PRAYER FUELING

Every successful Christian ministry solely depends on the Holy Spirit; this is the oil within the spirit or the heart of the believer that fuels the efficacy of Kingdom role in one’s life.

The Lord Jesus treated the Spirit’s role in the believer with paramount significance. During His earthly ministry, He equipped His disciples with the Holy Spirit when 
He sent them to go and preach the gospel of the kingdom. (Matthew 10:1; Mark 6:7). The power given to the disciples by Jesus was of the Holy Spirit.

1Cor 12:3 “Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.”

Without the Holy Spirit in the Christian; the confession of faith in God will be dry or totally empty; there will be no results or testimonies that will glorify God.

The prayer of faith on a regular basis is like having an automobile tank filled with fuel; it will keep running for a long distance.

We cannot serve God with a deficient prayer life. And no prayer of faith can do any work for God’s kingdom without the Holy Spirit.

Our constancy in the place of prayer is a constant refilling of our spiritual tanks for a long lasting kingdom journey and service.     

SALVATION OF SOULS ONLY

   

Have you ever wondered what Christianity’s focus should be? As one browses through the chapters of the Bible, you will see numerous subject matters addressed. You can as well conclude that the Bible is so rich with so much.

If one is not careful, you can get totally lost into the deep sea of this wealthy Holy document. It must be acknowledged though, as a source that is able to handle all fundamental issues of life.

Truly, out of this Book, you will find a solution to a bitter and resentful heart; in it you will encounter power by the Holy Ghost; out of it you can derive wells of wisdom and knowledge beyond ordinary human intellect; in the Bible are sure certainties for true, holy and meaningful lifestyles. There is nothing the Bible; God’s Word does not know how to manage.

But what do you think all these blessings are meant for? In simple heavenly expression; all is for the salvation of souls. This is the actual essence of the gospel of the Kingdom of God.

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 The sick are healed for the salvation of souls.

·       The blind see, for the salvation of souls

·       The demons possessed are freed for the same purpose.

·       The rebellious are changed for the salvation of souls.

·       The prostitutes are liberated for their salvation.

·       The heathens are transformed for their redemption.

·       The poor are enriched for everlasting life.

·       The rich without God are blessed for their salvation.

·       The drug addicts are freed for the salvation of souls.

·       The alcoholics are delivered for salvation.

·       The mentally disordered are freed for their salvation.

·       The hungry are fed for the salvation of souls.

·       The naked are clothed for their own salvation.

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 The list is endless, all for the salvation of souls and the glory of God Almighty who makes the provisions as a means to draw millions into His Kingdom on earth and of Heaven.       

BIBLE STUDY OR REVOLT?

The Bible used for wrong application or motives is a revolt against its Author. What is God’s purpose for giving us His Word?  Many men of God and Christians generally do not know how to apply scriptures appropriately. And that had turned the Bible into just a religious or history book.

God gave His Word to humanity for definite purposes. In general terms; we are to apply the Bible as a Kingdom constitution; it is to be observed with reverence and committed deliberate obedience and faith.

Mark 12:24 “Jesus answered and said to them, "Are you not therefore mistaken, because you do not know the Scriptures nor the power of God?”

The Word of God for us is never to return to Him without accomplishing what it was sent to do. The world is earnestly waiting for the manifestation of the Kingdom citizens through the fulfillment of the Truth which the Bible carries.

The church must cease the deplorable lifestyles of only seeking material things as testimonies or prove of their faith witnesses. We are promised; our God shall supply all our need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Spiritually, this implies the gifts of the Holy Spirit without measure. The more we are equipped with God’s power, the more His Kingdom is realized in practical terms in every facet of human endeavor!

Wrong approach to the use of scriptures had made God irrelevant to many a yearning hearts; and many a hungry and thirsty hearts had been fed with the worldly junk in the bid to seeking legitimate alternatives for solutions to their lives’ problems.

Let’s refer to the lifestyle of our Lord Jesus Christ as an only and ultimate standard to follow as we apply the Bible to the ministries given to all of us.   

THE INNER DISCIPLINE (II)

A constant rehearsal of the mind, spirit or heart training is the only way for stability in life and valuable undertakings. How can this be done? Only in the place of prayer can spiritual intents are planned and executed.

One day, quietly on my knees; I clearly noticed an urge to apply my inner being to relate with God. And instantly, I heard Him communed within me; 1Cor 2:16 “For ‘who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?’ But we have the mind of Christ.”   

The necessity to involve my heart into work; except my inner being is fully engaged in God’s Word-thoughts; it has an uncontrollable tendency to just get busy with things that are irrelevant to one’s spiritual increase.

So, as I remained insistently silent with the clear determined intention to allow the Spirit of God take charge of my spirit being; and allow my mind to be ruled by the very mind of Christ; or also allow God’s heart to replace my own heart.

It was a perfect approach to the inner discipline of my life. The more I allowed it, the more I had assurance of its reality function within me. This can develop into God’s reality; miracles and signs and wonders truly working in and through the believer.

The following and other similar scriptures can help in the meditative exercises of the inner being:

Rom 8:6; “For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” 1Cor 2:16; “For who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ.” Php 2:5;   “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.”

A SIP WITH GREAT WOES

They use it at all celebrations; I mean they celebrate with it; they make it look like, without it a toast is never perfect; they had given it much preference to a ‘cup of ordinary cold water;’ it had been a profound item for libations, idol worship or appeasing the false gods and other devilish practices.

You already know what we are talking about; yes, alcohol of course. Whatever brand it is, the content is the same. Whatever is added to it, the volume does not reduce. Whatever purpose it is intended, the effect in the body system is the same.

This is an experiment that starts with a sip, but its ultimate consequences are but woes; Hab 2:15 "Woe to him who gives drink to his neighbor, Pressing him to your bottle, Even to make him drunk, That you may look on his nakedness!”

These warnings concerning its use must help you keep a great distance from it:

Pr 20:1; “Wine is a mocker, Strong drink is a brawler, And whoever is led astray by it is not wise.”

Pr 21:17; “He who loves pleasure will be a poor man; He who loves wine and oil will not be rich.”

Pr 23:31,32; “Do not look on the wine when it is red, When it sparkles in the cup, When it swirls around smoothly; At the last it bites like a serpent, And stings like a viper.”

Pr 31:4,5;  “It is not for kings, O Lemuel, It is not for kings to drink wine, Nor for princes intoxicating drink; Lest they drink and forget the law, And pervert the justice of all the afflicted.” (Additional Reading: Isa 5:11; 28:1,7; 56:12; Ho 4:11; Hab 2:5.)

Here is the best alternative to alcohol; Eph 5:18; “And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit…”