It is sincere milk that is required by every child of God in order to grow. 1 Peter 2:2 (New King James Version)
"as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,"
When a baby is born it requires milk for it to grow. The milk provides all the nutrients that are required for baby's growth. Milk is good as it leads to development and protection for the child.
The balanced diet from the word of God will cause us to grow in revelation, faith, holy living, giving, loving God, working for God and loving the brethren, increase in knowledge and understanding the plan of God for our lives.
2 Peter 1:5-9 says, "Fruitful Growth in the Faith But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness,to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins."
When we give our lives to Christ we are delicate like babies. We also need our own spiritual milk. The word of God is able to provide all the nutrients and protection necessary and required by every growing baby in Christ.
Milk provides a balanced diet to keep the baby well nourished, strong and able to fight all forms of sicknesses and infections. So does the word of God protects his children from cares and worries of life, from sin, from sickness and disease (thus spiritual kwashiorkor)
The word of God provides immunity against all forms of infections like peer pressure, traditions, customs and etc. The word of God is able to protect our spirit, body and soul. John 17:17 says, " Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth."
It will be a shame or a cause for concern if a baby stays a baby. It has to grow. Drinking milk should make the baby grow. Same with us as we study the word of God we should be able to grow spiritually to maturity.
We need to grow so we can teach those who are coming after us.
Remember God is the word.
John 1:1 (Amplified Bible)
In the beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself.
Stay blessed
Sunday, 29 March 2009
Emotions - How to manage them
Proverbs 4:23 (New King James Version) says,
"Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life."
Talk to Jesus about all the things that worry and bother you. He cares for you and knows all your problems. Also, you can find someone you trust and talk to them about what is worrying you. But I believe that Jesus Christ is the main man for the job.
The things that make you laugh may not be the things that make others laugh. You are unique. You are not strange.
Do not let your emotions control you. Take charge and learn to control your emotions.
Galatians 5:22-23 says, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law."
It is talking about the fruits we will produce when we allow the Holy Spirit to control our lives.
Romans 8:6, says, "For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace."
It is saying if one's sinful nature controls their mind then death will come big time. But if the Holy Spirit controls one's mind then there will be life and peace in abundance.
Our emotions play a very big role in living a peaceful, joyful and successful life. Stay away from anger and angry people.
Psalm 37:8 says, "Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret—it only causes harm."
Anger only leads to evil therefore one needs to stay away from it. All anger seeks, is revenge and no good ever comes out of it.
If vengeance is called for, be rest assured that the Lord God Almighty will bring it forth on your behalf big time. Remember the battle belongs to the Lord. The Lord will sort it out for you. He will even do a better job than you can ever do.
So peace to you and be still and know that God is in control, when you take it to Him in prayer. Remember when the tempest was raging the disciples only reported that, "Master the tempest is raging." They did not have to do anything else because they had already passed the baton to him. I think we all know what happened after that.
Friends do not suffer in silence. Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Stay blessed.
"Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life."
Talk to Jesus about all the things that worry and bother you. He cares for you and knows all your problems. Also, you can find someone you trust and talk to them about what is worrying you. But I believe that Jesus Christ is the main man for the job.
The things that make you laugh may not be the things that make others laugh. You are unique. You are not strange.
Do not let your emotions control you. Take charge and learn to control your emotions.
Galatians 5:22-23 says, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law."
It is talking about the fruits we will produce when we allow the Holy Spirit to control our lives.
Romans 8:6, says, "For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace."
It is saying if one's sinful nature controls their mind then death will come big time. But if the Holy Spirit controls one's mind then there will be life and peace in abundance.
Our emotions play a very big role in living a peaceful, joyful and successful life. Stay away from anger and angry people.
Psalm 37:8 says, "Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret—it only causes harm."
Anger only leads to evil therefore one needs to stay away from it. All anger seeks, is revenge and no good ever comes out of it.
If vengeance is called for, be rest assured that the Lord God Almighty will bring it forth on your behalf big time. Remember the battle belongs to the Lord. The Lord will sort it out for you. He will even do a better job than you can ever do.
So peace to you and be still and know that God is in control, when you take it to Him in prayer. Remember when the tempest was raging the disciples only reported that, "Master the tempest is raging." They did not have to do anything else because they had already passed the baton to him. I think we all know what happened after that.
Friends do not suffer in silence. Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Stay blessed.
Saturday, 28 March 2009
Keep your heart pure
Keep your heart pure
Guard your heart
Guard your tongue
For in it is life and death.
If you keep hatred
Hatred will grow.
If you keep sorrow
Sorrow will grow.
If you keep love
Love will grow.
So keep your heart pure.
And decide which wonderful fruit you would like to grow and nurture.
What are you planting in your heart?
Are you guarding your heart?
Everyday I live, I hope and pray that
I will spend planting seeds.
Seeds of Love, peace and joy.
And by His grace, I will keep my heart pure
I will buy anti-weed stuff
And kill them weeds.
Why?
Because I do not want to plant my seeds in vain.
Guard your heart
Guard your tongue
For in it is life and death.
If you keep hatred
Hatred will grow.
If you keep sorrow
Sorrow will grow.
If you keep love
Love will grow.
So keep your heart pure.
And decide which wonderful fruit you would like to grow and nurture.
What are you planting in your heart?
Are you guarding your heart?
Everyday I live, I hope and pray that
I will spend planting seeds.
Seeds of Love, peace and joy.
And by His grace, I will keep my heart pure
I will buy anti-weed stuff
And kill them weeds.
Why?
Because I do not want to plant my seeds in vain.
Thursday, 26 March 2009
The choice is yours.
Change in life will not take place until the individual concerned decides to do something about a situation. I decided a long time ago to turn my life around. To be positive and not listen to what the devil says and to rejoice always.
You have to look at yourself and take note of the places needing change and want change. Look at yourself and your life today and see the places you have messed up and say it is time to move on. There are some things you can not do anything about.
There is nothing that can not be solved. Things get solved all the time. The only thing is that they may not be solved the way one will be expecting but change will come. I believe that there will be an exchange somewhere.
We need to accept responsibility for the things that happen to us sometimes. It will be impossible to move on in life unless one is willing to accept part of the blame. Yes, someone else might have contributed to your pain and suffering but still make a choice to do something for yourself.
Sometimes we wish we had never met someone forgetting that the reason why we are crying is because we allowed the individual to mess us up. We gave them room either passively, through ignorance or willingly because we did not think that whatever it was, was a big deal.
Get over it and don't let guilt be a part of you at all. Confront the issue accept the part you played and ask God for forgiveness and the grace to move on. Do not listen to the lies of the devil, because he is the accuser of all men. You will get nowhere with anger, frustration, inadequacy, hatred and bitterness.
I believe that worrying is like a rocking chair. It keeps you going but it takes you nowhere. Choose to go somewhere with Christ. I know he will take you there only if you are ready, willing and have dicided to go with him.
I decided long ago to leave everything in his capable hands because he is able. You do not need to be depressed because with God you can overcome anything by his grace. Anything or circumstances of the past will not be able to control or influence your life anymore.
Each time the devil tries to remind you of your past or the bad things. Stand and tell him that you are not for sale anymore and that the old you is gone and that you are now a new being.
Stay blessed
You have to look at yourself and take note of the places needing change and want change. Look at yourself and your life today and see the places you have messed up and say it is time to move on. There are some things you can not do anything about.
There is nothing that can not be solved. Things get solved all the time. The only thing is that they may not be solved the way one will be expecting but change will come. I believe that there will be an exchange somewhere.
We need to accept responsibility for the things that happen to us sometimes. It will be impossible to move on in life unless one is willing to accept part of the blame. Yes, someone else might have contributed to your pain and suffering but still make a choice to do something for yourself.
Sometimes we wish we had never met someone forgetting that the reason why we are crying is because we allowed the individual to mess us up. We gave them room either passively, through ignorance or willingly because we did not think that whatever it was, was a big deal.
Get over it and don't let guilt be a part of you at all. Confront the issue accept the part you played and ask God for forgiveness and the grace to move on. Do not listen to the lies of the devil, because he is the accuser of all men. You will get nowhere with anger, frustration, inadequacy, hatred and bitterness.
I believe that worrying is like a rocking chair. It keeps you going but it takes you nowhere. Choose to go somewhere with Christ. I know he will take you there only if you are ready, willing and have dicided to go with him.
I decided long ago to leave everything in his capable hands because he is able. You do not need to be depressed because with God you can overcome anything by his grace. Anything or circumstances of the past will not be able to control or influence your life anymore.
Each time the devil tries to remind you of your past or the bad things. Stand and tell him that you are not for sale anymore and that the old you is gone and that you are now a new being.
Stay blessed
Saturday, 21 March 2009
Dying everyday is the way forward.
I learnt some very wonderful mind-blowing things this weekend.
For me to make it to heaven I need to die to sin everyday.
I should aim for higher things.
I should focus on that very special crown.
It is not only me who will be awarded with this very special crown, but also those who are zealous about the Lord God almighty.
I have to die to speaking careless words for the words that come out of my mouth are powerful. They contain life and death. I need to confess positively always.
I need to die to slothfullness everyday, because, I will not be able to sow anything. The word says you reap what you sow . If I am not hardworking I will live in lack.
I need to die to saying O!Lord why me? O! why me and not them? I need to start saying why not me? Who do I want to get those things or those challenges I am going through? I will not be happy to hear someone say Lord why not her? So be careful my tongue what you say.
I need to die to pride. What people say will not be something I will worry about, but what God says. That perfectionist spirit must die and make room for the Lord. Brokenness is what I desire and long for.
I need to die to unforgiveness. It can be so painful but it is something I have to do. It will block so many blessings from God. I do not think anyone or anything is worth blocking my blessings from God. I honestly need to die daily with this one big time.
I need to die from any ungodly ambitions I may have. Those selfish desires that are not profitable at all should be erased from my mind. Ambitions that will not profit me and the kingdom of God should be frustrated. They should never be associated with me and my children.
I do not know what you are struggling with or what you need to die to, but I pray that the Lord will speak to you and open your eyes so you can see those key areas of your life that need sorting.
I pray that Jesus will deliver you from all kinds of weaknesses and temptations. It may be dying to jealousy, envy, laziness, selfishness, ungodly ambitions, sexual immorality, pride, unforgiveness, greed, lying, backbiting and gossiping etc.
As for me there is hope and I tell you things are getting better as I live one day at a time by the grace of God.
For me to make it to heaven I need to die to sin everyday.
I should aim for higher things.
I should focus on that very special crown.
It is not only me who will be awarded with this very special crown, but also those who are zealous about the Lord God almighty.
I have to die to speaking careless words for the words that come out of my mouth are powerful. They contain life and death. I need to confess positively always.
I need to die to slothfullness everyday, because, I will not be able to sow anything. The word says you reap what you sow . If I am not hardworking I will live in lack.
I need to die to saying O!Lord why me? O! why me and not them? I need to start saying why not me? Who do I want to get those things or those challenges I am going through? I will not be happy to hear someone say Lord why not her? So be careful my tongue what you say.
I need to die to pride. What people say will not be something I will worry about, but what God says. That perfectionist spirit must die and make room for the Lord. Brokenness is what I desire and long for.
I need to die to unforgiveness. It can be so painful but it is something I have to do. It will block so many blessings from God. I do not think anyone or anything is worth blocking my blessings from God. I honestly need to die daily with this one big time.
I need to die from any ungodly ambitions I may have. Those selfish desires that are not profitable at all should be erased from my mind. Ambitions that will not profit me and the kingdom of God should be frustrated. They should never be associated with me and my children.
I do not know what you are struggling with or what you need to die to, but I pray that the Lord will speak to you and open your eyes so you can see those key areas of your life that need sorting.
I pray that Jesus will deliver you from all kinds of weaknesses and temptations. It may be dying to jealousy, envy, laziness, selfishness, ungodly ambitions, sexual immorality, pride, unforgiveness, greed, lying, backbiting and gossiping etc.
As for me there is hope and I tell you things are getting better as I live one day at a time by the grace of God.
PHillipians 4 :8-9
"Finally, brothers,
whatever is true,
whatever is noble,
whatever is right,
whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely,
whatever is admirable
if anything is excellent
or praiseworthy
think about such things.
Whatever you have learned
or received
or heard from me,
or seen in me
put it into practice.
And the God of peace will be with you."
Ahh!! What can I say friends?
whatever is true,
whatever is noble,
whatever is right,
whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely,
whatever is admirable
if anything is excellent
or praiseworthy
think about such things.
Whatever you have learned
or received
or heard from me,
or seen in me
put it into practice.
And the God of peace will be with you."
Ahh!! What can I say friends?
Sunday, 15 March 2009
What speaking in tongues can do for you
This is one of my best ever topics and it is the first message I ever preached on. I can only hope and pray that you will feel the Holy Spirit's presence in you and that you will also be blessed big time as you read.
To start with I am going to go over who is meant to speak in tongues? Mark 16 Verses 17 – 18.
And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
•Just before Jesus ascended to heaven he gave his disciples a run down of the most important characteristics that will be present in those who believe his name.
•These blessings belong to every believing child of God
Acts 2 verse 4 says,
“And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
•From this we note that it is the Holy Spirit that gives us the utterance, just in the same way it did for the disciples.
•It is the Holy Spirit that enables us to do so but we need to open our mouths and speak as he gives the ability.
•Speaking in tongues is evidence of the holy spirit in one’s life BUT we need to remember that it is not the only sign. There are many more signs but for today we just focus on this one.
1) When you speak in tongues No man can understand what you are saying, even the devil can not. It is only God who can understand. It is our heavenly language
1 Corinthians 14 verse 2 says:
“For he that speaks in an unknown tongue speaks not to men, but to God: for no man understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries”
•Speaking in tongues is a divine coded language.
•In the spirit realm there are things you can not just speak or settle by communicating in earthly vocabulary.
•You can never use unacceptable or wrong words when you speak in tongues. Your heavenly father understands you perfectly well.
2) Speaking in tongues activates the power of God.
2 Timothy 1 verse 6 says:
“Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.”
•We need to activate it and that is why Timothy is telling Paul to stir up the gift of God in him
•Do not let that power lie dormant, put it to use
•There is no need to pray for God to send down more power or anointing from heaven. You already have the power in you, just stir it up. Shake it and see what happens.
EXAMPLE. Let’s say you take two sugars with your tea. If you put two sugars and do not stir it, it will not taste sweet. There is no need to add some more sugar. All you have to do is stir it up and enjoy, shake it.
3) Praying in tongues helps you grow spiritually.
1 Corinthians 14 verse 4 says:
“One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church.”
•It also charges up your spirit.
4) Speaking in tongues repels the enemy,
Isaiah 59 verse 19 says:
“So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.”
•Every child of God has a spiritual ‘force field’ around him or her which repels the enemy
•Looking at Job’s case we know that satan tried and failed and that is why he went to God to ask if he had a hedge about him, and around his house and all that belonged to him. Job 1verse 10
"Have You not made a hedge about him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land says
•When you pray in tongues the Lord will raise a standard.
•When you feel the pressure coming from left, right and centre, from your job, business, academics or any other are of your life, there is no need to cry or hide. Speak in tongues big time and God will raise a standard for you.
5) It refreshes and renews you “2 Corinth 4 verse 16
“For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.”
6) Spend good time speaking in tongues just like Apostle Paul did. 1 Corinth 14 verse18
“I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than you all:”
•No wonder why, he was such an inspiring workman. Here, he is letting us know that he spend quality time speaking in tongues. Note : It is not pride lol...
7) Speaking in tongues emboldens you. Acts 13 verse 46.
Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing you put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, see, we turn to the Gentiles.
•You will be strengthened and fortified to do the things of God in a way you have never known before.
•Every fear or feeling of inadequacy disappears when the Holy spirit begins to work in one’s life.
8) It helps one to pray aright.
James 4 verse 3
“You ask, and receive not, because you ask amiss, that you may consume it on your lusts.”
•If one is not aware of the will of God they are most likely to make the wrong prayer requests.
•Sometimes we worry about how to get money or how to do certain things without asking God whether he wants us to do or get those things. No wonder why we end up in problems because some of the things we desire were not meant for us.. Remember!!
Romans 8 verse 26.
“Likewise the Spirit also helps our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered”.
•God is aware of our limitations and that is why he gave us the Holy Spirit so he can help us pray aright.
Stay blessed
To start with I am going to go over who is meant to speak in tongues? Mark 16 Verses 17 – 18.
And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
•Just before Jesus ascended to heaven he gave his disciples a run down of the most important characteristics that will be present in those who believe his name.
•These blessings belong to every believing child of God
Acts 2 verse 4 says,
“And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
•From this we note that it is the Holy Spirit that gives us the utterance, just in the same way it did for the disciples.
•It is the Holy Spirit that enables us to do so but we need to open our mouths and speak as he gives the ability.
•Speaking in tongues is evidence of the holy spirit in one’s life BUT we need to remember that it is not the only sign. There are many more signs but for today we just focus on this one.
1) When you speak in tongues No man can understand what you are saying, even the devil can not. It is only God who can understand. It is our heavenly language
1 Corinthians 14 verse 2 says:
“For he that speaks in an unknown tongue speaks not to men, but to God: for no man understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries”
•Speaking in tongues is a divine coded language.
•In the spirit realm there are things you can not just speak or settle by communicating in earthly vocabulary.
•You can never use unacceptable or wrong words when you speak in tongues. Your heavenly father understands you perfectly well.
2) Speaking in tongues activates the power of God.
2 Timothy 1 verse 6 says:
“Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.”
•We need to activate it and that is why Timothy is telling Paul to stir up the gift of God in him
•Do not let that power lie dormant, put it to use
•There is no need to pray for God to send down more power or anointing from heaven. You already have the power in you, just stir it up. Shake it and see what happens.
EXAMPLE. Let’s say you take two sugars with your tea. If you put two sugars and do not stir it, it will not taste sweet. There is no need to add some more sugar. All you have to do is stir it up and enjoy, shake it.
3) Praying in tongues helps you grow spiritually.
1 Corinthians 14 verse 4 says:
“One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church.”
•It also charges up your spirit.
4) Speaking in tongues repels the enemy,
Isaiah 59 verse 19 says:
“So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.”
•Every child of God has a spiritual ‘force field’ around him or her which repels the enemy
•Looking at Job’s case we know that satan tried and failed and that is why he went to God to ask if he had a hedge about him, and around his house and all that belonged to him. Job 1verse 10
"Have You not made a hedge about him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land says
•When you pray in tongues the Lord will raise a standard.
•When you feel the pressure coming from left, right and centre, from your job, business, academics or any other are of your life, there is no need to cry or hide. Speak in tongues big time and God will raise a standard for you.
5) It refreshes and renews you “2 Corinth 4 verse 16
“For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.”
6) Spend good time speaking in tongues just like Apostle Paul did. 1 Corinth 14 verse18
“I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than you all:”
•No wonder why, he was such an inspiring workman. Here, he is letting us know that he spend quality time speaking in tongues. Note : It is not pride lol...
7) Speaking in tongues emboldens you. Acts 13 verse 46.
Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing you put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, see, we turn to the Gentiles.
•You will be strengthened and fortified to do the things of God in a way you have never known before.
•Every fear or feeling of inadequacy disappears when the Holy spirit begins to work in one’s life.
8) It helps one to pray aright.
James 4 verse 3
“You ask, and receive not, because you ask amiss, that you may consume it on your lusts.”
•If one is not aware of the will of God they are most likely to make the wrong prayer requests.
•Sometimes we worry about how to get money or how to do certain things without asking God whether he wants us to do or get those things. No wonder why we end up in problems because some of the things we desire were not meant for us.. Remember!!
Romans 8 verse 26.
“Likewise the Spirit also helps our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered”.
•God is aware of our limitations and that is why he gave us the Holy Spirit so he can help us pray aright.
Stay blessed
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