Are we growing in Love
How often have we asked ourselves this question in relation to our Christian walk?
it's interesting to note that one of the greatest indicators that we are growing in our relationship with God is our willngness to Love.
... 1 John 4:8 tells us, 'God is Love' it's his nature. Love is not something that He does, for He is Love and we are never more like God than we Love. Yet a good many of us wll confess that we love the Lord, but find struggle in Loving others. However, Jesus makes the second commandment as important as the first. We cannot love God and not love our neighbour at the same time. We wll also notice here that Love is not described as an emotion or feeling, but it's a command from God himself.Our God is a jealous God. He desires that we give him first place in our lives and love him with all our substance. We have been created to Love hm and be instruments of His Glory. We also know from the above verse that "The Lord is Our God" and if we love anything or anyone more than Him, then that person or thing becomes our god, but if we Love Him wth all our might, He is our God.
Colossians 3:9-10: "You have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator."As we surrender ourselves to Him and Love him with an undivided heart we renew ourselves in the Likeness of God, his very nature, the DNA of God himself is transferred supernaturally into our very being by the working of His Holy Spirt. So as we continually give ourselves to God and fellowship with Him n Prayer & the Word, he equips us for service. if we are to grow in Love, we need to learn to obey the Lord and make Him the King and Master of our lives. Real Christian service will only begin when Jesus is fully and freely able to live His Life through me. John the baptist understood the key to maturing in Love towards God and his fellowmen. John 3:30; He must increase, but i must decrease. When He increases, it s never a struggle to love others. When Jesus increases in our life, Loving others is no longer a duty, but pure joy. As He becomes greater and i become lesser, my joy in Loving God and fellowmen increases too.
1 John 4:19; We Love God because he first loved us
Lastly we can Love God because he first Loved us and once he has set his Love on us and we cleave to Him, nothing can seperate us and he calls us to Love our neghbour wth the same commitment. And who is my neghbour? in the parable of Luke 10:29-37; Jesus defines who is my neighbour and qualifes anyone God puts in our path.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Sunday, April 3, 2011
The Names of God
We continue our journey towards Knowing God More. The premise being that you trust only those you really ‘know.’ The more we know God, the more we will trust Him. We have learned quite a bit about God through His redemptive names. Let’s take a quick review of what we have learned thus far. God is:
El Shaddai: (Gen 35:11,12) The All Sufficient One
El Elyon: (Gen 14:18-20 ) The Most High God
Adonai: (Is 6:8) Our Master
Jehovah: (Ex 3:14) The Lord of the already, right now, and not yet
Jehovah-Nissi: (Ex 17:15 ) The Lord our Banner and Battle Ax
Jehovah-Rohi: (Ps 23) The Lord our Shepherd
Jehovah-Rapha: (Ex 15:26) The Lord our Healer
Jehovah-Shammah: (Eze 48:35) The Lord that is Present with us
Jehovah-Tsidkenu: (Jer 23:6) The Lord that makes us Righteous
Jehovah-M'kaddesh: (Lev 20:8) The Lord that Sets us Apart
Jehovah-Jireh: (Gen 22:14) The Lord our Provider
Jehovah-Shalom: (Jud 6:24) The Lord our Peace
Jehovah-Sabaoth: (1 Sam 1:3) The Lord of all Armies
El Olam: (Is 26:4) The Lord that lasts Forever
El Gibhor: (Ps 24:8) The Mighty God
El Roi: (Gen 16:13) The Lord that Sees us in Every Situation
Elohim: (Gen 1:1) Our Creative God
As we review the names and better understand God’s character, attributes and nature; the better we understand God. The more we understand Him, the better we get to know Him. The more we know Him, the more we will trust Him. The more we trust Him, the more He will bless us. The more He blesses us, the more we can be a blessing to others.
So what does this mean to you today? It means that we are learning that God can be everything for us and through us if we allow Him to be. Everything we need is wrapped up in Him. Everything we have been, are, and will be is found in Him. He is the author and finisher, creator and sustainer, all and all in our lives. If we are not blessed, it is not because God is not willing to bless us; but rather simply because we do not take the time to get to know Him and obey His commands. Are you ready to be blessed? Make a commitment to know God More Today and more importantly, make a commitment to DO what you learn!
You are my Everything
and I am Your Servant!
Confession for this day: Lord God. You are my Everything! I make a commitment to know You more this year and apply what I learn to my life. My reading leads to learning. My learning leads to living. My living leads to blessing. My blessing allows me to be a blessing to others. I submit and surrender myself to You and You alone. Use me this day and everyday for Your service. Lord, I am available to You!
In Jesus’ name.
Amen!
Videos on healing at www.youtube.com/jcilmkwt
El Shaddai: (Gen 35:11,12) The All Sufficient One
El Elyon: (Gen 14:18-20 ) The Most High God
Adonai: (Is 6:8) Our Master
Jehovah: (Ex 3:14) The Lord of the already, right now, and not yet
Jehovah-Nissi: (Ex 17:15 ) The Lord our Banner and Battle Ax
Jehovah-Rohi: (Ps 23) The Lord our Shepherd
Jehovah-Rapha: (Ex 15:26) The Lord our Healer
Jehovah-Shammah: (Eze 48:35) The Lord that is Present with us
Jehovah-Tsidkenu: (Jer 23:6) The Lord that makes us Righteous
Jehovah-M'kaddesh: (Lev 20:8) The Lord that Sets us Apart
Jehovah-Jireh: (Gen 22:14) The Lord our Provider
Jehovah-Shalom: (Jud 6:24) The Lord our Peace
Jehovah-Sabaoth: (1 Sam 1:3) The Lord of all Armies
El Olam: (Is 26:4) The Lord that lasts Forever
El Gibhor: (Ps 24:8) The Mighty God
El Roi: (Gen 16:13) The Lord that Sees us in Every Situation
Elohim: (Gen 1:1) Our Creative God
As we review the names and better understand God’s character, attributes and nature; the better we understand God. The more we understand Him, the better we get to know Him. The more we know Him, the more we will trust Him. The more we trust Him, the more He will bless us. The more He blesses us, the more we can be a blessing to others.
So what does this mean to you today? It means that we are learning that God can be everything for us and through us if we allow Him to be. Everything we need is wrapped up in Him. Everything we have been, are, and will be is found in Him. He is the author and finisher, creator and sustainer, all and all in our lives. If we are not blessed, it is not because God is not willing to bless us; but rather simply because we do not take the time to get to know Him and obey His commands. Are you ready to be blessed? Make a commitment to know God More Today and more importantly, make a commitment to DO what you learn!
You are my Everything
and I am Your Servant!
Confession for this day: Lord God. You are my Everything! I make a commitment to know You more this year and apply what I learn to my life. My reading leads to learning. My learning leads to living. My living leads to blessing. My blessing allows me to be a blessing to others. I submit and surrender myself to You and You alone. Use me this day and everyday for Your service. Lord, I am available to You!
In Jesus’ name.
Amen!
Videos on healing at www.youtube.com/jcilmkwt
TRIED AND TESTED
TRIED AND TESTED
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every way has been tested as we are yet without sin”…(Hebrews 4)
This most amazing verse gives me the most encouragement when I go through tough times in my daily life. Is it not encouraging to know and believe this glorious truth that no matter what in life you may be going through, our Blessed Lord can sympathize with us for it was the will of God Almighty that He should be tested in every respect for our sake. We however being rational animals, could reason out in such a manner saying, “ Well was’nt Jesus Christ the Son of God? Yes, he Is the Son of God, but he is also fully human and and lived His life on earth with Human Frailty. He like any of us, had to rely on the Holy Spirit to keep him from sinning and giving into the temptation of the devil. But also notice one more thing. “ The Bible says he has been tested in “every way” yet he was found without sin. The same is not true for us. For scripture says that God will not allow trials and tribulations greater than our ability to endure. I would like to mention this again, ‘ Whatever you may be going through, whatever may be your struggle, you have one blessed assurance that our Lord Jesus Christ is not only able to see you through this situation or circumstance, but is also able to identify with & Sympathize with you for there is nothing that you are going through that he has not been tested with and Yet victorious over Sin. So what does the Bible say that we must do? It says in Hebrews 4:16: Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with utmost boldness so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Yes, we can enter God’s presence with boldness because his blood has washed away our sins & our guilt taken away on the Cross
Prayer
Loving Father, I come before you the way Iam. Lord Jesus, i come to you with confidence not on the account of my ability or good works but on account of your Most Holy and precious blood that you have shed on the Cross for me. Apart from you Iam unworthy. I thank you for paying the price of my sin on the Cross. Lord, it is so encouraging to know that when you were on this Earth you were tested in every way for my sake and Yet without sin. You also took upon yourself my sin and suffered the punishment you did not deserve for my sake So, i believe that you are able to deliver me from all my sinful ways and see me through every circumstance i put my faith in you. Fill me with your blessed Holy Spirit and lead me to the Father's throne Amen.
Have a Blessed Day
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every way has been tested as we are yet without sin”…(Hebrews 4)
This most amazing verse gives me the most encouragement when I go through tough times in my daily life. Is it not encouraging to know and believe this glorious truth that no matter what in life you may be going through, our Blessed Lord can sympathize with us for it was the will of God Almighty that He should be tested in every respect for our sake. We however being rational animals, could reason out in such a manner saying, “ Well was’nt Jesus Christ the Son of God? Yes, he Is the Son of God, but he is also fully human and and lived His life on earth with Human Frailty. He like any of us, had to rely on the Holy Spirit to keep him from sinning and giving into the temptation of the devil. But also notice one more thing. “ The Bible says he has been tested in “every way” yet he was found without sin. The same is not true for us. For scripture says that God will not allow trials and tribulations greater than our ability to endure. I would like to mention this again, ‘ Whatever you may be going through, whatever may be your struggle, you have one blessed assurance that our Lord Jesus Christ is not only able to see you through this situation or circumstance, but is also able to identify with & Sympathize with you for there is nothing that you are going through that he has not been tested with and Yet victorious over Sin. So what does the Bible say that we must do? It says in Hebrews 4:16: Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with utmost boldness so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Yes, we can enter God’s presence with boldness because his blood has washed away our sins & our guilt taken away on the Cross
Prayer
Loving Father, I come before you the way Iam. Lord Jesus, i come to you with confidence not on the account of my ability or good works but on account of your Most Holy and precious blood that you have shed on the Cross for me. Apart from you Iam unworthy. I thank you for paying the price of my sin on the Cross. Lord, it is so encouraging to know that when you were on this Earth you were tested in every way for my sake and Yet without sin. You also took upon yourself my sin and suffered the punishment you did not deserve for my sake So, i believe that you are able to deliver me from all my sinful ways and see me through every circumstance i put my faith in you. Fill me with your blessed Holy Spirit and lead me to the Father's throne Amen.
Have a Blessed Day
Saturday, April 2, 2011
An Experience
In recent days i have been going through some really trying times in my life and and with tears welling down my eyes, i asked the Lord whether he can identify with what iam really going through. Its been almost 11 years now since i know the Lord and experienced his Love and the power of his redemption which transformed my life much to the surprise of the people around me who already had an image of me imprinted on their minds, one for whom there is little hope. But in his infinite mercy had alreay chosen me from my Mother's womb called me and drew me towards himself and since then, the eventuality of his working begun in my life and his work continues till he brings it into completion and the Character of Christ himself is ingrafted in me. It had been a while till i could really identify with St. Paul when he said that there is nothig that can really seperate us fom the Love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.. But what about the times when we don't experience his Love and we are burdened with the pressures of this life and God does not seem to be in the scheme of things. What about the times when God does not answer our prayers in the manner we expect him to? What about the times when wee feel let down by God and he is no where in our sight? Well,we could justify these times with many rationalizations but it really does not change the reality that there is NOTHING THAT CAN REALLY SEPEREATE US FROM THE LOVE OF GOD. And when it is all over you discover that God was just besides you although you felt you were left all alone to battle the daily struggles, what you thought was tearing you apart was infact building you and giving you strength to greater endurance. I have heard of this term more than once now that "God is more interested in our Character rather than our Comfort" This may be one of the basic tenets of the Christian life, that all that God lets us experience in our lives is to build up the Character in us which is being transformed and fashioned to the image of Jesus Christ and will be perfected one day.
CHRIST OUR REDEEMER
CHRIST OUR REDEEMER
“Now Christ rescued us from the curse of the law by becoming cursed himself for our sake”… (Galatians 3:13)
The Law was given by God to Moses brought judgment because of the consequence of sin. The Law said; “You do or You die” Thus came the judgment of God on the one who did not obey the commands of the law. When we see Christ hanging on the cross we see God himself taking the curse of sin upon himself in order to rescue us from His impending wrath. The mercy of God is greater than his righteousness. It was by the atoning death of Christ on the cross that made it possible for you and me to approach the throne of grace with utmost confidence. When we accept our sinfulness and seek his forgiveness having no desire whatsoever to return to the life of sin, He transforms our lives giving us the ability to truly comprehend the richness of his grace and the inheritance that has been stored up for us as children of God himself, for then we are transferred from darkness to his everlasting light.
Prayer
Merciful Father, I thank you for sending you son to die for me on the Cross and pay the price for my sin and bear its consequences. I truly acknowledge this act of mercy and seek refuge in you. Father, cleanse my heart of every stain of sin by the Most Holy and precious blood of your Son Jesus and Fill my life with the Holy Spirit. Quicken me that I may never leave thy hand. This I ask of you in Jesus matchless name. Amen
Have a Blessed Day
“Now Christ rescued us from the curse of the law by becoming cursed himself for our sake”… (Galatians 3:13)
The Law was given by God to Moses brought judgment because of the consequence of sin. The Law said; “You do or You die” Thus came the judgment of God on the one who did not obey the commands of the law. When we see Christ hanging on the cross we see God himself taking the curse of sin upon himself in order to rescue us from His impending wrath. The mercy of God is greater than his righteousness. It was by the atoning death of Christ on the cross that made it possible for you and me to approach the throne of grace with utmost confidence. When we accept our sinfulness and seek his forgiveness having no desire whatsoever to return to the life of sin, He transforms our lives giving us the ability to truly comprehend the richness of his grace and the inheritance that has been stored up for us as children of God himself, for then we are transferred from darkness to his everlasting light.
Prayer
Merciful Father, I thank you for sending you son to die for me on the Cross and pay the price for my sin and bear its consequences. I truly acknowledge this act of mercy and seek refuge in you. Father, cleanse my heart of every stain of sin by the Most Holy and precious blood of your Son Jesus and Fill my life with the Holy Spirit. Quicken me that I may never leave thy hand. This I ask of you in Jesus matchless name. Amen
Have a Blessed Day
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