Sunday, 7th, June 2009
Worship:
1 Chronicles 16:29-30
“Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name. Bring an offering and come before him; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness. Tremble before him, all the earth!
Worship in simple language simply means worth ship. This in other words is the worth you place on something. When we worship we are saying that God is worthy and that is why we sing and talk about His power, goodness and splendor.
Take this example; man bought a Mercedes Benz and the man literally worshiped this car. He spent hours each week washing and polishing this car and it was all he could think of. Sometimes he would sit at his balcony just looking at his car. I mean, the man was consumed. That is worship
Many of us think that worship is the slow songs we sing in church and that’s it. How consumed with God are you? Does He pop up in your conversations or do you only talk about Him when you pray and Sundays when you go to church? Is He really worthy to you? Some of us worship our cars, our houses, our jobs, our pastors and bishops more than we worship God
The question is this: “Is worship primarily for us, or primarily for God?” If we are going to get worship right, we had also better get our grammar straight. Worship is not a noun. It is not something that we go to. It is not something we attend. It is not something we observe. Worship is not an event and neither is it entertainment. Worship is a verb. It is something that you and I do. It is a lifestyle. This means that we can go to church and not necessarily worship. It means that we can show up in the sanctuary Sunday after Sunday; but in reality, be totally absent from worship. True biblical worship so satisfies our total personality that we don’t have to shop around for man-made substitutes. For worship is the submission of all our nature to God. It is the quickening of conscience by His holiness; the nourishment of mind with His truth; the purifying of imagination by His beauty; the opening of the heart to His love; the surrender of will to His purpose.
If you are selfish and self centered then you cannot truly worship God.
You cannot worship without participation because worship is not entertainment. Worship Him in spirit and in truth. Make it your lifestyle!
Sunday, 31st, May 2009
You are your choice:
Hebrews 11:24-28
It is said that a man is made up of his or her decisions. If you make a wrong or right decision, be ready to bear the consequences or the outcome of the same. Many are the times that we make decisions and later one we come to regret after we have walked a couple of miles on the decision that we made.
Moses was born in a Hebrew family but was adopted by pharaoh’s daughter. He was lavished and adorned with all the riches of pharaoh but when he became of age; he refused to be called the son of pharaoh’s daughter but instead, he choose to join his fellow brethren who were slaves instead.
Not many of us would have chosen what Moses chose. We would rather forsake the latter which has a better reward and remain as a child of the kings daughter so that we can inherit the kingdom and wealth. Moses had a bigger picture in his mind and thus he chose to forsake the worldly wealth and be poor, ashamed, mistreated and suffer the reproach that the children of Israel were going through rather than enjoy and then at the end of the day lose the eternal reward.
What would it benefit you gained the whole world but then you suffered loss of eternal life? Remember the prodigal son… he took away his inheritance and squandered it and later when he had nothing left, he was suffering and that’s when he came back to his senses. He had made the wrong decision and thus he was suffering the consequences which were bitter to swallow.
Why wait and make the wrong decision and then regret of the same? Solomon reminds us that in everything that we do, we will be brought into judgment over the same. Paul remind Timothy this; “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. – 1 Timothy 4:8” if I equate the same to the decisions we make, I would say, “it is good to have everything, but making a wise decision is worthwhile and has a great value both now that you are making the decision and after the decision is made.”
Just like Joshua told the children of Israel, choose for yourself today; the decision you make today will affect your tomorrow either positively or negatively depending on the decision that you make NOW!!!
“It’s not hard to make decisions when you know what your values are.”
Light your world!!
Jesus said these words carefully and meaningfully …“You are the salt and the light of the world, a city on a hill that cannot be hidden. One doesn’t light a lamp and put it under the bed, instead he puts it on a higher ground where everyone can use the light it emits, the same, you are the salt of the world, if the salt loses its taste, it has no worth, rather than being thrown out and be trampled by men”. (Mathew 5:13-14)
When Jesus spoke these words, he had just finished teaching about the beatitudes and he wanted to emphasis that you can’t be the blessed one if you don’t serve as an example to the world at large. Jesus came to seek and save the lost and destroy the works of the evil one (John 10:10), and thus he gave us the great commission in Matthew 20:28. We have a mandate to go out there and be witnesses of him who saved us.
Paul says that we are a letter written and everyone who sees us reads out whatever is written in the letter. 1 Timothy 4:12, Paul tells Timothy to serve not only as a minister of the word of God but also serve as an example to the people in character, speech, Love, ….., This could not happen if Paul would not have heeded to the calling that God had called him. Through Paul’s ministry, we see the birth of many young ministers like Titus, Apollo’s, and the young Timothy who was the youngest Bishop in the early church times.
Today you and I are the Paul of today. We have an obligation to mentor and groom up ministers of the gospel of Christ. But how can we do it if the life we live is so horrible that we can’t have people who can dare to emulate us? Remember, when Paul said that we are living letters to be read, he didn’t mean that once we get saved, the letter is written and that’s all, NO!, we continue to write this letter with our words, actions and everything that we do in our day to day lives.
Remember ‘Enjoy your life here on earth but remember you will be brought to judgment over every thing that you do here on earth’ (Ecclesiastes 12). Whatever you do, say, the action you take, your reactions all count and contribute to the writing of the letter and that is you and your life. Remember to be a legible letter that is good and worth to be read by everyone who is in your world or the people around you as that is your world.
“It isn’t until you come to a spiritual understanding of who you are ~ not necessarily a religious feeling, but deep down, the spirit within ~ that you can begin to take control… both of your words and actions”
Amen!!
24th May 2009
Sunday, 17th May 2009
Jesus is passing your way today!!
John 5:1-14
Friend, brethren and love ones, I want to submit to you this morning that we have a loving and a caring friend who will go an extra mile with us in whatever we are passing through. Jesus is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. We realized last Sunday that we can take all our burdens and cares to him in prayer and he will never lock us out.
Take a look at this paralytic man at the pool of Bethsaida; Having been there for thirty eight years, I believe he was more than tired to be coming there every other day hoping to get someone to throw him into the pool when the water was stirred so that he could get his healing, but to his disappointment, every time, someone got in before him. This day, Jesus passed near the pool and he has compassion for this man and he heals him.
Many time we strive so much to do or have something but we are not able to. I cannot be able to tell you why it takes you long to have it, but God has that answer and it’s all for his Glory. Jesus asks this man a simple question “do you want to get well?” That’s a straight forward question but instead of giving an answer straight, he starts narrating his story. Do you know that that is how many of us behave? Instead of getting straight with God, we start going round and round the answer that we should have given when were asked the question.
God knows what you need even before you ask for it. All he need is for us to be straight forwards with him. Blind Bartimaeus was very straight with Jesus as He was passing through Jericho (Mark 10:46-52) Jesus asked him “What do you want? And he answered straight … “Lord, I want to see”
This day, as you come into this sanctuary, “what is your heart desire that you want God to meet with this day?” He is passing by today, all you need to do is call out to him, reach out and touch him and let him know your heart. Don’t beat about the bush, tell him your heart straight.
“You see, in life, lots of people know what to do, but few people actually do what they know. Knowing is not enough! You must take action.”
~Anthony Robbins quotes~
Burdens!!
Matthew 11:28-30
Taking on from last Sunday, God’s love is so immense and great for us. I am reminded of a song I used to sing in Sunday school… that Jesus’ love is very wonderful, such a wonderful love, so high that you can’t get over it, so low that you can’t get under it and yet so wide that you can’t get round it… that’s such a rare love that you can’t get anywhere else.
This is the love that made God send his only son Jesus Christ to come and die on the cross for you (John 3:16a) “For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten son…” Jesus said also it is because of love that he came to the earth not with much to do, but seek and save the lost. In the scripture above (Matthew 11:28-29), Jesus knew that people had so much of burdens and baggage that they were carrying in their hearts and lives and they were seeking someone to help them carry.
In this regard, Jesus tells them to bring all their burdens unto him and he will give them rest. He further goes ahead and tells them to take up his yoke which is light and won’t tire them. What did Jesus mean? He meant that there are things, issues and a lot of baggage that you are carrying that he can help you sort out if you only allowed him to get into your heart and life… The problem with us is that we want to be helped but we don’t want the helper to be with us.
You may be carrying unnecessary baggage in your life that you ought not to carry simply because you don’t want to release it to God. What is that you are so mindful of that you don’t want to release it to God? We are too careful to let go but if we could only take a second thought and allow Christ to take up what we worry about so much, we would live a stress free life.
The only way to release and allow God to take up our burdens is to go to him in Prayer. His ears are attentive to your cry and he will come to your rescue as soon as you call him. Remember he is a Friend who sticks closer than a brother.
“”Our greatest battles are that with our own minds.” ~Jameson Frank~
10th May 2009
Sunday 3rd May, 2009
God’s love!!
Romans 8:28-39
Reminding ourselves of last Sunday’s thought we just need a single word from the Lord and if we obey it, take it and run with it, our lives will never be the same again. Ever asked yourself why we sometimes doubt the word of God? We reach some points in life when we really think that God has forsaken us and the next thought that comes is that God doesn’t love us.
Paul reminds the Romans of God’s unending and undying love for you and me. He asks a simple question; “what then shall separate us from the Love of God?” he goes ahead and samples a few that he thought could have made the Romans doubt or make them sway away from the love of God.
I have been there. No one by my side to talk to, open my heart to and I thought that no one loved me at all God included. How could He (God) allow me to go through such a time if he claimed to love me? But God’s words to the children of Israel have been so clear… “Despite all that you are going through, don’t be afraid, God is by your side. He promised never to leave you nor forsake you till the end of time” Deuteronomy 31:8
Are you there just like I was? You can rest with this assurance that God is there for you. If you only believe in him, and trust in his word that nothing will lead you astray form his love. Paul says that neither death nor life, present life or even life to come, tribulations, trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? … For in all these, you are more than a conqueror in Christ Jesus.
“Though our feelings come and go, God’s love for us does not.” – C.S Lewis
Sunday 26th, April 2009.
Holding on for your blessing as we reminded ourselves last Sunday can sometimes so discouraging and you find yourself giving up on the way before you receive your miracle or promise. It reaches a point and you ask yourself, is God really faithful in this? Will he fulfill his word?
Peter, having been with Jesus for three and half years in his ministry, he had heard all Jesus spoke and he believed. But the minute Jesus dies and on the third day when he arose, Peter had already given up and went back fishing with his colleagues. He had forgotten the promises Jesus had given unto him and the other disciples.
This is how we behave at times. We hold on firmly onto God but when He delays in fulfilling his purpose, prayer or promised in our lives we move away from him to go and find our own solutions to help us out. Just like Peter, every time that you move away from the will of God, things won’t work out for you. I am not threatening you, it is a fact. Peter tried it and it didn’t work.
When we reach such points, all we need is one word from God and we will be restored. Peter had spent all his energy the whole night fishing without catching anything, but just a single word from Jesus, made him have a catch of a lifetime. There are three things that a word from God will do to our lives: (John 21:7-19)
a) Restore us – After Peter realized it was Jesus, spoke to him and he restored his faith and was given the charge to take care of others.
b) It elevates us – Peter was elevated from being just a disciple to head the church.
c) Brings fulfillment/provides for us – Peter had laboured the whole night without catching anything, but at Jesus’ word, he had more than enough.
My prayer for you today is that you will be able to hold on till the end; and be careful to listen and hear God speaking to you.
“All happenings, great and small, are parables whereby God speaks. The art of life is to get the message”. – Malcolm Muggeridge
Sunday 19th, April 2009
Hold on for your blessing!!
Genesis 32:22-30
Last Sunday, I talked about having an agenda in your life. It doesn’t matter what you are going through, what you are doing or who you are; you ought to have an agenda in your life else you will live a purposeless life and you will leave this world having not made any impact.
I know you might or you have resolved to have an agenda in your life as from Sunday; and if you have not, it’s not late, you can do it… don’t give up even if you have tried so many times to remain onto to what you have purposed to do.
Taking a look at today’s scripture, Jacob had stayed in Alban’s house for 20 years and now he was returning home to make up with his brother Esau, but on his way, he is still afraid to meet his brother and thus he divides his family into bands; nevertheless, God had another plan for him. It is at this point when he is left alone that God meets with him and his destiny changes. He wrestles with the angel of God and he received his blessing; his name was changed from Jacob which means Deceiver to Israel which means Prince of God
When it was almost dawning, the angel told Jacob to let him go but Jacob refuse. Many of us give up on our blessings when they are at our doorstep. If Jacob had let go the angel, he wouldn’t have received his blessing and his destiny changed; so hold on too till you get what is rightfully yours and what you are trusting God to do for you.
By God keeping quiet on you doesn’t mean He will not answer your prayers, he will answer you in due time… all you need to do is exercise your Patience, full trust and Faith in God.
“Faith isn’t faith until it’s all you’re holding on to”
Amen.
Sunday 12th, April 2009
What is your agenda today?
2 Kings 2:1-10
Agenda!! Agenda!! This in simple means… the purpose I have in doing something that I am doing.. What am I anticipating to get, what motivates me to do what I do… That’s your Agenda.
Let me take it a little bit closer… Why did you come to the service today? Is it because you had nothing to do in the house? Is it because it is a routine that you are used to since you were born? Is it because you are avoiding to be caused at? If this is the case, I am sorry because you are in the wrong place; but if you came with an agenda to meet God, then you will absolutely meet with him.
Elisha had an agenda with Elijah. He wasn’t a servant just for the sake, he had more in heart than just being a servant of the prophet. He wanted to inherit a double portion of the anointing that was in Elijah. Jesus who is the reason of the Easter season that we are in, also came with an agenda… To liberate you and set you free from the slavery of sin, and his death on the cross accomplished his agenda on earth.
You are not saved to just be there and enjoy God’s grace and salvation; you need to live a life with an agenda. John Maxwell said “If you have nothing that you can die for, then you aren’t worth living” Ask yourself this question today; What on earth am I here for? When you answer this question, you will live a life with an agenda and you will strive each day to fulfill/attain your agenda.
Jesus is the reason of the season… if he fulfilled his mission and lived to hi purpose in life here on earth, why not you?
“Let the resurrection Joy lift us from loneliness, weakness and despair, to strength, Beauty and happiness” – Floyd W. Tomkins
Amen.
Sunday 29th, March 2009
Are you ready?
Matthew 25:1-13
Who would like to be caught off guard by a thief? Would you be happy if you missed an event that you had anticipated for long? As human beings we always prepare in advance for an event that we are invited for. You plan ahead of time for the clothes that you will wear (children call them Sunday best) and even you extend the invitation to a few friends though they are not invited to the function so that you have company to the function.
Jesus knowing the signs of age and the season, he starts to prepare his disciples so that get prepared for the mission ahead of them when he leaves. Matt 24: Jesus tells his disciples about the signs of the age, what will happen before the second coming of Christ. Matt 24:36-51- Jesus tells his disciples that the hour of the return of the Son of man is not known even to Himself except the father himself, thus he warned them of being caught off guard. He goes ahead and gives them the parable of the ten virgins, they were all anticipating for the wedding but the bride was late. Some ran out of oil and they rushed to get some but the bride came while they were away.
The same way, Jesus will appear. The question is, are you ready? Do you have enough oil in your lamp?
We are living in the last days and unless we keep watch just as Jesus said, we will be caught unaware. We are entangled so much with the cares of this world till sometimes we forget to nourish our spiritual man and keep him ready and with enough oil to keep on burning till the bride comes. I was listening to a song that said “sometimes we are not able to read God’s word or even pray and when we are faced with temptations, we are unable to win because we don’t have the power in us to do so” Psalms 119:10-11, David prays gives us a principle that will keep us running till the end of time. The word of God is the oil that will keep our hearts burning till Christ returns.
When we have hidden the word of God in us, we will be able to overcome temptations and sin in our lives. Remember God will never take you where his Grace will not protect you. Remember, being tempted is not a sin, yielding to the temptation is the sin. For every temptation, God will always provide a way of escape. Sin is the only thing that drains our oil (word) that we have in our lamps (hearts). The devil will always try all means and ways to make us loose our steps, but God is there to bring us back on track.
Remember, he who holds on and runs this race to the end faithfully, a crown and the reward of eternal life will he get (Rev 21:7) My fellow brothers and sisters, I know that this walk of faith is hard and its becoming harder each day, but lets persevere like Paul so that at the end of the day we shall echo his words; I have fought a good fight, I have ran the race and kept the faith.
Let’s keep our hearts on fire and let’s wait for the second coming of Christ when we are holy. Let’s keep our garments clean all the time.
Amen.
The Word…
"May my life always Radiate thy Glory oh Lord!"
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you, and Lo! I am with you always till the end of the world.” AMEN!
Matthew 20:19-20
This is the greatest commandment that we have ever been given. “Go ye therefore…” When you got saved, you were not taken to heaven directly, that’s why you are here so that you can help someone else know the truth just as someone else helped you and you came to the light. Many of us think that this call is just for the people in the five-fold ministry just as I used to think, but Jesus was speaking to you and Me. We have no excuse of not going out there to share the love of Christ to the nations. Jesus said, the fields are white and ready for harvest, but the labourers are few. Once you and I avail ourselves to go and be part of the labourers, we will fill out the empty pews in the church and the devils kingdom will be on the losing end.
Word of Life is a site whose aim and agenda is to equip you daily with the word of God and encourage you to fulfill the mission and purpose that God has called you to do here on earth. I don’t want us when we reach heaven to be told that… you had this soul to bring to the kingdom and now it is perishing…. NO!!! I want a situation whereby, we will all be commended by God for a work well done “Good and faithful servant….” That will be my joy when we will all be gathered together to celebrate our Victory.
This is a call I am making to you who is reading this blog, don’t just benefit, inform your friends, family and everyone else and let us help each other in this journey of faith till we reach our heavenly home.
Yours in Christ’s vineyard,
Dennis.
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