Do You Know Him Personally?

How well do you know a person? There is what I call academic knowledge of a person and there is what I call intimate or personal knowledge of a person. So, what do I mean by these?

Academic knowledge as I call it is to know a person or a thing from afar. While intimate knowledge is having an innate knowledge of that thing or person, sort of like being that person.

Let's take a look at Nicodemus and our Lord Jesus in John 3. Jesus spoke to Nicodemus about the born-again experience. Nicodemus being a religious leader didn't understand what Jesus was talking about. This was because he had academic knowledge about God, but not personal or intimate knowledge about God. In other words, Nicodemus knew nothing outside what he was taught, because it wasn't something he had experienced.

Jesus on the other hand spoke not just about what He knew, but on what He experiences. With what Jesus said, a person who is born-again could be likened to a cub who has a Lion within. No matter what the cub does, it will become a Lion. But no matter how much another animal imitates a Lion in every aspect, it cannot be a Lion.

Nicodemus like anyone who isn't born-again, no matter how much they have knowledge about Jesus cannot experience the life of Christ in them, because they just have academic knowledge. But anyone who is born-again carries the Spirit of Christ Jesus in them, therefore, they have the natural and personal experience of God in them.

Colossians 2:6-7 says, "My counsel for you is simple and straightforward: Just go ahead with what you’ve been given. You received Christ Jesus, the Master; now live him. You’re deeply rooted in him. You’re well constructed upon him. You know your way around the faith. Now do what you’ve been taught. School’s out; quit studying the subject and start living it! And let your living spill over into thanksgiving." MSG. Why is this important to note?

Many times Sons and Daughters of God relate to God as one who doesn't have His offspring, like a stranger who knows about God, but not intimately. The moment you receive Christ Jesus as Lord of your life by being born-again, you are to live Him, because all that He is, you have become.

Do not allow the devil to lie to you that you still have your old life with you. What you have is just the memory of your old life. Everything about you is completely brand new, and you can always remind yourself through the constant meditation on Jesus in the scriptures, and the leading of the Holy Spirit.

You have Jesus within you. And as you constantly meditate on Him, you bring out the real you in your going out, coming in, thoughts, words reactions, everything, because this real you is Jesus! It's a relationship and not a religion.

Why not accept Jesus today if you haven’t. Pray out loud, “Jesus, I confess that You are my Lord and Saviour. I believe in my heart that God raised You from the dead. By faith in Your Word, I receive salvation now. Thank You for saving me!” Congratulations, you’re born again, you are now brand new!

                                          

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GOD BLESS YOU.

 

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Unless otherwise stated, the following scriptures are obtained from the New King James Version (NKJV)

The Prayer That Yields Results

I have written on prayer several times and made it clear that prayer is a dialogue between the Sons and Daughters of God with our Father in Heaven. I also said prayer expresses faith based on who we are in Christ Jesus. It is a place where we sit to receive and release. But in this write-up, I'll explain how our prayer can always yield the desired result we seek.

First of all, the Spirit of God lives within us, and from the point of the leading of the Spirit of Jesus within us we pray. In other words, the Spirit of Jesus guides us to know if what we intend to ask is in line with His will. This is the result of being transformed by the renewal of our minds.

Now, James 1:5-8 says "⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. ⁶ But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. ⁷ For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; ⁸ he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways."

Prayer is done in faith, and by faith, you should not be double-minded. But that's not all, Hebrews 11:6 says, "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."

Prayer is done in faith. Again, prayer is done in faith. Has this sunk yet? Let me give you an example, a man had a skin disease, and his hope was that his skin disease would be cleared. Now, we all know that on the cross, that man's skin disease was placed on him, and in return, he has given the man brand new skin, with no disease. Sounds easy right?

It's so easy, but many of us do not go about it that way. So, like the man he brought his request to God, asking for healing of his skin. Now, what he does next would determine whether his prayer would be answered or not.

Now, stay with me on this, as the scriptures say, prayer is done in faith. So, what is faith? It simply is the positive affirmation of all that Jesus has given you as yours. If that isn't clear enough, ask yourself, do you know God? I am asking this because Hebrews 11:6 says "...he who comes to God must believe that He is..." that you know He is not a man that lies or repent, (ref.: Numbers 23:19). After all, whatever He says, He does it. This is what we as Sons and Daughters of God MUST ALWAYS remember.

So, when the man presents his request to the Lord God, what he is to do next is to keep thanking God that He has healed him. He is not to come back and ask God to heal Him. Asking God to heal him is a sign that he has a double mind, and a double-minded man should not expect anything from God.

The moment you present your request to God, from that point on keep on giving God thanks on that matter. Even if you don't see the physical result immediately, keep on giving God thanks. The devil may bring suggestions to your mind that you are not healed or whatever case you made your request to God for wasn't addressed by God.

Jesus told His disciples that whatever thing they ask when they pray, they will have what they prayed for when they believe they have received them (ref.: Matthew 21:22; Mark 11:24). This is faith, and without faith, it is impossible to please God (ref.: Hebrews 11:6).

Remember, whatever the devil says is ALWAYS a lie, so, if he says, it wasn't addressed by God, then know that God addressed it.

Also, you must have a firm grip on the word of God that strengthens your faith that God did it.

The heroes of faith in Hebrews 11, believed that God did it, even when they hadn't seen it physically. This is faith because to call something faith is to see what no one can see as real. And thing was given to us by Jesus.

If you want to see your prayer manifest, then trust that Jesus, as the man who never fails, and most of all, He answered our prayers before we asked Him. All you keep doing is to keep giving Him thanks over and over because you believe and know that He has done it.

Why not accept Jesus today if you haven’t. Pray out loud, “Jesus, I confess that You are my Lord and Saviour. I believe in my heart that God raised You from the dead. By faith in Your Word, I receive salvation now. Thank You for saving me!” Congratulations, you’re born again, and you are now brand new!

                                          

Log on next time.

 

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GOD BLESS YOU.

 

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Unless otherwise stated, the following scriptures are obtained from the New King James Version (NKJV)

3 John 1:2

3 John 1:2 says, "Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers." This verse is commonly used to indicate that God wants us to be wealthy and healthy. So it isn't normal to see a poor Christian or a sick one. Well, this is true, but where what I observed is that all these are said from a worldly mindset.

You find people come into a new year and shout "This is my year to make it". Sounds alright, but many times it is said from the worldly mindset. How I know is that they say things like, this is the year I'll buy my house or car or get married or get that job, or give birth to twins, and several things related to it.

I am not in any way saying we shouldn't prosper and be in health, in fact, it is expected for us to prosper and be in health because it is part of our salvation package. But what did Apostle John mean when wrote this?

Now, we must first understand and remind ourselves that we are aliens and strangers in this world, sent here by God to fulfil a general purpose and an individual purpose (ref.: 1 Peter 2:11).

I have used the analogy of us seeing ourselves from the James Bond perspective. You'll understand that James Bond is always sent on a mission. The mission is his focus, and he is always assured of the provision of all the things or gadgets he would need to carry on his mission.

James Bond uses the most sophisticated gadgets, but you don't see him saying he will have the best gadget or an expensive place to stay, why? It is because he already has it! It comes with the full package of his mission. He believes that once he is sent on a mission, everything he will need to achieve his mission has already been provided for him, no matter the country he finds himself.

We on the other hand, who the one who sent us is the creator of the universe, it really doesn't make any sense for us to start declaring that this is our year to achieve XYZ. Rather, our focus is meant to be on our mission, believing that all that we will ever need in this life has already been given to us. All we are to do is listen to the guy on the Woki-Toki to direct our steps. The believing factor is very important.

This was why Apostle John wrote in his letter that he prays that they prosper and be in health, just as their soul prospers. This means that as you believe or as your soul is being renewed, then this allows you to prosper and be in health as Christ Jesus because the more our soul prospers, the more we live as Christ Jesus.

Why not accept Jesus today if you haven’t. Pray out loud, “Jesus, I confess that You are my Lord and Saviour. I believe in my heart that God raised You from the dead. By faith in Your Word, I receive salvation now. Thank You for saving me!” Congratulations, you’re born again, you are now brand new!

                                          

Log on next time.

 

For prayers and comments, send them to the comment section below.

 

GOD BLESS YOU.

 

PLEASE LIKE AND FOLLOW MY BLOG

 

                                                                                                                 

Unless otherwise stated, the following scriptures are obtained from the New King James Version (NKJV)

What Does It Mean To Turn The Other Cheek?

There is a popular verse in the Bible where Jesus spoke on retaliation in Matthew 5:39 which says, "But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also."

One thing we must understand is that Jesus didn't come to this world to raise timid people or people who would allow ill-treatment of themselves for the sake of not causing violence. No! For the kingdom of our Lord Jesus is not a kingdom of foolish people.

If you remember, Jesus on two occasions scattered the temple court of people who were buying and selling, rather than praying (ref.: Matthew 21:12-13; John 2:13-21). He always advocated the right thing, not for us to be hypocritical. Then why did He ask us to turn the other cheek when someone slaps us? What does this really mean?

The law of Moses says, "An eye for an eye", but Jesus came to express Himself in all He did. The new commandment by Jesus says we should love our neighbour as Christ loves us. That's a responsibility that we need the leading of the Holy Spirit. The lowest way we can understand this [which rests on loving your neighbour as yourself] is that we should do to others what we would want others to do to us. Also, means that we shouldn't do to others what we don't want them to do to us.

So, when someone treats us anyhow, our point of response shouldn't be evil for evil, but not to treat the person the way we won't want them to treat us.

As we live our lives this way, we bring about peace. Again, this doesn't mean being timid, but showing the person that I didn't retaliate because I would not want you to slap me. This would set the offender thinking, and eventually have a change of heart. So, when you read further in verse 40 of Matthew 5, Jesus said if a person compels you to go a mile, go with him two. This states that you would love the person to do likewise to you when it comes to your turn.

To turn the other cheek doesn't mean being gullible or foolish, but to establish the fact that rather than retaliating, I'd rather do to you what I'd want you to do to me. So, if you want a slap, then give a slap, but I know you don't want a slap, then do not give a slap. Bless and do not curse, because you only give what you would want others to do to you, and on like that as Jesus explained to us in Matthew 5. There is great wisdom in that.

Why not accept Jesus today if you haven’t. Pray out loud, “Jesus, I confess that You are my Lord and Saviour. I believe in my heart that God raised You from the dead. By faith in Your Word, I receive salvation now. Thank You for saving me!” Congratulations, you’re born again, you are now brand new!

                                          

Log on next time.

 

For prayers and comments, send them to the comment section below.

 

GOD BLESS YOU.

 

PLEASE LIKE AND FOLLOW MY BLOG

 

                                                                                                                 

Unless otherwise stated, the following scriptures are obtained from New King James Version (NKJV)

Were You Called or Not?

There is an understanding by many that those who are leaders in the church are those who are called into the ministry. True, they are called into the ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ. But are they the only ones called? Who are the called, and who aren't?

The truth is that anyone who is born again is called. Being called doesn't only have to do with being a church leader or someone very active in church activities. The use of church here implies the typical four walls that is a church building.

1 Corinthians 1:9 says, "God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord." NKJV. As one who is born again, you are called by Christ Jesus. And as we get to know who Christ Jesus is, who is our new life, we receive a revelation of where we are called. And as we yield to this, allow ourselves to be led by the Holy Spirit.

Apostle Peter said in 1 Peter 2:11-12 which says "Friends, this world is not your home, so don’t make yourselves cozy in it. Don’t indulge your ego at the expense of your soul. Live an exemplary life in your neighborhood so that your actions will refute their prejudices. Then they’ll be won over to God’s side and be there to join in the celebration when he arrives." MSG.

Many times we get carried away by getting involved in the ways of the world. And by ways of the world I mean the typical life of going to school, getting a job, doing business, getting married, raising kids, how we relate with people, and so on, but what we think makes us different is going to the four walls every Sunday, and going religious doctrines. This isn't how we are to live.

Now, I'm not saying any of these listed above are right or wrong. My point here is that we do all these things by our leading and not by the Holy Spirit. It is when the leading of the Holy Spirit is missing in our lives that we walk blindly as those of the world.

We are to know our purpose here on earth as His Son or Daughter, and then ask the Holy Spirit for His leading. The word of God will always show us what He wants us to do, and not what we want to do (ref.: Psalm 119:105).

As a Son or Daughter of God, you called. But what has He asked you to do, and where? This is very important. Don't be carried away by the people of the world, of whom our primary purpose is to lead them on the path that leads to Christ, thereby getting them saved.

If you're in that office, is that where He asked you to go? Likewise, whatever thing you do. Don't be carried away by the pleasures of this world such as the acquisition of wealth and the like. For God who sent already got things planned, everything you will ever need to carry out His plans for you has already been taken care of. Trust me, you can't starve when you walk with Him. So, get walking with Him.

So, if you're born again, you're called by God. Ask what He wants you to do, and how to go about it. And as an amazing Father that He is, He will let you know. He is not a boring God, He has a high sense of humour. And He meets all our needs. Trust Him and walk with Him.

God bless you. 

Why not accept Jesus today if you haven’t? Pray out loud, “Jesus, I confess that You are my Lord and Saviour. I believe in my heart that God raised You from the dead. By faith in Your Word, I receive salvation now. Thank You for saving me!” Congratulations, you’re born again, you are now brand new!

                                          

Log on next time.

 

For prayers and comments, send them to the comment section below.

 

GOD BLESS YOU.

 

PLEASE LIKE AND FOLLOW MY BLOG

 

                                                                                                                 

Unless otherwise stated, the following scriptures are obtained from New King James Version (NKJV)

Your Impact

The mind is a powerful tool God gave man. It is actually what becomes the man eventually. It is a part of the soul. But the most powerful part. It affects the will and emotions.

The mind being what becomes the man, can also have an impact on other minds either positively or negatively, and this happens through what we do. So, what does the impact of a Son or Daughter of God look like?

Let's look at Romans 14:21, "Consider it an act of love to refrain from eating meat or drinking wine or doing anything else that would cause a fellow believer to be offended or tempted to be weakened in his faith." TPT. As a Son or Daughter of God, our actions should be a strength to others, not in any way that makes them weak in faith, which could make some fall out of the faith entirely. And this is the impact on others in faith who look up to you. So, we must be careful in our dealings.

There are instances where people who were growing in faith became negatively impacted by those they looked up to, just because certain actions were done directly or indirectly.

Ephesians 4:29 says, "And never let ugly or hateful words come from your mouth, but instead let your words become beautiful gifts that encourage others; do this by speaking words of grace to help them."TPT. Our words should be beautiful gifts that encourage others. Our actions should be a strength to others, especially those who are growing in the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ.

As 2 Corinthians 3:3 says, "You show and make obvious that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, not written with ink but with [the] Spirit of [the] living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts." AMPC. The lives of Sons and Daughters of God should reflect the word of God, just as if they are the living word of God. And this way of living strengthens the faith of others. This is the impact God expects from His Sons and Daughters. And it should be done without eye service, for a life with eye service doesn't reflect Christ Jesus.

So, how's your impact on others today? Ask the Lord to guide you, and He will manifest through you.

God bless you

Why not accept Jesus today if you haven’t. Pray out loud, “Jesus, I confess that You are my Lord and Saviour. I believe in my heart that God raised You from the dead. By faith in Your Word, I receive salvation now. Thank You for saving me!” Congratulations, you’re born again, you are now brand new!

                                          

Log on next time.

 

For prayers and comments, send them to the comment section below.

 

GOD BLESS YOU.

 

PLEASE LIKE AND FOLLOW MY BLOG

 

                                                                                                                 

Unless otherwise stated, the following scriptures are obtained from New King James Version (NKJV)

Don't Take Him For Granted

You know, any time I read about the children of Israel in the wilderness, I just feel pity for them in their disobedience because it was either the ground opened to swallow the disobedient ones, or snakes came to bite them and they died, or a sickness or something else.

All these happened to them because while God offered them rest in Him, they chose to suffer under the fallen earth, making themselves become prey. Also, their nature was fallen one. But it was a reason for them to be obedient to God, but they weren't.

Now, Jesus rescued the whole world by becoming sin, the root cause of the world's problem, then giving His righteousness in exchange for the sin He became (ref.: 2 Corinthians 5:21).

Now, by confessing Jesus as Lord of your life, and believing in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you are saved (ref.: Romans 10:9). You now have the nature of God/Christ Jesus meaning that your Spirit who is the real you is now the same as Christ Jesus Himself. But even though you are saved, your soul and body weren't saved. Whoa, what are you going to do?

Let's take a look at Colossians 2:6-7. It says, "In the same way you received Jesus our Lord and Messiah by faith, continue your journey of faith, progressing further into your union with him! Your spiritual roots go deeply into his life as you are continually infused with strength, encouraged in every way. For you are established in the faith you have absorbed and enriched by your devotion to him!" TPT.

After receiving Christ Jesus as our Lord, Colossians 2:6 tells us to continue our journey of faith in Christ Jesus. Why? This is because, the need to renew our minds is very important, to allow the mind to accept the new nature of Christ. In order words, the mind is ignorant of what has happened, and it must enlightened, this is the journey of faith Colossians 2:6 means.

And as we continue our journey of faith, we are becoming Christ Jesus in our character words and deeds, because in the Spirit, we are already one, so, we just live His life here on earth.

Now, remember the children of Israel at the beginning of this write-up, and how they behaved? Yeah, I said they couldn't enter into God's rest because of their stiff-necked attitude. But we on the other hand are not expected to be like them because our nature is that of Jesus.

Jesus died for the sins of the whole world. By faith, we have entered into Grace, and God is no more angry with us any more. But some have seen this and taken His Grace for granted.

Apostle Paul said in Romans 6:2, that those who have died to sin cannot live in it any longer. This is true of our nature, so, it is abnormal for a Son or Daughter of God to live the life of sin even when they know it is ungodly and not their nature anymore.

But remember the soul is still being renewed, which affects the body directly. So, if you take Christ Jesus for granted by choosing not to live His way of life, in the name of Grace, what you do not know is that you're allowing the devil to have access to your body. That's the only way the devil can disturb a Son or Daughter of God.

Do not be a victim of the devil's deception by allowing it to enter your life through the works of the flesh. Your nature is that of Jesus, the Holy Spirit guides and leads you always. So, do not choose to walk outside His protection, nothing bad can happen to you. But do not create an open door. Always be on the alert. Meditate on the word of God day and night, be guided by the Holy Spirit, and you will see yourself grow in grace in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

God bless you.

Why not accept Jesus today if you haven’t? Pray out loud, “Jesus, I confess that You are my Lord and Saviour. I believe in my heart that God raised You from the dead. By faith in Your Word, I receive salvation now. Thank You for saving me!” Congratulations, you’re born again, you are now brand new!

                                          

Log on next time.

 

For prayers and comments, send them to the comment section below.

 

GOD BLESS YOU.

 

PLEASE LIKE AND FOLLOW MY BLOG

 

                                                                                                                 

Unless otherwise stated, the following scriptures are obtained from New King James Version (NKJV)