This page was created to help give insight to the WORD of God, the Bible. Your faith should empower, not enslave you. Explore God's love and power for you to dominate your circumstances and world with us. God's love is real - I dare you to test it!
Before you throw the next stone, stop! Think back to a time when you needed that same grace you're refusing to give. Sometimes so subtly, we get on the wrongside of a situation. Like the Pharisees, we think we're doing good; when all we're being is self righteous. We need to try to remember to extend more grace to others, for freely we have received. God doesn't ask us to do anything to or for others that HE hasn't already done for us. If we truly appreciate HIS love towards us, HE commands us to go and do likewise. Give because we have received. Forgive because we've been forgiven. Restore, because we've been restored.
Luke 15 This is the story of a wealthy Jewish ruler who had two sons. The younger requested his legacy from his father and went abroad. He wasted his wealth and was soon without. While being hired to feed pigs, he remembered his former rich lifestyle and decided to return home to his father's house to beg for forgiveness. The other brother didn't leave. He stayed home and worked for the father all the while. When he realized that his young brother had returned home, he was angry and unforgiving. Rather, he condemned him, and refused to join his father in celebrating his brother's return.
_______________________________________
Matthew 18 It's the story of a king who forgave an enormous debt from one of his servants. However, the same servant refused to forgive a much lesser debt from a friend. Matthew 20 Or the story of the hired servants who agreed to work for a particular wage. But got angry at the landowner for deciding to pay other workers the same rate, even though they got hired much later.
God is God. HE is not our equal. Whatever HE chooses to do with HIS resources is HIS priority. We are just one of HIS eons of resources. HE created us. HE does not require our counsel, nor does HE need it.
Job 42: 3
3You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?’
Surely I spoke of things I did not understand,
things too wonderful for me to know.
All the father wanted was for HIS son to return home. HE kept looking out for him at the watchpost. Even though HIS young son had done a foolish thing, the father did not hold it against him. Neither was he angry when HIS eldest son condemned his brother. HE just simply explained that HIS wealth was more than enough for both. HE explained that the eldest son had nothing to worry about, and that the most important thing was that his younger brother was now back home. He had a celebration because restoration was most important. Both of HIS sons were home with HIM.
_______________________________________
What is your position? You can be in the right place with the wrong attitude. Do you think you're more entitled than others because of their type of sin? Are you angry and bitter at others or at God for what others did? Do you think that you're better than anyone? Do you think you can earn your way into God's kingdom? Be very careful of pride. For we cannot save ourselves. Salvation is a free gift from God to us.
Ephesians 2: 8 - 9
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God
John 3:16 - 17
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Do you think you know what's best for your life? Have you taken the gifts and talents that God has given you and gone off to fulfill your own desires? Is God in agreement with how you are using the resources HE'S given to you? Are you living in HIS will, accomplishing HIS plans for your life? Are you being a good steward?The younger son was wrong for taking his wealth and leaving. But the older son was also wrong for thinking he had to earn his legacy.
_______________________________________
God's resources are free for all of HIS children. The only qualification required is the choice to live in obedience to Christ. Romans 5 HIS death on the cross has restored our relationship with the Almighty God our Father. Jesus' righteousness is what makes us able to claim access to God and what HE has to offer us. We're just not good enough to do it on our own. No one can work his/her way into the Kingdom of God.
Ephesians 2:8-9
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
The human soul is the most valuable thing on earth. It is very important that we realize that we cannot save ourselves. We should be careful not to condemn others, nor ourselves when we do wrong. Instead, we should look for opportunities to restore and be restored. When you fall, get back up again. The angels celebrate for every new soul which chooses to follow Christ. Let us try to be more like our Father God and focus on what matters:
HE kept looking out for the young son to return.
HE was the one who saw him from a far way off.
HE was the one who ran to HIS young son.
And when the older son wouldn't go in to be a part of the feast. HE was the one who went out and got HIM.
HIS heart was full of compassion towards both of HIS sons. HE was just overjoyed that HE had them both together again with HIM. Everything ever created was made by God. There is no lack in HIS presence. There's nothing that we can give to HIM that HE cannot create. It is because of HIS love for us why we are and have anything. Know that whatever situation you find yourself in, you cannot save yourself. Romans 8 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Instead of finding reasons to keep others away or personally staying away from the Father, come home. Give restoration. Find restoration. Go inside! ALL God wants is for you to be home, near to HIM and HIS provision.
WORSHIP: Charles Jenkins My God is Awesome
TESTIMONY: Iranian stabbed for sharing his faith, miraculously made it across the border without a passport!
Sometimes you're it! Sometimes you fall behind. Sometimes you get distracted by your own desires, ideas, emotions, lusts, etc... Sometimes you get stuck. Stuck in your own ways, a ditch you didn't see; a ditch you thought you could cross safely; something you thought you could control or manipulate. A bad situation, relationship, investment, habit, loss. Life happens, and you get lost. Fears creep in, and it's more than you can bear or want to.
Luke 15 Imagine the story of the lost sheep. Left behind from the pack, maybe he fell into a ditch; got caught in a fence or maize; just caught. Caught by a situation that was more than he could manage. He needed help. He needed finding. Or imagine the story of the lost coin - falling into a really dark place, a dark situation, a helpless situation. Imagine being deceived. Being cornered or manipulated by someone you trusted. Sometimes you can get hurt in a very familiar place where the pain and the hurt causes you to cocoon and morphe into such a delicate position that you need to be sought after to become restored.
_______________________________________
You are not just another number. God knows you by name. Before you were formed in your mother's womb God knew you. He carved out an entire plan for every moment of your life. Jeremiah 1 Inspite of HIS supremacy, HE'S meticulous about you. HE knows every strand of hair in your head. Luke 12 You are unique. God doesn't make mistakes. Only humans do that. HE provides for the swallows, and the lillies are adorable. But you exceed them all. HE is filthy rich and HE wants nothing more than to lavish you with more than gifts. HE wants to share HIS space, HIS kingdom with you. It is HIS intention to smother you with inconceivable wealth of life. The things that you seek, the things that you chase after - HE wants to give them to you and so much more. Matthew 6: 25-34 Jesus came that we might have life and have it more abundantly. John 10 You are not forgotten! You are not hopeless! You are priceless! You are always priceless!
_______________________________________
Like the shepherd who intentionally went searching for the one lost sheep and rescued it from it's captivity, so too the Lord Jesus rescues us from our ditches. Like the woman who lost the one of her ten coins, lit her lamp and searched vehemently until she found it; so too God is careful to shine HIS light into our cocoons. Being found isn't just a story for the unbeliever, but for the saint as well. It's the story for the one who is already familiar with Saviour. The one who has already encountered Jesus, but chose to leave on his own accord like the prodigal son. He grew up with his father and chose to leave early against the norm and laws of his heritage. He soon discovered that his choices were wrong, and his father's ways and regulations were right after all. His father's outlook of the path for his life was right on point. He came to his senses.
Luke 15: 17 - 20
17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father.
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
My plea to you today is to 'come to your senses'. Allow God to restore you like the father did his son. Or the woman with her coin. Or the shepherd with his sheep. The attitude isn't one of condemnation, but restoration. You may have gone off on your own free will. But remember this, you're human. You cannot ever save yourself, nor block all the traps the devil sets for you. 1 Peter 5 The father was the one who was looking out for his son. Everyday he was on the lookout for him. The shepherd chose to leave the other 99 sheep and go after the lost one. The woman chose to light the lamp and sweep until she found the lost one. Sometimes you're the lost one. Sometimes you will get distacted, deceived, lustful, proud, stupid, etc... Sometimes you will lose your way. It's what we do as humans. Don't be too hard on yourself.
_______________________________________
God is a restorer. That's why Jesus came from heaven to earth. HE came to reconcile us to the father. Psalm 23 HE is the shepherd.
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:The old has gone, the new is here! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
God's attitude towards us is always from a place of love. HE knows we can't save ourselves. Sheep are dumb. Coins are lifeless and young sons are stupid. Stop trying to live in your own strength. You will fall, fail, sink, drown, cocoon. Cry out to God and let HIM rescue you. When you find youself in a dark place, Don't run from God, run to God! Let go and let God take you into HIS arms. Feel HIS palm enclose around you. Isaiah 41 God made Jesus become human and give up the wealth and royalty of heaven to give us the opportunity to experience and enjoy HIS lifestyle and love. 2 Corinthians 5 Give God a chance to restore you. HE'S so excited to have you back, like the rich father of the prodigal son who has a feast. Or the woman who calls her neighbors. God throws a party in heaven. The angels rejoice.
And remember, when you've been restored, extend grace to others. From time to time others fall behind and or in a ditch. Sometimes, others are the lost coin. Sometimes you're it!
_______________________________________
WORSHIP:
Why (Live From The Loft) | feat. ELEVATION RHYTHM | Elevation Worship
Not everyone can relate to having grown up with a father, nor even having a father who acted like one. Unfortunately that's the truth for most. But the fact that some people have never experienced snow doesn't mean that snow doesn't exist. Thank God that HE didn't leave one of the most influential human roles to chance. HE himself decided to be our perfect example to compare all others to. So if we ever are curious about what fatherhood entails we just have to look to how God has demonstrated HIS attributes to us. Here are a few of those:
1. Source - a father is a source. He provides the seed for an embryo to be developed.
2. Provider - he works so that his family's needs are met economically.
3. Protector - his wife and children depend on him for security from danger.
4. Patriarch - he leaves a legacy for his children and other generations that follow.
5. Positive - he is driven by finding solutions to familial problems.
6. Support - even when he disagrees with your actions, he will always support your positive growth and development.
7.Resourceful - he always has ideas and solutions to problems that you could never imagine.
8. Safe - you can always rest in his presence.
Genesis 1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Man was the last thing God created. 2 Peter 1 HE made sure that everything that we would need for life and godliness were prepared for us in advance of our arrival. John 1 All things that were made were made by HIM, and without HIM wasn't anything made that was made.
Psalm 23 Because God is our Creator, HE knows exactly what we need for sustenance and development. HE has created each of us with a unique purpose and destiny; and equipped us with all that we will need to accomplish both. Jeremiah 1 HIS plans for each of us is to give us a hope and a future. Jeremiah 29
Life comes with many challenges. Each season has its own list of obstacles and ditches of all sorts. Sometimes it's like a complete maize, and we need the guidance of an expert to help us navigate the best path. God is consistent in HIS protection of HIS people. 2 Samuel 22 Sometimes our enemies are disguised as our friends and we need help to know the difference between the two. Sometimes God has to rescue us from ourselves. Proverbs 14 Ever since Adam and Eve sinned God promised mankind that HE would send a Saviour Genesis 3. From Abraham all the way to Malachi God has been faithful to HIS promises to HIS people. Deuteronomy 28. HE has led them through history to a point when they could be reconciled to HIS original plan of peace, joy, love and unity with HIM. Isaiah 53
Inspite of their continual disobedience and worship of foreign gods, etc... God's attitude has been one of forgiveness and blessings. 2 Chronicles 7 Abram was human just like us, and got it wrong a couple of times. God remained on his side and goaded him to do the right thing of eventually trusting HIS Word. Genesis 12 God was patient with HIM up until the very end. When he lied about his wife, obeyed his wife and slept with his helper etc... But in the end we saw growth and transformation when he was willing to sacrifice Isaac. He trusted God to provide a sacrifice instead of his son. Genesis 22 God's ulterior motive is reconciliation to a people who trust in HIS Word. HE is always faithful.
Everything that we have and have access to come from God. Job 38 God doesn't consult us when HE'S making HIS laws or precepts, or whatever. Psalm 135 HIS ways and thoughts are far much higher than ours. Isaiah 55 Eyes have not seen nor ears heard, nor has it entered into the hearts of man what God has prepared for those that love HIM. 1 Corinthians 2 HIS love for us is everlasting. HE is eternal and HE exists outside of space and time. God created time. What HE has said to one man applies to all of mankind. Our carnal mind cannot comprehend nor interpret HIS ways except by the help of the Holy Spirit which Jesus introduced to us. John 15
Now God demonstrates HIS love towards us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5 We can rest assured that God cares about everything about us. When we are weak, HE is strong. Psalm 46 There is absolutely nothing that can separate us from HIS love except our rejection of HIM. Romans 8 Even then, as our creator HE understands our frailty. HE makes provision for us and leads us to repentance via the tutorship of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is our spiritual teachers who helps us to embrace and appreciate the loving nature of a God who needs nothing, yet gives us everything, even HIS only son. HE trust us with HIS most prized possession, the Messiah - Jesus Christ. John 3 We are the apple of HIS eyes. And when we are able to confide in and surrender to HIM like David did, then we will truly experience the love of a father, Our Father the Almighty God. Psalm 17
TESTIMONY: What do Reagan, Billy Graham, and this Jew have in common?
WORSHIP: Our Father (LIVE) - Bethel Music & Jenn Johnson | For the Sake of the World
We are supposed to use this prayer i.e. petition as a skeleton, to insert our situations into its precepts. Our language needs to be personally applicable to our daily lives and realities. The Almighty God is interested in a relationship with a person, not a robot. Jesus teaches us believers how to interact with The Father. Prayer isn't normal, it is taught. It is a Kingdom principle that Jesus taught to a bunch of 'religious people' - HIS disciples. It's the only thing recorded in the gospels that they asked HIM to teach them. They realized that this thing that HE did for several hours by himself every morning was the source of HIS power and authority. HE didn't leave it up to their opinion. HE showed them how to get HIS same results. HE gave them this template to insert their details. Be unique. HE created you for that!
Our Father
God does not belong to you alone. We all have the same rights and privileges as children of God. God has no step children nor grand children. All humans have the same access to God once you accept HIM as your God.
God expects you to pray for others, be inclusive; not just pray for you and your needs. You are a part of a community which HE created.
God has 'a body' of people which HE'S building in the earth. As a believer you are a part of that body and YOU should pray that HIS work be accomplished successfully as a whole. Pray for other believers and their struggles.
A Father is a source. God is your provider. HE has unlimited resources for your success in life.
A Father is a sustainer. HE is responsible for maintaining progress and productivity. HE's an overseer.
A Father is a point of origin. HE has more experience, knowledge and understanding of the nature of a thing. Hence better skills of how to relate to it and produce harmony.
Who art in heaven
The Almighty God doesn't live on earth. HE lives in heaven.
The Almighty God is far above you. HE'S in charge - HIS ways and thoughts are higher than yours.
Fear HIM - acknowledge and obey HIS laws because of HIS authority!
The Almighty God is Supreme. HE sees and understands far more than you do.
Hallowed be THY NAME
YOUR NAME is Sovereign.
YOU are worthy of praise.
YOU are to be revered and feared.
YOU are of high ranking.
YOUR NAME is YOUR reputation. Whatever YOU say YOU"LL do.
YOU'RE capable and honest and I believe YOU are that for me and my situation. I claim it!
THY Kingdom come, THY Will be done on earth as it is in heaven
Let the colony of YOUR domain be transferred to the earth. We want the culture, nature and rulership of YOUR government system in heaven to be the same here on earth. i.e. its principles, regulations and privileges. We want YOUR plans to take presidence over ours here in the earth in our nations, communities, careers, affairs, families and lives. We trust YOUR Will for our lives. We submit to your authority and dominion.
Give us this day our daily bread
Please supply whatever we need to be productive today given the challenges that will confront us.
Help us to focus on accomplishing the tasks YOU have assigned for us for today.
What are YOUR assignments for my/ our lives today? I'm available to do them.
And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us
Teach us not to judge. First of all, we need YOUR forgiveness. Secondly, YOU will forgive us according to our willingness to forgive others simultaneously. Our trespasses means that we need to stay out of other people's affairs and let you dictate to them. As well as we need to focus on YOU for solutions to our affairs/ obstacles/ problems/ challenges/ situations. We need to 'stay in our lane', and stay away from trying to dominate and dictate to other people and their circumstances. That's YOUR job God!
Teach us to extend YOUR grace to others the same way YOU'VE extended it to us.
Lead us not into temptation
Weare aware that there's an enemy and one of his primary roles is to deceive us. he exists to mislead us away from YOUR plans and purposes for our lives. We need YOUR help to not get fooled or trapped by his distractions from YOUR best intentions for our lives. Please guide us into YOUR truths, knowledge and understanding of YOUR precepts.
Keep us away from our own will. We submit to yours.
But deliver us from all evil
We need YOUR help in escaping, overthrowing and navigating our lives away from the entrapment of the devil and his dominion.
Deliver us from our own misgivings and sinful appetites.
For YOURS is the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory
YOU are Almighty. YOUR word is law. YOU are in control of this domain and all territories. YOU set the standards.
YOU have Supreme authority.
Everything reflects YOUR nature, character, wealth and pleasures.
YOU deserve the glory.
WE glorify YOUR NAME.
Forever and ever AMEN!
YOU exists outside of time. YOU and YOUR dominion have no beginning nor end. That's just the way it is.
I agree and submit to this truth.
TESTIMONY: Jewish Israeli Psychologist finds Jesus
