How to apply the word in our daily life

How to apply the word in our daily life

By. Rev. Samuel S Konjah, Ghana, West Africa.

Keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me.   (Psalm 119:133, ESV)

Let such a person understand that what we say by letter when absent, we do when present.  (2 Corinthians 10:11, ESV)

Use the word of God as:

1. Standard of conduct

3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  4 "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.  5 "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.  6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.  7 "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.  8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.  9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.  10 "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  11 "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.  12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.  (Matthew 5:3-12, ESV)

2. Light for guidance

*for directions

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.   (Psalm 119:105, ESV)

The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.   (Psalm 119:130, ESV)
[31/01 1:49 am] Divine Push: * for decision

1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.  2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.  (Romans 12:1-2, ESV)

3. Rock of assurance

* Salvation

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.  (1 John 5:13, ESV)

Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into
judgment, but has passed from death to life.  (John 5:24, ESV)

* Forgiveness

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  (1 John 1:9, ESV)

* Victory

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.  38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,  39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.  (Romans 8:37-39, ESV)

4. Sword against the devil

*Spiritual warfare

3 For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh.  4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.  5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,  (2 Corinthians 10:3-5, ESV)

and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,  (Ephesians 6:17, ESV)

*Temptation

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.  (1 Corinthians 10:13, ESV)

Look at Matthew 4:1-11 too

5. Food for growth

*Milk

Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation-  (1 Peter 2:2, ESV)

*Meat

12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food,  13 for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child.  14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.  (Hebrews 5:12-14, ESV)

6. Answers to problems

* When fearful or anxious

1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?   2 When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall.   3 Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident.   4 One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in his temple.   5 For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock.   6 And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the LORD.   (Psalm 27:1-6, ESV)

* when discouraged or depressed

1 I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.   2 My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad.   3 Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together!   4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.   5 Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.   6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him and saved him out of all his troubles.   7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.   8 Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!   9 Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack!   10 The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.   (Psalm 34:1-10, ESV)

* When frustrated

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,  2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.  3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.  4 In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.  5 And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? "My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him.   6 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives."   7 It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?  (Hebrews 12:1-7, ESV)

* When in trouble

6 "Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near;   7 let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.   8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.   9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.   10 "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,   11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.   (Isaiah 55:6-11, ESV)

*When bereaved

13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.  14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.  15 For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.  16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.  17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.  18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.  (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, ESV)

God bless us all. I pray for you and myself that the Lord will guide us to how to apply the word in our daily life to always overcome the enemy and live a victorious life in Christ Jesus.

God bless you.

How to have a personal quiet time - Rev Samuel S Konjah

How to have a personal quiet time

Rev. Samuel S Konjah

1 The LORD said to Moses, "Cut for yourself two tablets of stone like the first, and I will write on the tablets the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke. 
2 Be ready by the morning, and come up in the morning to Mount Sinai, and present yourself there to me on the top of the mountain. 
3 No one shall come up with you, and let no one be seen throughout all the mountain. Let no flocks or herds graze opposite that mountain." 
4 So Moses cut two tablets of stone like the first. And he rose early in the morning and went up on Mount Sinai, as the LORD had commanded him, and took in his hand two tablets of stone. 
5 The LORD descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD. 
6 The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, "The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, 
7 keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children's children, to the third and the fourth generation." 
8 And Moses quickly bowed his head toward the earth and worshiped. 
9 And he said, "If now I have found favor in your sight, O Lord, please let the Lord go in the midst of us, for it is a stiff-necked people, and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for your inheritance." 
10 And he said, "Behold, I am making a covenant. Before all your people I will do marvels, such as have not been created in all the earth or in any nation. And all the people among whom you are shall see the work of the LORD, for it is an awesome thing that I will do with you.  (Exodus 34:1-10, ESV)

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.  (Joshua 1:8, ESV)

To succeed in the Christian life let God speak to you each day. Quiet time is a daily personal time with God. Moses had a quiet time with the Lord. We can get  a few quiet time from there(Exodus 34:1-10)

What you will need

* A Bible
* A note book
* A good time

The best time for quiet time morning. It must be regular - an integral part of your daily routine
*A good place
A place where you can be alone with God
* A daily Bible reading guide (optional)

Six steps to effective quiet time

1. Pray to begin
Praise and worship - pray thanking the Lord for another day, thank him for who he is, what he has done and what he can and will do.
Ask God to speak to you using
Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.   (Psalm 119:18, ESV)

16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers,  17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him,  (Ephesians 1:16-17, ESV)

2. Read
Read the passage for the day expecting God to speak to you from it

*Follow a systematic order going book by book beginning from the New Testament. Read a few verses at a time.
Or
* Take the passage suggested in your your daily reading guide

3. Meditate
* Think through, ponder over, soberly reflect on what you have read for awhile
How to do effective meditation
Look through the passage again for as many of the following as possible:
#  What does the passage teach me about the nature of God: the Father, the Son, or the Holy Spirit?
# Is there a promise for you to believe, and so claim, taking careful note of any conditions attached.
# Is there a command for you to obey, or a good example for you to follow?
# Is there a warning to you to heed or bad example for you to avoid?
# Is there a prayer for you to pray or remember?

4. Use your Bible reading guide (optional)
Now refer to your daily reading guide eg. Daily Guide, Daily Manna, Daily Power, Daily Bread and Light for our path. You will get further ideas about the passage

5. Write down lessons
Write down in your notebook any points or lessons you have learnt from the day's passage which you will like to remember as God's message to you that day

6. Pray to end
Finish with prayer, turning sentences from the passage into your own prayers and thanking God for what he has taught you. Remember to pray for your family, church, your pastor and the general work of God

7. Memory verse
Write out the verse that particularly brings out the lesson for the day and memorize it. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.  (Colossians 3:16, ESV)

8. Be a doer of the word
God has spoken to you. Now you need to do something about what he says. Let what you learnt during the daily quiet time become a guide for what you believe and how you will behave. It is most essential to practice what you read from the Bible. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.  (James 1:22, ESV)

God bless us all. I pray for you and myself that the spirit of the Lord will make us read, meditate, and be doer of the word and also always stand to pray with the word.

How to interpret the Bible?

How to interpret the Bible?

20 knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation.  21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.  (2 Peter 1:20-21, ESV)

9 "To whom will he teach knowledge, and to whom will he explain the message? Those who are weaned from the milk, those taken from the breast?   10 For it is precept upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little."   (Isaiah 28:9-10, ESV)

The holy spirit is the ultimate author of the word of God. He is only the one who can illuminate the scripture and give correct interpretation.

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.  (John 16:13, ESV)

The following steps could be considered when interpreting the scripture:

1. Read the text in its context
* A verse out of context is pretext. Do not read into the text
* Pay attention to repeated words, phrases connectives eg. And, but, for
* Write down your ideas clearly, think, analyze and bring out the meanings

2. Note the form
* Literary form: Narrative, Poetic, Teaching - allegory, parable, letter, Special Forms - prophetic, apocalyptic, wisdom
* Language features: Metaphor, Mood (emotional), Simile

3. Understand the background
* Grasp the purpose of the writing.
Ex. Author's intention:
1 Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us,  2 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us,  3 it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus,  4 that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.  (Luke 1:1-4, ESV)
* Consider contemporary extra biblical material: cultural, historical, geographical, archaeological

4. Interpret the scripture by scripture
* Interpret each passage in the light of the Bible teaching as a whole
* Read parallel Scriptures
* Scripture cannot contradict itself, God cannot contradict Himself

I pray for you and myself that from tonight God will enlighten you in his word always.

God bless us all

The Authority of the Bible and the Word of God

The Authority of the Bible and the Word of God

Forever, O LORD, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens.   (Psalm 119:89, ESV)

but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,  (1 Peter 3:15, ESV)

The word of God is absolutely trustworthy

1. Promises made many generations earlier are kept

"Blessed be the LORD who has given rest to his people Israel, according to all that he promised. Not one word has failed of all his good promise, which he spoke by Moses his servant.  (1 Kings 8:56, ESV)

2. God stands by his word till it comes to pass

For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.  (Matthew 5:18, ESV)

Then the LORD said to me, "You have seen well, for I am watching over my word to perform it." 

3. It is unchanging in a changing world

For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.  (Matthew 5:18, ESV)

but the word of the Lord remains forever." And this word is the good news that was preached to you.   (1 Peter 1:25, ESV)

4. It abides forever

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.  (Matthew 24:35, ESV)

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.  (Luke 21:33, ESV)

Proofs that the Bible is genuine, Authentic and Reliable

Proofs that the Bible is genuine, Authentic and Reliable

1. It is superiority to other books

It is superior to other books in its origin, formation, doctrines, principles, claims, moral tone, histories, prophecies, literature, present redemption and eternal benefits.

2. Its influence in the world

It has blessed millions in every generation, made the highest civilizations and given man the highest hope and destiny

3. The character and greatness of those who accept it

The wisest, most godly and honest of men acknowledge it as God's word. Only infidels and the ungodly reject it

4. Man could not have written it if he would, and not have written it if he could. No critic of scripture has ever been able to prove or disprove it

5. Good men must have written it

It condemns all sins and records the sins and faults of its writers as others. This, evil men would not do. Even good men would not do it unless inspired to do so to help others

6. All man's present and eternal needs are met by the Bible

Redemption and promised benefits have been given to all who believe in all generations and this will always be so

7. Its preservation through the ages

Whole kingdoms and religions have sought in vain to destroy it. It is still victor and indestructible

8. The heavenly and eternal character of its contents proves it to be of God

9. The response of the soul to it.
The Bible fits the soul as a key to a lock.

10. Its infinite depths and lofty ideals

It is universal in its appeal, reasonable in its teachings, reliable in its promises, durable in its conflicts, everlasting in its usefulness, new and modern in its statements, indispensable to human civilization, indisputable in its authority, interesting in its histories, colorful in its biographies, accurate in its prophecies, individual in its messages, far reaching in its vision, complete in its laws, comprehensive units knowledge, infinite units details, and unselfish in its purpose, simple in its application, just in its demands, righteous in its judgements, clear in its application, and masterful in its wisdom

11. Fulfilled prophecy

About 3300 prophecies have been fulfilled, predictions made hundreds and even thousands of years before their fulfillment. Not one detail has failed yet. About 2908 verses are being fulfilled or will be fulfilled.

12. Miracles

Hundreds are recorded in scripture and many happen daily among those who pray and claim Bible promises

13. Its perfection

It is scientifically and historically correct. No one man has ever found the Bible at fault in any of its many hundreds of statements of history, astronomy, botany, geology or any other branch of learning.

14. Its adaptability

It is always up to date on any subject. It fits the lives of all people of all ages and all lands.

15. Its spiritual and moral power

It meets perfectly every spiritual and moral need of man

16. Its doctrines

They surpass all human principles in relationship, religion, culture etc

The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.  (1 Corinthians 2:14, ESV)

The book must be divine. If one will use it properly it will confirm itself to him as the inspired word of God

God bless us all. Have a blessed week full of the goodness and favour of God. May it be well with you this week and may God surprise you this week and be gracious to you.

Basic principles right living

Basic principles right living

The beatitudes

1 Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. 
2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: 
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 
"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 
"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. 
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 
"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 
"Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 

Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.  (Matthew 5:1-12, ESV)

Basic principles of knowing the word

Basic principles of knowing the word

Hear the  word

20 My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings.   21 Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart.   22 For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh.   (Proverbs 4:20-22, ESV)

Read the word

Seek and read from the book of the LORD: Not one of these shall be missing; none shall be without her mate. For the mouth of the LORD has commanded, and his Spirit has gathered them.   (Isaiah 34:16, ESV)

Study the word

You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is
they that bear witness about me,  (John 5:39, ESV)

Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.  (Acts 17:11, ESV)

Meditate and memorize

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.  (Joshua 1:8, ESV)

but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.   (Psalm 1:2, ESV)

Obedience and practice enjoined

And it shall be with him, and he shall read in it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the LORD his God by keeping all the words of this law and these statutes, and doing them,  (Deuteronomy 17:19, ESV)

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.  (Romans 15:4, ESV)

22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.  23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror.  (James 1:22-23, ESV)

Relevant for modern life as warning to all

Relevant for modern life as warning to all

Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come.  (1 Corinthians 10:11, ESV)

1 And God spoke all these words, saying,  2 "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. 
3 "You shall have no other gods before me. 
4 "You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. 
5 You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me.
6 but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments. 
7 "You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain. 
8 "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 
9 Six days you shall labor, and do all your work.
10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. 
11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. 
12 "Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you. 
13 "You shall not murder. 
14 "You shall not commit adultery. 
15 "You shall not steal. 
16 "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. 
17 "You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor's."  (Exodus 20:1-17, ESV)

God bless us all

Salvation is of the Lord

Text: 1 Chronicle 4:9-10, 1 Samuel 1:9, 18, Jonah 2 :9
Subject: Salvation
Theme: Salvation is of The Lord

Intro: Salvation is God's gracious act of redeeming His people from satanic bondages and even God's punishment that suppose to come onto His children due to disobedience. Rom.3:23. For all have sinned and ..... to the glory of God. Eph. 2:8, For it is by Grace ye are save through faith and that not of yourselves but the spirit of God . Therefore salvation is from God through our faith.

No matter the situation, He who saves, will save us if only we will have the assurance in Him, that He is faithful.

1 Chronicle 4:9-10; Bible says Jabez was born honourable among his brethren but there came an utterance, declaration after his birth which turns every good fortune to bad one. Upliftment of Jabez became oppression and suppression, Grace to grass, acceptance to rejectance, anointing to annoyance etc.

Jabez realized that there is no name given to man from heaven and on earth that grants salvation (Acts 4:12). Jabez commune with God and there was a turn-around in his life. God blessed him and expanded his territory. Jabez was mentioned in the bibles due his prayer request. What are you also doing to turn negatives to positives?

If we come to our spiritual self to know that there is a problem but the only  answer is the Lord, God will redeem us out from every bondages, satanic encampments, evil utterances, demonic alters and thrones.

1Samuel 1:9,18; Hannah realised that all the afflictions she was passing through and her infertile womb will bring to her social embarrasment whereby in future she wouldn't have any to cater for her rather be regards as unworthy woman. Hannah realised that the only one to save her from this situation is God.

Bible says Hannah changed her location for prayers. Instead of sleeping as Elkannah and his 2nd wife was doing, she entered into the temple and prayed to God earnestly. Bible says God answered her prayer at that moment and even her mode changed. Oh what a mighty God we serve? May God who answers Hannah prayers answer your prayers in Jesus name. May God creates for you laughter as he did to Hannah.

Jonah 2:9 Jonah from his own wisdom ordain into himself God's punishment.  His trials became severe than he can bear. Bible says; Jonah 2:1-9 that Jonah realised his mistakes and acknowledged that there is no salvation from anywhere except the Lord. Jonah realised, salvation comes from God. Jonah prayed a prayer and JEHOVAH EL-SHADDAI, JEHOVAH ADDONAI, YAHWEH translated I AM THAT I AM, saved him from the roots of the mountains, the belly of the whale, from the deepest pit of the sea.

What are you facing or What are the challenges? Is it greater than you can bear? Is it greater than God? Know that where to gain answer to every situation under heaven is the Lord.  Remember that those that walk with the spirit of God are guarantee free from destructions and lose. Jonah 2:9 says salvation is the Lord, left for you to the assurance of faith in Him, trust in Him and he shall do it for us to glorify HIS Holy NAME. May God come to your situation and deliver you from every snare and pestilence of the devil in Jesus Name. AMEN.

WHAT IS THIS FREEDOM?

WHEN THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS IN US, WE UNDERSTAND THAT THERE IS FREEDOM IN US.

WHAT IS THIS FREEDOM?

The freedom talked about here is the freedom from DEATH.

Luke 15:24 - the father of the prodigal son said, "For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate. This celebration shows the freedom. We celebrate on several occasions and this one. Is there any other freedom greater than this? According to me, there's greater than passing on from death to life. We are talking about the spiritual death in this context. We were all dead in sin and through Jesus Christ our Lord who brought us back to life through His physical death, burial and resurrection, he gave us the hope of life of eternity at the time of his (Lord's) coming.

Freedom from SIN.

Romans 6:23 - "But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, you have your fruit unto holiness and everlasting life."
Through this scripture we understand that once we were slaves of SIN which involved disobedience to God and all other profane acts by us. We were into this slavery because we were not much aware of the LIFE AFTER DEATH and also we didn't even pay attention to what being in SIN would lead us to. Now that we know the wages of SIN is DEATH but those who live a SIN-FREE life on this earth would have ETERNAL LIFE through Jesus Christ our Lord, we understand that on showing our obedience to God's word through our actions, we are set free from the life of SIN. Now SIN can't rule us but Christ is the one who rules us. We are saved by grace of our Lord Jesus Christ through FAITH.

Freedom from FEAR.

Many of us have the fear of DEATH and its master SATAN.
Those having faith in the RESURRECTION through our Lord Jesus Christ are free from the fear of DEATH. Those whose master is CHRIST, has no fear of SATAN for the Lord defeated him and DEATH. For the psalmist says, (concerning death...)
"Even when I walk through the dark valley of death, I will not be afraid, for you (Lord) are close beside me." Psalm 23:4.
"As for me, God will redeem my life. He will snatch me from the power of death." Psalm 49:15.
In the book of Isaiah we find the death being swallowed -
"He will swallow up death forever! The Sovereign LORD will wipe away all tears." Isaiah 25:8.
As in the words of Jesus, "I assure you, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life." John 5:24.

Concerning SATAN....
GOD WILL ALWAYS BE ON YOUR SIDE AGAINST SATAN.
That is such a glorious truth that brings us so much encouragement, comfort and victory, that we should share to the whole world with an experience. The Bible says "Submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you" (James 4:7). The Name of Jesus is at which Satan will always flee.
When we submit ourselves to God through Lord Jesus, we should not feel that "we are something and God is everything" but we should feel "we are nothing and God is everything". When we feel we are something, we try to put some efforts to win over something but it is not that easy concerning spiritual realms. It is possible only through the Lord our God who is the spirit. Submission or Surrenderance should be complete.
Hebrews 2:14-15
14 For as much then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

There are some who ask if there is devil and demons. The Bible clearly specifies the powers of darkness is from the DEVIL / SATAN and his followers.
Are Demons in the World Today?
We affirm that the Bible admonishes Christians to expect Satan and demons to operate now much as they did in both Old Testament and New Testament times (1 Pet. 5:6–11).
The word 'OPERATE' makes it clear that the existence of demon is there. In Scripture, Satan and demons prominently involved themselves with spiritual darkness (Eph. 6:12), deception (2 Cor. 11:13–15), and death (John 8:44).
But after the victory of Jesus over death and Satan, and we being a part of the resurrected Lord in experience, we too have victory over demon.
But what is the power of demon/Satan?
Demons possess the great power of angels (Rom. 8:38; 1 Cor. 15:24), greater than humans but far less than their Creator. They have the power to carry out the following actions:
Indwell humans and animals (Mark 5:1–16).
Physically afflict people (Mark 9:17, 22).
Terrorize humans (1 Sam. 16:14–15; 18:10; 19:9; Acts 19:13–16; 2 Cor. 12:7)
Initiate false worship (1 Cor. 10:20–21)
Promote false doctrines (1 Tim. 4:1)
Perform false signs and wonders (2 Thess. 2:9; Rev. 16:13–14)
Deceive prophets (1 Kings 22:19–23)
Encourage idolatry (Deut. 32:17; Ps. 106:37)
Engineer death (Judg. 9:23, 56–57).

Demons work from a powerful heavenly hierarchy to execute their evil deeds. Words such as “angels,” “authorities,” “cosmic powers,” “dominions,” “powers,” “rulers,” and “thrones” can be used to describe the hierarchies of either holy or evil angels. In context, Romans 8:38; 1 Corinthians 15:24; Ephesians 2:2; 6:12; and Colossians 2:15 most likely refer to various ranks or levels among the evil angels, that is, the demon hierarchy. In context, Ephesians 1:21; Colossians 1:16; and 1 Peter 3:22 most likely refer to various ranks or levels in the holy angel hierarchy.

FREE TO PREACH THE GOSPEL
We may have obstacles against preaching the good news of Salvation through Jesus Christ, but we also have various ways of doing that which the Lord Himself would reveal at the right time to us by some means.
Galatians 5:13
For, brothers, you have been called to liberty; use not the liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. (Preaching is one of the services).
What is the GOSPEL that can be preached?
They are related to our day-today life issues which are linked with our attitude while dealing with them. Through the scriptures we learn how Jesus Christ dealt with them just show us how we can deal with them. Jesus said, "My meat is to do the will of God who has sent me and to finish his work".
We can see from this verse that one of the sole purposes of Jesus’ existence as a human is to do His Father’s work. He is so CONSUMED with the desire of preaching the Gospel that it becomes His food. So much more that He considers that He will not live without the food he gets from preaching the gospel and doing the work of God.
Paul’s most emphatic words to Timothy were, “Preach the Word!” (2 Timothy 4:2).
Is preaching the gospel the New Testament (NT) concept?
Let us find something from the Old Testament (OT):
Twice God told Ezekiel: “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me” (Ezekiel 3:17; compare Ezekiel 33:1-9).
Ezekiel wasn’t the only Hebrew prophet to occupy the role of a watchman. For God had also told Isaiah: “Go, set a watchman, let him declare what he sees” (Isaiah 21:6).
The Church’s role to alert people of their sins and the consequences of those sins is not only a message found in Ezekiel and Isaiah, but also in Jeremiah, Daniel and the 12 Minor Prophets. It is discovered in Christ’s Olivet Prophecy, Paul’s prophetic warnings and the book of Revelation. Christ's Olivet Prophecy is the orderly and extended teaching given by Jesus Christ on the Mount of Olives in which his teachings were about the subject 'the End Times'. The words of Paul in Colossians 1:28 compel us to “preach that all may be a part of Jesus at the time of His coming.
Isaiah 58:1 sums up the essence of this particular aspect of the overall gospel message: “Cry aloud, spare not; lift up your voice like a trumpet; tell My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.” Remember that sin is the transgression of God’s law (1 John 3:4).
Here the preaching is in the form of warning.
Is PREACHING THE GOSPEL our freedom?
It is, in fact, a commandment of God to every Christ's follower.
God commands us to preach when it’s convenient and when it’s not, to reprove, rebuke, encourage with great patience and instruction. (2 Tim. 4:2).
It is an effective way to influence people:
Preaching is one of the most effective ways of winning people to faith in Jesus Christ. (Mk. 16:15).
Historically, preaching has become the principle means of leading, teaching, and feeding the flock of God. (Jn. 21:15-17). Here, feeding the flock is nothing feeding the people with the word of God.

WE ARE FREE FROM LAW
Romans 10:4 says: "Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes". This will help in understanding what is means that Christians are not under the law.
Paul clarifies the effects of original sin through Romans 2:12 - "For as many as have sinned without LAW, shall also perish without LAW and as many as have sinned in the LAW, shall be judged by the LAW".
Accordingly, all have sinned and have fallen short of God's glory which means all deserve the punishment - Romans 3:23.
Without Christ, we are condemned in God’s sight by the Law that was given through His servant Moses.
Then what about those who are not Jewish that know not the Mosaic Law (including the moral and ceremonial laws)? Do they not come under judgement and condemnation?
This is dealt with by the Apostle in Romans 2:14-15, where he states that the Gentiles have the essence of God’s legal requirements already ingrained and so are just as much without excuse.
14 "The Gentiles do not have the Law; but whenever they do by instinct what the Law commands, they are their own law, even though they do not have the Law."
15 "Their conduct shows that what the Law commands is written in their hearts. Their consciences also show that this is true, since their thoughts sometimes accuse them and sometimes defend them."
The Law is the issue that has to be dealt with in order to bring us into a right relationship with God but the LAW doesn't make anyone righteous.
"Know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified" (Galatians 2:16).
Christ Jesus redeemed us from the curse that has been brought through the law by becoming a curse for us (Galatians 3:13).
LAW brought the curse/punishment,but through Jesus Christ, we got the redemption from sin and death.
What the LAW couldn't do was done by Jesus Christ through his life on earth, suffering, death, burial, resurrection and ascension.
WE HAVE NOT BECOME FREE OURSELVES BUT CHRIST MADE US FREE
John 8:36 tells us, "If the Son, therefore, shall make you free, you shall be free indeed".

WHAT ARE CHRISTIANS NOT FREE TO DO?

Here, I'm directly quoting from the Bible of the whole chapter of Romans 14 in Good News Translation for a better understanding.

Do Not Judge Others
14 Welcome those who are weak in faith, but do not argue with them about their personal opinions. 2 Some people's faith allows them to eat anything, but the person who is weak in the faith eats only vegetables. 3 The person who will eat anything is not to despise the one who doesn't; while the one who eats only vegetables is not to pass judgment on the one who will eat anything; for God has accepted that person. 4 Who are you to judge the servants of someone else? It is their own Master who will decide whether they succeed or fail. And they will succeed, because the Lord is able to make them succeed. 5 Some people think that a certain day is more important than other days, while others think that all days are the same. We each should firmly make up our own minds. 6 Those who think highly of a certain day do so in honor of the Lord; those who will eat anything do so in honor of the Lord, because they give thanks to God for the food. Those who refuse to eat certain things do so in honor of the Lord, and they give thanks to God. 7 We do not live for ourselves only, and we do not die for ourselves only. 8 If we live, it is for the Lord that we live, and if we die, it is for the Lord that we die. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. 9 For Christ died and rose to life in order to be the Lord of the living and of the dead. 10 You then, who eat only vegetables—why do you pass judgment on others? And you who eat anything—why do you despise other believers? All of us will stand before God to be judged by him.

11 For the scripture says,
“As surely as I am the living God, says the Lord, everyone will kneel before me,
and everyone will confess that I am God.”
12 Every one of us, then, will have to give an account to God.

Do Not Make Others Fall
13 So then, let us stop judging one another. Instead, you should decide never to do anything that would make others stumble or fall into sin. 14 My union with the Lord Jesus makes me certain that no food is of itself ritually unclean; but if you believe that some food is unclean, then it becomes unclean for you. 15 If you hurt others because of something you eat, then you are no longer acting from love. Do not let the food that you eat ruin the person for whom Christ died! 16 Do not let what you regard as good get a bad name. 17 For God's Kingdom is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of the righteousness, peace, and joy which the Holy Spirit gives. 18 And when you serve Christ in this way, you please God and are approved by others. 19 So then, we must always aim[a] at those things that bring peace and that help strengthen one another. 20 Do not, because of food, destroy what God has done. All foods may be eaten, but it is wrong to eat anything that will cause someone else to fall into sin. 21 The right thing to do is to keep from eating meat, drinking wine, or doing anything else that will make other believers fall. 22 Keep what you believe about this matter, then, between yourself and God. Happy are those who do not feel guilty when they do something they judge is right! 23 But if they have doubts about what they eat, God condemns them when they eat it, because their action is not based on faith. And anything that is not based on faith is sin.

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, hope this message has brought us (I include myself here) an understanding about how we, as Christ's followers, are free in and through Christ. If that is true, please share this with your friends and relatives who need to know this truth.

Importance of the word of God

Importance of the word of God

31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,  32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."  (John 8:31-32, ESV)

It is God's love letters to us, the key to life and happiness, and the creators handbook.

1. The word reveals God himself to us

He is holy

15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,  16 since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy."  (1 Peter 1:15-16, ESV)

1 In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple.  2 Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 
3 And one called to another and said: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!"  
4 And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke.  5 And I said: "Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!"  6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar.  7 And he touched my mouth and said: "Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for."  (Isaiah 6:1-7, ESV)

He is just

3 And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, "Great and amazing are your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty! Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations!   4 Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship you, for your righteous acts have been revealed."   (Revelation 15:3-4, ESV)
[26/01 1:29 am] Divine Push: He is love

8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.  9 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.  10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.  (1 John 4:8-10, ESV)

He created us

26 Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth."  27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.   28 And God blessed them. And God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth."  29 And God said, "Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food.  30 And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the heavens and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food." And it was so.  (Genesis 1:26-30, ESV)

He provides for our needs

He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?  (Romans 8:32, ESV)
[26/01 1:33 am] Divine Push: And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.  (Philippians 4:19, ESV)
[26/01 1:33 am] Divine Push: He gives us abundant life

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.  (John 10:10, ESV)
2. The word of God gives us the key to life and happiness

The word of God gives life

49 Remember your word to your servant, in which you have made me hope.   50 This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life.   (Psalm 119:49-50, ESV)

The word of focuses on Jesus Christ, the source of life

11 And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.  12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.  (1 John 5:11-12, ESV)

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.  (John 14:6, ESV)

The word unfolds the blessings of life in Christ

3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,  4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.  (2 Peter 1:3-4, ESV)

The word buildup genuine disciples.

So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,  (John 8:31, ESV)

And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.  (Acts 20:32, ESV)

The word liberates

and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."  (John 8:32, ESV)

WHAT IS LOVE

What is Love

1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.  

2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 
3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. 
4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 
5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 
6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 
7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 
8 Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. 
9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 
10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. 
11 When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. 
12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. 
13 So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.  (1 Corinthians 13, ESV)
14 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 
15 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 
16 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 
17 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 
18 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. 
19 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 
20 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 
21 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.  22 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 
23 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 
24 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." 
25 To the contrary, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head." 
26 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.  (Romans 12:9-21, ESV)
27 Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. 
28 For the commandments, "You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet," and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." 
29 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.  30 Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. 
31The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.  32 Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy.  (Romans 13:8-13, ESV)

Love is is patient and kind
Love does not envy or boast
Love is not arrogant or rude
It does not insist on its own
It is not irritable or resentful
It does not rejoice at wrongdoing
It rejoices with the truth
Love bears all things
Believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never ends

Symbols of the word of God

What the word of God is like

10 "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,   11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.   (Isaiah 55:10-11, ESV)

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.   (Psalm 119:105, ESV)

Symbols of the word of God

1. Lamp or light.
It illuminates and guides

2. Seed: it grows and multiplies.
And some fell into good soil and grew and yielded a hundredfold." As he said these things, he called out, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."  (Luke 8:8, ESV)
since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God;  (1 Peter 1:23, ESV)

3. Fire: it devours.
Therefore thus says the LORD, the God of hosts: "Because you have spoken this word, behold, I am making my words in your mouth a fire, and this people wood, and the fire shall consume them.   (Jeremiah 5:14, ESV)

4. Hammer: it breaks
Is not my word like fire, declares the LORD, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?  (Jeremiah 23:29, ESV)

5. Sword: it arms and cut.
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.  (Hebrews 4:12, ESV)
and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,  (Ephesians 6:17, ESV)

6. Mirror: it reveals and reflects.
22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.  23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror.  24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like.  25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.  (James 1:22-25, ESV)

7. Food: it makes you grow
Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation-  (1 Peter 2:2, ESV)
It is milk for babes. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation-  (1 Peter 2:2, ESV)
It is bread for the hungry. But he answered, "It is written, "'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"   (Matthew 4:4, ESV)
Meat for men. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food,  (Hebrews 5:12, ESV)
Honey for dessert. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.   (Psalm 19:10, ESV)

8. Soap: it cleans
Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you.  (John 15:3, ESV)
Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.  (John 17:17, ESV)

9. Medicine: it brings healing.
He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction.   (Psalm 107:20, ESV)

10. Guided spiritual missile: it accomplishes its mission.
10 "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,   11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.   (Isaiah 55:10-11, ESV)

11. Rain and snow: it refreshes.
"For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,   (Isaiah 55:10, ESV)

12. More than gold: it enriches
7 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;   8 the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;   9 the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether.   10 More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.   (Psalm 19:7-10, ESV)

13. Power: it generates faith and eternal salvation
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.  (Romans 10:17, ESV)
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.  (Romans 1:16, ESV)
14. Water: washes and cleans
that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word,  (Ephesians 5:26, ESV)

God bless us all

The word of God

The word of God

20 knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. 
21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.  (2 Peter 1:20-21, ESV)

16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,  17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.  (2 Timothy 3:16-17, ESV)

I emphasis of I am dealing with tonight is the written word of God, the Bible.
The emphasis of I am dealing with is the written word of God, the Bible.
The emphasis I am dealing with is the written word of God, the Bible.

What the word of God is,

1. Specific revelation to man

20 knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation.  21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. 
(2 Peter 1:20-21, ESV)

1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets,  2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.  (Hebrews 1:1-2, ESV)

2. The gospel of salvation for mankind

25 Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages.
26 but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith-(Romans 16:25-26, ESV)

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.  (Romans 1:16, ESV)

3. Authoritative and final

1 Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.  2 For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution,  3 how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard,  4 while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.  (Hebrews 2:1-4, ESV)

4. Divinely inspired for godliness

16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,  17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.  (2 Timothy 3:16-17, ESV)

5. Powerful and searching

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.  (Hebrews 4:12, ESV)

6. The way to prosperity and life

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.  (Joshua 1:8, ESV)

20 My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings.   21 Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart.   22 For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh.   (Proverbs 4:20-22, ESV).

The Bible

What is The Bible?

The Bible is God's inspired revelation of the original destiny of all things. Here heaven is opened and the gates of hell disclosed. It is the travelers map, the pilgrim's staff, the pilot's compass, the soldiers sword and the Christians charter

The Bible is the power of God unto eternal salvation and the source of present help, for body, soul and spirit. Christ is its grand subject, man's good its design and the glory of God its end. It is a mine of wealth, the source of health and a world of pleasure

The Bible is God's will and testament to men in all ages, revealing the plan of God for man here and now, and in the next life. It will be opened at the judgment and it will last forever. It involves the highest responsibility, will reward for the least to the greatest of labor and will condemn all who trifle with its  sacred content

The Bible  is the record of God's dealings with man in the past, present and future. It contains his message of eternal salvation for all who believe in Christ, and eternal damnation for all who rebel against the gospel

As a literary composition, the Bible is most remarkable book ever made.

The Bible is the only book that reveals the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the soon of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts binding, its histories true and its decisions immutable. It contains light to direct, spiritual food to sustain and comfort to cheer.

Man read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. Read it and it will fill your memory, rule your heart and guide your feet in righteous and true holiness.

Read it slowly, frequently, prayerfully, meditatively, searchingly, devotionally and study it constantly, perseveringly and industriously through and through - until it becomes a part of his being, generating faith that will move mountains.

What the Bible is not

The Bible is not an amulet, charm, fetish or anything to work wonders by its very presence alone. It does not claim to be such, it does claim that if one will study and practice its   teachings he will see wonders worked in his life both now and in the hereafter.

The Bible is not a book of chronological events or an unbroken series of divine utterances. It was given, here a little and there a little, to many men through eighteen centuries but regardless of this it forms a perfect unity.

9 "To whom will he teach knowledge, and to whom will he explain the message? Those who are weaned from the milk, those taken from the breast?   10 For it is precept upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little."   11 For by people of strange lips and with a foreign tongue the LORD will speak to this people,   (Isaiah 28:9-11, ESV)

The Bible is not a book of heavenly utterances in supernatural languages, it is God's revelation in the simplest human language possible.

The Bible is not a of mysteries, it explains its so-called mysteries, and is so self interpreting that no mystery remains.

The Bible is not a book that says one thing and mean another.

The Bible is not a specimen of God's skill as a writer or logician.. It is a book written by men who he used to recording his revelation.

The Bible is not a book of systematic discourses on any one subject, but it does give divine information on practically every subject.

The Bible is not a book adapted to the  taste, customs and habits of any one nation or people, it is not for any one age or period of time.

Seedtime and Harvest.... Word Ministration

WORD MINISTRATION

The topic am treating is
SEEDTIME AND HARVEST

God created he earth to receive and produce seed. He earth does not keep the seed it receives. Those who plant seed into the earth receives back

During the time if creation, God made the earth to bring forth grass and herbs that yield seed. The reason He did that was so that through the seed, He would continue to have grass and herbs without repeating the command to produce plants again and again

The grass seed and herb seed took over the responsibility of self-replenishment.

11 And God said, "Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind, on the earth." And it was so. 
12 The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed according to their own kinds, and trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. (Genesis 1:11-12, ESV)

The law of seedtime and harvest has been in place since creation. As surely as there is cold and heat, summer and winter and night and day, there is seedtime and harvest.

It should be easy to exercise faith to receive after giving because we don't struggle to believe that winter follows summer and day comes after night
While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease."  (Genesis 8:22, ESV)

Apart from seedtime and harvest, there is what I call "seedplace" and "harvestplace"
Seedplace is where you sow your seed and harvestplace is where you harvest your fruit. The seedplace may be different from the harvestplace because God is the ultimate giver of the harvest.
You could sow in India and receive the harvest is USA "the earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof. The book of Ecclesiastes gives one the vivid description of giving and receiving
It mentions casting ones bread upon the waters and finding it after many days.

1 Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days.  
2 Give a portion to seven, or even to eight, for you know not what disaster may happen on earth.  
3 If the clouds are full of rain, they empty themselves on the earth, and if a tree falls to the south or to the north, in the place where the tree falls, there it will lie.  
4 He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap.  
5 As you do not know the way the spirit comes to the bones in the womb of a woman with child, so you do not know the work of God who makes everything. 
6 In the morning sow your seed, and at evening withhold not your hand, for you do not know which will prosper, this or that, or whether both alike will be good.  (Ecclesiastes 11:1-6, ESV)

Casting upon the waters and finding it after many days has a number of meanings. This may be referring to the agricultural method in which seeds such as rice were sown by scattering them onto ground that was covered with water.

Happy are you who sow beside all waters, who let the feet of the ox and the donkey range free.   (Isaiah 32:20, ESV)

Casting of bread upon the waters refer to giving to the needy. I encourage you to give to the end and to the last person even if you are weary - five to seven. Don't give up as long as there is an opportunity to continue giving - give to eight. When you give to everybody and to every project at a particular time and specific place - to 7 - look for another person or project and give again to 8.

Note that the clouds that are full of water, rain onto the earth from where they receive water through evaporation and condensation. The clouds give back water to the earth - it is unnatural not to give back. The reverse is also logical - the earth receives the water it gives to the atmosphere when the rain falls. The earth is created to receive water. Negative circumstances should not prevent us from giving. We should not observe the wind or regard the clouds before we sow seed. During the creation of the earth when the earth was without form and void and darkness was all over the place, God defied the situation and commanded the light to appear. He went on to establish order and commanded the earth to produce plants bearing seed and it did.

People who observe the wind and regard the clouds are those who give excuses not to give to God or others. They find good reasons to support their determination not to take any risk in giving. Such people think what they have can increase if they hold on to it. The book of proverbs warns us against keeping this with the hope of them. It says people who distribute what they have increases, whereas those who withhold things gravitate towards poverty.

24 One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.  
25 Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.  
26 The people curse him who holds back grain, but a blessing is on the head of him who sells it.   (Proverbs 11:24-26, ESV)

Nature abhors holding on to things - they get rusted, mouldy or rotten. People hate those who hold on to money and earthly possessions whiles others are in need - they curse them. The giving and receiving behavior of nature should encourage us to do the same. People who exercise faith in God naturally practice giving and receiving. Giving and receiving should be a life style, Paul worked hard to support himself and give to those who laboured with him in the ministry. The great motivator reminded the believers about Jesus Christ's words that it is more blessed to give that to receive. He reminded the Ephesian believers about the example he set by working in order to give to others and also demonstrate Jesus' admonition on giving.

33 I coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. 
34 You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. 
35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"  (Acts 20:33-35, ESV)

1 After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 
2 And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. And he went to see them.
3 and because he was of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade. 
4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and tried to persuade Jews and Greeks.  (Acts 18:1-4, ESV)

Though Paul was entitled to receive gifts and support from the Corinthian believers and other churches, he did not take advantage of his apostolic office. The apostle chose to work to take care of himself so that he would not be a burden to the Corinthians.

6 Even if I am unskilled in speaking, I am not so in knowledge; indeed, in every way we have made this plain to you in all things. 
7 Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself so that you might be exalted, because I preached God's gospel to you free of charge? 
8 I robbed other churches by accepting support from them in order to serve you.  9 And when I was with you and was in need, I did not burden anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied my need. So I refrained and will refrain from burdening you in any way.  10 As the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting of mine will not be silenced in the regions of Achaia.  (2 Corinthians 11:6-10, ESV)

Paul's commitment to giving produced the corresponding grace to receive from others. Note that there is no way seedtime and harvest time will pass so never stop sowing your seed and you will never stop harvesting. God bless you and know that your seed of giving will always bring to you a harvest.

Theory of giving and receiving

Let's begin from today onwards THEORY OF GIVING AND RECEIVING

When we stop giving, we drop living.

Giving and receiving is the supernatural  exchange through which God blesses people with the things they need.

This means supplying needs gives us more than the reward work gives. Working rewards us but giving brings us something extra.

The world mocks believers for believing that God  gives gifts to them through the principle of giving and receiving.

The practice of giving and receiving is an expression of the grace of God.

The negative attitude of the world makes the supernatural away from the timeless secret of giving and receiving.

Giving is the act of being motivated by love to release earthly goods and spiritual things to God as a gesture of devotion, for the fulfilment of His will on earth and to others in order to empower them.

Giving to God is an act of devotion that proves our live for Him.

Giving to God also involves giving to those He calls to enable them execute His agenda on earth

We give to others because we love them.

We give to them to enable them fulfill their purpose and also solve problems.

Without giving, life comes to standstill.

The world expends energy in attacking believers on he issue of giving and receiving because it knows that *when we stop giving we stop living*

Someone will ask what is this fellow saying that when we stop giving we stop living, just like the dead sea which only receives and does not give, it is dead.

No life is in that sea that is why we call it dead sea, so therefore if you are a child of God or a living being and you do not give, you begin to die off.

This is what the word tells us,
Invest our money in business ventures with the aim of making profit.

Work hard to earn money,  the world don't believe that God gives money to people who sow seeds into other people's lives.

Engage in rigorous budgeting to conserve money.

Save money to the detriment of our families and the work of charity. Charity purifies your money.

The worldly way of getting and using money are directed at satisfying the individual and not God or another person

Personal investment, working, budgeting and saving can make you selfish and overemphasising them makes the purpose of our existence backslide.

We want you to know that any time you give you will receive and it comes in good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over.

We must break the habit  of constantly thinking, "giving" and rather think, giving and receiving

As believers we must think giving and receiving and have the expectation of receiving from God and from others after giving and are always energised to believe God to reward your obedience. Those of us who only think giving get tired of giving and withdraw.

Get it clearer that giving and receiving goes together. Those who give should expert to receive. There is no spirituality or humility in giving to God and not expecting to receive anything from him

It is spiritually sound to expect to receive from God and others when we five in obedience to the word of God. God designed many things in nature to give and receive. When we plant seed we receive plants that yields more seed. A harvest period follows seedtime. Anything other than this is abnormal.

Note that whatever you give, you will receive. God bless you richly as you ponder on this word.