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May 2015 MessagesSunday May 3, 2015 The Miracles of Jesus - 6 (Destroy Doubt) Text: Matthew 8:1-4
When do you stop praying? • When your joy is full.
When do you stop praying? • When you get to heaven. • Before then do not entertain doubt (James 1: 6-8; Mark 11:22-24) because it will derail your salvation train from reaching its God ordained glorious destination. • Don’t play into the hands and trap of your archenemy – the devil – by giving in to doubt that God cannot or will not do it.
Remember that: • For with God nothing shall be impossible (Luke 1:37). • God can do all things (Job 42:2; Isaiah 45:7). • God can enable you to do all things necessary for you to stay in God, stay with God and obtain your desired blessing (Philippians 4:13). • Jesus said if you ask anything in my name, I will do it (John 14:13-14). • Why will God do it? Because He loves you.
• In this grace given to us, don’t pray and give up; just as you don’t breathe and stop breathing; or eat a little and stop eating.
• Someone once asked a missionary why he prays everyday without fail by the river in a village, the missionary grabbed the inquirer by the head and immersed the whole head into the river until the fellow was gasping for breath and did it again and again and said to the inquirer: prayer is required, similar to how breath is required for man to live.
• Faith and prayer is a sine qua non to a healthy and victorious Christian life.
• Faith is complete unwavering trust in God. The two go together, you cannot pray effectively without faith and you cannot build your faith without effective prayer (Jude 20).
• Abraham did not waiver in his faith like leaves blown in the wind; he did not stagger in his faith (Romans 4:18-21) but was firm as a rock standing on the Rock that never fails – Jesus – looking at Jesus the author and finisher of our faith (John 8:56-58; Hebrews 12:2).
• Like the palm tree that is not uprooted despite fierce hurricane and stormy winds; the pressures of life may blow against your life, but come what may as you remain rooted in Jesus Christ, you will remain planted in Him. In fact, the storms and winds will make your roots firmer and stronger in God as you remain in God.
• Destroy doubt through unwavering faith and trust in the Lord Jesus To be continued on May 17 after Mother's Day
Sunday May 10, 2015 The Miracles of Jesus - 7 (Behold Your Mother) Happy Mother's Day! Text: John 19: 25-29 • Mary stood in her place to watch what will become of her son – The place of truth – She was there from the beginning, was faithful – Stood in the place of prayer and intercessions like Hannah and Jochebed
• The mother of Jesus had support from relatives and friends – May you have the support you need in Jesus name • Jesus saw his mother and attended to her unspoken need – May your unspoken needs be met as you stay faithful in Jesus name • God sees faithful and committed mothers and rewards them (v26)
• We need to quickly touch on the touchy but difficult subject of women who do not have children of their own due to a variety of reasons
Role of Mothers • Stay in tune with God – Before birth and accept the plan of God for your chid (Luke 1:26-38) – Dedicate your child to God after birth (Luke 2:21-39) • some dedicate their children to marine gods like queen of the coast, queen of heaven etc. • Some do not dedicate their children to God at all – This gives the kingdom of darkness free access to the child – It is never too late to cancel evil dedication and establish God’s ownership on the life of the child – This easily explains why some children perform heinous acts that is mind boggling after the nature of the god to whom they belong • Don’t dissuade your children from the presence of God (Luke 2:41-52); encourage them • How did Mary the mother of Jesus feel when her son was arrested for a criminal offence punishable by death? • What could she do? Mothers often ponder on this – You can always pray for your child – This is the most important role of a mother – Whether the child is far or near, you see them or you don’t see them, they are away as soldiers, police or paramedics, pilots, teachers or students; pray for them • What could she do when her son was sentenced to death on the cross – Similar to having a beloved child sentenced to death by hanging, on the death chair by electrocution, beheading or the firing squad – No mother wants consider or think about it or go there – Mary the mother of Jesus had to go through it – Jesus saw her at the cross – She followed through: I believe not just in prayers but physically similar to the hugs and kisses we give our children daily – Be there for them when you are still there: when you are still alive, let your presence matter. Not being physically present but absent in attention, care and prayers • The child may not thank you for it or may even despise you (Mark 3:31-34) – notwithstanding, fulfill your godly God-ordained role – God will take care of you and honor you • This is my appeal today: – your selflessness and sacrifice will not go unrewarded – God will reward you – God sees your labour, your worry, your tears and sacrifice which the children and even your husband may not know about and He will settle you (Hebrews 6:10)
According to Proverbs 31:28-31, may your children arise and call you blessed, may your husband arise and praise you saying: “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” May people praise you as you fear God; may you be honoured for all that your hands have done and may your works bring you honour where it matters - at the city gates in Jesus name Prayer • Give thanks • Are you Saved? – if not, pray the prayers on the Life page. • Lord, help mothers and women in Jesus name • Lord, help them to be fervent in the place of prayer and to pray without ceasing • Father, destroy every opposition against their godly roles in their family in Jesus name • Father, cancel evil dedication in Jesus name • Lord, strengthen the mothers in Jesus name • Personal prayer points
Sunday May 17, 2015 The Miracles of Jesus (Destroy Doubt - Part 2) Text: Matthew 8:1-4
• Destroy doubt through unwavering faith and trust in the Lord Jesus. • Faith also refers to the actions you continue to take as required by God notwithstanding the negative or difficult situations you are facing. • Just like salvation, trusting and not doubting must be progressive. There is the: • Instant salvation when you ask God to forgive your sins, invite Jesus to be the Lord and saviour of your life (Romans 10:9-10); • Progressive salvation as you abide in Jesus while here on earth working out your salvation with fear and trembling; growing in your faith, in holiness, righteousness and good works (Philippians 2:12, Jude 20); and • Eternal salvation; when you enter into eternity with Jesus; abiding with Him forever, reaping the rewards of the eternity that was sown in your heart and soul when you accepted Jesus as Lord and saviour at your initial/instant salvation (James 1:12, 1 Peter 1:2-4; Revelation 19:7-9). • In the same way, we must continue to reject doubt in both the instant and progressive stages of our walk with God, to enable us become overcomers in the end (1 Cor. 9:27, 10:12-14, Heb, 6:4-9, 10:26-39, 2 Pet 2:20-22).
The Bible states in Hebrews 10: • 38Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. • 39But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
• We are to keep on believing. • Pray and not faint (Luke 18:1) • David prayed in the morning, afternoon and evening. • Why? Wasn’t the prayer in the morning enough? • Why was he praying again the afternoon? • Why pray in the evening? • Was he saying and repeating the same prayer points? Or saying new prayer points? In Psalm 55, the Bible states: 16As for me, I will call on God; and the LORD shall save me. 17Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice. 18He has delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me.
• In Mark 1:35, the Bible states that Jesus rose up a great while before day break and was praying, several times He prayed through the night. • What was Jesus praying about all night? Why wasn’t 5 minutes enough? Or 5 hours? • Apostle Paul was in several night vigils. Several others had their fair share of prayers through the night. • When should I stop praying? (Romans 8:26-28) • Realizing that when you stop praying, you stop receiving, you stop the flow of blessings your way; you allow the enemy full access into your life and situation.
There is the story of an atheist and a Christian sitting next to one another in an airplane. The atheist did not believe that prayers are answered, that the ‘answers’ are only coincidences. The Christian replied that he does not know whether or not they are coincidences but he realizes that the more he prays the more coincidences he has and the less he prays the less coincidences
Prayer • Give thanks. • Are you sure your name is written in the Book of Life? If not, take the prayers on the New Life page. • Lord, help me to keep on trusting you. • Lord, help me to be fervent in the place of prayer and to pray without ceasing. • Father, destroy doubt in my life, family and destiny in Jesus name. • Lord, keep me in you till the end. • Father, do not let me miss heaven. • Lord, in this year of greatness, make me great. • Personal prayer points.
Sunday May 24, 2015 The Miracles of Jesus -8 (Fever and Prophecy) Text: Matthew 8:14-17
• 14And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother laid, and sick of a fever. • 15And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered to them. 16When the even was come, they brought to him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick: • 17That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bore our sicknesses. • What has been prophesied concerning you propels you – Jesus said to Judas: What you are about to do, do quickly (John 13:27)
• There are good and bad prophecies – One of you will betray me (good for Jesus, bad for Judas) – One will be taken and the other left (good for the one taken in the rapture, bad for the one left as that one will go through the tribulation and be confronting the anti-Christ)
• Jesus came into a place where what had been spoken and written about Him can be fulfilled – Some people never get to the place where their God appointed vision and destiny is to be fulfilled – May you get there and be rightly positioned in Jesus name
• God ordered His steps (Psalm 37:23) – Some are diametrically opposed to where God is leading them to go – May God lead you as you allow Him to direct you – May God grant you grace to follow obediently in Jesus name
• He not only came there He saw the situation He was supposed to see (Albert Einstein, Alex G. Bell, Martin Luther King Jnr.) – Some never see what is important for their lives and destiny – Others get to the same place quickly see the important and take advantage of it – Many have lost divinely arranged opportunities this way – Worse still, some get distracted from what they should be focused on and lose their God granted birthright which was supposed to propel them into greatness. Ask Reuben – May God open your eyes to see what you should see – May you avoid distractions on the way to your promised land
• The link between fever and prophecy – Fever has killed many and prevented people from being in a state to function properly or fulfill their calling. Fever is an agent of the devil to kill, steal and destroy – Prophecy divinely enables you to destroy the works of the devil (fever) – Like Jesus, may you fulfill your God spoken and written prophecies in Jesus name.
• Jesus did what He was supposed to do to fulfill his purpose and destiny – May you fulfill your purpose and destiny – May you be an instrument in God’s hands
Prayer • Give thanks. • Saved? • Lord, help me to be in the right place at the right time • Father, help me to fulfill my calling and destiny • Lord, destroy every opposition against my purpose and destiny • Father, let all my unrepentant, sworn, determined enemies be put to an open shame • Lord, destroy every counsel of evil against my life, family, ministry and destiny in Jesus name • Lord, let all my adversaries fall into the pit they have dug • Turn the counsel of my enemies to foolishness like the counsel of Ahitophel • Lord, in this year of greatness, make me great. • Personal prayer points.
Sunday May 31, 2015 The Miracles of Jesus - 9 (A Great Calm) Text: Matthew 8:23-27
Sometimes we go through stormy situations, how can you move from a storm to having a great calm in your life, family, career and destiny? Let us see the implications of what the disciples went through:
23And when he was entered into a ship o You need to answer the question of: Is Jesus in your ship? o And :Are you in the ship Jesus is in? o In Luke 5: 1-11 when Jesus entered the ship of Peter: failure was turned to success, poverty and lack to abundance and weeping to joy o Jesus shall step into your ship (home, business career and ministry) in Jesus name
his disciples followed him. o Are you following Jesus? o If you follow Jesus you have nothing to fear because He will take care of you. (Psalm 23, John 10:4; John 17:11)
24And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, o In the sea of life, there will be problems o Even though a great tempest may arise against you, you will not die in that trouble o The tempest will not swallow you in Jesus name, that sea of trouble, affliction and pain will not sweep you away from the paths of life, progress and sustenance in Jesus mighty name!
insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: o It may appear as if you have been overwhelmed by problems o This problem will not cover you (Isaiah 43:2) o You will not die in that ugly situation o Your glory and destiny will not be swallowed by your affliction o The present troubles shall not last in Jesus name (2 Corinthians 4:17-18)
A pastor sometime ago shared about a response he received while trying to preach Jesus to a lady, that she said as long as she has the Canadian government and credit cards she does not need Jesus that the Canadian government provides for her needs
Note that: o Only Jesus can calm the storms in your life
o Men, government and situations can give you relief. Only God calms storms
President Ronald Reagan opined that: Government does not solve problems; it subsidizes them.
but he was asleep o It may appear as if God is asleep concerning your situation - It may seem as if God is not responsive to you - your prayers seem to be falling on deaf ears - God appears not to be answering - God seems far away or it seems as if God is asleep o Be rest assured, God does not doze or sleep (Psalm 121:3-4)
25And his disciples came to him, and awoke him o When it appears God is sleeping concerning your case, you can wake Him by calling on him Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. (Isaiah 58:9a). o He will hearken at the voice of your cry o As you pray, God will arise for you
saying, Lord, save us: we perish o And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved (Acts 2:21). Call on the Lord and you will be saved
26And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? o Do Not fear in line with Isaiah 41:10, 1 John 4:1 and Ecclesiastes 12:13
he arose, o God arose for those who followed Him, o May God arise for you and rebuke every stormy wind troubling your life and destiny o An example is the November 2013 Typhoon Yolanda stormy wind effect in the Philippines; which resulted in wind speeds of up to 315 km/h (195 mph and over 6,000 dead; such winds can even crash planes o May the stormy winds of life not crash the plane of your life and destiny in Jesus name o May you fly and soar in Jesus name!
and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. o As Jesus rebuked the winds and the sea, there was a great calm. o Every stormy sea hear the word of God: Be calm in Jesus name! o May there be a great calm in every aspect of your life in Jesus name. o That stormy wind working against you; be calm in Jesus name! o That stormy sea raging against your life; be calm in Jesus name!
27But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him! o As your stormy wind and sea become calm may men hear your story and marvel o May people wonder at the awesome power of God working in your life o May the grace and love of God be demonstrated in your life, family, career and destiny in Jesus mighty name! Amen! Amen!! and Amen!!! in Jesus mighty name!
Prayer • Give thanks. • Are you saved? If not, take the prayers on the new Life page before continuing • Lord Jesus, calm every storm raging against my life, family, career and destiny in Jesus name! • Lord, silence every antagonist in Jesus name! • Every plan of evil to disgrace me, fail in Jesus name • Every plan of covens and wicked altars to stall my progress, die in Jesus name • Lord, in this year of greatness, make me great • Take your personal prayer points
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