Ask, and It Will Be Given To You!!!!

John 15:7..If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you wish and it will be given to you.

Matthew 7:8…For everyone who asks receives, he who seeks finds, and to him who knochs, the door will be opened.

One of the greatest engagements between the human and the spiritual is through prayer. What happens in the physical is a consequence, infact a manifestation of the spiritual dispensation. Before it is granted in the physical, its already granted in the spiritual. Therefore, its usually a matter of ‘when’ not ‘if’ it will happen in the world which our physical eyes can see.

Its therefore necessary that our spiritual antennae is sensitive to the going ons. Through prayer, God allows us to download his promises and upload(embed) them in our lives. When Jesus was teaching the disciples on how to pray, mid course he said “ May your will be done”. Though God’s will is supreme and he is relentless in his promises, we download it through prayer.

For instance, God made great promises to the children of I srael in Ezekiel 36…….to prosper them, to make them great, and to do other wonderful things to them(Ezekiel 36: 26-36). Yet remarkably, in verse 37 he requires them to ask him for the same….This is what the Sovereign LORD says; Once again I will yield to the plea of the house of Israel to do this for them. This means he will require them to make the requests to him in prayer.

What if we don’t ask????

In the parable of the prodigal son, when the truant (prodigal/lost) son comes back home, the father prepares a feast and the fattened calf is killed in his honour. This, according to the ‘obedient’ (legally righteous) son is unfair, because all this while he had been good, yet nothing had been done in his honour. He complains ;

Luke 15:29…He answered, “ Look! All these years I have been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you slaughter the fattened calf for him.

His fathers response……….

Verse 31..“My son,” the father said “ you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.

His fault- HE HAD NOT ASKED

While the ceremony analogises the celebration of angels when a soul comes to the kingdom (accepts Christ), another aspect of being a child of the Almighty God is introduced……..that everything he has is ours, we only need to ask. When one receives Christ he is given the right to become a child of God (John 1:12), and all the rights and privileges of sonship apply.

Apostle Paul, through his messages to the different churches (Ephesians, Collosians, Phillipians, Thessalonians)  his stance about prayer is consistent and regular…..Do not be anxious about anything, but present your requests through prayer to God being thankful to him, and do everything in prayer, for it’s a great weapon of war,(Phil 4:6-7, 1 thess 5:16-18,Col 3:17,Ephesians 6:18,Hebrews 4:16 ) just to point out some of his teachings.

Therefore we need to ask , and we must ask ;

Matthew 11:12…. From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of God has been forcefully  advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it..(it is taken by violence)

And after asking...........

Mark 11:24....Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

I remain

-MWAKA-

THE LORD HAS A SPOUSE READY FOR YOU

One of the greatest decisions we make as humans is the search for a spouse suitable and desirable. This is an issue we should approach with a lot of prayer, so that the will of God may prevail and that we get the spouse he has been entitled and prepared for us. The emergence of these unions can be traced to the creation of the first man- Adam. We read in Genesis 2:18…The LORD God said, “It is not good for a man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him” From this reading we learn that;

1.The man did not even know that he was ‘single’ .We can oIt is in the LORD’s great and divine wisdom that he learnt this and thought about the solution. God therefore anticipates our needs and fulfills them even before we can ask for them, thereby doing exceedingly above what we can think and even imagine, just as his word promises us.(Ephesians 3:20)

Therefore the LORD knows that we need a spouse and we should therefore pray that the will of God happens regarding our choice of marriage partners.

2. The timing of the heavenly father is awesome and perfect. It is his will to match his creation with their perfect spouses as planned by the almighty father. In  Isaiah 34:16…Look in the scroll of the LORD and read; None of these will be missing, not one will lack her mate. For it is his mouth that has given the order, and his spirit will gather them together.

Therefore the gathering power of the holy spirit will bring the ‘husband’ and ‘wife’ together, to the glory and honour of the holy & Almighty God. This is best described by the situations surrounding the conception and subsequent birth of our savior Jesus Christ. The Bible records the following in Matthew chapter 1 and verses 18-19;

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about; His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with a child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband  was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

Though they were not married, the Bible calls Joseph her husband and uses the word ‘divorce’ to describe their prospective parting, though Mary was only pledged to him as described in the previous verse.

When the angel appeared to Joseph (verse 20), he calls Mary ‘his wife’  which is according to the prophesies of earlier prophets, in the old testament who had prophesied that Jesus would be born from the house of David.(Isaiah 22:22, 9:6-7)

This had been planned by God before, and so is everyone’s who believes in God. He is a God who knows the end from the beginning and is able to satisfy everyone. His hand is not short, and his ear is not deaf…..to hear the prayers of the saints. Better still, he grants the desires of our hearts (Psalms 37:4)

3. The devil can divert our destiny, if we don’t allow the LORD to lead our lives, fully trusting in him and dedicating our plans to him.

Proverbs 16:1…..To a man belong the plans of the heart, but from the LORD comes the reply of the tongue.

Proverbs 21:31….The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the LORD.

We should commit our plans to God and allow his will to lead us, for his will is perfect to our lives. Failure to do this invites the enemy by default to lead us, and we know too well his key objectives (The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy, John 10:10).

A quick demonstration of diverted destiny is found in the conversation between Jesus and the Samaritan woman in John 4:16-18 which reads;

He(Jesus) told her “ Go call your husband and come back”  “ I have no husband”, She replied. Jesus said to her “ You are right when you say you have no husband. The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you have now is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true. 

Her destiny had been diverted and for that reason her life was going round in circles……..for she had not found her God given husband.

Lesson: God’s timing is best, believe pray and act- God will grant you not only the desires of your heart but also the requests of your lips

I remain..

-MWAKA-

Bible Study: The Cost of Christian Discipleship

LUKE 14:26-27,33: "If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. (33) So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple."
MATTHEW 16:24-26: "Then Jesus said to His disciples, 'If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?'"
1. What does it cost to be a disciple of Jesus Christ? Is it a small price? Is it easy to be a disciple or is it very, very challenging?
2. Define the word "hate" in Luke's passage.
3. a)What does it mean to "bear his cross" in Matthew's account?
    b)What does Jesus mean in Luke 9:57-58?
4. What was Peter's eventual cost? Read John 21:18-19 before answering.
5. Explain Christ's paradoxical statement: "For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it."
6. Why do you think Jesus demands so much from His disciples?
7. What reward does a disciple receive? Read and explain Matthew 19:27-29. Compare with Revelation 20:4 and 5:10.


I remain,

-Mwaka-

Good Deeds Attract The Goodness of God Towards You

What is the cost of being good to others?  A great one it is, because at times you will deny yourself to do good to others. Take for instance the model of the early church in Acts 2: 44-45….”All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.”  This was maybe the greatest period of Church history, where the brotherhood of fellowship swept heavily on the members of the early church.

Sometimes our self-centred nature may deny us the opportunity of sharing with our brethren.Note that it is the same period  that Ananias and Sapphira his wife were tempted  by Satan regarding the giving. They sold their land and kept a part of the money to themselves as they took the rest to the apostles feet.(Acts Chapter 5)It is important to note that this was not a rule from God, but he was a partner because the believers had agreed in unity that they would share the proceeds of the sales of their property and goods. Since they agreed this in unity, the same was decreed by the heavens, and so it became an unwritten rule.We also commit the same when we vow before God with our lips and fail to fulfil our vows. God, in his great faithfulness, expects us to keep our side of the bargain.In Ecclesiastes 5:5….”It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfil it.”

The Bible commands us to be good to others and not withhold good from any person. Reading from Proverbs 3: 27-28…Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is within your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor “Come back later; I’ll give it tomorrow” when you have it with you.

Paul emphasizes the same message to the Galatian Christians in Chapter 6:9-10…..Let us not become weary of doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially those who belong to the house of faith.

There are many examples which we may pick from the Bible, but for now lets have only three from the New Testament.

1.The Death and Resurrection of Dorcas also called Tabitha

Acts 9:36…In Joppa there was a disciple named Dorcas, who was always doing good and helping the poor. About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room (39)….Peter went with them and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and  other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them. (40)…..Peter sent them out of the room then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning towards the dead woman, he said  “ Tabitha, get up”. She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up.

We must assume that many other people had died in Joppa as we would logically expect in an ordinary city , but in this case the deeds of Tabitha moved the widows to ask the disciples to intervene, who in turn sent for Peter (Verse 38) who prayed for resurrection of Tabitha. Her good deeds therefore, caused Peter who we believe was led by the spirit of God to pray for the resurrection. This leads to great glory to the name of the LORD since many people began to believe in the LORD.

2. The Healing of the Centurion’s servant.

The centurions servant was ill and he had sent elders to plead with Jesus to come into his home and heal the servant. Luke 7:4…When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, “ This man deserves to have you do this, because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue”.  So Jesus went with them.

Jesus seems convinced by the goodness spoken of this man, and he joins them to his home.

3. Cornelius and His gifts to the poor

An angel of the LORD appeared to Cornelius to deliver a special message to him.

Acts 4:4…Cornelius stared at him in fear. “ What is it LORD?” he asked. The angel answered, “ Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God.

His prayers were made a consistent reminder on the holy mountain of God, how wonderful and desirable!

Conclusion: There are many more examples in the Bible, both in the Old and New Testaments. Always therefore, endeavor to do good, and God in his faithfulness will reward you. Feed the poor, the widows, orphans not forgetting the plight of other disadvantaged groups in the society, and God will reward you in a mighty way.

 

Prov 11:25..A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.

Prov 21:13..Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered.

SHALOM!!!!!

I remain,

-MWAKA-

The Death of Moses and the lesson for Christians

We all have read the story of Moses and the miracles God performed through him in Egypt, the Red Sea and in the desert.

Moses was great, but without his complete surrender, God could not have used him. His yieldance opened the way for other virtues to work—obedience, prayer, and listening to God's voice, faithfulness, and many others. Moses was human, but he went far beyond the human as he drew near to God. Others can draw as near to God as Moses did if they will allow the Spirit of God to direct their lives. Moses was a great prophet. Jesus Christ is the greater Prophet (Hebrews 3).Various things make Moses a special prophet;

1.He was the most privileged prophet during his times and thereafter because he was a friend to God and they would speak directly, unlike other prophets where the LORD would reveal himself in visions and other ways. This is recorded in the Bible in Deut 34:10-12  "Since then, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face,who did all those miraculous signs and wonders the LORD sent him to do in Egypt--to Pharaoh and to all his officials and to his whole land.For no one has ever shown the mighty power or performed the awesome deeds that Moses did in the sight of all Israel.

When Miriam and Aaron criticised Moses and the LORD heard, his anger burned against them, and he gave testimony of this relationship with Moses in Numbers 12:6-8...he said, "Listen to my words: "When a prophet of the LORD is among you, I reveal myself to him in visions, I speak to him in dreams. But this is not true of my servant Moses; he is faithful in all my house.With him I speak face to face, clearly and not in riddles; he sees the form of the LORD. Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?"

2.God had heeded Moses's request to show him his ways. The LORD therefore taught him his ways, while to the Israelites he showed his mighty deeds.There was therefore a sense of familiarity with the LORD.

Psalms 103:7...."He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel"

3. Moses is a sign of the deliverer(Messiah) who is to come later to the people of Israel- Jesus Christ Himself God had promised Moses this in Deuteronomy 18:18.....I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers; I will put my words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him"

This sign echoes the prophecy of John about the end times when he saw the vision of angels singing the Song of Moses and the Lamb beside the crystal sea in Revelation 15:3...: And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.

4. When Moses died, he was buried by God. Deut 34:5-6.....And Moses the servant of the LORD died there in Moab, as the LORD had said.He buried him in Moab, in the valley opposite Beth Peor, but to this day no one knows where his grave is.

That brings me to the big question; what was the sin Moses committed to warrant his death? 

Psalms 106:32-33 states that the people angered Moses at the waters of strife, that it went ill with Moses, and that he sinned with his mouth. The incident in question occurred in Numbers 20:7-13. Miriam had just passed on. The very next verse states that the people were complaining about the lack of water. This had happened many times during their wilderness experience. And like the other times, the people railed against Moses and Aaron, whining that they would have been better off if they had stayed in Egypt. Moses and Aaron responded by falling face down. They had also done this several times. Maybe they were tired of hearing the same old complaints, or maybe this was their posture of prayer. In any event, God responded quickly, telling Moses to speak to the rock in front of all the people. Water would come gushing out -- enough water for everyone. 

Moses assembled the people, but he didn't follow orders quite the way he should have. Instead of just speaking to the rock, which would have demonstrated the power of the word over the power of his rod, he struck it twice, saying, "Listen, you rebels, shall we get water for you out of this rock?" It almost sounded as though Moses was taking credit for delivering the wateror perhaps the strain of leading the people all those years was finally starting to show. He called them rebels, which in way he was right.. But God did not tell him to do this. Nor was there any mention of God at that point. All seemed directed at Moses and Aaron: "Must we bring water out of this rock? The people were happy, but God was no.Moses took God's glory to himself and Aaron.

Frankly, the punishment just doesn't seem to fit the crime,in human standards. In reading the whole story, Moses was an exemplary leader, the ideal mediator between the people and God, and always faithful to the covenant. One little mistake and he's punished forever! It hardly seems just. 

The GREATEST LESSON: God will not allow anyone to take his glory- He is a jealous God. Exodus 34:14....."Do not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God."

He says....  I am the LORD, that is My name; And My glory I will not give to another, Nor My praise to carved images....Isaiah 42:8 and......." For My own sake, for My own sake, I will do it; For how should My name be profaned? And I will not give My glory to another"..Isaiah 48:11

DO NOT DARE TAKE HIS GLORY, ALWAYS WORSHIP AND PRAISE HIM FOR WHAT HE HAS DONE- DO NOT TAKE THE GLORY-REMEMBER YOU ARE JUST MORTAL!!!!!

I Know Who I am

I am God's child (John 1:12)
I am Christ's friend (John 15:15 )
I am united with the Lord (1 Cor. 6:17)
I am bought with a price (1 Cor 6:19-20)
I am a saint (set apart for God). (Eph. 1:1)
I am a personal witness of Christ. (Acts 1: 8)
I am the salt & light of the earth (Matt 5:13-14)
I am a member of the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:27)
I am free forever from condemnation ( Rom. 8: 1-2)
I am a citizen of Heaven. I am significant (Phil 3:20)
I am free from any charge against me (Rom. 8:31 -34)
I am a minister of reconciliation for God (2 Cor 5:17-21)
I have access to God through the Holy Spirit (Eph. 2:18)
I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realms (Eph. 2:6)
I cannot be separated from the love of God (Rom 8:35-39)
I am established, anointed, sealed by God (2 Cor 1:21-22 )
I am assured all things work together for good (Rom. 8:28 )
I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit (John 15:16 )
I may approach God with freedom and confidence (Eph. 3: 12 )
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13)
I am the branch of the true vine, a channel of His life (John 15: 1-5)
I am God's temple (1 Cor. 3: 16). I am complete in Christ (Col. 2: 10)
I am hidden with Christ in God (Col. 3:3).. I have been justified (Romans 5:1)
I am God's co-worker (1 Cor. 3:9; 2 Cor 6:1). I am God's workmanship (Eph. 2:10)
I am confident that the good works God has begun in me will be perfected. (Phil. 1: 5)
I have been redeemed and forgiven ( Col 1:14). I have been adopted as God's child (Eph 1:5)

Do you know who you are?............................