Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. I Thessalonians 5:23 REFERENCE I Thessalonians 5:23-24 Many people’s lives are characterized by extremes, but it is an unnatural way of living because it goes against God’s plan for us. Apostle Paul in his letter to the Thessalonians made it clear that God wants Christians to be fully preserved, fully sanctified and fully balanced in our spirits, souls and bodies. We must ensure that we are not so heavenly minded that we are of...
“When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?” John 5:6 REFERENCE John 5:1-9 It must have been a heartbreaking and gut-wrenching sight to see these many immobilized and infirm people in the same place at the same time. Despite their teeming population, the source of help and healing was limited and only one person could be helped at a time. Isn’t that a replica of life sometimes? So much need, yet so little to meet them, so much...
Paul advised them, saying, “Men, I PERCEIVE that this voyage will end with disaster and much loss, not only of the cargo and ship, but also our lives.” Acts 27:9-10 REFERENCE Acts 27:9-26 One sure way to make smart decisions as a Christian is to listen to your ‘sanctified’ heart. The spirit of God dwells in your heart, He is your inner witness and He is there like an umpire who blows ‘foul’ and arbitrates in matters that may seem unclear to you. Sometimes you are faced with a decision to do something, and though everything looks right and everybody...
So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?” Nehemiah 6:3 REFERENCE Nehemiah 6:1-9 Fights are either good or bad. Paul told Timothy in I Timothy 6:12 to ‘fight the good fight of faith.’ However, certain fights are unnecessary distractions. Understand that every fight you get into will cost you time, energy and affect your state of mind; these are all assets God has given you to fulfill your purpose in life, pursue your dreams, further...
Then the king asked, “And where is Mephibosheth?” Ziba answered the king, “Mephibosheth is staying in Jerusalem. He said, ‘Today the Israelites will give my father’s kingdom back to me.’” II Samuel 16:3 (ERV) REFERENCE II Samuel 16:1-4 & II Samuel 19:24-30 Very often, we get to mediate in matters of conflict concerning two or more people and we make judgments – sometimes it is between married couples we are counseling, people on our work team, a boyfriend and his girlfriend, two business associates, or sometimes at home, between our children. REMEMBER THIS: In any dispute, the first person to...
And when Herodias’ daughter herself came in and danced, and pleased Herod and those who sat with him, the king said to the girl, “Ask me whatever you want, and I will give it to you.” Mark 6:22 REFERENCE Mark 6:17-28 Today, we continue our study on some biblical truths about making sound decisions in order to prevent unnecessary setbacks in life. The second truth about making sound decisions is ‘not to make decisions based on your emotions or feelings.’ King Herod was excited and in high spirits; he was ‘emotionally high’ because his stepdaughter had mesmerized him and his...
There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. Proverbs 14:12 REFERENCE Proverbs 14:12 A person’s life is a product of the regular decisions he/she makes. In the following episodes, we will look at some biblical truths necessary for making sound decisions. These truths will help you eliminate unnecessary mistakes in your day-to-day living; and enable you live victoriously as a Christian. From our text, there is a way (method, approach) that may most appeal to you and seems right in making your daily decisions but which will most definitely lead...
Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” Proverbs 16:3 (ESV) REFERENCE Proverbs 16:1-3&9 In your quest to know God’s plan or pattern for you this year, and in your entire decision making, the following practical steps will be very helpful in achieving the objective of discerning the mind of God. The first thing you should note while preparing to wait on God is that there is no specific number of days you can religiously follow as a time frame for waiting on God, in order to hear from Him. In different instances in the Bible,...
Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. Jeremiah 29:12 REFERENCE Jeremiah 29:12-14 Yesterday, we left off with the thought that there is a specific pattern for your life this year which you cannot afford to miss. A pattern is a plan or model used as a guide for making something. For example, tailors who make custom-tailored clothes as against mass produced clothes, make them to fit the measurement of the body statistics of a specific client. In the same way, there is a divine plan fitted specifically to you this year;...
According to all that I show you, that is, the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furnishings, just so you shall make it. Exodus 25:9 REFERENCE Exodus 25:8-9 & 40 It is a blessing to be at the threshold of a new season – a new year. However, you cannot afford to just go into the New Year without knowing the mind of God for you this year. You just don’t want the year to happen on you and you just follow it aimlessly (taking whatever it throws at you). What worked for you in previous...