Tag Archives: Nwodo Divine

GENERAL

God’s Building Materials

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1 Corinthians 3:12
If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw,

1 Corinthians 3:13 Their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work.

It is weight that counts. Wood, hay, stubble are cheap, light, temporary; gold silver, precious stones are costly, weighty, eternal.

Here is the key to value.

The heavy metals, the gold of the divine character and glory, the silver of His redemptive work: these are the materials He prizes.

Not merely what we preach, please note, but what we are, weighs with God; not doctrine, but the character of Christ wrought out in us by God’s orderings, by God’s testings, by the Spirit’s patient workings.

Work that is of God is work that has been to the Cross. When our work has been that way, we can rest assured that it will in the end survive the fire.

Not, “Where is the need most evident? What ideas and resources have I got? How much can I do? How soon can I put that doctrine into practice?” but, “Where is God moving? What is there of Him here? How far does He will for me to go? What is the mind of the Spirit on this?”—these are the questions of the truly crucified servant. He recognizes God’s “Go” and His “Speak,” but also His “Wait,” and His “Go,” but say only so much. Aware of his own weakness and emptiness, the greatest lesson he has to learn is to commit his way to God and wait to see Him move.

The problem lies in our failure to understand that, in God’s work, man in himself is of no use. Wood, hay, stubble, these suggest what is essentially of man and of the flesh.

They imply what is common, ordinary, easily and cheaply acquired—and of course perishable. Grass today may clothe the earth with beauty, but where is it tomorrow?

Human intellect may give us a grasp of Scripture; natural eloquence may have the power to attract; emotion may carry us along; feelings may seem to supply a guiding sense—but to what? God looks for more solid values than these.

Many of us can preach well and accurately enough, but we are wrong. We talk of the flesh but don’t know its perils; we talk of the Spirit, but would we recognize Him were He really to move us?

Too much of our work for God depends not on His will and purpose, but on our feelings—or even, God forgive us! on the weather. Like chaff and stubble, it is carried away by the wind. Given the right mood we may accomplish a lot, but just as easily, in adverse conditions, we may give up entirely. No, as the fire will one day prove, work that is dependent on feelings or on the wind of revival is of little use to God. When God commands, feelings or no feelings, we must learn to do.

The God-prized values are costly. Those unwilling to pay the price will never come by them. Grace is free, but this isn’t. Only a high price buys costly stones.

Many a time we shall want to cry out “This is costing too much!” Yet the things wrought by God through the lessons we learn under His hand, though we be long in learning them—these are the really worthwhile things.

Time is an element in this. In the light of God, some things perish of themselves; there is no need to wait for the fire. It is in what remains, in what has stood God’s test of time, that true worth lies. Here are found the precious stones, formed in what

God graciously gives us of sorrow and trouble, as He puts us “through fire and water” to bring us to His wealthy place. Man sees the outward appearance; God sees the inward cost. Do not wonder that you experience all sorts of trials. Accepted from His hand they are the sure way to a life that is precious to Him.

May God have mercy on the clever people who pass on merely what they have read or received from another. Not even speaking for God can be done without cost.

It is all a question of whether the person’s life is light or weighty, for weight shows the quality of the material. Two men may use the same words, but in the one you meet something you cannot get past; in the other— nothing.

The difference is in the man. You always know when you are in the presence of spiritual worth. No amount of theorizing about the Lord’s return, for example, will take the place of a life that has been daily lived looking for Him.

There is no escaping this difference, and no substitute for the real thing. Alas, some of us are so unlike our words that it might be better if we said less about spiritual things.

Do not wonder, then, at God’s concern for the materials of His house. Imitation jewelry may have a certain beauty, but what woman who has once possessed the real thing would give it another thought?

The apostle Paul leaves us in no doubt of his own valuation. Ten coolie-loads of stubble can never approach the price of one single gemstone.

All flesh, all mere feelings, all that is essentially of man, is grass and must vanish away. What is of Christ, the gold, the silver, the costly stones, these alone are eternal, incorruptible, imperishable.

It is this lasting character of God’s Church that must now claim our attention.



Watchman Nee

Christmas, GENERAL

CHRISTMAS IS COME

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A neonate springtime and neonate Sound,
Birth of humble nascence pipping to resound,
As a breath of fresh air at summer eventide
The spring comes from afar, I hear it hither,

A neonate springtime and neonate sound,
In a manger our redeeming star was lay,
Shut in behind with a wooden gate,
Amid the grimness He stood pale – bright.

A neonate springtime and neonate sound,
The reflection of the father’s thought,
The genuine murmur of the prophets,
At tremble desires, He was born.

A neonate Springtime and neonate sound,
The wise men peeped to behold the baby,
absorbed melancholy in thought
Ever loyal and keen, their footsteps bent.

A neonate springtime and neonate sound,
The incipient affection for the humans,
The open adoption, trembling and willing spring across the world they hear it thither.

A neonate Springtime and neonate sound,
Kiss the son, lest he be angry,
Embrace the son, lest you fall off
Clasp with arms of affection, lest you regret,

Have a Merry Christmas.


©UBOKOBONG MICHAEL

GENERAL

The True Revelation of God’s Fatherhood

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The ‘God-figure’ in this generation, I am afraid, has been diluted and reduced beyond what the Personality of God really entails. We now use sensual images to depict the relation of the Holy Spirit with Saints.

We now have Christians who brag about how they relate with The Holy Spirit as their Lover. They speak ecstatically of how they ‘make love’ with Him, and how He hugs them, and even them pet names.

As fanciful as this sounds, it does not correlate with the fatherhood of God which we are given in scriptures. It only appeals to the sensuality of our human self and is highly inaccurate when weighed by the tenets of scriptures.

Some people do not feel they are close to someone unless they can talk to that person anyhow, and jump on that person’s head. That is not closeness, that is mere childishness.
Some even relate with God this way. They think it is okay to address God like He is their mate or sparring partner. They justify this wrong culture, by saying it is because God is their ‘Padi’ (Nigerian colloquial term for ‘buddy’).

Some believers see this as a sign of intimacy. Alas, it is not. It is just the culture of childishness.

The mature ones who truly love God, do not rant. God loves all His children, and that’s what makes us His children; but only those who love Him are mature. Loving Him is what makes for maturity.


Whenever mature believers feel they have a strong case with God, they do not speak to Him anyhow.

Abraham pleaded with God over Sodom and Gomorrah, because of his nephew, Lot who lived there.

The account is in Genesis 18:23-33. He kept saying “Lord, don’t be,angry, if I ask one more question”
He was was called God’s friend (James 2:23), yet, never once did he address God casually. He called God, ‘Lord’.

In Exodus 33:11-23, MOSES had a very intimate conversation with God.

He kept saying “Lord, if I’ve found favour in your sight…”. He pleaded with God over the stubborn Israelites in Numbers 14:1-30. He said “Please pardon them”. God said He spoke with Moses as someone speaks with his FRIEND (Exodus 33:11)

David was a man after God’s heart. Read the Psalms and see how he prayed. When he lost everything in 1 Samuel 30, he didn’t speak flippantly to God. He was greatly
distressed, but prayed with thanksgiving, making his requests.

Jesus pleaded with the Father concerning the suffering He was to go through. Even though Jesus is the Son of God. The one who dwelt in the bosom of the Father; He did not sit down, cross his legs, and say “Dad, make you sef tink am. We wee drag dis tin
o”. No. The Bible says He knelt down (Luke 22:41) and laid face down on the ground (Matthew 26:31), and said “Father, if it is possible, do this thing for Me. I submit to your
will”.

That is how intimacy with God works.


Look at how the apostles prayed in Acts 4:24-31. They started with “Lord, you are God”, not “Daddy, come here!”


Paul in Ephesians 3:14 said “For this cause I BOW MY KNEES TO THE FATHER”.

A ‘modern’, ignorant saint, who read such, would say “Do you kneel down to ask things from your Father? Will your son or daughter kneel down to ask things from you? This is as a result of ignorance about the Fatherhood of God!”

Western political correctness has entered the church as perverted grace gospel.

“God is love. God is not angry with anyone. He doesn’t have any anger. God is not bipolar. He
just loves everyone and has forgotten all about sins. Do not talk about sins. God’s Spirit never convicts the believer of sin. Do not call it sin. Just preach “love”. God is not to
be feared.”

These are sensual opinions that civilization has created in the Body of Christ today. Civilization has corrupted our thinking.

To raise a child now means to allow them do whatever they want including slapping and insulting you whenever they feel like.

Thanks to civilization, any punishment meted out to kids, which is beyond “you are grounded for 2 weeks” and “no more ice cream” is criminal. Pupils can insult their wards and teachers. and it is tolerated.

Unfortunately, this civilization has also negatively influenced African fatherhood.

To African fathers, the Bible says “Do not provoke, or harass, your children by the way you treat them, or be too hard on them to the point that they are discouraged, frustrated, feel inferior, and become resentful and sullen (Ephesians 6:4, Colossians 3:21)”

To American fathers, the Bible says your children MUST NOT be wild, unruly or insubordinate, but must be under control and must be submissive (1 Tim 3:4; Titus 1:6).


Proverbs 22:15: “Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far away.”

Despite how plain the Bible is, on approving the meting out of physical discipline to children, we still have Saints in the Body of Christ today, who due to being influenced by the evil civilization prevalent in the society, condemn what the Bible justifies.


Proverbs 23:13-14 New International Version

13 Do not withhold discipline from a child;
    if you punish them with the rod, they will not die.
14 Punish them with the rod
    and save them from death.


Physical discipline is not always necessary, and we all pray for children who will listen to gentle but firm counsel. Physical discipline is wrong when done in a reactionary way; but when done in love and in good measure, it is good and right.

Dear friends,


God forbid that we look to Africans to know His fatherhood.
And God forbids that we look to Americans to understand His fatherhood.

The BIBLE is our standard. And in the end it will be clear Who is right.

1 John 3:1 says the LOVE of the Father makes us God’s children, and Hebrews 12:5-11 tells us that the DISCIPLINE of the Father makes us His children, and that without this discipline, we are like bastards.


Yet, some will still feel that because they are going through a hard time, they can talk to God anyhow. I haven’t met even one who went through a tenth of what Job went through. At a point, he felt he had been wronged, and demanded an explanation from God.


“God, where are you, how could you let this happen to me? How could you do this to me, it is unfair! Where were you when this happened? You are unfair!!” He said to God, repeatedly.


Just an answer from God, and he repented saying, “I’ve been foolish. I have been really foolish. I take it all back. I repent in dust and ashes.”

A word is enough for the wise.

Ebele UzoPeters.

GENERAL

Imitators of Christ’s Love

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St. John 8:3
The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group

St. John 8:4
And said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery.

St. John 8:5
In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?”

St. John 8:6
They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger.

St. John 8:7
When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”

St. John 8:8
Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.

St. John 8:9
At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there.

St. John 8:10:
Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”

St. John 8:11
“No one, sir,” she said.“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”

It was never really about adultery.
It was beyond immorality.
It was bigger than sin and iniquity.
It was actually a domicile nature.
A state of the heart, the posture of the soul.

Caught in the very act of adultery, she was humiliated, dragged into the public to be stoned, facing shame in the sight of all, but it was much more than falling into a sin.

But her accusers could not see beyond her act. They condemned her from the outside, not knowing that a fruit is only an offspring of the tree.

We have some clergymen who do the same thing today. In their attempt to preach against sin, they address the act, point to the fruit, but neglect the inward cause of it

St. John 8:12
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

In John 8:12, Jesus revealed to us, that the root cause of the sinfulness of mankind was the darkened state of their hearts.

Hence, in order to save them, we must turn on the light, we must do as Jesus did, pretend not to see reasons to condemn the accused, look away from the darkness, search for light, and then rise up to dispel, expel and send darkness into extinction.

So when we preach to sinners, we do not dwell on their sins, rather, we partner with Christ and trust Him to flood their darkened hearts with His divine light.

Once their hearts receives the Light, their acts will reflect the same.

Thus, we ought not to be among the crowd to accuse the woman caught in the very act of adultery. Rather, we imitate the love of Christ, who refused to condemn her, and gave her a chance to live rightly.


Jesus said to her,

GO AND SIN NO MORE.

This was a certification that her nature had been changed, from adultery with men, to adoption with God. She became born again. She became the living testimony of ll Corinthians 5:17.

‘Go and sin no more,’
That was a powerful charge. It was a command, verdict and a law. An inscription upon her soul.

Friends, that woman represent every sinner around each and every one of us, they need help, they need Christ, they know they are wrong but they are confused as to what to do.

Beloved, would you help them?

Doo something before they’re ‘stoned to death,’ I mean the second death, eternal damnation.

Defend them and reveal Christ to them.
(John 8:1-12)

Let us pray.

© Shadrach Iyere

Christmas

The Liberal Christmas Giver

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While walking towards the market today, I saw what made my heart bleed.

I saw a mother with a little girl who should be between 10-12 years.

This woman couldn’t afford a shoe for her daughter for the Xmas and New Year’s celebration.

From her facial expression, I observed that she was seriously worried about getting her daughter a Christmas wear, just to make her happy.

She came to the shop were I was purchasing shoes for my daughter. She was there to see, if there was any shoe her daughter’s size that she could afford.

She negotiated the price of the shoes steadily, trying to reduce it to a price she could afford.

This got the seller annoyed. She (the seller) got so provoked, that she took the shoes back into the store, and sent the woman away.

The woman left there in shame. Her eyes were reddened with sorrowful anger, and heavy with tears.

This scene troubled my heart in no small amount. It made me resolve to always help the poor as much as I can.


I learnt a lesson there.

As saints who ought to give liberally, we ought to always leave our homes, with extra-money, beyond our budgeted spending.

No matter how small it is, you could encounter on the road, someone in need of that money.

We have many paupers around us.
Many are living in poverty, even in this Christmas season.
Many can not afford a satisfactory Christmas meal.

Many do not’t have shelter, let alone, clothing.


Show them love and kindness
.
Stretch out your hands to the poor.

You might not have everything you need, but you definitely have more something worth giving.

Give and be blessed.
Your Blessing is in your giving.



“The righteous give generously.” Psalm 37:21


“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” Luke 6:38



“A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” Proverbs 11:25


Dear Saints, tomorrow is Christmas, do not celebrate the saviour alone.

Cause others to celebrate, through your Gifts.

God Bless You.




Author: Nkemjoy

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Daily Worship: Battles

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Romans 8:37: “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”


Romans 8:38: “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,”


Romans 8:39: neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

This powerful song was done by Tim Godfrey. It is a declaration of our security in Christ Jesus.

Christmas

WHAT TO DO DURING CHRISTMAS

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Christmas is a season that many anticipate yearly. It is that time of the year when love is shown to people around you.

Families and friends come together, eat, drink and celebrate. You get to have a good time with people around you.

Here are some tips on activities you can do to make Christmas memorable.


• Going to the park, having a picnic and organizing a party with loved ones.

• Buying so many gifts, preparation of so many delicious, assorted, and sumptuous meals.

• Making special dresses, singing and playing carol songs.

• Going to the orphanage with gifts for the children there.

• Getting gift cards for your spouse or partner and making sure your children get unforgettable moments.

• Giving discounts for your customers in your company in the spirit of the season.

You can do so many lovely things to celebrate the season. It is the birth of one who matters to you.

One of the sweet things to be done this season is to get a good right with people around us.

You might have been hurt by your friends and trusted ones this year, and you might have hurt them also.

Either ways, it is important to make peace, reconcile, and start the new year on a clean slate.

If you have caused pain, damages and injuries by or to someone physically and emotionally, it’s best to seek for forgiveness.

Matthew 6:12 (TPT)
“Forgive us the wrongs we have done as we ourselves release forgiveness to those who have wronged us.”

When Jesus, the reason for the season, was teaching his disciples how to pray during his earthly ministry, He talked about forgiveness.

Whenever we wrong Him, we seek for His forgiveness. And in His infinite love, He forgives us. Likewise should we forgive others.

Matthew 6:14 (TPT)
“And when you pray, make sure you forgive the faults of others, so that, your Father in heaven will also forgive you.”

Matthew 6:15 (TPT)
“But if you withhold forgiveness from others, your Father withholds forgiveness from you.”

It is not always easy to forgive. You might have been hurt severely by people you never imagined would wrong you, yet, there is no strength in offense.

You have to let go of the memories of pain and hurt, if you must enjoy inner peace and tranquility.

Ephesians 4:32 (TPT)
“But instead be kind and affectionate toward one another. Has God graciously forgiven you? Then graciously forgive one another in the depths of Christ’s love.”

As you read this, pause for a moment to reflect on the things God has done for you. Ponder on the things Christ went through for your sake. That is the essence of Christmas.

Jesus forgave you even before you sought for His forgiveness.

Let his love saturate your heart.

You will make Jesus happy this season by forgiving everyone who wronged you, and asking for forgiveness from thoseyou have wronged. Let it be your Gift to Jesus.

By the Grace of God, one ought to always forgive, but on no account should you do wrong to someone repeatedly and intentionally because you know that you will be forgiven. God forbids it!

 

Colossians 3:12-14 (TPT)

12. You are always and dearly loved by God! So robe yourself with virtues of God, since you have been divinely chosen to be holy. Be merciful as you endeavor to understand others, and be compassionate, showing kindness toward all. Be gentle and humble, unoffendable in your patience with others.

13. Tolerate the weaknesses of those in the family of faith, forgiving one another in the same way you have been graciously forgiven by Jesus Christ. If you find fault with someone, release this same gift of forgiveness to them. 

14. For love is supreme and must flow through each of these virtues. Love becomes the mark of true maturity.

Do you know that one of the ways to show love towards people is by forgiveness?

Yes! It is one of the ways to show love.

Similarly, the best way to show love to yourself is forgiveness.

You get burdens off your heart, peace and tranquility into your soul, and joy into your disposition.

Luke 11:28 (TPT)
‘Yes,” said Jesus. “But God will bless all who listen to the word of God and carefully obey everything they hear.”

John 14:21 (TPT)
Those who truly love me are those who obey my commands. Whoever passionately loves me will be passionately loved by my Father. And I will passionately love you in return and will manifest my life within you.”

John 14:23 (TPT)
Jesus replied, “Loving me empowers you to obey my word. And my Father will love you so deeply that we will come to you and make you our dwelling place.

Love for Christ is proven and demonstrated by our obedience to all that he says.

He has commanded that you should forgive. In love and obedience to His commands, forgive and make peace with all men.

It will be so lovely is you say merry Christmas to people with love in your heart, with a free and sound mind towards them.

Merry Christmas in advance.

Scripture credit: The Passion Translation (TPT)

Written by:
Ejiofor Chidimma Blessing

Christmas

Gleaning from The Visit of The Magi – Charles Spurgeon

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Matthew 2:2 ‘“Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.


Matthew 2:11: “And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.“

In reference to these wise men from the east, there was for their search after Christ “a declared motive.”

“Where is He,” they said, “We have come to worship him!”

Oh, dear soul, if you seek for Christ, let it be your motive that you will be saved by Him, and that henceforth and forever you may live to His glory.

When it comes to this, that you don’t listen to the gospel merely as a habit, but because you long to receive its promised salvation, it will not be long before you will find it.

When a man says, I am going to church today to hear the Word of God preached, and my heart’s desire is that God will grant me His salvation,” then he will not go there in vain. When a hearer can declare, “As soon as I take my seat in the congregation, my one thought is, “Lord, bless my soul this day?” he won’t be disappointed.

Usually in going to church we get what we came for. Some come because it is a habit, some to meet a friend, some don’t even know why; but when you know what you come for, the Lord who gave you the desire will gratify it.

I was pleased with the word of a dear sister this morning when I came in the church; she said to me, “My dear sir, my soul is very hungry this morning. May the Lord give you bread for me.”

I believe that food is being given to her. When a sinner is very hungry for Christ, Christ is very near to him.

The worst of it is, many of you don’t come to find Jesus, it is not Him you are seeking for; if you were seeking for Him, He would soon appear to you.

A young woman was asked during a revival, “How is it that you have not found Christ?” “Sir,” she said, “I think it is because I have not been looking for Him.” It is true.

None will be able to say in the end, if I haven’t found Jesus, it must be because He has not been devoutly, earnestly, relentlessly sought, for His promise is, “Seek, and you will find.”

These wise men are to us a model in many things–their motive was clear to them, and they frankly acknowledged it to others. May all of us seek Jesus that we may worship Him.

Continuously there was an intense earnestness displayed by the wise men, which we would delight to see in any who as yet have not believed in Jesus.

Evidently they were not just curiosity seekers. They came a long way, they suffered a lot of fatigue, they spoke about finding the newborn King in a practical, common sense way; they were not put off with this rebuff or that; they desired to find Him, and they would find Him.

It is most blessed to see the work of the Spirit in men’s heart motivating them to long for the Savior to be their Lord and King; and to so long for Him that they will not accept defeat, thus they will leave no stone unturned, but by the Holy Spirit’s help, they will be able to eventually say, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote–Jesus, and He has become our salvation.”

After worshipping, the wise men presented “their gifts.”

One opened his box of gold, and laid it at the feet of the newborn King. Another presented frankincense–one of the precious products of the country from which they came; and another laid myrrh at the Redeemer’s feet; all these they gave to prove the truth of their worship.

They gave substantial offerings. And now, after you have worshipped Christ in your soul, and seen Him with the eye of faith, give Him yourself, give Him your heart, give Him all that you are and own.

Why, you will not be able to keep from doing it. He who really loves the Savior in his heart, cannot help devoting to Him his life, his strength, his all.

With some people, when they give Christ anything, or do anything for Him, it is very difficult and somewhat forced.

They say, “The love of Christ ought to compel us.” I don’t know of any such text as that in the Bible, however, I do remember one text that says, “Christ’s love compels us.”

If it does not compel us, it is because it is not in us. It is not merely a thing which ought to be, it must be. If any man loves Christ, he will soon be finding ways and means of proving his love by his sacrifices.

Go home, Mary, and get the alabaster box, and poor the ointment on His head, and if any say, “Why this waste?” you will have a good answer, you have had many sins forgiven by Him, and therefore you love Him greatly.

If you have gold, then give it; if you have frankincense, then give it; if you have myrrh, then give it to Jesus; if you don’t have any of these things, give Him your love, all of your love, and that will be gold and spices all in one; give Him your tongue, speak of Him; give Him your hands, work for Him; give Him your whole self. I know you will, for He loved you, and gave Himself for you.


Charles Haddon Spurgeon
________

God Bless You

Have a Merry Christmas! ❣️

Christmas

Gleaning from The Magi’s Journey

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Matthew 2:1: “Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem”

Matthew 2:2: “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.“




The Magi’s Victory to Jesus is one of the most popular Christmas stories ever told. Due to its commonness and frequent retelling, one might lose the lessons God in the story, which made the writer include it in his book.

There are several lessons which we can learn from the Magi’s story. I will be highlighting only a few, which I feel, are needed in a time as this.

I would to God, that you take time out to study the events relating to the Conception and birth of Jesus, in your private hour.



GLEANING FROM THE MAGI’S STORY

PERSEVERANCE:


In the first verse, we are told that these men came all the way from The East, unto Jerusalem. In the Bible days, the East was used to refer to countries like Saudi Arabia, Persia (present day Iran) and Babylon.

These men travelled all the way from one of these places, on foot, in the desert, seeking to worship an unseen Baby-King.

All they saw was the Star. They did not have the prophecies of the King’s birth like the Scribes. They were not Israelites who were desperately in need of a King, to save them from the tyranny of Herod.

But when they saw the star in the sky, they left all they had. They left their businesses, friends and families, and set out to seek the one to whom the star belonged.

They were not satisfied merely gazing at the star. They were not satisfied with merely knowledge of what the star signified. They followed the star in search of the King.

Do not settle for less in your Pursuit of the King. The star was beautiful, glorious and outstanding, but it wasn’t the object of their Worship. It was only a guide to lead them unto the King.

Going to Church. Observing the Sabbath. Observing the communion. These things are significant and unique Christian sacraments which must be taken with utmost sacredness. Yet, you must not end your piety in them.

You must journey from merely going to church out of habit, to going to church out of love for God.

You must journey from merely keeping the Sabbath, to having a personal knowledge of the Lord of the Sabbath.

You must journey from taking the communion with Reverence, to having intimate, reverential relationship with the one whose flesh and blood we feed on at the communion table.

The Wise Men saw the star, and they journeyed to Jerusalem, seeking for the King who had been born.

They went to Jerusalem, because they felt that was where kings were born. But, when they inquired there, they found out that the Israelites had no idea whether a King had been born.

They knew a king would be born. They wanted the King to be born, to deliver them from Herod’s government. But when he was born, none of them were aware of it.

Even when they had the prophecy of Daniel’s weeks to help them know the exact time and location of the King’s birth, they were unaware of his birth.



Isn’t this the plight of many Christians, cry out for God’s move, but when His Move comes, they are caught unawares and unprepared.

But the Unpreparedness and ignorance of the Jews did not quench the zeal of the wise men in finding the king.

The lacklustre service of other saints should not be a reason for you to slack in zeal and fervency.

News of the Magi’s inquiry got to Herod’s palace. He sent for the scholars of the law, and from the scriptures, they were able to tell the exact location of the Newly born King.

No matter how zealous a saint is in pursuing the things of God, he must be careful not to pursue them in ignorance, else we’ll find ourselves before the palace of evil men such as Herod.

We must serve the Lord with knowledge and Understanding. In our walk with Him, His Word must be the lamp to illuminate our darkness; the star to guide us to the King and the anchor to hold unto in the storm.



After hearing from the scholars, the Magi continued on their journey towards the saviour. They never stopped until they found Him and worshipped Him.

May we not be wearied before we step our feet on the finished line!

May we be unrelenting and unflinching until we have accomplished the task the Lord has given us!

The Magi had the option of giving their Gifts to someone to give to the saviour on their behalf.

But their minds were made up.

‘We rest not return until we see the saviour with our own eyes’

May we conform to the perseverance of these wise men.

The Saint must not rest until the day when He sees His King face to face.

He must not stop praying. He must not stop reading his Bible. He must not stop observing the Sabbath. He must not stop giving his offerings and preaching the Gospel, until the day, when He shall meet with the Saviour vis-a-vis.

And even as he is on Earth, he must not settle for anything less than a personal acquaintance with the Lord.



Job 22:21 (NISV) “Get to know God, and you’ll be at peace with him, and then prosperity will come to you.”


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Many are celebrating Christmas, but only a few know the CHRIST in the Christmas.

Many are celebrating the Season, but the Lord knows the few who actually know the reason for the season.

As we draw nearer to Christmas, take a personal decision, like those wise men, that from henceforth, you will seek to God with all your heart, your soul and your body.

God bless you.


Merry Christmas!

Spirituality

Crucified with Christ

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“I am crucified with Christ.”
Galatians 2:20



The Lord Jesus Christ acted in what he did as a great public representative person, and his dying upon the cross was the virtual dying of all his people.

Then all his saints rendered unto justice what was due, and made an expiation to divine vengeance for all their sins.

The apostle of the Gentiles delighted to think that as one of Christ’s chosen people, he died upon the cross in Christ. He did more than believe this doctrinally, he accepted it confidently, resting his hope upon it.

He believed that by virtue of Christ’s death, he had satisfied divine justice, and found reconciliation with God.

Beloved, what a blessed thing it is when the soul can, as it were, stretch itself upon the cross of Christ, and feel, “I am dead; the law has slain me, and I am therefore free from its power, because in my Surety I have borne the curse, and in the person of my Substitute the whole that the law could do, by way of condemnation, has been executed upon me, for I am crucified with Christ.”

But Paul meant even more than this. He not only believed in Christ’s death, and trusted in it, but he actually felt its power in himself in causing the crucifixion of his old corrupt nature.

When he saw the pleasures of sin, he said, “I cannot enjoy these: I am dead to them.”

Such is the experience of every true Christian. Having received Christ, he is to this world as one who is utterly dead.

Yet, while conscious of death to the world, he can, at the same time, exclaim with the apostle, “Nevertheless I live.” He is fully alive unto God. The Christian’s life is a matchless riddle.

No worldling can comprehend it; even the believer himself cannot understand it. Dead, yet alive! crucified with Christ, and yet at the same time risen with Christ in newness of life!

Union with the suffering, bleeding Saviour, and death to the world and sin, are soul-cheering things. O for more enjoyment of them!

Source: Charles Spurgeon Gems