CREATE OR JOIN A CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY (Chapter 1)

 

I don't know why we, Christians, act ignorant of the reasons why we are losing most of our Christian brothers and sisters to occultic groups, to the point where these brothers and sisters who were once zealous for Christ and the things of His Kingdom are now bold enough to openly state that they would choose their occultic group at anytime or in any circumstance over their previous no matter the number of times they reincarnate (if there is anything like that).

 

I have always tried to imagine the Christian communities many of the first believers of old created or joined after accepting Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. We read the book of Acts, and based on teachings, we have been made to believe it is a "perfect picture" of what the "church" should be. Because the Apostles had not set off after their ascension of Jesus Christ to start a church, I have always believed that our concept of a "perfect church" was just a community of men and women who had one common denominator, their belief and acceptance of Jesus Christ as the Son of God, and sustaining that community with four principal pillars that they learned from the common denominator whom they lived with for three years.

 

Now, let's dramatise the first and second chapters of the Book of Acts. After witnessing Jesus effortlessly defying gravity without the Iron Man suit to ascend to heaven, the disciples' assignment was to return to Jerusalem and wait for the promise of the Heavenly Father—the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8-11). While they walked, I can imagine the several stories they shared, reminiscing about the time they spent in person with the Son of God. John could smell Jesus as he remembered the several times he had his head on him. Thomas could finally put to rest the absurdity of Jesus' resurrection being a mere fable. He touched and felt the marks of His suffering. No one could tell him or them that they were dreaming or imagining things. They knew what they had heard, seen, touched and tasted concerning the begotten Son of God. And it was all joy. (Acts 1:11/1 John 1:1). As they approached Jerusalem, their minds were united in one purpose: To await the coronation of their Master. Their daily prayers were not to hasten Jesus's ascension and coronation, but to prepare themselves for the global revival they were about to lead with the promised Holy Spirit (Acts 2:33).

 

Acts 1:13-14 (NKJV)

[13] And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; and Judas the son of James.

[14] These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.

 

They kept praying until a particular day. This day felt no different until they heard a sound that was a bit different from the several days they had already been in prayer. The atmosphere felt unique this morning, but they thought nothing strange of it and kept praying. A few minutes later, they could hear themselves speaking a weird language, but they all had no urge to stop. It was as if a more substantial power had taken over them. They felt the need to keep on praying and not stop. They felt renewed, refreshed, rejuvenated, and equipped with more to keep on journeying in the place of prayer. Unbeknownst to them, this experience was happening to only them. Walking outside to listen to the views of those gathered upon hearing these strange sounds, one could have compared it to the closest charismatic church having their usual two-to-three-hour prayer sessions glorifying and seeking God in tongues. As the people, that is, those who are Jews by birth, Jews by association and Jews by practice from around the world, rushed to draw closer to the abode of the disciples for more information.

 

As the numbers outside increased, one could inaudibly hear murmuring here and there as if they were trying to feed on each other's opinions to give a perspective on whatever was happening. In the first instance, they didn't understand why a group of fellow Jews had decided to be secluded when the Pentecost Celebration (Leviticus 23) instructed by God through Moses was happening. With their Master dead, is this their new form of rebellion or new strategy to disrespect the elders? As some looked at this incident quizzically, one started shouting frantically, "I can hear them speaking my language." Then, looking towards a fellow citizen, it is confirmed. This was happening with every nationality. It was the first kind, and no one could understand it. Imagine attending a religious ceremony in China, only to see a group of Chinese who have never crossed their national borders to Ghana fluently speaking the history of Ghana to you in Ga, Ewe, Akan, Fante, and Hausa, among others, with parables only the elders in the communities back home could interpret. (I know that is possible in this era, but this is just an illustration). That is how surprising it was for them as this unfolded before them. "How were those who speak Galileans speaking to them in their native language about the wonderful works of God? What could this mean?" some asked as they kept their eyes on this spectacle. While a few were wondering if this was another strange plan of God to speak to them from the mountain as He did with their fathers at Mount Sinai, some were mocking the incident by saying, "They are full of new wine." As usual, they made that statement to quickly rubbish this unique experience that was more than a supernatural coincidence for some of these visiting Jews. Knowing God through history, they knew this meant something, yet they didn't have any of the great prophets of old to give a unique perspective to what was occurring. (Acts 2:5-13)

 

As if Peter could read their minds as Jesus did with them, he stood and began to give the perspective they were looking for by relating the occurrence to the prophecy of one of the prophets. I intend this article not to break down Apostle Peter's first message at an uninvited yet miraculous Homecoming conference for all Jews worldwide for ten or twenty points but to discuss the first community-building exercise initiated by the apostles after this powerful experience and timely message from the Holy Spirit.

 

Acts 2:41-42 (NKJV)

[41] Then those who gladly received his word were baptised; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.

[42] And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.

 

Acts 2:41-42 (AMP)

[41] So then, those who accepted his message were baptised; and on that day about 3,000 souls were added [to the body of believers].

[42] They were continually and faithfully devoting themselves to the instruction of the apostles, and to fellowship, to eating meals together and to prayers.

 

According to the Book of Acts chapter 1, verse 15, the scripture makes it explicitly clear that the number of people gathered with the disciples at the abode where they were praying and waiting for the Holy Spirit after the resurrection was one hundred and twenty (120). Now, I will also want to state with the authority of the scriptures that the disciples had not stated vocally or tried to insinuate they were starting a ministry after the resurrection of Christ. They were just a group of people who had accepted and believed that Jesus Christ was the Son of God. This was the common denominator among them. Aside from that, only a few were of the same mother and father, business, hometown, age, etc. The only thing that united them was someone they had accepted and believed as the Son of God, Jesus Christ. So, when Peter had finished delivering such a convicting message, those who believed and accepted Jesus Christ as the Son of God were baptised and added to the community whose only common denominator was Jesus Christ and nothing else.

 

Now, let me address my initial comment that the concept of the "church" used in some translations of Acts chapter 2, verse 42 isn't the same as the one we have today. For clarity, some translations were specific and said, "…three thousand souls were added to them (the body of believers)." In other words, they were added to them because they believed in the common factor/ denominator that had kept them together for three years. I know that the common denominator is the basis for every church that believes that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and has accepted Him as Lord and Saviour. However, although the common denominator was the first step of acceptance to the community, the sustenance of the community was based on a set of principles they had learned while following the common denominator, Jesus Christ, for three years — doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread (eating meals together, not communion service) and prayers. I love how one translation puts it: "They spent their time learning from the apostles, and they were like family to each other. They also broke bread and prayed together." So, their concept of a "church" is a community of men and women who believe and accept Jesus Christ as the Son of God, the Saviour and Lord of all, while firmly holding onto the practice of constant teachings, fellowship, eating meals together and praying.

 

I can tell you that the reason why the many souls the "church," that is, you and I, have witnessed have failed to stay in the body of Christ purposefully pursuing God is because we have lacked these four structures — doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread (eating together) and prayers — in a family-like setting. I am not talking about the family devotion that some of us have or had when we used to stay with our "over-religious parents." This is in no way belittling the place of home devotion among families. The "church" is meant to be a family setting. If not, why did Jesus come to draw our attention to a loving Heavenly Father who was once ignorantly known by many as a wicked being killing rebellious followers? Why would the "church" be called the bride of Christ? 

This is why some people have never felt the need to commit to any church, even though they have joined one or two departments. The only reason why some are still at their church, though they are not enjoying all these structures, is because they feel attached to their roles at their church because they may have been made to believe that service at church is the only way to succeed at the expense of their foremost need for a relationship with their Lord and Master Jesus. The minute these people lose their roles in that church, nothing makes them want to come to that church building. Immediately their only option to continue their weekly marking of Sunday attendance is to find another church that wouldn't remind them of the hurt from the previous church. (...to be continued)

 

Remain in the blessings of God as you remain in Christ.

MD.

DON'T WALK ALONE!

Proverbs 27:17 (TLB)

A friendly discussion is as stimulating as the sparks that fly when iron strikes iron.

 

Proverbs 27:17 (CEV) 

Just as iron sharpens iron, friends sharpen the minds of each other.

 

Proverbs 27:17 (ERV)

As one piece of iron sharpens another, so friends keep each other sharp.

 

 

I am amongst the many youths who still ask their parents why they decided to make a covenant with God on their behalf without their permission. And like most of them out there, the answer always has these words, "It was for your good. God needed men, so I made a covenant like Hannah to offer you to Him. I almost died, so I made that covenant to save your life and mine." I didn't take my mum's stories seriously until I met ordinary people asking me to hold onto God because His hand was upon my life. To some of these people, I would try to mock their statement by raising my head to look into the sky as if looking for the hand of God. Then I started meeting Men of God who would just smile and say when the time is right, nothing but God will satisfy you.

 

Well, at 12, I gave my life to Christ at Winners Chapel International, Avenor (now Winners Chapel Ghana). I wish I could find the words to describe the fire and zeal I had then to know God. Time would not allow me to speak about my desire to evangelise anybody as long as I had the urge. As for service, I doubt I have given so much time and energy to things of God at any church as I did there. I can boldly state today that my desire then was to stay in the house of the Lord for the rest of my life. I didn't mind spending my whole day at church working and fellowshiping with fellow brothers and sisters in the faith. The house of God was home, and my spirit was always peaceful in His presence. Because we usually work during services on Sunday, some team of workers took time off every Saturday after preparing the place for service to study the word, pray, worship and sometimes break bread. Our unit leader was more like our shepherd. He ensured that our social status or educational background meant nothing to our team. We were all one in the sight of God. I was always eager for our Saturday fellowship because we all had to share what we had learned during the week through our daily devotion aside from the bible discussions on the topic our Teens Church Pastor preached. It was always refreshing.

 

Some years later, the family had to stop Winners Chapel International and move to another church. Although I enjoyed that church, I couldn't find the fire and zeal I found at Winners Chapel International. The message was powerful and had a great atmosphere, but I couldn't be as zealous there as I was at Winners. The once zealous Christian who would spend hours at church was now finding comfort in activities that had nothing to do with the Christian faith. Attending Sunday Services was now a chore that needed to be completed for others to know I was still in the faith. After eventually leaving that church to settle for another, I noticed a strange cycle in my life. I would find myself doing everything against the Word of God, and then, by God's mercy, I would meet someone or hear a message, and I would suddenly decide to go all out for Jesus. That cycle continued until I accepted the nudge to go to Bible school in 2017 to study the Bible and know God for myself. I knew I had to find a solution to that cycle quickly; otherwise, my lukewarm nature would kill me one way or the other.

 

God being so good, I met fellow brothers in the faith who were not only hungry for more of God but were far into the things of God than I was. Although I could pray, see one or two visions, study, and teach the word of God, my interaction with these anointed people caused a deeper hunger for God. I had read books and heard messages from several men of God about how they met God, but my desire to go deeper came from those godly interactions. My spiritual father had taught me about midnight prayers and having a consistent prayer life. He even tried to introduce it into my lifestyle by waking me up at dawn to pray. But, my interaction with James during night security at the Prayer Garden on campus quickly made that a lifestyle. I remember how James and I were discussing our prayer life one day, and I spoke about how I would spend an hour or, at most, two or three praying; James smiled and talked about the periods he would spend six, eight, twelve or twenty-four hours praying. I stared at him in astonishment, like I had heard the most absurd story. I thought only specially gifted people could do that, and here is this young man confidently telling me this. "My goodness, how am I not seeking God enough now that I am a youth like him?" I would ask myself. That is how James started writing our names for night security at the prayer garden every day. I would pray, dose off and wake up to hear James still praying. Who was I to come and kill myself? But that was how I birthed my desire for long prayers and went on to encourage others to do so. If, by association, a man can pick up harmful practices from a friend, then I believe the Christian can pick up several "special gifts" by associating with those with them.

 

I later met Emmanuel and Solomon. I thought I knew seasoned men of God who stood for the truth till Emmanuel and Solomon opened my eyes. These two would share specific experiences in the faith as if they were meant to be expected of all Christians. If not till I started experiencing some of these things and advocating for other Christians to make them a lifestyle, I always thought they were crazy to make such "special graces" look normal. I remember some of the random bible discussions we would have during our walks on campus. In my mind, I would think I am sharing some "wild revelation" from the Bible, and like a joke, they would pick the same scripture and begin to break it down from different angles. I may have brought up the topic, but I would start to open my mouth in shock because I never saw it from those angles if not for that sharing opportunity. It was always the humility they had to listen and encourage me to speak before they added; otherwise, I would have always been silent. That hunger always led me to spend hours reading and studying the Bible. Time wouldn't allow me to share more of these stories, so let me go straight to my point.

 

Looking back at those days in Bible school, I realised I never had a "spiritual relapse." I thought it was because I was on a religious campus, but that couldn't be the case because I could have fallen quickly. I realised it was the spiritual community I had at my church back home and the community I had on campus. Every Monday to Friday afternoon, you would find me in the company of some of these anointed people on campus, discussing scriptures or a particular message, church history, or sharing encounters. Then, every Friday evening to Sunday evening, I would go home either to help with teachings and prayers during the main church all night or that of the youth ministry on Fridays, Saturday prayers and church cleaning and Sunday morning teachings and evening prayers. These discussions had no immoral topics to draw one's thoughts to such things, so the desire for the things of God was always strong. We were always discussing scriptures and talking about spiritual experiences. We could easily discuss issues and get spirit-led directions before the end of those discussions. 

 

So, when I started foreseeing the cycle coming back a year or two ago, I asked the Lord, whose response was Proverbs 27, verse 17. He added, "You have chosen to walk alone, and those who walk alone easily get tired and fed up." Immediately, the following scriptures began to flood my mind: Jesus sending His disciples out two by two (Mark 6:7), Peter and John (Acts 8:14-15), Paul and Barnabas (Acts 13:14-15), and Priscilla and Aquila (Romans 16:3-4). Those scriptures paint a unique picture of the importance of having a partner in our faith walk and the need to maintain such association at all costs. "If you remember the story of Elijah, DON'T WALK ALONE!" He stated lastly.

 

Fellow Christian brothers and sisters, don't be deceived; spiritual peer pressure is a thing. It is a God-given strategy to keep Christians rooted in the faith while encouraging simultaneous growth. I haven't lived for long, but in my over fifteen years as a Christian, I have enough knowledge to stress the importance of every Christian taking the faith walk in pairs or a group. This may sound far-fetched, but your current lukewarmness was birthed the minute you decided to be on your own…(to be continued)

 

Remain in the blessings of God as you remain in Christ.

MD.

WHO TOLD YOU?

 

Genesis 3:8-13 (NLT)

[8] When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the LORD God walking about in the Garden. So they hid from the LORD God among the trees.

[9] Then the LORD God called to the man, "Where are you?"

[10] He replied, "I heard you walking in the Garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked."

[11] "Who told you that you were naked?" the LORD God asked. "Have you eaten from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat?"

[12] The man replied, "It was the woman you gave me who gave me the fruit, and I ate it."

[13] Then the LORD God asked the woman, "What have you done?" "The serpent deceived me," she replied. "That's why I ate it."

 

 

These passages are excerpts from the full story in the third chapter of the Book of Genesis, which discusses the fall of man in the Garden of Eden. The 11th verse, where our Heavenly Father asked Adam, 'Who told you that you were naked?', is pivotal. This simple yet fully loaded question opens the Christian's eyes to the devil's deceptive strategy and how, if not correctly handled, it can lead to our eventual fallout with God.

 

Let's dramatise the scripture so you can understand what we need to discuss. Adam and Eve eat from the forbidden tree and realise they are naked. Quickly, their fashion design sense kicks in, and they make some Ad-Eve clothing from fig leaves. Before they could think of making more for their daily activities in the Garden, they heard our Heavenly Father walking in the Garden. Knowing that God is a Spirit, they still wanted to play hide-and-seek with Him by hiding among the trees. God played along and called out, "My baby man, Adam, where are you?" Adam hesitantly responded, "I heard you walking in the Garden, so I hid." God stopped in His tracks. Something wasn't right. The man he has created in His image and likeness is deliberately hiding from Him. He thought it was one of the usual days when Adam and Eve wanted to play with their Father.

 

Adam added, "I was afraid because I was naked." God immediately knew that something unusual had happened in His absence. Adam is speaking the thought of another being. Adam is stressing a known fact that was previously never a problem. God needed to get to the root of the matter, so He asked, "Adam, who told you that you were naked?" Adam is silent. Eve is silent. One could hear the droplets of water sipping through the rocks into the flowing river if one would pay attention in this silence. "My son, have you eaten from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat?" Adam was scared. He has betrayed the one instruction our Heavenly Father gave him. "But it wasn't my fault", Adam thought to himself. "It was the woman you gave me who gave me the fruit, and I ate it," he quickly stated. Eve couldn't believe her ears. "Is this the man who said I was the bone from his bone? Is this the man who said I was the flesh from his flesh?" she thought. Then the Lord God asked the woman, "What have you done?" "THE SERPENT DECEIVED ME. That's why I ate it," she quickly replied. Our Heavenly Father finally found the root of their strange words and perception - the devil.

 

My brothers and sisters in the Lord, our thoughts, statements, and actions are not random, as some have been made to believe. Every thought, statement, and action you have made or will make is based on a specific knowledge intercepted while it is being transmitted either from the kingdom of light or darkness. The Christian who constantly finds excuses to distance themselves from a relationship with the Holy Spirit through reading, studying, and meditating on Scriptures, prayers, worship, and fasting would always be a perfect prey for the numerous demonic insights. However, with discernment from a close relationship with the Holy Spirit, we can recognise and reject these deceptive influences. The failure of the Christian to spend time with the Holy Spirit is why many Christians still find it challenging to live the crucified life.

 

Like he did with Eve in Genesis chapter three, the devil always starts by either questioning what God has said or stating what he wants you to believe. The only way a Christian would be brought to the consciousness of his deception is through a relationship with the Holy Spirit born from consistent reading and studying of the Bible, prayer, worship, and fasting. Scripture is our guide, providing us with the thoughts of God on all matters of life. We can only fight the thoughts of the devil with the thoughts of God, not the thoughts of men. No wisdom from the wisest man or woman on earth can ever outdo the devil's wisdom. All dead men (sinful men) transmit from the kingdom of darkness, so do not be surprised when their opinions or 'wise counsels' offer results in a world principally ruled by the devil, the prince of darkness.

 

Who told you you will fail in life?

Who told you you are a failure?

Who told you you are daft?

Who told you you cannot live a holy life?

Who told you you cannot be successful without being corrupt?

Who told you you cannot surpass the achievements of your parents?

Who told you you could not take over territories, although you were born into a low-income family?

Who told you a Christian cannot own industries and run them with godly principles?

Who told you virginity is a scam?

Who told you marriage is for the weak?

Who told you women are weak?

Who told you?

 

If the statement you have heard doesn't have a well-explained scriptural basis, you have no right to believe it and speak it. The fact that it makes sense doesn't mean it is a truth to run with. Be like the Berean Christians; go home and search the scriptures until you find the truth.

If the success keys of the Christian are at par with those of one from the kingdom of darkness, then that Christian needs to question the transmission they have intercepted. How are you a successful Christian, and the man or woman in darkness cannot testify of a certain strange Grace at work in your life? How is the man or woman in darkness comfortable that you two are doing the same thing the same way and getting the same result? Where is Grace?

 

Let's go back to the days when we spent hours reading the Bible, studying verses in the context of a chapter or story, and long hours of worship and prayers based on the scriptures studied until the Lord speaks. Let's spend time in the Word of God. Let's acquaint ourselves with the speaking patterns of our Heavenly Father. I can differentiate between the voices around me because I have spent time with the people around me. You cannot know the voice of God if you haven't spent time with God.

 

CONFESSION

I am a child of God. I have been bought with the blood of Jesus. I have been transferred from the kingdom of darkness to light. I am hidden in Christ and Christ in God. I have the life of God, so I cannot based on the decree of men. I have the mind of Christ, so I think and live based on the thoughts of God. I live in the will of God. I am favoured wherever I find myself. I am Graced for every and any assignment the Lord has communicated. All that concerns me is soaked in the blood of Jesus. I carry the fire of God wherever I go. I operate with the wisdom of the Holy Spirit. I depend on the Holy Spirit. I am not a failure. I succeed at everything I do according to God's success standard. I flourish wherever I find myself. My presence changes any atmosphere I find myself in because I carry God wherever I go. I am a blessing to every man and woman who encounters me. God loves me dearly. I am forgiven and free of all guilt because of the blood of Jesus. I am seated in heavenly places far above all principalities and powers. I am blessed. I am victorious. I am full of joy, no matter the circumstances.

 

Remain in the blessings of God as you remain in Christ.

MD.

I SHOT THE DEVIL, BUT HE SMILED AT ME.

 

"The head pastor is not his usual self today," I thought as he walked into the hall, looking like the last surviving troop member sent on a deadly mission. One of the young pastors was leading a prayer session. Still, the atmosphere wasn't jubilant enough because he was stressing the Believer's authority in Christ and the need to know who they are in Christ before embarking on the journey of warfare. Seeing the man of God approach his seat in such a mood, I thought he would walk away for us to have real warfare, knowing that the "spiritual bulldozer" was in the building, but this young man continued. Before he could raise the prayer point, the spiritual bulldozer had already climbed the altar with a microphone. To make the young Pastor aware, we stood on our feet to acknowledge the presence of absolute authority. I wondered why we didn't stand while the young Pastor was leading the prayers, but who was I to ask the older woman by me who was hissing and looking at the entrance since the young man took the microphone for his prayer session?

 

The prayer bulldozer tested his microphone with a strong statement: "The devil made a mistake when he attempted to attack me this evening, knowing very well that tonight is war night." To that statement, the older woman jumped to her feet like a fetish priestess that has been intoxicated with some chants. "Turn to your neighbour and tell him or her that we are not here to joke," the head pastor said. The minute I turned to that older woman, I knew the devil would be buried that night. I couldn't pinpoint whatever it was she was there to battle, but I knew the devil and his cohorts had touched the wrong daughter of Eve. For the young lady to my left, I knew she was there to find a husband because she had a white sheet with the names of four gentlemen. I could easily give her an answer to the prayer request because I realised that one of the names had a love symbol drawn with a red pen. "She is just here to cause useless heavenly traffic," I said.

 

"Take out your best weapon tonight because we will start by shooting the devil," he added after we turned to each other to make the previous comment. "Wait, did he say shoot the devil? How can we shoot the devil? I don't even know the types of weapons to think of the best. Why didn't they give this memo on their pamphlets when they planned this program? I only know AK47. My God! I can't win the battle I brought to the Lord," I said to myself as I began to look around, hoping to get some suggestions of the types of guns. My panic took a different turn when I saw the older woman take the poster stance of Rambo with a machine gun. It was then the image of a machine gun came to mind. Immediately, I took a similar stance, waiting for the commander-general to give the instruction. "Fire!!," he commanded. The auditorium echoed with all kinds of gun sounds. My goodness, for a second thought, I was at a playground. "Wait!" he said, and the church went quiet. "You are not taking this exercise seriously. Everybody should close their eyes. I want you to clear your mind and begin to imagine the devil in front of you. Now begin to fire all your bullets, and don't stop reloading," he added with an angry face.

 

With my eyes closed, I could see a disfigured face looking at me and smiling. I opened my eyes immediately, and it was as if the image was stuck in my mind. The annoying part was that the image was before me each time I looked either to my left or right. "This Pastor has put me in trouble. Asem b3n nie" was my immediate thought. Well, I either looked tough and got to work, or I knew this creature would make a mockery of me here. I began to spit out all kinds of gun sounds. I immediately saw the bullets bouncing off the beast as it kept smiling. I knew this was the end for me. But then, the young man's message rang in my spirit. I remember that he emphasised the importance of the blood of Jesus, our identity in Christ and where we are seated in Christ. The scripture he read, Colossians 2:15, began replaying in my mind.

 

Colossians 2:15 (NKJV)

Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.

Colossians 2:15 (NLT)

In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.

 

Like a man drunk in the spirit, I smiled at it and boldly stated, "You are not worth my time. My Lord and Master made a mockery of you and your master years ago. I am in Christ and Christ in God. I am seated far above your realm. You are no one in my realm. You have no place in my realm. I rebuke you in the name of Jesus. I sit and swim in the blood of Jesus. Before I count one, get out of here." The smile on its face faded, and I immediately sat down to ignore it. "Eeeeiii! Where from this strength? Wow!" I said to myself. I have never felt much peace during an all-night like I felt that night. I felt satisfied for the first time in years before church service ended.

I came back from that imaginative thinking only to find out that the head Pastor was the grown version of an ignorant me, and the younger Pastor was me and what I needed to know currently to be a better version than that grown version I saw.

 

My brother and sister in the Lord, IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO KNOW THE STORY OF JESUS CHRIST. You must understand what His life and living on this earth and after means to your Christian walk.

If Jesus healed the sick, it should mean something to your Christian walk.

If the presence of Jesus made demons uncomfortable, it should mean something to you, who now carries Him wherever you go. How are demons comfortable in your presence, and you are not questioning it?

If Jesus brought the dead to life, how are you comfortable with things dying in and around you?

If Jesus taught all to bring them out of darkness, why are you comfortable with the people around you being in darkness with all the knowledge and insight you have in the Word of God?

If Jesus died to bring salvation to all, including you, why are you refusing to go to the very place He is asking you to go and spread His word to the lost?

 

Why have you abandoned your authority in Christ so that the devil and his cohorts can make a mockery of your Lord and Master? We are to perpetually mock the kingdom of darkness and keep them in that state until we go home. Don't be deceived; that isn't the definition of humility.

You are not doing the Kingdom of Light a favour by being silent when you need to speak to cast out demons and frustrate the enemy's operations. What light is in you if it tolerates darkness? Our Father sent us on earth to frustrate the works of the kingdom of darkness. Don't be silent now when your spirit makes you uncomfortable with what is happening.

 

DAILY CONFESSION: In the name of Jesus, I frustrate the works of the enemy in and around me today. I am soaked in the blood of Jesus. I carry the Holy Spirit of God. I am a terror to the kingdom of darkness wherever I find myself. I cannot and will not be a specimen for demonic arrows. My organs are responding perfectly because I carry the life of Christ. My body cannot carry sickness because there is no sickness in Christ. I live and walk according to the dictates of the Holy Spirit. I have the wisdom of God, and I cherish and uphold that above the carnal ways of men. I am forgiven and free. I will not be imprisoned by my guilts. I am favoured. I am blessed. I carry God, so wherever I find myself, I have introduced God. No man can bring me down. I cannot be cursed. I am the definition of every good thing the Lord want to make available in a territory. Thank you, Father. Thank you, Holy Spirit.

 

Remain in the blessings of God as you remain in Christ.

MD.

HIS LOVE BENCH

I claimed to have found a LOVING GOD in my darkest and lowest.
Sooner than I could think, my feelings began to question that LOVE.
Sooner than I could think, my mind wandered into useless thoughts.
Sooner than I could think, I began to backslide.


ME:
Did I really meet God?
Am I sure God loves me?
Am I doing enough to keep myself in His good books?
Is my name even in His Book of Life?
Does He still love me as He did?
Why don't I feel His love any longer?
Did the blood of Jesus really cleanse all my sins?
Am I clean enough?
Is my fasting sufficient?
Is my praying sufficient?
Is my worshipping and praising enough?
Is my reading of the bible enough?
Can I still call you Father?
Are you still my LORD?
I feel lost.
Help me!
Speak to me!


HOLY SPIRIT:
We find love, and quickly, we let go of the very thing that made us long for each other—US!
The love began with a YOU and an I, not place, time or activities.
The venue was everything because YOU and I were there.
The time was everything because YOU and I were there.
The activities were fun because YOU and I were there.
YOU and I made the venue memorable.
YOU and I made the time worth it.
YOU and I are the memory.
The love journey all began with YOU and I.
To feel lost is to lose sight of the (YOU and I) equation.
To question my existence is to lose sight of the (YOU and I) equation.
To doubt my love is to lose sight of the (YOU and I) equation.
Love is because WE (YOU and I) are.
We (YOU and I) are all we need to make everything worth it.
The focus is YOU and I, not places and activities.
Keep your eye on ME!


GOD STILL LOVES YOU!
Remain in the blessings of God as you remain in Christ.

WHY HAVE YOU ABANDONED YOUR POST?

While on campus during my days in Bible school, I asked a question in class about a sensitive topic in the body of Christ. Without hesitation, the reverend began his answer by saying, 'You are not thinking right.' Although we trashed that opening statement out after the lecture, it has always stuck with me because it made me aware of the need to find the source of every thought process each time I communicate or discuss a topic with anybody or listen to anybody on a matter. I have come to understand that everything we think, say or do is based on an understanding gathered from the few or many years one has lived on earth, whether being a Christian or not. It is, therefore, imperative for the Christian to choose to live based on the daily instructions of the Holy Spirit. A Christian who fails to commit to a life locked in a secret place with their maker will indeed follow the guidance provided by family spirits, eventually leading them into generational paths that have nothing to do with their destiny in Christ. Their lack of attention to the secret place has made that available in their life. The absence of one authority automatically makes the other available. It is like an automatic plant that takes over when the lights go out. Until Christians consciously choose to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit daily, they are prone to all demonic influences, no matter the abundance of knowledge about their heritage in Christ. (Anyway, I have veered off the main reason for this article.)

 

The Holy Spirit has drawn my attention to a dangerous thought pattern currently running in the kingdom of God – the belief that the success of every individual is solely dependent on the actions or influence of another individual. This belief, which is not in line with the teachings of the Bible, is a form of pride. It is wrong for such a thought to run in the kingdom of Light, where we know that the source and ability to do all things is from God, not mere men. It is a demonic thought that has infiltrated our camp, and yet we have meditated on it for too long that it has caused a viral infection that is slowly killing the kingdom army. I know what I am saying because I have thought about and acted on this for several years, and it took several teachings by the Holy Spirit to snap out of it.

It is sad to see commanders in the kingdom of God put down their armour and leave their post because the men they claimed to have made 'somebodies' have disappointed or betrayed them, and so they are no longer going to be a help to any other person the Lord brings on their path. Men have buried their gifts and operations of the spirit because another man failed to show gratitude to them for the effects of the gifts or operations that had nothing to do with them but God.

I am not encouraging ungratefulness towards men; I am only fighting the viral infection. Suppose the so-called men we have made 'somebodies' are still connected to God and are always eternally grateful to God for what God has done for them.

 

Why are we offended that they never said thank you or are refusing or forgetting to acknowledge our efforts in public as they interact with great men or women? The fact that 'we' helped a fellow human to find or open the books concerning their lives should instead be held as a privilege in the sight of God, not a badge of honour we hope to carry on our heads wherever we find ourselves in the space of men. When did honour before men become more valuable than honour before God in the kingdom of Light? The Holy Spirit clearly stated in the first three chapters of the book of Luke that John and Jesus found favour in the sight of God before men. In other words, they were first honoured by God before men. They were more concerned with God's words than men's. They were appreciative of the blessings of God before the blessings of men. Isn't John the Baptist, the man who would later say that 'no man can receive a thing in the realm of men unless it has been given freely from God?' How, then, is a man or woman who came to this world naked and will eventually return naked, thinking that he or she has the power to make and unmake a fellow human without thinking there is a greater power in play in his or her life?

 

Every person comes into this world with a complete book already written about their life. Many die without opening a page of that book because they failed to interact with their genuine Maker and Master. In contrast, some are fortunate to meet others who lead them to the King of Light, such as pastors, mentors, or friends who guide them along a path obscured by the darkness in the world. Some of these men or women who have helped others by leading them to the King of Light have failed to understand that it is an honour to be selected by God to be the man or woman through whom another encounters the kingdom of Light. We only help that person by leading them to the King of Light so they can get the Light needed to manoeuvre the darkness in this world while carefully opening the pages of their eternal book. If Christ is our Light, why do we take credit for His actions through us? Why do we think we need to share in the glory of God if the work was entirely orchestrated and performed by God?

 

It is a divine honour to help others recognize what God has destined them to be.

It is a divine honour to lead others to that ever-flowing river that is sustaining us.

So, why have you allowed the offence to take you away from your post?

Why does a sense of self-entitlement lead us to underestimate the immense responsibility we have received from God?

Why have we become so gratitude-thirsty that we have hindered a gift we have freely received from the Lord to help others boldly come before the throne of Grace to encounter the Grace of God from freely operating?

Why are you offended that all the people God has enabled you to raise in His kingdom by His Grace and guidance are ungrateful to you and not to God?

Weren't we ungrateful when we ignored the blood of Jesus and went about doing as the enemy led us?

Weren't we ungrateful when we refused to thank God for the numerous things He had done and was doing for us?

 

Man of God, Woman of God, Boy of God, Girl of God, Spiritual father/mother, Senior Usher/Protocol Officer, Sunday School Teacher, let go of that self-entitlement and return to your post immediately. How you feel has nothing to do with the will of God concerning a generation. Your ego is killing millions in the kingdom of Light. Your ego is making your gift a dangerous weapon against the kingdom of Light instead of darkness. Offense because of the lack of gratitude is burying many in the kingdom of God. We are losing a great army to the kingdom of darkness because of the offence you have buried in your heart. Your Light has become darkness because of that offence, which we can notice in your so-called 'spiritual nuggets/quotes.' You have been teaching us with your pain, not the words of Christ.

 

Cleanse your heart, and let us move on with the Kingdom assignment!

Remain in the blessings of God as you remain in Christ.