#WordforToday 12 Nov 2018 You are not cursed

"For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.” Galatians 3:10

I am always amazed how insightful the word of God is; one passage brings illumination of another even though they are written by different people.

Sometimes in the Christendom we struggle with the issue of law and grace. Especially with some aspects in the law where people are told they are cursed if they do not do this or that. How can you take only a part of the law and ignore others? 

Early on in my christian journey, I became very confused about somethings we are 'commanded' do. As I read the word I started questioning some of these things with close christian friends. An example is having to 'buy back' your first born (Ex 13:15). At the time it was said the sex does not matter and we were given an equivalent amount to pay. Maybe there was a revelation to do this or not I do not know. Did I pay? Yes I did, out of fear not necessarily faith.

What I do know is that the law given to the Israelite was not meant to be cherry picked. You can not put fear in people for one, two, a few or some aspects of the law and not all. All these laws had to be obeyed in its entirety.

Thank goodness for the dispensation of grace. Who can meet all the requirements of the law?

When ministers who are entrusted with  teaching the word of Elohim use the law to put the redeemed of the Lord back into the bondage of fear, surely this is not the gospel of Yeshua Jesus.

Our salvation is not dependent on the law. As the first child of my mother she does not need to 'buy me' back even if I am female. I am already redeemed by Christ Jesus.

There are principles that Elohim has laid down for this earth that He created. It does not matter whether you are Christian or not, if you key into these principles you will reap the benefit - seed time and harvest; giving and receiving; day time and night time, helping  the poor and so on. These principles are for all.

Do not be put back into bondage. Study and meditate on the word of Elohim God for yourself. And pray for the revelation of the Holy Spirit directly.

You are not cursed!

#PrayerforToday

Almighty Father, thank You for the grace in Your Son Yeshua. I believe in Him and there is therefore no condemnation for me in Him. Help me to teach and live the truth of Your word. Amen

I pray this inspires you to be more and do more for Yeshua Ha Mashiach (Jesus Christ).
 #AdeolaAkintoye ©

#WordforToday 12 April 2018 A journey to spiritual maturity

https://leolearning.com/2015/07/consider-entire-learning-journey/

1. Understand, acknowledge and accept your new identity in Christ.  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; (2 Cor 5:17). Many people are unaware of the divine power they carry. Many cannot comprehend it. Many find it difficult to accept it. What you can’t see, touch, smell or taste is difficult to accept. It's only when some people feel the physical manifestation of the Holy Spirit that they can accept that God is.

2. Transform your mind; your thoughts, beliefs, mind-set  (Romans 12:2). And bring every thought under the obedience of Jesus Christ. Develop the skill (or habit) -  whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things (Philippians 4:8 NIV). The mind is devil’s gateway to your soul. If he can get you to believe the lies, see yourself with human eyes not God-eyes, operate with your five senses rather than with the Holy Spirit; then you are letting him win over your life.

3. Walk in the Holy Spirit and you shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. This will take you out of your comfort zone. It will make you operate at the level of supernatural not natural. You will start seeing Kingdom pattern nor world ways. You will be rebuked, mocked, called over-spiritual and many more.

4. Ready to die for the gospel of Jesus. Now this is the ultimate. Many have fallen off the wagon because of fear. This is the litmus test of your discipleship

#PrayerforToday 12 April 2018

Help oh Lord to grow into spiritual maturity. Let me move from the milk of your word to solid food. Help me to seek Your Kingdom first and its righteousness.

It is the will of the everlasting Father that you may have everlasting life through Jesus. See Him in the Holy Scriptures, believe in Him and He will raise you up on the last day ‭‭John‬ ‭6:40‬ ‭NKJV

I pray this inspires you to be more and do more for Yeshua Ha Mashiach (Jesus Christ).

#AdeolaAkintoye ©

#WordforToday 11 April 2018 The high and mighty

“I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”” Luke‬ ‭18:14‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

It is amazing how the teachings of Christ is contrary to the world. What the world expects is completely opposite what Jesus says is the Kingdom culture.

Humankind glory in the accumulation of material things, the accreditation in scholarly achievements, the demonstration of power - position, wealth. Even in the Christendom, titles (Apostle, Pastor, Prophet, Bishop etc.) are sources of exaltation than the gospel of Jesus.

The Pharisee was a keeper of the law to the mi-nute detail. As a Christian, it is thus easy to become enthralled with our religiosity and fool ourselves with self-justification. Who are you trying to impress with self-exaltation? Let your works speak for itself and let your words glorify God.

No matter how many boxes you tick right; or how God is using. you, remember God resists the proud and give grace to the humble.

Be mindful and alert to the Holy Spirit in you. Stop exalting yourself and lift up Jesus. Walk in the #HolySpirit and stop being led by your five senses.

#PrayerforToday 11 April 2018

Almighty Father, in the name of my Lord Jesus, I reject every spirit of self-justification. I will not glory in earthly things but will be mindful of heavenly things. Help me to remain humble because You resist the proud and give grace to the humble. Give me the grace to be a carrier of Kingdom Culture in every area of my life. Amen

It is the will of the everlasting Father that you may have everlasting life through Jesus. See Him in the Holy Scriptures, believe in Him and He will raise you up on the last day ‭‭John‬ ‭6:40‬ ‭NKJV

I pray this inspires you to be more and do more for Yeshua Ha Mashiach (Jesus Christ).

#AdeolaAkintoye ©

The power of the spoken word

"Let there be Light" and there was light. Yes, those words might have been spoken by the Almighty Himself, nevertheless there is power in the spoken word. 

There are so many promises of Yahweh to His children.

"As you have said in my ears so shall I do"; "Whatever you ask in my name, my father will do"; "Whatever you bind on earth is bound in heaven." And so many more. Read the bible and discover them for yourself.

Of course there are conditions or your words would just be empty without the creative life to bring it to pass. For the people that abide by these conditions, we read great and mighty things that they accomplished just by speaking the word - Moses with signs and wonders. Joshua commanded the sun and moon by his words and they stood still. Elijah caused a climatic famine for two years by his words and many more including Jesus and the Apostles. And in our lifetime men and women of faith performing healing miracles by the spoken word.

I know many of us desire to speak the word and see miracle, signs and wonders. The challenge is meeting the conditions - faith in Yeshua, abiding in the word, prayer and so forth. The most important condition is having the deep, intimate relationship with Yeshua Jesus. A relationship that is so close, whatever you ask for is done because you ask according to the knowledge of His will. 

A relationship that is built on love and obedience. This is not just about going to Church, serving in departments, praying and fasting 24/7. But giving up your life as a living sacrifice - seeking and finding Him, seeking and knowing Him, seeking and obeying Him, seeking and spending quality time with Him in the word and in prayer. Your life is centered on Him. He becomes your lifestyle. His will becomes your life manuscript.

Many desires to have the power of the spoken word become reality in their lives but unfortunately they are not willing or able to pay the price. Only a few people do pay the price. Many of us settle for the little we try. We prefer to go to the pastor to pray for us when we need it and hope that Elohim will answer the prayer. This is living below our capability in Christ Jesus.

Let us seek Jesus to know Him, obey Him and be a living sacrifice, seeking first the Kingdom and its righteousness. Every other thing shall be added and whatever we ask in the name of Jesus shall be done.

Licence to kill

We love to quote this scripture, ''There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" In other words, whatever we do is okay.

No it is not! The grace of Yeshua is not a licence to continue in sin. 

Yes we are under grace not law. Our faith is not based on works but grace - a gift of God. Because of that grace we should no longer live in the pattern of our old life.

A woman was caught in the act of adultery and she was brought to Jesus for judgement. She was not sentenced to death as per the law, she received the grace of Christ. She was not condemned for her sin, but was shown mercy. Nevertheless she was told to go and sin no more.

And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” John‬ ‭8:11‬ ‭NKJV

Jesus expected her just as he does us, once forgiven and saved, sin no more.

A man who was in bondage to an infirmity for 36 years was shown mercy and healed by Jesus. He told him " “See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you.” John 5:14 NKJV

‭‭‬‬The grace of Yahweh is not an excuse to continue in sin, believing that asking for forgiveness every time makes it okay. It is not for if we sin wilfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgement (Hebrews 10:26).

Grace is the licence to kill sin in your life. 

Pressing On

“Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me...I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭3:12, 14‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Christ laid hold of salvation for us. The upward call of God is a relationship with Him, restoring that which was lost in the garden of Eden.

You have to press on, growing in maturity, being more and more Christlike to make it to Heaven. The way, the right, the access has already been cleared by the finished work on the Cross of Calvary.

It's an upward call. Looking unto Heaven and things of the Kingdom. Not a world call - looking at the here and now. But an upward call, being mindful of the things of the Spirit and of the Kingdom of God.

 We forget what we have done or attained in the past, but look forward to those things ahead. Our holiness yesterday can not prevent us from falling into error tomorrow. We must not boast of our righteousness of today but press on to that of tomorrow. 

If you did not sin yesterday, glory. Forget yesterday. Focus on not committing sin today. Continue to press forward towards the goal. You can do it through a life sold out to Jesus.








image attribution https://clipartfest.com

BITTER PILL

And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” Luke 12:15

Material wealth is good. Joseph of Arimathea was a wealthy man who used his influence to get the body of Jesus buried in his new Tomb. Zaccheus was a rich man that was privileged to set dinner before Jesus. Elohim also told us He is the One that gives us the power to make wealth. But our material wealth should not become our god. It should not be the reason why we seek the True God – Elohim. Yahshua and the Apostles never used material wealth as a preaching point or the way to the Kingdom of Yahweh.

Material wealth is not the same as spiritual wealth. Prosperity preaching does not turn the heart of man to Jesus for the right reasons. It does not impact the spirit man but the soulish realm (lust of the eyes, lust flesh and pride of life). This is why even if you have all the material riches in the world, your life can still have a void that money can’t fill.

 So we have all these wealth, what do we use it for? Mansion in all the countries of the world? Fleet of cars? diamonds, gold? weekend parties with dollars as a carpet?

Jesus taught us one of the best ways to use material possessions. Throw a party and invite the needy in the Church, in the community. Luke 14:¹² Then He also said to him who invited Him, “When you give a dinner or a supper, do not ask your friends, your brothers, your relatives, nor rich neighbours, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid. ¹³ But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. ¹⁴ And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just.”

 This is unfortunately a bitter pill to swallow for many. 

OBE, CBE OR KNIGHTHOOD?

Is God proud of you?

I remembered how proud I was when my eldest daughter graduated from University. I was filled with joy, sharing with family and friends. I'm sure my parents were also proud when they came to celebrate my graduation so many years ago.

As a parent, you love your child(ren) unconditionally, however there is something different about being proud of what they are in character .

I could imagine the pride in the heart of Yahweh when He was showing off Job, “Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?”” Job 1:8 NKJV. This of course led to a season of testing for Job. He lost everything. Many of us would not want to be tested like he was. But this message is not about his test but the pride Yahweh had in him. 

What a precious and priceless commendation - none like him, blameless, upright, fears God and shun evil. As such he had the hedge of Elohim around him, around his household, and around all that he had on every side. Yahweh blessed the work of his hands, his possessions increased in the land (Job 1:10 NKJV).

How about you? If Elohim were to write you a letter of commendation what would it say? A commendation from Elohim is greater than the Queen of England's OBE, CBE or Knighthood. It sets you for greatness here on earth and eternity in Heaven.

Why like a palm tree?

Palm trees inhabits every type of habitat from desert to rain forest with evergreen leaves. They are a symbol of peace, fertility and victory. Palm trees can reach great heights and have long life. A palm tree's life span can be up to 150 years. Palm trees have fibrous root that spreads out and grow deep, giving it a solid base that bends but does not break under the force of a wind. The Palm Tree is one of the most cultivated plant in the world, signifying fruitfulness in abundance.
As a believer, prophetically declare Psalm 92:11-13 over your life.

A prayer they wished they had never made

 'As I live,’ says the Lord, ‘just as you have spoken in My hearing, so I will do to you' (Numbers 14:28 NKJV)

And all the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron, and the whole congregation said to them, “If only we had died in the land of Egypt! Or if only we had died in this wilderness! (Numbers 14:2 NKJV)

Be careful, be very careful of what you desire in your heart. I was amazed how the children of Israel could easily forget what God had done for them, to the extent that they readily believed the bad report from the ten spies sent to the land of Canaan.

Boy oh boy was God furious with them and He was ready to 'strike them with the pestilence and disinherit them,...'(Numbers 14:12 NKJV). Their complaints and whinging was even worse because ... they had experienced the Glory of the presence of God and the signs He did in the land of Egypt and in the wilderness (Num14:12), yet.. they kept putting God to the test (ten times since they left Egypt) by refusing to listen to God's voice (Num14:22).

What did God do? He granted them their heart's desire. Talk about a prayer that you wish was not answered. 'As I live,’ says the Lord, ‘just as you have spoken in My hearing, so I will do to you' (Numbers 14:28 NKJV). Basically, ‘you wished you had died in the wilderness - your wish is granted’. All the people who complained from twenty years and older would all die in the wilderness. Not only that, they would spend in the wilderness, the equivalent years of the number of days they spied the land - forty days will become forty wilderness years.
It is a terrible thing to fall into the hand of the LORD.

After hearing this, the Israelites went into mourning and wanted to now go and fight the Canaanites. Still they did not listen and they were attacked by their enemies (Numbers 14:45). Talk about stubborn fools!

Help me LORD not to let my circumstances and situations birth evil desires in my heart. Help me to trust in You instead of complaining, in Jesus Mighty name, Amen.

This story has also highlighted the need to teach our children not to complain about anything and everything. A child that learns to be grateful for what they have and be thankful in all circumstances will avoid the trap of wrong desires.

How about you? Do you let your circumstances birth the wrong desires in your heart? Say the prayer above.

Shalom.