Do we really hate sin?

Dearest Saints,

 

     God has been putting on my heart about whether or not we hate sin like we should?  It's as though we say we hate sin, but yet, we will often find excuses to justify ungodly behaviour in many ways.  Many Christians are angry at another Christian, or some will talk negatively about other Christians or maybe think more lowly about others, but yet, they will say they hate sin.  We need to see sin the way God sees sin and see this as an absolute evil.  God tells us who love Him to hate evil (Psalm 97:10).

     I think the first thing we need to understand about sin is to see the unimaginable cost of which Jesus paid on our behalf.  It cost Him leaving the Throne of Heaven to come down to earth in the form of man.  Even the Bible tells us that He humbles Himself to come in to Heaven (Psalm 113:6).  Think of how much more humbling it cost Him to come not only to earth, but to be a Servant to all!  It may not be an accurate example, but I would like to compare it to ourselves to be willing to become like an ant, to eat dust and live in the dirt.  To think that it cost Him to be bruised for our iniquity.  For myself, to be bruised, it would take an awful hit to my body to be bruised.  He was chastized many many times so we can have peace (continually mocked especially by the Religious group); He became poor in all ways so we could be rich in all ways.  He was rejected by His own family members, His own home town, rejected by His own followers (Disciples) and humiliated and dispised by many for no reason.  If that wasn't enough, He willingly received stinging whiplashes on our behalf so we can be healed.  He was in so much agony that He sweated droplets of blood as He was greatly troubled.  I can't imagine anyone going through that much pain and willingly accepted this punishment for all mankind, and yet to continue to have mercy towards the rebellious, mockers, scoffers and those who blaspheme His name to this date because He relents from bringing immediate calamity in to their lives!  This is only part of the what the entire cost He paid simply because of sin.  

     When we think of sin, many people think of someone robbing a bank, committing fraud against one another or committing murder and/or living a lawless life and the like.  Far too often, I think we as Christians excuse sin far too many times and don't realize that no matter what, sin is sin and regardless, it cost our dear Lord severely as we have just read.  I think some of the sins many Christians overlook and justify themselves is because bitterness and unforgiveness (like one of many) towards one another is rampant within the Church when it is dispicable in the sight of God, which should also be dispicable in our sight.  I heard it once where some Church members judged a lady who used to live in adultery and was addicted to drugs and alcohol years ago.  Later in life, she had given her life to Christ and her godly life was very evident that proved she was a genuine Christian.  Yet, many people still saw her from her old nature.  The Pastor was aware of this and he stated to this congregation that they were not putting this woman on trial, what you are doing is putting the Blood of Jesus on trial!  When we slander one another, we do the same to our Lord!  We see gossip, slander, backbiting and division going on in the Church.  Yet, sins like this is what it cost our dear Lord Jesus such pain, agony and tremendous suffering beyond our imagination!!  Yet, we often excuse these types of sin.  When we see what it cost our dear Lord, we should HATE EVERY SIN to the point that anything that represents any disobedience to the Lord, does not promote love, unity, peace and joy, we should find this dispicable that should be a stench to our nostrils and a deadly cancer to our bones.  In other words, we should hate to ever allow unforgiveness and bitterness towards one another to the point where it is aborrent to our new nature.  We should hate anything that violates the law of love regardless.

 

     When I examine my life, I need to also consider other acts of omission to be detestable such as lukewarmness, being compromisers by failing to allow His Spirit to work powerfully through us, being complacent and doing very little to advance His Kingdom or fail to be active and purposely seek to be a blessing to one another.  Often times, I think we as Christians easily overlook this and we should consider this not only sinful, but extremely detestable because of how this also cost dear Jesus such pain and agony.  God tells us in Rev 3:16, that when we are lukewarm, He will spew us out of His mouth!!  Talk about disgusting!  This is why it should also disgust us about ever becoming lukewarm.  God tells us that He was angry with nations who felt comfortable (at ease) and became complacent (Zech 1:15) by being inactive and allow His light to shine in the world around us. 

 

     I find what helps is that we need to be purposeful (by making up our minds in advance) to live to please God with the help of His Spirit.  We need to be DETERMINED and boldly declare: "By His Grace" that we will live to advance His Kingdom for the sake of souls.  When you read the Word that tells us that "We are more than conquerors through Christ who loves us" (Rom 8:37), I believe to be MORE THAN A CONQUEROR is to make up our mind beforehand that no matter what happens, we are not going to have a defeated mentality and will REFUSE to GIVE UP on trusting the Lord no matter what.  When a person has their mind set and made up in advance, they are the ones who are able to stand when storms brew and continue to be committed to do what is right in the sight of God.  Its sad to see how a very small percentage of people in this world make any commitment to do what is right.

 

     We need to see that these "so-called sins" that we often overlook to be detestable and dispicable in order to refuse to allow any place in our lives because of the pain, agony and suffering it cost Jesus.  We need to hate any form of slander and division and anything that hinders actions of Godly love because we have become complacent and failed to be committed.  We need to hate our real enemy (satan and his demonic forces) and see him as our ONLY enemy who should be considered as DISPICABLE scum to the point that we REFUSE to ever FAIL to love the Lord and to love one another like Christ admonishes us to do.  This should stop us ever seeing flesh and blood as our enemy.  For we do not fight flesh and blood, but against principalities, powers, rulers of present darkness and spiritual wickedness in high places (Eph 6:12).  Friends, if we hate sin like we should, we should also hate to be complacent and fail to promote love like we should.  To overcome evil, God tells us to be active by seeking to be a blessing one to another, by overcoming evil with good (Rom 12:21).  

 

     Christians desperately need to come together to fight for the cause of Christ by loving one another by fighting FOR one another (Gods will) instead of fighting against one another (devils will).  By doing His will and trusting in Him, we can effectively fight against every agenda that satan entices us with.  When we love God the way we should, we will equally hate every form of evil. 

Will you consider buying my books in support of HelpingCopeThroughHope mission work in Zambia?  You may go to my link below to observe.

In the Matchless Name of Jesus
Richard
Associate Director
Answers2Prayerhttp://sites.google.com/site/greatestbuilderforourlife  
http://www.answers2prayer.org/

What is our Motive?

Dear Saints

     I think of when a cell phone or any other battery operated device needs to be charged up in order to be strong and most useful, we need to do this for ourselves ever so much more.  I know when I am recharged and strengthened in Him, I do this by taking time to evaluate my motive to live to please Him and being honest to answer the question: "Why do I do what I do?" I believe when we take time to reflect our lives and understand why we do what we do to give God the glory, it gives us strength because their is real value when we live for Him.  It is ironic that the value this world tries to fit each of us to think that when we do things for ourselves, it is most valuable to us.  I don't believe the Bible teaches that we can't look after ourselves, but it is when we consume all of our time on our "selves" to the point we fail to see how we can live to be a blessing to others.  The Bible, which is Gods perfect instructions for our lives always instructs us to live with balance.  I also believe that when we live so much to serve others that we forget to look after ourselves, this is not good either.  Anything taken out of balance is neither good, whether it appears to be good or not (Job 31:6 and Prov 11:1).  

     In 1 Pet 5:8, Paul mentions that when we live out of balance, we are prey to the one who is roaming around, seeking whom he may devour.  I always believe that we cannot be as useful to others when we live out of balance and fail to take the time to look after ourselves or love ourselves in a balanced way.  The devil wants to make people believe that just because we do things for ourselves, we are being selfish.  But yet, he will also make people believe when we look to live to bless others, we fail to ever be fulfilled ourselves.  This is why we always tend to give in to his deceptive ways when we live out of balance.  When we need to look after ourselves at times, we should never feel guilty about that, because we need to look after Gods temple.  Our body is Gods temple which He purchased with His very own blood He shed for us.  Therefore, we are His and we need to look after what belongs to Him.  The Bible talks about how we need to live in balance and not live to the extreme on anything.  The flesh always tends to want to do "all or nothing".  

     When I take the time to evaluate why I do what I do, it helps me to live with balance.  God is not as much interested in just what we do, but why we do what we do.  While man who looks at the outward appearance, God judges the heart of man, which is why it is important that we need to take time to reflect and evaluate our motive.  Here are some findings I gain when I take time to reflect and examine my motive:

• It helps me to stay the course if I have wandered away off the track.  For God tells us that the road that leads to life is narrow.  Therefore, it is easy to get off track when we don't take time to examine our motive.  But God is always interested to keep our ways on track and refrain from going off to the right or left (Joshua 23:6);
•  It helps me to remember what is important in life and not get so caught up in agendas that matter very little.  It reminds me how Christ Himself tells the Pharisees and Saducees that they swallow a camel and strain a gnat (Matt 23:24).  In other words, they failed to understand what is truly important in life;

•  It helps me to correct the errors I have made and make things right with Christ, by repenting and receiving His help to keep me strong in Him.  If I am going through trouble in my life, this is where I may need to evaluate to see if I have not lived by His instructions.  In other words, am I going through trials because of my disobedience to God?  Or am I thinking and speaking negatively in my life when Gods Word tells me that life and death are in the power of the tongue?  We need to use this time to ask Him to help us if we have strayed away from His instruction of how to live;
•  I am strengthened to refrain from sinning against Him when I take this time to meditate His laws until it gets in to my heart (Psalm 119:11);  
• It helps me to reflect on what His will is.  Such as being greatful to Him with a thankful heart all because of His love for us.  He often needs to prove us through trials so we can receive His reward for being faithful.  It is through the hard times that we are proven faithful when we continue to do what is right, even though we may not initially get a right result, not when everything is always going easy for us;
•  It helps me to realize where I need to grow the most and how I can better model Him.  I do this in order to not be disqualified and fail to be a blessing to one another.

     If we try to do good when it is not done for the right reason, do we think God is pleased?  Afterall, God not only knows what we do, but He knows why we do what we do.  It's like the Pharisees and Saducees often did.  They made alot of people think that they were doing alot of good because of what they did.  But Jesus was most displeased with them at the same time because He knew their intentions were of a selfish nature.  What they could pull the wool over peoples eyes, no one can ever pull the wool over Gods eyes...EVER!!  When I see the ministry God has called me to, I need to see the true value of why I do this.  Some of the reasons I have evaluated is because I like to encourage the broken hearted (of which I know there are alot of).  Many people need help and need to be encouraged, and I like to be used to bless people who need encouragement.  I like to see peoples lives renewed and restored in what I share with them.  I want people to know Gods goodness for them because of what He has done for me.  I want people to know that I am not an exception, but know what He has done for me, He wants to do for you.  I want to bring this hope that I have received to give you hope.  Ultimately, I want to give God the glory to testify that He is indeed the Greatest Builder for my very life.  However, I know I can easily be swayed if I don't occassionally reflect and evaluate my intentions, whether they are godly or selfish.  

  

     I know we can all be inundated with alot of messages here and there.  However, we can NEVER GO WRONG when we take time to evaluate and be sure that our motive is to bless others in their time of need, be encouragers to the broken-hearted and put a smile on Gods face simply because we love Him.  I want to encourage you to take time to reflect on what your motive is so you can focus on moving forward in the right direction and stay the course and receive the crown of life that will await those who love Him (1 Cor 9:24,25; James 1:12).   

Will you consider buying my books in support of HelpingCopeThroughHope mission work in Zambia?  You may go to my link below to observe.

In the Matchless Name of Jesus
Richard
Associate Director
Answers2Prayerhttp://sites.google.com/site/greatestbuilderforourlife  

Motivated by His Love

Good Day Dear Saints of the Most High!!

     I always want to find ways not only to defeat the enemy with Gods help and to be overcomers in every past negative circumstances that may have occurred in our past, but to also find out what motivates people to do what they do.  Why are some people motivated more to serve the Lord than others?  When I think of what motivates people, it is because they love certain things, hobbies or any goals they want to set.  People love certain things more than others because they see the value of what they do.  If I didn't see the value of encouraging people through this ministry, I wouldn't be able to do this.  It would appear to be more of a duty rather than being motivated by love for others which becomes effortless.  Doing anything out of duty is not what God intends for us, otherwise it becomes legalism rather than doing anything for the Lord out of love, which is what pleases Him.

     When it comes to serving the Lord by praying, encouraging, ministering or any of other type of ministry whom the Lord may have called you to do, a person may not be as passionate to do these things all because they fail to spend the time to reflect Gods Love for us, His goodness and awesome character in every way.  When we see how He was motivated by His love for us to go through much suffering, agony, separation from His closest friends and own family, much physical and emotional pain just to do this for us so we can live the abundant life He wants to give us, I can't think of a better reason to serve Him when I see such love from Him more than anyone in this world would dare to do.  Where a friend may dare to die for one another, He died for the rebellious (of which I was one).  I like the song "When I forget Gethsemene, when I forget thine agony, when I forget Thy love for me...lead me to Calvary".  It helps  remind me of His love for me in a more deeper personal way, which we should realize for ourselves.  When I reflect His unfathomable love for me personally, this motivates me and it should motivate each one.    When we don't take this time to reflect in a deep way, it becomes shallow and has no depth of meaning to what it should have.  We need to know that what He did, He did for each one personally.  We need to speak audibly to ourselves that "God loves me" and He chose to go through much agony because He loves me.  He did not just die for the elect or some one else, but for the whole world (1 John 2:2), including me.  We often think that He did this for others, but not for me.  This is a lie from the enemy.  The problem with much of the world is that they just drift through life and don't take any time to ever reflect what He went through to deliver us from the punishment of sin, hell and the grave.  This is why they are blind to His love for them because they fail to take any thought of this absolute truth of His love for them.  This is absolutely necessary so we do not lose sight or focus on His amazing love for us!

     When we realize who He is, there are a few things we need to reflect on.  He is from the beginning (John 1:1;14).  By Him, all things were created for our enjoyment (Col 1:16).  There is never a time that He was not present everywhere (Psalm 139:8).  There is not a thing that He does not know or never knew (Psalm 139:6).  The future was never hidden from Him who foreknew every event that was/is to take place (Jer 1:5).  We see this through many prophesies mentioned in the old testament that He fulfilled perfectly.  We see events mentioned in Revelation many centuries ago that is taking place today.  Therefore, nothing happens by accident that He did not already know.  He knew when He left His Throne of Glory to come to earth that He was going to live in such pain, agony, rejection, acquainted with many sorrows and yet, He willingly chose to do that for me (insert your name).  When we see how He lived the self-less life in order to redeem us, we should have great admiration and appreciation knowing that He willingly and knowingly suffered greatly at the hands of a betrayer (Judas Iscariot) and suffering excruciating pain on the cross while we were on His mind during this time.  When we can (and should) spend time to reflect on His great love for each of us personally (insert your name), we can be empowered and motivated to live for Him and accomplish much for Him all because we took the time to reflect on His love for us.  This should motivate us to love Him and we should always be amazed when we know the Truth of His awesome attributes in every way.  The Apostle Paul was motivated by His love.  He didn't just want to know about God, He wanted to KNOW GOD personally and know Him in the power of His Resurrection (Phil 3:10).

 

     We should also not only see how He suffered greatly for us, but to realize that He adopts us in to His family.  He offers us abundant life of peace, joy and goodness in this life as well as for all eternity (John 10:10b).  He tells us that we are joint-heirs with Him (Rom 8:17).  He made a way that we can have total victory (when we choose to live His way).  He even has our eternal home which is a mansion built for us in glory, where the streets made of gold, the seas are like crystal, precious stones fill Heaven.  Where flowers never fade and darkness is nowhere to be found in Heaven.  He rewards us with immeasurable beauty that will last forever.  When I take time to meditate on these truths, I can't help but be motivated to live for Him and nor should anyone else who takes time not be able to do the same.

     Another thing that motivates people is when they see their purpose in what they do.  If there is no purpose in what they do, people are not as passionate which means they are not motivated.  It is imperative to reflect on His divine love for us in a deeper more profound way and also take the time to see how awesome our God is (who fills all Heavens and earth), what He has prepared for us and realize that we have the greatest mandate of anyone to be His ministers, which we are all called to do (1 Pet 4:10,11).  When we realize our purpose when He is able to work through people who are motivated by His love and understand that we can be His arms and feet to fulfill the greatest mandate beyond any vocation this world could ever provide, this should motivate us when we know He wants to work through us.  He is able to prepare His people who are WILLING to work mightily to win souls for Him, to be ministers, to be encouragers.  There is nothing in this world that is more satisfying than to know you have made a positive difference in the lives of other people and know that as Gods child, you will be eternally rewarded simply because we were willing and obedient to Him.  I can't think of a better reason to be motivated then to know His awesome love for us, what He has accomplished for us, what He has prepared for us and that He wants to use us in order to bless others.  Knowing He loves you this much should motivate each one to live for Him, love Him and serve Him all the days of our lives while serving others.  This is what puts a smile on Gods face and we should be motivated to do just that.    

Will you consider buying my books in support of HelpingCopeThroughHope mission work in Zambia?  You may go to my link below to observe.

In the Matchless Name of Jesus
Richard
Associate Director
Answers2Prayer
http://sites.google.com/site/greatestbuilderforourlife  

Overcoming Rejection

Dearest Saints,

 

     I would like to share something to encourage many Christians who suffer from experiencing rejection by others from the past.  I have experienced this and know the pain it often follows many.  I have been blessed by His Grace to have overcome this horrible mindset.  The only good thing that comes from this is when we can share the hope (after being liberated from these negative circumstances) to help many others be liberated by its stronghold that sets in the minds of many believers.  When we have overcome some negative circumstances from our past, it is important that we don't just keep these to ourselves because there are many whom we can and should offer help in their time of need.  This is when we need to be a channel of His love instead of a resevoir.  I had to realize that being rejected is not negative in itself, it is how we interpret the situation and start thinking that there is something wrong with ourselves is when it gets to be a big problem.  Sometimes, being rejected is a good thing because God doesn't want us to be infected by other peoples behaviour or bad influences they may have on our lives. Maybe being rejected means that God restrains us from becoming proud?  However, many people take this negatively simply because they are trying to win the approval of others, and when they are rejected, this is when real trouble begins.  This is where worldly sorrow comes in, which God tells us that leads to death (2 Cor 7:10) all because we try to become people pleasers or we value ourselves more by what other people think or say of us rather than knowing what God says about us.

 

     We have to stop viewing ourselves what other people say or think.  If they think of you any different than what God says of who you are, they are nothing but deceivers being lead by the one who is considered the Deceiver himself (satan).  Instead of putting myself down because of being rejected by others, I had to reverse that and start believing that if anyone rejected me, it was my gain and their loss.  Some people may think it is bold and arrogant statement to say that.  I don't believe it is, because when you love yourself in a balanced way like God encourages us to do and know that He creates each one specially unique, you don't have to be a prisoner of what anyone else thinks or says.  I started to feel much better about myself in the right way by giving NO VALUE of what others had thought or said if it didn't agree to what God says.  Otherwise I would have developed a stronghold of having an inferiority complex, which I mentioned in the past messages how this can be very destructive.  I can say that many Christians who remain a prisoner of Rejection fail to be a rich blessing to so many others in their time of need because they cannot be effectively used by God when they remain a prisoner of what others may think or say of them.  This is where the enemy not only robs Christians from being a blessing, but robs so many others who could have been blessed by those who remain a prisoner to the lies of the enemy.  It is sometimes scary to think how many people failed to be blessed because we allowed ourselves to be held back?  Although He wants each of us to become more like Christ, He still wants us to be ourselves and stop trying to be like anyone else.  You will notice that the Bible has four gospels and not just one.  Each one expressed their views to point out the Gospel by their individual personality, which is why we don't see the Bible with one gospel according to one person only.  

     When I see how anyone who has rejected me in the past, if I had continued to feel dejected, I would not be able to be mightily used of God to minister to others and be part of a wonderful email prayer team to help many others in their time of need.  When I realize those who rejected me, I realize it's their loss because they are missing out of a real blessing I am able to share with hundreds of people of which they could have shared in the blessing, but have missed out.  Being a Christian is not thinking lowly of yourself just because others fail to see the beauty and uniqueness of you, but it is holding your head high (without being proud) and being confident knowing who you are in Christ because He sees you as a vessel of honour whom He can use.  God tells us to shine His Light (Matt 5:15,16).  When we hang our heads low by feeling dejected, we end up placing His light under a bed where no one can see Christ in you and through you like we are admonished to do.  If we are to share the hope that is within us, how can we possibly do that when we go around feeling lowly about ourselves and hanging our heads low?  When we see how God invites us in to His family, offers us life eternal like nothing else on earth could ever offer, how the creator of the universe wants to have a rich relationship with you & I and the mansion He has prepared for us to enjoy for all eternity, we should be the happiest people on earth!

     The devil is able to use many people when they are spiritually blind to his ways and we MUST NOT allow any of his influences through other people to determine who you are. I hear it many times from a certain teacher, and I can honestly say a big "AMEN" to the fact that we cannot be powerfully used of God and have self-pity at the same time.  I also had convinced myself that when others rejected me in the past, God was keeping me from having my life "infected" by bad influences.  For God tells us that bad company corrupts good character (1 Cor 15:33).  How many times might God have spared us from all kinds of trouble when we may have been rejected by others?  We need to consider being rejected by some as a blessing in disguise.  Our minds become the battlefield of the enemy and in order for us to believe who we are in Christ, we need to speak His promises over us that tells us who we are.  Our true faith is built up when we hear ourselves speak His Word, because God tells us that faith comes by hearing and hearing the Word of God (Rom 10:17).  Here are some scriptures I would encourage you to say to yourself.  Afterall, it comes from the One who is the Only One who is Perfect, who knows you perfectly and knows all things, so why not agree with the one who is perfect than the ones who are a bunch of liars?  I encourage you to speak the following scriptures over you:

I am the righteousness of God (Gal 5:5)
I am the apple of His eye (Prov 7:2; Zech 2:8)
He adopted me in to His family as a Son/Daughter of God (John 1:12)
He has given me His beauty for my ashes, Oil of joy in place of mourning, Garment of praise instead of heaviness (Isa 61:3)
I am made in the image of Christ (Gen 9:6)
I am a new creature in Christ, the old man has been replaced by the New man (2 Cor 5:17)

I am Blessed in Him (Eph 1:3)

I am loved by Him (Jer 31:3)

I have been raised with Him in Heavenly places (Eph 2:6)

I have an inheritance to receive an eternal crown of Glory that will last forever (1 Cor 9:25).

     When we see and believe the positive Truth of His Word for us, this liberates us from being deceived by the one who is out to fulfill his purpose that seeks to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10a) through any circumstances of rejection.  Therefore, we need to put a STOP at looking negatively at ourselves by allowing the enemy and others to dictate how we value ourselves and start believing who God says about you.  Afterall, He alone is God and anyone else who speaks otherwise is a counterfeit, because only God speaks Truth and anything outside of Gods Truth are lies.  God reminds me that instead of wasting our time being bitter towards our oppressors, we need to be more concerned about them when we realize their outcome and the accountability they are going to give before God on judgment day.  I believe you will like yourself much better when you speak the promises of what God says who you are in the Light and Truth of His Word.  I would like to encourage you to SPEAK the blessings (Num 6:24-27) over you, your family and each other which drives away every curse ever spoken to you or about you and live in the blessings He offers to each of us.
 

I invite you to please check out my two books I would love to bless you with.  Good portion of proceeds go to helping the needy in Zambia.

http://sites.google.com/site/greatestbuilderforourlife 

 

In the Matchless Name of Jesus
Richard
Associate Director
Answers2Prayer

Effective Managers of God

Dearest Saints, 

 

     As most of us know, we continue to come against more fierce attacks from the real enemy and his hosts (satan and the demonic forces) because they know their time is short (Rev 12:12).  I have been receiving very encouraging emails and reports after we encourage one another to make the most of our God given authority to see His Work through us gets done.  I find when we are more powerful in the Lord, it first starts with being submissive to Him in every area of our lives and putting quality time with Him.  When we fail to invite Him to take total dominance and control (His perfect will) for us in our lives, we fail to see His power work through us.  I don't really believe it is a matter of quantity time in as much as our quality time with Him.  Our quality with Him is to allow Him to move within our heart, confess our desperate need of Him and gladly allowing His loving ways to dominate our lives.

 

     I truly believe the power of God is released in our lives to the degree of the portion we submit our lives to Him.  In Acts 19:13-18, you will notice that several people (sons of Sceva) who tried to take authority over a demon possessed person could not do it.  In the reply of the powers of darkness, they spoke through this possessed man to tell them "Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are you"? (vs 15).  I believe that these people may have been an example of Christians who lack Gods power because they fail to acknowledge God in as much as they should have, or possibly not submit to His authority to the degree they should be doing.  Just like Christians who know that we are to forgive like He commands us to, but we end up making excuses.  I believe we cannot use our God given authority effectively when we fail to give Him pre-eminance in our lives all because we do not invite Him as our LORD (to Lord it over our lives and be submissive to His laws of love).  Again, I find it most essential that when we start our day, we need to spend that first moment of our day to get quiet with the Lord and tell Him how much you need Him, how much you appreciate Him and that you want to invite Him in every area of your life to help you to love others and be a blessing to one another.  I can attest to the fact that if I don't spend that quality time with Him, I find myself in a "mess".  I use quotations to put emphasis on what it is like to be a mess.  

 

     When we don't give Him our time and attention first, we can't expect to be used of Him as much as we should.  I can tell you that when God works powerfully through me, it is definitely NOT because of any intellect or natural ability of my own, but spending quality time to be alone with Him and acknowledge His presence and our need of Him.  I have gotten to the place where I know I cannot possibly move forward unless I allow Him to take authority over my life.  God is the greatest "Gentleman" because He only moves mightily in our lives when we permit Him to do so.  He will never push His way in to our lives.  We need to open our hearts to invite Him to do His much needed work through us.  When we do, we can use His authority in every area of our lives simply because we allow His power to work through us because we believe He loves us and wants us to invite Him in to every part of our lives.  When we put ourselves in this submissive position for God to have us, I find His power works mightily through me and He is able to get me through the most trying circumstances and be much stronger in Him after going through the tough times. 

 

     The Lord gave me a wonderful revelation I would like to share with you.  In the beginning, we see God as the Owner and Adam as the "manager" or "caretaker" of what God owns, because God tells Adam to tend the garden of which God owns.  When I learn to submit my body, my family, my home, etc.. over to God, we can declare Him as the true "OWNER" of our lives, families, finances, circumstances and we are simply caretakers of what God really owns.  However, Adam was told to tend the garden by working it and not just standing there passively doing nothing.  Therefore, we are expected to manage all of our affairs by doing what we know to do and looking after our lives as God tells us to.  When I picture a Manager who looks after the property of God and we see enemy trespassers on a property that says "NO TRESPASSING", we need to point our finger outward to command the enemy to depart off the premises because we DO NOT permit the enemy to have any activity on Gods property.  Therefore, when we see the activity of strife, factions, sickness, diseases, etc in our lives, we can command these symptoms or circumstances to depart and bind them unto the Blood of Jesus.  Again, when we don't look after our bodies the way we should, we often can't expect God to just bring a healing miracle when we neglect our responsibility.  We need to do our part (by tending "our garden").  When we do our part, I believe we have Gods authority as managers to expect God to do His part as He is always faithful to do.  As a manager would tell the evil one to depart (off the premises of Gods property of our lives), we need to speak against that evil spirit to depart because when we submit every part of our lives to God, we have His authority NOT to permit the enemy to co-exist with what we have given God to own in our lives.  When Jesus taught His Disciples to pray, part of that prayer was "Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven" (Matt 6:10).  We know that no strife, factions, divisions, sickness, diseases or the like exists in Heaven.  Therefore, if we pray His will be done on earth as it is in Heaven, if these don't exist in Heaven, then we shouldn't allow it to have any place in our lives on earth according to the prayer He taught us to pray. 

 

     When I walk around the property of my home or the place of worship where we gather and plead the Blood of Jesus and declare to the enemy to give him no legal right to enter these premises and tell the enemy he can NOT have any place in our lives, my family life has been at such greater peace.  Therefore, when we commit our lives, body, family, finances and our Church that only God is to govern (because He purchased all of us with His shed Blood), we can claim His power and purposes to dwell in our midst and have total victory over the enemy who is considered an unwanted trespasser.  When God has given us the authority in His Name over the enemy, we need to exercise that authority and we know we can rightfully exercise that authority in Righteousness when we do submit our "selves" to God who truly does own all things.  I hope this richly blesses you as it has been to me to know who we are in Christ and exercise our God given inheritance to maintain Gods divine order to be most blessed to ourselves, our family members and our Church.  May I encourage you to do things Gods way, because you will always see in the end that His Way is always the BEST WAY in order for us to live the most blessed life!

Will you consider buying my books in support of HelpingCopeThroughHope mission work in Zambia?  You may go to my link below to observe.

In the Matchless Name of Jesus
Richard
Associate Director
Answers2Prayer
http://sites.google.com/site/greatestbuilderforourlife  
http://www.answers2prayer.org/
 

The Heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows and proclaims His handiwork (Psalm 19:1).

You are Highly Valuable

Dearest Saints. 

          When I think of my past many years ago, I felt devastated at times not because of anything that I lost by any natural disasters or robbed of anything regarding any material possession.  But I felt devastated because I once believed that I was of no value to society.  I didn't ever see myself becoming anyone who would ever have any positive influence on anyone elses life.  As I see now, this is nothing but a lie from the pit of hell.  To me, this is the most devastating state anyone to be in, especially for Christians.  When I think back on some of those times, I realize that my greatest joy is not having the biggest home, drive the most expensive car or accumulating any material possessions.  My greatest joy is knowing that as a Christian, we have Gods help to be a rich blessing and be a positive influence to each other.  In fact, I would gladly give up so much to have a large ministry that builds up and edifies many Christians around the world and encourage one another to be all the God wants each of us to be.  To me, I can't think of anything better than knowing the truth of how God sees us as His most valuable source, to know that we can fulfill the greatest mandate in this entire world, just because we want to bless souls.  Most of the world today have yet to understand that no amount of money, possessions or popularity will ever give them joy and inner peace than having a personal relationship with God and being used by Him to be a rich blessing to one another. 

          Every time we read His Word, we need to be so encouraged because of what we mean to Him.  We need to understand that the Bible is His "life-line" for us to live the very best life not only in the eternal realm of glory, but during our life here on earth.  Jesus tells us that He did not just live to give us an abundant life to live in Heaven, but also during our time on earth (John 10:10).  I believe we need to see His Word in a greater dimension as ABSOLUTE TRUTH and know that any other philosophies that come from man, we should consider those to be utterly foolish if it doesn't agree with the wisdom of His Word.  We need to see our love for His Word to the point that anything else, we are to hate.  Just like David says in Psalm 119:127,128; He sees Gods Word far more precious than gold and the fact that he hates every wrong path, which is believing any other philosophy that does not line up with the Word of God.

          Therefore, when encourage others of what the Bible tells us, we need to stop thinking that this is some sort of "positive thinking" session or a bunch of ideas just to try to make us feel good.  If the Bible encourages us, this means it is absolute TRUTH and believing otherwise is utterly foolish!  Knowing this, I would like to encourage each of you of this absolute truth, that we are all highly valuable to God, to each other, to the Church and our society in whom God has placed us.  The chapter I like to mention is found in 1 Cor 12:12-27, where we are considered members of one body as Christ is the Head.  When you think like David said in Psalm 139:14, he knew how fearfully and wonderfully he was made, and so should we.  When you think about every part of the body that God created, there is no place that one part of the body can ever say..."I have no need of you" unless of course we are talking about sickness.  The eye cannot say to the hand, I have no need of you (1 Cor 12:21).  If it ever did, just think of what may happen when the eye starts to become dimmer and its vision is reduced!  Each member of the body is highly valuable to God and to each other in order for the body to be totally functional and be healthy.  Each one of us makes up a part of that body that the Lord has fearfully and wonderfully made.  Therefore, if we make up the body of Christ, we ALL have a very essential part in order for the Spiritual body to be healthy.  I like to make a comparison, that if a bunch of people always works behind the scenes and may never be noticed, they may feel like a tiny hair in the blood veins called capilleries, which is also unnoticeable to the naked eye.  Some people may compare themselves to this tiny part of our body and feel insignificant.  If you would consider this fact that if it weren't for these tiny hairs, the blood itself would not be able to flow upwards to the vital part of the body which is the heart.  He distinctly tells us in this chapter that He gives greater honor and richer endowments to the inferior parts (vs 24).  Therefore, no matter who you are, you are an essential and vital source to the body of Christ!!
  
          Therefore, if anyone feels insignifcant in the body, you need to STOP ever thinking this way and know that each one of us is Highly Valuable in order for the body of Christ to be healthy.  The ones who feel insignificant are the ones who are simply believing the lies of the enemy rather than believing what God is telling you.  No parts of the body can never do without another.  In other words, we need each other in order to be most effective in the body of Christ.  We can be most effective to be a rich blessing to God, to the Church, to one another and to our community when we believe His Word that tells us we are valuable.  We are all called to live to give God the glory (Isa 43:7).  That means, if we are called to give God the glory, then He has enabled each of us the ability to do so.  When you know the power and wisdom of God, you can know that He never makes a mistake and whatever He does through each of us, He always has a significant purpose.  Each of us individually are a wonderful unique person with a unique talent(s) that no one can carbon copy.  You may be that vessel God has prepared you for to meet the need of another individual.  Meeting the needs of a soul goes far beyond any other purpose in life.

          We need to know that we are each highly valuable to fulfill Gods purpose in order to be that healthy Body of Christ.  The God of this universe and the Creator of everything resides in each of us!  Shouldn't that make us believe that we are highly valuable?  Just think how the world could never afford to redeem a soul which could only be paid by the shed Blood of Christ.  So when Christ questions His Disciples, what should a man profit if he gains the whole world, yet loses his very soul (Matt 16:26)?  That means that we are more valuable to God than the entire economy of the world is to God.  Therefore, to believe you are not highly valuable is believing the lies of the enemy.  I challenge you to refute every lie from the enemy if you believe his lies.  Start thanking God for creating who you are and tell Him that you believe He created you for a wonderful purpose and believe He can use you mightily.  Do not give the enemy any satisfaction of ever robbing you with his deceptive lies.  May the blessings of the truth of His Word be reserved for you in His majestic Name.
Will you consider buying my books in support of HelpingCopeThroughHope mission work in Zambia?  You may go to my link below to observe.

In the Matchless Name of Jesus
Richard
Associate Director
Answers2Prayerhttp://sites.google.com/site/greatestbuilderforourlife  
http://www.answers2prayer.org/

Overcoming the Deception of Guilt

Dearest Saints

          Presently, I believe many Christians remain a prisoner because too many of them give too much attention by listening to our enemy who deceives Gods people to remain a prisoner of feeling guilty.  When guilt is left unattended and is not properly dealt with, this may lead to a greater issue of feeling condemned.  Like feeling inferior….guilt and condemnation is nothing but deception which our enemy entices so many Christians in to believing they are feeling justified by holding on to it.  When a Christian listens to the enemy long enough, they always become a prisoner to his lies.  Just like what happened right from the beginning when Eve listened too long to the serpent.  Believing this deception inhibits many Christians from growing stronger in the Lord while at the same time, the body of Christ remains ineffective.  This is more important than ever that Gods Church needs to be stronger in Him by refusing to listen the enemy who is able to weaken the Church, which we should never allow to take place.

          It is important to KNOW and UNDERSTAND that no matter what has happened in the past, with Gods help, we can be set free if we choose to do things His way, believe His ways and learn to receive His gifts of Grace, Mercy and total Pardon for us and live free from being a prisoner of “guilt”.  When we first submit our lives and invite Jesus as our Lord, we become a new creature in Christ.  Old things are passed away, behold “ALL things have now become NEW” (2 Cor 5:17).  Although we may still be dealing with some habits, God now sees us as His Righteousness because of the Blood of Jesus simply because we now have invited Him to be our Lord and Savior when we knew we could not ever reconcile ourselves by our “so-called good deeds”.  Just like Paul says in Romans 7, that he continues to fight from within this old nature which is not his will in the first place.  God recognizes and totally understands our struggles.  This is why He has sent an Advocate (Jesus Christ) who took the penalty for us already and pleads for us to accept His pardon for any of our sins we have repented of.  I know I normally hit a nerve with people who were alcoholics from the past and joined Alcoholics Anonymous, because they still consider themselves alcoholics to this day, even though they may have been sober for over 20 years.  I like the fact that when we believe and receive what God has done for us, we don’t have to hold on to any former title of our past, because He tells us we are new creatures in Christ, which means that no matter what we have done in the past, it is forever gone because we have been made NEW because of what Jesus accomplished for us.  I like believing in the power of His promises because it is totally liberating.  When God says that we should know the Truth, and the Truth sets us free (John 8:32), the only ones who are set free are the ones who believe His Word and accept it without question!!  When anyone holds any records on us from our past, it is great knowing that the only One whom anyone has to give an account to is the One who removes all our past sins.  This means we don’t ever have to accept any guilt because God Himself has dealt with it once and for all through His Son Jesus.    

          Holding on to guilt is nothing but a trick of the enemy to try to make yourself feel justified.  God tells us in Psalm 146:7, He sets the prisoners free.  However, many Christians are not set free!  Is it because God ever withholds the keys and keeps the prison doors locked?  NO.  Christians who remain a prisoner are those who choose not to receive Gods full pardon and His total forgiveness.  I picture how the prison doors are wide open, but many Christians decide to remain in prison even though the doors are wide open.  This type of prison is when someone holds on to guilt from the past.  Gods gift, His liberty and freedom that is always offered to His Children doesn’t do any good unless we learn to accept it and receive it.  If you want to give a gift to someone, but they deny the gift you give them simply because they don’t feel worthy, how would that make you feel?  How do you think God feels when He wants to offer us His pardon and forgiveness, but we choose not to receive it because we don’t feel worthy?  Don’t ever think we are ever justified when we choose to remain feeling guilty and forsake His priceless offer to pardon us from guilt!!

          When I am accused of my past, I refuse to accept any of it.  I smile and say “God loves me and He has totally forgiven me”.  I say it with a genuine smile on my face because I know the wonderful liberation of knowing this truth!!  When people try to make you feel guilty from the past, or the devil himself will put thoughts of the past in your memory, you need to always say those words which I just mentioned and not put a phony smile on your face, but a true genuine smile.  So when we know how God has forgiven us totally and we refuse to ever accept any accusations, we also need to make sure we don’t dare hold any of our Brothers or Sisters accountable, otherwise we end up playing the devils advocate.  To say these words with a genuine smile on your face is truly liberating when you speak it and mean it.  Try it!  God tells us that He punished a wicked servant severely after He had forgiven him a great debt, because this servant refused to show any mercy to another one who owed only a fraction of the debt.  When we listen and receive peoples accusations more then Gods pardon for us, He is not only going to have the accusers give an account before Him, but I believe He will also hold certain Christians accountable because He will question them why they did not choose to receive His pardon by holding on to guilt!

          When the prodigal Son was returning to his masters home after he went away and squandered everything, his master (whom God the Father is identified as) ran to him and embraced him (Luke 15:20).  He never mentions here about questioning His sons past because His Son asked for forgiveness.  In fact, He went far beyond not bringing up the past!  He had a feast prepared for him.  Does this sound like He made any suggestions that His son should hold on to any guilt?  Then why are so many Christians believing the lies of the devil to feel justified when we hold on to guilt?  I don’t know about you, but I CHOOSE Gods way to receive total forgiveness and REFUSE to ever hold on to guilt because it produces no benefit to you.  I am going to feast and join the party with God and the prodigal Son instead of remaining a prisoner by holding on to any guilt from my past.  We need to decide now: What are you going to choose? Enjoying the wonderful liberation of being free in Christ or a prisoner to the lies of the enemy?  Just like in Deut 30:19, God does not tell us to remain silent, but we need to verbally choose one or the other.  To live in the liberation of Christ or not.  Be wise and choose wisdom.

Will you consider buying my books in support of HelpingCopeThroughHope mission work in Zambia?  You may go to my link below to observe.

In the Matchless Name of Jesus
Richard
Associate Director
Answers2Prayerhttp://sites.google.com/site/greatestbuilderforourlife  
http://www.answers2prayer.org/