Old Things Pass Away

 “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5:17‬ ‭KJV‬‬

How glorious to be in Christ and be a new creature!  Old things are passed away, just like this year!  For us who are in Christ, we have great expectations of grace in this coming new year.  It’s only by Christ we have access by faith into God’s grace, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.  So, after our brief suffering, the God of all loving grace, Who has called us to share in His eternal glory in Christ, personally and powerfully restore us and make us stronger than ever. He sets us firmly in place and builds us up. And He has all the power needed to do this—forever! Amen!  Thanking God for this old year that has passed away and all things are become new including this coming year of God’s grace!

God Delights in Us

 “He brought me forth also into a large place: he delivered me, because he delighted in me.”

‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭22:20‬ ‭KJV‬‬

David was a man after God’s own heart because he spoke God’s heart when he worshipped.  Here David sang this psalm since God saved him from all his enemies and from king Saul.   It is hard for us to accept that God is able to bring us to a large place because He delights in us.  God delights in His Son the Lord Jesus Christ.  If we are in Christ through faith in His death, burial and resurrection, we become our Father’s delight.  This is the good news of the new covenant of grace that Christ made through the Cross, that we are in Christ and we delight our Heavenly Father.  Let’s believe that God is able to bring us to a beautiful place because He delights in us who are in Christ, and that He is able to deliver us from all our enemies.  Let’s believe that we are in Christ, and are a new creature, old things are passed away and all things are become new; all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ! Thank You Father for delighting in us who are in Christ!

God’s Will & Good Pleasure

 “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2:13‬ ‭KJV‬‬

When we are conscious of God’s Presence in our life, in that holy reverence, we are mindful of God working His will and good pleasure in us.  If we are conscious of our situation and the hugeness and hopelessness of our problem, we are unable to see God’s pleasure in us.  Let’s see the goodness of God in our life and see the magnitude of the finished work of the Cross in our life as we make the exchange of our problems with the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.  The hugeness of our problems will pale in comparison to the magnitude of what Jesus did on the Cross for each one personally.  We are filled with gratitude rather than despair, with holy awe rather than lack of hope, as we behold the Lamb that takes away the sin of the world.  That’s how  God works in us His will and His good pleasure.  Let’s be Jesus conscious and behold the Lamb in holy awe and reverence.  Glory to God!

Our Redemption Draws Nigh

 “When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.”

‭‭Hosea‬ ‭11:1‬ ‭KJV‬‬

When Joseph was asked by the angel to go to Egypt to flee from Herod and all those who wanted to kill the Christ, it was to fulfill the prophecy here.  God knows the end from the beginning.  Those who are anti Christ are even today on earth, who reject and despise Christ and seek to kill those who have Christ dwelling in them.  Jesus said that the servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you.  The selfless work that sincere disciples of Christ have done in most nations is disregarded and they are persecuted.  But we look up to Him Who knows the end from the beginning, for our redemption draws nigh.  Just as Simeon was waiting for the consolation of Israel and was led by the Holy Spirit to come and see the Messiah, so are we waiting for the promise that Jesus made of coming again, and receiving us to Himself, that where He is, there we may be also.  Let’s look up for our redemption draws nigh.  Amen!

Manifest Jesus Christ in You

 “(For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)”

‭‭1 John‬ ‭1:2‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Jesus, the Son of God, has been manifested to mankind and many bear witness to Him as the living God, and live their life through Him.  Jesus Christ is the only One Who fulfilled the prophecies that were given of Him.  The prophecies yet to be fulfilled are of His coming again.  Jesus when He rose from the dead, explained to His disciples, from the Scriptures all things concerning Himself.  They believed and went on to manifest Jesus, the living God, through their life.  Let’s become His disciples and believe that the eternal Life of Jesus Christ is in us.  Let’s bear witness to Him.  Let’s manifest Jesus through our life. Amen!

God We Can Trust

 “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭9:6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

A well remembered verse during the Christmas season!  Good to know it every day of our life though.  Our God is Wonderful and especially for those who know Him personally as we experience the wonder of the great miracles He does for us.  He is the Counsellor Who counsels us in every detail of our life when we seek His help.  He is the mighty God, Who is with us when we pass through the waters; and through the rivers, they don’t overflow us: when we walk through the fire, we are not burned; neither does the flame kindle us.  He is the everlasting Father right from our born again experience to our old age and on, even to eternity!  He is the Prince of Peace Who made peace through the Blood of His Cross, to reconcile all things to Himself, in earth, and in heaven.  He is worthy to be worshipped, Amen!

The Best Gift

 “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭2:11‬ ‭KJV

Happy Christmas!  The best gift God gave to mankind.  The angels proclaimed and heaven and nature rejoiced.  How silently this wondrous gift was given while mankind slept.  Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.  As the free gift came upon all mankind unto justification of life, let’s receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness to reign in life through Jesus Christ.  The gift of God not under the tree but hung on the Cross to give us abundant life.  Hallelujah to the Lamb!

The Bread of Life

 “But thou, Beth–lehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.”

‭‭Micah‬ ‭5:2‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Bethlehem, which means the House of Bread, is known as a small city for thousands of years but now as the place where Jesus was born on earth.  Thousands visit this place even today made famous by the Lord Jesus Christ.  The base things of the world, and things which are despised, has God chosen, yes, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are, that no flesh should glory in His  Presence.  Let’s worship only Jesus and not all the trappings of Christmas.  Let Jesus rule our hearts and not the spirit of Christmas.  Christmas is once a year but Christ is forever.  Let’s worship Jesus, the Bread of Life, for He is the Bread of God which came down from heaven, and gave life to the world. Hallelujah!

Jesus, the Love of God Manifest to Us

 “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.”

‭‭1 John‬ ‭4:9‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Jesus’s birth and being in the flesh was God manifesting His love for us.  Jesus’s death and resurrection was God manifesting His love for us.  Jesus sending the Holy Spirit for us was God manifesting His love for us.  As we invite Jesus to live in us by faith, the Holy Spirit helps us to live through Christ.  It is a mystery and man cannot reason it.  Faith in the finished work of the Cross cannot be logically deduced.  Faith works by love.  We cannot fathom God’s love nor reason it out.  It all works by faith in our believing that the only begotten Son of God came into the world that we might live through Him.  Thank You Father for Your Son, Jesus!

Immanuel, God with Us

 “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭7:14‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Isaiah prophesied this during king Ahaz’s time when Judah had gone into extreme idolatry.  God Himself would give a sign, an impossible thing to happen, for a virgin to conceive.  But with God nothing is impossible! He showed it, when the Son of God was born to the virgin  Mary.  God so loves us that He wants us all to come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.  As Christ is born in our heart at the born again experience, we then mature to the stature of the fulness of Christ, the Son of God, Immanuel, God with us.  Only God can do this.  Let’s know Jesus more and become like Him as we surrender to the Spirit of God and allow Him to work in us.  Let’s believe that nothing is impossible with God.  Hallelujah!

Worship Jesus Alone

 “And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭2:11‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The wise men had undertaken a long journey to come to Jerusalem following the star.  Having reached Jerusalem they didn’t see the star and wondered, even going to king Herod to ask him where the Messiah was to be born.  The king had to consult the prophets to locate the birthplace of the Messiah and asked the wise men to go to Bethlehem and find the Messiah and inform him.  But his motives were devious when outwardly Herod said he wanted to worship the Messiah.  The wise men headed towards Bethlehem and found the star leading them which stopped where Jesus was.  The wise men rejoiced when they found Mary, Joseph and Jesus in a manger, and they bowed down and worshipped Jesus and offered gold, frankincense and myrrh.  They didn’t return to Herod because they were warned in a dream not to.  Let’s seek Jesus and worship Him.  The wise men didn’t worship Mary or Joseph, but only Jesus.  The wise men heeded the dream warning them not to return to Herod.  Let our motive be clear - to worship Him Who alone can remove our sins with His precious Blood sacrifice.  No amount of gold, frankincense or myrrh can do that.  Let’s present ourselves as a living sacrifice to Jesus.  Amen!

Blessed not Cursed

 “And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.”

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭12:3‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Abram was from Ur of the Chaldean which worshipped idols.  God instructed him to leave there and that God would bless him and in him shall all the families of the earth be blessed.  Jesus is the seed of Abraham promised by God.  That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.  Jesus made this happen by hanging on the tree, which is the Cross, where He was made a curse.  Let’s believe that every curse that came upon us, has been nailed to the Cross and in exchange the blessings of Abraham have come upon us, through Christ Jesus.  Let’s be blessed to be God’s blessings to others, through Christ Jesus.  Thank You Jesus!

The Great Shepherd

 “And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭2:8‬ ‭KJV‬‬

As the shepherds settled their flock for the night and surrounded them to keep watch over them for the night, it was yet another night.  Who would have thought that they were about to get the news of the arrival of the Great Shepherd Himself!  Such was the spectacular display, that they came together and left their sheep to go and see the Messiah for themselves, making haste to do so.  They arrived and found Mary, Joseph and the Great Shepherd lying in the manger.  They told this to many round about and returned to their flock, glorifying and praising God for all that they had seen as it was told to them!  Let’s bring this good news to everyone as we believe in the God of peace, that Great Shepherd of the sheep, Who through the Blood of the everlasting covenant makes us perfect in every good work to do His will, working in us that which is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

The Righteous Branch

 “And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭11:1‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Isaiah prophesied of the Branch that would grow out of Jesse’s stem, Jesse being king David’s father.  This Branch was the coming Messiah fulfilled in Jesus.  Isaiah goes on to say that the Spirit of the Lord rests upon Him and that the root of Jesse will be a standard to the people and Gentiles will seek after Him and His rest will be glorious.  Jesus is worshipped on all the continents of the world and many have come to worship Him as the Living God, because He reveals Himself to them.  Those who are seeking sincerely after the truth, find Him and worship Him.  His disciples then tell others and they come to know Him.  This has been happening for millennia and the Church has continued to grow.  We did not choose Jesus but He chose us.  Thank You, Jesus!

Sin Condemned in the Flesh

 “For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:3‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Ever since the Mosaic law was given, by the deeds of the law, no flesh was justified in God’s sight - for by the law is the knowledge of sin.  So God sent His own Son Jesus, in the likeness of sinful flesh, and condemned sin in the flesh.  Death has been conquered, for the sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.  Thanks be to God Who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Let’s give endless thanksgiving to Him Who gave us His righteousness apart from the law and gave us life removing the sting of death.  What a blessed hope we have in Christ Jesus.  Thank You Jesus for being the Word Who became flesh and dwelt among us.  Glory to God in the highest!

The Righteous King

 “Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.”

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭23:5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Jeremiah prophesied this six hundred years before Jesus was born.  The Jews knew that the Messiah would be a King, a descendant of David, Who would reign and prosper executing judgment and justice on the earth.  Jeremiah also prophesied that a new covenant would be made wherein God would write His laws upon the hearts of men and all would know God directly and receive forgiveness.  People still look for the outward pomp and circumstance but God looks into the heart.  That’s where Jesus reigns.  He executes judgment and justice through forgiveness when a heart is repentant.  Jesus Who knew no sin became sin that the repentant heart would through forgiveness receive the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.  The false, insincere, corrupt hearts of people can only be changed by true and sincere repentance through the Blood sacrifice of Jesus.  That’s how Jesus executes judgment and justice, reigning in our hearts to prosper us according to His riches in glory.  Glory to God and peace on earth!

Christ our Saviour

 “And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭2:26‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Simeon was in the temple at Jerusalem when Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to there according to the Jewish law.  It was no coincidence that Simeon was there because he was drawn by the Holy Spirit to see the Messiah before he died.  Simeon prophesied over the Messiah what had been prophesied much earlier by previous prophets, of the salvation which God had prepared for all people.  Jesus is the Saviour of all people, not one is left out!  Simeon thanked God for the privilege of seeing and holding the Messiah Who through His death, burial and resurrection was going to change the course of this world.  May each one of us be drawn by the Holy Spirit to see the need for the Saviour in our lives and be filled with thanksgiving for what great things Christ has done.  Let no one depart unless they have seen God’s salvation in Christ Jesus.  Amen!

Son of David

 “He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever.”

‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭7:13‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Samuel prophesied to king David of his descendant, the Messiah Whose Kingdom was forever.  Jesus was the Son of David Whose throne would be established forever, as the angel Gabriel told Mary.  The blind and the lame who were healed by Jesus, called Him the Son of David, recognising Him as the Messiah.  The ruling Romans didn’t, neither did the Jewish leadership who knew of the coming Messiah.  Only those who sincerely need God, recognised Jesus, then and today.  Jesus Christ established His Kingdom through His death, burial and resurrection.  Those who sincerely seek God recognise Jesus as the King and He preached the Kingdom of God.  Let’s seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all things will be added to us. Jesus is the King of Glory!

From Disappointment to Joy!

 “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭1:21‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Joseph was a just man, coping with disappointment of putting away the woman he was going to marry.  It seemed a betrayal.  God came through at the right time by sending the angel with the message for him and in this vision was told of Jesus, the Messiah, Who would save the people from their sins.  Joseph was obedient and immediately took steps to take Mary for his wife.  At once from disappointment to the joy of the knowledge that he was chosen to be the earthly father to the Messiah.  What a privilege!  God chooses us for visions when we respond with obedience.  May many receive the vision of Jesus Who alone is the Savior saving people from their sins.  May they respond with obedience and allow Jesus to be born in their heart.  Let’s not allow disappointment or betrayal to be in our heart but to believe that God comes through at the right time with the revelation of His love for us in Christ.  Let’s trust Him in every circumstance!  Hallelujah!

The Star & the Sceptre

 “I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.”

‭‭Numbers‬ ‭24:17‬ ‭KJV‬‬

It is amazing that God revealed His plans to a non Israelite and used Balaam to bless Israel rather than curse them.  Balak the king of Moab had enticed Balaam with power and wealth to curse Israel but when Balaam opened his mouth, blessings and prophecy came out!  God can do anything with anybody.  Balaam prophesied that a Star would come out of Jacob and a Sceptre rise out of Israel.  Jesus, in His Incarnation, was a descendant of Jacob who was given the name of Israel.  For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.  Jesus destroyed all the works of the devil on the Cross.  Jesus warned the Church against the doctrine of Balaam to be a stumbling block to God’s purposes.  Let’s be ready with an obedient heart to fulfill God’s purpose for our life.  Hallelujah!

Rejoicing in God

 “And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭1:47‬ ‭KJV‬‬

As Elisabeth, being six months pregnant, saw Mary come to visit her, she was filled with the Holy Spirit and gave praise to God.  Mary in response, magnified the Lord in her soul and rejoiced in her spirit.  The great and mighty things the Lord had done was that Elisabeth was in her sixties and was now six months pregnant whereas Mary, who had never known a man was expecting the Messiah.  Both rejoiced and Mary stayed with Elisabeth through the last three months of her pregnancy and then returned back to her house.  When God does miracles, the response always is to magnify Him in our soul and to rejoice in our spirit.  We take God’s miracles for granted many times.  Let’s learn to have a thankful heart that magnifies Adonai in our soul and rejoices in our spirit.  Hallelujah!

God’s Speciality

 “But thou, Beth–lehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.”

‭‭Micah‬ ‭5:2‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Seven hundred years before the Messiah’s birth, Micah the prophet had prophesied that it would happen in Bethlehem, the native city of king David and of the tribe of Judah.  God specialises in taking the little, the unknown, the weak and the meek, to show His might, power and glory!  Bethlehem was a little town but it became known worldwide as the birthplace of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Even wise men from afar landed up there for Jesus’s Incarnation to this unknown place!  The shepherds, a weak and meek people under Roman rule, saw the angels giving them the news of Jesus’s birth which no sound and light show of today’s technology can compare!  But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God has chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty.  So everyone knows that this is God.  Let’s give all glory to Yahweh!

Glorious Word of God

 “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”

‭‭John‬ ‭1:14‬ ‭KJV

Jesus is the Word of God forever and full of grace and truth.  When Jesus is born in our heart, grace and truth comes.  The Word of God is grace and truth.  Our minds cannot comprehend this but our part is to believe and receive.  We then become sowers and sow the Word of God into others.  When others believe and receive, it becomes a harvest!  We live in times when the Word of God is banned by nations.  But when the Word of God is in our hearts by faith, no one can ban it.  This has happened because Jesus died and rose again enabling Him to dwell in our hearts forever.  Jesus is manifest through us when we speak the Word of God.  Let’s allow the glorious Word of God to manifest through us, full of grace and truth - to God be all the glory!

Increase of the Kingdom of God

 “Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭9:7‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Isaiah prophesied this more than seven hundred years before Jesus was born.  The Kingdom of God is here on earth since Jesus’s birth.  His government has been increasing since then and there is no end to the peace He gives to those who believe and are born in Christ.  Judgment & justice are established by Him through the finished work of the Cross when He was judged on mankind’s behalf.  Since then through all those generations, the Kingdom of God has suffered violence, yet many have forcefully seized it as a prized possession and with ardent zeal.  The increase of His government will never end till He comes again.  Let’s keep giving this wonderful Gospel to others as the Almighty God brings many into His Kingdom.  The zeal of the Lord performs this!  Hallelujah!

The Heavens Declare the Glory of God

 “When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭2:10‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The heavens declare the glory of God.  These wisemen had studied the movement of the stars and constellations.  God showed Abram the stars in heaven telling him that his descendants will be as countless as the stars in heaven.  Abram believed that the Bright and Morning Star would be his descendant, and it was credited to him as righteousness.  So the wisemen were directed to Jesus, two thousand years later and they rejoiced and were filled with exceeding great joy.  That’s the response of all who come to the Lord Jesus Christ even today and are filled with exceeding great joy when our sins are forgiven.  We enter into the joy of the Lord.  That’s when heaven rejoices over one sinner who repents and receives Jesus in their heart.  No one can take this joy from us.  Jesus is our joy, let’s rejoice that we are born again when we accepted the risen Jesus in our hearts.  Amen!

The King of Peace

 “The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.”

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭49:10‬ ‭KJV‬‬

A sceptre is in the hand of a king as a ruler.  Jacob, before he died, received the revelation of the prophecy of the coming Messiah two thousand years before He was born.  Shiloh means peace and Jesus made peace between mankind and the God of peace.  Jesus is the King of men’s heart and those who submit to the superiority of peace over hate and conflict, know that His peace is forever.  The Lawgiver has made a new covenant of putting His law in our hearts and writing it in our mind.  Let’s submit to the King Who became our Sacrifice, and thank Him for the exchange He made to give us His peace and His righteousness.  Thank You Jesus!

Worship the Son of God

 “Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭14:33‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Although Jesus was at that time the Son of Man, He had authority to still the storm and save and restore Peter from drowning and back into the ship.  Then they all came and worshipped Jesus and acknowledged that Jesus is the Son of God.  The response of all who recognise Jesus is the Son of God is to worship Him.  Jesus conquered sin, death and hell and is alive seated at the right Hand of the Father, awaiting His enemies to be made His footstool.  As we worship Jesus, Who alone is worthy of worship, He empowers us to be more than conquerors and to overcome by the Blood of the Lamb and by the word of our testimony, and being a living sacrifice to Him till He comes to take us.  Hallelujah!

Knowledge of the Glory of the Lord

 “For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.”

‭‭Habakkuk‬ ‭2:14‬ ‭KJV

God is doing marvellous works for this prophecy to be fulfilled.  Today, in an instant, we can testify of God’s goodness and glory to the other side of the globe through social media.  When the early disciples believed and preached, God did mighty miracles in the Church inspite of the persecution that followed and the glory of God was tangible.  The Church was not a huge structure but homes of people or caves or some underground gathering.  Through social media, the Church in our times has become a gathering of praying people regardless of physical location.  The Gospel is being preached as never before and the knowledge of the glory of God is filling the earth as the waters cover the sea.  Let’s be Gospel proclaimers and good news carriers of honouring the Lord Jesus and the finished work of the Cross, filling the whole earth with this knowledge.  Let’s declare the glory of God everywhere.  Amen!

Peace & Goodwill toward Men

 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭2:14‬ ‭KJV‬‬

God’s message to mankind has been peace and goodwill since the Word became flesh and dwelt among us on this earth.  Man has been searching for peace but unless peace with God is made, the search is in vain.  That was done by the Prince of Peace Who made peace through the Blood of His Cross, reconciling all things to Himself; whether things in earth, or things in heaven.  No peace treaty, no Nobel peace prize, nor any kind of man-made peace can bring peace or goodwill on earth.  It is only through Jesus Christ.  Glory to God in the highest!

Encouragement

 “But charge Joshua, and encourage him, and strengthen him: for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which thou shalt see.”

‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭3:28‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Joshua was used to being in the background and seeing God work mightily through Moses.  God arranges for Joshua to be prepared by Moses as the next generation to go forward.  It is only by encouragement that we are built up to fulfill God’s purpose for our life.  Encouragement strengthens us and builds us up and helps us receive our inheritance.  For those of us who belong to the Kingdom of God and have enthroned Christ Jesus in our hearts, we have the encouragement of the mighty Holy Spirit.  Let’s be encouragers to strengthen and build up the next generation to receive the inheritance God has prepared for them.  Thank You Holy Spirit for encouraging us and helping us to encourage others.

Word of Christ Dwelling Richly in Us

 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”

‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3:16‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The more we allow the Word of Christ to dwell in us richly, the more we manifest Christ in and through our lives.  The Lord Jesus, when He lives in our heart by faith, enables us to meditate on His Word day and night and to do what it says.  Thus we are able to be successful in all that we do.  As we hunger and thirst after His Word, our hearts are filled with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs as we sing with grace in our heart to the Lord.  Even our minds get renewed with thoughts from God!  Let’s saturate ourselves with the Word of God and allow Jesus to be seen in and through our lives.  The Word of God was not available to everyone earlier but we live in times when it is even at our fingertips!  The best is to memorise the Word of God, it will surprise you to know how focused you become!  No one can take away the Word of God from our heart!  Let’s teach and sing the Word of God which is Jesus!  Thank You Jesus!

Overcoming the World

 “One man of you shall chase a thousand: for the Lord your God, he it is that fighteth for you, as he hath promised you.”

‭‭Joshua‬ ‭23:10‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Joshua had begun fearfully but the more he obeyed the Lord, the more successful he was in conquering the promised land.  He trusted the Lord’s promises.  Today in the new and better covenant the Lord Jesus has already won the battle through the finished work of the Cross.  For this purpose the Son of God was manifested to destroy the works of the devil.  So we believe that, through faith we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.  Those who are born of God overcome the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith.  Thanks be to God Who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus.  We believe in what God has promised us and in Christ we chase thousands and proclaim His victory.  All His promises are ‘Yes’ and ‘Amen’ in Christ to the glory of God!

One in Christ

 “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.”

‭‭Galatians‬ ‭3:28‬ ‭KJV‬‬

That’s how it is in the Body of Christ - there is no racism, no caste or economic differences, no gender competition!  The Lord Jesus never had problems in women proclaiming His Gospel.  In the old covenant, there was a prophetess and a judge, Deborah, who even went into the battlefield with the army commander!  The Lord Jesus allowed a woman, who had had five husbands and the man she was living with was not married to her, to bring the whole village to Him by proclaiming the Gospel to them.  The psalmist had prophesied that “The Lord gives the word (of power); the women who bear and publish (the news) are a great host.”  Let us who are in Christ, regardless of race, caste, status or gender, be part of the host that publish the Gospel with power from on high, the anointing of the Lord Jesus Christ, to a world hungry for the truth.  Thank You Jesus!

Friendship with God

 “Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭12:3‬ ‭KJV‬‬

In our personal relationship with the Lord Jesus, let’s heed these words that Jesus said.  Jesus has called us to be His friends.  In our friendship with Him, let’s deal with hypocrisy and double standards within us, let’s be open and transparent with Him.  Let’s not be backbiters or gossipers, or critical of others.  If we have not brought these attitudes to Jesus for repentance and forgiveness, every idle word we have spoken, we will be held in account for.  In this time of grace and mercy, let’s make our friendship with Jesus as real and not wait for the moment when our words spoken in darkness or in closets, are brought to light, or proclaimed from housetops.  Let’s deal with every leaven of hypocrisy in our heart and take the help of the Holy Spirit to come out of it.  Let’s make our friendship with Jesus a happy, honest and wonderful one!

Course Correction

 “My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction:”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3:11‬ ‭KJV‬‬

In a loving relationship with our Father God, it is better to tell Him  like it is, as we are open and transparent with Him.  Because He is our Father, Who gave His Son Jesus to take our place of judgment on the Cross.  He is the One Who sent His Holy Spirit to us on earth to help us to die to ourself.  Let’s not despise the chastening of the Lord nor be weary of His correction.  He wants us to be in Jesus’s image and likeness.  Now no chastening for the present seems to be joyous, but grievous: but afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to us who are willing to be corrected.  Let’s welcome course correction in our life with humility, knowing that we are becoming more like Jesus.  Let’s yield ourselves to the Holy Spirit, Who is our Helper and our Comforter. Thank You Father.

The Love of God in Christ

 “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:35‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Those who have personally experienced the love of Christ will agree that nothing can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus.  Our Father has lavished love on us to call us the sons of God.  Let’s separate ourselves from the love of this world.  If any love the world, the love of the Father is not there.  God has called us to love Him and our neighbour as ourself.  We are to see the good of this world and if we see someone in need, to show the love of the Father to such people.  Let’s love others with the love of Christ.  Let’s not love the world but rather overcome the world with the faith God has given us, that’s our victory which Jesus gave us through the Cross.  Nothing can separate us from His love, let’s dwell in it.  The God kind of love was put into us who are born of God, by the Holy Spirit Himself.  Let’s flow with God’s love, the unconditional, selfless love this world needs so much.  God is love! Thank You Father.

God’s Inheritance

 “For the Lord will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭94:14‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Almighty God has chosen us who are sanctified by the Blood of Jesus to be His inheritance.  The Kingdom of God includes all those who are sanctified from all nations.  The Lord will not cast off His people, nor will He forsake His inheritance.  Because we are His inheritance, He has given us the hope of His calling, and opened our understanding to the riches of His glory to us.  Let’s walk with joy and confidence of faith that we are God’s inheritance in Christ and He is working in us to be incorruptible and undefiled, against the wiles of the enemy.  What a joy that we are not our own but the priceless possession of our Father as we belong to Him forever.  Thank You Father!

Godly Wisdom

 “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.”

‭‭James‬ ‭3:17‬ ‭KJV‬‬

When we lack wisdom, we are to ask God and He gives liberally.  There is worldly wisdom and then there is godly wisdom which God gives from above.  It has these seven attributes - pure, peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.  For us who are called into the new covenant, the hidden treasures of wisdom have been given to us because Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God to us.  The finished work of the Cross of Christ is where the Holy Spirit pours the wisdom of God on us making us pure, making peace and being peaceable and gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.  Let’s receive it with gratitude and with a sacrifice of praise!  Thank You Holy Spirit!

God Protects, Preserves & Prospers His Own

 “But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive.”

‭‭Exodus‬ ‭1:17‬ ‭KJV‬‬

These were Hebrew slave women who refused to obey the command from Pharaoh to kill babies, because they valued life and feared God.  They knew it was better to obey God than to follow the command of Pharaoh.  For this, the Lord God protected them from Pharaoh’s wrath, giving them godly wisdom to reply and later, it says, God built houses for them!  We who follow the risen Christ will be persecuted as He told us and called to do things against the God of the Bible.  But do not fear, our risen Lord Jesus knows how to protect His own and because of faith in the finished work of the Cross Who has destroyed death and hell for us, He will preserve and prosper us.  It is better to obey God than man!  God never changes, He will protect, preserve & prosper us.  Thank You, Jesus!

Christ has Preeminence in our Heart

 “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:”

‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭3:15‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Christ has preeminence in all things, so we sanctify Him in our hearts.  It is a good thing to establish our hearts with grace.  Grace and truth came only by the Lord Jesus.  When the hidden man of our heart, which are the motives of our heart, sanctifies the Lord Jesus, then we give preeminence to Him.  The answer of our hope in Christ is in our heart and not in our mind.  With our heart we believe that God raised Jesus from the dead, and with our mouth we confess this hope.  Let’s not be those who are given to speaking our mind, but let’s establish our heart with grace and speak with meekness and reverence of our hope in Christ.  Let’s always be ready to give our answer of testifying to the living Christ in our heart.  Let’s give preeminence to Jesus.  Hallelujah!

Reigning

 “The Lord recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.”

‭‭Ruth‬ ‭2:12‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Ruth was a Gentile who came to trust in the God of Israel because of her mother-in-law’s witness.  When she worked in Boaz’s field, he was so impressed with her that he blessed her and asked God to recompense and reward her for having come to trust the God of Israel.  This is a picture of the Church.  Many of us Gentiles have come to trust in the Lord Jesus Christ and the finished work of the Cross, because someone’s witness to us.  As we invite Christ into our hearts, we receive the gift of righteousness and the abundance of grace to reign with Christ in this life and in eternity.  This is how God our Father, recompenses and rewards us, as we trust in Jesus with gratitude in our hearts.  Ruth is mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus.  Our names are written in the Book of Life and we rejoice.  Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say, Rejoice!

Conduct of the Disciples of Jesus Christ

 “Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭12:12‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Here Paul is encouraging the disciples of the Lord Jesus to conduct themselves in a godly way.  Disciples of Christ, right down history, rejoiced in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing instant in prayer even till the end.  This is unique only to those who have Christ in them.  Why do we rejoice?  Because we have Christ in us, the hope of glory.  Why are we patient in tribulation?  Because the love of Christ constrains us and love is patient.  Why do we continue instant in prayer?  Because we have the unique privilege of being in-dwelt by the Holy Spirit Who prays through us.  Let’s rejoice in hope, that confident expectation of God’s goodness.  Let’s be patient in tribulation, as Jesus said that in this world there is tribulation but to be of good cheer as He overcame the world.  Let’s continue instant in prayer, because Jesus said whatsoever we ask in prayer, believing, we shall receive.  Let’s do what our Lord has asked us to do!  Praise You Jesus!

The Lord our Sanctification

 “This is the water of Meribah; because the children of Israel strove with the Lord, and he was sanctified in them.”

‭‭Numbers‬ ‭20:13‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The children of Israel parched with thirst, fought with Moses and accused him of bringing them out of Egypt to die in the desert, here at Meribah.  They were getting ready to stone Moses and Aaron to death.  At the last moment God told Moses to put his rod to the rock, for water.  Moses, upset and resentful, hit the rock twice with the rod and water gushed out.  The Lord was sanctified among them but Moses lost out in getting into the promised land for unbelief and disobedience.  Today, however much there may be rebellion and people turn against the God of the Bible and His Church, still the Holy Spirit pours grace and peace unlimited, through the sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the Blood of Jesus Christ.  May Jesus always be sanctified and glorified through us who believe and obey Him.  Thank You Lord Jesus!

Sifting

 “Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭3:12‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The great prophet John was announcing the arrival of the Messiah Who would baptise with the Holy Spirit and fire and Whose shoes John was unworthy to bear; Who would separate the chaff from the wheat, and burn up the chaff.  Jesus arrived at that moment and John baptised Him.  When Jesus comes into our heart at our invitation, He separates the chaff from the wheat in our character.  In our relationship with Him, He refines us and may we be willing to be separated from the chaff.  Jesus is the Head of the Church and He separates the chaff from the wheat to refine the Church.  Before He comes again, let’s allow the Holy Spirit to remove the chaff of false doctrine, unbiblical behaviour and bitter fruit from the Church. Let’s yield ourselves to the Holy Spirit to refine us.  Thank You Holy Spirit!

Sweet Word of God

 “How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭119:103‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The psalmist likens speaking God’s Word as sweet words, sweeter than honey!  When Jesus spoke, people thronged to hear Him, for His Word was the taste of sweetness to hungry souls.  Even God the Father found Jesus’s Word to be sweet for He said, This is my Beloved Son, hear Him.  The Word of God is not only powerful and quick but also sweeter than honey!  Let’s meditate on the sweetness of God’s Word and speak it, to turn bitterness around us to sweet!  Let’s enjoy abundant life by speaking the Word of God and making matters sweet!  Thank You, Jesus, for the Word of God!

The Assurance of the Gospel

 “For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.”

‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭1:5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Why do people choose Jesus Christ? When the Gospel is given, not in word only but is backed up by Holy Spirit power, and the assurance of Christ’s character being perceived by people hearing the Gospel from the person sharing Christ.  Both the gifts of the Spirit and the fruit of the Spirit are operating when people receive Jesus in their heart.  Let’s be disciples of Jesus who are Christ-like in character as well as releasing the power of the Holy Spirit through us.  The good news for us is, that we don’t have to be perfect to do this.  For when we confess our sins to Jesus in our personal relationship with Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  That’s how we keep becoming Christ-like.  All the while releasing the Holy Spirit power of the Gospel.  Let’s keep making disciples for Jesus! Thank You Jesus!

Blessing on Our Offspring

 “For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring:”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭44:3‬ ‭KJV‬‬

God is gracious and kind.  As Isaiah foretold, God knows how frail mankind is but out of His love He promised to pour His Spirit upon those who thirst for Him.  Then, like the dry, desert land which blossoms when flooded with water, so the thirsty one will be flooded with the Holy Spirit, and the blessings will pour upon them and their descendants.  Because of Jesus’s Blood sacrifice, we who are not Jews, when we thirst for the Holy Spirit are filled to an overflowing.  God’s blessings are on us and our offspring.  Let’s thirst for the mighty Holy Spirit and be filled so that the desert places in us bloom and we are blessed and so are our offspring...blessed to be a blessing! Thank You Holy Spirit!

True Light

 “That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.”

‭‭John‬ ‭1:9‬ ‭KJV‬‬

John the disciple was introducing John the baptiser who was sent to bear witness to the true Light - Jesus Christ.  God is Light and in Him there is no darkness at all.  Jesus said that as long as He is in the world, He is the Light of the world.  He came as the Light to bring life and immortality to light through the Gospel.  Now that Jesus has conquered death and we have accepted the risen Christ, we are the light of the world.  Since Jesus is the Light of the world,  all who follow Him do not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.  Let’s be the children of Light, who have been called out of darkness into His marvellous Light to shew forth His praises.  Let’s be His Light in this dark world.  Thank You Jesus!

Freedom from Sin, Transgression & Iniquity

 “Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.”

‭‭Daniel‬ ‭9:24‬ ‭KJV‬‬

After Daniel had prayed and repented for the sins of his forefathers, the Jewish people, angel Gabriel was sent to give him revelation of the coming Messiah.  Jesus came to finish transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity.  This, Jesus did through His sacrifice on the Cross.  Jesus, Who knew no sin, became sin on the Cross, that we might be the righteousness of God in Him.  Jesus received a just recompense for every transgression and disobedience at the Cross.  Jesus gave Himself for us that He might redeem us from all iniquity and purify to Himself a peculiar people.  All this act of grace, so that through faith we might believe and receive liberty from the bondage of sin, transgression and iniquity, and become children of God.  Glory to the Lamb of God!

Our Tongue is to Glorify God

 “And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭1:64‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Zecharias and his wife were descendants of Levi and he was a priest who took his turn to burn incense in the holy place of the temple in Jerusalem. He wanted a son and prayed to God but his wife was barren.  As he burned incense the angel Gabriel appeared to him and told him that he and his wife were going to have a baby boy who would come to prepare the way for the Messiah.  Zecharias knowing the scriptures well, questioned Gabriel and doubted God.  For that he became dumb and could not speak.  When his son was born God opened his mouth and he glorified God with his tongue.  Our tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity which defiles the whole body.  Death and life are in the power of the tongue.  Let’s use our tongue with wholesomeness as a tree of life.  God gave us the tongue to praise and glorify God as Zecharias the priest learned!  Let’s glorify Jesus for His Blood sacrifice which enabled us to use our tongue in His praise!  Hallelujah!

God’s Goodness Endures Forever

 “Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God endureth continually.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭52:1‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Someone saw David who was running for his life from king Saul and told this to the king.  So David wrote this psalm remembering God’s goodness which endures forever.  No boasting mischief of mighty men can detract us, the redeemed of the Lord, to focus on God’s goodness continually.  As the devil boasted against Jesus before God, Jesus the Author & Finisher of our faith, endured the cross with joy, despising the shame.  Then Jesus sat down at the right Hand of the Father.  That’s why our faith boasts only of Jesus and not the mischief of the devil.  Let’s focus on God’s goodness continually.  As we focus on Jesus, His Blood speaks better things for us continually, nullifying the day and night accusations of the devil.  Let’s believe in the Blood sacrifice of Jesus continually.  Let’s be victorious and endure looking at God’s goodness and be overcomers by the Blood of the Lamb!

Witnessing in the Power

 “He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)”

‭‭John‬ ‭7:38-39‬ ‭KJV‬‬

All disciples of Jesus Christ have the Holy Spirit in them who are baptised in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  But the power of the Holy Spirit that comes upon the disciple so that rivers of living waters flow out of the belly, was made available to us when Jesus ascended to the right hand of the Father after His resurrection and the Holy Spirit came down at Pentecost.  Today all believers are given the wonderful opportunity to witness the resurrected Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit. The glorified Jesus Christ can only be declared in the power of the Holy Spirit.  Let’s allow rivers of living water to flow out of our belly as we release the glorious Gospel in the power of the Holy Spirit.  Hallelujah!

Worship the Living God

 “O Lord of hosts, God of Israel, that dwellest between the cherubims, thou art the God, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth: thou hast made heaven and earth.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭37:16‬ ‭KJV

When Hezekiah, king of Judah was facing the destruction of Jerusalem at the hand of Sennacherib, it was certain defeat.  Sennacherib’s titles were king of Assyria, king of Babylon, king of the four corners of the world, king of the universe.  But Hezekiah turned to the Lord of hosts, God of Israel, to God alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth, Who has made heaven and earth.  Hezekiah led all the people in Jerusalem to worship God.  Sennacherib had to leave suddenly and go back to Assyria from besieging Jerusalem.  Worshipping the God Who made heaven and earth, in the midst of certain defeat and destruction, will bring the desired breakthrough.  This is the ability that has been given now to all people who put their trust in the Lord Jesus Christ Who died and rose again.  Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.  Let’s worship the living God Jesus even in the midst of disaster and He comes through for us!  Hallelujah!

Unshakable Kingdom

 “Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12:28‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The Kingdom of God cannot be moved.  Everything else will be shaken that needs to be shaken but the Kingdom of God remains.  We make a choice of where we belong, to the world or to the Kingdom of God?  Eventually the kingdoms of this world will become the Kingdom of our Lord.  Till then, let’s with grace serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.  A sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of the Kingdom of God where there is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.  Because of Jesus’s death and resurrection, we have, through faith, an inheritance in the Kingdom as joint heirs with our Lord Jesus.  Let’s therefore walk worthy of God Who has called us into His Kingdom and glory.  Glory to God in the highest!

Good News for the Lost

 “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭5:20-21‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Isaiah spoke to a people who had lost their moral bearings and had cast off God Himself!  In their stubbornness, they refused to turn back to God.  God sent His Son Jesus to die for  the sin of the whole world, and all people, past present and future.  Such is the love of God for all the people of this planet.  That’s why Jesus spent time with the sinners, tax collectors and prostitutes, who had lost their moral bearings and needed God’s love so badly!  They gladly received the good news of their sins being forgiven and got eternal life.  Today the Church needs to be good news to the people that it is only the Blood sacrifice of Jesus that removes sin and through faith in Him they receive eternal life.  Let’s not be wise in our own eyes, judging and condemning people.  Let’s be the Church of Jesus Christ that loves people with the love of God and speaks forgiveness of sin and eternal life.

The Glorious New Covenant

 “But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭8:6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Everything about Jesus is excellent!  He gave the better Sacrifice of Himself, He is the Mediator of the better covenant, and through that the better promises have been established for us.  The Church of the new covenant is gloriously blessed.  God’s purpose in giving Jesus to the Church is to establish the new covenant.  The old covenant of the law is but a shadow of Jesus, whereas the new covenant is Jesus Himself, the resurrected Lord.  Let’s enjoy the new covenant and establish the glorious Gospel of grace through it!  Amen!

Meek Inherit the Earth

 “But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭37:11‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Jesus taught that it is always the meek that inherit the earth.  Lack of peace is when there is pride and vainglory.  The result is strife and contention.  The world finds meekness a character trait that is weak and cowardly, but the Word of God sees it as the fruit of the Spirit.  Jesus said to learn of Him for He is meek and lowly and only He can give abundance of peace to rest our soul.  Jesus is perfect and He is the Prince of Peace and He made peace for us through the Blood of His Cross.  Let’s learn to be meek and walk in abundance of peace to shine with the strength of Jesus.  That’s how we inherit the earth!

Peace Ruling in Our Heart

 “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.”

‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3:15‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The evening before Jesus was crucified, He told His disciples, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to  you: not as the world gives, give I to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”  This, just before He was arrested.  Only God’s peace, in the midst of chaos and confusion, can sustain us.  It is a peace we cannot understand, but we know it is in our heart, ruling there.  The Body of Christ are those who have Christ in us and who have Jesus’s peace in our hearts, and we are grateful to God for it.  Jesus made peace through the Blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things to Himself.  It’s not at all a worldly peace, not as the world gives.  Thank You Jesus that You rule in our hearts with Your peace having reconciled us to God!

Wealth Tranfer & Disease Remover

 “He brought them forth also with silver and gold: and there was not one feeble person among their tribes.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭105:37‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The psalmist is giving thanks to the almighty God for His mighty and wondrous works to the children of Israel. This was a shadow of what the Messiah was going to do on the Cross for all people.  The  children of Israel were slaves in Egypt for four hundred years, deprived, underprivileged and labouring without any wages.  Before they departed from Egypt, Moses told them to take silver and gold from the Egyptians who willingly parted with it, making a great wealth transfer to the children of Israel.  Moses also told them to kill the Passover lamb and apply the blood on the doorpost and lintels of their houses. The angel of death passed over those places and none of the children of Israel died, but the Egyptians’ firstborn did.  They ate the roasted lamb and bitter herbs and left Egypt.  For forty years they were in the wilderness and not one was sick or feeble.  This is what Jesus did on the Cross.  By His stripes, we are healed and by His shed Blood we are made whole, He became poor so we are made rich. Disease and poverty were removed on the Cross for those who believe in the finished work of the Cross.  Worthy is the Lamb of God!

Justified Freely

 “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭3:24‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Not one person in this planet is right with God, all have fallen short of His glory.  The only way to be justified before God is through the Blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ.  That’s the only way for redemption.  It is freely given, it is a gift, only for this one life on earth.  We are justified freely before God only by faith in the finished work of the Cross of Jesus Christ.  It is appointed to men once to die, and after that, the judgment.  It is only Jesus’s grace that we have redemption that is in Christ Jesus to be declared right before God.  Thank You Jesus for Your glorious Gospel of grace!

Death swallowed in Victory

 “He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the Lord hath spoken it.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭25:8‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Isaiah had prophesied about the Messiah hundreds of years before and Jesus fulfilled it by conquering sin and death forever.  To access God, can never be by our own good deeds.  Unless we believe in the finished work of the Cross, we can never, ever come to the holy God.  Let’s believe that the Blood of Jesus alone can cleanse us, wipe away our sins and make us righteous to come into the Presence of God.  Let our hearts be filled with thanksgiving and great joy for what Jesus did.  Let the tears of sorrow be turned to joy! Thank You Jesus!

Boldness to Enter the Holiest

 “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭10:19‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Jesus, our High Priest is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens, Who offered up Himself for our sins.  He calls us now as a royal priest  to shew forth the praises of Him Who has called us out of darkness into His marvellous light.  As royal priests, we have boldness now to enter into the holiest place by the Blood of Jesus to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God.  Let’s pray unceasingly offering up sacrifices of thanksgiving and praise for what Jesus has done for us at the Cross.  Amen!

Our Refuge in Trouble

 “Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭62:8‬ ‭KJV

David trusted God to come before the Lord and pour out his heart before Him, finding refuge in Him.  Then David waited to hear from God and deliverance would come. Let’s learn to pour out our heart before God, our Father, because Jesus made it possible through His death and resurrection for us to receive the Spirit of adoption and cry Abba, Father.  Too often we pour out our heart with other people or our near and dear ones but our heavenly Father waits for us to take refuge in Him. He is the One Who delivers us and comforts us and leads us into the paths of righteousness for His Name’s sake.  Thank You Jesus!

True Riches

 “If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭16:11‬ ‭KJV

Jesus says here that if you are not faithful in managing material wealth, which will pass away as all things in this world will, how will you manage true riches?  When we give our heart to Jesus and present to Him ourselves as a living sacrifice, He gives us true riches.  The Person of Jesus Christ is our true riches.  Money doesn’t motivate us, nor the pleasure of it, but a close relationship with the Lord Jesus motivates us.  Depending on Him for every need and desire and motivated by abiding in His Word and obeying it, is the true riches for disciples of Jesus Christ.  Let’s receive the true riches, then we are rich for all eternity!  Thank You Jesus!

The Blessing of God

 “And Joseph brought in Jacob his father, and set him before Pharaoh: and Jacob blessed Pharaoh.”

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭47:7‬ ‭KJV‬‬

When Joseph brought his father Jacob before Pharaoh, it was Jacob who blessed Pharaoh.  The less is blessed by the better.  God chose Jacob, a refugee, to bless the world’s most powerful potentate at that time.  The Church all across our planet is here for the purpose of releasing God’s blessing of the Lord Jesus Christ everywhere.  The same Holy Spirit Who spoke through Jacob to bless Pharaoh, is in the Church to bless the powerful of the world as well as the meek.  Our Heavenly Father made His Son to rise on the evil and on the good, and He sends the rain of the Holy Spirit on the just and on the unjust.  Amen!

Partakers of Christ

 “For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭3:14‬ ‭KJV

The confidence that we received when we first came to know the love of the Lord Jesus in our hearts enables us to be made partakers of Christ.  Let’s hold this confidence till the end enduring.  For consider Jesus Who endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest we be weary and faint in our minds.  Let’s endure and be steadfast till the end. Amen!

The Church’s Authority

 “The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord's: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭115:16‬ ‭KJV‬‬

God created man in His own image and likeness and gave them dominion over all the earth and all creatures created here on earth.  Adam and Eve lost all the authority given them by obeying Satan instead of God.  But God sent His Son Jesus to restore all that was lost by His Blood sacrifice on the Cross and reconciled mankind to God. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.  Today the Church over which the Lord Jesus Christ is the Head has this authority over all the earth.  Let all the children of men receive faith to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and come into the authority which God has given to the Church. Amen!

Powered by the Holy Spirit

 “John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭3:16‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Isaiah had prophesied about John to prepare the way of the Lord and make straight the path for Him.  John was clear that he was preparing the way for One mightier than him Who would baptise with the Holy Spirit and with fire.  Jesus said before He was crucified, that it was better for Him to go so that the Holy Spirit would come to empower the disciples on the earth.  After He rose from the dead and before He ascended, Jesus told the disciples to go and wait in Jerusalem so that the Holy Spirit would come down.  The disciples obeyed and they were baptised with the Holy Spirit and empowered to be witness for Jesus.  Let’s hunger and thirst to be baptised by Jesus, with the Holy Spirit and fire, so we can witness to the resurrection power of Jesus in us.  Glory to God!

The Mandate of the Church of Jesus Christ

 “But with righteousness He shall judge the poor, And decide with equity for the meek of the earth; He shall strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, And with the breath of His lips He shall slay the wicked.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭11:4‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Isaiah prophesied of the Messiah and Jesus fulfilled this manifesto well before any political, social and economic idealism came into being!  All followers of Christ are called to fulfil this, those who have received forgiveness of sins, accepted Jesus in their hearts and identified with His death, burial and resurrection through adult water baptism.  This is the Church of Jesus Christ’s mandate to judge with Christ’s righteousness the poor; to decide fairly for the meek of the earth; to strike the earth with the glorious Gospel of grace with our mouth and to banish those who continue to resist Christ’s marvellous sacrifice for the forgiveness of their sins!  Let each one who has Christ in them be a soul winner and a disciple maker!

Find Rest for Your Souls

 “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭11:28-29‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.  Whoever comes to Jesus was and is set free from all their problems.  The One Who gave rest to whoever came to Him is the same Who said that the foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.  Jesus loves us more than His life, He finally rested His Head at the Cross when He said, “It is finished”.  Let’s come to Him and receive His rest, casting all our cares on Him for He cares for us.  Let’s take His light and easy yoke on us and learn of Him with a meek heart.  Thank You Jesus!

Delivered from All Our Fears

 “I sought the LORD, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭34:4‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

David was in a dire situation when he sought the Lord.  The outcome was that the Lord delivered him from all his fears.  This is what the Lord Jesus did for us at the Cross.  He took all our fears, failures, mistakes, problems, worries, griefs, sorrows on the Cross and delivered us from them.  Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.  Jesus did this to deliver us and make the one and only Way to be accepted by God.  Let’s worship the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

Draw All to Jesus

 “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.”

‭‭John‬ ‭12:32‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The love of God shown on the Cross is what draws mankind to Jesus as a magnet attracts!  The truth that Jesus conquered death and was lifted up from the earth physically, gives us hope to believe that God so loves the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.  Our part is to tell everyone this good news of lifting Jesus up and magnifying Him, proclaiming the victory of the Cross.  Jesus’s part is to draw all to Him.  Let’s lift up Jesus in every conversation of ours, let all the world know Who Jesus is as we magnify Him and lift Him up!  Praise Jesus!

The Altar of God

 “Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭43:4‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The altar of God was in the old covenant, the temple in Jerusalem.  The nation of Israel acknowledged the Presence of God there.  Jesus has made the altar of God, the Cross where He was crucified for all the nations of the world.  The finished work of the Cross is our altar today, where we acknowledge that our sin was dealt with the death blow and we received everlasting life.  The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life.  While we were yet sinners Christ died for us.  The Cross is the altar for us today as we come and receive mercy and grace to receive the resurrection power of God.  Let’s come to the Cross with exceeding joy, and praise our living God!

Christ’s Joy in Us

 “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.”

‭‭John‬ ‭15:11‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The Kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost.  When we accept Jesus in our heart, His joy comes into our heart and remains there so that our joy is full.  Our part is to enjoy our relationship with the Lord, which He died to give.  Whatever our circumstances, do we enjoy our fellowship with Jesus?  Let’s not make our relationship with Him a duty, a ritual or worse still, a chore.  Let’s enjoy our relationship with Jesus because He is touched by the feeling of our infirmities and was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.  Let’s enjoy Jesus to the full!

Sacrificial Offering

 “And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering:”

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭4:4‬ ‭KJV‬‬

When our offering is sacrificial, the Lord has respect for it.  Abel was killed because Cain, his brother, was jealous of him.  Abel’s blood cries for vengeance.  Jesus is the Mediator of the new covenant, Whose Blood was shed by His own people who were jealous of Him.  Jesus’s Blood speaks better things than Abel’s.  Abel’s blood cried vengeance.  Jesus’s Blood cries forgiveness and reconciliation with God.  God has respect for Jesus’s Blood forever because we are sanctified through the offering of the Body of Jesus Christ, once and for all.  There is no more offering for sin now as Jesus’s Blood perfects us who are sanctified by it.  Worthy is the Lamb of God!

Glorious Grace

 “And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:”

‭‭Colossians‬ ‭1:21-22‬ ‭KJV‬‬

This is the glorious grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Even when we were alienated from God, and enemies in our mind by wicked works, yet the Lord Jesus reconciled us to the Father, through His Blood Sacrifice and made us holy, unblameable and unreprovable in His sight.  All He requires of us is to believe that He was judged and took the punishment on our behalf at a personal level....my sins and my punishment on Him.  If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His Word is not in us.  Let’s acknowledge our need for forgiveness. When we do that, it becomes His responsibility to make us holy, unblameable and unreproveable.  What glorious grace!

Our Redeemer Lives!

 “For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:

‭‭Job‬ ‭19:25‬ ‭KJV‬‬

What a confession Job made in the midst of his severe suffering, of his Redeemer living and that He would stand upon the earth and Job would see Him!  Jesus redeemed mankind thousands of years later after Job said this and Job did not see Jesus his Redeemer.  There is another time which is nearing sooner rather than later, when Jesus is coming again with His saints and will stand on the earth and Job will see Him.  Job’s suffering was prophetic of Jesus suffering on the Cross and crying, “My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me!”, as He redeemed mankind so we would not be ever forsaken. Thank You, Jesus our Redeemer!

Good News Preaching

 “But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;”

‭‭Titus‬ ‭1:3‬ ‭KJV‬‬

God has chosen through the preaching of the Gospel to manifest Jesus.  Jesus said if we are ashamed of Him and His words, He will be ashamed of us.  Since we have been changed through the preaching of the Gospel, let us also preach Jesus to a world that is bereft of the good news.  Let’s manifest Jesus through preaching Him and His death, burial and resurrection to all.  Let’s tell others of our living and loving God.  Let’s be carriers of the good news, according to His commandment.

Magnify God with Thanksgiving

 “I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭69:30‬ ‭KJV‬‬

David knew the power of praising and magnifying God with thanksgiving, in the midst of his failures.  Jesus, on the Cross, trusted in the Lord Who would deliver Him, and forgave.  Paul and Silas, thanked, praised and magnified God when they were in prison and an earthquake came and freed them.  Let’s walk in the power of thanksgiving, praising and magnifying our God in whatever our circumstances, and be confident that He will deliver us. Praise Jesus our Deliverer!

Fruit of Our Lips

 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭13:10, 15‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Jesus said that of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.  Let’s see God’s goodness continually so that we offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to Him continually.  The secret of overcoming faith that makes us victorious is to continually giving thanks, especially in difficult circumstances so it becomes a sacrifice of praise.  This only happens when we have a personal relationship with Jesus and know the power of His Blood sacrifice in our life!  Praise Jesus!

Word of God is Right

 “For the word of the Lord is right; and all his works are done in truth.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭33:4‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Agreeing with the Word of the Lord and doing it is the acceptable attitude of humility.  God’s Word is right and His works are truth.  Jesus said He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Jesus’s death and resurrection are the greatest work done in truth.  No one else has done this.  Let’s in humility, agree with it and allow the Holy Spirit to work Jesus’s resurrection life in us.  For the Word of God is right and all His works are done in truth.  Amen!

Manifesting Jesus

 “For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4:11‬ ‭KJV

We live as disciples of Jesus, as overcomers by the Blood of the Lamb, and by the word of our testimony; and we love not our lives unto the death.  So that the life of Jesus is manifest in our mortal flesh.  Jesus loves us more than His life.  Our fitting response is to love Him by presenting our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to Him, which is our reasonable service. We do not conform ourselves to this world: but are transformed by the renewing of our mind, that we may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.  We manifest Jesus, glory to God!

Outstanding with the Holy Spirit

 “There is a man in thy kingdom, in whom is the spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of thy father light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, was found in him; whom the king Nebuchadnezzar thy father, the king, I say, thy father, made master of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers;”

‭‭Daniel‬ ‭5:11‬ ‭KJV

The queen of an unbelieving king and all the people of that court recognised the Holy Spirit in Daniel known there as Belteshezzar.  She said he had light, wisdom and understanding from the Holy Spirit; that he was a master in his field of expertise.  The same Holy Spirit has been given to us today who have trusted in Jesus’s Blood sacrifice and resurrection.  Let everyone see that we are filled with light, wisdom, understanding and knowledge to excel in what God has called us to do.  We are the temple of the Holy Spirit.  Let’s be outstanding!  Let’s ask Jesus to baptise with the Holy Spirit so that God will pour out His Spirit upon all flesh; and our sons and our daughters shall prophesy, our old men shall dream dreams, our young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids will God pour out His Spirit.  Let the whole world see and recognise the Kingdom of God people!

Love One Another

 “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.”

‭‭Galatians‬ ‭6:1‬ ‭KJV‬‬

May the spirit of meekness overtake us in the Body of Christ that we choose to restore one another.  We are not here to pick on each other’s faults or gossip on each other.  Let’s restore one another with compassion in our hearts because we experienced forgiveness and restoration when the Lord Jesus came into our heart when we believed in His death, burial and resurrection.  Let others around us see the love of Jesus in and through us.  Let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

Power to get Wealth

 “But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.”

‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭8:18‬ ‭KJV‬‬

When Jesus said that you can either serve material wealth or God; that it is hard for those who trust in riches to enter into the Kingdom of God - that it disqualifies rich people from going to heaven.  On careful reading of these Scriptures, we find that if the heart trusts in riches and that we worship material wealth, we are disqualified.  The purpose of God giving us the power to get wealth is only to establish the Gospel and the Kingdom of God.  For we know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for our sakes He became poor, that we through His poverty might be rich.  Jesus made this exchange on the Cross to take away poverty to make us rich to establish His Kingdom here on earth.  Praise God!

The Power of the Word of God

 “Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.”

‭‭James‬ ‭1:21‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The engrafted Word of God can only be received with meekness in our hearts that is able to save our souls.  With meekness then, we become doers of the Word.  If we receive it in our mind, we will be hearers only, deceiving ourselves and either arguing about it or trivialising it with filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness.  Our mind is renewed and our mindset changed by the Holy Spirit when with meekness we receive the Word of God in our heart.  Transformation takes place when we are convicted by the Holy Spirit and we repent bringing whatever we are convicted of under the Blood of Jesus.  Only this good news transforms us to be more like Jesus.  It is ongoing till we see Jesus face to face!

Every Prophecy Fulfilled

 “Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them: and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore.”

‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭37:26‬ ‭KJV‬‬

It is amazing how God told Ezekiel of the new covenant He was going to make through Jesus.  At that time Israel was not a nation and the Jews had gone into captivity.  Ezekiel had seen the dry bones in the valley  become a living army.  Ezekiel prophesied that God will Himself come and dwell with His people as the Jews celebrated the feast of tabernacles in captivity!  All this happened when Jesus came and made peace between God and mankind through the new and everlasting covenant of His shed Blood.  Israel, which was dry bones is now a living army.  The Holy Spirit has come to dwell in us and with us.  Every Word of God is fulfilled and continues to be fulfilled.  Great is our God and great is His counsel!

Keeping Your Word

 “But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.”

‭‭1 John‬ ‭2:5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

We rejoice that God keeps His Word, that His Word can never be broken, and it has the final authority in our life.  We live in a culture where not keeping your word is acceptable.  Clearly, when we keep our word, God’s love is perfected in us. We say “Amen” as a resounding “yes” when we agree in prayer. It’s because God keeps His Word and we agree and say “yes” to Him.  Let’s allow God’s love to be perfected in us by keeping our word.  What we say, we do!  Let’s not allow lying to touch us because we operate in the truth of God’s Word.  Amen!

Rejoice & Trust

 “But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭5:11‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The fruit of trusting in God is to rejoice in the Lord.  David understood this and when he came into trouble, he would encourage himself in the Lord till he was able to confess the joy of the Lord with his mouth and release his problems to God with trust that God will handle the matter.  Jesus endured the Cross because of the joy set before Him to become the Author and Finisher of our faith.  Let’s trust God and release our problems to Him and receive in exchange the joy of the Lord.  Let’s cast all our cares on Him because He cares for us!  When we rejoice in Christ we love His Name and trust Him for the impossible!

Hardness of Heart

 “Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭16:14‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The true Gospel is to believe that Jesus Christ rose from the dead and made peace with us and God by removing our sins and reconciling us to God.  Hardness of heart comes when people wilfully reject this and the end is damnation.  Some are ignorant not having heard the Gospel and are stuck in despair and hopelessness.  Some have heard but they vacillate, not being able to decide.  Unbelief is an evil state.  Let’s be carriers of the Gospel, the Person of Jesus Christ, the One Who rose from the dead and lives forever.

The Church & the Nation

 “And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭58:11‬ ‭KJV

When there is heartfelt repentance by the Church on behalf of the nation, even though situations are tough, God promises His guidance.  This promise was to Israel and today to the Church, all those redeemed by the Blood sacrifice of Jesus.  Even in drought conditions our soul is satisfied and our bones are fattened!  The redeemed are like a watered garden and like a spring of water, ever overflowing and never lacking!  All this in the time of drought.  The Church is called to reign because it has the gift of righteousness and the abundance of grace.  Let’s be the Church Jesus our Lord is coming for!

Only Way to God

 “But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2:13‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Jesus Christ is not just another way to God, He is the only way.  Unless we recognise the sacrifice of Jesus and accepting it on a personal level, we will be an enemy of God, never able to access Him.  We are made nigh only by the Blood of Jesus Christ.  He alone conquered sin, death and hell for us because He loves us.  For God made Jesus to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Christ.  The Blood of Jesus makes us righteous so we can come near to God!  Worthy is the Lamb of God!

Return, Repent & Rejoice!

 “And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭35:10‬ ‭KJV‬‬

What a moment that we’re waiting for in the midst of sorrow and sighing.  Let this sorrow and sighing turn to true and heartfelt repentance that causes many to turn to the living God Who once was dead but now is alive.  Let them be ransomed of the Lord Jesus, purchased by His own precious Blood.  This is what causes everlasting joy, and with joy and gladness and singing we come to mount Zion.  Let’s return and repent so that sorrow and sighing flee away and we enter into the joy of the Lord.  That’s the only place we flourish - in the joy of the Lord! Return, repent & rejoice!

Word of Faith brings Life

 “For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one.”

‭‭I John‬ ‭5:7‬ ‭

There is oneness with the Father, the Word & the Holy Spirit.  The power of the Word is this that when we speak the Word in faith, the Holy Spirit brings it to life according to the will of the Father.  Let’s bring ourselves in agreement with the Word of God and speak it with faith.  We are bringing the will of God on earth as the Holy Spirit brings life to it.  Jesus said “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.”  Let’s speak life to every dead situation we come across.  Amen!

Fulfilling God’s Purpose

 “Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭139:16‬ ‭KJV‬‬

What an amazing revelation David received!  Even before any of us are born or existed, God has already seen us and written in His book about each of us.  All His plan and purpose for us are written there.  By faith in Jesus’s sacrifice on the Cross, we receive God’s purpose and plan already written, right here on earth.  The Holy Spirit helps us to fulfill God’s purpose and plan on earth.  Thank You Father for every provision You have made for us to do Your will on earth as it is in heaven.

Preserved Forever

 “Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:”

‭‭Jude‬ ‭1:1‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Followers of Jesus Christ, who identify with His death, burial and resurrection, are preserved in Christ as we are sanctified by God our Father.  We are maintained as new creatures in Christ forever.  Just as new wine in new bottles is preserved!  The Holy Spirit Who seals us, preserves us too.  Let’s have confidence in our God that He never forsakes us, but is able to preserve us and sanctify us.  Let’s believe Him.  Let’s abide in His Word and simply believe.  Thank You Father!

The New Covenant

 “Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:”

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭31:31‬ ‭KJV‬‬

This was fulfilled in Jesus when He gave the bread and wine to His disciples at the upper room and said that this is the new covenant in His Blood.  The old covenant was a shadow of good things to come.  Jesus told the two disciples walking to Emmaus “Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?”  And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning Himself.  We are to see Jesus and the finished work of the Cross of Jesus in the shadow of the old testament but live in the reality of the new covenant which is the blood of the everlasting covenant that makes us perfect in every good work to do His will, working in us that which is wellpleasing in His sight.  Let’s live in the new covenant and see Christ & the Cross in the old!  Glory to Jesus!

Joy Personified

 “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.”

‭‭John‬ ‭15:11‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Jesus is joy personified!  When Jesus rose from the dead, the women who came to the tomb and saw it empty, ran away from the sepulchre with fear and with great joy.  When we are forgiven and accept Jesus in our heart, we are filled with great joy.  We enter into the joy of the Lord.  Let’s rejoice in Christ whatever our circumstances and know that Jesus’s joy remains in us and that our joy is full.  This only happens when we look to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Rejoice and again I say rejoice!

Humble Yourself

 “For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭57:15‬ ‭KJV‬‬

We know that God dwells in awesome splendour and no one can be in His glorious Presence.  Even angels hide their face in God’s Holy Presence.  Yet the Holy Spirit dwells with the humble and contrite, who know to repent sincerely.  How humble is God Himself, Who made the entire universe and the beautiful galaxies and huge stars.  The planet earth is less than a dust speck in the hugeness of the universe, yet God chose to come down as the Son of Man through Jesus and humbled Himself and was obedient unto death.  Let’s humble ourselves before Almighty God with sincere repentance of a contrite heart.  The Presence of God will dwell in you as you humble yourself and will lift you up.  Glory to God!

Fruit Worthy of Repentance

 “But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭26:20‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Paul, a prisoner, stood before Agrippa, and gave his testimony and preached repentance to the king and the Roman representative Festus.  Repentance means turning to God by acknowledging our sin and desiring to change and produce fruit worthy of repentance.  Instead, we get stuck with repentance towards condemnation and becoming sin conscious.  God calls us to trust Him to produce fruit worthy of repentance by His Holy Spirit.  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.  That’s the glorious Gospel of grace that we proclaim.

Speaking Grace

 “Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it.”

‭‭Zechariah‬ ‭4:7‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Speaking grace to the mountains in our life levels them and it becomes a plain, not by might, nor by power but by God’s Holy Spirit.  Through the shedding of the Blood of God’s Son, Jesus, we have received God’s Holy Spirit in the Church, to accomplish God’s will on earth as it is in heaven.  Let’s speak grace to the mountains in our lives and see them levelled.  Let the Holy Spirit through the Church, which are the people of God, Christ’s Body, release the power of God here on earth!  Thank You Holy Spirit!

The Glorious Gospel of Grace

 “And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭20:32‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Paul was bidding farewell to the church in Ephesus he had started, giving them the secret of the glorious Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.  The congregation was commended by Paul to God and to the Word of Jesus’s grace which is able to build them up and give them an inheritance among the sanctified.  This is what Jesus died and rose again for - that we may become mature by the Word of His grace.  Through this we become holy and obtain our inheritance in Christ for which we are joint heirs with Him.  The glorious Gospel of grace!

Christ’s Obedience

 “Who is like unto thee, O Lord, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?”

‭‭Exodus‬ ‭15:11‬ ‭KJV‬‬

When the slaves faced devastation and certain death, Moses obeyed God and stretched out the rod in faith.  Salvation came through and en masse the slaves worshipped God having tasted freedom!  While humanity was yet sinners, facing the wrath of God and chased by the devil and his host, in devastation and certain death, Christ died for us, God commending His love to us.  This was once and for all.  We have been set free, through Christ’s obedience on the Cross which wrought this great salvation for us.  We cry out in gratitude,  Who is like You, O Lord, among the gods?  Who is like You, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?  There is none like You, glory to God!

Pray for One Another

 “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

‭‭James‬ ‭5:16‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Admitting our faults to one another so that we can pray for each other, brings us to react immediately in the negative!  Because we enjoy being the first to know and carrying it to each other as talebearers, prayer is usually after the matter has been discussed threadbare!  We may want to help and offer solutions but it is not with the wisdom from above which is peaceable!  Let’s ask Jesus to first heal our heart to have the confidence that God’s Word is Rock solid; and then our tongue so that we don’t speak words of condemnation or judge the matter.  Let’s respond like Jesus did Who was obedient to the Father even unto death, and obey by praying for one another and then decree healing where required.  Let’s do it with our Father’s unconditional love in our hearts!  The prayers of the righteous avail much, God says!

Pleasant Words bring Health

 “Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭16:24‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Isn’t it amazing that our health is connected with the words we speak?  Pleasant words spoken require our heart to be filled with sweetness because out of the abundance of our heart the mouth speaks!  Hypocrisy is unacceptable!  Yet should we become sick, the knowledge that Jesus heals us because of the lashes on His back when He gave His life for us, enables us to reject sickness from our body.  Let’s practice pleasant words spoken from the heart!  Let’s not tolerate sickness in our body because Jesus died to make us whole.

Justified by Faith

 “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭3:24‬ ‭KJV‬‬

We are justified by faith and not by works.  This is the new covenant that Jesus made with us as He said the new covenant is in His Blood that He shed for us.  So our justification is by grace through faith in the finished work of the Cross.  Jesus has paid it all - we can never be justified through our own effort.  This is the truth and this is what sanctified us.  Only by grace through faith.  This is the Gospel.  We have nothing to commend us to be justified before God - only the precious Blood of His Son, Jesus Christ.  Let’s not fall into the trap of approaching God to be justified by works.  We come to the Almighty God only by the Blood of the Lamb.