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Sunday 24 June 2012

Moving up to the next level Daniel 3:1-30

Moving up to the next level Daniel 31-30
Psalm 75:5 Lift not up your horn on high: speak not with a stiff neck. 6 For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. 7 But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.
We all know that there are levels in life. There are also levels in other things as well, even in our Christian life and service, there are levels. Just as we write examinations before moving to the next class, there are times that we undertake certain examination-like issues just because our promotion is around the corner. Are you ready for your promotion to the next level? Are you ready for God to promote you? Are you tired of the same level year in year out. Are you happy to pass the required exam in order to move on? Then let’s learn a little lesson from Daniel and his friends.
The passage talks about an arrogant idolatrous king who set up an idol and asked everybody to whoship it. Daniel and his friends knew it was wrong to woship an idol, so they refused.
There is always an idol around. It could be fashion, money, self, happiness, anything that tkeas the place of God in our lives.
You may have to make a decision who to serve in the face of bullying, jesting, name callings and snubbing.
Matthew 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment.
Galatians 5:15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. 16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Luke 15:17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, 19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. 20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. 21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. 22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: 23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
You may need to confront the power that wants to enslave you like the Hebrews confronted the king.
Luke 10:18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. 19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
There might be threatening situations like the Hebrews facing the furnace of fire
Isaiah 43:1
You will also need to make up your mind who you will worship. Who will be the Lord of your life, Christ or something, someone else.
Matthew 6:22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. 23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! 24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
If you decide for the Lord, you will triumph. Your God will be praised and those who did not know him will be forced to give him praise. That is the step to your promotion. are you ready for it?
But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. 2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. 3 For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee. 4 Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life. 5 Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west;

Sunday 17 June 2012

Happy fathers day. Psalm 29:1-11

Happy fathers day. Psalm 29:1-11
One of the solemn characteristics of God is that he is a father. He is God the Father. For this reason alone we ascribe to him glory and strength. We worship him as well in the beauty of his holiness. Jesus taught us the fatherhood of God in many places in the scriptures.
Matthew 6:9
After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
According to Jesus’ prayer, we know that our Father in heaven is available and attentive to us. It is also clear that He provides for us. He forgives us, protects us from evil and leads us in the right way..
Jonh 20:17
Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.
‘’time and attention, the provision for basic needs, a love that patiently forgave, and the creation of a safe place for them to grow and mature‘’ as part of a fathers role. According to him ‘’It’s a short but very profound list of fatherly duties’’. I leave it to you to decide whether God has fulfilled all these fatherly roles in the world today or not. But one thing I must point out is that the provision in the world far more exceeds the need of the inhabitants. It is our responsibility to share the resources equally. And all of them are made available to us by our good father in heaven. HAPPY FATHERS’ DAY.
God is our father. Even though bible critics thought that the fatherhood of God is only favourable if one has a good father, that is their own imagination. I can tell you that even if ones father is not good enough, it does not distort the standard or model of fatherhood. It only brings out the truth about God’s absolute goodness as father. He is the perfect father and the model all other fathers should emulate.
Traits of fatherhood include strength, authority and leadership. These traits help him to fulfil his God given roles like provision, protection and parenting. In psalm 29 where we read, the aspect of Lord that was repeatedly emphasised is his strength. He gives his voice to correct ,exalt and extol when necessary. Just as fathers do whenever mum could not cub our naughtiness, he will put down his feet and his voice settles the acceptable. Those were exactly what God did in Mount Sinai where Moses and the rest heard God’s voice in trumpet and thunders (Exodus 19:16-19). The same he did when king Nebuchadnezzar sent Zadrac, Meshach and Abednego into the furnace for not worshiping his idol (Daniel 3:14-25). The same father gave strength to the apostles to witness when it was most difficult in Jerusalem (Acts 4:31-33). Today Jesus Christ is the last and authentic voice of the father and he speaks the mind of God to us through the scriptures. He shows us how to become intimate with God. He told Nicodemus:
Joe Stowel also lists
Luke 11:11
John 3:6
John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? 12 Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? 13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

Sunday 10 June 2012

Christ is the answer, who is the question? Acts 5:1-12

Christ is the answer, who is the question? Acts 5:1-12
2Corinthians 11:20 For ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face. 21 I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. Howbeit whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak foolishly,) I am bold also. 22 Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I. 23 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. 24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. 25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26 In journeying often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27 In weariness and painfulness, in watching often, in hunger and thirst, in fasting often, in cold and nakedness. 28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not? 30 If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities. 31 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not.
We often see the unchristian world as the question and Christ as the answer. And this is very true. But that is not the whole truth. The other side of the story is that Christians themselves pose a difficult question to which only Christ can be the answer. The story of Ananias and Saphira which we just read is a pointer in this direction. So many Christians do not yet realise that a little lie, a little compromise and a little unprofitable talk defiles the whole testimony. LIE AS IT IS, IS A ALWAYS A SECOND SIN, and you may need at least three other lies to cover the first one.
Song of Solomon 2:15 Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes.
Just as Solomon helped us to know that the vines have tender grapes, as Christians our testimony have a tender and delicate body. It is easier destroyed than mended. Come to think of majority of people who are more willing to read the Christian man and woman rather than read the bible. It is therefore imperative to watch what we say or do or think as Christians. YOU MIGHT BE THE ONLY BIBLE THE WORLD IS WILLING TO READ.
James 2:10
12 So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. 13 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
It is possible to think that Ananias’ sin is not as terrible as the judgement meted on him. On the other hand if Christians who should be the light of the world decided to be darkness in order to gain recognition and people’s praises, then there may be no hope for the lost dark world. This harsh judgement should teach us that God hate deceit among those who profess to be born again and spirit filled. We do no know what exactly prompted Ananias and Saphira to lie to the church. Was it love of money or desire for human recognition? Whichever reason, the bible has warned us several times that the love of money is the root of all evil (I Timothy 6:10). Moreover Jesus taught us that one cannot serve God and mammon (Matthew 6:24)
Mat 6:24
For those who would like to deceive the world and other Christians about their own relationship with God, this is a lesson. Today we may without doubt look forward to this kind of instant judgement because of false Christians and fake believers. Otherwise according to a bible commentator, God’s people will soon return to the ungodly ways of the world, cease to experience the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and God’s miraculous presence, and be cut off from the flow of God’s grace.
Ananias name means the Lord is gracious while his wife’s name Saphira means beautiful. The same way the name Christians means little Christs. Are you a Christian? Do you live up to that name? If not mercy is still available today. Repent and be converted before it is too late. As at now Christ is the answer and you are the question.
Jeremiah 5:25 Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you. 26 For among my people are found wicked men: they lay wait, as he that setteth snares; they set a trap, they catch men. 27 As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit: therefore they are become great, and waxen rich.
Isaiah 55:7
Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. 11 For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.

Sunday 3 June 2012

Christ is the answer. Who is the question? Judges 17:1-13

Christ is the answer. Who is the question? Judges 17:1-13
(If the answered is a person, Christ, then by simple deduction the question should be a person - a human being or many human beings if not all of them. In the later case many question one answer.) John 10:1-18
Colossians 1:15  Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16  For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17  And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18  And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. 19  For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; 20  And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. 21  And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled
22  In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: 23  If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;
The problem of evil in the world has been a traded commodity for a long time. The one that has been regularly accused is the silent one, who knows all things, who can do all things but principled to wait for the appointed time. Then he will do what he has purposed, that is, put a final end to evil in the world. Scriptures attest to this in many places.
Ecclesiastes 3:1  To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: 2  A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
Matthew 8:28  And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way. 29  And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time? Mark 1:24; Luke 4:34.
There is an appointed time for God to destroy evil in the world. God himself set the time. Now that human beings have tended and leaned so much to the evil, we don’t know if any human being will survive the carnage. Rom 1:28  And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
The visible aspect of evil in the world has a great lien on human beings.
Rom 1:20  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21  Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22  Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23  And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24  Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25  Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
Animals keep their estates fishes, birds, trees and other living things keep theirs as well. Even many natural disasters that befell the world have been triggered by humans’ unending scientific enquiries and discoveries. Each time science and technology solves one problem, it replaces it with at least three immediate ones and several others in the embryo. Think of any so called scientific breakthrough, reflect on its consequences. They are unimaginable.
We can all feel it that something is wrong with humanity. Can’t we? In fact it is a litotes, an understatement to say something is wrong with human beings. Without exaggerations, everything is wrong with human beings. Our films, our lifestyles, our values (What we cherish most individually and collectively), our dressing and fashion, our religion and belief system, our culture and sports, all bear witnesses that a lot is wrong with us. All of us. No wonder there is so much fear, ignorance, wickedness and confusion.
Luke 21:25  And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;
26  Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
The most sincere human being walks about like a question mark. Why is this? Why is that? Why me? Why won’t God?  Why will God?
Yes we are the questions. Christ is the answer. Are we ready for the answer?