Have you ever attended a professional sports event? Thousands upon thousands of people scream and cheer loudly, as if their shouts were actually willing their side to victory. People certainly get excited about their favourite sports teams.

How many believers do you know who put that same passion and intensity into their faith? How often do you proclaim the saving truth of Jesus Christ as loudly as a football fan proclaims his or her allegiance?

In his letter to the church at Thessalonica, the apostle Paul rejoices in the young congregation’s passion for telling the world about Christ. Because the city was a busy seaport, he knew that the church there had the ear of the entire world. Travelers would hear the gospel and then take it back and share it with their own communities.

Paul praised the Thessalonians because “the word of the Lord … sounded forth” from them (1 Thess. 1:. Our heavenly Father wants the same to be true of His children today. Before there were any microphones or loudspeakers, a long, curved device known as a sounding board was used to amplify a public speaker’s voice. We can think of the Thessalonians as living amplifiers who proclaimed Jesus Christ to the world. And we should emulate them.

If you’re a “fan” of Jesus, then you have the responsibility of sharing with the world who He is and what He has done for you. Shout it from the rooftops! Fill entire stadiums with the thunder of your praise! Don’t just show the people around you who your favourite sports team is. Make sure they know who your Saviour is as well.

Mark 16:15
And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.

IT IS WELL. GOD BLESS

The Lord has made us a special people in order that we may fulfil a special purpose. Isaiah says, “The people whom I formed for Myself will declare My praise.” An integral part of worshipping the Lord is proclaiming His greatness.

To praise our Father is to applaud Him for who He is and what He has done in our life. This involves the release of our emotions, which frees us to express our unrestrained adoration for the Lord. When someone loves another person, the most natural response is to speak highly about the cherished one. In the same way, those who love Christ find that praise for Him comes easily to their lips.

Praising the Lord is good for us. In our self-centred society, people are primarily interested in getting their own needs met. Sadly, this same attitude has infiltrated some churches. But the Lord doesn’t want us to come to church concerned only about ourselves. Praise lifts our eyes to Jesus Christ and fills our hearts with the contentment that eludes us when we focus exclusively on our own needs and problems.

Praise and worship are usually associated with church services, but they should characterize us wherever we are. Some of the most intimate and precious experiences of worship can happen when we’re alone with the Father.

If you find that your praise lacks vitality, tell the Lord you want to learn to extol Him with your whole heart. The focus of worship is the key. Remember how God has cared for you, and look for daily evidence of His hand on your life. Then tell Him how great He is.

Philippians 2:9-11
Therefore, God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

John 1:14
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

1 John 5:20
And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

2 Peter 1:3
His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,

Psalms 118:1
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;his love endures forever.

IT IS WELL. GOD BLESS

The world that we live in is full of all manner of evil. Every day we hear about different levels of evil that fellow human beings commit towards each other. I saw a picture yesterday, how some Fulani men butchered their fellow countrymen in the East, I wondered if such people share the same red blood as me. Surely, their blood must be BLACK.

In times like these, the body of Christ cannot sit on their laurels and chant all is well. We are a chosen race, a Royal Priesthood, a Holy Nation, God own possession for a reason. We got to stand tall, side by side and reject evil wherever it shows its ugly head in our domain. It must start from within our homes. Teach your children to hate evil and do good. To fear God and to love their fellow human beings as they love themselves. To do to another only what they will want another person to do unto them. Let them grow up with spiritual principles that will set them up for life. This way we will build the nation up with HOLINESS as the core of the society. Evil will diminish and ultimately disappear.

Today, I implore all of you as you go out, say in your spirit, I reject evil in every shape or form. I will show the love of God to my fellow human beings. I will put the evil one to shame.

Ephesians 6:11
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

Romans 13:14
But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

Ephesians 6:13
Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.

IT IS WELL. GOD BLESS

Doubt is a negative state of mind that all believers should safeguard themselves against. It has the power to hinder the will of God. The Israelites doubted God in the wilderness, the promised land to them became an impossibility. They became indecisive and this ultimately affected their relationship with God.

Jehovah is faithful. His mercies endurance forever. He loved us while we were yet sinners. It is called Amazing Grace. Nothing can separate us from the love of God. There is no sin that God cannot forgive. The thief on the right hand of Christ on the cross gained eternal life by believing in Christ at the very last minute of his life. As far as the east was from the west, Christ removed his transgression from him.

Halleluyah x 7
Today, choose an area within Christendom to serve God as a sign of gratitude for what he has done for you. God promises He has equipped us with everything we need to do the work He has chosen for us (Eph. 2:10).

The opposite of doubt is faith. Get rid of doubt, and become a man/woman of faith.

Luke 24:38
And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts?

Mark 9:24
Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!”

John 20:27
Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.”

1 Samuel 12:24
Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you.

IT IS WELL. GOD BLESS

Romans 8:11 says “And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.”

How do we know that we have the spirit of God in us? The spirit within bears witness that we are not alone. It bears witness that there is something in us greater than him than is in the world. We hate nobody. We are peacemakers. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Christ is our foundation. We build our hope on the rock of ages. The gates of hell cannot prevail.

The one who sits at the right hand of God is our Messiah and High priest of the order of Melchizedek. We worship him! We adore Him! We exalt Him.

Our victory is Guaranteed!

2 Corinthians 6:18
And, "I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."

IT IS WELL. GOD BLESS

Life is like an adventure, where we may feel trapped and helpless with no way to escape. Prayer requests for physical and spiritual rescue becomes our only option. It is times like this we reflect on how Jesus Christ delivered us from the power and consequences of sin. He understands whatever we are going through.

Psalm 50:15 says, “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I shall rescue you, and you will honour Me.”

Start this week by admitting your helplessness to the Lord and to yourself. Confess any fears, unbelief, or self-reliance that you might detect in your life. Surrender all further attempts at change that are done apart from the heavenly Father. Then turn your gaze toward Him. Think about His relationship with you, who He is, and what He desires. Let the Holy Spirit fill your spirit with the truth of God’s Word. Meditate on it. Commit yourself to following His way. Then trust God, and wait on Him to change you from the inside out. He has the power to replace helpless feeling with a feeling of joy and peace.

1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Psalm 33:4
For the word of the Lord is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness.

2 Timothy 2:13
If we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself.

Jeremiah 29:11-13
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.

IT IS WELL. GOD BLESS

Apostle Paul stated in 2 Cor 10:4-6 that the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled

Those we engage in battle with are not of flesh and blood. Therefore, it is spiritually unwise to engage such beings in our own power. A farmer who decides that He wants to cultivate and plant seeds in the deep forest cannot rely on physical prowess. He must be tough mentally, and fully determined. There will be weeds to uproot; ancient trees to bring down; physical strain to go through; mental objections to pull down. New and old enemies to confront. A huge challenge; but can be done! The key is having a spirit of readiness to win the battle and race.

Glory be to God who has given us the tools we need to triumph. We reference promises in his WORD, using them as our anchor to seek and find, ask and receive whatever he has promised us. This becomes our confidence in which we move, live and have our being.
Psalm 32:8 states, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.”

As you go out today, ask God to direct your steps, thoughts and will in everything that concerns you. The battle is won in JESUS NAME – Amen

IT IS WELL. GOD BLESS

ireneony:
When you date thugs, what do you expect.

I think she shud change the kind of men she choose for herself.

#say no to thug life

Hmm Mother and daughter is a different ball game if compared to Mother and son. Saying that, be firm(in a polite way) by letting her know that intrusion into your family affairs is a no go area. If she keeps it up, just go silent on her, minimize you calls to her or the duration of the calls. Create a phrase like "All is well" Short and simple. With time, she will know her place.

If that does not work, reverse the situation by being intrusive in her own affairs, while not giving her any info on your own side. This will irritate her and hopefully she will back off.

If that does work, tell her bluntly, to back off (No disrespect in doing that)

Many people hold an unbiblical view of sainthood. Their idea of a saint is one who has led such a model life that he or she is adored by the church, but God’s Word presents quite a different picture. The Corinthian church struggled with all sorts of ungodly behaviours, yet Paul describes them as “those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling” (1 Cor. 1:2).

SANCTIFY means to set apart from common use to a sacred use. Throughout the Bible, the Lord has sanctified days (such as the Sabbath), places (the tabernacle), things (the ark of the covenant), and people. A saint is simply a person whom God has set apart for His purposes. This means that every believer is a saint.

Before you were saved, your position relative to God was one of enmity (Rom. 5:10). But the moment you trusted Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour, the Lord changed your position and set you apart for Himself. You were born again and are now His child. He forgave your sins and declared you righteous. A saint is not a perfect person but one who is in a right relationship with the heavenly Father. Although our position of sanctification is not based on good behaviour, the Lord expects us to live in a manner that honours Him.

Just think—God set you apart for a sacred purpose. That means you are here, not to live as you please but to bring glory to Him. He calls us to live according to our new position in Christ. When we accept this responsibility of sainthood with gratitude, we bring joy to the Father’s heart.

2 Timothy 2:21
Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonourable, he will be a vessel for honourable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.

1 Thessalonians 5:23
Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

John 17:17
Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.

2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

IT IS WELL. GOD BLESS

We have been learning about the Lord’s amazing plan to save us for all eternity. A persuasive argument for believing in eternal security is found in two of the apostle Paul’s questions in Romans 8.

Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? The answer is simple: No one can bring an accusation against believers and make it stick. Satan certainly tries, but God has justified us through His Son Jesus Christ—He has declared that we are no longer guilty. No matter what new sin we might commit after we are saved, we can’t be tried in God’s court a second time. If you fall into a stage of unbelief or sinful living, you may lose your reward, but you cannot lose your eternity in heaven with God (1 Cor. 3:12-15).

Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Undoubtedly, there are many experiences that test our faith, but we are ultimately saved by God’s grace. Jesus understands our trials and doubts, and He is not interested in casting us away at our first misstep. God always knew we would make thousands of mistakes after receiving Christ, but He saved us anyway.

Some followers of Jesus Christ worry that embracing eternal security will motivate people to go out and live a life of sin because they have nothing to lose. If we think about the wonder and majesty of our heavenly Father, doesn’t it make more sense that people would be motivated to praise Him for saving them out of the filth of their disobedience? The more we know of Jesus and His love for us, the more we will love Him and want to please Him. Forever.

John 4:19-24
The woman said to him, “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship.” Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.

IT IS WELL. GOD BLESS

We spend a lot of time worrying about physical needs—such as our house, car, food, finances, and health. All these are important in our life, but one form of assurance supersedes all the others. God desires for us to be confident in Him and in His saving grace. He gives us several reasons to be sure of our eternal security
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OUR LORD DOES NOT LIE
Jesus makes a personal promise to all believers: “No one will snatch [you] out of My hand” (John 10:28)—and He does not make promises unless He intends to keep them. To assume that we can take an action that would separate us from the Lord once we have been saved would essentially be calling Him a liar.

THE LORD IS OUR STRENGTH
The hand of God is used throughout Scripture as a symbol of His strength. Once we have received Christ, we are safely in His palm, and no force or action can remove us. If Satan could snatch us away, either by tempting us into sin or through his own power, it would mean he is stronger than God. We know that isn’t true because God is omnipotent (2 Chron. 20:6).

OUR LORD IS OUR HIGH PRIEST
Jesus is our advocate with a holy God who cannot look upon sin. In fact, Hebrews 7:25 tells us that Christ “save[s] forever” because He is available to intercede with God on our behalf. In human terms, Jesus is at the right hand of God as a tangible reminder that our sin debt is paid in full.

Through His Son Jesus, God has offered us not only salvation, but salvation eternally, with no loopholes, caveats, or maybes. You can be sure!

Psalms 27:1
The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalms 118:7
The LORD is with me; he is my helper. I look in triumph on my enemies

Psalms 118:15-17
Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous:
“The LORD’s right hand has done mighty things! The LORD’s right hand is lifted high; the LORD’s right hand has done mighty things!” I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the LORD has done

IT IS WELL. GOD BLESS

Out of all the ancient Texts, Writings and Manuscripts, the biblical text/content is the most preserved. The original writings of William Shakespeare written in the 1600s are nowhere to be found. What they have is just an edited version of the original transcript.

According to the biblical scholars and Archaeologists, out of approximately 20,000 lines that make up the entire New Testament (written between 10 years before Christ and 50 years after Christ), only 40 lines are in question. These 40 lines represent one quarter of one percent of the entire text and do not in any way affect the teaching and doctrine of the New Testament.

Out of over 500,000 Israelites adults that left Egypt, only 2 entered the promised land (Joshua and Caleb). This is the reason God told Joshua before he entered the promise land to do one thing; “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” (Joshua 1:8 ).

As you get out of your bed this morning, have you read the word of God, praying for the Holy Spirit to guide you in all that you do? If not, I implore you to make it your daily routine.

Luke 21:33
Heaven and Earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Psalm 1:1-3
“How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night.He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers.…”

IT IS WELL. GOD BLESS

“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household. “Acts 16:31). This statement is not only a fact but a wholesome truth.

The word “Trust” has 3 different meanings which are interrelated. These 3 definitions can be applied to how we relate with God through Christ.

1. Belief that someone or something is reliable, good, honest, effective, etc.

The God we serve is trustworthy, upright, truthful and active. He never sleeps nor slumbers. He does not lie. He will always fulfil his covenant to those who trust in him.

2. An arrangement in which someone's property or money is legally held or managed by someone else or by an organization (such as a bank) for usually a set period of time

Man fell short of the glory of God in the Garden of Eden. Since then, man was transformed from an immortal creature to a mortal one. Man was given a body that has a duration. The time we use in that body shall be held to account

3. An organization that results from the creation of a trust

When believers gather for worship or form a Consensus, the result is the manifestation of the will of God. We become Christ’s trust placed in God’s hands (Hebrews 2:13). Nothing can remove us from the mouth of the LION OF JUDAH.

Psalm 37:4-6
Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.

Romans 8:28
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Proverbs 3:6
In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Psalm 46:10
“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”

IT IS WELL. GOD BLESS

Sometimes our prayers are filled more with doubt than with confidence. We know that for God to answer our requests, our prayers must be in line with His will. However, wondering if we are praying according to His will can trip us up, and faced with the uncertainty, we will occasionally fall silent.

God’s will is for each of us to have a healthy relationship with Him through His Son Jesus Christ. That means knowing the Father with increasing intimacy and progressively becoming more and more like Jesus. By focusing our prayers on having this type of relationship with the Lord, it becomes easier to know what to pray. Simply find a scripture that tells you something about God’s character, and pray that for others and for yourself. The results are:

1.You can pray with confidence because God wants His children to be like Jesus Christ.

2.You can pray expectantly because you know He will work out His will in our lives.

3.You can cooperate with the Holy Spirit while He works to develop the same quality in you.

Prayer is not a game of “I Spy,” where we have to guess when to talk to the Lord or about what. Scripture is full of God’s attributes and His desires for our lives. Pick one and start praying. Then watch what God does in response. Prayer gains access to the proud spirit, to the hardened heart, to the unbelieving mind; there are no walls too high or thick for Him to breach. So pray God’s will and watch lives change—especially your own

Jeremiah 33:3

‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’

Colossians 4:2
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

Romans 12:12
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Psalm 145:18
The Lord is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.

Hebrews 4:16
Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

1 John 5:14
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.

Mark 11:24
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

IT IS WELL. GOD BLESS

Worship4589:
You should site your resources when using others content. This article is word for word from a bother ministries Web site.

Bro. We are not in school. Read the message.

Christians sometimes misunderstand the gift of salvation. It is not given, as some believe, for the purpose of making our lives happy, easy, and “smooth-sailing” (in fact, verses such as James 1:2-4 indicate trouble can be expected in this life).

Instead, our heavenly Father has a number of other reasons for redeeming us. In addition to being able to express His great love, He also wants to be glorified through the lives of His children. This happens as His followers become increasingly conformed to the image of Jesus Christ (Rom. 8:29), make disciples of all nations (Matt. 28:19), and do the good works He created us to do.

Ephesians 2:10 states, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” The Father blesses each of us with abilities and circumstances that enable us to do His work—He planned all this even before we were born. In addition, when we are saved, He gives us spiritual gifts that perfectly fit His purpose for our lives.

The Lord wants us to discover our unique talents and spiritual gifts so that we will be able to use them for His glory. That is the only way we will find genuine joy and fulfilment in this world.
Are you serving Christ in a way that utilizes the gifts you have been given? If you need guidance to discover your areas of strength, you might benefit from taking a spiritual giftedness inventory test.

“The true Christian is concerned infinitely more with the service he/she can render God and his/her brethren than with the benefits and pleasures one can extract from life. The aims should be to put more into life than what one takes out of it.

Colossians 3:23
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,

Proverbs 16:3
Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.

Colossians 3:17
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 3:24
Knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

IT IS WELL. GOD BLESS

As believers in Christ, we are assured of our salvation. We need not fear eternity, because we know we will dwell with the heavenly Father forever in paradise. What blessed assurance!
But salvation is about more than just getting into heaven. It’s about the process of becoming increasingly like Jesus while living on earth. In fact, we’ll someday be asked to account for the way we used our opportunities, abilities, and resources
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In His parable of the talents, Jesus shared the importance of investing wisely all that our Father has bestowed on us. (See Matt. 25:14-30.) God gives His children different types and amounts of wealth, gifts, blessings, and circumstances. What matters to the Lord is the way we make use of them, not how much we have. Do we take what He has given and selfishly utilize it all for our own good and protection? Or do we generously and cheerfully use those gifts and talents to serve Jesus Christ? These are the questions that Christians will answer at the believers’ judgment.

Of course, this accountability won’t be the basis for our spending eternity in heaven (that issue is settled when we trust in Christ). Rather, we will be rewarded for the way we invested our life. And if we didn’t spend our time and resources wisely, we will experience loss.

Consider your blessings. How do you utilize all that the heavenly Father has bestowed upon you—namely, time, abilities, and finances? Each one of us must choose how we are going to live. It is our responsibility to be faithful servants of the living God, doing whatever He calls us to do.

1 Timothy 4:14
Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you.

Romans 12:6-8
Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

1 Peter 4:10-11
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

IT IS WELL. GOD BLESS

With hundreds of prophecies related to the Messiah, it shouldn’t surprise us that God used many people—believers, unbelievers, and even some unquestionably wicked individuals—to ensure the Saviour’s earthly life would unfold according to plan. For example, a census ordered by Caesar Augustus brought Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem, the city of Christ’s birth. ( Mic. 5:2; Luke 2:1-4.)
What’s more, God used some of the most powerful men of the day to bring about His Son’s sacrificial death on the cross.

Trumped-up charges by the Pharisees and Sadducees helped turn the crowd against Jesus (Mark 15:9-11). Pilate condemned Him, and the Romans carried out the actual crucifixion. They even bargained for His clothes and chose not to break His legs, as predicted in Scripture. ( John 19:24, 36.)

During the dark days between Jesus Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection, the disciples must have believed the messianic plan had been derailed. But God’s goal wasn’t to bring political revolution as some believed. He sent His Son to redeem mankind: Jesus paid the penalty of death for all our sins.

Before the foundation of the world, God had planned for the salvation of every tribe and nation. Throughout history, He orchestrated events to fulfil His purpose, using even the ungodly to move His plan forward.

Many have had a hand in advancing the Saviour’s story, but the ultimate responsibility is the Father’s. He gave His only Son over to death on behalf of the world that He loved (John 3:16). Both the righteous and the wicked who took part in God’s story were made to follow His script.

Isaiah 45:7
I form light and create darkness, I make well-being and create calamity, I am the Lord, who does all these things.

John 6:38-40
For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”

Hebrews 13:20-21
Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

IT IS WELL. GOD BLESS

FP

MODERATOR. DO YOUR JOB FOR GOD SAKE

The Bible provides an accurate account of the heavenly Father’s character, actions, and purposes. Together, the Old and New Testaments teach us that man’s problem is sin and that the only remedy is faith in the Son of God: Jesus Christ. Through the Bible, we learn what happens at the moment of our salvation—our sin’s penalty is reckoned as paid, its power over us is broken, and the Holy Spirit becomes our daily companion.

Through His Word, God has entrusted to us the knowledge of who He is, what He is doing, and how the future will unfold for mankind. The Scriptures were intended to lead us into a growing personal relationship with our heavenly Father and to empower us for fruitful service as Christ’s ambassadors (2 Cor. 5:20). In this position, we are called to follow Jesus’ example in glorifying God (Matt. 5:16)—our Saviour focused not on Himself but on the heavenly Father, whose plan is to reach the entire world with His saving grace.

The Father’s will includes different tasks for His children to accomplish, according to the way He’s planned for each one to function (Rom. 12:4-6). Meditating on scriptural principles and examples will help us discern what He has in mind for us. Just as Jesus’ work was to do His Father’s will, that is our calling as well.
What place does this Book of books—the Bible—have in determining the course of your life? Take time today and every day to listen to the Lord, to partake of His wisdom, and to determine what He is saying to you personally. In so doing, you will orient your mind to His priorities, will, and thinking.

John 14:26
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

Proverbs 3:1-35
My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favour and good success in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. ...

Psalm 91:1-6
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, ...

Malachi 3:6
“For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed

IT IS WELL. GOD BLESS

Recently I was talking with a colleague about his spiritual life. When I asked, “Are you saved?” he answered, “No, but I’m working at it.” When I pressed him, he explained that he was making some changes in his life. He had given up smoking and drinking, among other things. I knew I should help him understand a few important principles, as he was making some incorrect assumptions.

This gentleman needed to realize that what we do or what we give up for Jesus doesn’t amount to much. The Lord isn’t looking for people who change a few habits by sheer force of will; He’s calling people to surrender themselves to Him. The only action God expects of a seeker is to believe in Jesus—that He is who He says, He will do what He says, He has the authority to forgive, and He will equip His people to live a godly life. Because of those convictions, a new Christian is empowered to turn away from his old life—in other words, to repent—and begin the process of becoming “a new creature” (2 Cor. 5:17).

We don’t evolve into a saved people by deleting old habits and instituting better religious ones; we are transformed by the saving power of Jesus Christ when we believe in Him.

Since salvation isn’t something we earn, no one can boast before God. All of our moral living, good deeds, and strenuous efforts to change bad habits amount to a pile of trash, compared to the holiness of Jesus Christ (Isa. 64:6). Only His righteousness can cover our sins and make us right before the Father.

Matthew 16:24-27
Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done.

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Romans 12:1
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

Psalm 9:10
And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.

IT IS WELL. GOD BLESS

The disciples experienced many “mountaintop moments” in their time with Jesus: The synagogue ruler’s daughter was brought back to life; two men had their sight restored; the mute were enabled to speak; and the demon-possessed man was set free. But when the storm came that day on the sea, fear invaded their hearts. Their minds could not recollect the lessons they had learned about the power and purposes of the One they followed. Even the appearance of Jesus walking on the water did not bring them immediate relief (Matt. 14:26).

When adversity strikes, we sometimes forget our knowledge of God, too. We struggle to recall past answers to prayer, specific guidance provided by the Holy Spirit, and lessons learned in prior crises. Only the present situation seems real. As our minds spin with future implications, troubled emotions can inhibit clear thinking.

Reading Scripture regularly is a key to remembering biblical truths. Another important resource is a spiritual journal. As a written record of your pilgrimage with the Lord, it will contain the specifics of how He has previously worked in your life. It serves as a map to trace where you’ve been and how He has helped you along the way. While your current trial may be a new one, you can look back to see the Lord’s unchangeable nature over the years.

As Christians, we have an enemy who wants our focus diverted from the Lord Jesus. Let’s thwart the adversary’s strategy by spending time in the Word and by keeping a journal. Doing so will help us remember how Jesus has provided for us personally and protected us with His divine power.

2 Timothy 1:7
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

1 Corinthians 6:14
And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power.

Luke 10:19
Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.

Ephesians 3:20
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,

Ephesians 6:10
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.

Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Colossians 1:11
May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy,

IT IS WELL. GOD BLESS

Storms are inevitable. In nature, powerful thunderstorms leave a changed landscape behind them. Similarly, challenging circumstances can alter the direction of our life.

When difficulties arise, do you say to the Lord, “I am doing what You asked, so why is this happening?” Such thinking assumes that being in the centre of God’s will exempts us from problems. In Matthew 14, we learn that Jesus instructed the disciples to get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the opposite shore. While they were obeying Him, high winds and waves developed. The truth is, storms can arise even when we are exactly where God wants us to be (John 16:33).

Another question we sometimes ask is, “Father, what have I done wrong?” Many of us automatically assume that we are a large part of the problem. God does use trials to correct us, but not all situations come from our mistakes. He may allow troubles to perfect us—that is, to mature us and grow us into Christ’s likeness. That was the case with the disciples. Jesus knew what lay ahead for them, and He desired to make them fit for the work He was calling them to do. The lashing winds created an environment conducive to learning key lessons for future ministry.

God uses all different ways to train and equip us, because He wants us to become strong, vital servants of the Lord Jesus Christ. Realize that nothing can happen to a child of God unless He allows it. Instead of keeping our heads bent low against the struggles of life, let’s look up to the Lord and seek His purposes in our challenges.

Matthew 8:23-27
And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?
”
Deuteronomy 31:6
Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”

Psalm 107:29
He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed.

Psalm 34:17-20
When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the broken-hearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken.

Nahum 1:7
The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him.

IT IS WELL. GOD BLESS

Hiswordxray:
Hey brother, there is something called the school of Christ. I think it is where Jesus teaches us about God through our relationship with him. So tell me about your experience in the school of Christ.

My experience with Christ has been both bitter and sweet. The bitter part of it is seeing wrong and not being able to do anything about it. The sweeter part of it is surrendering every situation to God by trusting him that all will work out according to his good purpose. I have applied this spiritual truth in many situations, God's purpose always comes out on top.

Example: Some years ago, I lost my Dad and did not have a dime on me for his burial (Just finished a big project). I wanted to panic. My phone was ringing non stop. I switched off my phone, prayed and trusted in God. For 2 days my phone remained switch off. On the 3RD day, early in the morning, I switched on my phone, one of my debtors left a message on my phone telling me to give him my account number (an old debt that I have forgone). The rest is history.

Those who trust in God shall not be put to shame.

There’s a simple message from God that is repeated over and over throughout Scripture—He delights far more in our efforts to know Him than in any gift we might offer Him. God created us with a deep desire to be known, so it shouldn’t be difficult for us to understand that seeking Him expresses our love better than words ever could.

We begin to take advantage of our great privilege to personally know God when we receive His free gift of new life through Jesus Christ. From that moment on, we are filled with His Holy Spirit. Jesus, our Mediator, spanned the gap of sin that separated God and man. Through His death on the cross, He made it possible for us, as unrighteous as we were, to become children of the Lord of Hosts, whose holiness overwhelmed Isaiah (Isa. 6:1-7). It is impossible to truly know God apart from knowing Jesus.

If our focus is exclusively on our own personal concerns, we will learn very little about the Lord. To further take hold of the privilege Jesus has afforded us—that of knowing the Father—we must be interested in what interests Him. By looking carefully for His way of doing things, we can come to understand what He deems important. We know that God has great concern for people who are walking in darkness as well as for those who are sick, suffering, and dying and have no one to help them. In order to take full advantage of our privilege of knowing Him more deeply, we must share His heart for the world and daily be involved with what He is doing all around us.

1 John 2:6
Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.

1 Corinthians 11:1
Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

1 Peter 2:21
For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.

Ephesians 5:1-2
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

IT IS WELL. GOD BLESS

While we meet a tremendous number of people in our lifetime, we sometimes feel particularly privileged to know certain individuals, such as a godly role model, a childhood hero, or someone who was there to help in our time of need. Still, as wonderful as it is to have these distinctive people in our lives, the greatest privilege of all is to know God. Even knowing the most exceptional people can never bring us the joy and contentment for which we yearn. And yet, we frequently chase after worldly acceptance because we forget the treasure of truly knowing the living God.

Often, people get saved and remain satisfied with this first step—knowing a few facts about God is enough for them. If they are asked, “Do you know God?” most will say that they do. But there’s a vast difference between knowing facts about God and personally relating to Him. Believers should continually be growing closer to the Father—always learning more about who He is and what He considers important.

When people go through life depending on themselves, they never really know God—He will reveal Himself to a heart that is honest and transparent, not to one that’s full of pride and arrogance. It is in our brokenness and helplessness that we discover who the Lord is.

Do you have a genuine hunger in your heart to know God? If so, ask Him, “Who are You? What are You like?” Then open yourself to Him, not for His sake—He already knows you perfectly—but for your own sake. By spending time with Him, you’ll discover you are privileged indeed.

Jeremiah 9:23-24
Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.”

Philippians 3:10
That I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,

Romans 12:2
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

1 John 4:6-7
We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error. Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.

IT IS WELL. GOD BLESS

When someone is interviewing for a new job, it’s common to ask, “What does the benefits package include?” We’d do well to consider a similar question about the value of living according to God’s wisdom—since the world’s advice about having a good life contrasts sharply with scriptural teachings, we might ask, “What are the benefits?” In other words, Why should we seek to live in obedience to the instructions given in the Bible?

INCREASE UNDERSTANDING AND KNOWLEDGE
First of all, in seeking God’s wisdom, we will acquire a deeper understanding and knowledge of the Lord. (See Prov. 2:4-6.) Our perspective on life is greatly enhanced when we have a close relationship with the Father. He’ll give us the ability to see ourselves, others, and circumstances the way He would view them. As biblical principles permeate our minds, they begin to shape our thinking and responses to all of life’s situations and challenges.

GOD’S GUIDIANCE AND PROTECTION
Second, God promises to guide and protect us if we walk wisely (Prov. 2:7-10). Nothing outside His will can penetrate the shield of protection around those who love and seek to obey Him. When we let His wisdom enter our hearts, discretion watches over our desires and emotions, preventing us from entering into foolish or sinful relationships that would draw us away from Him (Prov. 2:11-20).

Godly understanding and protection don’t become ours simply because we want them. Such benefits come to people who diligently seek divine wisdom. If you receive the words of Scripture and let them fill your heart and mind, the Lord will reveal Himself to you and give you His discernment.

Proverbs 2:1-22
My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. ...
Psalm 111:10
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!

Ecclesiastes 7:12
For the protection of wisdom is like the protection of money, and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it.

Isaiah 11:2
And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.

IT IS WELL. GOD BLESS

Time is a precious commodity in our fast-paced culture. Because of this, it is also a tremendously valuable gift that we can give to someone else.

Our Lord Jesus Christ was the ultimate model of balanced time management. He had critically important business to take care of and was certainly intentional about accomplishing His Father’s work (John 6:38); however, you won’t come across any Bible verse saying that He “ran to Bethany” or “rushed back to Galilee.” Wherever Jesus went, He was sensitive to people’s needs and always reached out in love to help them. He wasn’t so busy that He could not be interrupted.

Right before He went to the cross to accomplish the most important work of His life, Jesus stopped to help a poor blind beggar, who was a nobody in the eyes of society. Although the redemption of mankind was vitally important, the Saviour cared enough about the suffering of one person to stop and do what He could to bring the man relief.

If the Lord allowed Himself to be interrupted on the way to the cross, will He not also stop and listen when we call out to Him in our distress? He is never too busy governing the universe to hear His beloved children cry to Him for help.

In order to follow in the footsteps of Christ, we must ask ourselves, Am I willing to be interrupted? We are stewards of all that God gives to us, including our time. Consider availability a resource to be used when reaching out in love as Jesus did. Give someone your time today.

Ephesians 5:15-17
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

Psalm 90:12
So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.

Colossians 4:5
Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.

2 Peter 3:8
But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

Psalm 37:3-4
Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart
.
Luke 18:27
But he said, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.”

IT IS WELL. GOD BLESS

Judas2013:
sex?

By trusting in Jesus Christ, a person enters into a lifelong relationship with the heavenly Father. As believers, we have a responsibility to keep that connection healthy.

LEARN MORE ABOUT GOD
First, we must learn about our new family. An essential and ongoing part of family life involves knowing and being known by the other members. In the Bible, God gave a detailed description of His attributes, values, and thinking. And since Jesus came to earth, we can better understand His Father’s divine character, which was demonstrated in a human life. As we meditate on Scripture, our sense of connectedness to God will continue to grow.

PRAYER AND STUDY THE WORD
Second, we should stay in close contact with the Lord through prayer and study of His Word—and resist the temptation to put people, work, or pleasures ahead of Him. Remember: Relationships thrive with consistent interaction but wither if they are neglected.

RESPONSE TO HIS INSTRUCTIONS
Third, we must respond to what He has communicated to us. He provided instructions for living and explained what pleases Him. In healthy families, people pay attention to each other. We are to heed our Father’s warnings and obey His commands.

IMITATE CHRIST
Finally, we’re to grow in likeness to God. Relatives can resemble each other in subtle and obvious ways. As we cooperate with the transforming work of the Holy Spirit, we will start to think and act like our heavenly Father.

God the Father provided salvation through His Son, who died so we could become spiritually alive. Jesus set an example for us to follow: a life of loving, obedient service. God’s Spirit is doing His sanctifying work in us (1 Peter 1:2). Are we doing our part to keep the relationship healthy?

Psalm 34:17-19
"The righteous cry out and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all."

Isaiah 40:31
"But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on the wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

Romans 8:31-32
"What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all — how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?"

Romans 8:38-39
"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

IT IS WELL. GOD BLESS

From the very beginning, God intended to have an intimate, loving relationship with His children. What evidence do we have that this is His desire?

HIS SON.
One reason that Jesus Christ came to earth is for us to know and relate to God the Father. The Bible tells us that Jesus is His exact representation; His words and works were the same as God’s (John 5:19; John 12:50). Therefore, when we look at the Son, we are seeing the character of our heavenly Father.

INVITATION.
Through the Scriptures, God invites us to join His family. He took care of all the arrangements; the only thing we have to do is say yes (John 3:16).

ADOPTION.
The closest tie we can have with one another is family. At salvation, we are adopted into the Lord’s family. This relationship with our heavenly Father lasts for an eternity and provides us with support, encouragement, and love.

FRIENDSHIP.
By calling His disciples “friends” (John 15:15), Jesus revealed a new aspect to their relationship, which applied to His future followers as well. Jesus Christ is a forever friend, one who will never desert or turn away from us.

HIS PRESENCE.
From the moment of our salvation, we are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. He is even closer to us than any earthly kin can be.
The heavenly Father invites us to join His family through faith in Jesus Christ. This is our highest calling—to believe in Him and to live for Him all of our days (John 20:31). Once we become God’s children, His Spirit will work in us to make our family resemblance stronger and clearer in thought, word, and deed.

Psalm 63:1-11
A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips.

James 4:8
Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

John 17:22-23
The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.

IT IS WELL. GOD BLESS