Freely Receive What God Freely Gives July 6, 2020 bizadmin For the promise that he would be the heir of the world was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. Romans 4:13 FREELY RECEIVE WHAT GOD FREELY GIVES God promised that you would be the heir of the world. It is the same promise that He made to Abraham. And because you are Christ’s, you are Abraham’s seed and an heir “according to the promise” (Galatians 3:29). When God made this promise to you, He made it so easy for you to receive—“through the righteousness of faith.” All you have to do is believe that as the heir of the world every blessing is righteously yours because Jesus died to give them to you. He also rose from the dead to enforce them in your life. So don’t try to earn your blessings “through the law”—through your efforts or performance. Freely receive what God freely gives to you through Christ and His finished work at the cross. When a church member was retrenched at 41 years of age, he refused to fret or think that he had to jostle with the rest of the people in the job market. Instead, he believed that by God’s grace, he would get a better job with a higher pay. Indeed, through a mutual acquaintance, a new job came along with a pay packet that was 60 per cent more than his previous one! Another man was experiencing a strained relationship with his wife to the point that divorce was imminent. When he started attending our church, he realized that a happy marriage could be his, not by his trying to keep the marriage going or earning the love of his wife, but by believing that although he could see his own weaknesses, he was still the righteousness of God in Christ because of the blood of Jesus. Today, he and his wife are reconciled, and enjoying a blessed marriage. Don’t let the devil disqualify you by bringing you the law and saying, “How can you receive this blessing when just last night, you broke God’s law?” or “Are you sure you deserve this?” Instead, say, “Father, I thank You that I receive everything freely by Your grace, Your unmerited favor in my life, because of the blood of Jesus!” Christian Faith that Manages Temperament and Anger July 4, 2020 bizadmin Picture Credits: https://www.pexels.com/photo/angry-man-is-screaming-3760044/ How can we navigate the crisis? Using practical & Biblical principles of calmness, competence & confidence. How to control things in your life when you are out of control. People tend to experience a severe crisis of stress. The Bible shows insight that we need to emulate & change our lives. During the crisis, there are increasing numbers of fits of anger & outbursts. Covid19 pandemic can make us a raging monster. It seems like lots of people have no clue at all why they get angry. Practical steps on how to reduce anger in oneself and anger towards others. If you are feeling short-tempered & angry in this outbreak, then it is normal. But we need to exercise restraint. Many things can make us angry. The combined factors of long quarantine at home and daily crisis news can become very stressful. All these happen quickly that makes us become short-tempered. Fortunately, we have the Bible to give us an insight into the faith that gives you serenity in a crisis. Anger is mismanagement of emotion. The wrong kind of anger is actually named as 7 numbers of deadly sins in the Bible. Not all fits of anger are sins. Ultimately Jesus at the cross took away all sins from us. Anger is not automatically a sin. Anger has its place. Simple anger, wrong anger, unrighteous anger; in fact, anger is God-given capacity. God gives appropriate anger. We must control our anger. Learn how to use anger wisely, and appropriately. Mismanagement of anger is sin, but the management of anger is an asset. The problem is not anger itself, but whether is it an inappropriate expression of anger. When we are angry we can blow up or muted. We can become either a skunk or tortoise when angry. Tortoise that gets angry withdraws inside its shell. But skunk gets angry by spilling all over the place with an offensive odor. Men can lose temper twice more often than women. Typically men can lose temper 6 times a week, whereas women lose their temper 3 times a week. Women more often get angry at people and men get angry at things like machines or equipment has broken down or mistakes in business decisions. The single adult is twice likely to lose his or her temper than a married adult. Men are angrier physically more than women. Avoid inappropriately letting out of anger. We are more likely to express anger at home than anywhere else. Successful relationships happen when anger is managed that produces great business partnerships. When anger is managed it produces respected leaders. How do we have faith that keeps us calm away from conflict? There are 3 typical Biblical steps of anger management. 1) REALIZE THE COST OF UNCONTROLLED ANGER Learn to manage anger and know there is a cost for anger. Realize there is a price tag against us in anger. It is very expensive in uncontrolled anger. Proverbs 29:22 states that an angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered one commits many sins. A hot-tempered man gets into all kinds of troubles. Proverbs 15:18 ” A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel. ” Hot tempers cause arguments. Proverbs 14:29 – “A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly.” Proverbs 14:17 – “A quick-tempered man does foolish things, and a crafty man is hated.” People with hot tempers do foolish things. You always lose if you lose temper, lose the respect of others, lose the love of family members, lose your job, and lose your health if you respond to anger in the wrong way. In the long run, anger in parents creates anger, apathy & alienation in kids. Nothing destroys a relationship faster than anger. Proverbs 11:29 – “He who brings trouble on his family will inherit only wind, and the fool will be a servant to the wise.” The fool who provokes his family to anger and resentment will finally have nothing worthwhile left. How to keep cool in a crisis is to realize that uncontrolled anger is not worth it. 2) RESOLVE TO MANAGE IT This is a deliberate choice to manage anger. You are tired of hurting yourself and also tired of hurting others with anger. You may choose to manage anger with God’s help. We need to stop giving excuses and accept responsibility for our actions. For example, while you are in a heated argument & someone happens to be on the phone, you then have to change your tone to a soft and polite voice. 3) REFLECT BEFORE REACTING Anger management is to think before you speak. Do not respond to malice or accusation impulsively. The remedy is to pause and stop to be quiet, and do not be quick to respond. James 1:19-20, “My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.” This verse, be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger, is full with spiritual truth. We need to act as Jesus does in every situation. We are followers of Jesus Christ. Our behavior follows our belief. The Bible does not give us the rule of conduct to be easily angry. Behavior determines your beliefs and that is the reason why we live in certain ways. God wants us to treat others the way He treats us. God wants to change us to move from inside out. He moves us from the interior to external. He moves us from being to doing. He moves us from character to conduct. From identity in Christ to our activity in the world and from our belief to behavior. Bible always tells us why we should do something before He tells us what to do. Quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger is because this is the way God treats us. How to reflect before reacting : 3 active steps in Bible i) Be Quick To Listen The quickest way to defuse somebody’s anger is to be calm and genuinely listen to them. If you do not feel like you are being listened to that makes you angrier. When you are angry don’t talk first. Listen first. You can make a giant step forward to manage anger. Don’t be quick to speak your points across. Don’t be quick to share your side of the story. Listening calm people down and also soothing people. Calm you down also and easing hurts. Just listen & be quick to listen. ii) Be slow to speak. Anger control is a matter of mouth control. You tame your anger by taming your tongue. Anger management starts with watching your words. Learn how to muzzle or control your mouth. Proverbs 29:11 – “A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.” A stupid man gives free rein to his anger; a wise man waits and lets it grow cool. Delay causes anger to cool down. Delay is a remedy to anger. The longer you hold on and don’t let it out your anger, the more it improves. Sometimes we need to reflect & think through. Delay tends to calm you down. iii) Be slow to get angry. If you are quick to listen, slow to speak then you are automatically slow to get angry. Bible twice to use words “slow. “Delay our response and delay is the only remedy. Analyze first to try to understand our anger. Proverbs 19:11 ” A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.” The more understanding of our anger, the more understanding we are of ourselves. The more understanding of your spouse’s anger, the more understanding of your spouse. The more understanding of your child’s anger, the more understanding of you for your child. The more understanding of your co-workers’ anger or your neighbor’s fits of anger, the more understanding of you will be of them. Questions To Ask Yourself Considering Holding Back Anger When you are angry, ask yourself why? What do you really want? Something is frustrated here !! How can you avoid it ? Blow it out just doesn’t work. Identify the cause. Reflect before reacting to the root causes of anger. Typical 3 causes are Hurt, Frustration, and Fear. Hurts cause anger. We can be emotionally or physically hurt. For example, like you injured your thumb, you get angry. Hurt causes anger. Also, frustration causes anger. When you are forced to wait long and can trigger anger. When you are in a situation beyond control like a baby continuously crying nonstop and you get frustrating that may cause anger. The more you need to control in your life the more prompt you are to anger. High control of your life is prompt to high anger. 3rd cause of anger is fear. When we get threatened or attacked by people and we get afraid then we get angry. Angry and insecurity are together. The more insecure you feel, the angrier you will be. While you are quick to listen & slow to speak while in the midst of it do a silent prayer. Psalm 141:3 – “Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips” Lord helps me control my tongue, help me careful what I say. We are to reflecting first not reacting before. Alcohol can cause not reflecting first before reacting. Proverbs 20:1 “Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise.” Drinking too much makes you loud and foolish. It is stupid to get drunk. Alcohol makes you don’t think straight. Alcohol drinks make you react first before reflecting, instead of reflecting before react. Step 1: The cost of anger is not worth it. Realize the cost of anger. The price is too expensive in anger. Always payment to be paid in anger and can lose a lot. Step 2: Resolve to manage anger Make a decision, stop saying I can not control anger. Praying with God’s help and say I can manage anger. Step 3: Reflect before Reacting. Quick to listen, slow to speak & slow to anger. Step 4: Release Our Anger Appropriately Problem is inappropriate to release of anger. Ephesians 4:26 – “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,” If you become angry, don’t let your anger lead you into sin. ” Realize that you can get angry but not into sin by this verse. Mismanagement of anger is sin. There is a right way or wrong way to express anger. Appropriate way and inappropriate way to express anger. Helpful way & harmful way to express anger. It is how you release anger. Anger moves us away from our goal, it doesn’t give us what we want. Our hurts, our healing, our frustrations, resolve & fear move us further away. Everybody has a sack or baggage of anger. some carry more anger in them. Working Out Of Rest June 28, 2020 bizadmin For we who have believed do enter that rest… Hebrews 4:3 WORKING OUT OF REST Naturally speaking, when we rest, we don’t work. So what does working out of rest mean? Well, let me explain by sharing with you what the Lord had taught me. Many years ago, when I first started preaching, I would prepare diligently for all my sermons. I fine-tuned my points and made sure that everything was in place. I would think to myself, “Man, I am going to share this…and that…” But when I preached, I would forget to mention certain points. Because of that, I would get angry with myself. I would tell myself, “That was such a good point. Why didn’t I remember to share it?” Then, God began to speak to me. He said, “Son, your preaching is not out of rest. It is out of your memory.” What He said next changed my life, not just in the area of preaching, but also in every other area, and I pray that it will bless you too. He said, “Prepare everything you need to. But when you stand in front of the people, whatever you need to say, I will give to you.” Yes, there must be preparation, whether it is your sermon or sales presentation. I am not telling you to be lazy and just do nothing. You need to prepare, but don’t depend on your preparation. Just trust God and tell yourself that whatever you forget, God wants it forgotten. And whatever you didn’t plan to say but said, it is because God wanted it said. Don’t be stressed out and lose your rest by thinking, “I must know everything! I must remember everything and do everything I have prepared!” No, believe God and be at rest. When the time comes, whatever you need to know, there and then, God will let you know. Whatever you don’t need to know, you don’t need to know. And don’t worry about what you didn’t say—believe that God didn’t want it said. My friend, when you live life like that—trusting God and resting in His love for you—you become cool and collected. And when you are peaceful and at rest in Him, what you do prospers! The Blood Alone Saves June 18, 2020 bizadmin Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you… Exodus 12:13 THE BLOOD ALONE SAVES On the night of the first Passover, many of the children of Israel were probably anxious. Imagine one Israelite asking another nervously, “Did you hear that the angel of death is passing through tonight?” “Yes! We were told to put the blood of the lamb on the doorposts of our home and everything would be all right. Is that true?” Like the Israelites, you might be wondering, “Can the blood really protect me? How much blood do I have to put on my doorposts? Will the angel of death get me if I am fearful?” My friend, don’t add to God’s conditions. He said, “When I see the blood, I will pass over you and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you.” He did not say, “When I see the blood, plus your understanding, efforts, obedience, faithfulness, and refusal to give in to fear, then I will pass over you.” It is the blood of Jesus alone that delivers you. If you think that it is because of your faith, then you will always be wondering, “Do I have enough faith?” No, my friend, it is His blood alone that saves. And when God sees that you see that it is the blood alone that saves, He calls that faith in the blood, and every plague will pass over you! God wants you to know that it is Jesus’ blood alone that saves because every time you think that your deliverance depends partly on God and partly on you, you will not have a settled peace in your heart. But when you know that it is the blood alone that saves, you will have an unshakable peace. It was the blood that saved the children of Israel from the destroyer on that Passover night and it is still the blood that saves today. And all you need to do for the blood to avail is to say, “Father, I thank You that the blood of Jesus alone covers me and my family. No evil, plague, or disaster will befall me or my family because of the blood!” Fruits of the Holy Spirit June 11, 2020 bizadmin <span data-mce-type="bookmark" style="display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;" class="mce_SELRES_start"></span>According to Wikipedia, the Fruits of the Holy Spirit is a biblical term that sums up nine attributes of a person or community living in accord with the Holy Spirit, according to chapter 5 of the Epistle to the Galatians: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” The fruit is contrasted with the works of the flesh. Love (Greek: agape, Latin: caritas) Agape (love) denotes an undefeatable benevolence and unconquerable goodwill that always seeks the highest good for others, no matter their behavior. It is a love that gives freely without asking anything in return, and does not consider the worth of its object. Agape is more a love by choice than philos, which is love by chance; and it refers to the will rather than the emotion. Agape describes the unconditional love God has for the world. Paul describes love in 1 Corinthians 13:4–8: Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. Pronunciation: ag-ah’-pay Part of Speech: feminine noun Root Word (Etymology): From ἀγαπάω (G25) [abc] Outline of Biblical Usage: affection, good will, love, benevolence, brotherly love love feasts The Greek word ἀγάπη (agapē) occurs 117 times in 106 verses in the Greek concordance of the NASB. Joy (Greek: chara, Latin: gaudium) The joy referred to here is deeper than mere happiness; it is rooted in God and comes from Him. Since it comes from God, it is more serene and stable than worldly happiness, which is merely emotional and lasts only for a time. Joy (Noun and Verb), Joyfulness, Joyfully, Joyous: “Joy, delight” (akin to chairo, “to rejoice”), is found frequently in Matthew and Luke, and especially in John, once in Mark (Mar 4:16, RV, “joy,” AV, “gladness”); it is absent from 1 Cor. (though the verb is used three times), but is frequent in 2 Cor., where the noun is used five times (for 2Cr 7:4, RV, see Note below), and the verb eight times, suggestive of the Apostle’s relief in comparison with the circumstances of the 1st Epistle; in Col 1:11, AV, “joyfulness,” RV, “joy.” The word is sometimes used, by metonymy, of the occasion or cause of “joy,” Luk 2:10 (lit., “I announce to you a great joy”); in 2Cr 1:15, in some mss., for charis, “benefit;” Phl 4:1, where the readers are called the Apostle’s “joy;” so 1Th 2:19, 20; Hbr 12:2, of the object of Christ’s “joy;” Jam 1:2, where it is connected with falling into trials; perhaps also in Mat 25:21, 23, where some regard it as signifying, concretely, the circumstances attending cooperation in the authority of the Lord. Note: In Hbr 12:11, “joyous” represents the phrase meta, “with,” followed by chara, lit., “with joy.” So in Hbr 10:34, “joyfully;” in 2Cr 7:4 the noun is used with the Middle Voice of huperperisseuo, “to abound more exceedingly,” and translated “(I overflow) with joy,” RV (AV, “I am exceeding joyful”). Peace (Greek: eirene, Latin: pax) The Greek word εἰρήνη (Strong’s G1515)(eirēnē)(transliteration: i-ray’-nay), probably derived from a primary verb εἴρω eírō (to join), means peace (literally or figuratively); by implication, prosperity:—one, peace, quietness, rest, + set at one again. The word “peace” comes from the Greek word eirene, the Greek equivalent for the Hebrew word shalom, which expresses the idea of wholeness, completeness, or tranquility in the soul that is unaffected by the outward circumstances or pressures. The word eirene strongly suggests the rule of order in place of chaos. a state of national tranquillity exemption from the rage and havoc of war peace between individuals, i.e. harmony, concord security, safety, prosperity, felicity, (because peace and harmony make and keep things safe and prosperous) of the Messiah’s peace the way that leads to peace (salvation) of Christianity, the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot, of whatsoever sort that is the blessed state of devout and upright men after death Jesus is described as the Prince of Peace, who brings peace to the hearts of those who desire it. He says in John 14:27: “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid”. In Matthew 5:9 he says, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.” Patience (Greek: makrothumia, Latin: longanimitas) Generally the Greek world applied this word to a man who could avenge himself but did not. This word is often used in the Greek Scriptures in reference to God and God’s attitude to humans. Exodus 34:6 describes the Lord as “slow to anger and rich in kindness and fidelity.” Patience, which in some translations is “longsuffering” or “endurance”, is defined in Strong’s by two Greek words, makrothumia and hupomone. The first, pronounced (mak-roth-oo-mee-ah) comes from makros, “long”, and thumos, “temper”. The word denotes lenience, forbearance, fortitude, patient endurance, longsuffering. Also included in makrothumia is the ability to endure persecution and ill-treatment. It describes a person who has the power to exercise revenge but instead exercises restraint. (Strong’s #3115) The latter, hupomone, (hoop-om-on-ay) is translated “endurance”: Constancy, perseverance, continuance, bearing up, steadfastness, holding out, patient endurance. The word combines hupo, “under”, and mone, “to remain”. It describes the capacity to continue to bear up under difficult circumstances, not with a passive complacency, but with a hopeful fortitude that actively resists weariness and defeat, (Strong’s #5281) with hupomone (Greek ὑπομονή) being further understood as that which would be “as opposed to cowardice or despondency” “With lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love”. Kindness (Greek: chrestotes, Latin: benignitas) In Greek, old wine was called “chrestos” which meant that it was mellow or smooth. Christ used this word in Matthew 11:30, “For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” [abc] Kindness is acting for the good of people regardless of what they do, properly, “useable, i.e. well-fit for use (for what is really needed); kindness that is also serviceable”. Strong’s #5544: Kindness is goodness in action, sweetness of disposition, gentleness in dealing with others, benevolence, kindness, affability. The word describes the ability to act for the welfare of those taxing your patience. The Holy Spirit removes abrasive qualities from the character of one under His control. (emphasis added) The word kindness comes from the Greek word chrestotes (khray-stot-ace), which meant to show kindness or to be friendly to others and often depicted rulers, governors, or people who were kind, mild, and benevolent to their subjects. Anyone who demonstrated this quality of chrestotes was considered to be compassionate, considerate, sympathetic, humane, kind, or gentle. The apostle Paul uses this word to depict God’s incomprehensible kindness for people who are unsaved (see Romans 11:22; Ephesians 2:7; Titus 3:4). One scholar has noted that when the word chrestotes is applied to interpersonal relationships, it conveys the idea of being adaptable to others. Rather than harshly require everyone else to adapt to his own needs and desires, when chrestotes is working in a believer, he seeks to become adaptable to the needs of those who are around him. (Sparkling Gems from the Greek, Rick Renner) Kindness is doing something and not expecting anything in return. Kindness is respect and helping others without waiting for someone to help one back. It implies kindness no matter what. We should live “in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left”. Goodness (Greek: agathosune, Latin: bonitas) The state or quality of being good Moral excellence; virtue; Kindly feeling, kindness, generosity, joy in being good The best part of anything; Essence; Strength; General character recognized in quality or conduct. Popular English Bibles (e.g. NIV, NASB, NLT) translate the single Greek word chrestotes into two English words: kindness and goodness. “Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power”. “For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth”, with agathosune being “found only in Biblical and ecclesiastical writings, uprightness of heart and life”. Faithfulness (Greek: pistis, Latin: fides) The root of pistis (“faith”) is peithô, that is to persuade or be persuaded, which supplies the core-meaning of faith as being “divine persuasion”, received from God, and never generated by man. It is defined as the following: objectively, trustworthy; subjectively, trustful:—believe(-ing, -r), faithful(-ly), sure, true. Outline of Biblical Usage trusty, faithful of persons who show themselves faithful in the transaction of business, the execution of commands, or the discharge of official duties one who kept his plighted faith, worthy of trust that can be relied on easily persuaded believing, confiding, trusting in the NT one who trusts in God’s promises one who is convinced that Jesus has been raised from the dead one who has become convinced that Jesus is the Messiah and author of salvation Examples: “O Lord, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth”. “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith”.[Eph 3:16-17] Gentleness (Greek: prautes, Latin: modestia) Gentleness, in the Greek, prautes, commonly known as meekness, is “a divinely-balanced virtue that can only operate through faith. The New Spirit Filled Life Bible defines gentleness as “a disposition that is even-tempered, tranquil, balanced in spirit, unpretentious, and that has the passions under control. The word is best translated ‘meekness,’ not as an indication of weakness, but of power and strength under control. The person who possesses this quality pardons injuries, corrects faults, and rules his own spirit well”. “Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted”.[Gal 6:1] [abc] “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love”.[Eph 4:2] Self-control (Greek: enkrateia, Latin: continentia) The Greek word used in Galatians 5:23 is “enkrateia“, meaning “strong, having mastery, able to control one’s thoughts and actions.” We read also: “…make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love”.[2 Pet 1:5-7] [abc] The Head And Not The Tail June 8, 2020 bizadmin And the Lord will make you the head and not the tail; you shall be above only, and not be beneath… Deuteronomy 28:13 THE HEAD AND NOT THE TAIL One of our church members saw his sales performance hit rock bottom by the middle of the year. As a result, he was ranked 320 out of the 420 financial advisers in his company. Devastated and on the verge of giving up, he started listening to my messages and claiming God’s promises such as “the Lord will make you the head and not the tail; you shall be above only, and not be beneath” and “many who are first will be last, and the last first” (Matthew 19:30). He committed everything to God because he believed that only God could turn things around for him. And God did just that. By the end of that year, he was ranked second in his branch and 10th in the whole company! He qualified for a trip for two to Barcelona, Spain, worth about S$20,000. That was not all. For the first time in his 12 years as a financial adviser, he qualified for the Million Dollar Round Table Award. Only the top six percent of advisers in the entire industry qualify for this international award. Beloved, when God makes you the head, you will end up on top of your circumstances. Consider the story of Joseph (see Genesis 39). Even when he was a slave, he was the head and not the tail because God prospered everything that he did. “But Pastor Prince, when I look at my life, there are times when I am up and there are times when I am down. Yet, the Bible says that I will be above only. I don’t understand this.” What you are going through is only temporal. Keep believing that you are above only and not beneath, even when you have hit rock bottom. It is God who always causes you to triumph in Christ (see 2 Corinthians 2:14). You cannot cause yourself to triumph. Only God can and He has promised in His Word that you will be the head and not the tail, above only and not beneath. So believe His Word in spite of your circumstances and expect to see victory! Prayer to the Holy Spirit May 31, 2020 bizadmin After I discovered my bringing in worship I had been so hungry and thirsty to be aware what worship is about by when I have spoken with other worshipers I acquired annoyed by the solutions they gave in my experience, since the solutions they have me were just words and people’s encounters, couple of were teaching me about the significance of the Holy Spirit in worship. For more information on the holy ghost, visit our website today. It had not been to serve you for a couple of years later which I learned the job from the Holy Spirit. It is good to understand people’s encounters in worship but don’t make sure they are the foundation of the knowledge of worship. Make use of the word as the basis to know worship and it is important. “Howbeit as he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he’ll show you into all truth: for he shall not talk about themselves but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and that he will shew you items to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you”, John 16:13-14 1. He’ll show you into all truth “However the anointing which ye have obtained of him abides in your soul, and ye do not need to that any man educate you: but because exactly the same anointing teaches you of the things, and it is truth, and it is no lie, as well as because it hath trained you, ye shall abide in him”, 1 John 2:27 “But ye come with unction in the Holy One, and ye know everything”, 1 John 2:20 The Holy Spirit may be the Teacher he’ll educate all of us things not only from the physical world but additionally from the spirit world. If he’ll educate all of us things can’t we ask to become trained to worship in the way that God wants to be worshiped. 2. For he shall not talk about themselves but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak The Holy Spirit is a teacher and all sorts of he teach from God. Jesus stated everything I actually do I see my dad doing as well as in this scripture we learn that the Holy Spirit will educate us shall originate from God. Allow the cry in our hearts be that people learn and be familiar with the worship of God The number of people has ever requested Him to educate us about the worship of paradise? Are we ever availed ourselves to understand from God the way through which he wants to be glorified? 3. He will highlight items to come He’s endowed having the ability to be aware of things of paradise, He’s insight from the move, and also the things of God. God is identical yesterday today and tomorrow but have you ever observed that God evolves daily. The Holy Spirit knows the items in the future and we have to learn to follow along with the Holy Spirit to ensure that we might understand how to bring things for the reason that lie ahead and produce them into the present through worship. The growing season has become that people as worshipers pray that people could see because the He hears and sees because he listens to that particular we might worship within the prophetic and institute things through the spirit of god which only works with the spirit of God 4. He shall glorify me “Wherefore I provide you with to know, that no man speaking through the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: which no man can tell that Jesus may be the Lord, but through the Holy Ghost”, 1 Corinthians 12:3 Glorify way to bless, to honor, to exaggerate, and also the Holy Spirit shall do all it tries to bless God, so even just in our worship the Holy Spirit works to glorify God, in the order he guides us he only intention would be to glorify God. Then when we worship using the Him you’re guaranteed to encounter God since the Holy Spirit’s objective would be to glorify God, then when we stand beside him we’ll finish up blessing God everywhere using the direction and leading from the Spirit. 5. For he shall receive of mine and shall show it unto you Whatever God reaches the Holy Spirit what he’ll also show us. The term show there means to reveal, speak, tell announce. The amount of God has his Spirit proven you? One man authored it’s very difficult to worship a God you do not know and have an understanding of. What if God has got the Spirit proven unto you inside your existence, revealed for you. Don’t worship God according to your neighbor’s, friend’s or parents thought to seek your personal understanding of God, seek your personal thought of God. Sit lower and permit the Holy Spirit to educate the person from the Holy Spirit. Whoever else caused by the Spirit which makes you definitely stand and worship in your unique way? Whoever else caused by God which makes you stand and worship him through the night without complaining? Regardless of the Spirit shows us it is a blessing from the Lord provided to us. The Spirit of God is working night and day on your lawn, my real question is maybe you have permitted the Holy Spirit to change your existence, to change your worship, help your thought transform you to become a servant from the Lord Jesus. Maybe you have permitted the Holy Spirit to access for him to re-calibrate and remodel your worship? Maybe you have sitting lower and requested God to fill you using the Holy Spirit, Pray beside me at this time… “Father I thanks that you’re a good God and you love me, I appreciate selecting me and running after me and today I select additionally you. I wish to also chase you and also today I ask that the Holy Spirit would fill my existence and remodel all things in my existence from my understanding, thought individuals, my worship, enhance and open my ears and eyes to ensure that I might know you more. May your Holy Spirit educates me to worship you daily and from today I prefer to get brought through the Holy Spirit in most I actually do. I appreciate this gift from the Holy Spirit, I appreciate transforming my existence to ensure that I might magnify honor and glorify your company name for eternity. Thanks, Lord. Amen. Want to know more about prayer to the holy spirit? Visit our website for more information. Moved By The Spirit, Not Human Honey May 20, 2020 bizadmin No grain offering which you bring to the Lord shall be made with leaven, for you shall burn no leaven nor any honey in any offering to the Lord made by fire. Leviticus 2:11 MOVED BY THE SPIRIT, NOT HUMAN HONEY Imagine yourself walking past the prodigal son sitting in the pigpen (see Luke 15:11–24). You look at him and see him salivating for the pigs’ food. Believing that it is good to show kindness, you give him money to buy food for himself. That is human kindness which says, “I am a Christian. I should be kind, good and forgiving.” Such human sweetness or kindness may be likened to honey. Interestingly, while we elevate it, God tells His people not to bring Him a grain offering with honey in it. The grain offering speaks of Jesus’ life on earth. Not mixing honey in the grain offering speaks of how the compassion and goodness we see in Jesus during His earthly ministry were all divine. There was no “honey” of human goodness, which is inevitably tainted with human weakness. [abc] In retrospect, the worst thing one could do for the prodigal son was to give him money when he was in the pigpen. Not only would he not have gone home, but what the Lord was doing in his heart would also have been spoiled. This is what happens when we go by the goodness of our human hearts instead of the goodness of God in our hearts, which is directed by His love, wisdom and perfect timing. My friend, God does not want you to be moved by what you see but by His Spirit. There were many needy folks surrounding Jesus during His time on earth. But He did not heal every sick person around Him, feed every hungry stomach he passed or raise all who were dead. Isaiah 11:2–3 tells us that the Lord was not moved by what He saw or heard. He was moved only by the Spirit. You too have the Spirit in you (see 1 Corinthians 3:16). Be moved by Him. Follow the peace that He puts within your spirit to do or refrain from doing something. That peace is the peace of God. Acting on that peace will cause God to be exalted, and His divine goodness and kindness to really be a blessing to you and others! 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Christian Faith that Manages Temperament and Anger July 4, 2020 bizadmin Picture Credits: https://www.pexels.com/photo/angry-man-is-screaming-3760044/ How can we navigate the crisis? Using practical & Biblical principles of calmness, competence & confidence. How to control things in your life when you are out of control. People tend to experience a severe crisis of stress. The Bible shows insight that we need to emulate & change our lives. During the crisis, there are increasing numbers of fits of anger & outbursts. Covid19 pandemic can make us a raging monster. It seems like lots of people have no clue at all why they get angry. Practical steps on how to reduce anger in oneself and anger towards others. If you are feeling short-tempered & angry in this outbreak, then it is normal. But we need to exercise restraint. Many things can make us angry. The combined factors of long quarantine at home and daily crisis news can become very stressful. All these happen quickly that makes us become short-tempered. Fortunately, we have the Bible to give us an insight into the faith that gives you serenity in a crisis. Anger is mismanagement of emotion. The wrong kind of anger is actually named as 7 numbers of deadly sins in the Bible. Not all fits of anger are sins. Ultimately Jesus at the cross took away all sins from us. Anger is not automatically a sin. Anger has its place. Simple anger, wrong anger, unrighteous anger; in fact, anger is God-given capacity. God gives appropriate anger. We must control our anger. Learn how to use anger wisely, and appropriately. Mismanagement of anger is sin, but the management of anger is an asset. The problem is not anger itself, but whether is it an inappropriate expression of anger. When we are angry we can blow up or muted. We can become either a skunk or tortoise when angry. Tortoise that gets angry withdraws inside its shell. But skunk gets angry by spilling all over the place with an offensive odor. Men can lose temper twice more often than women. Typically men can lose temper 6 times a week, whereas women lose their temper 3 times a week. Women more often get angry at people and men get angry at things like machines or equipment has broken down or mistakes in business decisions. The single adult is twice likely to lose his or her temper than a married adult. Men are angrier physically more than women. Avoid inappropriately letting out of anger. We are more likely to express anger at home than anywhere else. Successful relationships happen when anger is managed that produces great business partnerships. When anger is managed it produces respected leaders. How do we have faith that keeps us calm away from conflict? There are 3 typical Biblical steps of anger management. 1) REALIZE THE COST OF UNCONTROLLED ANGER Learn to manage anger and know there is a cost for anger. Realize there is a price tag against us in anger. It is very expensive in uncontrolled anger. Proverbs 29:22 states that an angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered one commits many sins. A hot-tempered man gets into all kinds of troubles. Proverbs 15:18 ” A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel. ” Hot tempers cause arguments. Proverbs 14:29 – “A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly.” Proverbs 14:17 – “A quick-tempered man does foolish things, and a crafty man is hated.” People with hot tempers do foolish things. You always lose if you lose temper, lose the respect of others, lose the love of family members, lose your job, and lose your health if you respond to anger in the wrong way. In the long run, anger in parents creates anger, apathy & alienation in kids. Nothing destroys a relationship faster than anger. Proverbs 11:29 – “He who brings trouble on his family will inherit only wind, and the fool will be a servant to the wise.” The fool who provokes his family to anger and resentment will finally have nothing worthwhile left. How to keep cool in a crisis is to realize that uncontrolled anger is not worth it. 2) RESOLVE TO MANAGE IT This is a deliberate choice to manage anger. You are tired of hurting yourself and also tired of hurting others with anger. You may choose to manage anger with God’s help. We need to stop giving excuses and accept responsibility for our actions. For example, while you are in a heated argument & someone happens to be on the phone, you then have to change your tone to a soft and polite voice. 3) REFLECT BEFORE REACTING Anger management is to think before you speak. Do not respond to malice or accusation impulsively. The remedy is to pause and stop to be quiet, and do not be quick to respond. James 1:19-20, “My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.” This verse, be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger, is full with spiritual truth. We need to act as Jesus does in every situation. We are followers of Jesus Christ. Our behavior follows our belief. The Bible does not give us the rule of conduct to be easily angry. Behavior determines your beliefs and that is the reason why we live in certain ways. God wants us to treat others the way He treats us. God wants to change us to move from inside out. He moves us from the interior to external. He moves us from being to doing. He moves us from character to conduct. From identity in Christ to our activity in the world and from our belief to behavior. Bible always tells us why we should do something before He tells us what to do. Quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger is because this is the way God treats us. How to reflect before reacting : 3 active steps in Bible i) Be Quick To Listen The quickest way to defuse somebody’s anger is to be calm and genuinely listen to them. If you do not feel like you are being listened to that makes you angrier. When you are angry don’t talk first. Listen first. You can make a giant step forward to manage anger. Don’t be quick to speak your points across. Don’t be quick to share your side of the story. Listening calm people down and also soothing people. Calm you down also and easing hurts. Just listen & be quick to listen. ii) Be slow to speak. Anger control is a matter of mouth control. You tame your anger by taming your tongue. Anger management starts with watching your words. Learn how to muzzle or control your mouth. Proverbs 29:11 – “A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.” A stupid man gives free rein to his anger; a wise man waits and lets it grow cool. Delay causes anger to cool down. Delay is a remedy to anger. The longer you hold on and don’t let it out your anger, the more it improves. Sometimes we need to reflect & think through. Delay tends to calm you down. iii) Be slow to get angry. If you are quick to listen, slow to speak then you are automatically slow to get angry. Bible twice to use words “slow. “Delay our response and delay is the only remedy. Analyze first to try to understand our anger. Proverbs 19:11 ” A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.” The more understanding of our anger, the more understanding we are of ourselves. The more understanding of your spouse’s anger, the more understanding of your spouse. The more understanding of your child’s anger, the more understanding of you for your child. The more understanding of your co-workers’ anger or your neighbor’s fits of anger, the more understanding of you will be of them. Questions To Ask Yourself Considering Holding Back Anger When you are angry, ask yourself why? What do you really want? Something is frustrated here !! How can you avoid it ? Blow it out just doesn’t work. Identify the cause. Reflect before reacting to the root causes of anger. Typical 3 causes are Hurt, Frustration, and Fear. Hurts cause anger. We can be emotionally or physically hurt. For example, like you injured your thumb, you get angry. Hurt causes anger. Also, frustration causes anger. When you are forced to wait long and can trigger anger. When you are in a situation beyond control like a baby continuously crying nonstop and you get frustrating that may cause anger. The more you need to control in your life the more prompt you are to anger. High control of your life is prompt to high anger. 3rd cause of anger is fear. When we get threatened or attacked by people and we get afraid then we get angry. Angry and insecurity are together. The more insecure you feel, the angrier you will be. While you are quick to listen & slow to speak while in the midst of it do a silent prayer. Psalm 141:3 – “Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips” Lord helps me control my tongue, help me careful what I say. We are to reflecting first not reacting before. Alcohol can cause not reflecting first before reacting. Proverbs 20:1 “Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise.” Drinking too much makes you loud and foolish. It is stupid to get drunk. Alcohol makes you don’t think straight. Alcohol drinks make you react first before reflecting, instead of reflecting before react. Step 1: The cost of anger is not worth it. Realize the cost of anger. The price is too expensive in anger. Always payment to be paid in anger and can lose a lot. Step 2: Resolve to manage anger Make a decision, stop saying I can not control anger. Praying with God’s help and say I can manage anger. Step 3: Reflect before Reacting. Quick to listen, slow to speak & slow to anger. Step 4: Release Our Anger Appropriately Problem is inappropriate to release of anger. Ephesians 4:26 – “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,” If you become angry, don’t let your anger lead you into sin. ” Realize that you can get angry but not into sin by this verse. Mismanagement of anger is sin. There is a right way or wrong way to express anger. Appropriate way and inappropriate way to express anger. Helpful way & harmful way to express anger. It is how you release anger. Anger moves us away from our goal, it doesn’t give us what we want. Our hurts, our healing, our frustrations, resolve & fear move us further away. Everybody has a sack or baggage of anger. some carry more anger in them.
Working Out Of Rest June 28, 2020 bizadmin For we who have believed do enter that rest… Hebrews 4:3 WORKING OUT OF REST Naturally speaking, when we rest, we don’t work. So what does working out of rest mean? Well, let me explain by sharing with you what the Lord had taught me. Many years ago, when I first started preaching, I would prepare diligently for all my sermons. I fine-tuned my points and made sure that everything was in place. I would think to myself, “Man, I am going to share this…and that…” But when I preached, I would forget to mention certain points. Because of that, I would get angry with myself. I would tell myself, “That was such a good point. Why didn’t I remember to share it?” Then, God began to speak to me. He said, “Son, your preaching is not out of rest. It is out of your memory.” What He said next changed my life, not just in the area of preaching, but also in every other area, and I pray that it will bless you too. He said, “Prepare everything you need to. But when you stand in front of the people, whatever you need to say, I will give to you.” Yes, there must be preparation, whether it is your sermon or sales presentation. I am not telling you to be lazy and just do nothing. You need to prepare, but don’t depend on your preparation. Just trust God and tell yourself that whatever you forget, God wants it forgotten. And whatever you didn’t plan to say but said, it is because God wanted it said. Don’t be stressed out and lose your rest by thinking, “I must know everything! I must remember everything and do everything I have prepared!” No, believe God and be at rest. When the time comes, whatever you need to know, there and then, God will let you know. Whatever you don’t need to know, you don’t need to know. And don’t worry about what you didn’t say—believe that God didn’t want it said. My friend, when you live life like that—trusting God and resting in His love for you—you become cool and collected. And when you are peaceful and at rest in Him, what you do prospers!
The Blood Alone Saves June 18, 2020 bizadmin Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you… Exodus 12:13 THE BLOOD ALONE SAVES On the night of the first Passover, many of the children of Israel were probably anxious. Imagine one Israelite asking another nervously, “Did you hear that the angel of death is passing through tonight?” “Yes! We were told to put the blood of the lamb on the doorposts of our home and everything would be all right. Is that true?” Like the Israelites, you might be wondering, “Can the blood really protect me? How much blood do I have to put on my doorposts? Will the angel of death get me if I am fearful?” My friend, don’t add to God’s conditions. He said, “When I see the blood, I will pass over you and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you.” He did not say, “When I see the blood, plus your understanding, efforts, obedience, faithfulness, and refusal to give in to fear, then I will pass over you.” It is the blood of Jesus alone that delivers you. If you think that it is because of your faith, then you will always be wondering, “Do I have enough faith?” No, my friend, it is His blood alone that saves. And when God sees that you see that it is the blood alone that saves, He calls that faith in the blood, and every plague will pass over you! God wants you to know that it is Jesus’ blood alone that saves because every time you think that your deliverance depends partly on God and partly on you, you will not have a settled peace in your heart. But when you know that it is the blood alone that saves, you will have an unshakable peace. It was the blood that saved the children of Israel from the destroyer on that Passover night and it is still the blood that saves today. And all you need to do for the blood to avail is to say, “Father, I thank You that the blood of Jesus alone covers me and my family. No evil, plague, or disaster will befall me or my family because of the blood!”
Fruits of the Holy Spirit June 11, 2020 bizadmin <span data-mce-type="bookmark" style="display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;" class="mce_SELRES_start"></span>According to Wikipedia, the Fruits of the Holy Spirit is a biblical term that sums up nine attributes of a person or community living in accord with the Holy Spirit, according to chapter 5 of the Epistle to the Galatians: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” The fruit is contrasted with the works of the flesh. Love (Greek: agape, Latin: caritas) Agape (love) denotes an undefeatable benevolence and unconquerable goodwill that always seeks the highest good for others, no matter their behavior. It is a love that gives freely without asking anything in return, and does not consider the worth of its object. Agape is more a love by choice than philos, which is love by chance; and it refers to the will rather than the emotion. Agape describes the unconditional love God has for the world. Paul describes love in 1 Corinthians 13:4–8: Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. Pronunciation: ag-ah’-pay Part of Speech: feminine noun Root Word (Etymology): From ἀγαπάω (G25) [abc] Outline of Biblical Usage: affection, good will, love, benevolence, brotherly love love feasts The Greek word ἀγάπη (agapē) occurs 117 times in 106 verses in the Greek concordance of the NASB. Joy (Greek: chara, Latin: gaudium) The joy referred to here is deeper than mere happiness; it is rooted in God and comes from Him. Since it comes from God, it is more serene and stable than worldly happiness, which is merely emotional and lasts only for a time. Joy (Noun and Verb), Joyfulness, Joyfully, Joyous: “Joy, delight” (akin to chairo, “to rejoice”), is found frequently in Matthew and Luke, and especially in John, once in Mark (Mar 4:16, RV, “joy,” AV, “gladness”); it is absent from 1 Cor. (though the verb is used three times), but is frequent in 2 Cor., where the noun is used five times (for 2Cr 7:4, RV, see Note below), and the verb eight times, suggestive of the Apostle’s relief in comparison with the circumstances of the 1st Epistle; in Col 1:11, AV, “joyfulness,” RV, “joy.” The word is sometimes used, by metonymy, of the occasion or cause of “joy,” Luk 2:10 (lit., “I announce to you a great joy”); in 2Cr 1:15, in some mss., for charis, “benefit;” Phl 4:1, where the readers are called the Apostle’s “joy;” so 1Th 2:19, 20; Hbr 12:2, of the object of Christ’s “joy;” Jam 1:2, where it is connected with falling into trials; perhaps also in Mat 25:21, 23, where some regard it as signifying, concretely, the circumstances attending cooperation in the authority of the Lord. Note: In Hbr 12:11, “joyous” represents the phrase meta, “with,” followed by chara, lit., “with joy.” So in Hbr 10:34, “joyfully;” in 2Cr 7:4 the noun is used with the Middle Voice of huperperisseuo, “to abound more exceedingly,” and translated “(I overflow) with joy,” RV (AV, “I am exceeding joyful”). Peace (Greek: eirene, Latin: pax) The Greek word εἰρήνη (Strong’s G1515)(eirēnē)(transliteration: i-ray’-nay), probably derived from a primary verb εἴρω eírō (to join), means peace (literally or figuratively); by implication, prosperity:—one, peace, quietness, rest, + set at one again. The word “peace” comes from the Greek word eirene, the Greek equivalent for the Hebrew word shalom, which expresses the idea of wholeness, completeness, or tranquility in the soul that is unaffected by the outward circumstances or pressures. The word eirene strongly suggests the rule of order in place of chaos. a state of national tranquillity exemption from the rage and havoc of war peace between individuals, i.e. harmony, concord security, safety, prosperity, felicity, (because peace and harmony make and keep things safe and prosperous) of the Messiah’s peace the way that leads to peace (salvation) of Christianity, the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot, of whatsoever sort that is the blessed state of devout and upright men after death Jesus is described as the Prince of Peace, who brings peace to the hearts of those who desire it. He says in John 14:27: “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid”. In Matthew 5:9 he says, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.” Patience (Greek: makrothumia, Latin: longanimitas) Generally the Greek world applied this word to a man who could avenge himself but did not. This word is often used in the Greek Scriptures in reference to God and God’s attitude to humans. Exodus 34:6 describes the Lord as “slow to anger and rich in kindness and fidelity.” Patience, which in some translations is “longsuffering” or “endurance”, is defined in Strong’s by two Greek words, makrothumia and hupomone. The first, pronounced (mak-roth-oo-mee-ah) comes from makros, “long”, and thumos, “temper”. The word denotes lenience, forbearance, fortitude, patient endurance, longsuffering. Also included in makrothumia is the ability to endure persecution and ill-treatment. It describes a person who has the power to exercise revenge but instead exercises restraint. (Strong’s #3115) The latter, hupomone, (hoop-om-on-ay) is translated “endurance”: Constancy, perseverance, continuance, bearing up, steadfastness, holding out, patient endurance. The word combines hupo, “under”, and mone, “to remain”. It describes the capacity to continue to bear up under difficult circumstances, not with a passive complacency, but with a hopeful fortitude that actively resists weariness and defeat, (Strong’s #5281) with hupomone (Greek ὑπομονή) being further understood as that which would be “as opposed to cowardice or despondency” “With lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love”. Kindness (Greek: chrestotes, Latin: benignitas) In Greek, old wine was called “chrestos” which meant that it was mellow or smooth. Christ used this word in Matthew 11:30, “For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” [abc] Kindness is acting for the good of people regardless of what they do, properly, “useable, i.e. well-fit for use (for what is really needed); kindness that is also serviceable”. Strong’s #5544: Kindness is goodness in action, sweetness of disposition, gentleness in dealing with others, benevolence, kindness, affability. The word describes the ability to act for the welfare of those taxing your patience. The Holy Spirit removes abrasive qualities from the character of one under His control. (emphasis added) The word kindness comes from the Greek word chrestotes (khray-stot-ace), which meant to show kindness or to be friendly to others and often depicted rulers, governors, or people who were kind, mild, and benevolent to their subjects. Anyone who demonstrated this quality of chrestotes was considered to be compassionate, considerate, sympathetic, humane, kind, or gentle. The apostle Paul uses this word to depict God’s incomprehensible kindness for people who are unsaved (see Romans 11:22; Ephesians 2:7; Titus 3:4). One scholar has noted that when the word chrestotes is applied to interpersonal relationships, it conveys the idea of being adaptable to others. Rather than harshly require everyone else to adapt to his own needs and desires, when chrestotes is working in a believer, he seeks to become adaptable to the needs of those who are around him. (Sparkling Gems from the Greek, Rick Renner) Kindness is doing something and not expecting anything in return. Kindness is respect and helping others without waiting for someone to help one back. It implies kindness no matter what. We should live “in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left”. Goodness (Greek: agathosune, Latin: bonitas) The state or quality of being good Moral excellence; virtue; Kindly feeling, kindness, generosity, joy in being good The best part of anything; Essence; Strength; General character recognized in quality or conduct. Popular English Bibles (e.g. NIV, NASB, NLT) translate the single Greek word chrestotes into two English words: kindness and goodness. “Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power”. “For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth”, with agathosune being “found only in Biblical and ecclesiastical writings, uprightness of heart and life”. Faithfulness (Greek: pistis, Latin: fides) The root of pistis (“faith”) is peithô, that is to persuade or be persuaded, which supplies the core-meaning of faith as being “divine persuasion”, received from God, and never generated by man. It is defined as the following: objectively, trustworthy; subjectively, trustful:—believe(-ing, -r), faithful(-ly), sure, true. Outline of Biblical Usage trusty, faithful of persons who show themselves faithful in the transaction of business, the execution of commands, or the discharge of official duties one who kept his plighted faith, worthy of trust that can be relied on easily persuaded believing, confiding, trusting in the NT one who trusts in God’s promises one who is convinced that Jesus has been raised from the dead one who has become convinced that Jesus is the Messiah and author of salvation Examples: “O Lord, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth”. “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith”.[Eph 3:16-17] Gentleness (Greek: prautes, Latin: modestia) Gentleness, in the Greek, prautes, commonly known as meekness, is “a divinely-balanced virtue that can only operate through faith. The New Spirit Filled Life Bible defines gentleness as “a disposition that is even-tempered, tranquil, balanced in spirit, unpretentious, and that has the passions under control. The word is best translated ‘meekness,’ not as an indication of weakness, but of power and strength under control. The person who possesses this quality pardons injuries, corrects faults, and rules his own spirit well”. “Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted”.[Gal 6:1] [abc] “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love”.[Eph 4:2] Self-control (Greek: enkrateia, Latin: continentia) The Greek word used in Galatians 5:23 is “enkrateia“, meaning “strong, having mastery, able to control one’s thoughts and actions.” We read also: “…make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love”.[2 Pet 1:5-7] [abc]
The Head And Not The Tail June 8, 2020 bizadmin And the Lord will make you the head and not the tail; you shall be above only, and not be beneath… Deuteronomy 28:13 THE HEAD AND NOT THE TAIL One of our church members saw his sales performance hit rock bottom by the middle of the year. As a result, he was ranked 320 out of the 420 financial advisers in his company. Devastated and on the verge of giving up, he started listening to my messages and claiming God’s promises such as “the Lord will make you the head and not the tail; you shall be above only, and not be beneath” and “many who are first will be last, and the last first” (Matthew 19:30). He committed everything to God because he believed that only God could turn things around for him. And God did just that. By the end of that year, he was ranked second in his branch and 10th in the whole company! He qualified for a trip for two to Barcelona, Spain, worth about S$20,000. That was not all. For the first time in his 12 years as a financial adviser, he qualified for the Million Dollar Round Table Award. Only the top six percent of advisers in the entire industry qualify for this international award. Beloved, when God makes you the head, you will end up on top of your circumstances. Consider the story of Joseph (see Genesis 39). Even when he was a slave, he was the head and not the tail because God prospered everything that he did. “But Pastor Prince, when I look at my life, there are times when I am up and there are times when I am down. Yet, the Bible says that I will be above only. I don’t understand this.” What you are going through is only temporal. Keep believing that you are above only and not beneath, even when you have hit rock bottom. It is God who always causes you to triumph in Christ (see 2 Corinthians 2:14). You cannot cause yourself to triumph. Only God can and He has promised in His Word that you will be the head and not the tail, above only and not beneath. So believe His Word in spite of your circumstances and expect to see victory!
Prayer to the Holy Spirit May 31, 2020 bizadmin After I discovered my bringing in worship I had been so hungry and thirsty to be aware what worship is about by when I have spoken with other worshipers I acquired annoyed by the solutions they gave in my experience, since the solutions they have me were just words and people’s encounters, couple of were teaching me about the significance of the Holy Spirit in worship. For more information on the holy ghost, visit our website today. It had not been to serve you for a couple of years later which I learned the job from the Holy Spirit. It is good to understand people’s encounters in worship but don’t make sure they are the foundation of the knowledge of worship. Make use of the word as the basis to know worship and it is important. “Howbeit as he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he’ll show you into all truth: for he shall not talk about themselves but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and that he will shew you items to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you”, John 16:13-14 1. He’ll show you into all truth “However the anointing which ye have obtained of him abides in your soul, and ye do not need to that any man educate you: but because exactly the same anointing teaches you of the things, and it is truth, and it is no lie, as well as because it hath trained you, ye shall abide in him”, 1 John 2:27 “But ye come with unction in the Holy One, and ye know everything”, 1 John 2:20 The Holy Spirit may be the Teacher he’ll educate all of us things not only from the physical world but additionally from the spirit world. If he’ll educate all of us things can’t we ask to become trained to worship in the way that God wants to be worshiped. 2. For he shall not talk about themselves but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak The Holy Spirit is a teacher and all sorts of he teach from God. Jesus stated everything I actually do I see my dad doing as well as in this scripture we learn that the Holy Spirit will educate us shall originate from God. Allow the cry in our hearts be that people learn and be familiar with the worship of God The number of people has ever requested Him to educate us about the worship of paradise? Are we ever availed ourselves to understand from God the way through which he wants to be glorified? 3. He will highlight items to come He’s endowed having the ability to be aware of things of paradise, He’s insight from the move, and also the things of God. God is identical yesterday today and tomorrow but have you ever observed that God evolves daily. The Holy Spirit knows the items in the future and we have to learn to follow along with the Holy Spirit to ensure that we might understand how to bring things for the reason that lie ahead and produce them into the present through worship. The growing season has become that people as worshipers pray that people could see because the He hears and sees because he listens to that particular we might worship within the prophetic and institute things through the spirit of god which only works with the spirit of God 4. He shall glorify me “Wherefore I provide you with to know, that no man speaking through the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: which no man can tell that Jesus may be the Lord, but through the Holy Ghost”, 1 Corinthians 12:3 Glorify way to bless, to honor, to exaggerate, and also the Holy Spirit shall do all it tries to bless God, so even just in our worship the Holy Spirit works to glorify God, in the order he guides us he only intention would be to glorify God. Then when we worship using the Him you’re guaranteed to encounter God since the Holy Spirit’s objective would be to glorify God, then when we stand beside him we’ll finish up blessing God everywhere using the direction and leading from the Spirit. 5. For he shall receive of mine and shall show it unto you Whatever God reaches the Holy Spirit what he’ll also show us. The term show there means to reveal, speak, tell announce. The amount of God has his Spirit proven you? One man authored it’s very difficult to worship a God you do not know and have an understanding of. What if God has got the Spirit proven unto you inside your existence, revealed for you. Don’t worship God according to your neighbor’s, friend’s or parents thought to seek your personal understanding of God, seek your personal thought of God. Sit lower and permit the Holy Spirit to educate the person from the Holy Spirit. Whoever else caused by the Spirit which makes you definitely stand and worship in your unique way? Whoever else caused by God which makes you stand and worship him through the night without complaining? Regardless of the Spirit shows us it is a blessing from the Lord provided to us. The Spirit of God is working night and day on your lawn, my real question is maybe you have permitted the Holy Spirit to change your existence, to change your worship, help your thought transform you to become a servant from the Lord Jesus. Maybe you have permitted the Holy Spirit to access for him to re-calibrate and remodel your worship? Maybe you have sitting lower and requested God to fill you using the Holy Spirit, Pray beside me at this time… “Father I thanks that you’re a good God and you love me, I appreciate selecting me and running after me and today I select additionally you. I wish to also chase you and also today I ask that the Holy Spirit would fill my existence and remodel all things in my existence from my understanding, thought individuals, my worship, enhance and open my ears and eyes to ensure that I might know you more. May your Holy Spirit educates me to worship you daily and from today I prefer to get brought through the Holy Spirit in most I actually do. I appreciate this gift from the Holy Spirit, I appreciate transforming my existence to ensure that I might magnify honor and glorify your company name for eternity. Thanks, Lord. Amen. Want to know more about prayer to the holy spirit? Visit our website for more information.
Moved By The Spirit, Not Human Honey May 20, 2020 bizadmin No grain offering which you bring to the Lord shall be made with leaven, for you shall burn no leaven nor any honey in any offering to the Lord made by fire. Leviticus 2:11 MOVED BY THE SPIRIT, NOT HUMAN HONEY Imagine yourself walking past the prodigal son sitting in the pigpen (see Luke 15:11–24). You look at him and see him salivating for the pigs’ food. Believing that it is good to show kindness, you give him money to buy food for himself. That is human kindness which says, “I am a Christian. I should be kind, good and forgiving.” Such human sweetness or kindness may be likened to honey. Interestingly, while we elevate it, God tells His people not to bring Him a grain offering with honey in it. The grain offering speaks of Jesus’ life on earth. Not mixing honey in the grain offering speaks of how the compassion and goodness we see in Jesus during His earthly ministry were all divine. There was no “honey” of human goodness, which is inevitably tainted with human weakness. [abc] In retrospect, the worst thing one could do for the prodigal son was to give him money when he was in the pigpen. Not only would he not have gone home, but what the Lord was doing in his heart would also have been spoiled. This is what happens when we go by the goodness of our human hearts instead of the goodness of God in our hearts, which is directed by His love, wisdom and perfect timing. My friend, God does not want you to be moved by what you see but by His Spirit. There were many needy folks surrounding Jesus during His time on earth. But He did not heal every sick person around Him, feed every hungry stomach he passed or raise all who were dead. Isaiah 11:2–3 tells us that the Lord was not moved by what He saw or heard. He was moved only by the Spirit. You too have the Spirit in you (see 1 Corinthians 3:16). Be moved by Him. Follow the peace that He puts within your spirit to do or refrain from doing something. That peace is the peace of God. Acting on that peace will cause God to be exalted, and His divine goodness and kindness to really be a blessing to you and others! [abc]