. O. said we should ask God for a Christmas gift. I asked God to complete what He had started. Soon after, I got a letter from the Stock Exchange for interview – before Christmas, for the position of Head of Department. To the glory of God, I passed the interview and was then asked to write the application for my file. Praise God.

For every reader of this testimony, I pray that the water you will drink will not pass you bye, in Jesus Mighty Name.

OSAGIMA RECONCILIATION MINISTRY (ORM)

Partnership with Jesus – Partnership that Works

(1). In 2004, (2^nd May – 7^th May) while at the “Prayer City” of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM), Lagos – Ibadan Expressway (Nigeria) on a one Week-Soul Searching, the Lord transformed my life in two (2) ways:

21. Vision: By 2am on 5^th May, 2004, I woke up and took my Bible and read a portion intuitively. The message aroused my curiosity to see what portion of the Bible it was – 5:17-21. I recorded it in my note book.
22. Exhortation: On Friday 7^th May, 2004, Pastor Dr. Daniel K. Olukoya’s Exhortation was – “Jesus Prayed.” He drew his references from 11:41; Ps. 109:26-27, Jn. 11:26; 34-44.

The power of prophesy must come first before you have breakthrough. Lazarus was raised; Resurrection and might make dry bones to live again; a hopeless situation reversed. God specializes in making dry bones to live again. The story of Lazarus reveals to us that until total separation, no answer. If labour is caged, then success will not come. The running water is always clean. It was a life changing experience for me. It was not until December, 2006 that the Lord revealed to me (four days of intensive prayer and fasting) that the wilderness experience was over and the Ministry of Reconciliation gave birth to My Prayer Diary, Your Daily Companion. Any lesson? Yes! Wait on the Lord. Eccl. 3:1; Job. 14:14; Dan. 10:14; Heb. 10:37; Habak. 2:3.

(2). The Hand of God through Pastor E. A. Adeboye (General Overseer, RCCG).

Consequent upon the Registration of Osagima Reconciliation Ministry and the need to authenticate God’s message through My Prayer Diary and by implication God’s anointing, I took a number of steps I needed for God’s anointing through a chosen Vessel of God. One example will suffice for this testimony.

I wrote a letter to Pastor E. A. Adeboye for an appointment with him. Before I could get a reply from him, I decided to test one of the revelations of God to me viz. The Five-Fold Steps: – (1) God spoke (2) Abraham heard Him (3) He believed what he heard (4) He took a step of faith (5) God fulfilled His promise.

So, during the Holy Ghost Service of 4^th July, 2008. I booked accommodation from Thursday to Monday 4^th July, – 7^th July, 2008. Instead of leaving for home on Saturday 5^th July, 2008, after the Holy Ghost Service, I stayed behind trusting God to confirm His Word to me. Saturday evening, I got a text message to see the General Overseer on Monday after Divine Encounter. I sang “Blessed Assurance.” On Monday, 7^th July, 2008, after Divine Encounter, the General Overseer said, there was no need for people to come to see him as a result of the anointing during the Ministration. Was I discouraged? No. I went to his office as stated in the text message. Lo and behold, my name was no. 1 on the list of people to see the G.O. He prayed for me and my wife and the Ministry of Reconciliation. I testify to the glory of God that the anointing and the confirmation of God’s appointment were quite evident.

“OSAGIMA RECONCILIATION MINISTRY” We were reminded of what the Lord said to Mary Magdalene “…Touch Me not; for I am not yet ascended to My Father, but go to My brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto My Father, and your Father, and to My God, and your God…” (Jn. 20:10-18).

Andrew found Peter his brother, and tool him to Jesus (Jn. 1:41). Philip found Nathaniel and told him about Jesus (Jn. 1:45-48). Paul told Timothy “follow the Lord’s rules for doing His work” (2Tim. 2:2). Jesus Christ came to reconcile us with the Father. As joint heirs with the Son, we are called to the Ministry of Reconciliation as “Ambassadors for Christ” (2Cor. 5:20).

As we were invited to the Ministry of Reconciliation, and responded, we also invite you to join the Ministry. Will you?

 

NO MORE GLASSES!

• . Stage one: – could read and drive without glasses.

 

 

 

• . Stage two: – could not read or drive without glasses – period of about 20years.

 

 

 

 

• . Stage three: – No more glasses.

 

 

 

 

 

Testimony: – In 2006 – while at the Holy Ghost Service, The General Overseer, Pastor E. A. Adeboye said, there was someone here who should not be using glasses. I claimed it and tried not to use glasses. Three months later – November 2006 while returning home from the Holy Ghost Service, at Ikenne, I heard a voice – were you created with glasses? I said no and removed the glasses while I was driving. From that moment till date and forever – No more glasses. Praise God.

PEOPLE WHOSE WORKS/LIVES HAVE SHAPED MY LIFE.

1. Pastor E. A. Adeboye – His prayers, sermons and (Open Heavens).
2. Our Daily Bread – RBC Ministries
3. Every Day With Jesus – Selwyn Hughes
4. The Word for Today – GSAF (Grace So Amazing Foundation).
5. Kathryn Kuhlman – Daughter of Destiny
6. Joyce Meyer – Be Anxious for Nothing
7. Benny Hinn – I Need a Miracle
8. Merlin R. Carothers – Prison to Praise, Power in Praise, What is on Your mind?
9. Rick Warren – The Purpose Driven Life
10. Barrister Anthony Omoruyi, Apostle Hayford Alile, Prof. (Mrs.) Ndi Okereke Onyuike. My Cousins (a). MBU Ahanor (late). (b). Sunday Aziegbe (late). (c). Henry Irhuegbai (Sanitary Inspector) (late) (d). Rev. Peter Ogedengbe (late) May their souls rest in perfect peace. Dependable friends and friends. My wonderful family (OSAGIMA) – On top of it All–THE WORD – GOD

 

1. Osagie Osarumwense

Servant of the Most High God.

 

R E F L E C T I O N S

 

EVERY SUCCESS STORY IS ALSO A STORY OF GREAT FAILURE

Failure is the highway to success. Tom Watson Sr., of IBM said, “If you want to succeed, double your failure rate.”

If we study history, we will find that all stories of success are also stories of great failures. But people don’t see the failures. They only see the end result and they think that person got lucky: “He must have been at the right place at the right time.” Let me share a famous life history with you. This was a man who failed in business at the age of 21; was defeated in a legislative race at age 22, failed again in business at age 24; had his sweetheart die when he was age 26; had a nervous breakdown at 27; lost a congressional race at age 34; lost a senatorial race at age 45; failed in an effort to become vice-president age 47; lost a senatorial race at age 49; and was elected president of the United States at age 52. This man was Abraham Lincoln. Would you call Lincoln a failure? He could have quit, hung his head in shame, and gone back to his law practice. But to Lincoln, defeat was a detour, not a dead end. In 1913, Lee De Forest, inventor of the triode tube, was charged by the district attorney for using fraudulent means to mislead the public into buying stocks in his company by claiming that he could transmit the human voice across the Atlantic. He was publicly humiliated. Can you imagine where we would be without his invention? A New York Times editorial on December 10, 1903 questioned the wisdom of the Wright Brothers who were trying to invent a machine, heavier that air that would fly. One week later, at Kitty Hawk, The Wright Brothers took their famous flight. Col. Sanders, at age 65, had assets of a beat-up car and a $100 check from Social Security. He realized he had to do something to improve his position. He remembered his mother’s fried chicken recipe and went out selling. How many doors did he have to knock on before he got his first order? It is estimated that he had knocked on more than a thousand doors before he got his first order. How many of us quit after three tries, ten tries, a hundred tries, and then we say we tried as hard as we could?

Reflections

As a young cartoonist Wait Disney faced many rejections from newspaper editors who said he had no talent. One day a minister at a Church hired him to draw some cartoons. Disney was working out of a small rodent-infested shed near the Church. Seeing a small mouse inspired him to draw a new cartoon. That was the start of Mickey Mouse. Successful people don’t do great things, they only do small things in a great way.

One day a partially deaf four-year-old child came home with a note in his pocket from his teacher, “Your Tommy is too stupid to learn, get him out of the school.” His mother read the note and answered. “My Tommy is not too stupid to learn, I will teach him myself.” And that Tommy grew up to be the great Thomas Edison. Thomas Edison had only three months of formal schooling.

Henry Ford forgot to put reverse gear in the first car he made.

Do you consider these people failures? They succeeded in spite of problems, not in the absence of them. But to negative thinkers, it appears as though they just “got lucky.” All success stories are stories of great failures. The only difference is that every time they failed, they bounced back. This is called failing forward, rather than backward. You learn and move forward. Learn from your failure and keep going. In 1914, Thomas Edison, at age 67, lost his factory to fire. It had very little insurance. No longer a young man, Edison watched his lifetime effort go up in smoke and said, “There is great value in disaster. All our mistakes are burnt up. Thank God we can start anew.” In spite of disaster, three weeks later, he invented the phonograph, what an attitude!

Reflections

Below are more examples of the failures of successful people.

• Thomas Edison failed approximately 10,000 times while he was working on the light bulb. Henry Ford was broke at the age of 40. Lee Lacocca was fired by Henry Ford 2 at the age of 54. Young Beethoven was told that he had no talent for music, but he gave some of the best music to the world.

Setbacks are inevitable. A setback can act as a driving force and also teach us humility. In grief, you will find courage and faith to overcome the setback. Learn to become victors, not victims. Fear and doubt short-circuit the mind. Ask yourself after every setback. What did I learn from this experience? Only then will you be able to turn a stumbling block into a stepping stone.

If you think

If you think you are beaten, you are.

If you think you dare nt, you don’t!

If you like to win, but think you can’t,

It’s almost a cinch you won’t.

If you think you’ll lose, you’ve lost;

For out in the world we find

Success begins with fellow’s will;

It’s all in the state of mind.

If you think you are outclassed, you are,

You’ve got to think high to rise,

You’ve got to be sure of yourself before

You can ever win a prize.

Life’s battles don’t always go

To the stronger and faster man,

But sooner or later the man who wins

Is the man who thinks he can.

 

Reflections

CHOICES

LIFE IS FULL OF CHOICES AND COMPROMISES

Destiny is not a matter of chances, it is a matter of choices; it is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved. – William Jennings Bryan.

At first glance it might seem that there is a contradiction in the statement, that life is full of choices and compromises. If life is full of choices, where is the question of compromise? But, even a compromise is a choice. Let’s evaluate this.

How is Life Full of Choices?

When we eat too much, we make a choice to be overweight. When we drink too much, we make a choice to have a headache the next day. If we drink and drive, we choose to risk being killed or killing someone in an accident. When we ill-treat people, we choose to be ill-treated in return. When we don’t care about other people, we choose not to be cared for by other people.

Choices have consequences. We are free to make our choice but, after we have chosen, the choice controls us. We have equal opportunity to be unequal. The choice is ours. Life can be compared to a pottery maker who shapes clay in any form he wants. Similarly we can mold our lives into any shape we want.

How is Life Full of Compromises?

Life is not just party and pleasure; it is also pain and despair. Unthinkable things happen. Sometimes everything turns upside down. Bad things happen to good people. Some things are beyond control, such as physical disability and birth defects. We cannot choose our parents or the circumstances of our birth. If the ball bounced the wrong way for you, I’m sorry. But what do you do from that point on – cry or take the ball and run? That is a choice you have to make.

On a clear day, there are hundreds of boats sailing in all different directions in a lake. Even though the wind is blowing in one direction, the sailboats are going in different directions. Why? It depends on the way the sail is set, and that is determined by the sailor. The same is true of our lives. We can’t choose the direction of the wind, but we can choose how we set our sail.

Reflections

Health, happiness, and success depend upon the fighting spirit of each person. The big thing is not what happens to us in life – but what we do about what happens to us. – George Allen. We can choose our attitude even though we cannot always choose our circumstances. The choice is either to act like a victor or a victim. It is not our position but our disposition that determines our destiny.

It takes both rain and sunshine to create rainbow. Our lives are no different. There is happiness and sorrow. There is the good and the bad, dark spots and bright spots. When we can handle adversity well, it only strengthens us. We cannot control all the events that happen in our lives, but we can control how we deal with them. Richard Blechnyden wanted to promote Indian tea at the St. Louis World Fair. It was very hot and no one wanted to sample his tea. Blenchnyden saw that iced drinks were doing a flourishing business. It dawned on him to make his tea into an iced drink, mix in some sugar, and offer it for sale. People loved it. That was the introduction of iced tea to the world. *Human beings are not like an acorn which has no choice. An acorn cannot decide whether to become a giant tree or to become food for the squirrels. Human beings have choices. If nature gives us a lemon, we have a choice: either to cry or make lemonade.

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will, you can react responsibly or resentfully – the choice is yours. – Shiv Khera – “You Can Win.”

FEAR

Fear can be real or imaginary. Fear makes people do strange things. It primarily comes from a lack of understanding. To live in fear is to live in an emotional prison.

Fear results in insecurity, lack of confidence and procrastination. It destroys our potential and ability. We cannot think straight. Fear ruins relationships and health. Some common fears are:

• Fear of failure; *Fear of the unknown; *Fear of being unprepared; *Fear of making the wrong decision; *Fear of rejection

Some fears can be described, others can only be felt. Fear leads to anxiety which in turn leads to irrational thinking. And this actually sabotages our ability to solve problems. The normal response to fear is escape. Escape puts us in a comfort zone and reduces the impact of fear temporarily, while the cause remains. Imaginary fears magnify the problem. Fear can get out of hand and destroy happiness and relationships. Think of fear as meaning: False Evidence Appearing Real. Fear of failure is often worse than failure itself. Failure is not the worst thing that can happen to someone. People who don’t try have failed even before attempting. When infants learn to walk, they keep falling; but to them it is learning. If they became disheartened, they would walk. It is better to die on one’s feet than to live with fear on one’s knees. –

Reflections

HOPE

Hope is holding on, praying expectantly. It’s never giving up. It’s never quitting. A Father once said to his boy, “Son, you gotta set a goal and never quit. Remember George Washington?”

The son said, “Yes” “Jefferson?” “Yes” “Abraham Lincoln” “Yes” The father, “They didn’t quit. Remember Azador Mcingle?” The kid said, “No. Who was he?” “See, you don’t remember him! He quit!

Hope. It is one of the most beautiful words in the New Testament. “…And now abide faith, hope, love…” (1Cor. 13:13).

At the International Psychiatric Congress in Madrid, Spain, which I attended, one of the main lectures was on the healing power of hope. Doctors, renowned psychiatrists from all over the world, gathered to discuss and agree that the single most important healing force is hope: hope of recovery, hope of loving and being loved, hope of making it, succeeding. Carol Lovell is alive today because she had hope. Doctors attribute her survival after five bullet wounds in the head to hope, as much as anything else. On September 4, 1981, Carol went to work early at the restaurant where she was employed as a bookkeeper. The building was empty, and she let herself in with her key. Soon Carol heard a knock at the door and recognized the man who stood there as a new custodian. After she opened the door to him, he began slapping her around and demanded that she open the safe: “You’re gonna be dead if you don’t open the safe.”

So Carol opened the safe and gave him the money. Now she thought, he has what he’s come for. He’ll leave. But, the man was not done with Carol. He pulled her into the employee restroom, raped her, and shot her twice in the head. Somehow, Carol maintained consciousness. Sure that her wounds would kill her, she prayed, “Lord, help me. I don’t know how to die. I’m afraid. Give me the strength to die. Show me how.” And then suddenly, she was able to pull herself to her feet. She thought I want to live; I don’t want to die. She ran to the front of the restaurant, and picked up the wrong phone, only to realize that she could not call out. She panicked when she realized her mistake, ran back to the office, and called a friend. She was asking her to call an ambulance when the man returned. Seeing Carol, he shot her three more times. She fell to the floor, where she lay until the police and ambulance arrived. She remained alert and amazingly calm as she described her attacker and informed the emergency attendants that she was wearing contact lenses. She was so calm, in fact, that the doctors felt freer to take time to determine the best way to remove the bullets from her head. Her sister, Linda, arrived and began to fill her mind with hope and positive instructions. She told Carol, “You’re going to be Ok. You’re going to make it. Don’t let your brain swell. Don’t let your body bleed.”

Reflections

Amazingly, her brain never did swell a common reaction to such a brain injury. For weeks as Carol lay in intensive care, her sisters continued to feed her with positive thoughts and Scripture verses. After six months of surgery, recovery, and therapy, Carol was walking and talking as she had before her accident. Her only residual difficulty after attack has been an arm that tends to be uncooperative. Carol’s survival is incredible. She attributes her healing to hope. As she said to me, “Only prayer and positive thinking kept me going!” Tough times never last, but tough people do. If you want to succeed, if you want to conquer, then hope – hold on, praying expectantly! – Shiv Khera-“You Can Win.”

 

THE POWER OF PERSISTENCE

Nothing will take the place of persistence. Talent will not: Nothing is more than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not: Unrewarded genius is proverbs. Education will not: The world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The journey to being your best is not easy. It is full of setbacks. Winners have the ability to overcome and bounce back with even greater resolve. – Calvin Coolidge

DON’T QUIT

When things go wrong,

As they sometimes will,

When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill,

When the funds are low and the debts are high,

And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,

When care is pressing you down a bit –

Rest if you must, but don’t you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,

As every one of us sometimes learns,

And many a failure turns about,

When he might have won had he stuck it out.

Don’t give up though the pace seems slow –

You may succeed with another blow.

Success is failure turned inside out –

The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,

And you never can tell how close you are,

It may be near when you’re hardest hit.

It’s when things seem worst that you mustn’t quit. –

Fritz Kreister, the great violinist, was once asked, “How do you play so well? Are you lucky?” He replied, “It is practice, if I don’t practice for a month, the audience can tell the difference. If I don’t practice for a week, my wife can tell the difference. If I don’t practice for a day, I can tell the difference.”

Persistence results from commitment and leads to determination: There is pleasure in endurance. Athletics put in years of practice for a few seconds or minutes of performance.

Persistence is decision. It is a commitment to finish what you start: When we are exhausted, quitting looks good. But winners endure. Ask a winning athlete. He endures pain and finishes what he starts. Lots of people who are failures began well but never finished anything. Persistence comes from purpose. Life without purpose is drifting. A person who has no purpose will never be fulfilled. – Shiv Khera “You Can Win.”

 

PERSISTENCE BRINGS THE ANSWER                                                     Lk. 18:1-8.

“…Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?…” (Matt. 7:9)

There are many inventors in life whose names we never heard about because they gave up on the verge of their discoveries. Life is about persistence, and one man who was very persistent in his pursuit of greatness was Elisha (2Kgs. 2). Elisha kept following Elijah ardently and many people thought he was wasting his time. Elijah moved from Bethel to Jordan and from there to Jericho, yet Elisha would not let go. He was desperate for greatness, and his persistence in the pursuit of greatness paid off. You need to understand that you have a great role to play if you will ever get answers to your prayers. Also, understand that sometimes, there is a place of waiting before a prayer is answered. Some problems have a required number of hits they must receive before they become leveled. Naaman had to dip in the water seven times before he could get his cleansing. Thank God he did not stop at the sixth dip when he discovered there was still no change. It takes persistence to get the miracles you desire from God.

Reflections

From the account of the woman in today’s Bible reading, it is apparent that she continued to persuade the judge to assist her. There might have been many things the judge said which were sufficient to discourage her from returning to him, but she did not succumb. She persisted in her visits and cries for justice until she got the attention of the judge on her case. There is no problem in life without an expiry date. The faint in spirit cannot get anything significant from life. They give up at the point when they are so close to their blessing. God is a God of plan and purpose. He does everything according to His timetable. Some people conclude that their miracle is taking too long to come; they become impatient and begin to look for alternatives that will not give them the kind of joy they desire. Do not be like such people. You need to keep your hope alive. You need to push until you get what you want out of life. There are people who are so passive in life. They think life will automatically give them what they deserve just by speaking in tongues. No, it doesn’t work that way! You have to involve your body, soul and spirit in the pursuit of your dreams. That woman in our Bible reading continued to press the unjust judge. Everywhere this judge went, he saw the woman there, pleading passionately that her case be looked into. Her appearance began to constitute a problem for him; so much so that he decided to grant her petition. In the Name of Jesus, you will get that which will glorify the Name of the Lord. Let your anchor of hope remain intact in Jesus Christ. Never allow the winds of adversity, doubt and fear deny you of your divine inheritance

PRAYER LINE: Father, help me not to give up before my day of visitation. – (OH)

 

 

GROWING IN CHRIST

Once we have trusted Christ as our Saviour, how do we grow in our relationship with Him? Jesus is called the “Good Shepherd” because He leads and watched over those who follow Him. He said, “…My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me…” (Jn. 10:27). But how do we hear the Shepherd? Our sensitivity to His voice depends on communication in four areas: God talks to us: As we read the Bible, He speaks to us through His own Words and self-revelation. (2Tim. 3:16). We talk to God: As we receive understanding from Him, we respond to Him with the affections and needs of our hearts. (Jn. 15:7). We talk with our new family: As we connect with others who share our faith in Christ, we experience mutual encouragement and motivation to love as we ourselves have been loved. (Heb. 10:24-25).

We talk with others about Christ: Christ desires for us to be His representatives to those who have not yet believed. (Matt. 4:19). One of the best ways to do this is to show honest concern for them, if they see our changed life and see that we are genuinely interested in them, they are more likely to be curious about the difference they see in us.

No two believers have an identical relationship with the Saviour, but a genuine believer will have a desire to listen to God, to respond to Him, to fellowship with other believers and witness to those who do not yet know Christ. As you walk the Christian journey, let God creatively guide your path to a growing relationship with Him. – (ODB)

 

HOW PROPHETIC ARE YOUR NAMES?                                                    Exo. 2:5-10.

“…And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins…” Matt. 1:21.

The name you bear is very important because it serves as your identity, and your future may be connected to it. The name a person bears is sometimes indicative of the experiences he or she will encounter in life. Take for instance Moses: this name means “drawn out of water” (Exo. 2:10). No wonder water was a recurring decimal in his life. He turned water into blood (Exo. 7:19-20); he parted the Red Sea. (Exo. 14:21-22); he turned bitter water into sweet water (Exo. 15:24-25); he brought water out of the rock (Exo. 17:5-6); and the issue that denied him entrance into the Promised Land was about water (Num. 20:8-20). Knowing how significant the name of an individual is to his destiny, God had to change the names of several people in the Bible. “…Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee…” Gen. 17:5; “…And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed…” Gen. 32:28; “…And Simon he surnamed Peter; …”Mk. 3:16; “…And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus…”Acts. 4:36. Examine your names: if there is any evil name among them, reject it, and if there is a good name you desire, add it to what you have, and the Lord will back it up.

Reflections

A good name should glorify God; for this reason, any name attached to an idol, local deity or unclean spirit must be discarded. A good name should also be prophetic. A name such as Christopher means “the bearer of Christ.” It is a prophecy that the child so named will bear the person of Jesus Christ any where he goes. A name such as Gabriel means “able-bodied one of God” or “Strong man of God.” That is very prophetic! A good name should give the bearer something positive to work towards: It should be a challenge, a promise or a goal he or she should strive to realize. How prophetic is your name? On the other hand, many people are yet to see the fulfillment of the promise in their names. For instance, someone who is named after wealth may still be living in shame. If you find yourself in this type of situation, pray hard that God will cause that good promise and prophecy in your name to be fulfilled, and also work towards its realization. – (OH)

Gen. 17:15. “…And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be…”

NOTE:

• Emmanuel – God with us
• Osagie (mwangbon) – God sent me to the world
• Osarumwense – God created me well

Praise God

FAITH OF A WOMAN                                                                                Heb. 11:13.

“…These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth…” (v.13)

Reflections

There was a little old woman in London, England during World War 11 who, when the bombs were falling night after night couldn’t be found anywhere. No one had seen her in the bomb shelter during the enemy bombing raids, so her neighburs assumed she had either left town or had been killed. Several days later some of her friends saw her on the street during the day and asked her where she had been. She answered that she hadn’t been anywhere. “But what did you do when the planes flew over and dropped their bombs?” They asked.

“Oh, I just stayed at home in bed and slept,” she said. “But weren’t you afraid?” they asked. “No,” She answered. “After I read in the Bible that God neither slumbers nor sleeps, I decided there wasn’t any need for both of us to stay awake. When I discovered that Christ Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses, I decided there wasn’t any need for both of us to bear them.” – (Kenneth E. Hagin)

 

LOVE’S REWARDS FATHER CARE (1)                                                        Deut. 1:31.

“…And in the wilderness, where thou hast seen how that the LORD thy God bare thee, as a man doth bear his son, in all the way that ye went, until ye came into this place…” (v.31)

Lucien Accad is the Director of the Bible Society in Lebanon. When the civil war began in his country, he recalls a trip to town when he took his five-year old son along. Shooting suddenly broke out. Panicky people were running for shelter. Lucien prayed for God’s protection while trying to remain calm so his son would not panic. After the situation calmed down, he questioned his son about his fears. The boy answered, “Of course I was afraid Daddy, I was holding your hand.”

The war continued for many years. Lucien says, “I have never forgotten those simple words of my little son. It has always reminded me that if I have my hand in the Father’s hand, I don’t need to panic.”

An important result of loving God is the depth of relationship it builds with our good and kind Heavenly Father. In Deut. 1:31, Moses refers to the desert experience and says, “There you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a Father carries his son, all the way you wait until you reached this place.” – (Paul Estabrooks).

 

LOVE’S REWARDS FATHER CARE (2)                                                      Gal. 5:22-23.

“…But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith…” (v.22)

Reflections

Margaret Fishback Powers wrote the following original lines at Canadian Thanksgiving times in 1964 know as Footprints,

One night I dreamed a dream

I was walking along the beach with the Lord

Across the dark sky flashed scene. I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand.

One belonged to me and the one to my Lord

When the last scene of my life shot before me

I looked back at the footprints in the sand there was only one set of footprints

I realized that this was at the lowest and saddest times of my life.

This always bothered me and I questioned the Lord about my dilemma

“Lord, You told me when I decided to follow You.

You would walk and talk with me all the way

But I’m aware that during the most troublesome times of my life there is only one set of footprints

I just don’t understand why, when I needed You most, You leave me”

He whispered. “My precious child, I love you and will never leave you

Never, ever, during your trials and testing when you saw only one set of footprints.

It was then that I carried you.” – (Paul Estabrooks).

 

Quiet Time

You wrote Your glorious name across the heavens and it read:

Elohim: – The Creator

Your pronounced Your holy name to Your people and it was

Yahweh: – Lord of Relationship

You posted Your lonely name into fears and conflicts and it was

Jehovah Shalom:- The Lord Our Peace

You whispered Your compassionate name into sorrow and brokenness and it was

Jehovah Jireh:- The Lord Provides

You signed Your most beautiful name in blood upon our hearts and it was

Jesus:– Jehovah is Salvation

 

(Susan Lenzkes, from Life is Like Licking honey off a thorn) – EDWJ.

Our journey with Jesus is a pilgrimage for foot soldiers

No buses or trains will speed us along the narrow way.

No jets or planes will span our highway to holiness.

For the joy set before us, we must shoulder our cross and walk the way of suffering following in our saviour’s steps sometimes stumbling yet lifting one another up, linking our arms in love, praising and praying, focused on heaven’s hope.

Together we will get there.

One step at a time.

Waling everyday with Jesus. – Susan Lenzkes – 2007

 

What does it take to

Grow up and be strong?

It requires a hungry heart that

Seeks and soaks up

God’s grace and truth.

It demands a rooted will that

Faithfully presses deep through

Dark and arid times.

People seeing the surface

Might claim that

Nothing is happening

And you might be inclined to agree

Until the dry winds blow and

You flourish and flower

Drawing from God’s

River of flowing water

Running pure and deep

Lifting high and beautiful – Susan Lenzkes (EDWJ) 2005

 

DUMP YOUR GRUDGES                                                                           1Cor. 13:4-5.

“…Love…keeps no record of being wronged…” (1Cor. 13:4-5NLT)

HOLDING A grudge is costly, and you and the people in your life end up footing the bill! In all probability the offender has moved on, forgotten the offence, and left you holding the bag. But in reality, blame, not the offender, is the crux of the problem. And until you understand and accept that, you will continue to be upset. Don’t let your grudges fester and turn into: 1). Self-victimisation: Negative energy expended on others just drains your resources and robs you of the chance to fulfill your God-given potential. Stop cheating yourself. Don’t surrender your powers to your grudges! 2). Bitterness: It’s like a deadly poison, a little of it can contaminate your entire system. The hurt you harbour pollutes the streams of your daily experience, including your experience with God! 3). Isolation: There’s no joy in being around someone who constantly indulges in blame, defensiveness and anger. Others pick up the vibes and feel at risk, so they keep a safe distance in case they become a target in the event that they displease you. It’s a formula for isolation and self-induced loneliness. 4). Negative role-modelling: Maybe you think, “My feelings are nobody’s business!” Maybe – if you live on a desert island. Grudges are highly communicable. “…Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up…corrupting many…” (Heb. 12:15NLT). 5). Sabotaged repentance: Genuine repentance and forgiveness aren’t possible until you are willing to face up to your grudges. If you’re still blaming others, you’re avoiding responsibility. A bad attitude is like a flat tyre – until you change it, you are not going to get anywhere. – (TWFT)

Reflections

 

COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS                                                                       Ps. 147:1-20.

“…Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; make music to our God with the harp…” (v7).

Noted. Sir. John Templeton’s practice of lying on his bed for a few minutes after waking to think of five things for which he could be thankful. Many people begin their day by turning on the radio and listening to announcers telling them what is wrong with the world. Sir, John Templeton believed that for every problem we face we will find ten blessings if we look for them. But such is our crass human nature that we are more often drawn to bad rather than good news.

Newspapers generally bring to our attention the worst in life. An editor told me. “There is something in human nature that makes people buy a newspaper that has the most horrible or sensational headlines. Bad news sells newspapers much better than good news.” How sad that so many are not sufficiently independent to realize that for every problem in the world there are, as Sir John Templeton said, ten blessings.

Some time ago I talked to a Christian man who was obviously blessed with an inner spiritual strength, and I put to him the idea that one of the characteristics of spiritually secure people is that they have a thankful and praising heart. “I have never thought of it before,” he said, “but hardly an hour goes by without my heart rising in praise and gratitude to God for something or other.” “What things?” I asked. After pausing briefly he said: “Things like the fertile earth, my five senses, a measure of health, an unimpaired reason, the love of my family, the song of the birds, the laughter of children” On and on he went. Do you thank God for common blessings that can so easily be overlooked? Don’t wait until you lose them to be grateful. – (EDWJ)

THE GREATEST MIRACLE                                                      Benny Hinn. (Barker).

“…Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him that soweth seed; and the mountains shall drop sweet wine, and all the hills shall melt…” Amos 9:13. “…And there was nothing lacking to them, neither small nor great, neither sons nor daughters, neither spoil, nor any thing that they had taken to them: David recovered all…” 1Sam. 30:19

1. Pursue
2. Over take
3. Recover all

When offerings go up, blessings come down. You will have visitation of angelic beings. You are at the edge of a supernatural breakthrough.

Your faith is going to move the hand of God. Your greatest days of your life is beginning. Three days miracle – David had double. “…If we assay to commune with thee, wilt thou be grieved? but who can withhold himself from speaking..? ” Job. 4:2

Job had double – this is your time.

72 hours later things will turn for good. Six days later, God removed Saul and David replaced him.

You are tired of status quo living. Leave your comfort zone.

I relate to David. He did not allow his sin to hinder him.

2Kgs. 7. God gave Word to Elijah 24hrs miracle happened.

 

Reflections

GOD QUALIFIES THE UNQUALILFIED – DESTINY

(1). Moses – Exo. 4:10-17. Moses was not qualified, God qualified him.

(2). Gideon – Judg. 6:11-22. Gideon was not qualified, God qualified him.

(3). Esther – Esther. 1:11-22. For Esther’s destiny to be realized, Vashti had to be removed.

(4). David – 1Sam. 15:1-26. For David to become King, Saul had to disobey God and he was rejected.

(5). Samuel – 1Sam. 2:26-38. For Samuels destiny to be realized Eli and his sons Hophini and Phinehas had to die for disobeying God.

(6). Joseph – Gen. 41:1-42. There had to be famine in the land and Pharaoh had to have a dream

 

PROTECTION – FOUR FOLD                             

“…He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. …” Ps. 91:4

1. 2. Blood               3. Angel               4. Name.
2. The Word: 17:17 “…Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth…” – Set him apart. The Word of God shall be your shield.
3. The Blood: 12:13 – The Word of God separates us from the evil of the world. “…There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling…” Ps. 91:10 “…And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt…” Exo. 12:13. When I see the blood I will pass over you. “…And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death…” Rev. 12:11. They overcame them by the blood and the word of their testimony.
4. The Angel: “…For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone…” 91:11-12. He shall give the Angels charge over you. “…Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation..?” Heb. 1:14. Thats me. Benefits of the covenant – past – primarily remind people of the Word. “…For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith…” Mk. 11:23 Hagins was asked when are you going out of that verse – He answered when you get it. Plead the Blood of Jesus over the aircraft from end to end.
5. Name: 91:14. I will set Him on high. “… (9) Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

(10) That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; (11) And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father…” Phil. 2:9-11. “…The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe…” Prov. 18:10. The Name above every name. Put on the armour of God. “…(10) Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. (11) Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (12) For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (13) Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. (14) Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; (15) And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; (16) Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. (17) And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God…” Eph. 6:10-17.

ALL IS WELL

(a). When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows, roll,

Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say

It is well, it is well with my soul.

 

(b). Father, help me live over my circumstances not under them. Give me the faith that looks not at the panorama but a person – Your Son Jesus Christ. Change and decay in all around I see: O then who changest not, abide with me. “Amen. – Selwyn Hughes (ODB)

 

(c). Joel. 2:25-27. “…²⁵ And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you. ²⁶ And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed. ²⁷ And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed…”

(d). Amos 9:13-15. “…¹³ Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him that soweth seed; and the mountains shall drop sweet wine, and all the hills shall melt. ¹⁴ And I will bring again the captivity of my people of Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof; they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them. ¹⁵ And I will plant them upon their land, and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them, saith the LORD thy God…”

 

(e). If the request isn’t right, He answers “No”

If the timing isn’t right His answer is “Slow”

If you aren’t ready yet His answer is “Grow”

When everything’s ready and right – His answer is “Go” – Dr. Robert H. Schuller

(f). Faith is the gate between our peril and God’s power. Ps. 51:7; “…Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow…” Rom. 8:26; “…Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered…” 2Sam. 22:23. “…For all his judgments were before me: and as for his statutes, I did not depart from them…”

(g). Song Writer Oscar Eliason wrote “Got any River you think are uncrossable? Got any mountains you can’t tunnel through? He responded.” “God specializes in things thought impossible.” Fear Not, “For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, fear not, I will help thee.”

 

(h). Faith Obeys When God commands.

John Sammis wrote the following song “Trust and Obey.”

When we walk with the Lord, in the light of His Word,

What a glory He sheds on our way!

While we do His good will, He abides with us still,

And with all who will Trust and Obey!

But we never can prove, the delights of His Love:

Until all on the altar we lay;

For the favour He shows, and the joy He bestows

Are them who will “Trust and Obey.”

Trust and Obey, for there’s no other way.

To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

(i). Have faith and never give up. The great Sir. Wilson Churchill was once asked to speak to a group of graduating students, but he arrived too late to make a long speech, “I have just a minute to speak to you” he said, “and this is what I have to say: Never give up. Never, never give up. Never, never give up.” Everyone rose and gave him a standing ovation for they knew those words came from his bull dog heart.

• The apostle Paul made the following plea: Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up 6:9

 

Ignatius of Loyola is best remembered for his prayer:

“Teach us, good Lord, to serve You as You deserve;

To give and not to count the cost;

To fight and not to heed the wounds;

To toil and not to seek for rest;

To labour and not to ask for any reward

Save that of knowing that we do Your will.”

 

COSTUME OR UNIFORM?                                                                  Rom. 13:11-14.

Eunice McGarrahan gave an inspiring talk on Christian discipleship in which she said. “A costume is something you put on and pretend that you are what you are wearing. A Uniform, on the other hand, reminds you that you are, in fact, what you wear.”

Her comment sparkled memories of my first day in U.S. Army basic training when we were each given a box and ordered to put all our civilian clothes in it. The box was mailed to our home address. Every day after that, the uniform we put on reminded us that we had entered a period of disciplined training designed to change our attitudes and actions.

Reflections

“…Cast off the works of darkness…” The apostle Paul told the followers of Jesus living in Rome, “…and …put on the armour of light…” (Rom. 13:12). He followed this with the command to “…put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts…” (v.14). The goal of this “casting off” and “putting on” was a new identity and transformed living (v.13).

When we choose to follow Christ as our Lord, He begins the process of making us more like Him each day. It is not a matter of pretending to be what we aren’t but of becoming more and more what we are in Christ. – David McCasland.

O to be like Thee, O to be like Thee, Blessed Redeemer, pure as Thou art! Come in Thy sweetness, come in Thy fullness; Stamp Thine own inage deep on my heart. – Chrisholm.

 

WORRY AND FEAR                                                                                PS. 107:21-30.

“…Then they cry out to the LORD…and He brings them out of their distresses…” (v28)

This is what I say about worry and fear every day. “I am the body of Christ and Satan has no power over me, for I overcome evil with good.” I am of God and have overcome Satan, “…for greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world…” (1Jn. 4:4). I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Lord Your Word and Your Spirit comfort me, (Ps. 23). I am far from oppression, and fear does not come near me. I won’t be depressed anymore Lord. No weapon formed against me prospers, (Isa. 54:13-17) for my righteousness is of You Lord God. Whatsoever I do prospers, for I am like a tree that is planted by the Rivers of water. (Ps. 1:1-6) I am delivered from the evil. No evil befalls me; neither does any plague come near my dwelling, for You have given Your angels charge over me, and they keep me in all my ways. (Ps. 91:1-15) In my pathway is life, and there is no death. I am not dying before my time, Devil. “I am a doer of the Word of God.” I take the shield of faith, which is the Word of God, and I quench every fiery dart that the wicked one brings against me.(Eph. 6:1-6) Christ has redeemed me from the curse of the law; therefore I forbid any sickness or disease to come to my body. (Gal. 3:13) Every disease germ and virus that touches this body dies instantly, in the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Reflections

PRAYER LINE: – Pray “I am submitted to God, and the Devil flees from me because I resist him in the Mighty Name of Jesus Christ. Great is the peace of my wife/husband and my children, for they are taught of You. – (Creflo Dollar) Updated Edition

Embrace good news: Jesus Christ is a non exclusive Saviour. Personalised Ps. 91.

¹ He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. ² I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. ³ Surely he shall deliver me from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. ⁴ He shall cover me with his feathers, and under his wings shalt I trust: his truth shall be my shield and buckler. ⁵ I shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; ⁶ Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. ⁷ A thousand shall fall at my side, and ten thousand at my right hand; but it shall not come nigh me. ⁸ Only with mine eyes shalt I behold and see the reward of the wicked. ⁹ Because I have made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, my habitation; ¹⁰ There shall no evil befall me, neither shall any plague come nigh my dwelling. ¹¹ For he shall give his angels charge over me, to keep me in all thy ways. ¹² They shall bear me up in their hands, lest I dash thy foot against a stone. ¹³ I shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt I trample under feet. ¹⁴ Because He hath set his love upon me, therefore will He deliver me: He will set me on high, because i have known His name. ¹⁵ I shall call upon Him, and He will answer me: He will be with me in trouble; He will deliver me, and honour me. ¹⁶ With long life will He satisfy me, and shew me His salvation.

 

Eccl. 11:4-6. “…⁴ He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap. ⁵ As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all. ⁶ In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good. …”

 

Song:- Isa. 40:31 “…But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint…”

FORGIVE, RECONCILE AND BE TRANSFORMED.

FORGIVE

The first Biblical occurrence is in Moses’ prayer of intercession on the Israelites “…It is a stiffnecked people; and (forgive) our iniquity and our sin, and our sin, and take us for thine inheritance…” (Exo. 34:9). The basic meaning undergoes no change throughout the Old Testament. God is always the subject of “forgiveness.” No other Old Testament verb means “to forgive,” although several verbs include “forgiveness” in the range of meanings given a particular context (Exo. 32:32. Ezek. 16:63).

The verb occurs throughout the Old Testament. Most occurrence of Sālah are in the sacrificial laws of Leviticus and Numbers. In the typology of the Old Testament, sacrifices foreshadowed the accomplished work of Jesus Christ, and the Old Testament believer was assured of “forgiveness” based on sacrifice: “And the priest shall make an atonement [for him in regard to the sin]” (Num. 15:25, 28). “And it shall be forgiven him” (Lev. 4:26; cf. vv. 20, 30, 35; 5:10, 13, 16, 18). The mediators of the atonement were the priests who offered the sacrifice. The sacrifice was ordained by God to promise ultimate “forgiveness” in God’s sacrifice of His own Son. Moreover, sacrifice was appropriately connected to atonement, as there is no forgiveness without the shedding of blood (Lev. 4:20; cf. Heb. 9:22).

Out of His grace, God alone “forgives” sin. The Israelites experienced God’s “forgiveness” in the wilderness and in the Promised Land. As long as the temple stood, sacrificial atonement continued and the Israelites were assured of God’s “forgiveness.” When the temple was destroyed and sacrifices ceased, God sent the prophetic word that He graciously would restore Israel out of exile and “forgive” its sins (Jer. 31:34).

The Psalmist appealed to God’s great name in his request for “forgiveness”: “For Thy name’s sake, O Lord, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great” (Ps. 25:11). David praised God for the assurance of “forgiveness” of sins: “Bless the Lord O my soul…, who forgiveth all thine iniquities…” (Ps. 103:2-3). The Old Testament saints, while involved in sacrificial rites, put their faith in God.

In the Septuagint, Sālah is most frequently translated by hileos einai (“to be gracious; be merciful”), hilaskesthai (“to propitiate, expiate”). The translation “to forgive” is found in most English versions and at times also “to pardon”

 

1. Forgiveness: 9:9 “…To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him..” Ps.103:3 “…Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases…” Lk. 7:49. “…And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also…?”

• Forgiveness 34:7. “…Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation…” Num. 14:18. “…The LORD is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation…”
• One another: 4:32. “…And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you…” Col. 3:13. “…Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye…”
• Promised: 7:14; “…If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.…” Ps. 86:5. “…For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee…” Jer. 31:34. “…And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more…”
• Basis: 12:31-32. “…Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come…” Lk. 6:37. “…Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful…” 1Jn.1:9 “…If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness…”
• 3 things necessary for forgiveness: (+218:2) through the blood Col. 1:14 “…In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins…”

 

 

RECONCILE, RECONCILIATION (A)

Reconciliation – an act of reconciling or the state of being reconciled – the process of making consistent or compatible.

1.  
2. Katallassō properly denotes “to change, exchange” (especially of money); hence, of persons, “to change from enmity to friendship, to reconcile.” With regard to the relationship, to reconcile.” With regard to the relationship between God and man, the use of this and connected words shows that primarily “reconciliation” is what God accomplishes, exercising His grace towards sinful man on the ground of the death of Christ in propitiatory sacrifice under the Judgment due to sin, 5:19, where both the verb and the noun are used (cf. No. 2, in Col. 1:21). By reason of this men in their sinful condition and alienation from God are invited to be “reconciled” to Him: that is to say, to change their attitude, and accept the provision God has made, whereby their sins can be remitted and they themselves to justified in His sight in Christ.

Rom. 5:10 expresses this in another way: for it, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son…”; that we were “enemies” not only expresses man’s hostile attitude to God but signifies that until this change of attitude takes place men are under condemnation, exposed to God’s wrath. The death of His Son is the means of removal of this, and thus we “receive the reconciliation.” v.11, RV. This stresses the attitude of God’s favour towards us. The KJV rendering “atonement” is incorrect. Atonement is the offering itself of Christ under divine judgment upon sin. We do not receive atonement. What we do receive is the result, namely, “reconciliation.”

The removal of God’s wrath does not contravene His immutability. He always acts according to His unchanging righteousness and lovingkindness, and it is because He changes not that His relative attitude does change towards those who change. All His acts show that He is Light and Love. Anger, where there is no personal element, is a sign of moral health if, and if only, it is accompanied by grief. There can be truest love along with righteous indignation, Mark. 3:5, but love and enmity cannot exist together. It is important to distinguish “wrath” and “hostility.” The change in God’s relative attitude toward those who receive the “reconciliation” only proves His real unchangeableness. Not once is God said to be “reconciled.” The enmity is alone on our part. It was we who needed to be “reconciled” to God, not God to us, and it is propitiation, which His righteousness and mercy have provided, that makes the “reconciliation” possible to those who receive it.

When the writers of the NT speak upon the subject of the wrath of God, “the hostility is represented not as on the part of God, but of man. And this is the reason why the apostle never uses diallassō [a word used only in Matt. 5:24, in the NT] in this connection, but always katallassō, because the former word denotes mutual concession after mutual hostility [frequently exemplified in the Sept. “an idea absent from Katallassō” (Lightfoot, Notes on the Epistles of Paul, p.288).

The subject finds its great unfolding in 2 Cor. 5:18-20, which states that God “reconciled us (believer) to Himself through Christ,” and that “the ministry of reconciliation” consist in this, “that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself.” The insertion of comma in the KJV after the word “Christ” is misleading; the doctrine stated here is not that God was in Christ (the unity of the Godhead is not here in view), but that what God has done in the matter of reconciliation He has done in Christ, and this is based upon the fact that that “Him who knew no sin He made to be sin on our behalf; that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” On this ground the command to men is “be ye reconciled to God.”

The verb is used elsewhere in 1Cor. 7:11, of a woman returning to her husband.

2. Apokatallassō “to reconcile completely” (apo, from, and No. 1), a stronger form of No. 1, “to change from one condition to another,” so as to remove all enmity and leave no impediment to unity and peace, is used in 2:16, of the “reconciliation” of believing Jew and Gentile is in view, but the change wrought in the individual believer from alienation and enmity on account of evil works, to “reconciliation” with God; in v.20 the word is used of the divine purpose to “reconcile” through Christ “all things unto Himself… whether things upon the earth, or things in the peace effected “through the blood of His Cross.” It is the divine purpose, on the ground of the work of Christ accomplished on the cross, to work of Christ accomplished on the cross, to gets and unbelieving man, into full accord with the mind of God, Eph. 1:10. Things “under the earth,” Phil. 2:10, are subdued, not “reconciled.”
3. Diallassō “to effect an alternation, to exchange,” and hence, “to reconcile,” in case of mutual hostility yielding to mutual concession, and thus differing from No. 1 (under which wee Lightfoot’s remarks), is used in the passive voice in 5:24, which illustrates the point. There is no such idea as “making it up” where God and man are concerned.
4.  

Katallagē, akin to A, No. 1, primarily “an exchange,” denotes “reconciliation,” a change on the part of one party, induced by an action on the part of another; in the NT, the “reconciliation” of men to God by His grace and love in Christ. The word is used in Rom. 5:11 and 11:15. The occasioning cause of the world-wide proclamation of “reconciliation” throughout the gospel, was the casting away (partially and temporarily) of Israel. A new relationship Godward is offered to the Gentiles in the gospel. The word also occurs in 2Cor. 5:18-19 where “the ministry of reconciliation” and “the word of reconciliation” are not the ministry of teaching the doctrine of expiation, but that of beseeching men to be “reconciled” to God on the ground of what God has wrought in Christ.

Note: In the OT in some passages the KJV incorrectly has “reconciliation,” the RV rightly changes the translation to “atonement,” e.g., Lev. 8:15; Ezek. 45:20, RV, “make atonement for” (KJV, “reconcile”).

 

RECONCILIATION (B)

• Reconcile 6:30, “…And no sin offering, whereof any of the blood is brought into the tabernacle of the congregation to reconcile withal in the holy place, shall be eaten: it shall be burnt in the fire…” ISam 29:4. “…And the princes of the Philistines were wroth with him; and the princes of the Philistines said unto him, Make this fellow return, that he may go again to his place which thou hast appointed him, and let him not go down with us to battle, lest in the battle he be an adversary to us: for wherewith should he reconcile himself unto his master? should it not be with the heads of these men..?” Ezek. 45:20. “…And so thou shalt do the seventh day of the month for every one that erreth, and for him that is simple: so shall ye reconcile the house…” Eph. 2:16. “…And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby…” Col. 1:20 “…And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven…”
• Reconciled 5:24. “…Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift…” Rom 5:10. “…For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life…” 1Cor. 2:11. “…For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God…” 2Cor. 5:18-20. “…And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God…” Col. 1:21 “…And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled…”
• Reconciliation (8) page 286:1. 8:15. “…And he slew it; and Moses took the blood, and put it upon the horns of the altar round about with his finger, and purified the altar, and poured the blood at the bottom of the altar, and sanctified it, to make reconciliation upon it…” 2Chron. 29:24. “…And the priests killed them, and they made reconciliation with their blood upon the altar, to make an atonement for all Israel: for the king commanded that the burnt offering and the sin offering should be made for all Israel…” Ezek. 45:15-17. “…And one lamb out of the flock, out of two hundred, out of the fat pastures of Israel; for a meat offering, and for a burnt offering, and for peace offerings, to make reconciliation for them, saith the Lord GOD. All the people of the land shall give this oblation for the prince in Israel. And it shall be the prince’s part to give burnt offerings, and meat offerings, and drink offerings, in the feasts, and in the new moons, and in the sabbaths, in all solemnities of the house of Israel: he shall prepare the sin offering, and the meat offering, and the burnt offering, and the peace offerings, to make reconciliation for the house of Israel…” Dan. 9:24. “…Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy…” 2Cor. 5:18-19. “…And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation…” Heb. 2:17. “…Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people…”
• Reconciling: (3) 16:20. “…And when he hath made an end of reconciling the holy place, and the tabernacle of the congregation, and the altar, he shall bring the live goat…” Rom. 11:15. “…For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead…?” 2Cor. 5:19 “…To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation…”

 

TRANSFIGURE, TRANSFORMATION

Metamorphoō: “to change into another form” (meta, implying change, and morphē, “form.” See FORM, No.1) is used in the passive voice (a) of Christ’s “transfiguration,” Matt. 17:2; Mark. 9:2; Lk. (in 9:29) avoids this term, which might have suggested to Gentile readers the Metamorphoses of heathen gods, and uses the phrase egeneto heteron, “was altered,” lit, “became (ginomal) different (heteros);” (b) of believers, Rom 12:2 “be ye transformed,” the obligation being to undergo a complete change which, under the power of God, will find expression in character and conduct; morphē lays stress on the inward change, schēma (see the preceding verb in that verse, suschēmatizō) lays stress on the outward, the present continuous tense indicate a process; 2Cor. 3:18 describes believers as being “transformed (RV) into the same image” (i.e. of Christ in all His moral excellences). The change being effected by the Holy Spirit.

1. Metamorphoo is rendered “transformed” in 12:2. “…And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God…”
2. Metaschematizo in the passive voice is rendered “to be transformed” in the KJV of 11:13, 14, 15. “…For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. (14). And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. (15). Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works…”

 

Transformed

• Transfigured – 17:2. “…And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light…” Mk. 9:2 “…And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them…”
• Rom 12:2. “…And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God…” 2Cor. 11:14-15. “…And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works…”
• Transforming 11:13. “…For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ…”

 

FORGIVENESS, RECONCILIATION AND TRANSFORMATION

Apostle Peter as case study:

Jn. 21:7; “…Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher’s coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea…” The old impulsive nature of Peter played out in v.3 which went back to his former profession abandoned ministry.

How often do we allow the old man to manifest in our lives abandoning our faith and casting off the new coat?

1. 12 “…Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord…”

The group including Peter forgiven and reconciled back to the Master: this is grace.

1. 15-17: “…So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep…” Peter’s ministry restored by the words “feed My lambs (sheep)”

3 times and each instance represents a deliberate intervention to cancel the negative effect of each of the instances in which Peter denied Christ at the hour of His Trial.

Peter denied 3ce. Each denial took him farther away from his ordained ministry.

Christ needs to get him to verbally recommit himself back to ministry through his own confession “I love Thee.”

Transformation

Acts. 2:4 “…And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance…” – after the Pentecost, Peter became a different person. 2:4; 4:8, “…And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born…?” 13. “…Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine…” Boldness!

Events leading to Pentecost

Acts. 1:8 “…But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth…” – the promise of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the agent of transformation. 1Sam. 10:6 (King Saul).

 

MEAL OF REMEMBRANCE                                                                  1Cor. 11:23-25.

“…For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me…”

“…And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me…” (1Cor. 11:24)

The Holy Communion is a very significant meal. Unlike regular meals, it is a meal of remembrance. When some people take this meal, they forgfet to heed the instruction in today’s Bible reading, where the Lord repeatedly said, “…this do in remembrance of Me…” In other words, the meal reminds us of God’s power of transformation. As you take the meal, God is saying to you:

“Remember who you were before, and what I have made you now; remember how you were dead in sin and trespasses, but the Holy Spirit has now quickened your spirit man. You were dumped and disowned before I received you and sealed you with the Holy Spirit. Remember how you thought you could buy salvation by being religious and buying things for your church before the Holy Spirit illuminated your mind and showed you the true way of salvation.”

The meal of remembrance simply calls you to remember your past life and compare it with what God is doing in you presently.

__________________________

Sources:

• Webster’s Encyclopedia Unabridged Dictionary of English Language.
• Vine’s Complete Expository of Old and New Testament Words.
• Dake’s Annotated Reference Bible.
• Pastor E. A. Adeboye (Open Heavens)
• Babatunde Palomeras
• Osagima Reconciliation Ministry. – OSAGIMA

By Dr Palomeras

 

WHEN YOU ARE TRANSFORMED.                 Rom. 12:1-5 (KJV).       – By Pastor Femi Adeyemi

“…¹I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.²And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. ³For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. ⁴For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: ⁵So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another…”

Three key words in the title/topic of presentation: When, You and Transformed.

 

Definition of words:

When: an adverb used to ask at what time or at what point something happens.

You: (pronoun) Person being addressed: refers to the person or people being addressed.

 

Transformed / Transformation:

Transformation means “a complete change, usually into something with an improved appearance or usefulness.”

The word transformation is often interchanged with two other words – Transmutation and Transfiguration.

Transmutation is “a change or the process of changing from one form, substance, nature, or state into another.”

 

Transfiguration: change appearance of somebody: to transform the appearance of somebody or something, revealing great beauty, spiritual or magnificence.

When you are transformed you get reconciled to the “Transformer” and thereby fulfill the purpose and will of the “Transformer.”

In getting transformed, reconciliation must also occur.

 

Reconciliation (Noun):

1. Reconciling of People: the ending of conflict or renewing of a friendly relationship between disputing people or groups.
2. Achievement of consistency or compatibility: the making of two or more apparently conflicting things consistent or compatible.

 

Who is the “Transformer”?

Isaiah. 46:10 “…Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure…” (KJV)

Jeremiah. 32:26-27 “…²⁶Then came the word of the LORD unto Jeremiah, saying, ²⁷ Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me..?” (KJV)

John. 15:5b “…for without me ye can do nothing…”(KJV)

Romans. 12:2 “…And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God…”(KJV)

 

Why transformed? “Be ye”

Romans. 13:14 “… ¹⁴But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof…” (KJV) –live like the Lord Jesus Christ did, and forget about satisfying the desires of your sinful nature.

Psalms 51:10 “…Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me…” (KJV)

Ezekiel. 18:31 “…Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel..?” (KJV)

Ephesians. 1:18 “…The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints…” (KJV) – you will have deeper insight

Ephesians. 4:22-24 “…²²That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; ²³ And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; ²⁴ And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness…” (KJV)

But be ye transformed – or, “transfigured” as in Matthew 17:2 and 2Corintians 3:18.

Matthew 17:1-2 “…¹And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, ² And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light…”(KJV)

2Corinthians 3:18 “…But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord…”(KJV)

Colossians 3:10 “…And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him…”(KJV) – Peter, James and John became new persons and were continually renewed in the knowledge to be like Christ. (Matt. 17:1).

Matthew 16:28 “…Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.…”(KJV) For transfiguration to take place, it entails a process (power) to transfigure (Matt. 17:1-8; Mark 9:2-8; Luke 9:28-36).

What makes when (what point something happens): POWER.

 

What does when entail? – POWER

POWER is the ability to do work. OR The ability to make things happen.

Psalms. 62:11 “…God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God…” (KJV)

Phil. 4:13 “…I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me…”(KJV)

1Cor. 4:20 “…For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power…”(KJV)

 

How do we acquire Power?

John 1:12 “…But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name…”(KJV)

Acts 1:8 “…But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth…”(KJV)

Having acquired this power, how do we use it?

John 14:12 “…Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father…”(KJV)

E.g. Acts 19:11-12– Special miracles by the hands of Paul. Acts. 5:15 – Shadow of Peter healing the sick.

 

What happens when you are transformed?

An encounter with the transformer usually precedes transformation.

1. Darkness to Light

Genesis 1:3-5 “…³And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. ⁴ And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. ⁵ And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day…”(KJV)

2. A new name.

Genesis 17:5 “…Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee…” (KJV)

Genesis 17:15 “…And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be…” (KJV)

Genesis 32:27-28 “…²⁷And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. ²⁸And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed…” (KJV)

3. Blindness to Vision to Visionary

Mark 10:46-52 – The story of blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus

4. Sorrow/Mourning to Joy/Triumph

Mark 5:22-23 “…²²And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet, ²³ And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live…” (KJV)

Mark 5:41-42 “…⁴¹ And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise. ⁴²And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment…” (KJV)

5. Barrenness to Fruitfulness

Genesis 18:1-22 – the story of Abraham and Sarah

6. Famine/Lack to Abundance

2Kings 7:1-2 “…¹Then Elisha said, Hear ye the word of the LORD; Thus saith the LORD, Tomorrow about this time shall a measure of fine flour be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria. ²Then a lord on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God, and said, Behold, if the LORD would make windows in heaven, might this thing be? And he said, Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof…”(KJV)

7. Sickness to good health

Matthew 9:20 “…And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment…”(KJV)

8. Obscurity/Nobody to Prominence/Somebody

1Kings 17:1 “…And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word…” (KJV)

9. Hatred to Love
10. Restoration

Joel 2:25 “…And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you…” (KJV)

 

7 CONDITIONS FOR REMAINING TRANSFORMED

1. 17:1 “…And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect…” (KJV)
2. 16:6-8 – Paul and Silas forbidden to go to Asia – THE LORD DETERMINES THE DIRECTION.

• 48:10 “…Cursed be he that doeth the work of the LORD deceitfully, and cursed be he that keepeth back his sword from blood…” – THE WORK OF THE LORD MUST BE DONE DILIGENTLY.

1. 21:8 – The king’s business requires haste.
2. Jeremiah 9:23-24 “…²³Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: ²⁴ But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD…”(KJV) – Seize from carnality.
3. 1:15-16 – “…Be holy for I am holy…”

Amos. 3:3 – “…Can two walk together, except they be agreed..?”

• Isaiah 40:31 “…But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint…” A good example of this is a waiter in the hotel who waits on customers and when job is well done gets a tip. Imagine a tip from the Lord.

E.g. Matt. 14 23 – Jesus went up to the mountain to pray and recharge his battery.

Finally, Matt. 6:33 – “…But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you…”

__________________

Pastor Femi Adeyemi

MICROSOFT® Encarta 2006 © 1993-2005 Microsoft Corporation. All right reserved.

“Flowing in God’s – Pastor E. A. Adeboye.

 

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