Sunday, July 28, 2019

Praise God!

It is a beautiful day today. What an awesome God we serve.
Do you know that not everyone who went to bed last night, woke up this morning? Some passed on in their sleep, some were rushed to hospital and they died there, some were shot and killed on their bed? Yes! on their bed, it's happening all around us like wild fire. No where is safe anymore.
We give God all the Praise for the gift of life today. Because we are alive today does not mean we are holier than those who passed on. It is only out of God's love and mercy that we are still here. So give God all the Praise! Alleluia!

Do you know that one day, it will be my turn or your turn to depart this world?
Have you thought about where you are going to spend eternity?
The highest I have heard anyone live in this our present generation is a hundred & twenty (120) years, but eternity is forever and ever and ever and ever and ever and ever and .............................
Where are you going to spend eternity?
In heaven with God the father, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, the beautiful Angels and our departed loved ones who made it there? or with the ugly, monstrous, forever doomed, useless satan and his demons?
Choose today whom you will serve and where you are going to spend eternity.
It is a serious matter. Don't ignore it.
Remember, the question you will be asked is not how popular, or how famous or how powerful or how rich you were on earth, or how holy you pretended to be while on earth, not how many times you went to church and clapped your hands and gave tithes and offerings?
All these are good, don't get me wrong. Not even how poor and needy, you were, because some people think because they don't have, it's a license to rob and kill others.
However, the question to answer is
how much did you love? How did you love God and your fellow human beings? Love in all sincerity not by lip service.
Read all about it in the book of Matt 25:31-46.
When Jesus was asked, which is the great commandment in the law? He answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart....... You shall love your neighbor as yourself ". Again
Read Matthew 22:36-40.
Please take time and read and may the Holy Spirit grant you understanding as you do.
God bless you in Jesus mighty name. Amen.

Thursday, June 20, 2019

Unforgiveness

Are you struggling with unforgiveness? There is hope and breakthroughs only in Christ Jesus.

It is not easy to forgive especially those close to you. If a total stranger offends you, you may brush it aside but if a close friend or family member offends you, you may want to teach them a lesson by not letting go and it might grow and grow until it becomes a mountain. Learn to let go easily, forgive quickly as soon as an offence occurs.

Unforgiveness is a spirit that stems from the spirit of anger.

If you were not angry, you will let go easily.

The Bible says in Eph 4: 26 "Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath."

That means, as a human being the emotion of anger will arise from time to time, but you are not to dwell on the cause of the anger or on the person who offended you, rather you are to forgive immediately.

However, you need God's grace to do this. You can not forgive easily by yourself. Only God almighty gives us the grace to forgive others and even to forgive ourselves.

When you are angry with someone and refuse to forgive them, it hurts you more, because they may not care about your feelings or may have forgotten that they offended you.

Don't carry the baggage of unforgiveness around, it causes more pain, robs you of your joy and peace and releases stress hormones which will result to other illnesses.

It has often been said, "forgive and let a prisoner free, and discover that the prisoner is you".

It is liberating to forgive. Don't be trapped in the net of unforgiveness.

Forgiveness is not an option, it is a command from God.

If you don't forgive, God will not forgive you. Read the verse below.

"And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses". Mark 11:25‭-‬26.

This verse is powerful!

If God doesn't forgive you, there is no spending eternity with him.

So we must forgive others sincerely and from the heart, not merely saying it but meaning it from deep within and we need God's grace and mercy to do so.

Eph 4:32 says, "And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you".
If God almighty has forgiven us for the sake of his Son Jesus Christ, who are we not to forgive others?

Ask God for the grace and mercy to walk in love and forgiveness. He will answer.

Trust him always. God bless you as you seek him more and obey his word and learn to forgive in Jesus mighty name. Shalom!

Saturday, April 27, 2019

Be Comforted

There have been series of events taking place around the world in recent times.
The Ethiopian airlines plane crash, the New Zealand massacre, the bombing in Sri Lanka and so many senseless killings around the world.
We are moved to remember the families left behind.

For all those mourning the loss of their loved ones, those mourning the wickedness and the evil that seem to be swallowing many in this present day, be comforted by the word of God. He said he will never leave us nor forsake us.
God is not ignorant of what you are going through right now.

Please don't blame God for your mishap, that is what the enemy would like. satan would like to wreck havoc in people's lives and make them blame God for his wickedness. Don't get caught up by his wicked and evil strategy.

Believe God firmly, trust him absolutely and draw closer to God and find strength in his Holy word and your safety and deliverance is sure. He will cover you under his wings and assign his Holy Angels to watch over you and defend you.
As he said in (Ps 91: 4, 11).
"He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways".

Take refuge in God's unfailing love, his word and promises
"For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning". Psalms 30:5.

Be comforted today trusting in God's Word.
Be strengthened in your faith knowing that he cares for you.

He said in Matt 5:4. "Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted".

The above verse is neither condoning evil nor is it rejoicing in our mourning but rather is a source of strength and comfort in case we find ourselves in that position for whatever reason, be it due to the forces of nature or due to evil occurrences from heartless people, or normal ageing, whatever the reason, we are encouraged to seek solace in God almighty through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.
Some people have stopped watching the news including yours truly because of the evil circulating like wild fire every where.
Whatever the problem maybe, we know the Bible is quite plain about it all.
In Matt 24: 6-7, it said,
"And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places".
We know, we are at the end time, everything happening around us was already prophesied and predicted in the Bible, the only problem is we are never prepared for such things.
One doesn't just prepare for how to react when an earthquake occurs or when a hurricane happens. There are so many simulation exercises but it can never be enough to get us to respond when it hits home. It might help the rescue team but not the actual victims or their relatives.
We rely absolutely on God's Divine intervention.

PRAYER
Heavenly father, we present to you today, those in need of your peace that passeth all understanding. We pray for those mourning and weeping for the loss of their family members, relatives and friends, grant them your comfort and consolation in this time of trial dear Lord.
ABBA father fill them with your abundant grace, peace and joy in the midst of the storm, give them strength to move on and faith to trust you more in Jesus mighty name, we pray. Amen.

Saturday, March 2, 2019

Blessed are those whose sins are forgiven.

Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
Romans 4:7 KJV

God forgives and the forgiven sinner rejoices and enjoys unspeakable peace.

Do you remember the day you surrendered all to Jesus Christ and asked him to come into your life?

It should be a memorable day, if you are still working with the Lord.
It is not only the forgiven sinner who rejoices but the Bible says there is joy in heaven also,
"I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance".
Luke 15:7 KJV.

When your sins are forgiven, you feel like tons of weight has been lifted off, you feel light, peaceful and full of joy with great expectation and you want to tell your family and friends and the whole world what has happened to you, and you feel there is no need to do anything in this life because Jesus is coming any time from now. Just rejoice, be happy and pray.
That was my first encounter with God, personal experience.

That was my first encounter with the Lord, personal experience.

Keep reading for my second encounter below.
I understand, it might be different for so many, but in my experience, I was getting ready to enter the university but after my encounter with the Lord, I felt I didn't need all that studying, I could just spend my time praying and seeking God and telling people about him since he is going to come any moment, very, very soon.

I thank God that I eventually pursued my studies because it has been several years now and I believe I'm helping a lot of people now than I would have if I didn't pursue my studies.

I still wait eagerly for the second return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ but live goes on. He said we should occupy until he comes.
And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.
Luke 19:13 KJV.

We are to hold fast to our faith in him.
Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. Rev 3:11 KJV

It means, we can't fold our hands and do nothing because we are saved, then we will become liability to others and it may lead to backsliding in some.

I have heard people blame God for their problems because they were told that once they give their lives to Christ all their problems would be solved, so they say, the sinners prayer and wait, maybe they were jobless and they stop looking for job and start quoting the Scriptures,

"But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus". Phil 4:19 KJV

As they fold the hands and quote scriptures, they remain jobless and they continue to blame God and then they dump their Bible in a corner and get involved in all kinds of atrocities in order to make money fast, now they feel they have wasted so much time carrying the Bible and life is passing them by.

The Bible says, in Prov 6:10-11,
"Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man".

That is why real teaching is needed and real follow up or discipleship is very important.
However, if you are like me who got saved outside the church, you have to be attentive and sensitive to the promptings and the teachings of the Holy Spirit.

My second encounter
My first experience which I tried to summarize above was an encounter with God but that encounter lasted only a few years, there was no teaching, no follow up. I have always had reverential fear of God, so I continued but was always falling into sin until I had another encounter several years later, I was alone in my apartment singing a simple song,

'into my heart, come into my heart, Lord Jesus, come in today, come into stay, come into my heart, Lord Jesus'.

To me it was a simple song, I have sang it several times before but that particular day, as the Lord would have it, I sang it prayerfully, meditating on the wordings and the Lord manifested, he allowed my sins to pass before me like a movie, he showed me the sins I committed and was telling me how it hurt him when I sinned and I cried like a baby.

That was the beginning of a beautiful encounter with God which I am still enjoying till today.
However, it was not smooth sailing because it took me a few years to surrender completely to the Lord after that encounter.
God is so merciful and patient with us. That is why we cannot afford to be unforgiving towards others.

If we reflect on our lives of sin before our various encounters with God, we should be quick to forgive every offense even before the offender asks for forgiveness.
I don't know what was your salvational experience & story and how long it has been, please don't give up on Jesus second return.
If you have not surrendered to him yet, please use this opportunity to ask him to come into your life and your heart.
Talk to him in your own words, ask him to forgive your sins, wash you clean and come in and dwell in you. Determine to follow him for the rest of your life by his grace.
He is coming soon as he said.
We are at the end time and many lies have infiltrated the church.

Some say, he already came, some say he is on the earth right now walking around, some say he is not coming back, others say when one dies that's the end, they don't believe in life after death.
Please study the Bible with understanding from the Holy Spirit and don't allow yourself to be swayed by false teachings and false prophecies.

Be strong in your faith.
......work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. Phil 2:12 KJV

He said in John 14 2-3.
In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

Jesus Christ is coming back soon, even sooner than we think.

God bless you in Jesus mighty name. Amen!
That was my first encounter with the Lord, personal experience.

Keep reading for my second encounter below.

Monday, February 18, 2019

Heavenly minded

We are called to be heavenly minded.  To think of the things that matter.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Philippians 4:8 KJV

We should not allow the enemy to fill our minds with negative thoughts and imaginations.

The lying devil & his evil spirits like to whisper lies and confusion and to remind us of negative past events, if you give them the opportunity.

Have you ever caught yourself reliving past negative experiences and getting highly emotional about it, and telling yourself, I should have handled it this way or that way. You feel the anger and rage rising from within, suddenly you realize yourself and you shout at the devil to get thee hence and you tell the enemy how dare you remind me of things that happened more than ten years ago, I mean over ten(10) years ago and make it look like it's happening right now.
Yes, it Happens to the best of us.
Sometimes I ask myself how in the world did I allow the devil and his whispering demons get this far into my thoughts?

It is said, "an idle mind is the devil 's workshop or playground".
We need to meditate on God's words all the time, we cannot give any room to the devil at all. Remember if you give him a yard, he will take a mile.
Don't play with fire.
The Bible says resist the devil and he will flee.
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
James 4:7 KJV
One thing we seem to ignore or rather we don't pay attention to, is the beginning of the verse which says, "submit yourselves therefore to God", we need to realize that without first submitting to God, we cannot resist the devil, we need God's grace in order to resist the devil.
Jesus said it in Jn 15:5 that without him, we can do nothing.
As you eat three or more meals a day to nourish your body, you need to feed your soul as well, even more times a day, by studying and meditating on the Scriptures, listening to good worship songs, reading God inspired books written by anointed children of God.
Sometimes, it's good to do without food by fasting and praying.
As children of God we are in constant battle, the enemy is trying everything possible to stop us from making it into heaven, we cannot allow ourselves to be defeated by him.
The battle is the Lord's, trust him always to fight for you and win every battle.

You have a part to play by declaring the word of God and believing him. If you have not studied the Word, you will not have anything to declare when the enemy strikes.
The Bible says, And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.
Matthew 11:12 KJV.

When Jesus was tempted by satan in the wilderness after fasting, he resisted him by quoting the Word of God to him.
Matt 4:1-11.
Think about it, if Jesus our Lord and Savior was tempted by satan after fasting forty days and forty nights, who are we not to be tempted by the same enemy.

Jesus said in Jn 13:16 & 15:20, the servant is not greater than his master.

The grace of God is always sufficient.
He will never leave us nor forsake us. Heb 13:5.
PRAYER
Our loving father, we thank you for your ever sufficient grace in our lives. We thank you that you are fighting for us against the enemy of our souls, and you are winning every single battle, because you are the all powerful God. We ask today that you will meet each one of us at the point of our needs, release your warrior Angels to continue to defeat the enemy on our behalf in Jesus mighty name. Amen.


Desire for Eternity with God

One thing have I desired of the Lord , that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord , and to enquire in his temple.
Psalms 27:4 KJV.

God the father created us in his image and likeness, to worship him here on earth in Spirit and in truth, that at the end we may spend eternity with him.
It is the love of God that puts the desire to be with him forever in our hearts.
The Holy Spirit guides us into all truth.
We are on a pilgrimage journey here on earth, we are on transit, we are passing through.
"I love the song which says, "This world is not my home, I'm just a-passing through, my treasures are laid up, somewhere beyond the blue...." by Jim Reeves.

I love it, because it reminds me that it doesn't matter what I go through on this earth, I have a better place waiting for me in heaven, if I don't give up, but endure to the end.
There is so much pain and suffering that truly born again, children of God go through in this life. It is all for the purpose of increasing our faith and strengthening us spiritually.
Jesus Christ himself said in Jn 16:33 "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world".
There is tribulation and suffering everywhere but our joy and peace is in Christ Jesus and our reward awaits us in heaven if we don't give up and quit.
I have heard this saying several times, "No pain, no crown"
It may have been said for other reasons but it is very much applicable to our Christian walk today.
Some people equate suffering with sin, because a Christian is suffering in different areas, be it health, finances, career etc. some people will accuse him of being a sinner.
They say if he is serving God, why is he in so much debt, why is he always sick, why is he jobless when he already got his degree, the list goes on and on.
Who are you to judge others and accuse them of sin because of their negative circumstances? You are not God. You don't know it all.
I would rather say, if you call yourself a child of God and every thing is moving smoothly for you on every side, check yourself very well to ensure that there's no compromise in your life, that has submerged you into the enemy camp making you part of them so the enemy is not attacking you, that he considers you as one of them without you even knowing it.

On the other hand we Christians should not suffer as criminals as Peter said,
"But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters".
1 Peter 4:15.

Yes, if you commit an offence and you are punished for it, that is not persecution or tribulation, rather a well deserved punishment for your crime.

Desire to please God always, to obey his word, in order to spend eternity with him in heaven.

Matt 6:33, said. Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness and every other thing shall be added unto you.

Seeking God's Kingdom first and his righteousness should be the ultimate goal of every true child of God. It is God who gives the grace, power and anointing needed to follow him.
When we focus on eternity, on life after death, then we are motivated to surrender it all to the Lord, no matter what we are going through.

Rom 8:18 says, "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us".

Think about the glory that shall be revealed, what the father has prepared for us his children.

Jesus said, "In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also". John 14:2‭-‬3.
Have you ever taken time to imagine what heaven will be like? Quite amazing!
This is enough reason for a true believer to get excited and pray for God's grace and mercy to run this race to the end without wavering.

PRAYER
Heavenly father we thank you for today, we thank you for your love towards us. We thank you for the gift of your son Jesus Christ. Father we desire to spend eternity with you, we pray for your special grace and anointing to run the race that is set before us faithfully and to the end.
Help us oh Lord our God to see you face to face when you call us home, that we may spend eternity with you in heaven, in Jesus mighty name. Amen!


Sunday, February 17, 2019

Backfire by Arch Bishop Duncan Williams

http://theuchegod.com/2019/02/17/watch-backfire-by-arch-bishop-duncan-williams-on-youtube/

Friday, February 15, 2019

Saturday, February 9, 2019

You belong to God almighty.

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us".
Romans 8:35‭-‬37 KJV.

If you are a true child of God, no devil, no demon, no principalities or powers, no ocultist, no wizard or witch can separate you from the love of God.
Make sure you are truly born again, and that you have truly given your life to Jesus Christ.

Nothing, absolutely nothing shall separate us from the love of God, as long as we hold firm to the Lord and serve with all our hearts and minds. God bless you.

"For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord".
Romans 8:38‭-‬39 KJV.

PRAYER
Almighty God, we love you, we Praise you, we worship and adore you O Lord. We know you have carved us in the palms of your hands. We know we are fearfully and wonderfully made. We know we are the apples of your eyes.

We believe in you, Lord and we declare today that no weapon formed against us shall prosper in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, and every tongue that shall rise or that has risen against us in judgment shall surely be condemned in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.
Father may your hedge of protection be around us always in Jesus mighty name. Amen.
Surround us with your chariots of fire in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.

Lord, drive evil beings, pretenders and agents of satan far away from us in Jesus mighty name.  Amen!

ABBA father, in the mighty and matchless name of your Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we thank you for answering us. Amen!!!

Sunday, January 13, 2019

Your treasure and your heart

Waiting on the Lord

Waiting on the Lord.

<meta name="p:domain_verify" content="26576cb9f963862acc82242553f91f36"/>

Waiting on the Lord means being patient and saying, Lord let your Will be done not mine. It means saying, Lord at your appointed time, may it come to pass.
It is not always easy to wait, sometimes we are in so much hurry and we think God is taking too long to answer us and we plunge ourselves into certain things without thoroughly seeking God's Will or permission in the matter.
I have been guilty of this myself by taking up a project that I thought God was leading me into but the result was a total disaster. I wept for days wishing it was a dream I could wake up from and everything will be alright. I thought of the time, the energy, the sleepless nights, the finances I invested in the project and it yielded nothing. I knew there and then that the hand of God was not carrying me along all the time when I thought it was him.
What did I learn from that experience?
I learnt to listen more attentively and to differentiate between the voice of God and the voice of the enemy.
It has become very clear to me how God speaks to me.
Whenever God speaks, he speaks in a still small voice, he doesn't put pressure at all, he doesn't repeat himself several times within a few minutes. He might remind you again sometime later in the same gentle voice.
I notice this also when I'm driving and I'm facing a heavy traffic jam, the still small voice will say make a left turn or a right turn ahead and when I do I get to my destination on time but when the enemy speaks, his wicked intention is to derail one and put one into an even worse situation and the voice is always with urgency pressuring one to do it immediately, always making it appear as if something evil will happen if his wicked intention was not obeyed but he is nothing but the author and embodiment of evil, the Lord Jesus Christ rebuke him!
I must say my experience may be unique to me alone. We are all unique individuals and as a result, how we hear from God may differ from person to person.
However, it is of paramount importance to differentiate between the voice of God and the voice of the enemy.
Because satan is a loser and a liar, he has come to steal, to kill and to destroy but thank God for Jesus Christ who has come to give us life in abundance.
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
John 10:10 KJV.
The voice of God gives peace and calm, no pressure at all.
God's voice is not scary, doesn't make you panic, even in the face of danger, the voice of God is suiting and comforting.
As we wait on the Lord, he opens our eyes to his Divine plan and purpose. He empowers us to understand him better and gives us the grace to put our trust in him and not in own efforts and abilities, for it is not by power nor by might but by the Spirit of the Lord.
The word of God says,
"Rest in the Lord , and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass".
Psalms 37:7 KJV.
As we wait patiently on the Lord we learn not to be jealous of the wicked even if they are prospering in their wickedness, rather the love of God in us will move us with compassion to pray for them to turn from their wicked ways and repent and come to the knowledge of the truth through Christ Jesus.
Be blessed as you wait patiently on God's perfect timing, to bring his plan and purpose to come to pass in your life.
Amen!

Friday, January 4, 2019

Seeking the Lord, no appointment needed.


And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:13 KJV.

The word of God is so true.
When you seek him sincerely and wholeheartedly, he is always available and attentive to your prayers.
What an awesome God, who is never too busy to listen to us.
We don't need to book an appointment ahead of time to speak with him. All that is required is our own willingness to seek him. Alleluia.
Thank you Lord God almighty for being always there for us, in Jesus mighty name. Amen.

Tuesday, January 1, 2019

Your treasure and your heart

"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also".
Matthew 6:19‭-‬21 KJV.
This scripture is so rich with meaning.
It is unfortunate that so many people have been engrossed with prosperity preaching, that these verses are almost forgotten and some twist them to suit their desires.
What was Jesus trying to teach here?
Does it mean one should not have possessions at all?
No! Not at all.
What then?
My understanding is we should not be engrossed with accumulating wealth and riches here on earth and in so doing neglect our spiritual life and walk with God.
We know that all our earthly possessions will remain here when we die, or may be destroyed, we are not taking any with us.
This is confirmed in the book of;
1 Timothy 6:7 KJV
"For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out".
And reading further down the same chapter, verses 8 & 9 said, "And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition".
1 Timothy 6:8‭-‬9 KJV
In the Lord's prayer Jesus himself taught his disciples how to pray, saying, "Our Father who art in heaven, ..........give us this day our daily bread........"
Matthew 6:11 KJV.
We need to have our daily needs met and it is our heavenly father who supplies all our needs. He knows what we need even before we ask him.
God provided manna for the children of Israel in the wilderness. Exodus 16:4-35.
He knows how to take care of his children. He is a good and loving Father.
All we need to do is obey him and trust him always.
Everyone of us have to give account to God what we did with our time on earth, how much we loved our fellow human beings, not about how much money or possessions we had or how much fame we achieved.
It is not about who is the richest person on earth.
These days we see lists of the top 20 richest pastors or the top 10 richest pastors in the world.
I keep wondering if all the members of these churches whose pastors names appear in these lists have all their needs met financially, spiritually etc.
I don't mean to judge anyone here.
We are told not to judge.
"Judge not, that ye be not judged".
Matthew 7:1 KJV.
God is the supreme judge.
However, we have to speak the truth in love.
God supplies all our needs but mostly through our fellow human beings. It is not always, that God reigns manna from heaven. He can do it, with him all things are possible, but we are put on this earth to love and help one another. God himself has Empowered us to do so.
When Jesus was asked which is the greatest commandment he said,
".........Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets"
Matthew 22:37‭-‬40 KJV.
He also said you can't serve two masters,
"No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon".
Matthew 6:24 KJV.
Continuing, Matt :19:23-24. "Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God".
Even the disciples were amazed at this teaching and wondered among themselves who then can be saved.
Have you ever tried to envision a Camel and the eye of a needle?
That means it is extremely very difficult for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God according to Jesus Christ.
Why is this though?
That a rich man finds it difficult to acknowledge God and give him glory and Praise.
It is my understanding that human beings, generally tend to attribute their wealth to hard work and wisdom, leaving God out of the picture. It has to do with pride ego.
We tend to forget that some day, one may wake up in the morning and may not be able to get out of bed due to ill health, or may not even wake up at all.
Life is in the hands of God.
Knowing therefore that our lives depend absolutely on God, the best thing to do is give him all the glory, worship him with all that he has given us.
Moreover money is not everything. Money cannot buy peace of mind, good health, love, joy, happiness etc.
The most money could do is buy different things, cars, houses etc. Pay bills, go on exotic vacations, and after that, what next?
Some things you buy with money may not even satisfy you.
For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
1 Timothy 6:10 KJV.
Some may have million of dollars in their bank accounts, yet are unable to eat or enjoy food because they are being fed through a tube. May not be able to walk due to paralysis sustained through accident or a stroke.
If we think of the many things that befall us in this world, the best thing to do is to worship God with all he has given us and humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God.
I want to add here that money is not altogether evil but it is how you handle it, that makes it good or evil.
If you use your money to help the poor and needy in the society, that's a good cause.
Remember, God loves a cheerful giver.
Even Solomon with all his riches realized that it is all vanity and said,
Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity. Eccl 1:2.
In the same Eccle ch 12 he said "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man".
Eccl 12:13 KJV.
The whole duty of man is not to pursue wealth and fame, but rather to fear God and obey him.
Remember, The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.
Psalms 111:10 KJV
How do we lay treasures for ourselves in heaven?
Jesus said in Matt 18:3,
And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
This means we need to be humble and obedient to the word of God. Total surrender and submission to the Lord.
Learn to walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh.
Chapter 5 of the book of Galatians talks about loving one another, the works of the flesh, walking in the Spirit and the fruit of the Spirit, love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Galatians 5:22‭-‬23 KJV.
We have to ensure that we possess the fruit of the Spirit.
If we walk in the Spirit, we will not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
Matt 25: 31-46 paints a beautiful picture of the judgement and throws light on what is expected of us in order to make it into heaven.
Here is an excerpt from the chapter.
"Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me".
Matthew 25:34‭-‬36 KJV.
These are what matter to God almighty.
Use your money and riches wisely and also bless those in need and your reward shall be great in heaven in Jesus mighty name.
Of course you have to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior first and foremost, otherwise your generosity to the poor and needy will be in vain.
The whole concept is that Salvation or Eternal life cannot be purchased with money or riches and where we spend eternity matters.
We can live 0 to 120 years on earth according to Gods plan for each person, but life after death is forever and ever and ever and ever. It is very important that we prepare for eternity from now to spend it with our heavenly father, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit and all the hosts of heaven.
Can you imagine what a reunion it will be seeing our loved ones who went before us in heaven? Oh! What a great joy that will bring to us!
May God help us as we strive towards loving one another sincerely, and following peace with all men and holiness without which no man shall see the Lord in Jesus mighty name. Amen.