Be Teachable

 “And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers: and thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭30‬:‭20‬-‭21‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Isaiah prophesied, “Even though the Lord may allow you to go through a season of hardship and difficulty, he himself will be there with you. He will not hide himself from you, for your eyes will constantly see him as your Teacher. When you turn to the right or turn to the left, you will hear his voice behind you to guide you, saying, “This is the right path; follow it.”  The gift of teachers in the Body of Christ are those led by our heavenly Teacher, the Holy Spirit and they water our hearts with the rain of the Spirit and the rain of Truth.  When God teaches our hearts, it is the spring rain falling, refreshing and renewing our spirits.  We learn from the Holy Spirit that God is with us in our troubles and does not hide Himself from us when we pass through hard times.  God Himself teaches us lessons in our trials, as we set our eyes on Him no matter what is happening around us.  His voice leads us into making good decisions.  We have His promise of constant guidance as we listen to His voice.  The voice of the Lord and the Word of God are our faithful guides throughout our lives.  Amen!

Preach the Gospel in Obedience to Christ

 “And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him. So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed:”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭28‬:‭8‬-‭9‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Dr. Luke recorded, “His father lay sick in bed, suffering from fits of high fever and dysentery. So Paul went into his room, and after praying, placed his hands on him. He was instantly healed. When the people of the island heard about this miracle, they brought all the sick to Paul, and they were also healed.”  Publius was the chief Roman officer of the island and Paul went to see his sick father.  After healing Publius’s father, others sick also came and Paul healed them all.  Although technically, Paul was a prisoner, he was the one setting everyone free.  He boldly preached the Gospel with signs and wonders and left the island healed in more ways than one. No matter what our status, preaching the Gospel in obedience to Christ, is the only power of God to salvation.  Matthew has recorded that all who came to Jesus were healed.  Jesus said to His disciples, “As you go into all the world, preach openly the wonderful news of the gospel to the entire human race! Whoever believes the good news and is baptized will be saved, and whoever does not believe the good news will be condemned. And these miracle signs will accompany those who believe: They will drive out demons in the power of my name. They will speak in tongues. They will be supernaturally protected from snakes and from drinking anything poisonous. And they will lay hands on the sick and heal them.”  Let’s be obedient to Christ as Paul was and let the power of the Gospel flow through us.  Amen!

Shout Jesus’s Praises

 “For the terrible one is brought to nought, and the scorner is consumed, and all that watch for iniquity are cut off:”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭29‬:‭20‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Isaiah prophesied, “For the terrible one will be no more, the scornful jester will not be found, and all the lovers of evil will be cut off.”  Isaiah told about the woes of Jerusalem and the blindness of disobedience and ultimately the future hope for mankind which rests on the meek who will inherit the earth.  All believers who are dead to sin and alive to righteousness will overflow with the joy of the Lord and the poor in spirit to whom the Kingdom of God belongs, will shout their praises to our Lord Jesus Christ.  For it has been prophesied that those who do wrong and are diligent to do evil including those in political power and influence who harm others will receive their judgment.  “Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God…you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.”  Let’s continue to look at Jesus and shout His praises.  Amen!

Giving Thanks in the Storm

 “And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat. Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat. And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭27‬:‭35‬-‭37‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Dr. Luke records, “Then Paul took bread and gave thanks to God in front of them, broke it and began to eat. There were 276 people who ate until they were filled, and were strengthened and encouraged.”  Giving thanks is really glorifying God, even after going through the stormy weather.  With the lack of food to eat, Paul gave thanks and fed every one of the passengers and crew members, all two hundred and seventy six of them.  It is likely that God multiplied the bread because no one had eaten for fourteen days being battered about on the storm tossed sea. Paul confidently gave thanks and ate, and all the others had good cheer and ate as well.  Paul lived in the Kingdom of God which is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost, regardless of outward circumstances.  This is the challenge for all believers in what Christ did on the Cross for each of us, that we should live in the Kingdom of God, whatever be our circumstances.  God has the power to change our sorrow into joy as we learn to surrender to the Holy Spirit.  Thank You, Jesus!

Our Faith Firmly Set on Our Chief Cornerstone

 “therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭28‬:‭16‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Isaiah prophesied, “Here’s what the Lord God says: “Behold, I set in place in Zion a Foundation Stone, fully tested and proven to be faithful and secure. And written upon this precious cornerstone is this: ‘Those who trust in Him will not act in haste.’”  The Foundation Stone is Christ, set in place in the councils of eternity.  God’s Foundation Stone is His Son, just as it is written: “Be careful! I Am setting in Zion a Stone that will cause people to stumble, a Rock of offense that will make them fall, but believers in Him will not experience shame.””  Now the Son/Stone has become many, as Peter pointed out, “Come and be His “living stones” who are continually being assembled into a sanctuary for God. For now you serve as holy priests, offering up spiritual sacrifices that He readily accepts through Jesus Christ.”  From these sons/stones, the Father is building us into His holy temple.  Jesus Christ is the Chief Cornerstone on which we rest our faith, because we are those who dwell in Zion’s realm.  Believers, throughout all time, have proven that He is faithful so we will never run away in fear.  Our faith is firmly set upon Christ, is patient and never rushes, for faith leaves the timings of all things in God’s hands.  As Peter said, “Whoever believes in Him will certainly not be disappointed.”  Let’s keep a firm faith on our Chief Cornerstone, our Lord Jesus Christ.  Amen!

Living a God-Conscious Life

 “Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: that Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles. And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭26‬:‭22‬-‭24‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Dr. Luke records, “But in spite of all this, I have experienced the supernatural help of God up to this very moment. So I’m standing here saying the same thing that I’ve shared with everyone, from the least to the greatest. For I teach nothing but what Moses and the prophets have said was destined to happen: that our Messiah had to suffer and die and be the first to rise from the dead, to release the bright light of truth both to our people and to the non-Jewish nations.” Festus interrupted Paul’s defense, blurting out, “You’re out of your mind! All this great learning of yours is driving you crazy.”  Paul lived a God-conscious life, knowing and having experience of God’s supernatural help, because he trusted God.  So he was bold to declare that Christ is the origin of the resurrection of the dead.  Along with the prophets of old, Simeon too prophesied of Jesus when He was brought to the temple as a baby.  As the Holy Spirit spoke through Paul, Festus interrupted and told him that so much Scripture had made Paul crazy.  The more we speak the wisdom of God, the more people mock with unbelief.  However they couldn’t prove the charges against Paul and Festus and Agrippa agreed that Paul would go to Caeser.  Let’s surrender to the Holy Spirit in our personal relationship with God and be bold in our witness.  Amen!

The Sword of the Lord out of our Mouth

 “In that day the LORD with his sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, even leviathan that crooked serpent; and he shall slay the dragon that is in the sea.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭27‬:‭1‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Isaiah prophesied, “In that day, the Lord Yahweh will mercilessly wield his massive, mighty sword and punish leviathan, the swift, slithering serpent. He will slay the dragon of the sea — leviathan, the twisting serpent.”  Leviathan means “coiled” or “contorted” or the crooked serpent, the serpent of confusion which is satan, whose attempt is to always twist and distort God’s Word to deceive humanity.  This massive, mighty and strong sword of the Lord is merciless to the enemies of Christ and is the message of the Cross, which is mighty to save and will thwart every principality and power.  As John the beloved disciple saw, “Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a Name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His Name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.”  This is our Lord Jesus Christ, our God with His great and strong sword - the Word of God - which He has given us to come out of our mouth, and be victorious.  Hallelujah!

Standing Before the King of kings

 8 “While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Cæsar, have I offended any thing at all. 25 But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and that he himself hath appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭25‬:‭8‬, ‭25‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Dr. Luke records, “In his defense, Paul said by the Holy Spirit, “I have done nothing wrong. I’ve committed no offense against Jewish law, or against the temple, or against Caesar.” Yet upon investigation I couldn’t find one thing that he has done to deserve the death penalty. When he appealed to His Majesty the emperor, I determined to send him.”  Paul was so filled by the Holy Spirit that even after being in prison for two years, he was able to answer the new governor Festus in place of Felix.  The favour of God was so evident on Paul, that the Roman authorities found nothing to charge him against.  Scripture says “If you are uniquely gifted in your work, you will rise and be promoted. You won’t be held back— you’ll stand before kings!”  Paul was uniquely gifted as an apostle bringing the  revelation of the Word of God with clarity and power and stood before kings because he learned to stand before the King of kings and receive from Him.  Jesus said that those who are His disciples will face persecutions - “But before all these things happen, people will arrest you and do bad things to you. They will judge you in their synagogues and put you in jail. You will be forced to stand before kings and governors. They will do all these things to you because you follow me.“ Let’s know how to conduct ourselves before all manner of authorities because we stand before the King of kings.  Amen!

Absolute Peace for those Whose Imagination is Christ

 “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭26‬:‭3‬-‭4‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Isaiah prophesied, “Perfect, absolute peace surrounds those whose imaginations are consumed with You; they confidently trust in You. Yes, trust in the Lord Yahweh forever and ever! For Yah, the Lord God, is your Rock of Ages!”  That mind which is stayed on the Lord Jesus Christ, is the imagination that forms and frames what Christ has done personally for us.  Imagination frames up one’s reality.  It is unfortunate that many today have rejected the God-created imagination that each of us possesses.  Our imagination must be set apart for God and continually made holy.  The imagination, both good and evil, is a frequent concept in Scripture.  The concept of God being our Rock speaks of the enduring protection, safety and security we have in Him.  We plant our feet on the Rock and find boldness and confidence.  Throughout every age and season of our lives, God remains the faithful Rock of all Ages!  Let’s cast down vain imaginations, and every high and arrogant thought that raises itself against the knowledge of God, and bring every thought in line with the Word of God and to the obedience of Christ.  Amen!

Believing in Our Resurrection from the Dead in Christ

 “and have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men. Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭24‬:‭15‬-‭17‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Dr. Luke records, “And my hope is in God, the same hope that even my accusers have embraced, the hope of a resurrection from the dead of both the righteous and the unrighteous. That’s why I seek with all my heart to have a clean conscience toward God and toward others. “After being away from Jerusalem for several years, I returned to bring to my people gifts for the poor.” Paul was giving his defence before Felix, the Roman governor in Caesarea, telling of his hope in the resurrection of the dead, which the Jewish high priests were accusing him about of his faith in Jesus Christ.  Paul believed as do we today that Christ is risen from the dead, as the Firstfruits of a great resurrection harvest of those who have died.  Christ, the Firstfruits, then those who belong to Christ in His Presence.  As the mighty Son of God Christ was raised from the dead and miraculously set apart with a display of triumphant power supplied by the Spirit of Holiness. And now Jesus is our Lord and our Messiah.  Paul’s desire, as is ours today, that he might attain the resurrection of the dead.  For this he worked towards a clear conscience as do we believers in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and it is through the sacred Blood of the Messiah that thoroughly cleanse our consciences! For by the power of the eternal Spirit Christ has offered Himself to God as the perfect Sacrifice that now frees us from our dead works to worship and serve the living God.  Hallelujah!

Death is Defeated in Christ Forever

 “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 prophesied, “It is the gloom of death! He will swallow it up in victory forever! And God, Lord Yahweh, will wipe away every tear from every face. He will remove every trace of disgrace that His  people have suffered throughout the world, for the Lord Yahweh has promised it!”  The gloom of death is like a shroud over every life.  The curse of death is defeated in Christ so that all may come to the rich, joyous feast of the Lord. As Paul said, “So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.”  Jesus’s death, burial, resurrection and ascension have brought an endless victory, endless life and the conquest of every enemy.  Now He waits for His sons and daughters to arise and become the second witness to His eternal victory. Paul encourages so powerfully, “For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.”  Let’s believe it.  Hallelujah!

Growing In & Receiving From Christ in our Personal Relationship with Him

 “And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭23‬:‭11‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Dr. Luke records, “That night our Lord appeared to Paul and stood before him and said, “Receive miracle power. For just as you have spoken for Me in Jerusalem, you will also speak for Me in Rome.”  The Lord Jesus works with His servants and has appeared to them throughout Church history to encourage and give us direction for the expansion of God’s Kingdom.  Here Jesus tells Paul to have courage because it is Paul’s destiny to go to Rome and speak for Him.  Jesus has, through His Word, told us to go into all the world, and preach openly the wonderful news of the Gospel to the entire human race!  Paul took this seriously and obeyed it because his transformation from a Pharisee to an apostle brought him the passion for Christ to obey our Lord Jesus.  The Lord gave Paul many supernatural visions and revelations and Paul’s epistle to the Roman church is foundational in our walk with our Lord Jesus.  So it is that the Lord reveals Himself personally to each one of us who love Him with a passion and obey Him implicitly.  Let’s grow in our personal relationship with our God.  Amen!

The Lord Jesus Christ is Coming Again to Reign

 “And it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD shall punish the host of the high ones that are on high, and the kings of the earth upon the earth. And they shall be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison, and after many days shall they be visited. Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the LORD of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭24‬:‭21‬-‭23‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Isaiah prophesied, “In that day, the Lord Yahweh will punish heaven’s host and the kings of the earth. They will be gathered together and locked up in a prison like prisoners in a pit, and after many days, they will be punished. Then the sun and moon will hang their heads in shame, for Yahweh, Commander of Angel Armies, will reign! He will manifest his glory on Mount Zion in Jerusalem, before all her elders!”  Here the high ones are the dark powers in the spirit realm that operate in rebellion to God, who along with the kings of the earth in rebellion to God, will be punished.  When the Lord Jesus Christ our God is unveiled in His Glory-Light, the sun and the moon are nothing compared to Him.  Let’s root out every rebellion against God in our lives and ask Him to teach us His way, and walk and live in His truth.  Let’s ask our heart to fear His Name with awe-inspired reverence and submissive wonder.  The Lord Jesus is worthy of all glory, honour and praise.  He is coming again to reign as the LORD of Hosts, in Mount Zion in Jerusalem.  Amen!

The Presence of the Victorious One in Believers

 “And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest. And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭22‬:‭8‬-‭9‬ ‭KJV‬

Dr. Luke records, “I answered, ‘Who are you, my Lord?’ “He said to me, ‘I Am Jesus, the Victorious. I Am the One you are persecuting.’ Those who were with me saw the Brilliant Light, but they didn’t hear the voice of the One Who spoke to me.”  Victorious comes from Nazarene, the Scion or Heir of a Powerful Family Who is Victorious.  Those who are believers in Christ are the grafted branches of  this Family Tree and are victorious in Christ.  Such is the Presence of the Victorious One that people come into the fear of God and are convicted.  That same Brilliant Light is in us believers.  Let’s be clear of our identity, for those of us who are in Christ, and the grafted branches of the Victorious One.  If we walk in relationship with the Victorious One, we would not lead defeated lives, constantly prey to sickness, disease, worries, fears, confusion, impatience and anger.  We would know Whom we have believed in and trusted.  We would be constantly thanking our God, Who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ, and Who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.  Let’s know and manifest the victory of our Lord Jesus everywhere we go.  Amen!

Receiving God’s Promises by Faith

 “And her merchandise and her hire shall be holiness to the LORD: it shall not be treasured nor laid up; for her merchandise shall be for them that dwell before the LORD, to eat sufficiently, and for durable clothing.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭23‬:‭18‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Isaiah prophesied, “But her merchandise and earnings will be set apart as holy to the Lord Yahweh. They will neither be stored nor hoarded, but they will supply abundant food and splendid garments for those who live in the Presence of the Lord Yahweh!”  Isaiah prophesied this for the wealthy Phoenician port of Tyre that it will face destruction and that God will restore it.  With the devil there is always destruction but God brings restoration.  As Jesus said, “A thief has only one thing in mind—he wants to steal, slaughter, and destroy. But I have come to give you everything in abundance, more than you expect —life in its fullness until you overflow!”  Those who receive by faith God’s Word are set apart to live before the face of God and on whom His face shines.  Let’s believe God’s promises for His abundance is in every area of our life.  God calls us His beloved when He promises, “Beloved friend, I pray that you are prospering in every way and that you continually enjoy good health, just as your soul is prospering.”  The ageing process is nothing to God for He says, “Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youth shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.”  Let’s receive God’s promises by faith and walk by faith and not by sight.  Amen!

Serving the Body of Christ

 “And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Cæsarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭21‬:‭8‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Dr. Luke records, “Then we went on to Caesarea and stayed for several days in the home of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven deacons”.  An evangelist is simply a preacher of the good news of the Lord Jesus Christ, a preacher of the hope humanity has in the Blood Sacrifice of Jesus Christ which frees us from the bondage of sin.  Philip is described as both an evangelist and a deacon or a servant.  When the Church first began, there were so many new disciples and they had to continue.  Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the Word of God and serve tables. Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the Word.” And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.  Every minister must become a servant.  Jesus Himself as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.  God wants order and the Church has been given apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.  Let’s allow the Holy Spirit to lead us to serve the body of Christ as we surrender our will to His.  Amen!

Preach Christ and Him Crucified

 “Thus saith the Lord GOD of hosts, Go, get thee unto this treasurer, even unto Shebna, which is over the house, and say, What hast thou here? and whom hast thou here, that thou hast hewed thee out a sepulchre here, as he that heweth him out a sepulchre on high, and that graveth an habitation for himself in a rock?”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭22‬:‭15‬-‭16‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The Lord Yahweh directed Isaiah, “This is what the Lord Yahweh, the Commander of Angel Armies, has to say: “Go to Shebna, the treasurer of the palace, and say to him, ‘What right do you have to be here, and who gave you permission? And why do you chisel out a tomb for yourself here, carving out your royal burial place, a dwelling place in the rock?”  Shebna was King Hezekiah’s scribe, a high government official who because of his self-importance and corrupt ways, was removed and replaced by Eliakim, the son of the high priest and a man of integrity. Shebna is a picture of the self-centred Adam-life which is the spirit of anti-Christ that seeks self-promotion.  But God removes our Shebna and replaces it with Eliakim (the Christ-life within us) for those who believe in what the Lord Jesus did for us personally, on the Cross.  This principle of replacement is found throughout the Scriptures - Isaac for Ishmael, David for Saul, Esther for Vashti, Samuel for Eli, Matthias for Judas etc.).  Many rock-cut tombs have been discovered on an elevated cliff on the other side of Kidron Valley in the village of Silwan.  It seems that Shebna was hewing out his tomb on a cliff, meant for royalty, which was a gross display of self-promotion.  Paul’s attitude towards this was that those who preach Christ with ambition and competition are insincere.  However, whatever be the reason, preaching Christ with mixed motives or with genuine love, the message of Christ is still being preached and that’s a cause for rejoicing.  Amen!

Christ-Centered Instead of Self-Centred

 “But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭20‬:‭24‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Dr. Luke records, ““But whether I live or die is not important, for I don’t esteem my life as indispensable. It’s more important for me to fulfill my destiny and to finish the ministry my Lord Jesus has assigned to me, which is to faithfully preach the wonderful news of God’s grace.”  Paul did not consider his life worth a single word, for he viewed his life not worth mentioning.  We don’t need to see our lives as precious in our own eyes, for they are precious in the eyes of our Lord Jesus Christ, and that must be enough.  The reason why Paul did not consider his life, it is because his old identity had been co-crucified with Christ and he no longer lived. That’s what Paul encourages us with that now the essence of this new life is no longer ours who have been co-crucified with Christ, for the Anointed One lives His life through us - we live in union as one! Our new life is empowered by the faith of the Son of God Who loves us so much that He gave Himself for us, dispensing His life into ours!  Let’s believe it.  Amen!

Interceding God’s Will

 “Prepare the table, watch in the watchtower, eat, drink: arise, ye princes, and anoint the shield. For thus hath the Lord said unto me, Go, set a watchman, let him declare what he seeth. And he saw a chariot with a couple of horsemen, a chariot of asses, and a chariot of camels; and he hearkened diligently with much heed: and he cried, A lion: My Lord, I stand continually upon the watchtower in the daytime, and I am set in my ward whole nights:”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭21‬:‭5‬-‭8‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Isaiah prophesied, “I see them prepare the table and spread their rugs, then they eat and they drink. Get up, you military officers! Anoint your shields for battle! For this is what the Lord said to me: “Go post a sentry and have him report what he sees. When he sees them come with chariots and advancing warriors riding on horses, donkeys, and camels, let him be alert—extremely alert!” Then the sentry cries out, “I continually stand on this watchtower day after day for you, O Lord. I’m stationed at my post throughout the night.”  This prophesy by Isaiah against Babylon was fulfilled two hundred and fifty years later.  It is as though Isaiah sees prophetically into the room where Belshazzar is feasting, and Belshazzar had no clue that his fall was imminent, as Daniel recorded later.  God has prepared the Body of Christ to have “watchman” as intercessors in this spiritual battle to intercede with the power of the Holy Spirit to decree the victory of the Cross.  It is important that every church and every city has intercessors to stand on this watchtower day after day.  The anointing on the shield of faith quenches every fiery dart of the enemy.  Let’s know how to intercede God’s will on every situation we face because the Greater One is in us.  Amen!

Holy Spirit’s Power Imparted to Believers

 “And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. And all the men were about twelve.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭19‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Dr. Luke records, “And when Paul laid his hands on each of the twelve, the Holy Spirit manifested and they immediately spoke in tongues and prophesied.”  The impartation of the Holy Spirit and His gifts transferred from Paul to these believers as they spoke tongue by tongue and gushed out prophecies. We can never minimize the powerful gift that operates in our life, for it was imparted to us by the laying on of hands of the elders and was activated through the prophecy they spoke over us. Let’s fan into a flame and rekindle the fire of the spiritual gift God imparted to us when hands were laid upon us.  For God never gave us the spirit of fear, but the Holy Spirit Who gives us mighty power, love, and self-control.  Jesus taught us that when the Holy Spirit comes upon us, it is to impart power for our lives and ministries.  Amen!

Surrendering Our Will to do God’s Will

 “at the same time spake the LORD by Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, Go and loose the sackcloth from off thy loins, and put off thy shoe from thy foot. And he did so, walking naked and barefoot. And the LORD said, Like as my servant Isaiah hath walked naked and barefoot three years for a sign and wonder upon Egypt and upon Ethiopia;”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭20‬:‭2‬-‭3‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Isaiah prophesied, “At that time the Lord Yahweh said to Isaiah, the son of Amoz, “Take off your clothes and sandals.” Isaiah did as he was told and walked about naked and barefoot. Then the Lord Yahweh said, “Just as My servant Isaiah has walked naked and barefoot for three years as a prophetic sign and a wonder as a warning of what is coming to Egypt and Cush,”. Isaiah was a walking parable, completely obedient to the LORD, and signifying Jesus Who stripped Himself of His glory in heaven and came down to earth to become human, as one of His creation.  Jesus’s ministry to preach and teach was also for three years.  Finally Jesus took the sin of all humanity and judgment came upon Him on the Cross, as His Blood was shed as the sacrifice for us.  That is why we present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is our reasonable service. And we do not become conformed 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.  Let’s choose to surrender and do God’s will.  Amen!

Gospel of Hope and Peace

 “And when he had landed at Cæsarea, and gone up, and saluted the church, he went down to Antioch. And after he had spent some time there, he departed, and went over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭18‬:‭22‬-‭23‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Dr. Luke records, “When he arrived there he traveled on to Jerusalem to visit the church and pray for them, then he left for Antioch. After spending some time there, Paul continued on through the region of Galatia and Phyrgia in central Turkey. And wherever he went he encouraged and strengthened the believers.”  Paul’s prayer life was worth emulating.  As a true spiritual father, Paul prayed for the peace of the congregation wherever he went.  He brought the believers a message of hope and peace.  Wherever Paul went, he made them all disciples of Christ.  The Lord Jesus said it so clearly, “If you truly desire to be My disciple, you must disown your life completely, embrace My ‘Cross’ as your own, and surrender to My ways. For if you choose self-sacrifice, giving up your lives for My glory, you will discover true life. But if you choose to keep your lives for yourselves, you will lose what you try to keep.”  This is what Paul did as he made disciples for Christ.  This is what we do, learning from Paul, to be a follower of Christ and to make disciples for Christ always bringing a message of hope and peace.  Amen!