₦airaland Forum

[center]Do Not Boast About Tomorrow[/center]

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the First and the Last (Revelation 22: 13).

My times are in Your hands (Psalm 31: 15a).

Do not boast about tomorrow; for you do not know not what a day may bring forth (Proverbs 27: 1).

For none of us lives to himself, and no man dies to himself. For whether we live, we live to the Lord; and whether we die, we die to the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that He might be the Lord both of the dead and living (Romans 14:7-9).

Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast or brag. All such boasting is evil. Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins (James 4: 13-17).

One of the great attributes of God is His ability to know the future. That is why He is called the Omniscient God – the all-knowing God. No mortal man has the ability to know tomorrow except by divine revelation from the Almighty God. That is why a mortal man should not boast about tomorrow.

In the first passage above Jesus addresses Himself as the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the First and the Last. All these names mean the same thing. He is the Alpha, the Beginning and the First. As the Beginning, He existed with God before all other things created. He is also the Omega, the end and the Last. That means as the end, or the Last, He alone knows the future. Everything ends up in Him – “For of Him, and through Him, and to Him are all things: to whom be glory for ever, Amen” (Romans 12:36). It is therefore a sin to boast about tomorrow, for no one knows what a day may bring forth. Having this knowledge, therefore, man ought to commit his life to the all- knowing God because out times are in His hands.

The first part of the fourth passage above says none of us lives to himself, and no man dies to himself. This means if we are alive, we are the Lord’s responsibility. If we die, we are also the Lord’s responsibility. This is a food for thought. You and I cannot live our lives apart from God and cannot just boast about our future. Our future is in His hands. We are told in the second part of the fourth passage that “For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that He might be the Lord both of the dead and living”.

Christ died for our sins and rose from the dead. As many as give their lives to Him and confess Him as Lord and Savior will be saved and end up in Him. As many as reject Him will be damned and have their part in hell. God did not prepare hell for man, but for satan and his angels. Those who accept Christ are only agreeing with God’s plan of salvation and a secure future for themselves. Will you be saved and secure? Will you end up in the Omega, the end, and the Last? If yes, pray this prayer out loud: Lord Jesus, come into my heart. Wash away my sins. I confess you as my Lord and Savior, in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

For prayer and counseling: write, call, or e-mail: Prevailing Word & Prayer Ministries Inc. P.O. Box 11875, Garki, Abuja, Nigeria. Tel. 2348033155417. E-mail: josey500@yahoo.com

[center]God’s Services Are Provided Free of Charge[/center]

Nevertheless He left not Himself without witness, in that He did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness (Acts 14: 17).

Neither is worshipped with men’s hands as though He needed anything, seeing He gives to all life, and breath, and all things (Acts 17: 25).

He sends the spring into the valleys, which runs among the hills. They give drink to every beast of the field: the wild asses quench their thirst. By them shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation, which sing among the branches. He waters the hills from His chambers: the earth is satisfied with the fruit of Your works. He causes the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth; and wine that makes glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face shine, and bread which strengthens man’s heart. He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knows its going down. So is this great and wide sea, wherein are all things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts. There go the ships (Psalm104:10-15, 19, 25-26).

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given (Isaiah 9: 6a).

For by grace you are saved through faith; and not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast (Ephesians 2: 8-9).

In order that man may be without excuse, God has both human witnesses and nature witnesses to confirm His existence. Some of the human witnesses were used by God to write the Bible giving account of the creation of heaven and earth by God. They wrote about the story of Adam, the first of men who God put in charge to dominate the earth and rule over lesser creatures. They wrote about the fall of man and how all men were made sinners. They wrote about how God sent Jesus, the second Adam to die for the sins of the whole world and restore man back to God by His precious blood. They wrote about how nature also witness to God’s existence. Man is therefore without excuse.

In the first passage above we are told that God did good. He gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness. This is a cycle. God sends rain from heaven- It makes the seeds planted by the farmer to be fruitful. When the crops are harvested, we have food and gladness. God also gives us life, and breath, and all things. These all things include, among others, springs of water, grass for the cattle, herb for the service of man, wine that makes glad the heart of man, oil to make his face shine, and bread which strengthen man’s heart. He gives sun to lighten the day, and moon to give light in the night. He created the sea with all the fishes and other creeping things. The ships use the sea as their highways. All of these services that man enjoys are provided freely by God! Have you ever paid for the rain, the seeds that produce food, your breath and the air? Have you ever paid for the sun by which God lightens the day or the moon by which you see in the night? There are abundance of fowls of the air and fishes in the sea. If you go – a fishing today, you will catch a lot of fishes in the sea. God gave man all these things freely to enjoy.
And to demonstrate His total love for man, He gave His Son Jesus Christ to die for our sins and save us. Salvation is a free gift of God. Romans 8:32 says: He(God) that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?.
Will you accept the free gift of God? Will be saved? If yes, pray this prayer out loud: Lord Jesus, come into my heart, wash away my sins. I confess you as my Lord and Savior, in Jesus’ Precious Name, Amen.

For prayers and counseling: write, call or e-mail: Prevailing Word & Prayer Ministries Inc. P.O. Box 11875, Garki, Abuja, Nigeria. Tel. 2348033155417. E-mail: josey500@yahoo.com

[center]Are You Born Again?[/center]

“That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit” (John 3:6)

If you are born again, it will show in various compartments of your life. It will affect your desires, priorities, goals and association. In John 3:6, Jesus says, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit”. Every human being experiences a fleshly birth. Even if it were possible to enter your mother’s womb and be reborn, it is a fleshly biological birth. But there is a spiritual birth. It is when you take a trip to the womb of the Spirit and you are born a new creation. That is the new birth. Without this, man is lost. One thing about this spiritual birth is that it will stir up intense hunger for spiritual things. A young secondary school student was in form four when he became born again during the holidays.

Thereafter, he returned to his former church but it was no longer fun. The religious activities he used to enjoy now became a drab. He began to thirst after righteousness but was not satisfied. He felt like someone being starved. He soon saw himself like a stranger in a church he attended from his childhood. At some point, he went to counsel with his spiritual parents and was asked to move to a gospel church. That was where his spiritual needs were met.

The day you are born again something dies. You claim to be born again yet you still keep girl friends, smoke, steal, cheat, or fornicate. That claim is highly questionable. You claim to be born again yet you do not pant after spiritual things – to study God’s Word, pray, fast, read Christian books, fellowship within a living church, etc. It is either you are born again or you are not. There is nothing like partially saved. Ask some people why they claim to be born again and they will tell you, “l used to chain-smoke but now I take just one cigarette daily”. Or, “ I used to have several girl friends but now I have one”. Or, “ I used to demand bribes before but now I only receive the one I am given: after all, I did not ask for it’. Congratulations. You are getting close to the Kingdom of God. But the day you truly realize you are a sinner, confess and forsake your sins and receive Jesus into your heart, you will be saved. That day you will begin to notice some changes taking place from within. There is no New Birth without commensurate change.

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Where is the fruit of repentance in your life and character?

* This writing is culled from the 11th May 2009 edition of “Open Heavens” – A daily devotional by Pastor E.A. Adeboye of the Redeemed Christian Church of God.

[center]The Power of Forgiveness[/center]

If You, Lord should mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with You, that You may be feared (Psalm 130: 3-4).

I, even I, am He that blot out your transgressions for My own sake, and will not remember your sins (Isaiah 43: 25).

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgive all your iniquities; who heal all your diseases (Psalm 103: 2-3).

And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors… For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses (Matthew 6:12, 14-15).

Then said Jesus, Father forgive them, for they know not what they do. And they parted His raiment, and cast lots (Luke 23:34).

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1: 8-9).

The ability or power to forgive sins is one of the greatest attributes of God. It is the nature of love to forgive. And God is love. Where will the world and the people of the world be today if God doesn’t forgive His creatures? We’ll all be wallowing and languishing in hell. But God is love and that was why He sent Jesus into the world to die in our place that we might receive forgiveness for our sins through the precious blood of Jesus shed for all humanity.

If God should begin to mark each of our sins, who shall stand? The answer is nobody. But there is forgiveness with God, so that He may be feared. And God has another additional attribute. When He forgives, He also forgets. That is what the second passage above says. When we truly confess our sins to God, He forgives, blots them out and forgets. What a good and loving God.

Apart from Jesus dying for our sins on the cross of Calvary, He demonstrated that love and forgiveness by praying to God to forgive His killers. He prayed to God; Father forgive them, for they know not what they do. What God is not capable of doing, He will not command us His creatures to do. Jesus commands us in Matthew 6:14 to practice forgiveness as He does. When we pray our Lord’s Prayer, it says: “forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors” Then Jesus said: “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses”. If God forgives our sins when we confess them to Him, we should be able to forgive those that offend us too. If we refuse to forgive men their sins, God will not forgive us too. That means our sins remains and if we die in that state we go to hell. Unforgiveness is the greatest hindrance to the blessings of God. It blocks our prayers. But when you forgive like God, you are not only releasing yourself and the offender, you are also opening heaven so that your prayers can be answered. The power of forgiveness is what keeps the world going. God is longsuffering, not willing that any should perish but come to repentance. If you will confess your sins to God today.

He will forgive you, wash away your sins by the blood of Jesus and write your name in the book of life. Then you too should extend that same forgiveness to your fellow human beings that offend you. When you do that, you are truly a child of God. Do you want to receive forgiveness? Then pray this prayer out loud: Lord Jesus, come into my heart, wash away my sins. I confess you as my Lord and Savior. I receive your grace to forgive my offenders in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

For prayers and counseling, write, call or e-mail: Prevailing Word & Prayer Ministries Inc. P.O. Box 11875, Garki, Abuja, Nigeria. Tel. 2348033155417. E-mail: josey500@yahoo.com

[center]You Too, Can Be Saved[/center]

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners - of whom I am the worst (1Timothy 1: 15, emphasis added).

And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has enabled me, for that He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; Who was before a blasphemer (evil speaker), and a persecutor, and injurious (violent): but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief (1 Timothy 1: 12-13, emphasis added).

I exhort therefore that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2: 1-3, emphasis added).

Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is no other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved (Act 4:12).

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness (slowness); but is longsuffering to us-ward,[b] not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance ([/b]2 Peter 3: 9, emphasis added).

And Jesus said to him (Zacchaeus), This day is salvation come to this house, forasmuch as he also is a son of Abraham. [b]For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost (L[/b]uke 19: 9-10, emphasis added).

The main or the chief reason why Jesus came into the world is clearly spelt out in the first and last Scriptures above – to save sinners that are lost. And Jesus came for all classes in the society – the rich, the poor, the old, the young, men and women, boys and girls – no group, no tribe, no nation, no religious affiliation, are exempted. He came for all.

In the third passage above, Paul admonished Timothy to pray and intercede for all men, kings, and those that are in authority, for God will have all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. We also see in 2 Peter 3: 9, that God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

God has already done His own part in providing salvation for all men through Jesus Christ. Men’s part is now to believe in Jesus Christ and be saved. It does not matter what sins you have committed, God is merciful and can forgive you. Take, for example, Paul the Apostle. He described himself as the worst of sinners. He was before a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a violent man. But he obtained the mercy of God and got saved. Jesus Christ appeared to him on his way to Damascus and he was forgiven and converted. Jesus then enabled him and put him in the ministry. What a complete turnaround! Now, if God can save the worst sinner, there is no sins you have committed that God cannot forgive. Hear what God says in Isaiah 43: 25: “I, even I, am He that blots out your transgressions for My own sake, and will not remember your sins”.

Will you take God at His word? Will you confess your sins to God and be saved? Will you have a complete turnaround like Apostle Paul? If yes, pay this prayer out loud: Lord Jesus, come into my heart, wash away my sins. I confess you as my Lord and Savior, in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

For prayers and counseling, write, call or e-mail: Prevailing Word & Prayer Ministries. P.O. Box 11875, Garki, Abuja, Nigeria. Tel. 2348033155417. E-mail: josey500@yahoo.com.

The Good Thing about This Friday

Surely He (Jesus) has borne our griefs (sickness), and carried our sorrows (pains): yet we did esteem (consider) Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions; He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes (whip-lashes) we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all (Isaiah 53: 4-6, emphasis mine).
Who His own self bore our sins in His own body on the tree (cross), that we, being dead to sins, should live to righteousness: by whose stripes (lash-wounds) you were healed (1 Peter 2: 24, emphasis mine).
Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangs on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith (Galatians 3: 13-14).
When Jesus therefore has received the vinegar, He said, It is finished: and He bowed His head, and gave up the ghost (John 19: 30).

Today is the day referred to worldwide as Good Friday. It marks the day Jesus died on the cross of Calvary, not for His own sin, because He committed none, but for the sins of the whole world. On that day, He carried the sins of the whole world, their griefs or sickness, their sorrows or pains, and nailed it on the cross. He became our substitute on the cross and was wounded for our transgressions; He was bruised for our iniquities. For the sake our peace, He was chastised. He was whipped 39 times that we might be healed. On that day the curse of the whole world – sin, sickness, poverty, spiritual death – was nailed to cross because, according to Jewish law, cursed is every one that hangs on a tree. Because every curse has being nailed to the cross, all who believe in Jesus can now have the full blessing of Abraham.
On the cross also, Jesus destroyed death and him that has the power of death i.e. the devil. He (Jesus) spoiled satan and his demons and made a public show of them triumphing over them. By His blood, He redeemed humanity from sin, satan, sorrow, sickness, and obtained eternal salvation for us. All these happened on that fateful Friday. Before Jesus finally died on that Friday, He said, it is finished. What was finished? Death is finished, satan is finished, sin is finished, sickness is finished, curse is finished, and sorrow and everything satan afflicted the world with is finished! What good news! And that is the good thing about this Friday we are marking today. Jesus by His death on the cross shed His blood to reverse and destroy satan’s plan for humanity and He brought about salvation, redemption, peace, joy healing and every good thing for humanity. Will you be saved? Will you be healed? Will you experience God’s blessings? Do you accept the finished work of salvation? If so, pray this prayer out loud: Lord Jesus, come into my heart, wash away my sins. I confess you as my Savior and Lord. I accept the finished work of salvation. Thank you for this Good Friday in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

For prayer and counseling: write, call or e-mail: Prevailing Word & Prayer Ministries Inc. P.O. Box 11875, Garki, Abuja, Nigeria. Tel. 2348033155417. E-mail: josey500@yahoo.com

[center]Your Entire Body is God’s Property
[/center]
So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them (Genesis 1:26).

For by Him (Jesus) were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him (Colossians 1:16, emphasis added).

What? Know you not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which you have of God, and you are not your own? For you are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s (1Cor. 6:19-20, emphasis added).

God is the creator and owner of heaven and earth and everything therein. All things were created by Him and for Him – including human beings, male and female. The body of man ought to be the temple of God the Holy Spirit. This was the case with Adam, the first of men. He was full of the Holy Spirit until he ate of the forbidden fruit God commanded him not to eat. Due to his disobedience, he was driven out of the Garden of Eden and God withdrew His Holy Spirit from him (Gen. 3: 24a; Psalm 51:11). Consequence to Adam’s expulsion from the Garden of Eden, he died spiritually and eventually physically at the age of 930. If Adam had not eaten the forbidden fruit, death would not have entered the world and he would have lived forever up till today. Adam’s sin and disobedience opened the door for death to enter the world. With the entrance of death into the world due to sin, the human body, which is supposed to be the temple of God, ceased to serve its original purpose. But God had a solution.

God prepared a body for Himself – a body that is sinless and undefiled – a body filled with the fullness of the Holy Spirit. He prepared this body by overshadowing the Virgin Mary with the Holy Spirit. That holy thing was conceived in her and she gave birth to Jesus. Unlike fallen men and women, Jesus was not born by sexual union between Joseph and Mary. H e was not conceived in sin. He had a divine virgin birth. He had the fullness of God’s Spirit. He was/is the ideal temple of God bodily. He was the only man who lived without committing any sin. He was therefore qualified to be the spotless Lamb of God which takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). Not only did He die to take away the sin of the world, He also redeemed or bought the whole world with the price of His blood. This is the meaning of the last Scriptures above from 1Cor. 6:20. Understand, O reader, what Jesus accomplished for you and me on the cross of Calvary. He redeemed or bought us with His precious blood. He bought our entire bodies and spirits with His precious blood. Our bodies and spirits do no longer belong to us but to Him. Why? So that we can become His temple (1Cor.6:19).

Now that you know what Jesus accomplished for you on the cross of Calvary and that your entire body is God’s property, will you surrender and yield your body and spirit to the loving arms and grace of God? Somebody may ask; how do I do that? It’s very simple. Romans 10:9-10 says: “That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” If you make this decision you have nothing to lose but eternity with Jesus to gain. He’ll wash away your sins with His blood and fill you with His Holy Spirit so that you can become His holy temple. If your answer is yes to the question asked pray this prayer out loud: Lord Jesus, come into my heart, wash away my sins. I confess you as my Lord and Savior. I yield my body and spirit to You, make me Your temple in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

For prayer and counseling, write, call or e-mail: Prevailing Word & Prayer Ministries Inc. P. O. Box 11875 Garki, Abuja, Nigeria. Tel. 2348033155417. E-mail: josey500@yahoo.com

[size=8pt][center]Your Breath Is God’s Property[/center]

And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul (Genesis 2:7).

The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty has given me life (Job 33:4).

God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that He is Lord of heaven and earth, dwells not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, seeing He gives to all life, and breath, and all things (Acts: 17: 24-25).

And when He (Jesus) had said this, He breathed on them, and says to them, Receive you the Holy Ghost (John 20: 22, emphasis added).

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new (2Cor.5: 17).

And you has He (God) quickened (i.e. made alive), who were dead in trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2: 1, emphasis added).

When God created man of the dust of the ground, he was lifeless until God breathed into his nostrils the breath of life. It was then man became a living soul. This breath of God came directly from Him into man’s lifeless body of clay. Hence, man has no life apart from God.

The breath of man is the most important substance in all of human’s body. Without the breath, the body is lifeless. And this breath is God’s property. If the breath of man is God’s property man ought to submit himself, surrender to, and serve the Almighty God who gave him life. All the achievements of man in this world in the areas of business and technology, education and science, etc, would have been impossible without the help and breath of God. God therefore deserves all the glory, honor, worship and adoration. If God therefore owns your breath, He ought to own your life. You have no life apart from God. You cannot afford to live your life apart from Him. Though God is invisible, He has revealed Himself through His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. And God has documented all His works – past, present and future – in His written Word – The Bible, so that man may be without excuse.

God gave man something out of Himself. That thing is His own breath, even His very life so that man may have fellowship with Him. The first man Adam had God’s life in fullness and enjoyed that fellowship for some years. But due to his sin of disobedience he was separated from the life of God and that fellowship and he died first, spiritually, and then, physically at the age of 930 years old. The fall of Adam affected all his descendants and all were made sinners. Since the first Adam failed, God sent His Son the second Adam, a revelation of Himself to reconcile man to God. He shed His precious blood to redeem man and as many as believe in Him receive forgiveness and restoration and are reconciled back to God. To be reconciled back to God, man needs once again that breath of God. Since the first man Adam died spiritually and became a sinner, so all his descendants died spiritually and became sinners. And just like Adam’s lifeless body of clay received life through the breath of God, the spiritually dead sinners also need the life of God to be born again. This life is in Christ Jesus. This giving of life was demonstrated first in the disciples of Jesus after His resurrection. Because they believed in Him, He breathed on them the very breath of God and they received the Holy Ghost. Thus, the disciples became born again at that very moment they received the Holy Ghost.

The Holy Spirit is the life or breath of God. For you to be born again, you need this life of God. As a sinner you are dead spiritually (see Ephesians 2:1 above). To be alive you need the breath of God or the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit or the life of God is given to only those who believe in Jesus Christ. Those who don’t have the Holy Spirit do not belong to God (see Romans 8: 9b). Do you want the life of God? If so, pray this prayer out loud: Lord Jesus, come into my heart, wash away my sins. I confess you as my Lord and Savior. Precious Holy Spirit, I receive you as the life of God in my heart. Thank you Jesus, Amen.

For prayers and counseling, write, call or e-mail: Prevailing Word & Prayer Ministries Inc. P.O. Box 11875, Garki, Abuja, Nigeria. Tel. 2348033155417, E-mail: josey500@yahoo.com

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[size=8pt][center]Are You A Sheep or A Goat?[/center]

When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, He will sit on His throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put
the sheep on his right and the goats on His left. Then the King will say to those on His right, Come, you blessed of my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited Me in, I needed clothes and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you came to visit Me. Then the righteous will answer Him, Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you? The King will reply, I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for Me. Then He will say to those on His left. Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me nothing to drink. I was a stranger and you did not invite Me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe Me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after Me. They also will answer, Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you? He will reply, I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of these, you did not do for Me. Then they will go to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life (Matthew 25: 31-46).

The above words of Jesus were spoken about the eternal destinies of peoples of different nations. Peoples of different nations are categorized symbolically into two groups – the sheep and the goats. Naturally, sheep are obedient and meek (not weak) in nature. In these words of Jesus, the sheep are those who obey the gospel of Jesus and washed in the blood of Jesus. Furthermore, their faith in Jesus is accompanied by good works to fellow men. They are thus described as righteous and inherit the kingdom of God. On the contrary, goats are naturally disobedient and stubborn. They are those who disobey and reject the gospel of Jesus Christ. After hearing the message of the gospel, they harden their hearts and refuse to believe. Furthermore, they showed no deeds of kindness to fellowmen. They are thus described as cursed and go to hell eternally. The days of the Son of Man (Jesus) is described as the days of Noah. Noah preached for 120 years nobody listened or repented. Only Noah and his family, totaling eight, were saved from the flood. For over 2000 years now the gospel has been preached. Many have heard and rejected the truth and thus go to hell. Many have believed and embraced Jesus and have died and gone to heaven. This message is coming to you that are alive. What will you do with Jesus? The event Jesus is referring to in the Scriptures above will come to pass either you believe it or not. Will you as a sheep accept Jesus and go to heaven? Will you as a goat reject Jesus and go to hell? Choose this day your eternal destiny. If you choose to be a sheep pray this prayer out loud: Lord Jesus, come into my heart. Wash away my sins. Write my name in your book as a sheep. I confess you as my Lord and Savior in Jesus Name, Amen.

For prayers and counseling, write, call or email: Prevailing Word & Prayer Ministries In c. No 11, Ibrahim Tahir Lane, Utako, P.O.Box 11875, Garki, Abuja. Tel. 2348033155417. E-mail: josey500@yahoo.com

[center]YOUR SOUL IS MORE PRECIOUS THAN THE WHOLE WORLD[/center]

When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained; What is man, that You are mindful of him? And the son of man, that You visit him? For you have made him a little lower than the angels, and have crowned him with glory and honor. You made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet: (Psalm 8: 3-6).

For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of Me and of My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels (Mark 8: 36-38).

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all the things that are in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passes away, and the lust thereof: but he that does the will of God abides for ever (1John 2:15-17).

Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity (Ecclesiastes 1:2).

Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject to you; but rejoice because your names are written in heaven (Luke 10: 20).
God is the Creator of heaven and earth including human beings, male and female. Of all things created, animate or inanimate, man is the king; and has been given dominion over the works of God’s hands. The soul of man is therefore more precious, important, and superior than the whole world created by God. There is nothing in this world that can be exchanged in preference to the soul of man.

Jesus Christ asked a potent question in the second Scriptures above: “What shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world and lose his own soul?” Everything man gains in this world, be it degrees, fame, riches, or popularity, cannot equal the soul of a man. All the riches or accomplishments a man make in this world will be left behind after death. The Bible tells us the world will pass away and the lust thereof. The soul of man also passes away after death. But while alive you should gain your soul and not lose it. To gain your soul means to save one’s life, while to lose one’s soul means to lose one’s life and perish. But how does a man ensure his soul is saved and his name written in the book of life? There’s only one Savior of the world whose name is Jesus – “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is no other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). The only way you can gain your soul is by receiving Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Once you receive Him, He becomes the Bishop (Overseer) and Shepherd of your soul and writes your name in the book of life. Those who will rather gain the whole world would suffer a double loss namely, their soul and the whole world they so craved. The Bible tells us “Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, all is vanity. All the lust of this world is vanity.  It is better to lose the world and gain your soul by receiving Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Do you wish to gain your soul and have your name written in the book of life? If so, pray this prayer out loud: Lord Jesus, come into my heart, wash away my sins. I confess you as my Lord and Savior. Write my name in the book of life. Thank you Lord for saving my soul in Jesus precious Name, Amen.

For prayers and counseling, write, call or e-mail: Prevailing Word & Prayer Ministries Inc. P.O.Box 11875, Garki, Abuja, Nigeria. Tel. 2348033155417. E-mail: josey500@yahoo.com

[b]IS YOUR NAME WRITTEN IN HEAVEN?[/b


And the Lord said to Moses, whosoever has sinned against Me, him will I blot out of my book (Exodus 32:33, emphasis added).

Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject to you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven (Luke 10:20, emphasis added).
But you are come to mount Zion, and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven….See that you refuse Him not that speaks (Hebrews 12: 22-23a, 25a, emphasis added).

He that overcomes, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before My Father, and before His angels (Revelation 3:5).

God has a lot of books in heaven. One of the books is called the book of life in which are written the names of all that are washed in the blood of the Lamb (Jesus Christ) and are therefore saved.
In the first passage above, God said to Moses: “whosoever has sinned against Me, him will I blot out of my book”. This means a sinner’s name cannot be found in the book of life, but in another book, the book of death and hell. What this tells us is that a lot of people that have died are either in heaven or hell. Understand, O reader, that people only go to heaven if their name is in the book of life. Conversely, people go to hell because they are sinners whose names are not in the book of life, but in the book of death and hell. This statement is true and worthy of all acceptation.

In the second passage above, Jesus told his disciples to rejoice because their names are written in heaven. And in the third passage we are told of the church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven. The word church in the Bible is derived from a Greek word “Ecclesia” which means “Called out ones”. Called out of what? Called out of the world of sinners. How do you get called out of the world of sinners? You get called out of the world of sinners when you hear and hearken to the gospel of the kingdom of God. When you believe and receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you become saved and He, Jesus, writes your name in the book of life. Jesus Himself said in the fourth passage above to him that overcomes: “the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before My Father, and before His angels”. What are we to overcome and be clothed with white raiment and have our names written in the book of life? We must overcome sin, satan, and the world. No man can achieve this by the arm of flesh. Jesus Christ has achieved this feat for all men when He became our substitute on the cross of Calvary. He that knew no sin became a sin offering for us all. He was that Lamb of God which takes away the sin of the whole world (John 1:29). For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16). God has done His own part in giving Jesus for the whole world. We have to do our own part in believing in Jesus who died and rose from the dead. If you believe in Jesus and confess Him as your Lord and Savior, you will not perish but your name will be automatically written in the book of life. Those who don’t believe are condemned already (John 3:18b), and have their names out of the book of life. The greatest achievement of a man in this world is to ensure his name is written in the book of life before he dies. If anyone dies as a sinner he (or she) goes to hell because his (or her) name is not written in heaven. Is your name written in the book of life? If your answer is no or you are not sure, pray this prayer out loud: Lord Jesus, come into my heart, wash away my sins. I confess you as my Lord and Savior. Write my name in the book of life in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

For prayers and counseling, write, call or e-mail: Prevailing Word & Prayer Ministries Inc. P.O. Box 11875, Garki, Abuja, Nigeria. Tel. 2348033155417. E-mail: josey500@yahoo.com.