₦airaland Forum

ihedinobi2: She didn't. God is His Word. The Word is God. God came Himself to speak to His People.

Gbam..maybe u should translate it in yoruba for our dear Kunle

PastorKun: Olodo you have no idea what is going on behind the scene

there had berra be a 'behind the scene efforts' ELSE..you folks have till November...remember my 4 month count down




i can't wait to post this your comment WHEN AND IF I find out nothing was done, and results achieved... remember, i can travel to wherever in Nigeria u lot want to distribute this tract... Good luck bro

2months go soon waka..no action, talk is really cheap!

It has been observed, and correctly so, that the thinking process precedes the thanking process. It’s not until we give thought to something that we can begin to give thanks for it. In other words, we have to think about something before we can put expression to it.


So let’s take a few moments to think about God. God is all-knowing, all-powerful, and ever-present. There is none like Him. God is not in a grave—we don’t have to make a pilgrimage to worship Him or to pay Him honor or respect. No, He’s alive and well, and He is with us and in us! God is magnificent and He is above everything else. He is full of goodness, mercy, and wisdom. And He watches over those of us who are in His loving care.

Most fathers take great care to watch over their families and to take care of them. That’s part of our responsibility as a husband and a father. Matthew 7:11 says, “If ye then, being evil [or natural], know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?”

God—El Shaddai, the God who’s more than enough—watches over us. He is Jehovah Jireh, our provider. He is Jehovah Rapha, the God who heals us. He is the Lord of hosts, who will fight for us. He is Lord of lords and God of gods!

God is the Greater One who lives inside each and every one of us who belong to Him (1 John 4:4). He is Almighty God in the midst of us, mighty to save (Zeph. 3:17). Think about that! We should give thanks continually for the God we serve!

But, before you can begin to thank God wholeheartedly, you have to think about these things—about Who God is and about Who God is to you. You must realize that your relationship with God is what has brought you to where you are. You have been redeemed. You have been reconciled. You have been raised up with Christ and made to sit with Him in heavenly places (Eph. 2:6).

We can’t think about God without thinking about what Christ did for us in His death, burial, and resurrection. We were redeemed, reconciled, and raised up by the shed blood of the Lamb—of the Lord Jesus Christ. Because of Christ, we are victorious. Through Him, we can enter the Presence of God. All the promises of God are “yes and amen” through Him (2 Cor. 1:20)! Friend, that’s something to think about!

Just as it pleases an earthly father whose children show gratitude for the things he does for them, God—our Heavenly Father—wants His children to be thankful. What does being thankful do? It helps us keep our priorities straight. It helps us trust God so we can allow Him to be God in our lives. It enables us to live above the cares and concerns of life. And being thankful allows us to remain conscious of God and of spiritual things—of what exists beyond where we are right now.

When we offer thanks and praise to God, He inhabits those praises (see Ps. 22:3), and we enter into a deeper fellowship with Him than ever before. We communicate with Him on a deeper level, and allow Him to communicate with us. Our praise cultivates an atmosphere in which God can move on our behalf, and prepares us to receive His many blessings.

Spend some time thinking about God and about who He is. The Psalmist David said, “I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth” (Ps. 34:1). How could David praise God continually? Because he was praising and thanking God for Who He is. God is good, and God never changes (Mal. 3:6; Heb. 13:! So if you’re going to praise God based on Who He is, that means you can praise Him and give thanks continually, just as David did.

Thankfulness is the doorway connecting us from a place of reflecting on God and His goodness to a place of receiving from Him whatever we need right now. So I encourage you to think about God and His goodness every day. Then, we can give expression to our thoughts as we give Him thanks for who He is, for what He has done, and for what He shall do in our lives through our praise.

http://www.rhema.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1015:lets-think-about-god&catid=52&Itemid=140

The Ability is in the Instruction-Thursday, August 21st


Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold (Proverbs 8:10).

Spiritual instructions may come to you in the most unexpected or unusual way, but be prompt to obey. Never try to rationalize spiritual instructions with your mind; the wisdom of God is foolishness to men.

Consider the Lord’s instructions to Joshua for instance. After the death of Moses, God instructed Joshua to take over and subdue Jericho: “And the LORD said unto Joshua, See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valour. And ye shall compass the city, all ye men of war, and go round about the city once. Thus shalt thou do six days. And seven priests shall bear before the ark seven trumpets of rams’ horns: and the seventh day ye shall compass the city seven times, and the priests shall blow with the trumpets. And it shall come to pass, that when they make a long blast with the ram’s horn, and when ye hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city shall fall down flat…” (Joshua 6:2-5).

From the natural standpoint, God’s instruction was an impossible feat for Joshua and the children of Israel. The thickness of the walls of Jericho was such that houses were built on them. But Joshua followed the Lord’s instructions and the result was victory for the children of Israel.

Our opening verse says to receive instruction and not silver. The Word of God is God’s instruction manual for an extraordinary life of glory, dominion, and victory; so don’t neglect the Word. The Bible says, “Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life” (Proverbs 4:13). Don't complain when you receive spiritual instructions, because with such instructions, come the ability to accomplish whatever God tells you to do.

Be conscious of this when responsibilities are given you, especially in the house of God. Once you’ve received the instruction to do something, recognize that you've received the ability for that task. Stir up the wisdom of God in you through speaking in tongues, and you’ll see pictures of possibilities and visions of success; the Holy Spirit will show you what to do, and how to accomplish the task.


Prayer. ..
Thank you dear Father for your divine power at work in me to accomplish every task that you’ve planned for me. I recognize the working of your Spirit in me, and thus declare that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. He’s my ability; therefore, I make progress by the power of the Spirit, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.


Further Study :
1 Samuel 15:22-23.
22 And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king.

2 Timothy 3:16-17
16. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.


Daily Scripture Reading :

1 year Bible reading plan :1 Corinthians 6 Psalms 119:1-112

2 Year Bible Reading Plan : Colossians 1:9-18 Jeremiah 6

Continue in Faith- Wednesday, August 20th

O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? (Galatians 3:1-3).

As you study the entire book of Galatians, you’d understand why Paul made the statement above, chiding the Galatian Christians: they had strayed from the message of the Gospel, the Word of faith, which they had received. Some false teachers came, teaching them that they had to obey the Law to be justified; as a result, their faith began to waver. Decrying their deviation from the message of faith, Paul asked them, “…having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?”

He wanted them to remember how they received the Holy Spirit; it wasn’t through obedience to the Law, but by faith. The salvation they had received didn’t happen by keeping the Law: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). Your righteousness and right-standing with God aren’t the results of your good works; they’re by the faith of Christ, the result of what He did.

Galatians 2:16 says, “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.” The righteousness, which is by faith, doesn’t rely on the works of the Law, but on faith in the God that justifies the ungodly (Romans 4:5).

By faith, you received eternal life, and the Holy Spirit to live in you. By faith, the righteousness of God was imparted to your spirit. Therefore, continue in faith,grounded and settled, and refuse to be moved away from the hope of the Gospel, which you've heard (Colossians 1:23).


Confession. ..
I thank you Lord for the righteousness I’ve received; the righteousness which is by the faith of Jesus Christ, to stand in your presence confidently without fear, inferiority, guilt or condemnation. I have no confidence in the flesh because you are my justifier. Halleluiah!


Further Study :
John 6:63
It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

Philippians 3:3
For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.


DAILY SCRIPTURE READING

1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: 1 Corinthians 5 Psalms 117-118

2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Colossians 1:1-8 Jeremiah 5

Your Relevance In The Gospel -Tuesday, August 19th .

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth forever (2 Corinthians 9:8-9).

Your relevance to the spread of the Gospel of Christ is one of the major reasons God channels prosperity your way. The Bible says there’s more joy in heaven over a sinner that repents than over ninety-nine saints that need no repentance (Luke 15:7). This is about the only time we’re informed in Scripture of something that causes rejoicing amongst the angels in heaven: soul-winning. This lets you know how important soul-winning is.

Winning souls into God’s Kingdom must be the compelling motive in everything you do. As an entrepreneur, a politician, a teacher, a banker, a business executive, a student, etc., as long as your personal drive and motivation is the expansion of God’s Kingdom, you'll live a meaningful and fulfilled life.

Your involvement in soul-winning attracts more grace and prosperity to your life. It causes the wisdom of God to function in you in an unusual way. Furthermore, the Lord sees to your protection when you’re relevant in taking the Gospel to the nations of the earth. Our opening verse says God is able to make all grace abound towards you, such that having all sufficiency in all things, you’ll abound to every good work. When you’re involved in the spread of the Gospel, the grace of God is increased in your life to achieve more. James 4:6 says, “He giveth more grace…” So don’t relent at any opportunity to promote the Gospel.

Prayer. ..
Dear Father, through my involvement in the Kingdom, the saving power of Christ permeates the earth. I’m a distributor of divine verities, relevant to Kingdom expansion. Therefore, your grace continually abounds towards me to be more relevant in the propagation of the Gospel, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Further Study:
Deuteronomy 28:18 Cursed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy land, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep. ;

Psalms 35:27 Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the Lord be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.

Daily Scripture Reading

1 Year Bible Reading Plan: 1 Corinthians 4, Psalms 113-116

2 Year Bible Reading Plan: Philippians 4:14-23, Jeremiah 4

“Stir Up Yourself, To Take A Hold Of God…”-Monday, August 18th .

And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee: for thou hast hid thy face from us, and hast consumed us, because of our iniquities (Isaiah 64:7).

The Prophet Isaiah was speaking to God in the verse above. Israel was in dire straits because none sought the Lord; no one stirred himself up to “take a hold” of God. That means, as Christians, we can stir ourselves up to take a hold of God, to take a hold of His words, and make them real in our lives, through prevailing prayers.

It brings to mind, Jacob’s encounter with the Angel of God's presence. After His sojourn with his Uncle Laban, Jacob knew he needed a miracle to escape his brother, Esau’s wrath, having deceived their father, Isaac, to obtain the inheritance in place of Esau. Jacob divided his family and everything he had into two groups and sent them ahead of him to entreat Esau such that, if Esau smote a particular group, the other group, perhaps, could escape and be spared (Genesis 32:4-.

Subsequently, Jacob was left alone, and the Bible says he wrestled with an angel all night long. Jacob wouldn’t let go of the angel until he received a blessing from Him (Genesis 32:24-26). In the book of Hosea, the prophet explains that the angel that wrestled with Jacob was actually the Lord: “…and by his strength he had power with God: Yea, he had power over the angel, and prevailed: he wept, and made supplication unto him: he found him in Bethel, and there he spake with us; Even the LORD God of hosts; the LORD is his memorial” (Hosea 12:3-5).

Jacob stirred himself up to take a hold of God through prayer, to take a hold of God’s blessings. This is something we must learn to do as Christians, to stir ourselves up and take a hold of God’s Word for us and for others through prayer. We must remain importunate as we intercede for lost souls, and for those who have strayed from the faith. We must prevail in prayer for them until Christ is formed in them.

Prayer. ..
Dear heavenly Father, I thank you for the privilege of prayer; a place of heartfelt communion, to stir up myself and take a hold of your Word for my life. Thank you for giving me the ability to effect changes through prevailing prayers, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Further Study:
Ephesians 5:18-21 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; 19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; 21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. ;

Ephesians 3:20-21 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. ;

2 Timothy 1:6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.

Daily Scripture Reading

1 Year Bible Reading Plan: 1 Corinthians 3, Psalms 109-112

2 Year Bible Reading Plan: Philippians 4:8-13, Jeremiah 3

Kay17: So what is your test for truth?

If i said you do not exist or that I do not exist, would you agree with any of the statement?

The Bible, if God says am a tree, I am, it doesn't matter what anyone sees or say

Not logical huh?

musKeeto: Yeah, sound advice. Don't try to make God make sense. Just work with the 'mystery'.

The brain, a tool supposedly designed by God for the purpose of thinking and self-awareness, isn't adequate in discussing or unravelling this omni-x[color=#000000]xx [/color]God. Smh.



Btw, hw far? Long time. So u and Sal C na orlu people?

Am anambra o! Besides, I am very ok, thanks for asking

Yeah, I have an idea

Quit using logic on God, it never works out well..even for urself

Victory and Dominion in Christ Jesus-Sunday, August 17th

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children (Hosea 4:6).

God said through the prophet Hosea that His people are destroyed, defeated and broken because they lack knowledge. Meaning that, their bane isn’t that they lack faith or are not making the right effort; the reason they aren’t walking in victory and dominion is their ignorance. This, therefore, means that as God’s children, we must keep making conscious efforts to learn and be taught God’s Word. If you have more accurate knowledge of the Word, you’ll live in victory and dominion everyday of your life, irrespective of any adversity.

Some people think that living in constant victory and dominion isn't possible, and they're wrong. To hold such a belief is to ignore what Jesus came to do. He came to give us the life and nature of God: the transcendent life. In John 10:10 (NIV), He said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” He didn’t come to establish another religion, because the world already had enough of them before He came, and Christianity is not a religion. The Amplified translation says, He came that we might have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance—to the full, till it overflows.

Perhaps you never thought it’s God’s idea for you to enjoy your life; now you know! But how can you enjoy life when things are not right with you? How can you enjoy life if you're ignorant of all that He’s provided for you in Christ? This is why you must have a personal relationship with God and His Word, so you can know how to live in absolute victory everyday. The Word of God is able to build you up, and cause you to live the kind of life God desires for you: a life above struggles and pains; a life of glory, righteousness, and dominion in Christ Jesus.


Prayer. ..
Dear heavenly Father, I thank you for giving me a life of glory, success and victory. Daily, I search the Scriptures and appropriate into my life what it says concerning me in Christ, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.


Further Study :
John 5:39.
Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

1 Timothy 4:15.
Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.


Daily Scripture Reading :

1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: 1 Corinthians 2 Psalms 107-108

2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Philippians 4:1-7 Jeremiah 2

[img]http://ressurectionplayerz.biz/gif/dance.gif[/img]

I'm glad alwaystrue is here, she's so on point, and I can't help but dance, this year's grace convention is definitely great, where is anony sef?

Power through Words-Saturday, August 16th

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation (Romans 10:9-10).

It’s not enough to know the Word of God in your heart; you have to speak it forth as well—that's how it works! God instructed Joshua, “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success” (Joshua 1:. The original Hebrew rendering of the word “meditate” is “hagah,” which means to ponder, roar, imagine, murmur, mutter, speak, talk, or utter. It’s much more than thinking the Word; you have to voice it!

The opening verse shows us that speaking out what you believe is a fundamental spiritual principle without which the gift of salvation can’t be received. The salvation package is delivered upon satisfying two conditions: the first is “believing,” while the second is the “confession” of that which you’ve believed. Both work together for salvation to be complete.

In the same way, to live the glorious life in Christ, where you enjoy all the benefits of salvation, you must keep the Word in your mouth always. You must believe and speak. Some people find themselves in unpleasant situations and say, “I believe the Word of God, but I don't know why things aren’t working out right for me.” Believing the Word alone will not change anything, until you start using your mouth right, by speaking what you believe.

Your mouth was given to you to create your future and your victorious life. Your life goes in the direction of your confession. You have to say what you want in life. Even now, speak the Word about your family, job, business, academics, health, etc. Release the dynamic power to effect the changes you desire by speaking forth faith-filled words.


Prayer. ..
Dear Father, I thank you for giving me your Word—the infallible instruction manual—for the successful and victorious life in Christ! I live in health, victory, and peace; and I'm making progress with giant strides, as I live in your Word, conscious of its power and ability to transform my life and cause me to excel from glory to glory, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.


Further Study :

Proverbs 10:11
The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.

Proverbs 15:23
A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!


Daily Scripture Reading:

1 YEAR BIBLE READING:1 Corinthians 1 Psalms 104-106

2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Philippians 3:12-21 Jeremiah 1

^^
Gracias

What's the difference between unity in voice and unity in faith as in Eph 4:13.

Thank you

alentyno: .

Caught u!

This is so sad.....but like the baboon, i just wonder...Sawyer why?

RIP to the dead, nne, gaa nke oma!

Alwaystrue: @Gombs,
Thank God for his word and our ever present help and revelation. My last check before i started posting, i was on 3997 words. I think the scriptures i posted ate into my allowance.
By the way, you commented before i was done. Usually the presenter paste 'The End' or similar. It is against the rules of the convention i think. U may remove and paste after to make it good.
Thanks.

Apologies if my post was long. I had to really cut it down though as i said the scripture quotes took up some space.

Kk...I tot u were done...I'm so sorry I broke em rules. Twill not repeat itself

Alwaystrue: CHAPTER 2
The Supply of the Grace

Grace, I will opine, as favour shown to the unworthy and the divine ability to do things God’s way; this could be divine ability for salvation and divine ability to do what we would not normally be able to do and it comes as a result of being connected to Jesus Christ, His Son. Jesus, while on earth was the fulness of the Spirit, of truth and grace. He was the confirmation of what God said when the Israelites rejected God’s words to them on Sinai. While He wanted to deal with them in words, they wanted it in laws.

Acts 3:22-23
22 Thus Moses said to the forefathers, The Lord God will raise up for you a Prophet from among your brethren as [He raised up] me; Him you shall listen to and understand by hearing and heed in all things whatever He tells you.
23 And it shall be that every soul that does not listen to and understand by hearing and heed that Prophet shall be utterly [exterminated from among the people.

The first mention of ‘grace’ in the bible was where Noah found grace is the sight of God. Later, Abraham believed God and it was counted to him for righteousness. Belief was the vehicle that carried ability to receive grace.

Such grace was often as a result of a good standing with God and usually to a selected few who received it. The kingdom of Israel received grace from God but the difference was that they did not have the spirit that would match that grace so as to have the ability to please God.
All through the books of the bible we see God’s grace at work. Many people have the erroneous notion that the OT is all law and the NT is all grace. Some liberals even maintain that the God of the OT is harsh and vindictive but the God of the NT is tender and forgiving. Some people think that OT believers were saved by keeping the law and NT believers are saved by grace through faith!

Of course these misapprehensions are not totally made up; there is much more of a gracious framework to the NT than to the OT. But God never changes; only His dealings change as conditions and times change. In both Testaments people are saved by grace through faith.
No one can ever be made right in God's sight by doing what the law commands. For the more we know of God's laws, the clearer it becomes that we aren't obeying them; his laws serve only to make us see that we are sinners. His laws show us that we need a special ability to be able to do what he really wants us to do.

But now God has shown us a different way to heaven -- not by "being good enough" and trying to keep his laws, but by a new way (by believing and heeding to His Son: JESUS CHRIST). Now God says he will accept and acquit us - declare us "not guilty" - if we trust Jesus Christ to take away our sins. And we all can be saved in this same way, by coming to Christ, no matter who we are or what we have been like.
Yes, all have sinned; all fall short of God's glorious ideal; yet now God declares us "not guilty" of offending him if we trust in Jesus Christ, who in his kindness freely takes away our sins.

For God sent Christ Jesus to take the punishment for our sins and to end all God's anger against us. He used Christ's blood and our faith as the means of saving us from his wrath. That is grace!
The bible says the law was given by Moses BUT Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. Grace and truth brought life and righteousness which the law was unable to do.
Jesus is the fullness of Grace, when he walked on earth and after he left He sent the comforter and the Spirit of grace to guide us in all truth. Grace was poured out beyond measure for all to receive just by belief in Him. No more did man have to perish due to the flesh but because of God’s infinite love He was able to draw all men to himself.

Numbers 21:5-6,8-9
5 And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread.
6 And the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.
8 And the Lord said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.
9 And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.

The scripture above is another example of grace in the wilderness which Jesus indicated that this bronze serpent was a foreshadowing of Him. The serpent, a symbol of judgment due to sin, was lifted up from the earth and put on a tree, which was a symbol of a curse. The serpent lifted up and cursed symbolized Jesus, who takes away sin from everyone who would look to Him in faith.
If you look at it from another angle, what brought death initially, brought life when it was looked on with belief.

It is by grace we are saved and it is the gift. Grace which encapsulated God’s love has what we need to come to God and stay with God.

Hebrews 4:15-16
15 For we do not have a High Priest Who is unable to understand and sympathize and have a shared feeling with our weaknesses and infirmities and liability to the assaults of temptation, but One Who has been tempted in every respect as we are, yet without sinning.
16 Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God’s unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it].
Verse 15 shows us that it is God’s infinite love that made Him send His son to share in the weakness we had as flesh, and show us the grace that raises us above sin. Grace shows us that we have the right to God’s mercy when we fail and we have the ability to rise and have the help to live in the same mind with Him.

Titus 2:11-14 further shows us that Jesus, God’s grace, appeared to all men bringing the much needed salvation and teaches us to live above ungodliness and lawlessness. This can only be received in Christ Jesus. In Him we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Grace is no more a license to sin than electricity is a license to electrocute yourself. Grace, like electricity is meant to bring life not death and there is no life in sin.

*standing ovation

This got me thinking, what if those who really knew the word are let to teach it, not those favored by a select few, who then make erroneous teachings and still in the glare of scriptures refuse admitting?

If NL could have seasoned teachers as Alwaystrue, ola etc (folks might say I'm biased cos she's a tither, ignoring the fact that I and bidam and alexleo have had disagreement here)... if only we could.

Thank you ma, best presentation ever in the history of Grace convention, I hope the glory of the latter house shall surpass the former ie folks after her should do a proper study and please avoid plagiarism.

But ma, the gist too long o!

I just saw part 3!

Alwaystrue: Good morning brethren,
I am truly honoured to be a worthy vessel in the hands of the Lord Almighty and for making my hands the pen of a ready writer. Appreciation once again to those who chose to hear me and the brains behind the platform to share and publish the word of God. I will like to add that lots have been discussed by many of us on this forum regarding the law and grace so I will be as simple as possible taking a different direction from prior discusses. I may not quote too many scriptures but can provide if any grey area is noted and raised in any questions we may have.



(GRACE 1): THE DEMANDS OF THE LAW AND THE SUPPLY OF THE GRACE OF GOD

Foreward: Has anyone ever ruminated on how heaven was before the fall of Satan (i.e. when he rebelled)? Satan was with God always and was fully part of the grace of God yet he fell? Even though the bible does not tell us much about the time before the creation of man, it can be perceived that after God created his heavenly son, he did not give them any law and all heaven basked in his omnipotence.

Let us fast forward to the creation of man and the command of God regarding the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. After the instruction by God, man disobeyed. Pertinent to remember is what Eve told the devil when he asked her to recant what God told her…she must have heard God’s instruction from her husband and gave second-hand information yet if we compare what God told Adam and what Eve told Satan, we will notice a difference. God spoke His word to Adam which he informed his wife and Eve stated it as a law to the devil (do not even touch..if Eve was a lawgiver that is what she would have added)…Compare the below noting the highlights.

God Speaking:
Genesis 2:17
But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die

Eve Speaking:
Genesis 3:3
But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.
What I just presented above is for our rumination and deep meditation and whatever questions I asked are rhetoric.


CHAPTER 1
The Demands of the Law

After the fall of man, we see God deal with people individually usually due to the good heart they displayed like Enoch, Noah and Abraham. God is righteous and created man to live and fellowship with him. God is Love and because this is His nature, all He wanted from man was also to be this same nature with him so they can walk together for as scripture says can two walk together except they agree and what fellowship has light with darkness. Just take a look at how he related with Abraham especially and the bible even records it that Abraham was the FRIEND of God. They both walked and talked together and had deep trust for each other so much that God swore by Himself and gave a promise and an oath…two immutable things… in which it was impossible for God to lie that in blessing he would bless Abraham. Such was the relationship they both had.

Abraham must have been so close to God that the mind and desires of God must have been etched in the heart of Abraham so much that God could say that He trusted Abraham would teach his household to keep God’s way and attend to his laws, statutes and judgements inscribed in Abraham’s heart as a result of the walk with God. While Abraham was obeying and heeding to every command or instruction God gave him, he was either knowingly or unknowingly observing whatever law God may have given at that time for he seemed to understand the principles and the basis for what God often wanted to do. His total faith in God is today the reason why many of us are privileged to be in the Faith due to the promise he received.

Therefore, why did the law have to come in? The law was demanding of man what he wasn’t giving it. Why was there need for a systematic body of rules to govern behavior enforced in place of the wonderful loving relationship of hearing directly the word of God and in quiet and reverential obedience doing that which should come naturally?
Let us keep in mind that God gave commands and instructions right from creation and penalties were attached to disobeying them. However a formal structure was put in place by Moses to which a default usually led to a merciless punishment either by man/special atonement or often swiftly by God.

Galatians 3:19; 21; 23-24 tells us that the law came because of transgressions till the promised seed would come. The law was a school master that brought us to Christ when we acknowledge we cannot please God of ourselves only by His supernatural strength when we believe. And this law was not against the promise of God…At all.

The above scriptures capture the essence for why the law was given and written. The law was added due to sin & unrighteousness, a demand so stringent, it had been stripped of the grace that could have gone with it had it been it had been a communication between God and his people directly and the faithlessness that characterized not wanting to hear God directly, governed by unhealthy fear. No wonder something as basic as loving God and your neighbor as yourself had to be broken down to an endless list of rules and regulations as common with dealing with children and written in stone. Because people were prone to go after strange God’s, up to their mode of dressing and their relations had to be micro-managed so that they did not act like the heathens did. All these laws were the breakdown of the main law of the Spirit God had wanted to write in the hearts of man for He said
‘I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people’ (Heb. 8:10; Jer. 31:33)

The genesis of this was when the people refused to hear God’s voice at Sinai; they instead requested for a mediator because of fear:

Exodus 20:19 And they said to Moses, You speak to us and we will listen, but let not God speak to us, lest we die

God who had just delivered them from Egypt with His mighty hand of power became someone they refused to listen to but preferred to listen to ‘limited’ man rather than God. Such was their transgressions, fear and unbelief. (Exodus 20).

Jeremiah 7:22-23 Read v24.
22 For I spake not unto your fathers, nor commanded them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices:
23 But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you.
JESUS returned as that Voice/Word/Truth/Light/Life.

The laws written down by Moses and all words of the prophets are surmmarised as two by Jesus Christ in Spirit - Love. All the rules were just to direct the behavior God expected from man and show people the need for the promise He gave to Abraham for none could keep all those rules. In a bid to even keep these laws, man lost sight of the plot and rather either found ways to bypass the main reason (Spirit/intent/principle) God gave such laws or defeat the entire purpose of it. A cute example is the picture below.

Ojibijibijibijibji

*standing ovation
#Tuale

Hope you ain't done yet? Meeeeeeeeehn, see rhema na, loved that part of Adam's instructions to eve, it's where religion started from-man doing things their way and ignoring exactly what God said on how we should do them.

Ma, I doobale joor! Wonderful write up, precise points and well execution of the topic you did there

SalC: I find this submission quite disturbing because it raises a lot of question which was part of the initial question I asked, but in other not to derail this thread I will allow the presenters carry on with the purpose of this thread. Maybe when they are done, I will bring this up again or create another thread for this.
Thanks. Hope you are ok?

I am ok, and would be glad u open a thread on it and invite me

You didn't ask yooguyz to answer this sha

how does aborting an unborn child equates murder? i asked him to give the biblical definition of murder

Has anony gone AWOL?

Morning y'all

Love In Our Eyes · FRIDAY 15th August

By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another (John 13:35).

If you want to experience a greater manifestation of the Spirit of God in your life, love is the way. Walk in love. Love is the "more excellent way." Th e love of God in you can be so palpable that it literally radiates through your eyes. There’s no telling what the Lord can do in, and through, you when you radiate His love, so much so that it’s seen in your eyes.

When I got a hold of this many years ago, I became more conscious of what the Lord could do through me, with my eyes burning with love. Once, I was invited to a conference where I had to minister to the sick. I asked that they all be on a straight line. I didn’t touch any of them; I only looked at them, knowing that as I stood there, Christ was looking through my eyes. The demons couldn’t stay. Each one of them received healing instantly, just by me looking at them.

Through the years, I’ve met several of those who were healed in that very meeting, and they never forgot it. They recalled how a look of love dispelled their infirmities, because there’s something about us. There’s something that works through us. It’s the power of God’s love.

GOur eyes are windows of the Spirit through which God looks at others with love. Treat people with compassion; see them with the eyes of love. Let love be more than a topic to you; let it be life. Relate to people in a way that they can see and feel your love. People were attracted to Jesus, not just because He was a miracle worker, but because they could see that He loved them. They felt His love, including little children (Matthew 19:14). He was the revelation of God’s love. Make this your testimony too. Let those around you see Jesus in your eyes. Let your love be so strong that people are constantly drawn to you.

Prayer...
Dear heavenly Father, thank you for the working of your Word in my life, producing the result of what it talks about. I have the nature of love because the love of God has been shed abroad in my heart by the Holy Spirit. Love is a way of life for me; therefore, I express love to my world today and always, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Further Study:

John 3:16 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.

John 13:34
 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

1 year Bible reading plan: Romans 16:1-27 Psalms 102-103
2 year Bible reading plan: Philippians 3:1-12 Isaiah 66

Yooguyz: Every child is gift from God irrespective of how he comes, prepared or unprepared. Would you destroy a gift from Mr president just because you were not prepared to have it?

if your sister is rraped, would you honestly advice her as above? knowing fully well she does not want to be a mum yet, say she's 15?

That's the more reason why she should keep the child because abortion would hide the molesters crime and give him the impetus to do more

you are telling a 13 year old who is not psychologically, mentally, biologically and physically ready to keep a child she didnt ask for? from the above bold which i find absurd, if she keeps the child, it would expose the rappist's crime and take away the impetus to do more?

The decision in the case lies in the hands of the mother.

in other words, you are saying abortion is ok in this instance if she decides to stay alive and follow the doctor's recommendations, no? now relate it to your paper presentation... you see how incomplete it is now?

Christians who are heaven bound are killed and persecuted everyday, would you justify the murder of belivers because they will go to heaven when they die?

where and how is the above related to my post?

believer is already born, has an account in heaven for deeds, his name is in the book of life.

unborn child has no account yet for his deeds for he is not born into the word of sin, his name is not in the book of life..

anyways, let's not derail the thread..posterity would judge for themselves, they would ask themselves the questions i asked you, questions you dont honestly want to answer cos it would definitely undermine ur paper presentation.

cheers bro!

SalC: Sorry mod I don't know if this constitutes derailing, but @Gombs how did you come about the bold? Is it biblical or you made it up?

now, the bible didnt explicitly state how a name gets into the book of life, but tell us how a name gets out. Whosoever is born into this world gets his name into the book of life, and if one dies in or with sin, his name is blotted out. some folks thinkk the name is written the day u get born again, and removed if u sin, and when u ask for forgiveness, it is rewritten and the cycle continues. the name is written ONCE and taken OFF ONCE (if need be). A child in the womb is not yet born into the world, for it is still in its mum's body, hence has no nature of sin, and consequently, unblamable...

John 1
9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

Jesus is the light that lights anyone born into this world, no matter how long one lives, only this light sets him free from darkness.

now, how does aborting an unborn child equates murder? i asked him to give the biblical definition of murder

^^

Is abortion TOTALLY wrong? let's look at it from this stand point... WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY if;

1. should a child be brought into this world unprepared for, for him or her to suffer i.e forcefully?

2. what if a girl was rrape.d by robbers and she is not mentally, psychologically, biologically and physically able to keep the child? let's assume she is 13 years old

3. what if a married couple has a child on the way, and due to medical reasons to save the mum from complications that would lead to her death, would you advice her not to go through an abortion like the doctors prescribed? would you then say abortion is ok when the mother's health is threatened? or the mum should just die with the unborn kid?

these said, let me ask you this, why term abortion as murder of an unborn child when in reality, a child's name is written in the book of life ONLY when he is born into this world? what is the biblical definition of murder?

i am of the opinion that No child should be brought into this world by force, if a lady has been raped, it is left for her to make a decision of whether to keep the baby or not. If you have never been raped or someone close to you haven't, you may not agree with this statement.

It is never mentioned anywhere in the Bible, for example, to keep a child from a woman who was raped!


please throw more light on the above questions. thank you, so very much for your time.

Ubenedictus: 2 Cor 5: 21

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.


now, why did you quote me?

We did not choose ourselves, God chose us and brought us into his family. What we inherit is not necessarily material blessings rather we inherit God’s righteousness and the gift of sharing in His glory on the last day. It is not something we can possibly earn it is something given. Something only the Father of all righteousness can give.

i quite couldnt swallow the above underlined well... we inherited God's righteousness? the bibile said they which have receive the abundance of grace AND THE GIFT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS... I thought the good book lets me know the righteousness i have is a gift imputed to me for believing in the Christ?

sharing in his glory on the last day was a gift? We have come to mount Zion, the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem... I'm in that glory now, the glory Adam threw away, it's here on earth, for the good book says, Christ in me is the hope of that glory... not on the last day, but on earth here.

can you please explain further when you are less busier? thanks, in all, i loved the presentation, you didn't say what the actual inheritance is...what is that inheritance the new creation has in Christ as Acts 20:32, Acts 26:18, Col 1:12, Eph 1:18 admonishes. Kudos bro

He Took Them All Away-Thursday, August 14th

When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses (Matthew 8:16-17).

In Isaiah 53, the prophet Isaiah, by revelation, foretold the sufferings of Christ, His passion on the cross, and gives us a picture of His crucifixion: "He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted" (Isaiah 53:3-4). This is what Matthew quoted in our opening scripture. The Lord Jesus took our infirmities, and bore our sicknesses.

The Hebrew word translated "borne" in Isaiah53:4is"nâsâh,"anditmeans,"totake or carry away," while the word "bare" in Matthew 8:17, is translated from the Greek "bastazo,"which also means "to remove or to take away." Both words connote taking the burden of another upon oneself, and carrying it away, which is what Jesus did with our sicknesses and diseases.

There're those who say, "When you're sick, Jesus comes to you and shares your sickness and pain with you." No, He doesn't! He took them away so you'd never have them. Why are many still sick then? It's because they're ignorant of what He's done for them. He died that you might have eternal life (Greek: Zoë). This life is full of glory.

It makes no difference if you feel pain or symptoms of sickness in your body; stand your ground in faith and declare, "I refuse to be sick!" Every so often, declare, "I walk in health in the Name of Jesus!"


Confession. ..
I refuse to bear any infirmity, sickness or disease in my body, because Jesus has taken away all my infirmities and carried my sorrows; He was pierced for my transgressions, cursed for my iniquities and the punishment that brought me peace was laid upon Him, and by His wounds I was healed. Halleluiah!


Further Study :

1 Peter 2:24
Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

Isaiah 53:3-4
3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.


Daily Scripture Reading

1 Year Bible Reading Plan: Romans 15:14-33 Psalms 99-101

2 Year Bible Reading Plan: Philippians 2:19-30 Isaiah 65

Bidam: I don't think we digressed, you may not agree with my point of view but all my posts have been talking about is that the church should NOT be a democracy. God hates rule by laity in the church because it places people in the position of God.

Yeah...u r right here. Very very

People decide for themselves who will be their teacher, what will be taught and how the church will operate. This rule was never sanctioned by God in His word.

I think I met such in ECWA or so, am not sure, but they hire and fire a pastor they chose! They decide what he teaches or preaches... it wss quite troubling

This type of government seldom allows for proper correction, edification, or strength because it is outside the order of God.

Surely

Without proper order it is difficult to go from glory to glory or from faith to faith..since proper correction is limited by laity's control, many times the rebellious and gossips control the church. Instead of being led by a pastor set by God, they are led by their understanding of what God would want. Some even go as far as to dictate to the pastor what should be taught or spoken.

Wow, u nailed it, , somewhere I think we are on same page... now, churches who does such, like how DB suggested should be... how then do we merge this with the growth of the brethren in such churches? Cos obviously, the church would be lacking in alot of spiritual exercises.

Alwaystrue, Joagbaje and image123, candour, would be a great input here. I've heard where church elders want a democratic kinda setting, trying to elect a pastor
The Church should not be a democracy that is governed by the people, but a theocracy that is governed by God.Bless you bro.[/quote]

[quote author=Bidam]

I have said so in my previous post that there should be multiplicity of ministeries in the local assembly just like the Antioch and Ephesian church, for you to still ask me again and again beats me. No one person except Jesus is called to operate in the five fold ministry gift.

Hmmmm, bidam.... not even Paul?

The apostle governs, even Paul wasn't initially an apostle he was under authorithy and was held accountable in antioch until God called him and sent him forth with barnabas..pls do read Acts 13.
The prophet guides-points the way. Paul wasn't a prophet, Barnabas was. The evangelist gathers-Timothy was encouraged in that aspect by Paul...Philip was called an evangelist...The pastor guards or cares for the sheep..Titus was one..The teacher grounds or establishes..Simeon called Niger was one..But for a so called man of God to ascribe all those giftings to himself is not only sickening but preposterous.

Hmmm bidam o

This is a lie, i have been to many of these churches including yours and i can confidently say that most of the pastors ascribes all aspects of the fivefold ministry..they prophesy, they preach, they teach, they govern, they pastor, they gather, etc...

U should be careful on ur invectives, why would you say it's a lie? Google deacons, apostles, evangelists etc about CEC. If a church is not large enough to have all these offices, must they then do it so that u can be happy?

I did not say so scripture said so in Acts in Acts 15:22..can you point where Paul was lording it over them in the verse i quoted

Smart move, I went to the Gentile churches, Corinthians, Galatians, Thessalonians etc...u still wanna stick to your guns... why didn't the church in Corinth write to the elders in Jerusalem?

Can you tell us the meaning of overseer?

A bishop...Episkopos, read Paul' s letter to timothy, titus and also to the church in Philipi.... a bishop means any curator, guardian or superintendent, elder, or overseer of a Christian church, now please explain why Paul wanted these churches to have oversers, like he was overseeing all these churches

Paul planted the churches...Apollos by right watered..It is God that gives increase

His happened in tye Corinthians church right? Or u saying it happened in Ephesus, Thessalonica, Galatia etc?

not some one man pastor sitting in Jerusalem and waiting for pledges and offerings to be collected for him from branches over all asia.

Funny opinion!

Like i said the period of one man show is over.God is raising sons not a Moses..Jesus is the pattern Son.

Your opinion

You don't put new wine in old wine skin...Jesus is the High Priest and all believers are priest..Jesus is the mediator between God and Man not some weak imperfect pastor.

Interesting opinion

No it is scriptures ..Jesus served, Paul served, Timothy served..Jesus set the pace he said if anyone wants to be great in God's kingdom, he should serve and not lord it like the gentiles. People are saved to serve God by serving others and not to amass wealth by building monuments and acquiring properties.
Thank God you quoted this scripture....This is a call to discipleship but sadly how many of our so called leaders are able to raise legitimate sons today? They just have large number of followers that's all...Our leaders are not SERVANTS, they are ego centered and most churches these days have turned to family businesses and social bless me clubs..It is far better to have a small congregation that you can disciple sons to maturity than large followers who hero worship you as a figure head father...It is all about relationships...but what do we have these days..These men are unapproachable with body guards everywhere and they are arrogant and pompous...That is not a father my brother..that is a boss..Shalom.

Don't even know what to do with the above. But for you to say this was a call to discipleship is completely bizzare...
1 Corinthians 4:15 BBE
  For even if you had ten thousand teachers in Christ, you have not more than one father: for in Christ Jesus I have given birth to you through the good news
Father above is from the greek Patèr which means one who has infused his own spirit into others (remember Moses? God took some spirit off Moses and put on those chosen as leaders), one who actuates and governs their minds, it is also means a title of honour, the originator and transmitter of anything, the authors of a family or society of persons animated by the same spirit as himself

Anyways, I know there are different pattern of government in the church today, but it certainly aint democratic, that was the purpose of this thread...we've surely digressed, and I'd please love us to stick to the topic- Does the church of God practice democracy,-should they?

Thanks Bidam for ur usual interesting read..u were right in some place.