Sunday 23 December 2007
Christian Leadership pt.5- Spiritual Ethics
Spiritual ethics are very important in the church. Learn to give honour to the one who invited you or who handed over to you.
Do not talk behind the back of people. As a visiting speaker, don’t start taking phone numbers of church members and then call them as if you can pastor them better than their own pastor. As a church member, there is the temptation to think that a visiting Pastor is far better than your Pastor because he just ministers occasionally in your church. The bible says “a prophet has no honour in his house”.
Finance:
Matthew23:23 “Woe unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cumin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgement, mercy and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone”.
Jesus Christ sanctions the fact that we should pay tithe. It was practiced in both the Old Testament and the New Testament.
Malachi 3:8-10 God required the people of Israel to give to his store house.
What was the store house used for?
The reason why God wants you to tithe is for there to be meat in the storehouse for the priest and the poor. Numbers 18:21-24-The Levites had no inheritance.
Deut 14:27-29 For the Priest, the stranger, the fatherless, the widow which are within thy gates shall come and eat and be satisfied that the Lord thy God may bless the work of thy hand which thou doest.
1Cor 4:2,7b. “Moreover it is required in stewards that a man be found faithful. And what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?
Our motivation is as it’s stated in 2Cor.9:7-8 Everyone has to be a cheerful giver not out of compulsion, it shouldn’t be as if it’s a tax, but it should be from the heart.
Don’t be greedy giver where you have a lot but give very little but give freely and willingly
So let’s see how the New Testament Church did give:
Acts 4:32-35, 1 Cor. 9:7-10,14
1. None among them lacked, and as many as were possessors sold what they had and brought it to be redistributed among them.
2. This means they took care of the Priests and the needy among them. Every one was ministered to according as he had need.
3. No one gave out of compulsion. They all gave willingly, freely and cheerfully. No one withheld what he or she had. No one was a greedy giver. Every one helped minister to the need of the whole congregation.
You will realise that the New Testament church was not restricted to just 10% but they gave their all and their best. Jesus gave us an example of giving. He gave himself for us. He gave his all. He left his throne and came down to sacrifice his life for us.
2 Cor. 8:8-9, 13-15
Even though he was rich, he became poor for us and so does he expect us to do the same to others.
The rewards of giving:
Matt19:29-30, Mark 10:29-30 “And every one that has forsaken houses or brethren or Sisters, or father or mother or wife or children or lands for my sake, shall receive an hundred fold now in this life and the life after”.
Luke 6:38 “Give and it shall be given unto you, pressed down shaken together, running over shall men give unto you. For with the same measure that ye mete withal shall, it shall be measured to you again”.
Prov3:9-10”…So shall thy barns be filled with plenty and thy presses shall burst out with new wine”.
Ps 126:5-6 “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him”.
Philp 4: 15-19 “…But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus”.
Friday 14 December 2007
Christian Leadership pt.4
Leadership styles:- Leading by example.
Christian leadership is not a dictatorship. It is leadership by example. It is a leadership that shows mutual respect. You do not lord over your workers, but rather you implore them. Lead by love, lead by encouraging and motivating them and not looking down on them every time. Learn to be strong and show leadership.
1 Cor 11:1 “Be ye followers of me even as I follow Christ”.
A leader cannot lead and set bad examples. You cannot ask members to come to Church on time and yet you come to church late. You cannot expect people to obey the rules when you keep breaking them everyday. It doesn’t work like that.
Whatever you expect them to do, show them how to do it or have a way of directing them so that they can have confidence to do it.
Organisational skills: Leaders should be well organised. Organisational skills are very important for leadership. This involves good time management skills as well as management skills. A leader must be well organised by setting out meeting dates. At the beginning of the year, you must have your programs for at least half of the year well documented with dates and times etc.
Consistency: If the team agrees that rehearsal is once a month, you have to be consistent with it even if no one shows up. The person who never comes will show up the day you give up and then start blaming you that you are not serious. Keep being consistent and talk with them to find the solution for their lack of enthusiasm. Then deal with it.
Be consistent with the rules in that if the rules says you can’t lead praise and worship if you don’t attend rehearsal, then that should be it. If no one comes to rehearsal, then you the leader should lead the praise and worship. However, there must be room for unforeseen serious circumstances.
Systems: There should be systems in place and every member must know which part he or she plays in a particular program. A good leader has a rota which the members follow and there is always room for back up in case of unforeseen circumstances. Members also must be made aware of what is expected of them. They must be able to know what they are to do in case of this or that situation. That is how a well organised leader works. The system should be able to operate with or without your interference or presence.
If there are not enough people called in the church for that department, then the team has to win souls into the department.
Communication: There must be top to down as well as down to top communication. Both ways are very important in a ministry, so that every one is aware of what is going on. If you have to lead a part of a program or may be praise and worship and then something happens that you can’t come, don’t assume that the leaders will be O.K. without you because they may be waiting for you. Communicate it.
Mature Christian behaviour: 1 Tim 3:7-13. This is what God expects of every leader. That you must have a good report among the general congregation, that you are not double tongued, that you hold the truth or word of God with a pure conscience and that you are blameless.
For your responsibility towards your group, God says 1 Tim5:1-2. You exhort people who are older than you or have spiritual authority over you. But younger ones you rebuke in love. Which means depending on the person and the situation, you deal with the person wisely. Some people respond well to rebuke, others respond well if they are entreated, so you have to trust your judgment and take a decision.
Tuesday 11 December 2007
Leadership training-pt3: Time Management
Effective use of time. Time management is self management Eccl 3. A good time manager plans. Lack of planning is the key to people not having enough time and being behind schedule. If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.
1. Plan your work, divide it into small tasks.
2. Set priorities and let priorities remain priorities. Set time targets for each of the tasks.
3. Plan a schedule for the tasks. Set up an operational management schedule.
4. Learn to say no to side issues that will distract you. Find ways of saving time by doing some schedules that can be done independent of the others and in your free time.
5. Start early enough to give yourself enough time for unforeseen circumstances.
6. Be thorough in the way you get on with the work so that you don’t have to repeat the process because of unnecessary mistakes. Learn to work fast without making mistakes.
7. Delegate and train your members to take up independent tasks so that they can work with efficiency at the same time. They should also be giving you feed back so that you do not have to rush at the last minute.
8. You also have to learn how to work efficiently with others as a team. Remember that procrastination is the thief of time.
1. Plan your work, divide it into small tasks.
2. Set priorities and let priorities remain priorities. Set time targets for each of the tasks.
3. Plan a schedule for the tasks. Set up an operational management schedule.
4. Learn to say no to side issues that will distract you. Find ways of saving time by doing some schedules that can be done independent of the others and in your free time.
5. Start early enough to give yourself enough time for unforeseen circumstances.
6. Be thorough in the way you get on with the work so that you don’t have to repeat the process because of unnecessary mistakes. Learn to work fast without making mistakes.
7. Delegate and train your members to take up independent tasks so that they can work with efficiency at the same time. They should also be giving you feed back so that you do not have to rush at the last minute.
8. You also have to learn how to work efficiently with others as a team. Remember that procrastination is the thief of time.
Saturday 1 December 2007
Christian Leadership Pt.2: Team building
1Cor 12:15-26
The hands, legs, and head are different parts of the body but work together for the good of the body. They can’t afford to work against each other neither can they work separately. We have to learn how to bring every one on board. Strengthen and coordinate the people you work with. Encourage every one and let them know that every ones work is important. You have to bring on board those who are unconcerned.
A good leader must practice good and fair judgement. It is this judgement that every one comes to rely on. It is this that will cause your team to work together, knowing that they are all being treated the same.
A good leader must be consistent with his decisions. You don’t keep on changing your mind about one issue.
A good leader communicates what he expects of his team clearly to them and every one is aware of the vision. This makes every one aware of what is expected of him. This will help them work as a team.
A good leader must consciously develop and invest in his team. You train and teach them. You feed them with all the information they need to know to develop in your area. Failure to do this causes erosion of trust and confidence in you.
You have to encourage them to seek the truth. Acts21:20-22. You will realise that this is a critical situation because the leaders in the church had believed the lie of the devil. No where in scripture do we hear that Paul had led the people to reject Moses but the leaders had believed this and it was creating confusion. The fact that you are anointed does not mean you will not find your self in such a state.
Paul had to accept the proposal of the so that there will be peace and unity. It was important to Paul that he would be flexible enough to pull the whole team together. He was concerned with the welfare and the unity of the church.
This is a lesson for all leaders. We need to always be able to build a strong team and maintain the unity of the team.
Judges 7:1-6 Most of the time you don’t need a crowd. All you need is a few people whom God has called in the department
Friday 30 November 2007
Christian Leadership
Learning to lead
Heb 5:4 No one takes this honour unto himself. Whatever position you have it’s by God and not from man. It is therefore a service to God and you must do it with all your heart.
Learn to be in authority and under authority.
Developing self:
(a). i.e. Knowing Jesus for yourself. Having a personal relationship with God is key. You cannot lead the people of God when you don’t know God for yourself.
There are all kinds of preaching going on about Jesus. Which one are you representing?
There is the ‘cool Jesus’, ‘bless me Jesus’, and ‘microwave Jesus’, ‘who dresses with trousers down’, ‘he doesn’t care how you dress’. ‘He will bless you any way even if your cleavage is being exposed to the whole world’. ‘You can copy any thing to feel accepted and he will bless you any way’.
There is the ‘Jesus of prophecy who will prophecy on you and tell you of the great things he is going to do in your life irrespective of the fact that your lifestyle is unclean’.
Then there is ‘the true Jesus who died on the cross, whose side was pierced for your sins and who says that when you go back into uncleanness, you are crucifying him over and over again’.
Which one of them are you representing?
You must know the true Jesus for yourself and stand out in him. You must have a personal relationship with God.
(b) Develop yourself in him. Have spiritual awareness. Develop yourself spiritually. Not what you think is right but what God says is right. Study the word of God and know it (Col 3:16, 2Tim.2:15, 2Tim2:20-21). This is because you should be able to lead the people the way God wants you to lead them. Remember, you can’t give what you don’t have. If it’s the music industry, how does God expect the music department to operate? You should know what the word of God says about that and know examples of that in the scriptures. You should also be able to give a good answer to members of the department when they ask questions and be able to show them what God expects them to do from scripture.
(c) Pray into your department or office. Let God help you to handle the office that he has committed to you. Prayer also moves mountains and will help you overcome the difficulties you will encounter in that office. You can not do the work with your strength (Zechariah 4:6-9). God will help you start and he will help you to finish this call.
(d) You must know your priorities and communicate it to your members. What is the vision that God has burdened you with? Where are you now and where are you going? What are the steps necessary to take you from one level to the other? What are you putting in place to help move to the next level? Set targets for your department. Your priorities must remain priorities. They should remain the first things that should be made.
(e) You must know your values and ethics of the department. What are the standards that must be met by every member. Let them know what you expect of them and what they should expect of you. The leader must not have a leaky mouth - 1 Sam.10:16
(f) You should be able to lead and manage the department. You must be in authority and under authority. Luke 7:8
(g) Learn from your failures. When you make a mistake or you take the wrong decisions, don’t beat yourself up, rather treat it as a learning experience and don’t repeat it. When a major setback comes along, try to treat it as a marvellous learning experience, for most certainly it will be just that. In 1Cor.13:11 Paul said “when I was like a child, I spoke like a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child but when I became a man, I put away childish things”
(h) Have social awareness. Be aware of what is going on in the world. You must be an I.T. literate. You must know about the latest technology and learn how to use them to further your ministry. Webcasting, podcasting etc. Continually study to improve your natural skills. Don’t keep doing things the same way they were done when you were young. Be innovative, be creative, think outside the box. You may have copied people for a long time. Come up with something new that others will learn from you.
(i) It’s about who you are, what you know and what you do. You are a reflection of what your subordinates must be. You determine how far the department can go (to some extent). Do what is humanly possible and let God do what is humanly impossible. Don’t leave any stone unturned.
Heb 5:4 No one takes this honour unto himself. Whatever position you have it’s by God and not from man. It is therefore a service to God and you must do it with all your heart.
Learn to be in authority and under authority.
Developing self:
(a). i.e. Knowing Jesus for yourself. Having a personal relationship with God is key. You cannot lead the people of God when you don’t know God for yourself.
There are all kinds of preaching going on about Jesus. Which one are you representing?
There is the ‘cool Jesus’, ‘bless me Jesus’, and ‘microwave Jesus’, ‘who dresses with trousers down’, ‘he doesn’t care how you dress’. ‘He will bless you any way even if your cleavage is being exposed to the whole world’. ‘You can copy any thing to feel accepted and he will bless you any way’.
There is the ‘Jesus of prophecy who will prophecy on you and tell you of the great things he is going to do in your life irrespective of the fact that your lifestyle is unclean’.
Then there is ‘the true Jesus who died on the cross, whose side was pierced for your sins and who says that when you go back into uncleanness, you are crucifying him over and over again’.
Which one of them are you representing?
You must know the true Jesus for yourself and stand out in him. You must have a personal relationship with God.
(b) Develop yourself in him. Have spiritual awareness. Develop yourself spiritually. Not what you think is right but what God says is right. Study the word of God and know it (Col 3:16, 2Tim.2:15, 2Tim2:20-21). This is because you should be able to lead the people the way God wants you to lead them. Remember, you can’t give what you don’t have. If it’s the music industry, how does God expect the music department to operate? You should know what the word of God says about that and know examples of that in the scriptures. You should also be able to give a good answer to members of the department when they ask questions and be able to show them what God expects them to do from scripture.
(c) Pray into your department or office. Let God help you to handle the office that he has committed to you. Prayer also moves mountains and will help you overcome the difficulties you will encounter in that office. You can not do the work with your strength (Zechariah 4:6-9). God will help you start and he will help you to finish this call.
(d) You must know your priorities and communicate it to your members. What is the vision that God has burdened you with? Where are you now and where are you going? What are the steps necessary to take you from one level to the other? What are you putting in place to help move to the next level? Set targets for your department. Your priorities must remain priorities. They should remain the first things that should be made.
(e) You must know your values and ethics of the department. What are the standards that must be met by every member. Let them know what you expect of them and what they should expect of you. The leader must not have a leaky mouth - 1 Sam.10:16
(f) You should be able to lead and manage the department. You must be in authority and under authority. Luke 7:8
(g) Learn from your failures. When you make a mistake or you take the wrong decisions, don’t beat yourself up, rather treat it as a learning experience and don’t repeat it. When a major setback comes along, try to treat it as a marvellous learning experience, for most certainly it will be just that. In 1Cor.13:11 Paul said “when I was like a child, I spoke like a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child but when I became a man, I put away childish things”
(h) Have social awareness. Be aware of what is going on in the world. You must be an I.T. literate. You must know about the latest technology and learn how to use them to further your ministry. Webcasting, podcasting etc. Continually study to improve your natural skills. Don’t keep doing things the same way they were done when you were young. Be innovative, be creative, think outside the box. You may have copied people for a long time. Come up with something new that others will learn from you.
(i) It’s about who you are, what you know and what you do. You are a reflection of what your subordinates must be. You determine how far the department can go (to some extent). Do what is humanly possible and let God do what is humanly impossible. Don’t leave any stone unturned.
Tuesday 27 November 2007
Tuesday 20 November 2007
Thursday 15 November 2007
Monday 12 November 2007
Allow me to reintroduce Christ
Watch this and be blessed.
So which Jesus do you worship?
Which one now rules in your heart?
When he appears today, will you be able identify him?
Please leave comment.
So which Jesus do you worship?
Which one now rules in your heart?
When he appears today, will you be able identify him?
Please leave comment.
Tuesday 6 November 2007
With God all things are possible.
I recently came across a friend I had at the University of Ghana many years ago. We had lost touch after school but this time I met him on facebook and we got in touch again. At the university he had the nick name "POSSIBLE". Possible because "with God, all things are possible". This gentleman has confessed this all his life and God has openned some amazing doors for him.
Friends, there is nothing too difficult for God to do. All things are possible for him. The odds may be aginst you, you may be at your red sea with your enemies coming from behind, you may be in your lions den but God can use situations and circumstances to turn things around for your good. You may be at a point of no return but there is hope for you because with God all things are possible. He says when you go through the fire he will be with you. When you go through the waters he will still be with you. Just know that with God, all things are possible.
Stay blessed.
Friends, there is nothing too difficult for God to do. All things are possible for him. The odds may be aginst you, you may be at your red sea with your enemies coming from behind, you may be in your lions den but God can use situations and circumstances to turn things around for your good. You may be at a point of no return but there is hope for you because with God all things are possible. He says when you go through the fire he will be with you. When you go through the waters he will still be with you. Just know that with God, all things are possible.
Stay blessed.
Monday 22 October 2007
Foundation
There was a recent survey in England which stated that only 27% of Christians read their bibles regularly in this country and among them, Charismatics read the least.
The Zeal with which we started the Christian race for some reason has dwindled.
We no longer pray the way we used to pray when we used to pray in the olden days. Our prayers have become diplomatic and lazy.
Our level of commitment towards the things of God has dwindled to such an extent that we find an excuse for everything we don’t do right. We make excuses and say God understands.
The bible says in Ezra10:10-12 “..Then all the congregation answered and said with a loud voice, as thou has said, so must we do”.
For every Christian, this should be our confession; no if’s no buts, no excuses. We must be willing to obey the word of God to its last letter. We cannot justify our disobedience in any way. Our duty is to obey.
The question is if you do not know what he says, how can you obey?
1Peter2:2-6 & Issaiah28:16 “For I lay in Sion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious: and he that beleiveth on him shall not be confounded”.
Vrs 2 says we have to desire the sincere milk of God. We all Christians are like lively stones which are used to build up a holy house, we are like a holy Priesthood who have been sanctified to bring sacrifices unto our God.
God has given us a foundation that we have to depend on. A foundation upon which we have to build our spiritual building. A foundation that we can’t do without.
Psalm 11:3 “If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?”
Mt7:24-27 says the word of God is our foundation.
No Christian can live without the word of God. For me the word is like our spiritual food. You must study it more than the number of times you eat. Any time you are about to eat, ask yourself whether you have fed your spirit? Anytime you eat, make sure you feed your spirit man as well.
Study the word and meditate on it.
Col.3:16 “Let the word of God dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and in hymns and in spiritual songs singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord”.
When you season meat or fish, if you wait for a short time, you end seasoning only the outside but when you wait a long time, then the seasoning goes inside the meat as well.
The reason is for us to be able to teach and admonish one another.
2Tim. 2:15 “Study to show thyself approved unto God a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth”.
There is a difference between reading and studying. Studying is more detailed and it sticks. You remember it during the test.
The reason why you are to study so that you will show yourself approved unto God. We write a test to show ourselves approved unto the examiner. In this case, our examiner is God.
We have to study the word of God so that when we are tested, we will pass the test. If you look at the story of the ten virgins, when the time of testing came, it was those who had enough in their reserve tanks who passed the test.
Study so that you will have enough word in your reserve tank so that when the test of time goes into extra time, your reserve tank will be able to see you through.
You need the word to build your spirit, to make him strong to face every wiles of the evil one.
2Tim 3:16-17 “All scripture is inspired by God for…”
Doctrine—Teaching
Reproof--- evidence
Correction—restore things to their proper use and place, correcting false theories and
Practices.
Instruction--- The schooling of mankind in true scripture righteousness.
Eccle 12:1 “Remember now thy creator in the days of thy youth while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh when thou shalt say I have no pleasure in them”.
James 4:17 “To him that knoweth to do good and does it not, and doeth it not, to him it is sin”.
The Zeal with which we started the Christian race for some reason has dwindled.
We no longer pray the way we used to pray when we used to pray in the olden days. Our prayers have become diplomatic and lazy.
Our level of commitment towards the things of God has dwindled to such an extent that we find an excuse for everything we don’t do right. We make excuses and say God understands.
The bible says in Ezra10:10-12 “..Then all the congregation answered and said with a loud voice, as thou has said, so must we do”.
For every Christian, this should be our confession; no if’s no buts, no excuses. We must be willing to obey the word of God to its last letter. We cannot justify our disobedience in any way. Our duty is to obey.
The question is if you do not know what he says, how can you obey?
1Peter2:2-6 & Issaiah28:16 “For I lay in Sion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious: and he that beleiveth on him shall not be confounded”.
Vrs 2 says we have to desire the sincere milk of God. We all Christians are like lively stones which are used to build up a holy house, we are like a holy Priesthood who have been sanctified to bring sacrifices unto our God.
God has given us a foundation that we have to depend on. A foundation upon which we have to build our spiritual building. A foundation that we can’t do without.
Psalm 11:3 “If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?”
Mt7:24-27 says the word of God is our foundation.
No Christian can live without the word of God. For me the word is like our spiritual food. You must study it more than the number of times you eat. Any time you are about to eat, ask yourself whether you have fed your spirit? Anytime you eat, make sure you feed your spirit man as well.
Study the word and meditate on it.
Col.3:16 “Let the word of God dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and in hymns and in spiritual songs singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord”.
When you season meat or fish, if you wait for a short time, you end seasoning only the outside but when you wait a long time, then the seasoning goes inside the meat as well.
The reason is for us to be able to teach and admonish one another.
2Tim. 2:15 “Study to show thyself approved unto God a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth”.
There is a difference between reading and studying. Studying is more detailed and it sticks. You remember it during the test.
The reason why you are to study so that you will show yourself approved unto God. We write a test to show ourselves approved unto the examiner. In this case, our examiner is God.
We have to study the word of God so that when we are tested, we will pass the test. If you look at the story of the ten virgins, when the time of testing came, it was those who had enough in their reserve tanks who passed the test.
Study so that you will have enough word in your reserve tank so that when the test of time goes into extra time, your reserve tank will be able to see you through.
You need the word to build your spirit, to make him strong to face every wiles of the evil one.
2Tim 3:16-17 “All scripture is inspired by God for…”
Doctrine—Teaching
Reproof--- evidence
Correction—restore things to their proper use and place, correcting false theories and
Practices.
Instruction--- The schooling of mankind in true scripture righteousness.
Eccle 12:1 “Remember now thy creator in the days of thy youth while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh when thou shalt say I have no pleasure in them”.
James 4:17 “To him that knoweth to do good and does it not, and doeth it not, to him it is sin”.
Monday 8 October 2007
Christian Character
“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 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. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” (Col 3:12-17)
“True Christian Character” is not something that comes automatically in the life of a believer upon his or her acceptance of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. But it is something that must be put into practice in the life of every believer as he/she dies to SELF and surrenders his whole being to the Lord. Thus allowing the Holy Spirit to develop this character in working through him/her making the believers walk pleasing and acceptable in the eyes of the Lord.
Paul writes here in the book of Colossians “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.” In order to “PUT ON” something, we must first “TAKE OFF” something and what must be taken off are the things of the flesh. We must learn to die to self, for when we walk in the flesh we cannot walk in “True Christian Character”. For the flesh wars against the spirit, fighting against everything that is of God. What is pleasing to the Lord, our flesh will desire and choose to do the opposite, if it is allowed to lead.
Oh how it GRIEVES the Holy Spirit when a “Christian” walks OPPOSITE of the Character of GOD! For this description given above by Paul, is the very NATURE of Christ, the very CHARACTER of God the Father. Thus, how can one say they are a child of The Father and not practice the Father’s ways. For the very nature of a child is to imitate his father. From infancy onward, a child watches closely his father behavior and tends to imitate such. So much so that those around would begin to take notice, and would begin identifying that child as “being just like his father”, having the “characteristics of his father”, etc. How closely are you, being “child of God” watching your Father and how much of His character have been developed within yourself. Have others stopped and taken notice that your behavior is just like God the Father? Or have they wondered if you were spiritually Fathered by another? For when there is such unkindness, unforgiveness, disputes, strife and divisions, gossip, complaining and murmuring against one another, brethren despising brethren, hearts consumed by anger and bitterness towards one another, does this not display the character of one OTHER than God the Father? And would not others who’ve yet to become part of the family begin questioning not only your behavior, but Christians as a whole? It paints a very uninviting picture to those who are on the outside looking in. For wouldn’t they rather go elsewhere, or remain where they are rather than to enter into fellowship with those who are behaving in the same manner as those who profess NOT God as their Father, nor Jesus as their Lord? Where would be the difference?
Are we merciful as our Father is full of mercy? Are we truly kind to one another as our beloved Lord is so very kind to us? Have we humbled ourselves before the Lord, or do we consistently seek to be exalted by man? How meek have we been and how well have we endured longsuffering? Are we forbearing with one another or are we impatient with one another, easily provoked to anger, having no self control? And what about forgiveness, oh my…. How many are harboring unforgiveness towards another brother or sister in his/her heart? How many literally stand in worship service giving praise to the Lord while despising the brother or sister standing next to him? Tell me, how can one possibly expect the Lord to forgive them of their sins, when they refuse to forgive their brother? How difficult is it to forgive? Do we truly desire to be as our Lord ENOUGH to put away our old fleshly ways and begin to WALK in NEWNESS of LIFE, possessing TRUE Christian Character? For we cannot have both. Either we will seek to please the flesh, or seek to PLEASE GOD THE FATHER! To please our Father we must hate the wickedness of the flesh ENOUGH to put it away, and literally put on the character of God, having the mind of Christ Jesus our Lord.
Merciful, kind, forbearing, longsuffering, forgiving ALL these things and MUCH MORE are the characteristics of God our Father and should be displayed as true Christian character in the life of every professing believer but yet, here’s one more characteristic that PERFECTS them all….LOVE! LOVE according to the scriptures is the BOND OF PERFECTNESS! Oh, that we the church, the body of Christ, would put on LOVE! How it rips my heart in two, to see such lack of love for one another in the church. For it seem to me to be such an easy thing to do, and yet many have made it to be so complicated in finding one reason or another to excuse their lack of love for one another. And yet, LOVE is the very ESSENCE of GOD THE FATHER. It is the character of the Father that is visible FOR ALL to see: “For God so LOVED the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life”….. WHAT A GIFT OF LOVE! WHAT AN AWESOME GIFT OF LOVE! Let us give of ourselves to one another, serving and caring for one another. Putting our brother or sister before ourselves. Being kind and tenderhearted towards one another while seeking to give and not always to receive.
Walk always in this light of LOVE my dear brothers and sisters, that the world may see CHRIST in YOU, your True Christian Character.
I Love you all so very much. Have a blessed week in the Lord and remember: Whatever we do, do ALL for the GLORY of GOD, who ALONE is worthy of the GLORY and the PRAISE!
“True Christian Character” is not something that comes automatically in the life of a believer upon his or her acceptance of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. But it is something that must be put into practice in the life of every believer as he/she dies to SELF and surrenders his whole being to the Lord. Thus allowing the Holy Spirit to develop this character in working through him/her making the believers walk pleasing and acceptable in the eyes of the Lord.
Paul writes here in the book of Colossians “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.” In order to “PUT ON” something, we must first “TAKE OFF” something and what must be taken off are the things of the flesh. We must learn to die to self, for when we walk in the flesh we cannot walk in “True Christian Character”. For the flesh wars against the spirit, fighting against everything that is of God. What is pleasing to the Lord, our flesh will desire and choose to do the opposite, if it is allowed to lead.
Oh how it GRIEVES the Holy Spirit when a “Christian” walks OPPOSITE of the Character of GOD! For this description given above by Paul, is the very NATURE of Christ, the very CHARACTER of God the Father. Thus, how can one say they are a child of The Father and not practice the Father’s ways. For the very nature of a child is to imitate his father. From infancy onward, a child watches closely his father behavior and tends to imitate such. So much so that those around would begin to take notice, and would begin identifying that child as “being just like his father”, having the “characteristics of his father”, etc. How closely are you, being “child of God” watching your Father and how much of His character have been developed within yourself. Have others stopped and taken notice that your behavior is just like God the Father? Or have they wondered if you were spiritually Fathered by another? For when there is such unkindness, unforgiveness, disputes, strife and divisions, gossip, complaining and murmuring against one another, brethren despising brethren, hearts consumed by anger and bitterness towards one another, does this not display the character of one OTHER than God the Father? And would not others who’ve yet to become part of the family begin questioning not only your behavior, but Christians as a whole? It paints a very uninviting picture to those who are on the outside looking in. For wouldn’t they rather go elsewhere, or remain where they are rather than to enter into fellowship with those who are behaving in the same manner as those who profess NOT God as their Father, nor Jesus as their Lord? Where would be the difference?
Are we merciful as our Father is full of mercy? Are we truly kind to one another as our beloved Lord is so very kind to us? Have we humbled ourselves before the Lord, or do we consistently seek to be exalted by man? How meek have we been and how well have we endured longsuffering? Are we forbearing with one another or are we impatient with one another, easily provoked to anger, having no self control? And what about forgiveness, oh my…. How many are harboring unforgiveness towards another brother or sister in his/her heart? How many literally stand in worship service giving praise to the Lord while despising the brother or sister standing next to him? Tell me, how can one possibly expect the Lord to forgive them of their sins, when they refuse to forgive their brother? How difficult is it to forgive? Do we truly desire to be as our Lord ENOUGH to put away our old fleshly ways and begin to WALK in NEWNESS of LIFE, possessing TRUE Christian Character? For we cannot have both. Either we will seek to please the flesh, or seek to PLEASE GOD THE FATHER! To please our Father we must hate the wickedness of the flesh ENOUGH to put it away, and literally put on the character of God, having the mind of Christ Jesus our Lord.
Merciful, kind, forbearing, longsuffering, forgiving ALL these things and MUCH MORE are the characteristics of God our Father and should be displayed as true Christian character in the life of every professing believer but yet, here’s one more characteristic that PERFECTS them all….LOVE! LOVE according to the scriptures is the BOND OF PERFECTNESS! Oh, that we the church, the body of Christ, would put on LOVE! How it rips my heart in two, to see such lack of love for one another in the church. For it seem to me to be such an easy thing to do, and yet many have made it to be so complicated in finding one reason or another to excuse their lack of love for one another. And yet, LOVE is the very ESSENCE of GOD THE FATHER. It is the character of the Father that is visible FOR ALL to see: “For God so LOVED the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life”….. WHAT A GIFT OF LOVE! WHAT AN AWESOME GIFT OF LOVE! Let us give of ourselves to one another, serving and caring for one another. Putting our brother or sister before ourselves. Being kind and tenderhearted towards one another while seeking to give and not always to receive.
Walk always in this light of LOVE my dear brothers and sisters, that the world may see CHRIST in YOU, your True Christian Character.
I Love you all so very much. Have a blessed week in the Lord and remember: Whatever we do, do ALL for the GLORY of GOD, who ALONE is worthy of the GLORY and the PRAISE!
Friday 28 September 2007
Of Christian celibrity divorces
The issue of the Christian celebrity divorces has been in the news for some time now. It’s created a huge uproar round the world and many comments have been made about them. Randy and Paula White announced their divorce a day after the altercation between Bishop Weeks and Prophetess Juanita Bynum.
For me, and without any prejudice, these men and women of God have got no business creating this furore. They may have experienced some level of distress, stress and discomfort in their marriages but which marriage does not go through similar issues anyway. Every marriage has got its own challenges and your ability to overcome them makes you more mature and positions you to be able to council others. What business have you got counselling others when you can’t counsel yourself? In any case what people in developed worlds call stress and challenges are what people in developing worlds go through everyday without any problems at all. They are used to it and just overcome them or just ignore them. Actually people in developed worlds go through worse things than that and still stand firm. Some are even not Christians but they do not break their covenants because of that.
The laws of circular world are different from that of the children of God so we have to be careful not to mix circularity with Christianity. I don’t care how nicely they can justify themselves, it is wrong in the sight of God and that is it. The fact that you can explain away or justify yourself in the presence of men with sweet talks does not change the truth. The fact that the circular world has laws to support that doesn’t change the truth. Let me tell you this, there are laws to support gay people and perverted sexual activity but does that make it right in the sight of God?
Some say God hates divorce but loves the divorcee. Well let’s check from scriptures. God hates lying and what happened to Ananias and Saphira? The Holy Ghost slayed them on the spot. The God we serve is a God of love but what many people forget is that he is also a God of judgement so we take his love for granted.
Who knows if these marriages were their crosses for them to carry? They had no business following popular opinion. Let me tell you this, in Daniel chapter three, there were three Jewish boys in scripture who were confronted by Nebuchadnezzar who asked them to bow to the graven image or face the fiery furnace. Listen to me, they were not the only Jews in the land, but the others had bowed to the image that Nebuchadnezzar did. These boys, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, purposed in their minds that they will not bow down to the pressures of their generation, they will not bow down to everyone’s opinion, they will not bow down to the pressures of the king, but were ready to stand firm for God. They were ready to go through the fire even if God would not come through for them. I am sure the rest of the Jews had very sweet excuses to justify themselves; to explain away their refusal to stand for God, but these 3 boys were ready to carry their cross. Randy, Paula, Juanita and Bishop Weeks have not resisted to the point of death yet. These boys went into the fire and Jesus met them in the fire. Daniel went into the lion’s den and God met him there. Joseph went into prison and God met him there. If these men and women of God had carried their crosses instead of find a cheap way of escape, they would have met God and even moved higher in their ministries. They would have met God and he could have helped them minister to a lot of marriages. The bible says that “Having done all, stand”. After ministering so powerfully in the world, God expects them to stand, but they decided to take the easy way out. You should be able to submit yourself to the word of God and not hadden your heart. why Juanita going about pretending that she is an angel of the Lord. Newton's third law of motion says " Action and reaction are equal and opposite". What did she say that caused the Bishop to react violently?
Watch this
For me, and without any prejudice, these men and women of God have got no business creating this furore. They may have experienced some level of distress, stress and discomfort in their marriages but which marriage does not go through similar issues anyway. Every marriage has got its own challenges and your ability to overcome them makes you more mature and positions you to be able to council others. What business have you got counselling others when you can’t counsel yourself? In any case what people in developed worlds call stress and challenges are what people in developing worlds go through everyday without any problems at all. They are used to it and just overcome them or just ignore them. Actually people in developed worlds go through worse things than that and still stand firm. Some are even not Christians but they do not break their covenants because of that.
The laws of circular world are different from that of the children of God so we have to be careful not to mix circularity with Christianity. I don’t care how nicely they can justify themselves, it is wrong in the sight of God and that is it. The fact that you can explain away or justify yourself in the presence of men with sweet talks does not change the truth. The fact that the circular world has laws to support that doesn’t change the truth. Let me tell you this, there are laws to support gay people and perverted sexual activity but does that make it right in the sight of God?
Some say God hates divorce but loves the divorcee. Well let’s check from scriptures. God hates lying and what happened to Ananias and Saphira? The Holy Ghost slayed them on the spot. The God we serve is a God of love but what many people forget is that he is also a God of judgement so we take his love for granted.
Who knows if these marriages were their crosses for them to carry? They had no business following popular opinion. Let me tell you this, in Daniel chapter three, there were three Jewish boys in scripture who were confronted by Nebuchadnezzar who asked them to bow to the graven image or face the fiery furnace. Listen to me, they were not the only Jews in the land, but the others had bowed to the image that Nebuchadnezzar did. These boys, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, purposed in their minds that they will not bow down to the pressures of their generation, they will not bow down to everyone’s opinion, they will not bow down to the pressures of the king, but were ready to stand firm for God. They were ready to go through the fire even if God would not come through for them. I am sure the rest of the Jews had very sweet excuses to justify themselves; to explain away their refusal to stand for God, but these 3 boys were ready to carry their cross. Randy, Paula, Juanita and Bishop Weeks have not resisted to the point of death yet. These boys went into the fire and Jesus met them in the fire. Daniel went into the lion’s den and God met him there. Joseph went into prison and God met him there. If these men and women of God had carried their crosses instead of find a cheap way of escape, they would have met God and even moved higher in their ministries. They would have met God and he could have helped them minister to a lot of marriages. The bible says that “Having done all, stand”. After ministering so powerfully in the world, God expects them to stand, but they decided to take the easy way out. You should be able to submit yourself to the word of God and not hadden your heart. why Juanita going about pretending that she is an angel of the Lord. Newton's third law of motion says " Action and reaction are equal and opposite". What did she say that caused the Bishop to react violently?
Watch this
Monday 17 September 2007
False Christian leaders
Acts 17:10-11
"And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.
These were more noble than those in Thesalonica, in that they received the word in all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so".
It is the duty of every believer to search the scriptures to see it it is so. You have to believe the word of God as it is preached, yes, but it's also your duty to verify it.
When a Preacher is preaching, he is displaying charisma, when he goes home he displays character.
Matthew 7:16 says "ye shall know them by their fruits". If one says he is an apple tree, then he should show us the apple fruits on him. The fruit should be all over him so that any one who sees it will know that this is truly an apple tree. So look out for the fruits of anyone calling himself a man of God so that you don't get deceived. Don't just buy the charisma. Some are wolves in sheep's clothing. There are so many charlatans around and judge their fruits with the word of God. Don't follow all the hype.
If you look at currencies or money as an example, there will be no fake dollars if the original does not exist. The reason why you can see the fake one is because the original is there for you to compare with. This means that the existence of the fake confirms the existence of the genuine. This man's confession only goes to tell us that the original does exist only that he allowed himself to be used by the devil. This shows how desperate the devil is. Watch this:
Lying evangelist exposed.
God have mercy on people like him. For the souls of all that he has deceived will cry for judgement against him.
"And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.
These were more noble than those in Thesalonica, in that they received the word in all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so".
It is the duty of every believer to search the scriptures to see it it is so. You have to believe the word of God as it is preached, yes, but it's also your duty to verify it.
When a Preacher is preaching, he is displaying charisma, when he goes home he displays character.
Matthew 7:16 says "ye shall know them by their fruits". If one says he is an apple tree, then he should show us the apple fruits on him. The fruit should be all over him so that any one who sees it will know that this is truly an apple tree. So look out for the fruits of anyone calling himself a man of God so that you don't get deceived. Don't just buy the charisma. Some are wolves in sheep's clothing. There are so many charlatans around and judge their fruits with the word of God. Don't follow all the hype.
If you look at currencies or money as an example, there will be no fake dollars if the original does not exist. The reason why you can see the fake one is because the original is there for you to compare with. This means that the existence of the fake confirms the existence of the genuine. This man's confession only goes to tell us that the original does exist only that he allowed himself to be used by the devil. This shows how desperate the devil is. Watch this:
Lying evangelist exposed.
God have mercy on people like him. For the souls of all that he has deceived will cry for judgement against him.
Friday 14 September 2007
Divorce of the ministers
Thank God for fathers in the ministry. Thank God for Bishop T.D. Jakes. Thank God that he is counselling all these ministers who are divorcing Read . Thank God for fathers who will do every thing in their power to make sure all is well with their children and in the whole of Christendom.
As we all follow this celebrity divorces taken place, the question that comes to mind is that are these preachers telling us that we should do what they say and not what they do? It is said that Doctors are the worse patients. Is this the same with Preachers and Ministers of the gospel? Why do we know how to tell people to humble and obedient to Christ even unto death yet we don't know how to do the same? What example are we setting?
I know that if you have a successful marriage, then it is by grace. I also know that it takes two to tango. So that when problems begin in a marriage, then both parties contribute to it getting out of hand or it cooling down. It is never an issue of one party. If one decide to meet hate with love, the one bringing out hatred will eventually give up if the other is willing to endure. There is too much of "I know my rights" in developed countries so that every one be comes a captain in the ship. This means 2 captains cannot control one ship so one has to leave.
It is said that when America sneezes, the whole world catches a cold. Well we refuse that because we are not taking this. This is below the belt. Let the ministers of God put their house in order. This is shame to our Lord Jesus Christ.
Was Bishop Weeks set up? Where do you find all this in the Bible anyway? Which part of the bible teaches this or am I the only one thinking this way?
Public or private divorce
Where did all this love go?
As we all follow this celebrity divorces taken place, the question that comes to mind is that are these preachers telling us that we should do what they say and not what they do? It is said that Doctors are the worse patients. Is this the same with Preachers and Ministers of the gospel? Why do we know how to tell people to humble and obedient to Christ even unto death yet we don't know how to do the same? What example are we setting?
I know that if you have a successful marriage, then it is by grace. I also know that it takes two to tango. So that when problems begin in a marriage, then both parties contribute to it getting out of hand or it cooling down. It is never an issue of one party. If one decide to meet hate with love, the one bringing out hatred will eventually give up if the other is willing to endure. There is too much of "I know my rights" in developed countries so that every one be comes a captain in the ship. This means 2 captains cannot control one ship so one has to leave.
It is said that when America sneezes, the whole world catches a cold. Well we refuse that because we are not taking this. This is below the belt. Let the ministers of God put their house in order. This is shame to our Lord Jesus Christ.
Was Bishop Weeks set up? Where do you find all this in the Bible anyway? Which part of the bible teaches this or am I the only one thinking this way?
Public or private divorce
Where did all this love go?
Wednesday 12 September 2007
Paula and Randy White
Hi, View these videos. If we are the light of this world, where is our light? And if we are the salt of the earth, where is the taste and preservative properties that we are supposed to have. This may seem to be isolated incidents but I tell you, it's an attack of the enemy on the institution of marriage. I have seen a lot of negative comments being made by people on the Internet. The so called angels of the Lord and holier than thou people coming out with all sorts of attacks should be extra careful. Beloved, if you have a successful marriage, then it's just by grace, so don't boast and attack someone who is struggling in his. Rather let us pray for them.
The Bible says that from the time of John the Baptist until now, the Kingdom of heaven suffereth violence and the violent take it by force. we have to take back this institution by force.
I am calling out for a global prayer for both couples. I mean Juanita Bynum and Bishop Weeks as well as Randy and Paula White. Let us pray that they will be able to overcome this storm in their life. That they will be able to sort out their differences and come back together.
Unto both of them I say weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes with the morning PS30:5. The storm will soon be over and whenever you go through a test, know that God is about to promote you. The best is yet to come.
What example are Christians of today setting for the unbelievers?
18 year marriage in trouble
Randy White weeps
Breaking news
Find me on MySpace and be my friend!
The Bible says that from the time of John the Baptist until now, the Kingdom of heaven suffereth violence and the violent take it by force. we have to take back this institution by force.
I am calling out for a global prayer for both couples. I mean Juanita Bynum and Bishop Weeks as well as Randy and Paula White. Let us pray that they will be able to overcome this storm in their life. That they will be able to sort out their differences and come back together.
Unto both of them I say weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes with the morning PS30:5. The storm will soon be over and whenever you go through a test, know that God is about to promote you. The best is yet to come.
What example are Christians of today setting for the unbelievers?
18 year marriage in trouble
Randy White weeps
Breaking news
Find me on MySpace and be my friend!
Monday 10 September 2007
Juanita Bynum, Bishop Weeks iii, Paula and Randy White
It looks like a lot of Christians today seem to be more interested in passing judgement than examining the spiritual implications of what is happening to the institution of marriage. The current divorce proceedings taking place between Juanita Bynum and Bishop Weeks iii as well as Paula and Randy White has brought about a lot of criticisms and attacks on the integrity of these Pastors. All believers world wide have been affected by this.
The unbelievers have had a field’s day with these stories and it has brought reproach on the kingdom of God. For me, I see this issue between Juanita Bynum and Bishop Weeks iii as well as Randy and Paula White as tools that the enemy is planning to use against the institution of marriages. Paula and Randy White announced their divorce proceedings last month where as Juanita has just declared “she could marry her husband twice but this one is over” marry-twice,
I believe that these people have been a blessing to many people round the world and this is the time they need our support. This is the time that they need our prayers. This is the time that we have to pray and tell the enemy that his plans will not stand; neither shall it come to pass Isaiah7:7. He cannot destroy marriages in the world, he cannot destroy these marriages. We have to pray our hearts out until something happens. We don’t have to rest till we see the hand of God move.
The Bible in Matthew 5:31-32 frowns upon divorce and remarriage. In any case we have to pray for them and give them all the support they need. They must also realise that they cannot remarry if they decide to divorce so they have to think carefully and not explain things away as they are used to doing.
According to religious-news, Bishop Weeks iii has been asked to step down, my question is why are we so quick to judge? What happened to forgiveness? It is totally wrong for us to find it easy to pull people down. He who has no sin let him throw the first stone. Those of us praying for them are hoping that they will come together again just as Bishop Weeks said in
my-fox
We are also entreating them to stop washing their dirty lining in public but rather handle things privately. The people criticising do not have a clue the amount of pressure involved in being a Pastor with worldwide following. All those pressures go a long way to affect their marriages.
Juanita speaks out 1
Juanita speaks out 2
Juanita Bynum: I forgive my husband.
The unbelievers have had a field’s day with these stories and it has brought reproach on the kingdom of God. For me, I see this issue between Juanita Bynum and Bishop Weeks iii as well as Randy and Paula White as tools that the enemy is planning to use against the institution of marriages. Paula and Randy White announced their divorce proceedings last month where as Juanita has just declared “she could marry her husband twice but this one is over” marry-twice,
I believe that these people have been a blessing to many people round the world and this is the time they need our support. This is the time that they need our prayers. This is the time that we have to pray and tell the enemy that his plans will not stand; neither shall it come to pass Isaiah7:7. He cannot destroy marriages in the world, he cannot destroy these marriages. We have to pray our hearts out until something happens. We don’t have to rest till we see the hand of God move.
The Bible in Matthew 5:31-32 frowns upon divorce and remarriage. In any case we have to pray for them and give them all the support they need. They must also realise that they cannot remarry if they decide to divorce so they have to think carefully and not explain things away as they are used to doing.
According to religious-news, Bishop Weeks iii has been asked to step down, my question is why are we so quick to judge? What happened to forgiveness? It is totally wrong for us to find it easy to pull people down. He who has no sin let him throw the first stone. Those of us praying for them are hoping that they will come together again just as Bishop Weeks said in
my-fox
We are also entreating them to stop washing their dirty lining in public but rather handle things privately. The people criticising do not have a clue the amount of pressure involved in being a Pastor with worldwide following. All those pressures go a long way to affect their marriages.
Juanita speaks out 1
Juanita speaks out 2
Juanita Bynum: I forgive my husband.
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