Beauty For Ashes

The Hebrew word for ashes is epher and the Hebrew word for beauty is pheer. Just move the e and you have a new word. And just as quickly as it takes for you to move one letter God is going to turn your sorrow into joy. He speaks and it is already done.

Whatever your situation is, whether it seems there is no solution in sight for your problems, or you are sick and down trodden, or you don’t even have any affliction, but you just desire a better life, no matter what your state is, God is still in the business of making things better. So whether you are afflicted or not, God is saying to you He will give you beauty for ashes. God is working to create a miracle out of your afflictions, He is working in your storm to produce peace, and is working in your ashes to give you beauty.

He desires the best for you, and therefore invests His best in you. As parents go to any length to ensure the best for their children, so that they can be proud of them when they grow up how much more God, He also wants to show you off to the world and tell the world He is proud of you. So no matter what you are going through right now, look to the end, it will reveal the glory of God. No matter how dark the night is, the dawning of a new day shall be glorious. When something is burnt into ashes, it seems there is no hope for it anymore, but God who specializes in impossibilities will surely turn that hopelessness into a thing of beauty. So don’t look down on yourself, don’t be discouraged, for that is exactly what the devil wants you to believe. If you give up, God is not going to be glorified, and Jesus won’t be able to fulfill His ministry in your life.

In Psalms 50:2, Zion is called the perfection of beauty, and Zion is symbolic of the church, which is you and I. Psalms 76:2 says Zion is the dwelling place of God. Joel 3:17 also says Zion is where God dwells. Jesus died for the world (sinners), but He lives for the Church. He has already died once and for all to save sinners but the reason He’s alive is because of you and I, so that the Church can be beautified. Hebrews 7:25, Jesus is praying for you right now.

Exodus 15:22-27 Bitter waters made sweet From this story we learn about a young nation that has just been freed from bondage, for 430 years they had been under slavery in the land of Egypt. They were under the oppression of their task masters, the Egyptians, who treated them cruelly. And the Bible says God delivered them with a strong and mighty hand. After they left Egypt, God had parted the Red sea and they had walked safely on dry ground, while the Egyptians pursuing them had perished in the same sea. Afterwards, they broke out in songs led by Mariam and Moses, singing about God’s mighty deliverance from their enemies. This story illustrates the life of a believer that has just been delivered from bondage, who has enjoyed the grace of God and outstanding victories.

*What Should I Know/Do?*

The Bible says that he will give us beauty for ashes. In Bible times it was the custom for the people of that day to in great times of mourning and difficulty lay in ashes. Just think about that. You’ve got a problem in your life and you just sit down in a pile of ashes. There is nothing beautiful about ashes.

But the scripture says he is going to take your difficult, disgusting, depressing and horrible situation and give you beauty. He is going to pick you up out of the ash pile of life and make something beautiful out of you.

You may feel like your life is ugly and insignificant right now. But sometimes things that appear ugly just need the right climate to grow. There is a species of century plant called the “Maguey”. It grows for years with great course leaves as thick as two hands put together. It’s three inches thick and very long. It puts out sharp thorns and it’s just as ugly as can be. The longer it’s alive and the more it grows, it just gets uglier all the time. But suddenly it shoots up in just a couple of days and a great shaft tall and thick begins to grow. It decks it’s spreading head with thousands of flowers and becomes a beautiful plant.

The possibility of all that fragrant beauty was always in that detestable ugliness. Just as the fragrant beauty of your life is sometimes hidden underneath the calloused ritual. It is smothered by daily schedules and monotonous grind. Sometimes painful experiences cause beauty to come forth.

*Lifting Prayers*

Heavenly Father, in a mighty dimension, release the fire of the Holy Spirit on my life. Set my spiritual life; my prayer life, bible study, faith and ministry on fire that there will be no room for spiritual ashes in my life. Make me a flame of fire for you not someone who is spiritually dry and weak. Let my spiritual life be alive with your fire not dead with ashes. Lord, baptize me afresh with the Holy Spirit. Fill me with the fire of the Holy Spirit so I am untouchable to any evil fire, dart or arrow. I stand against every evil conspiracy and oath that has been taken to cut short my life or the lives of my family members. I declare that I shall live and not die. My family members will not mourn over me this year, I will not mourn over any family member. O Lord, give me beauty for ashes. Turn my mourning to dancing. I refuse to wear garments of mourning, sadness and sorrow. Father, this year and beyond, let my life be full of celebrations, thanksgiving and rejoicing In Jesus Mighty Name. Amen!

Do have a victorious Wednesday
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Further Scriptural Reading: Psalm 30:11, Heb 1:7, Jeremiah 30:19, Dan 3:26-27, Psalm 105:15.

Overcoming Discouragement

When we feel like giving up, we are vulnerable to a whole range of temptations. When we give in to those temptations, our sin just confirms our discouragement, and we easily slip into a cycle in which fear drives us into hiding, hiding opens us to sins of selfishness and self-indulgence, and caving in increases our sense of helplessness and self-pity. So we sit, weighed down by fear and condemnation, feeling stuck.

But God doesn’t want us feeling stuck. Jesus didn’t endure crucifixion so we would live defeated. He has purchased our forgiveness of sins, our freedom from the weight of fear, and our power to overcome the world, our flesh, and the devil. Discouragement is not as powerful as it feels. We can defeat it if we confront it.

A famous biblical example of discouragement is when the twelve spies returned after scoping out the Promised Land. They reported the land indeed “[flowed] with milk and honey,” but the inhabitants were “strong,” some were giants, and the cities “fortified and very large” (Numbers 13:27–28). Ten of the twelve spies said, “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we are” (Numbers 13:31). This so discouraged the people that they refused to trust in God’s promises and power. As a result, they wandered in the wilderness forty more years. Only Joshua and Caleb, the two faithful spies, lived to see those fears defeated.

Another famous example was the discouragement Saul and his army felt over Goliath’s challenges and taunts (1 Samuel 17). Fear immobilized all the warriors until a teenage shepherd named David arrived with faith in a huge God. He stood up to the giant, and dropped Goliath face down with one stone (1 Samuel 17:49). Then suddenly full of courage, Israel decimated the Philistines.

A New Testament example is found in Acts 4, after the same council that had facilitated Jesus’s death threatened Peter, John, and the rest of the Christians. When the apostles reported these threats, everyone felt the seriousness. But the church responded very differently than the ancient Israelites or Saul’s army. When tempted with discouragement, instead of being immobilized by fear, they responded with faith, asked God for help, and as a result “were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness” (Acts 4:31).

What Should I Know/Do?

Satan loves to tempt us with discouragement because he knows we are easily intimidated by what is or looks dangerous and overwhelming. He casts God as the bad guy for bringing us to this hopeless place, and then encourages us to feel justified in feeling discouraged. The way out of this demonic deception is to confront the discouragement head on. How do we do this?

When we’re discouraged, remember the Canaanites, remember Goliath, remember the council, and remember your own stories when God showed up to deliver you from discouragement. What discourages us is not as powerful as it feels in the moment. We overcome our fear by confronting our discouragement and exercising faith in God’s promises. Those are precious moments in which we will see the power of God.

Lifting Prayers

Dear Righteous Father Holy and True, I will not forget Your benefits as daily You help bear my burdens. Though I’m facing seemingly endless difficulties, I will not throw in the towel. I will set my eyes upon the hills and look forward with confidence of the future You have prepared for me; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, in Oneness and power, now and forever. Amen.


Further Scriptural Reading:
Psalm 42:5, Heb12:12-14, 1peter 4:11,
1 Tim 6:12, Romans 1:5

The Mouth Of The Righteous is a Fountain and not a factory.

Compare Proverbs 10:6. Streams of living water (like the "fountain of living waters" of Jeremiah 2:13; Jeremiah 17:13, and the "living water" of John 4:10), flow from the mouth of the righteous, but that of the wicked is "covered," i. e., stopped and put to silence by their own violence. Now the question below...

Why does this righteousness make FOUNTAINS out of our mouths and not factories?

Righteousness means being rooted in God, not standing outside God trying to earn your way in with a list of behaviors. Biblical righteousness is not primarily a set of things that you do but rather it is whom you trust and whom you live with and whom you fear to forsake, and whom you learn from to be wise. Or to use the New Testament terminology, righteousness is abiding in the vine, not working for the vine, but trusting the vine to work through you, and flow through you. Righteousness is being in Christ and living by faith in his power and grace and wisdom.

That kind of relationship with God and his Son makes your mouth a fountain and not a factory. There is a great difference between the freedom of a fountain and the frenzy of a factory. God means to make our mouths pure and life-giving not by commanding us to marshal more human resources and digging up raw materials and organizing labor and management like a factory like: "Get your psychological corporate act together!" Instead God means to make our mouths pure and life-giving by becoming our resources and our raw material and our labor and management himself.

"Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks," Jesus said (Matthew 12:34). And the way God means to change the mouth is by becoming that abundance. He means to be a fountain of life for us and in us so that out of that abundance our mouths can be a fountain of life for others.

What Should I Know/Do?

The mouth of the righteous is a fountain and not a factory because righteousness means living on the abundance of God moment by moment drinking at the fountain of living water which is nothing less than God himself, manifest in Jesus Christ, and welling up in our hearts by the Holy Spirit (John 4:14; 7:38–39).

So the heart of this devotional is a call to trust God as your abundance and treasure. To live in God, to feed on God, and drink from God, and fellowship with God, learn all your wisdom from God, and fear to forsake God (Ezra 8:22). He invites you this morning very earnestly and sincerely: "Let him who is thirsty come, let him who desires take the water of life without price" (Revelation 22:17). The fountain of life is free. And it reproduces fountains not factories.

Lifting Prayers

Dear Lord, I thank You that you offer it to us this incredible gift of Love free without a price, an offering poured out through Jesus’ great sacrifice to anyone who will accept it. I thank you, too, that you loved us enough to give us freewill to choose it for ourselves; it is never forced upon us. Therefore Lord, I declare I am righteous, my mouth is a Fountain of Life and not curses. Give me grace to brittle my tongue. Whenever I speak, let Life flow through me. Help me to always abide constantly in you. Teacher, teach me all I need to know, guide me unto the end. Amen.

Perilous Times

The remarkable picture of the present age given in the prophecy of Paul in 2 Timothy 3, is breathtaking both in scope and detail. Humanly speaking, not even the massive intellect of the apostle could have led him to see the unique features of apostasy in today's western world. It is the voice of God that speaks in this passage, providing his people living in days of apostasy with the explanations, warnings and guidance so sorely needed for their safety and survival. Do we have an adequate understanding of such times of unusually severe godlessness? What are the special dangers? Where must we most carefully set watch against the wiles of the devil? Do we know exactly how atheism will reshape society, and influence even true churches?

The media and the world of education has decided that there is no God, no soul, no absolute standard of right and wrong, and that no one has the right to challenge others on these things. Everyone is entitled to do that which is right in his own eyes. This is an age of unprecedented arrogance and self-determination, no former age having seen such extensive 're-programming' of the human conscience to 'call evil good, and good evil'; to 'put darkness for light, and light for darkness'.
       
Society's tremendous resistance to witness and evangelism is also dangerous to churches, because, as we have noted, pastors and people become demoralised and disheartened, and faith fails. Some good churches have already given up evangelism, and have lapsed into introspection and decline, while even more have fallen into an entirely different trap by redesigning their churches and methods to make themselves more attractive to worldlings.

Worship has been turned into entertainment; something for the pleasure of earthly-minded people, and not something for God. Numerous churches have become little more than social clubs, but with an added benefit attached the supposed favour of God towards the members, along with a place in Heaven.

God’s people today are deeply disappointed at the slow progress of their evangelistic efforts, feeling almost crushed when they read of the success and blessing of past worthies. But these are days of unique hardness 'perilous times' and Scripture here tells us how to recognise and respond to them.

So far, the last days have amounted to a period of over 2,000 years, and within this period there have already been a number of seasons of conspicuous godlessness, characterised by abandonment of the faith and hostility to the Gospel.
   
According to Paul these extreme anti-Christian seasons will come and go in cycles (but not necessarily uniformly throughout the world). They are to be expected from time to time throughout the Gospel age, and God's people must beware, and take special precautions. These evil times or seasons will not arise without warning. The words of Paul 'perilous times shall come' indicate that such seasons will set in, or settle in, rather in the way that a great storm comes. There will be a build-up of indications: a spiritual chill, a darkening over of Gospel knowledge, and a developing wind of cynicism. There signs are currently in our nation Nigeria. Formally, we hear of bombings, killings, burning of churches, and all sorts but right now have come to us. All these signs have been manifested in Britain over the last fifty years.

What Should I Know/Do?

The brokenness of society prophesied in 2 Timothy 3, needs to be taken account of by us, so that our outreach may be relevant, and our protection of God’s people adequate for the time. So we turn to the features of ­behaviour in a time of apostasy.

Lifting Prayers

Dear Jesus, I thank you, Lord, for granting me this precious moment to be with You. Thank You for Your provisions today: for food, for shelter and for hearing my prayer. I know that nothing escapes You, and that even now, You are aware of everything going on in the world. Despite great despair and pain, You are watching, leaning in, and listening for the cries of Your children.
 Today Lord, I am crying out to You. Lord, I see the suffering of so many. I sense their pain, and I see the chaos around me. Each day, it intensifies. When will it end, Lord? I see so many deceptions, countless lies and unspeakable evil. I see so many who are struggling to see Your Light, while others do all that they can to hide it from them. Arise Lord, Multiply grace to your Church, Heal the broken hearted, set the captives free, heal the sick, grant unto us boldness to reach out to the Lost and endue your Church with power in this challenging times. Amen!

The Story of Anna(an effective witness).

The story of Anna is contained in just three small verses of Scripture, but contained in this brief account of her life are several significant principles to guide us in becoming a more effective messenger for Christ.

Luke 2:36 states that anna was a prophetess, she fasted and prayed, and she never left the temple. The KJV contains an additional phrase, "she lived with her husband seven years from her virginity." All these references reveal that Anna lived a separated or holy life. When God chose someone to offer a witness for His Son, He chose someone who practiced purity.

Anna's purity serves as a beautiful picture that an effective witness flows from a holy life. Many Christians are weak and ineffective because their lives are filled with ungodliness. These weak witnesses live with shame knowing their hypocrisy limits their credibility in speaking for the cause of Christ, so these worldly believers remain silent. The apostle Paul wrote to Timothy instructing him, "If a man cleanses himself he will be a vessel of honor, made holy, useful to the master and prepared for every good work." (2 Tim 2:12).

The biographical account of Anna reveals that she was a prayer warrior who prayed night and day. When God chose a handful of believers who testified at His Son's birth, God chose someone who prayed. Through prayer she gained an insight that many failed to grasp. I am sure she was familiar with the prophecy of Jeremiah who declared for God, "Call upon me, and I will show great and mighty things that you do not know" (Jer. 33:3). Anna saw mighty things of God that others missed.

Look back at Anna's story. The Scripture says she spoke to all who were looking for redemption (v. 38). I can not prove it from the text, but I am convinced that she told people for whom she had been praying. Who are you praying for? If you can not name someone, then pray for God to lead you to a lost soul that you can bring into the presence of Christ through prayer.

We need to pray consistently, but we must also be ready to take the next step of proclaiming boldly. The text says "she went up to them," and she spoke to others who were looking for redemption. These verses reveal a holy boldness to initiate the conversation. Anna recognized what an awesome privilege she had been given to testify of the Messiah. Some people thought she was just a crazy old lady, but Anna was more concerned about the Messiah than what the multitudes thought.

Boldness is not about doing crazy off the wall, life-threatening adventures. Holy boldness like Anna's is stepping out of a comfort zone, by faith, to share the great news of eternal life with those who need it and are ready to receive it. Boldness prevents you from becoming negative or defeated when everyone does not respond. Most did not believe Jesus even after they saw Him perform miracles; and most will not believe you. Through holy boldness, we keep sharing because we refuse to be intimidated by darkness, ridicule, or a calloused heart of a lost soul.

What Should I Know/Do?

You cannot read this story without noticing the emphasis on Anna's age. Some translations say she was a widow for 84 years after 7 years of marriage. If she was 14 when she married, she would have been 105 years old. Other translations like the NIV indicate she was 84, but the point is the text says she was "very old." She had longed for this day for many years, and God granted her the desire of her heart. Widowhood would have been extremely difficult in the first century. Remember the Apostle Paul's instruction to encourage young widows to remarry. The first deacons of the church were chosen to address needs related to widows. Anna probably battled poverty, loneliness, and depression, but she never lost hope in the God of Israel who loved her. She provides a powerful example to never give up. God's timing is perfect, and Anna waited faithfully on her God.

Notice, Anna makes her greatest contribution at her weakest condition. You persevere by doing what you can, where you are, with what you have. Far too many saints complain or get discouraged about what they don't have or can't do. At almost 100 years of age, there were some things Anna could not do that she once did, but Anna kept on serving. I love the words spoken by Jesus to Mary of Bethany who anointed him with burial perfume. Jesus said, "She has done what she could." Anna did what she could. What are you doing with what you have?

A major lesson from Anna's life is not to let age or any other barrier prevent you from making a significant contribution to the Kingdom. One of the beautiful aspects of the Christmas story is the variety of people that God uses for His glory. Young and old, rich and poor, women and men - all play critical roles in God's plan of redemption. Anna's story challenges all of us to stop making excuses that limit our effectiveness and start making a difference with the opportunities and resources that we do have.

Lifting Prayers

Dear Lord, I realize that many who lived in Anna's day were not looking for the Messiah. I pray today that you would stir the hearts of all my lost loved ones that they would start to look for You their Messiah. Father, many today have a vision of Jesus that is incorrect. Many people do not read their Bible, so they are easily fooled into believing things about Jesus that are not true. Lord, I declare that I will read my Bible. I want to know the true Jesus. I want to serve him and love him with all my heart. Lord, help me not to twist the scriptures into my interpretation. Help me not to create my vision of things.  Help me to see things the way they really are. Help me to love your Word just as it is and to be an effective witness like Anna Your servant. Amen!

The Pentecost

The Christian gospel is not just a lovely story, although it is that, because it is the story of something very wonderful that God has done in history. He has sent His own Son into this world (John 3:16; 1 Timothy 1:15). At just the right time Jesus came, rose, and ascended and went back to the right-hand of God (Galatians 4:4-6). The other wonderful thing that God has done in history is this: He has sent the Holy Spirit to live within and to empower His own people, and the second chapter of Acts records this.

From Acts 2:1 we learn that it was a pre-determined event in the mind of God. The Holy Spirit was not poured out as the result of the prayer meeting held by the disciples. In Leviticus 23:15-16 we read of the feast of Pentecost, which was to take place fifty days after the Passover feast. The Lord Jesus ascended into heaven forty days after His resurrection, and then ten days after that came the Day of Pentecost. Notice in Acts 2:13-17 that Pentecost was the first fulfilment of Joel’’s prophecy which had been made 850 years previously (Joel 2:28-32).


In many of His sayings, the Lord Jesus anticipated the coming of the Holy Spirit (John 7:37-39; John 14:16-17). He promised that He would come to indwell all Christians, and at Pentecost that is exactly what happened - “All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit” (verse 4). Since that day, immediately someone becomes a Christian the Holy Spirit takes up residence; this is the distinctive mark of a real Christian; Read through and compare Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 6:19.

If you look again at Acts 2:4 you will notice that they were “all filled" young and old, rich and poor, educated and illiterate, preachers and all were filled. This is God’’s plan and provision for every one of His children; this is to be the normal experience for Christians. Read Acts 4:31; 9:17 and 13:52.

*What Should I Know/Do?*

If you study the Lord’s pattern for Christian living and serving you will find that Christians are to be new people (2 Corinthians 5:17); they are to be love-filled (John 13:34-35); holy (1 Peter 1:15); courageous (Acts 4:13); willing to suffer (Acts 5:41); they are to witness with power (Acts 1:8); to take the gospel to the ends of the world (Matthew 28:19). But how is this possible? – Zechariah 4:6!

We get this clearly brought out in Acts 2:21. What an amazing thing it is that provision has been made by the Lord for “whoever believes in him” (John 3:16) to know the Lord Jesus Christ as the living Saviour and the Holy Spirit as the abiding, indwelling Comforter!

Lifting Prayers

Dear Lord, For the Spirit of Peace that calms our mind and stills our life, we give You thanks. For the Spirit of Love that touches hearts and reaches out, we give You thanks. For the Spirit of Joy that lifts our soul and gives us faith we give You thanks. For the Spirit of Power, that gift of grace for Your church, we give You thanks. We ask for Your forgiveness, Lord, when we forget the power that lies within, and trust instead upon our human strength. Remind us of that glorious day when Your Spirit transformed the lives of those who hid in fear, into men of power. Renew those hearts which have grown cold with flames of fire, as on that Pentecost, that this might be the church that You desire. Amen!

Manifestation Of Sonship

The entire creation of God is patiently waiting for the manifestation of the sons of God. Sons of God are created to walk, talk, and act like their Father, the Father of their spirits. Those that have been filled with His Spirit who went ahead of us manifested Kingdom power.

According to the Bible, when John the Baptist came on the scene his message was simply: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” – Matthew 3:2. He was busy baptizing people in the River Jordan as he admonished his listeners to repent because of the Kingdom of heaven that was at hand. Subsequently, when Jesus came to him to be baptized, John said “Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world”  (John 1:29) and he baptized Jesus. Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit, and was led into the desert to be tempted by the devil for forty days and forty nights.

Jesus came back out of the desert after the temptations, in the power of the Holy Spirit, walked into the synagogue, opened the Book and read from Isaiah 61: “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me” (Luke 4:18). And in that power he started preaching: “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” – Matthew 4:17. He preached the exact same message that John the Baptist preached. There was no difference in their messages.

Matthew 10:1:

“And Jesus summoned to Him His twelve disciples and gave them power and authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure all kinds of disease and all kinds of weakness and infirmity.” Here, we learn that Jesus called the twelve disciples and gave them all authority and power, over all devils, all sickness, and all weakness and infirmities. Now, we can cure any sick person, we can cast out any demons.

Verse 7: “And as you go, preach saying ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’” Jesus gave the disciples the same message that He and John the Baptist preached. They were to preach the good news that the Kingdom of heaven was at hand. But what was the evidence that their message was true?

Verse 8: “Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out demons.”The proof was going to be in the manifestation of kingdom power through them. The manifestation of the sons of God was mandatory! Jesus told them and by extension us who believe, to heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, and drive out demons. What a radical instruction this was!

He did not ask them to go and pray that perhaps God would do all these things. He commanded them to perform these acts. He commanded them to go forth and manifest the power of the Kingdom of God on the earth.

Many sons of God are not seeing the miraculous results they are praying for. This is precisely because they are not taking their authority and commanding God’s power. They are passively asking God to do what He has already commanded them to do.

God is the Healer! But, God has placed His healing power under our authority, and it is up to us to release it. If the sons of God do not take their authority and become commanders instead of beggars, God’s power will not be released through them. Our minds must be radically renewed in this area. The manifestation of the sons of God is non-negotiable.

What Should I Know/Do?

1 Corinthians 4:20:

“The kingdom of heaven is not in words but the kingdom is in power.” The disciples were to announce the arrival of the Kingdom of heaven. However, the kingdom of heaven is not in words only. The kingdom of heaven is in power! The kingdom of God is all authority, all power. We are to heal all the sick, cleanse all the lepers, raise the dead, and preach that the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

So, Apostle Paul did not want to know about the speech of the Corinthian church. He desired to see their power. This was the only proof he desired to ascertain their position in the Kingdom of God. He was a certified evidence of the manifest sons of God.

Romans 8 vs 19 says 'For the creation is eagerly awaiting the revelation of God's children'. A child is a joy to the father, while son is the pride to the father. What brings pride to the father is your son-ship and manifestation. It takes spiritual capacity for you to manifest, the more you grow in spirit, the wider your manifestation. Growth is personal responsibility each person must take on himself or herself, nobody can build capacity for you. This growth does not depend on age, it is a matter of accepting responsibilities for your life. Go ye into the world and Preach the gospel.

Lifting Prayers

Dear Lord, I thank you for this day, be Thou glorified! All I ask is grace to see and understand the indepth of your word to avoid self seeking gratification but to look at myself as the Colt you rode upon knowing without You, I am nothing. Help me to be kingdom focused, kingdom seeker. May I not overlook any of Your command, "go ye into the world and Preach the gospel"! According to your word, I believe and also I am a carrier of signs following they that believe. I manifestation the fullness of the Kingdom, power and grace. Amen.

You Are God's Weapon Of War, God's Battle Axe!

A battle axe is a weapon in the hands of the warrior that can bring down the enemy. It has capacity to cut down, root up and break into pieces the strong holds of the enemy.

Ex 7:1; Whatever God would have done to Pharaoh, He will do it through Moses. Pharaoh did not see God, but he saw God’s power working through Moses.

The Lord wants to destroy many Pharaohs today, and He looks for the Moses that will serve as His instrument of battle, may He found you as one in Jesus name.

The world is a battle-field, and a place of darkness. A lot of satanic activities are going on, and they are all out to fight the kingdom of God, and to prevent the saints from getting there.

Many Christians have died untimely due to attacks from the powers of darkness and some are in hell because they refused to be the battle-axe of God. I pray that every hold of Satan and his kingdom over your life shall be broken in Jesus name.

A good axe must be sharp, strong, powerful and easy to use. The one that has capacity to cut things easily without getting damaged. God expects every Christian to be His battle-axe, which he will use in destroying the kingdom of darkness. Mark 16:17

He has therefore invested and entrusted His power to us, so that we can achieve this purpose effectively without fail. The devil is aware of this fact so he is vigilant. He is battle-ready at all times with a well orgainze agents of darkness in his kingdom for He knows the Christians that cannot be a razor blade, talk less of battle axes. Acts 19:13-16. It is very painful that some Christians are lukewarm and some are living a deceptive life. The truth is that the devil knows the stand and the worth of every one.

Some Christians are tools and toys in the hands of the devil, but that is not the will of God. I challenge everyone of us to rise up to the task of living according to the will of God so that we can actually be the mighty instruments that God intends us to be.

The devil is occupied 24hours of the day and he fires arrows at people, day and night. The Bible says he walks about looking for who to devour, that is while we must never relax in battle against the powers of darkness.

What Should I Know/Do?

What sharpens you is the word of God. Every believer in Christ must be skillful in the use of the sword of the Spirit for both defensive and offensive actions.

• Addiction to food, drugs, sleep, all of which can make us to be cold and inactive spiritually.

• Disobedience to the word of God. We can see the case of the young prophet who was disobedient to the instructions of God after doing exploits for God, He was abandoned and even the old lying prophet was used to deliver the judgment against him.

• Pride in our lives can serves as rust. We saw the case of Peter who became proud about his stand with Christ, and latter found himself denying Him. God will always resist a proud man and make more grace available to the humble man.

• Sexual impurity. We saw how Solomon and Samson gave up themselves to sexual impurity and they could no longer be mighty in the service of God. To be effective as God’s battle axe, you need to free yourself from all forms of sexual sins and live in purity unto God.

An axe is made of metal; it passes through fire to get its shape. It might not be pleasant, but makes a person a better vessel. Trials, temptations, afflictions and tribulations are the various fire we need to pass through, so that we can come out as sharper and stronger instruments in the hands of God. Also, availability is very important to be useful by God. No matter how strong an axe may be, if it is not readily available for use, it is good as if it is not there at all.

Lifting Prayers

Lord, Help the world, your elect, your kingdom here on earth. According to your word, "You give strength to the faint and to them with no might, you increase strength". Increase our strength, our focus and make us fit to becoming your weapons of war. We drop every burden of darkness in us and take up your burden for it's easy... Thank you dear Lord.... Let your kingdom come, let Your will be done... Help the dying world and deliver them from sin and darkness bringing them to you. Amen.

You Are God's Weapon Of War, God's Battle Axe!

A battle axe is a weapon in the hands of the warrior that can bring down the enemy. It has capacity to cut down, root up and break into pieces the strong holds of the enemy.

Ex 7:1; Whatever God would have done to Pharaoh, He will do it through Moses. Pharaoh did not see God, but he saw God’s power working through Moses.

The Lord wants to destroy many Pharaohs today, and He looks for the Moses that will serve as His instrument of battle, may He found you as one in Jesus name.

The world is a battle-field, and a place of darkness. A lot of satanic activities are going on, and they are all out to fight the kingdom of God, and to prevent the saints from getting there.

Many Christians have died untimely due to attacks from the powers of darkness and some are in hell because they refused to be the battle-axe of God. I pray that every hold of Satan and his kingdom over your life shall be broken in Jesus name.

A good axe must be sharp, strong, powerful and easy to use. The one that has capacity to cut things easily without getting damaged. God expects every Christian to be His battle-axe, which he will use in destroying the kingdom of darkness. Mark 16:17

He has therefore invested and entrusted His power to us, so that we can achieve this purpose effectively without fail. The devil is aware of this fact so he is vigilant. He is battle-ready at all times with a well orgainze agents of darkness in his kingdom for He knows the Christians that cannot be a razor blade, talk less of battle axes. Acts 19:13-16. It is very painful that some Christians are lukewarm and some are living a deceptive life. The truth is that the devil knows the stand and the worth of every one.

Some Christians are tools and toys in the hands of the devil, but that is not the will of God. I challenge everyone of us to rise up to the task of living according to the will of God so that we can actually be the mighty instruments that God intends us to be.

The devil is occupied 24hours of the day and he fires arrows at people, day and night. The Bible says he walks about looking for who to devour, that is while we must never relax in battle against the powers of darkness.

What Should I Know/Do?

What sharpens you is the word of God. Every believer in Christ must be skillful in the use of the sword of the Spirit for both defensive and offensive actions.

• Addiction to food, drugs, sleep, all of which can make us to be cold and inactive spiritually.

• Disobedience to the word of God. We can see the case of the young prophet who was disobedient to the instructions of God after doing exploits for God, He was abandoned and even the old lying prophet was used to deliver the judgment against him.

• Pride in our lives can serves as rust. We saw the case of Peter who became proud about his stand with Christ, and latter found himself denying Him. God will always resist a proud man and make more grace available to the humble man.

• Sexual impurity. We saw how Solomon and Samson gave up themselves to sexual impurity and they could no longer be mighty in the service of God. To be effective as God’s battle axe, you need to free yourself from all forms of sexual sins and live in purity unto God.

An axe is made of metal; it passes through fire to get its shape. It might not be pleasant, but makes a person a better vessel. Trials, temptations, afflictions and tribulations are the various fire we need to pass through, so that we can come out as sharper and stronger instruments in the hands of God. Also, availability is very important to be useful by God. No matter how strong an axe may be, if it is not readily available for use, it is good as if it is not there at all.

Lifting Prayers

Lord, Help the world, your elect, your kingdom here on earth. According to your word, "You give strength to the faint and to them with no might, you increase strength". Increase our strength, our focus and make us fit to becoming your weapons of war. We drop every burden of darkness in us and take up your burden for it's easy... Thank you dear Lord.... Let your kingdom come, let Your will be done... Help the dying world and deliver them from sin and darkness bringing them to you. Amen.

You Are God's Weapon Of War, God's Battle Axe!

A battle axe is a weapon in the hands of the warrior that can bring down the enemy. It has capacity to cut down, root up and break into pieces the strong holds of the enemy.

Ex 7:1; Whatever God would have done to Pharaoh, He will do it through Moses. Pharaoh did not see God, but he saw God’s power working through Moses.

The Lord wants to destroy many Pharaohs today, and He looks for the Moses that will serve as His instrument of battle, may He found you as one in Jesus name.

The world is a battle-field, and a place of darkness. A lot of satanic activities are going on, and they are all out to fight the kingdom of God, and to prevent the saints from getting there.

Many Christians have died untimely due to attacks from the powers of darkness and some are in hell because they refused to be the battle-axe of God. I pray that every hold of Satan and his kingdom over your life shall be broken in Jesus name.

A good axe must be sharp, strong, powerful and easy to use. The one that has capacity to cut things easily without getting damaged. God expects every Christian to be His battle-axe, which he will use in destroying the kingdom of darkness. Mark 16:17

He has therefore invested and entrusted His power to us, so that we can achieve this purpose effectively without fail. The devil is aware of this fact so he is vigilant. He is battle-ready at all times with a well orgainze agents of darkness in his kingdom for He knows the Christians that cannot be a razor blade, talk less of battle axes. Acts 19:13-16. It is very painful that some Christians are lukewarm and some are living a deceptive life. The truth is that the devil knows the stand and the worth of every one.

Some Christians are tools and toys in the hands of the devil, but that is not the will of God. I challenge everyone of us to rise up to the task of living according to the will of God so that we can actually be the mighty instruments that God intends us to be.

The devil is occupied 24hours of the day and he fires arrows at people, day and night. The Bible says he walks about looking for who to devour, that is while we must never relax in battle against the powers of darkness.

What Should I Know/Do?

What sharpens you is the word of God. Every believer in Christ must be skillful in the use of the sword of the Spirit for both defensive and offensive actions.

• Addiction to food, drugs, sleep, all of which can make us to be cold and inactive spiritually.

• Disobedience to the word of God. We can see the case of the young prophet who was disobedient to the instructions of God after doing exploits for God, He was abandoned and even the old lying prophet was used to deliver the judgment against him.

• Pride in our lives can serves as rust. We saw the case of Peter who became proud about his stand with Christ, and latter found himself denying Him. God will always resist a proud man and make more grace available to the humble man.

• Sexual impurity. We saw how Solomon and Samson gave up themselves to sexual impurity and they could no longer be mighty in the service of God. To be effective as God’s battle axe, you need to free yourself from all forms of sexual sins and live in purity unto God.

An axe is made of metal; it passes through fire to get its shape. It might not be pleasant, but makes a person a better vessel. Trials, temptations, afflictions and tribulations are the various fire we need to pass through, so that we can come out as sharper and stronger instruments in the hands of God. Also, availability is very important to be useful by God. No matter how strong an axe may be, if it is not readily available for use, it is good as if it is not there at all.

Lifting Prayers

Lord, Help the world, your elect, your kingdom here on earth. According to your word, "You give strength to the faint and to them with no might, you increase strength". Increase our strength, our focus and make us fit to becoming your weapons of war. We drop every burden of darkness in us and take up your burden for it's easy... Thank you dear Lord.... Let your kingdom come, let Your will be done... Help the dying world and deliver them from sin and darkness bringing them to you. Amen.

Walking With God Through Faith

By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, "and was not found, because God had taken him"; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. ~Heb 11:5

The fact that Paul states Enoch walked with God suggests a relationship had been established between them. Enoch had thus already experienced what Abel's example teaches. Enoch's example takes us to the next logical step in a faithful person's movement toward glorification. In his arrangement of examples of faith, Paul is emphasizing, not chronological, but experiential order, that is, faith as experienced in practical life. In a true life of faith, walking with God follows justification.

"Walk" and "walking" are the Bible's most frequently used metaphors for two related concepts. Depending upon the translation, they are used almost three hundred times to indicate interaction with another and making progress toward a destination. Somewhat related but used to a lesser extent, "walk" or "walking" indicates the passage of time as a person continues in a chosen direction of life and lifestyle. For example:

» Psalm 1:1: "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly."

» Proverbs 4:14: "Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of evil."

» Daniel 4:37: "And those who walk in pride He is able to abase."

» Micah 6:8: "And what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?"

» Psalm 119:45: "And I will walk at liberty, for I seek Your precepts."

Scores of similar descriptions are scattered throughout the Bible. They provide a composite picture of the wide variety of the facets of the godly person's and the evil person's manners of life. Since Amos 3:3 shows that two cannot walk together unless they agree, a person walking with God illustrates that the two are in agreement. This does not mean the person is perfect, but it does imply God's acceptance of him at that stage of his life.

What Should I Know/Do?

Check through scriptures and see the difference between someone who walked with God and someone who did not walk with God. A vivid example is Saul and David. Saul through his own way felt he could please God but disobeyed and walked contrary to God's expectations then He (God) choosed David to be king. David ruled successfully and handed over to his son Solomon by closely walking with God, putting Him in every decision. What about you? Is God in your decision? Like Saul, do you feel right driven by emotions, friends, family and personal quest? In the end, it spell disaster and regrets. God stopped Samuel from mourning over Saul but to annoint David to be king. May no other take your place... Return to God today while you still can and ask Him to forgive you. Resume your walk with God for it pays to walk with Him.

Lifting Prayers

Dear Lord through the blood shed for me at the cross and also with a broken heart and contrite Spirit I come to You today asking for your forgiveness. Have mercy Lord and bring me back to where you have planned for me. Restore my Lost glory, my lost place... I choose through faith to walk with you. Beautiful Lord, laying your majesty aside, you reached out in Love to show me life, lifted from darkness into Light. You did all this for me to be by your side therefore Lord, help me to stay put to your Leading and calling for you have the final say in my Life. Help the dying world dear Lord and Lead them to the way everlasting. Amen!

Lasting Impact

We are called to be salt-seasoning and light-bearers in our world. "Wait a second," you may be saying. "Surely, God did not mean me." Yes, God meant for you and me, his followers to be salt-seasoning and light-bearers in our world. When Jesus said, "You . . ." he meant "You, and you alone . . ." His words were not a suggestion, but a command. With urgency in his voice, Jesus says, "If you are salt, then season!" "If you are light, then shine!"

"You are the salt of the earth . . . You are the light of the world" (Matt. 5:13,14 NIV). Do you notice what is absent in this command? The words like or as. We are commanded to be salt and light not just to be like salt and light. The common denominator of salt and light is their uniqueness, their distinctness. There is nothing quite like salt. There is nothing quite like light.

Just as salt is different than pepper, and light is distinct from darkness, so are Christians distinct from the world. Have you ever been with a group of people and someone started to tell an off-point joke and then stopped in mid-sentence after looking at you? Your distinctiveness was coming through. Have you ever been with a group of people and they suggested going somewhere that they wouldn't want their children knowing about, but then said we can't do that because you were with them? Your distinctiveness was showing through.

It is the Christians' distinctiveness that makes a difference in the world. In business, it is called marketing. In advertising, it is called positioning. In football, it is called strategy. In Christians, it is called holiness. It is the distinguishing feature about us. It is what sets us apart from the rest of the world. Blaise Pascal said, "The serene, silent beauty of a holy life is the most powerful influence in the world, next to the might of God."

Jesus warned his followers, "But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men" (Matt. 5:13 NIV). Perhaps the most important thing about salt is that in its purest form it never loses its taste. Salt will always be salt. It is an extremely stable compound. You can put it in a dish, walk away, come back ten years later, and it will still be sodium chloride - salt. The only way salt can lose its saltiness is to be mixed with something else.

The point Jesus is making that it is dangerously easy for Christians to become diluted and lose their salty, preserving influence in the world.

If we are not affecting our world, the world is affecting us. If we are not salting the world, the world is rotting us.

What Should I Know/Do?

In order to prevent the world from affecting us, we must stay in close contact with the ultimate influence - Christ himself. A man bought one of those glow in the dark figures for his daughter. It stayed in the box until he got home that night. When he gave it to his daughter and told her what it was she was so excited. She tore open the box to reveal her gift. But it did not glow. She was sad. "What's wrong, Daddy?" she asked. The answer was revealed on the label attached to the figurine: If you want me to shine in the night, keep me in the light.

So it is with us. We must expose ourselves to Jesus, spend time in his word, soak up his rays through prayer. A weekly contact produces a weak influence. A daily contact produces a dynamic influence.

Lifting Prayers

Dear Lord, I thank you father. Thou art in Heaven, Blessed be thy Holy Name, Thy Kingdom is from everlasting and Thy will be done here on earth as it is in Heaven. Grant us this day grace for lasting impact. We are from Zion, we are from Him who is Light and whose Light is the Life of men... As we brood within us, your word, live in habitual fellowship with you, may we outshine the darkness within us to be able to radiantly shine to our world without nothing blocking our light... Help us as Light to give light, to direct, to be a positive model of reference in all and let the world crave for the Light we carry. All we ask EL-ROI is grace for Lasting impact. Amen!

God Said, I Will Be With You

No matter what you face in the future, you will never face it alone. Isaiah 43:2 says, “When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you” (NLT).

God's promises are real. They are not packed up empty promises but power packed ones. We go through stuffs daily, things we could speak of and things we are not permitted to speak of but living with it for the moment. We feel abandoned, no one could actually understand. Moment by moments, we think backwards, I wish I didn't... I wish I walked away without thinking twice then, why did I listen to His/Her advice? why did I put my heart on the line? why didn't I investigate before investing?... In these moments, we could easily feel abandoned, frustrated and as if God is quiet and not present but He is right there with us in every thoughts, He knows your need so take no Thought of what you've lost for He will restore. Joel 2:22-26

This is the key to courage: There is nothing to fear when you know God is near. On your own you might drown, but God has said in Hebrews 13:5, “I will never abandon you or leave you”. Some of you feel alone right now. You may feel it, but you’re not! You’re not alone. God sees what you’re going through. God cares about what you’re going through. God’s going through that situation with you, and he will help you out if you trust him. Remember, one plus God equals a majority.

Satan will plant all kinds of seeds of doubt and fear in your mind like, “What if you lose your job?” “What if you get sick?” “What if you’re incapacitated?” “What if the economy tanks?” You may face anxiety from other sources as well. What you need to do is remember God promised to never abandon you and to always be with you. You don’t have to know what the future holds because you know who holds the future.

What Should I Know/Do?

So often I have felt I have nowhere to belong. Over and over God tells me, “You belong to Me.”

The very God who created me says, “I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” I have felt as if the rivers of life will sweep me away. God tells me that not only will I pass through them, He will be with me. I have felt I do walk through the fires of life. Our family’s problems escalate. How easy it would be to give in! Yet, God says, “When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned.”

We are quite plainly told there will be times it will feel as if we will be swept away by the torrents of problems in our lives. We are also told that there will be times of fiery trials and we are also told just as plainly that He will be with us when we face these trials.

Today, God gave me words to hold on to. Yes, tragic events happen. It’s called life. But the one who created us and summons us by name openly declares that we are His. He tells us, “Fear not.”

He promises to walk with us through each and every thing that can assault our lives. I encourage you to hold on to Him for He is already holding on to you.

Lifting Prayers

Father God, Thank you for Your amazing promises. You promised redemption. You promise Your presence in every life event we encounter. You call to us and you call us by name. Help us to remember Your words so that we will, indeed, hold on. Amen and amen.

I Know The Thoughts I Have Towards You!

When we are in ways of personal distress and sorrow, it can be a great comfort to hear a brother or sister say, "I will be thinking about you." Then a mother says to her daughter who is experiencing a particular and secret trial, "You will be in my prayers and thoughts." Or a parent says to a child who will face a lonely way or a way of testing, "I will remember you. I will carry you in my heart and in my thoughts." In those words, "I will be thinking about you," we wish to convey two things. First, our love. To be mindful of another person in his trial and sorrow is the essence of love. Secondly, we express our helplessness. We are saying that the other person is beyond our ability to help. Therefore, although those words are very reassuring, their thoughts cannot actually change anything.

Soaring far above that is the Word of God that we find in Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." God says that, moment by moment, He thinks of us; that there is a constant stream of divine thought towards His children in Christ; and that never, for one moment, are we out of those thoughts.

The present state of the earth right now was as the time of Noah when the righteous were mocked, woredom was the order of the day, jungle justice prevalent everywhere and abuse was a constant phenomena. God looked down and was hurt because of the Love raging in His heart. "This wasn't my purpose, this wasn't what I envisioned, envisaged" and "it repented the Lord that He had made man on the earth and it grieved Him at His Heart" Gen 6:6.

God knows your present state and just as the days of Noah, He is always interested bringing things back to place for He is the Creator. Psalm 100:3.

The United States of America is a key example of a Nation that was thrown into great confusion. The past Government implemented certain Laws to enact sodomy even celebrated it with a rainbow colouring the White House. The present ruler (Donald Trump) came in against all standard of political rules and laws, modulus Operandi and vivendi. People concluded even myself that He is a looser, the media even freely published, broadcasts against him. All sort of videos about His past was released even to the extent that false ratings were given about Him but God had a plan and He won to the amazement of all. Within these few days we could all see what he had done using executive orders... We could see America coming to the for front as a light as she has always been why? God has a plan.

We read in Psalm 40:17, "But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me." Still more: God tells us in those words of Jeremiah what His thoughts are. They are thoughts of peace, not evil, a peace flowing from the cross of Calvary. And still more: God tells us that His thoughts are not impotent. They are not only well-meaning and sympathetic, but they are powerful. By His thoughts He will give to us an expected end, the end that He had decreed and promised.

What Should I Know/Do?

Do you live in that comfort? Does it strengthen and cheer you? Does it humble you? Does it lift you up with a holy joy and confidence? Your God thinks on you!

Now this Word of God comes to us today. We are not to live in the false hopes of the world, or the false hopes that we ourselves would devise. Nor are we to despair in ways of trial and loneliness. But we are to find our comfort where alone it can be found. That alone can be God, and in the truth that God thinks about us.

What a profound truth it is. The almighty God thinks upon us from eternity to eternity. Every moment of our being and existence His thoughts of mercy and lovingkindness in Christ are upon us

Lifting Prayers

Dear Lord, With everything, body, soul and Spirit I give You praise, I give You glory, I magnify your righteous name. To you alone be all the glory! Thank you for your thoughts towards me. Lord how comforting to know I am in Your heart, Your Thoughts and Your Plan! Thank You dear Lord. Today give me confidence, lead me to your Truth, teach me your ways, enlarge my focus solely on you dear Lord. Help me to re-discover my purpose and bring me to walk with You constantly in the paths everlasting. Heal the world exposing them to your Truth. Amen!

Twitter@elanfaith

Total Submission~{What Will Jesus Do?}

What if a ruler, the one to whom we are to submit, is an oppressive person? What if he is just incompetent or stupid, and we know better how to do the job that he is supposed to be doing? What if the person is sexually immoral or financially greedy? Does God still want us to submit? What protection do we have in these kinds of circumstances?

When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice;
But when a wicked man rules, the people groan. proverb 29:2

Abomination that is it, those in authority often do evil. They might have serious character flaws that catch their victims in the effects of their flaws. What is so maddening is that they justify their ways seeing them as good and they will turn around and blame the innocent for the evils that occur.

 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes,
But the LORD weighs the spirits. proverb 16:2

For example, the proverb says that "all the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes." The incompetent man does not think to himself, "I am really dumb, stupid, idiotic, and should not even have this job." The sexually immoral person does not see himself as perverse. Most prostitutes will say, "Yes, I am doing wrong according to the law, but I am providing a needed and wanted service. If it were not, I would have no customers." They justify themselves; they are pure in their own eyes.

Consider the enemies of Jesus. They felt justified in taking His life on the grounds that He was stirring up the people. No one on earth has ever been more innocent, yet they justified what they were doing because the people were being stirred up by Him. They accused Him of being a revolutionary, a threat to community stability.

If we are in a position like this under an oppressive ruler who justifies the way he is doing things, and we are suffering the effects of his actions we feel like powerless pawns being taken advantage of. We feel that he is denying us the liberty to do what we want. Should we submit or rebel?

To know what to do, we must look at what Jesus did in a similar circumstance. This is not an occasion in which the authority figure demands submission, and in submitting, we must break the law of God. The situation does not involve being forced to sin, but simply submitting to one who is unreasonable and oppressive.

John 19:10 is part of Jesus' trial for His very life before Pilate, and occurs after He was scourged: "Then Pilate said to Him, 'Are You not speaking to me? Do You not know that I have power to crucify You, and power to release You?'" He could choose to do either. Pilate was a corrupt official. His record, according to secular history, was not at all good. The Jews despised him for his harsh ways.

"Jesus answered, 'You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above. Therefore the one who delivered Me to you has the greater sin'" (John 19:11). His response is very meaningful. It clearly shows His attitude, His approach, to every circumstance of His life.

To be in the same frame of mind, we must ask ourselves, "Do we see God?" Is He really a part of our lives? Is He really running this creation? Is He really sitting at the controls of things? Is He really aware of us as individuals? Does He have every hair on our heads numbered? Are we really the apple of His eye? Are our lives really in His hands? Have we really given them to Him, or are we holding part of ourselves in reserve?

"You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above." Jesus saw life very clearly and simply: that God was in complete control of everything going on in the universe. Not that everything was being directed by Him in the sense that He was causing it to occur, but that Jesus believed with every fiber of His being that God was with Him all the time, everywhere, and at every moment. He knew that His life was in His Father's hands and that Pilate could do nothing against Him unless God allowed it.

Would God have us submit, or be faced with submitting, to somebody who was cruel, hard-hearted, incompetent, sexually unbalanced, perverted, stupid, or financially greedy? Would He have us live and work under such a person? He put His own Son in that position! Everything at Jesus' trial and crucifixion looked as though it was totally stacked against Him. Carnally, it seems as if He had every right to rebel. He could have replied, "Do you not know to whom you are doing this?" Instead, He says, in paraphrase, "You would not have the power to do anything except that My Father passed on this. And He is now looking at Me to see how I am going to respond. Will I submit to the authority that He has permitted to be over Me right now?"

What Should I Know/Do? Do we see God in our lives like this? We have to begin to look at ourselves differently than the way people in the world look at themselves. We must decide whether we are in God's hand or not. Do we have the faith to trust that we are, and that these constituted authorities are also in His hand? Do we believe that He is aware of what is going on and that He deeply cares about what we will do in each situation? As He did with Abraham, He must know what kind of witness we are going to make.

Lifting Prayers

Dear Lord, with everything, my body, soul and Spirit, I surrender to Your rulership, Power and Spirit. Teach me to always Look at the Cross where answers lie. Help me to lead a life of truth. Grant unto me Help from above for only You can. Ignite my focus teaching my heart submission in all you bring along my path. For your glory, I surrender. May I see through your eyes in every situation and submit knowing that you are involved in all. Heal the world through your Spirit and Let my Life give glory to your name! Amen.

Twitter@elanfaith

Priscilla and Aquila

Priscilla and Aquila were a first century Christian missionary couple described in the New Testament. They became the honored and much-loved friends and ministry partners with the Apostle Paul. He was generous in his recognition and acknowledgment of his indebtedness for them. They have been called the most famous couple in the Bible since they are mentioned seven times and are always named as a couple. Of those seven times, five times Priscilla's name is mentioned first. They were tentmakers by trade.

Priscilla was a woman of Jewish heritage and one of the earliest known Christian converts who lived in Rome. Her name is a Roman diminutive, or nickname, for Prisca. Some scholars have advanced a case for Priscilla being the author of the New Testament Book of Hebrews. She was married to Aquila (Greek ?????? Akúlas), originally from Pontus, who also was a Jew who believed that Jesus of Nazareth was the Messiah promised by God to the Jews. Aquila had the family name of the commander of a legion and means "eagle."

Travels and ministries

Priscilla and Aquila fled Rome during the Jewish persecution under Claudius, 49 or 50, and settled in Corinth. There they hosted Paul, also a tentmaker by trade, on his first visit to the town (Acts 18:1 ff). They accompanied Paul to Ephesus (Acts 18:18-19) where they instructed the eloquent and brilliant Alexandrian preacher, Apollos. He knew and preached boldly to the crowds only the baptism of John and nothing of salvation through Christ. "When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately" (Acts 18:26).

The Apostle Paul lived with them there for three years during his third missionary journey. A Christian church met in their house (1 Corinthians 16:19). They left Ephesus and returned to Rome (Acts 19:24-40) where another church met in their house (Romans 16:3-5). Probably because of the persecution of Nero, they soon left Rome and settled again at Ephesus (2 Timothy 4:19).

Pauline affirmations

The Apostle Paul, in his Epistle to the Romans, recollects about his faithful disciples: "Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus, who for my life risked their own necks, to whom not only do I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles." (Romans 16:3-4, NASB).

In 2 Timothy 4:19 (NASB), Paul asks Timothy to "Greet Prisca and Aquila...."

The seven biblical references to Priscilla and Aquila

1. Acts 18:2-3. There he (Paul) met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them.
2. Acts 18:18. Paul stayed on in Corinth for some time. Then he left the brothers and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila.
3. Acts 18:19. They arrived at Ephesus, where Paul left Priscilla and Aquila.
4. Acts 18:26. He (Apollos) began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.
5. Romans 16:3-4. Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus. They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.
6. 1 Corinthians 16:19. The churches in the province of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Priscilla greet you warmly in the Lord, and so does the church that meets at their house.
7. 2 Timothy 4:19. Greet Priscilla and Aquila and the household of Onesiphorus..

Priscilla and Aquila were a first century Christian missionary couple described in the New Testament. They became the honored and much-loved friends and ministry partners with the Apostle Paul. He was generous in his recognition and acknowledgment of his indebtedness for them. They have been called the most famous couple in the Bible since they are mentioned seven times and are always named as a couple. Of those seven times, five times Priscilla's name is mentioned first. They were tentmakers by trade.

Priscilla was a woman of Jewish heritage and one of the earliest known Christian converts who lived in Rome. Her name is a Roman diminutive, or nickname, for Prisca. Some scholars have advanced a case for Priscilla being the author of the New Testament Book of Hebrews.^ [1]^^[2]^ She was married to Aquila (Greek ?????? Akúlas), originally from Pontus, who also was a Jew who believed that Jesus of Nazareth was the Messiah promised by God to the Jews. Aquila had the family name of the commander of a legion and means "eagle."

Travels and ministries

Priscilla and Aquila fled Rome during the Jewish persecution under Claudius, 49 or 50, and settled in Corinth. There they hosted Paul, also a tentmaker by trade, on his first visit to the town (Acts 18:1 ff). They accompanied Paul to Ephesus (Acts 18:18-19) where they instructed the eloquent and brilliant Alexandrian preacher, Apollos. He knew and preached boldly to the crowds only the baptism of John and nothing of salvation through Christ. "When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately" (Acts 18:26).^ [3]^

The Apostle Paul lived with them there for three years during his third missionary journey. A Christian church met in their house (1 Corinthians 16:19). They left Ephesus and returned to Rome (Acts 19:24-40) where another church met in their house (Romans 16:3-5). Probably because of the persecution of Nero, they soon left Rome and settled again at Ephesus (2 Timothy 4:19).^[4]^

Pauline affirmations

The Apostle Paul, in his Epistle to the Romans, recollects about his faithful disciples: "Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus, who for my life risked their own necks, to whom not only do I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles." (Romans 16:3-4, NASB).

In 2 Timothy 4:19 (NASB), Paul asks Timothy to "Greet Prisca and Aquila...."

The seven biblical references to Priscilla and Aquila

1. Acts 18:2-3. There he (Paul) met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them.
2. Acts 18:18. Paul stayed on in Corinth for some time. Then he left the brothers and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila.
3. Acts 18:19. They arrived at Ephesus, where Paul left Priscilla and Aquila.
4. Acts 18:26. He (Apollos) began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.
5. Romans 16:3-4. Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus. They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.
6. 1 Corinthians 16:19. The churches in the province of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Priscilla greet you warmly in the Lord, and so does the church that meets at their house.
7. 2 Timothy 4:19. Greet Priscilla and Aquila and the household of Onesiphorus.

Melchizedek king of Salem.

Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he wasthe priest of God Most High. (19) And he blessed him and said: Blessed be Abram of God Most High,Possessor of heaven and earth; (20) And blessed be God Most High,Who has delivered your enemies into your hand." And he gave him a tithe of all. (21) Now the king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the persons, and take the goods for yourself.” (22) But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have raised my hand to the LORD, God Most High, the Possessor of heaven and earth, (23) that I will take nothing, from a thread to a sandal strap, and that I will not take anything that isyours, lest you should say, 'I have made Abram rich'—Genesis 14:18-23

Melchizedek seems to appear out of nowhere, without any warning. Aside from a prophecy in the Psalms, this is the sole reference to Him until the book of Hebrews. Not only is this the Bible's first appearance of Melchizedek, but it is also the first time that a priest is mentioned. Furthermore, despite Melchizedek being called a priest, the text makes no mention of sacrifices—understandable since, as the One who would later be called Jesus Christ, He had no need for propitiation to come before God on another's behalf.

Notice also that the priest approaches theman on behalf of God, and not the other way around. This illustrates that God initiates the relationship and not man (John 6:44). It is impossible for man toworship God properly without His involvement first. We see Melchizedek bringing bread and wine, the symbols of the New Testament Passover, rather than a lamb and bitter herbs that were used in the Passover in Egypt. (As an aside, “bread” here is a general term in Hebrew, referring to either leavened or unleavened bread.)

This is also the first time God's title of “Most High” is used. It is used four times in this section on the eve of this Passover. Understanding how and where this divine title is used will help us realize how much of a blessing the Passover is to us.

Both Melchizedek and Abram tack on the description, “the possessor of heaven and earth.” We should consider the nature and the character of that “Possessor.” A landlord may possess a piece of property yet not care a whit about the tenants so long as the rent is paid. This, however, is not the way the Most High feels about His possessions. It is apparent from the rest of the Book that His ownership includes more care and concern for His possessions than we can fathom. His governance in the affairs of men springs from His will and purpose, which, despite human failure to understand them, can be described only as good.

Melchizedek ties the title “possessor of heaven and earth” with the fact that He delivered Abraham's enemies into his hand, showing just how interested the Most High God is in the affairs of men. He is interested enough that He will show Himself strong on behalf of His people and will judge the unrighteous. Without exception, whenever “Most High” is used in Scripture, God is shown blessing His people with whatever is needed for His perfect will to be accomplished, whether that blessing is of knowledge, physical provision, or especially defense and deliverance from enemies. He blesses His people with His perfect personal involvement.

The New Testament records a striking example of this. In Luke 1, the angel tells Mary that her Son will be called “the Son of the Highest,” the New Testament equivalent of “the Son of the Most High.” It is the same title. Just a few verses later, the angel tells Mary that this would take place because “the power of the Highest”—or the power of the Most High God—“would overshadow” her.

Again, we see God's people being blessed with His involvement in order to bring His perfect will to pass. In this case, His blessing includes the supernatural conception of the Son of God, which, as God promised Abraham, will end up being a blessing to all of mankind (Genesis 12:3). This sort of implication is made whenever the title, “the Most High,” is used.

Focus On Spiritual Things

1 Corinthians 2:12

As the apostle Paul begins his first letter to the Corinthians, knowing that he is writing to a congregation divided among various factions, he patiently explains to them what makes them different from those in the world yet at the same time unites the members of the church. He, of course, refers to God's Holy Spirit, given to all Christians at conversion by the laying on of hands. The apostle John calls it "the anointing which you have received from Him" (I John 2:27), implying that Christians have been ordained, and thus set apart or sanctified, to a task or office that others have not been given.

This sets up a dichotomy. On the one side are Christians who have freely received God's Spirit, and on the other are all other human beings who, Paul says, have received "the spirit of the world" (see also Ephesians 2:2). Thus, there is a clash of spirits, a collision of motivating forces, at work between the Christian and the world. The apostle writes in Galatians 5 that the two spirits are diametrically opposed, one producing "the works of the flesh," while the other bears "the fruit of the Spirit" (verses 16-25). In fact, he declares in Romans 8:7, "The carnal mind is enmity against God"; the worldly person, imbibing of the spirit of this world, lives in hostility to God and cannot do what God commands.

The Spirit from God, though, removes the human hostility and allows the Christian to know—that is, realize, understand, and use—the gracious gifts of God. These gifts are predominantly spiritual blessings rather than physical ones. Jesus advises His disciples not to worry about food, drink, and clothing because God knows that physical human beings need such things to live (Matthew 6:25-32). Instead, He says, "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you" (verse 33). The Christian's mind is to be focused on God's goal and godly things that will propel him along the way there, and he can do this only by the many gifts bestowed through God's Spirit.

Paul's focus in this passage seems to be on knowledge, understanding, and wisdom. Earlier, he had mentioned that God has chosen to spread the gospel message through preaching, which the worldly Greeks considered "foolishness" (I Corinthians 1:23). Yet, this only exposes the fact that the Greeks did not have the ability to understand spiritual matters, and God would ultimately confound them in their "wisdom" through weak and foolish people preaching a "foolish" message of a crucified Savior. The difference is that those weak and foolish people possess a Spirit that comes directly from the Creator God that allows them to know the truth in all its divine splendor.

Thus, in terms of the apostle's overall goal in persuading the Corinthians that they should "be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment" (I Corinthians 1:10), he emphasizes that they have this one commonality, God's Holy Spirit, that makes all the difference to them as individuals and as a congregation. So, as he goes on to say, there is no reason for them to be so judgmental one against the other, for they all "have the mind of Christ" (I Corinthians 2:16). Having one mind and being all in one Body of Christ, as he later discusses (I Corinthians 12:12-27), dividing themselves into cliques is both counterproductive and contrary to God's purpose.

The Power Of Prayer

The power of prayer is not the result of the person praying. Rather, the power resides in the God who is being prayed to. 1 John 5:14-15 tells us, "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us - whatever we ask - we know that we have what we asked of him." No matter the person praying, the passion behind the prayer, or the purpose of the prayer - God answers prayers that are in agreement with His will. His answers are not always yes, but are always in our best interest. When our desires line up with His will, we will come to understand that in time. When we pray passionately and purposefully, according to God's will, God responds powerfully!

We cannot access powerful prayer by using "magic formulas." Our prayers being answered is not based on the eloquence of our prayers. We don't have to use certain words or phrases to get God to answer our prayers. In fact, Jesus rebukes those who pray using repetitions, "And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him" (Matthew 6:7-8). Prayer is communicating with God. All you have to do is ask God for His help. Psalm 107:28-30 reminds us, "Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven." There is power in prayer!

God's help through the power of prayer is available for all kinds of requests and issues. Philippians 4:6-7 tells us, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." If you need an example of a prayer, read Matthew 6:9-13. These verses are known as the Lord's prayer. The Lord's prayer is not a prayer we are supposed to memorize and simply recite to God. It is only an example of how to pray and the things that should go into a prayer - worship, trust in God, requests, confession, protection, etc. Pray for these kinds of things, but speak to God using your own words.

*What Should I Know/Do?*

The Word of God is full of accounts describing the power of prayer in various situations. The power of prayer has overcome enemies (Psalm 6:9-10), conquered death (2 Kings 4:3-36), brought healing (James 5:14-15), and defeated demons (Mark 9:29). God, through prayer, opens eyes, changes hearts, heals wounds, and grants wisdom (James 1:5). The power of prayer should never be underestimated because it draws on the glory and might of the infinitely powerful God of the universe! Daniel 4:35 proclaims, "All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: 'What have you done?'"

Prayers does alot than we could ever imagine. When we pray, we reason with God in communication with Him and our answers comes based on His approval and His approval is always on your best interest. If He doesn't approve, be still and keep on praying. Prayers does alot than our efforts. Our efforts are based on our understanding but our prayers are based on His approval and it must be from a righteous lips, a broken spirit and a contrite heart praying according to His will. Whenever you feel like not praying anymore that's when to pray! Pls pray.

*Lifting Prayers*
Our Heavenly Father glory be to Your Holy name, Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Teach us Lord to pray. Give us grace like no other. Breathe upon our spirit, enlighten our soul and strengthen our feeble knee. With our hearts we reach towards You dear Lord with all that we are and all we have. Receive all the Glory, honour and Thanksgiving. Help others to look towards you alone. Heal the world Lord. Amen!

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The Faith Of Deborah (a female judge and prophetess).

During the historical period of the Judges, Israel often turned to idolatry; and as a result, God punished them by causing them to suffer under harsh rulership of neighboring nations. One such time was when King Jabin, ruling in Hazor of Canaan, harshly oppressed Israel for 20 years. The Israelites finally cried out to God for deliverance (Judges 4:3).

It was during this time of King Jabin’s oppressive rule that we first read of Deborah. Judges 4:4-5 simply states: *“Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, was judging Israel at that time.* … And the children of Israel came up to her for judgment.”

In the next two verses, we read that Deborah “sent and called for Barak …, and said to him, ‘Has not the LORD God of Israel commanded, ‘Go and deploy troops at Mount Tabor; take with you ten thousand men of the sons of Naphtali and of the sons of Zebulun; and against you I will deploy Sisera, the commander of Jabin’s army, with his chariots and his multitude at the River Kishon; and I will deliver him into your hand’?”

She called for Barak to lead Israel in a war against the mighty armies of Jabin and his general Sisera, by utilizing only a very small army of Israelites to do so. God was planning to defeat these foreign armies and deliver Israel.

It is important to note that Barak is listed in the Faith Chapter (Hebrews 11:32). Yet we see that it was Deborah who called upon him to act in faith. It is also interesting to note that Barak said he would only go against the enemy if Deborah went with him (Judges 4:8).

Deborah saw Barak’s less-than-confident attitude, and she reassured him that she would surely go with him. Then she also prophesied that the glory of killing Sisera, God’s enemy, would not go to Barak, but “the LORD will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman” (verse 9).

Because of Deborah’s strong, confident, commanding words to Barak and her presence with him, Barak did take 10,000 Israelite troops down from Mount Tabor as commanded. “And the LORD routed Sisera and all his chariots and all his army with the edge of the sword before Barak” (Judges 4:15). Barak then pursued the fleeing chariots and army of Sisera and killed them all.

But Sisera fled away and ended up being killed by a woman named Jael. God’s prophecy had come to pass, as He had spoken through Deborah.

Deborah’s faith in God and her decisive leadership and service to God were undeniable. This was at a time when faith was seriously lacking in Israel.

*What Should I Know/Do?*

Deborah is a shining example of a woman with faith in God who arose as a light to her people. She turned many of her countrymen to service to God and faith at a time when it was sorely needed. How much faith and commitment do we have in serving God as she did?

Sisters use marriage as a basis to stay impotent, unuseful to their calling and destiny. Some even quit their marriage in career pursuit believing that marriage is a drawback in fulfilling destiny. Look at Deborah, she was a family woman well respected also as a judge, filled with the Spirit of God! Thou art inexcusable oh woman.

She then recounted the difficulties Israel was facing, the highways were deserted, village life had ceased—“until I, Deborah, arose, arose a mother in Israel” (Judges 5:7). She was valued as a “mother in Israel”, a title of honor and renown. Her actions helped to save Israel from further oppression.

*Lifting Prayers*
Dear Lord, I thank you for your word to me today, I bless your most Holy name! I ask for your hands in my Life, I ask for your Spirit for without you I can do nothing. Increase my faith in You, make me a judge as Deborah, filled with faith and power to help those who are oppressed both physically and spiritually. Help me to be successful family man/woman, also a successful child. Increase my strength daily in you and make me realize it's not late seeking you no matter how old I am or what I have lost. Give me grace to recover all like Deborah did. Blessed be your holy name. Amen

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