Holy Spirit

Do you love Christ enough to die for Him?

Adversity causes some men to break; others to break records. The Apostle Peter denied Christ 3 times when he faced danger. But the prophet Daniel did not compromise his religious principles, when king Darius threatened to throw him in a den of hungry lions. Instead, he remained resolute in his commitment and turned to God in prayer.

Do you love Christ enough to die for Him? Believers, we may not be willing to die for Christ because our faith in God is not as strong as Daniel’s, but we should be willing to honor our commitment to Him, in any situation. Let us thrive to be like Daniel, and not like Peter before he repented.

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:58).

Daniel 6:19-28 NIV:

19 At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. 20 When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?”

21 Daniel answered, “May the king live forever! 22 My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.”

23 The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.

24 At the king’s command, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought in and thrown into the lions’ den, along with their wives and children. And before they reached the floor of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.

25 Then King Darius wrote to all the nations and peoples of every language in all the earth:

“May you prosper greatly!

26 “I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel.

“For he is the living God
and he endures forever;
his kingdom will not be destroyed,
his dominion will never end.
27 He rescues and he saves;
he performs signs and wonders
in the heavens and on the earth.
He has rescued Daniel
from the power of the lions.”

28 So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

Are you satisfied with your life?

Sometimes in our lives we all have pains, we all have sorrow. Sometimes our prayers help us to avoid them sometimes not. So, we become miserable and unhappy with our lives–that we start to play the blame game, which if not checked can make things more difficult.

However, most often than not, if we took the time to look around, we’ll see lots of people who are worse off than we are, and to our surprise, they are thankful and happy as a clown.

I have learnt that the happiest people don’t necessarily have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything. Furthermore, until you make peace with who you are, you’ll never be content with what you have.

The apostle Paul to the Church in Philippi: “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).

Are ye doers of God’s Word?

Over half-way...

Image by Brett Jordan via Flickr

The scripture says Christians should be doers of the Word, and not hearers only. Are you a doer of the Word?

What does it profit a man if he hears the Word and do not apply it to his life? Nought.

How can you be a true follower of God, if you do not do what His Word says?  “By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?” No. (Matthew 7:16 NIV).

“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.  Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.  Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.  Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror” (James 1:19-23).

Fellow believers, the Word of God is not superfluous. It comes to us in the right dosage, and we should apply it to our lives. If we don’t. Luke 12:47 tells us what will happen: “That servant who knows his master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what his master wants will be beaten with many blows.”

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How to cross the Jordan River in your life

The Children of Israel Crossing the Jordan (il...

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Every one of us, at some point or another, goes through difficult times in our life. It’s like you have come to the Jordan River but cannot cross, because the river has overflows its banks. And all you can do is gaze yonder and imagine what life is like on the other side.

From your vantage point, you can see the lush green grass and the blooming flowers, fruits hanging from trees, cattle grazing, and men working, and women and children playing. Life is good on the other side, you thought to yourself. If only I could get yonder, my life would be better.

But did you ever stop and think that your stumbling block could have been a test from God? Sometimes it is not meant for you to overcome the adversary, until you are fully ready for the challenges ahead. You may have too many baggage that is weighting you down, or you may not be ready, physically, spiritually and mentally for the rough journey through the thorns and thistles. For “If you have run with the footmen, and they have wearied you, then how can you contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, in which you trusted, they wearied you, then how will you do in the jungle of the Jordan?” (Jeremiah 12:5)

Still, you crossing the Jordan may not be in God’s plan. Moses did not cross. God gave him a glimpse of the promised land but that was it.  God told Moses to: “Go up to the top of Pisgah and look west and north and south and east. Look at the land with your own eyes, since you are not going to cross this Jordan. But commission Joshua, and encourage and strengthen him, for he will lead this people across and will cause them to inherit the land that you will see” (Deuteronomy 3:27-28)

Whatever your situation, whether a den of hungry lions or a fiery furnace; or a swelling Jordan, God can deliver you. He is always there with an outstretched hand courting and begging you to cast your cares upon Him. He says in His words: “In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths (Proverbs 3:6)

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Happy Thanksgiving America

The First Thanksgiving, painted by Jean Leon G...

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Giving Thanks

by Author Unknown

Giving Thanks
For the hay and the corn and the wheat that is reaped,
For the labor well done, and the barns that are heaped,
For the sun and the dew and the sweet honeycomb,
For the rose and the song and the harvest brought home –
Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving!

For the trade and the skill and the wealth in our land,
For the cunning and strength of the workingman’s hand,
For the good that our artists and poets have taught,
For the friendship that hope and affection have brought –
Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving!

For the homes that with purest affection are blest,
For the season of plenty and well-deserved rest,
For our country extending from sea unto sea;
The land that is known as the “Land of the Free” –
Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving!

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