WAITING...
whether it is a flight, a husband, a contract, admission or children you're waiting for, IT IS NEVER AN EASY THING.
It is much easier when you're certain of the time the wait would finally be over. You can fill in the time with time-consuming activities, take a nap, read or surf the web while waiting. But when you don't know for how long you have to wait for...and to imagine that disappointment is a possibility.
I recalled the day I was to fly from Ibadan to Abuja for a visa interview the following day. My wife dropped me at 11am for a 12pm flight. By 12pm, we were told there was a 2hr delay. I left d airport for the NCCF family house which was near the airport. I called an airline official after 2 hrs only to be told, "Wait for another hour, and then another hour..." By 7pm we were told the flight was cancelled. And my appointment was 8am the next morning. I had to go to Abuja by a night bus.
So, in waiting, there is this fear of possible disappointment after the many years of waiting. You keep asking yourself, "Will it ever happen?" "When will it be my turn?"
That is why God gave us the force of hope, to undergird our hearts as does an anchor to a ship (Heb. 6:17-19) Hope does not disappoint (Rom. 5:5). This hope keeps us going until we see our expectation (Rom. 8:24,25). It is to this hope that faith becomes the substance, which means you have no assurance for it ever happening except that you trust the God that promised you.
And you know what? God has documented the testimonies of those who have gone through what you're going through right now and came out triumphantly, so that you can have hope (Rom. 15:4). They waited for Him and their expectation was not cut off. They looked to Him and were lightened. Their faces were not ashamed (Psa. 34:5)
My prayer for you is that "Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (Rom. 15:13)
"And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us. This is the Lord; we have waited for Him, we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation" (Isa.25:9)
"Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord." (Psa. 27:14)
Friday, 17 November 2017
Tuesday, 14 November 2017
TITHING IN THE NEW TESTAMENT By Daniel Yohanna
TITHING IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
There was tithe before the Law of Moses. Abraham gave tithes to Melchizedek (Gen.14:18f) in response the bread and wine and the blessing from Melchizedek.
Jacob vowed to tithe as the Lord blessed him (Gen. 28:20-22)
How did they know about tithing?
Let's see the first case of offering to God in Gen 4:3-5 where both Cain and Abel brought their offering to God. Who taught them? Heb.11:4 says by faith, Abel offered a more excellent sacrifice...and we know that faith comes by hearing (Rom.10:17). So Abel heard, that was why he offered.
Under the Law, there were 3 kinds of tithing.
The first was to be given to the Levites for their upkeep (Num.18:26). The Levites were God's representative, and so giving tithe to them, was giving tithe to God (Lev.27:30)
The second was to be used to feast with your household (Deut.14:22-25; 26:11)
The third kind, which was done every three years, was for charity (Deut.14:28-29; 26:12)
When Malachi taught, he emphasized giving to God from the standpoint of HONOUR (Mal.1:6-8,12-14)
The tithe was not to be a mere financial transaction, it was an art of worship (Deut 26:10)
Closely related to the tithe is the firstfruit, and are often used together or interchangeably.
The firstfruit is the first harvest or first income, which is given to God as a whole. The tithe was 10% of the subsequent harvest.
These are principles we see operating throughout scripture, like God telling Adam to eat every tree except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Gen. 2:16-17).
Israel was told not to take the devoted things in their first city of conquest - Jericho (Josh. 6:17-19)
Israel was told not to take the devoted things in their first city of conquest - Jericho (Josh. 6:17-19)
What you hold in your hand (as a substance) never gets to heaven, but your heart (of worship) ascends to God.
Prov 3:9 instructs us to HONOUR the Lord with our substance and with the first fruits of all our increase.
What about the New Testament?
There is only one reference to tithing in the NT. Though Jesus endorsed tithing in Matt.23:23, that practice was still in the OT.
In Heb.7, mention was made of Abraham giving tithes to Melchizedek. So crucial is this issue of tithing that it is recorded that Abraham's great grandchild (who had not been born) also gave when Abraham gave (or paid) tithes. Wow. The effect of your giving transcends your life and impacts your generation (yet unborn).
Heb.7:8 - Here (on earth) men that die (the Levites) received tithes but there (where is there?) he receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives (who is he who is witnessed that he lives?). The reference here is to Melchizedek (and by extension to Jesus) receiving tithes, and scripture said, Jesus was made a High Priest, after the order of Melchizedek, and not after the order of Aaron or the Levites.
Abraham gave tithes to Melchizedek willingly. And so must we offer to our High Priest - willingly.
Why was there no mention of tithes in the book of Acts?
In Acts 4:32-37, there was such great grace in manifestation that they were not giving 10% but 100%. Nobody was compelled to give. It was an elective giving like Abraham did.
The Old Testament tithe was the avenue through which the Levites were taken care of.
Paul says those who preach the Gospel should live on the Gospel. How then would they be taken care of?
Gal 6:6 says the taught should share with his teacher in all good things. He calls this "sowing to the Spirit," whereby you partake of life.
1Tim.5:17,18 says to consider the elders who rule well in word and doctrine to be worthy of double honour. Remember, giving is a matter of honour (Mal.1:6-8; Prov.3:9).
Just like Abraham gave in response to the bread and wine he received from Melchizedek, so when spiritual things are sown your way, your response ought to be with your material things (1Cor.9:11-15). Remember when you give to God’s servant, you are giving to God.
What percentage of your income should be given to God? Should it be the tithe (a tenth) as in 10%?
Paul answers in 2Cor.9:6 that you are going to receive in the proportion that you give. But you must give it willingly, cheerfully and purposefully.
Today, we don't tithe as people under the Law. We give because we love the Lord. We give because we honour God as our Source and Provider. We don't give because we're afraid of a devourer. We don't give because we're afraid of the curse, no, we're not under the Law and so have been redeemed from the curse of the Law. We don't even give to be blessed, no, we give because we are blessed (Deut. 16:17; 1Cor. 16:1-2).
It's a question of honour. How do you desire to honour God? Malachi even compares your giving to God with your giving to your Governor. If your Governor visited you, how would you entertain him? Lavishly? Outlandishly? Generously? How then do you entertain God when you give to Him?
The tithe then, is a principle of getting God involved with your finances. The Govt takes a percentage of your income as income tax, by which they get involved with the economy of the citizens through the provision of services to the populace. Your tithe (giving) brings God in partnership with you.
There have been people who are known to have given up to 90% of their income to God as "tithe" and have been so tremendously blessed.
People like Peter J. Daniels, William Colgate, John Henry Heinz, John D. Rockefeller, Oral Roberts, have been people who gave more than 10% of their income to God.
"The tithe is not a ceiling for giving, but a starting point for gratitude." - Jim Elliot (Missionary Martyr)
I never would have been able to tithe on my first million dollars if I had not learned to tithe on my first paycheck, which was a $1.50 for the week." - John D. Rockefeller
Did you know that many are or have been almost 100% tithers? Among the many famous ones are William Colgate, (Colgate-Palmolive), James L. Kraft (Kraft foods), and Henry John Heinz (Ketchup). All three of these men started out tithing 10%, and so blessed were they by the practice, that at the time of their death, they were giving away almost 100% of their income!
Thursday, 2 March 2017
SHOW ME YOUR FRIEND By Daniel Yohanna
SHOW ME YOUR FRIEND By Daniel Yohanna
It was Dr. Mike Murdock that said you will be at the same spot you are 5yrs from now save for the people you meet and the books you read. I believe that, because I know that when God wants to change your position, He introduces you to a person. Your location determines your allocation. Where you are determines who sees you. Who sees you determines the level of favour that comes to you. Your company determines what accompanies you. You can't flock with chickens and soar like an eagle.
Corrie Ten Boom said every person God brings into your life is in preparation for the future only known to Him. Remember Joseph in jail and Pharaoh’s butler. That’s why if you have to walk out of a relationship, close the door gently in case you have a cause to open it again someday. Some only use people to get to where they are going and dump them, because they don’t realize they may meet those same people on their way back. Usually they think they may never pass through that way again. FOOD FOR THOUGHT.
So, who do you relate with? Show me your friend and I will tell you who you are. When people send me an IV to be in their group, I like to check their other friends. Who is your friend? Birds of a feather flock together. Iron sharpens iron (iron never sharpens wood).
That's why you can't be the world's friend and be God's friend at the same time.
"You are like an unfaithful wife who loves her husband’s enemies. Don’t you realize that making friends with God’s enemies—the evil pleasures of this world—makes you an enemy of God? I say it again, that if your aim is to enjoy the evil pleasure of the unsaved world, you cannot also be a friend of God." (James 4:4, TLB).
God told me once that in any direction you set out for, there are enough people to help you get there. If you want to fall, Samson, there are enough Delilahs to help you down. But if desire to go up, God has positioned enough people to help you up. Even if you are handicapped, there are friends to carry you up – Mk. 2:1-12. So before you think you are alone, there are at least 4 faithful men that will always stand by you. You will not be stranded in your course in Jesus name.
A good friend
A good friend is one that will seek ways of taking you up and rejoice with your elevation – Mk. 2:1-12
A good friend will tell you the truth even if it hurts – Prov. 27:6. They will not flatter you or tell you only what you love to hear (Job 32:21,22).
A good friend is consistent (Prov. 17:17) and loyal (2Sam. 15:37; 16:17) always standing by you even when others forsake you (Prov. 18:24) and also gives you hearty counsel (Prov. 27:9). Don't forsake your friends because your level has changed (Prov. 27:10).
A good friend is a friend in need (Luke 13:5-8).
A bad friend
Anyone that draws you away from God is not a friend - Deut.13:1-11.
A bad friend is one that is there for only what he can get. He is a parasite, whose mission is to suck you dry. It doesn’t matter if you have more money than him. He may not give you money, but he still adds value to your life, one way or another. Everybody has something to offer.
A bad friend will give you an ungodly counsel, like Amnon’s friend, who advised him to rape Tamar (2Sam. 13:1-20).
They influence you negatively (1Cor.15:33, NIV; Gal. 4:16-18; Prov. 22:24,25)
Job’s wife advised him to curse God and die (Job 2:9,10).
Job’s 3 friends condemned him in his trouble (Job 32:3)
I remember a girl I once confronted because she wasn't married but was advicing her married friend to deal with her husband. She felt the man wasn’t treating her friend well. The friend too started ‘showing’ the man. The man kicked his wife out of his house. Ironically, the girl later got married, while the friend, (with her child), was thrown out of her matrimonial home.
Be careful who you take counsel from. When people give you wrong counsel and it backfires, they never take responsibility for your woes.
How do you choose a friend?
Be friendly to have friends - Prov. 18:24
Two cannot walk together unless they agree - Amos 3:3
What agreement has the temple of God with idols? (2Cor. 6:14-17)
Prov. 27:9 says a friend gives hearty counsel. Contrast with Psa.1:1
Prov.27:17 says iron sharpens iron. Choose a friend that adds value to your life, not one that constantly drains you.
Prov. 13:20 says he that walks with wise men will be wise. How do you know a wise man? By the exploits in his life. Mk. 6:2 says, “What wisdom is this, that such mighty works are wrought by His hands?”
Let’s Pray:
1. Deliver me Lord from strange and deceptive pple – Psa. 144:11
2. Bring me in contact wt pple that will facilitate my destiny – Isa. 46:11 - destiny helpers, Lord! Also 1Chron. 12:1-2,21-22.
3. Anyone that would draw me away from the path of life, Lord, cut them off today (Gal. 5:12).
It was Dr. Mike Murdock that said you will be at the same spot you are 5yrs from now save for the people you meet and the books you read. I believe that, because I know that when God wants to change your position, He introduces you to a person. Your location determines your allocation. Where you are determines who sees you. Who sees you determines the level of favour that comes to you. Your company determines what accompanies you. You can't flock with chickens and soar like an eagle.
Corrie Ten Boom said every person God brings into your life is in preparation for the future only known to Him. Remember Joseph in jail and Pharaoh’s butler. That’s why if you have to walk out of a relationship, close the door gently in case you have a cause to open it again someday. Some only use people to get to where they are going and dump them, because they don’t realize they may meet those same people on their way back. Usually they think they may never pass through that way again. FOOD FOR THOUGHT.
So, who do you relate with? Show me your friend and I will tell you who you are. When people send me an IV to be in their group, I like to check their other friends. Who is your friend? Birds of a feather flock together. Iron sharpens iron (iron never sharpens wood).
That's why you can't be the world's friend and be God's friend at the same time.
"You are like an unfaithful wife who loves her husband’s enemies. Don’t you realize that making friends with God’s enemies—the evil pleasures of this world—makes you an enemy of God? I say it again, that if your aim is to enjoy the evil pleasure of the unsaved world, you cannot also be a friend of God." (James 4:4, TLB).
God told me once that in any direction you set out for, there are enough people to help you get there. If you want to fall, Samson, there are enough Delilahs to help you down. But if desire to go up, God has positioned enough people to help you up. Even if you are handicapped, there are friends to carry you up – Mk. 2:1-12. So before you think you are alone, there are at least 4 faithful men that will always stand by you. You will not be stranded in your course in Jesus name.
A good friend
A good friend is one that will seek ways of taking you up and rejoice with your elevation – Mk. 2:1-12
A good friend will tell you the truth even if it hurts – Prov. 27:6. They will not flatter you or tell you only what you love to hear (Job 32:21,22).
A good friend is consistent (Prov. 17:17) and loyal (2Sam. 15:37; 16:17) always standing by you even when others forsake you (Prov. 18:24) and also gives you hearty counsel (Prov. 27:9). Don't forsake your friends because your level has changed (Prov. 27:10).
A good friend is a friend in need (Luke 13:5-8).
A bad friend
Anyone that draws you away from God is not a friend - Deut.13:1-11.
A bad friend is one that is there for only what he can get. He is a parasite, whose mission is to suck you dry. It doesn’t matter if you have more money than him. He may not give you money, but he still adds value to your life, one way or another. Everybody has something to offer.
A bad friend will give you an ungodly counsel, like Amnon’s friend, who advised him to rape Tamar (2Sam. 13:1-20).
They influence you negatively (1Cor.15:33, NIV; Gal. 4:16-18; Prov. 22:24,25)
Job’s wife advised him to curse God and die (Job 2:9,10).
Job’s 3 friends condemned him in his trouble (Job 32:3)
I remember a girl I once confronted because she wasn't married but was advicing her married friend to deal with her husband. She felt the man wasn’t treating her friend well. The friend too started ‘showing’ the man. The man kicked his wife out of his house. Ironically, the girl later got married, while the friend, (with her child), was thrown out of her matrimonial home.
Be careful who you take counsel from. When people give you wrong counsel and it backfires, they never take responsibility for your woes.
How do you choose a friend?
Be friendly to have friends - Prov. 18:24
Two cannot walk together unless they agree - Amos 3:3
What agreement has the temple of God with idols? (2Cor. 6:14-17)
Prov. 27:9 says a friend gives hearty counsel. Contrast with Psa.1:1
Prov.27:17 says iron sharpens iron. Choose a friend that adds value to your life, not one that constantly drains you.
Prov. 13:20 says he that walks with wise men will be wise. How do you know a wise man? By the exploits in his life. Mk. 6:2 says, “What wisdom is this, that such mighty works are wrought by His hands?”
Let’s Pray:
1. Deliver me Lord from strange and deceptive pple – Psa. 144:11
2. Bring me in contact wt pple that will facilitate my destiny – Isa. 46:11 - destiny helpers, Lord! Also 1Chron. 12:1-2,21-22.
3. Anyone that would draw me away from the path of life, Lord, cut them off today (Gal. 5:12).
Friday, 6 January 2017
THE BENEFITS OF FASTING by Daniel Yohanna
BENEFITS OF FASTING
We are not fasting to get God's attention. Not like they did in the Old Testament, wearing sackcloth and ashes. Jesus said we should wear a "normal" look while fasting (Matt.6:16-18).
Fasting doesn't change God but changes us. Neither does it make God answer u faster. He's d same before, during and after your fast.
Fasting enables the flesh to be weak so that your spirit may be strengthened (which is why Jesus said a particular demon - then, before His death & resurrection - could only be dealt wt by prayer & fasting, as fasting makes your spirit strong). You don't need fasting to have authority over devils. "In my name," Jesus said, "you will cast out devils." (Mark 16:17). The devil is already defeated.
Your spirit becomes more sensitive and more responsive to God during a fast.
Jesus said there's a reward (an open reward) for prayer & for fasting (Matt. 6:6,16-18).
Fasting enables u to place ur attention on the Lord, as inferred in Matt.9:15 and Isa.58:3-7.
For fasting to be effective, it must be accompanied by prayer (or else, it is just a hunger-strike). The essence of our abstinence is to be more effective in prayer and communion with the Lord. (See Dan.9:3; Acts 10:30; 14:23; 1Cor.7:5)
You'll receive direction from the Lord as u wait upon Him in prayer & fasting (Acts 13:1-4; Isa.58:8-11)
You'll receive strength to mount up like an eagle to new levels (Isa.40:28-31; 58:14).
Depending on what ur aim is will determine how long ur fast goes for and how much u abstain.
I believe it is ok to drink water during a fast (for effective metabolism in your body) as water has no nutritional value.
If you're going for days, you could break in the evening with light or normal food (depending on you. I know of some that'll do 24hr fast, breaking in the morning only, instead of our regular evening break).
I've done different fasts at different times (over 4 months one time, breaking in d evenings. Now, I didn't set out for a 4-month fast. I just started and got used to it and so continued as I was enjoying my time with God) and 20days marathon one time (breaking every 4th day in the evening).
Pls don't fast by some formula: 21-day fast (Daniel didn't set out to do a 21-day fast. He just held on till his breakthrough manifested on d 21st day. And not eating pleasant bread is unclear - whether he didn't eat at all or else ate but unpleasant bread. Kenneth E. Hagin talked about living a fasted-life: never eating to full capacity. He said he never did more than 3-day marathon b/c he always got d direction he was seeking by then).
Moses didn't set out to do a 40-day fast either. He wasn't fasting. He was caught up in God's presence on the Mount.
Jesus was led of the Spirit into the wilderness for His 40-day fast. Be led pls if u have to go on a prolonged fast.
Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit (Luke 4:14). There is a link between fasting and the release of the anointing. Prayer/fasting releases the power of God.
Now, I do not see any biblical basis for d kind of "fast" where one eats food without some ingredients like oil or salt. That's affliction in O.T. fashion.
The Lord bless u as u wait upon the Lord.
I still wait upon the Lord the 1st 3 days of every month. We can do this together this year.
God bless u.
We are not fasting to get God's attention. Not like they did in the Old Testament, wearing sackcloth and ashes. Jesus said we should wear a "normal" look while fasting (Matt.6:16-18).
Fasting doesn't change God but changes us. Neither does it make God answer u faster. He's d same before, during and after your fast.
Fasting enables the flesh to be weak so that your spirit may be strengthened (which is why Jesus said a particular demon - then, before His death & resurrection - could only be dealt wt by prayer & fasting, as fasting makes your spirit strong). You don't need fasting to have authority over devils. "In my name," Jesus said, "you will cast out devils." (Mark 16:17). The devil is already defeated.
Your spirit becomes more sensitive and more responsive to God during a fast.
Jesus said there's a reward (an open reward) for prayer & for fasting (Matt. 6:6,16-18).
Fasting enables u to place ur attention on the Lord, as inferred in Matt.9:15 and Isa.58:3-7.
For fasting to be effective, it must be accompanied by prayer (or else, it is just a hunger-strike). The essence of our abstinence is to be more effective in prayer and communion with the Lord. (See Dan.9:3; Acts 10:30; 14:23; 1Cor.7:5)
You'll receive direction from the Lord as u wait upon Him in prayer & fasting (Acts 13:1-4; Isa.58:8-11)
You'll receive strength to mount up like an eagle to new levels (Isa.40:28-31; 58:14).
Depending on what ur aim is will determine how long ur fast goes for and how much u abstain.
I believe it is ok to drink water during a fast (for effective metabolism in your body) as water has no nutritional value.
If you're going for days, you could break in the evening with light or normal food (depending on you. I know of some that'll do 24hr fast, breaking in the morning only, instead of our regular evening break).
I've done different fasts at different times (over 4 months one time, breaking in d evenings. Now, I didn't set out for a 4-month fast. I just started and got used to it and so continued as I was enjoying my time with God) and 20days marathon one time (breaking every 4th day in the evening).
Pls don't fast by some formula: 21-day fast (Daniel didn't set out to do a 21-day fast. He just held on till his breakthrough manifested on d 21st day. And not eating pleasant bread is unclear - whether he didn't eat at all or else ate but unpleasant bread. Kenneth E. Hagin talked about living a fasted-life: never eating to full capacity. He said he never did more than 3-day marathon b/c he always got d direction he was seeking by then).
Moses didn't set out to do a 40-day fast either. He wasn't fasting. He was caught up in God's presence on the Mount.
Jesus was led of the Spirit into the wilderness for His 40-day fast. Be led pls if u have to go on a prolonged fast.
Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit (Luke 4:14). There is a link between fasting and the release of the anointing. Prayer/fasting releases the power of God.
Now, I do not see any biblical basis for d kind of "fast" where one eats food without some ingredients like oil or salt. That's affliction in O.T. fashion.
The Lord bless u as u wait upon the Lord.
I still wait upon the Lord the 1st 3 days of every month. We can do this together this year.
God bless u.
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