As I write today, many events happening in Africa have overtaken what I wanted to write.
Today, August 22, 2011, rebels in Libya have almost taken over Tripoli, the last stronghold of Gadhafi and three of his sons have been captured, while a fourth is alleged to have been killed according to CNN.
What I don't understand is why any many, any man would die rather than relinquish their power over a country, ruling with an iron fist, including murder in order to stay in power. Can't Gadhafi see the proverbial writing on the wall? Does he want to lose all his sons, eight in number like Saddam Hussein did before he gives up his control over Libya?
No matter his bravado, he must be terribly afraid of perhaps what happened to Mubarak. Yes, Mubarak was seen in a cage when he was brought before an Egyptian court for trial against corruption and many things. So why didn't Gadhafi flee Libya when he had the opportunity? He thinks dying a martyr will enhance his status in death, should he fall when the rebels take over.
This is the tragedy of many African leaders and the dilemma of the African people. May God help us.
Now back to Zimbabwe:
Currently in Zimbabwe,(that is in 2009) the rate of inflation stood at 76,000,000,000% per month making it only the second country in the world to have had this kind of galloping rate. The first had been Hungary during World War II between 1945-1946 reports Alex Tabarrok in October 2009.
What will the rate be in a year’s time? Only God knows.
Mugabe has refused to go! Period! He has refused to relinquish power because just like many other African leaders, he thinks God gave him the intelligence to be the only one to rule his country! Since 1980 when he assumed power, the country’s economy and everything else has detoriated. The wealth of Zimbabwe has dissipated and their currency is only paper. It has turned to ashes as the report says. And the people of Zimbabwe? Helpless in the face of such monumental abuse of their rights and privileges that the United Nations Charter gives them. They have no right to life; no right to proper education; no right to exercise their authority to elect their own preferred leaders; no right to food as millions are starving in that country and the United Nations is impotent to do anything so has the African Union which has become a toothless bulldog digging its head in the sand while the greatest portion of its body hangs outside like the proverbial ostrich.
You know why, because I believe that no African head of State who does not have the best interests of their peoples at heart wants to expose their own corruption and their constant perpetuation of their reckless, brutal and selfish power. They are just emulating and following the proverbial case of “those who live in glass houses?” Now you get the picture. Many of them are afraid of what has happened to many dictators after they leave office so they decide to 'die' there.
So in 2009. after the government of Zimbabwe hit the historic mark of printing the one hundred trillion dollar bill, it gave up and is currently using the South African Rand and the United States dollar. When will this end?
I rest my case.
Next in line will be Rwanda.
Cheers!
Monday, August 22, 2011
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Will Africa Implode?
Part II
Then we come down to the West of Africa. Ghana was the first black African nation to gain independence from British Colonial rule in March 6, 1957. The country has gone through several coup d’états like her powerful neighbor Nigeria. We have all heard of the civil war in Liberia which led to horrific consequences of genocide. Sierra Leone has also had its share of woes and a beautiful city like Freetown is a shadow of its past glory. How about Cote d’ Ivoire? Under the dictatorship of Boigny, the once Paris of Africa has also been reduced to its former shell.
I am just naming the bigger States and their current conditions. Out of all the countries I have named in West Africa, I can say that only Ghana has succeeded in handing over power peacefully a couple of times and is operating in a peaceful democratic atmosphere.
Togo would have dissolved into chaos had not the Africa Union and the United Nations stepped in to correct the perpetration of the late Eyadema’s dictatorship. At his death, he had the negative honor of being one of the longest dictatorships in Africa. His son was ‘selected’ to rule in his stead but thanks to the powers that be, this was resisted. Yes, Eyadema junior is in power today through a ‘rigged’ election as they say.
As at now in West Africa, Cameroon’s leader is fighting to become one of Africa’s dinosaurs as I call them; rulers who are refusing to allow others probably better than themselves to also use their intellect to help propel their countries out of poverty!
Omar Bongo of Gabon recently died and he had the singular honor of being the longest dictator in Africa if not the world! “Africa’s longest-entrenched autocrat” the CNN labeled him at his death in June 2009, this year. He ruled for 41 long years!
Listen to what it was reported of him and his leadership.
“Mr. Bongo, a disciple of the first generation of African leaders, came to power in 1967, when Lyndon B. Johnson was still president. He presided over an oil boom that fuelled an extravagant lifestyle for him and his family — dozens of luxurious properties in and around Paris, a $500 million presidential palace, fancy cars. But the tide of money did little to lift his country of 1.5 million people out of chronic poverty.” CNN
This my friend is the order of the day for many many African rulers. Sanni Abacha the late vicious dictator of Nigeria under whom thousands were assassinated or imprisoned was crowned “the Dictator of the month in July 2002” People database reported. He stole and amassed a record 3 billion dollars even surpassing the notorious master of the thieving leaders in Africa, Mobutu Sese Seko of Zaire.
Almost all these leaders ruled with the proverbial “iron hand’ crushing any opposition that stood in the way of their bloody rampage! Stealing the hard earned wealth that could have catapulted Africa into a might and great continent.
When we come to the East, Kenya suffered a tainted democratically elected leadership when riots and mayhem broke out after the election into power of Mwai Kibaki, the current leader. Before him had been Arap Moi and Jomo Kenyatta the first president. The latter’s death revealed that he and his family owned almost every good thing in Kenya at the time of his death. What else is new? Kenya had been under one party rule under Kenyatta and Moi until 1992 when riots forced Moi to allow multi-party activities.
Let’s not forget Uganda. Who can forget the likes of Iddi Amin and Milton Obote? In their wake is Yoveri Musevini who took over power in 1986. He is currently ruling with some semblance of democracy termed ‘stolen’ since all his activities have been termed “sly” by others in order to perpetuate his solid hold on the country. The northern part has been brutalized by rebels known as the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) and the Karamajong and sent millions into exile while internally displaced citizens in Uganda number more than any other country in the world.
Now we come to Zimbabwe on the West Southern coast of Africa. We all know it as the former Rhodesia where the late Ian Smith ruled with impunity against the rightful owners of the land. We all supported Mugabe and his freedom fighters to lead the fight against apartheid in Rhodesia. Mugabe even lived in my country Ghana and married a Ghanaian wife Sally, may God rest her gentle soul. I was in primary school during the violence that clouded the skies of Rhodesia and I never ever imagined that that country would come out from under apartheid rule but God is a righteous judge and allowed it to happen. You can imagine the joy and euphoria that spread not only through out the whole of Africa but around the world as well. Little did anyone ever imagine that that joy and hope would turn into dust and ashes in our mouths.
I will end here and continue with the current status of Zimbabwe next time.
Cheers!
Then we come down to the West of Africa. Ghana was the first black African nation to gain independence from British Colonial rule in March 6, 1957. The country has gone through several coup d’états like her powerful neighbor Nigeria. We have all heard of the civil war in Liberia which led to horrific consequences of genocide. Sierra Leone has also had its share of woes and a beautiful city like Freetown is a shadow of its past glory. How about Cote d’ Ivoire? Under the dictatorship of Boigny, the once Paris of Africa has also been reduced to its former shell.
I am just naming the bigger States and their current conditions. Out of all the countries I have named in West Africa, I can say that only Ghana has succeeded in handing over power peacefully a couple of times and is operating in a peaceful democratic atmosphere.
Togo would have dissolved into chaos had not the Africa Union and the United Nations stepped in to correct the perpetration of the late Eyadema’s dictatorship. At his death, he had the negative honor of being one of the longest dictatorships in Africa. His son was ‘selected’ to rule in his stead but thanks to the powers that be, this was resisted. Yes, Eyadema junior is in power today through a ‘rigged’ election as they say.
As at now in West Africa, Cameroon’s leader is fighting to become one of Africa’s dinosaurs as I call them; rulers who are refusing to allow others probably better than themselves to also use their intellect to help propel their countries out of poverty!
Omar Bongo of Gabon recently died and he had the singular honor of being the longest dictator in Africa if not the world! “Africa’s longest-entrenched autocrat” the CNN labeled him at his death in June 2009, this year. He ruled for 41 long years!
Listen to what it was reported of him and his leadership.
“Mr. Bongo, a disciple of the first generation of African leaders, came to power in 1967, when Lyndon B. Johnson was still president. He presided over an oil boom that fuelled an extravagant lifestyle for him and his family — dozens of luxurious properties in and around Paris, a $500 million presidential palace, fancy cars. But the tide of money did little to lift his country of 1.5 million people out of chronic poverty.” CNN
This my friend is the order of the day for many many African rulers. Sanni Abacha the late vicious dictator of Nigeria under whom thousands were assassinated or imprisoned was crowned “the Dictator of the month in July 2002” People database reported. He stole and amassed a record 3 billion dollars even surpassing the notorious master of the thieving leaders in Africa, Mobutu Sese Seko of Zaire.
Almost all these leaders ruled with the proverbial “iron hand’ crushing any opposition that stood in the way of their bloody rampage! Stealing the hard earned wealth that could have catapulted Africa into a might and great continent.
When we come to the East, Kenya suffered a tainted democratically elected leadership when riots and mayhem broke out after the election into power of Mwai Kibaki, the current leader. Before him had been Arap Moi and Jomo Kenyatta the first president. The latter’s death revealed that he and his family owned almost every good thing in Kenya at the time of his death. What else is new? Kenya had been under one party rule under Kenyatta and Moi until 1992 when riots forced Moi to allow multi-party activities.
Let’s not forget Uganda. Who can forget the likes of Iddi Amin and Milton Obote? In their wake is Yoveri Musevini who took over power in 1986. He is currently ruling with some semblance of democracy termed ‘stolen’ since all his activities have been termed “sly” by others in order to perpetuate his solid hold on the country. The northern part has been brutalized by rebels known as the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) and the Karamajong and sent millions into exile while internally displaced citizens in Uganda number more than any other country in the world.
Now we come to Zimbabwe on the West Southern coast of Africa. We all know it as the former Rhodesia where the late Ian Smith ruled with impunity against the rightful owners of the land. We all supported Mugabe and his freedom fighters to lead the fight against apartheid in Rhodesia. Mugabe even lived in my country Ghana and married a Ghanaian wife Sally, may God rest her gentle soul. I was in primary school during the violence that clouded the skies of Rhodesia and I never ever imagined that that country would come out from under apartheid rule but God is a righteous judge and allowed it to happen. You can imagine the joy and euphoria that spread not only through out the whole of Africa but around the world as well. Little did anyone ever imagine that that joy and hope would turn into dust and ashes in our mouths.
I will end here and continue with the current status of Zimbabwe next time.
Cheers!
Monday, August 1, 2011
Monday, May 2, 2011
Prayer is the key!
Jesus started His life with prayer and ended it with prayer. This is the will of God for His children. Prayer is the soul's urgent cry to Abba Father to intervene or intercede in any of our lives when we need help.
God's promises in Jeremiah 33.3 and Isaiah 65.24 all encourage us to know that God will answer us when we call Him in time of trouble and "while they are yet speaking, I will hear." says the Lord.
We need to pray today, May 2, 2011 more than ever for the United States of America, the world and all its peoples because of the spirit of retaliation that may be unleashed against us and our people all over the world due to Osama bin Laden's death. Let us stand on God's promise in Joel 3.4 where He says that He will return every retaliation back to the sender.
Pray for the following:
Obama and his family
Missionaries around the world
Chruches and church leaders, especially in hostile environments
Our family members around the world, especially in the United States
Our children - especially in their schools because whenever the devil cannot attack parents, he lashes out againt vulnerable members of our families like our children and grandchildren
Let us be sober and vigilant from this moment forward as I Peter 5.8-9 encourages us to do.
Above all, let us take the shield of faith to make our declarations according to Revelation 12.11 that we overcome the devil and his satanic agents "by the Blood of the Lamb and by the word of our testimony."
We are more than conquerors! Halleluia.
Stay safe and be blessed.
Peace!!!
God's promises in Jeremiah 33.3 and Isaiah 65.24 all encourage us to know that God will answer us when we call Him in time of trouble and "while they are yet speaking, I will hear." says the Lord.
We need to pray today, May 2, 2011 more than ever for the United States of America, the world and all its peoples because of the spirit of retaliation that may be unleashed against us and our people all over the world due to Osama bin Laden's death. Let us stand on God's promise in Joel 3.4 where He says that He will return every retaliation back to the sender.
Pray for the following:
Obama and his family
Missionaries around the world
Chruches and church leaders, especially in hostile environments
Our family members around the world, especially in the United States
Our children - especially in their schools because whenever the devil cannot attack parents, he lashes out againt vulnerable members of our families like our children and grandchildren
Let us be sober and vigilant from this moment forward as I Peter 5.8-9 encourages us to do.
Above all, let us take the shield of faith to make our declarations according to Revelation 12.11 that we overcome the devil and his satanic agents "by the Blood of the Lamb and by the word of our testimony."
We are more than conquerors! Halleluia.
Stay safe and be blessed.
Peace!!!
Friday, April 29, 2011
Restoration Time - Part IV
ABIDING IN THE LORD-01/20/2011
(Rita A Coker)
What does it mean to ‘abide’ in something? Several meanings come to mind namely; to stay, to wait, to pause, to delay, to continue in a place, to have one’s abode, to dwell in a certain place, etc etc.
I believe the best definition for us in this discuss is “to continue in a place or to dwell in a certain place.”
This means to continually be in the presence of the Lord. If Christians are to walk by faith and not by sight, then we need to deliberately, no, we must deliberately choose to stay in the presence of the Lord for many, many reasons.
1. For protection - Psalm 91- and many such scriptures give us insight as to the necessity of abiding in the Lord our Saviour. (Read and discuss).
2. For strength to walk with the Lord in this dark and stormy world -John 15.1-5.
3. Deliverance from temptation and sin - What is temptation? James 1.13-16. Protection from sin - Galatians 5. 16-26 (read and discuss). But remember the goodness of God in I Corinthians 10.13-14.
Other reasons for abiding in the Lord
1. Our God is holy and in order for His love and protection to also abide with us we are commanded to be holy. I Peter 1. 15-16; Leviticus 11.44. What is holiness? (discuss).
Can we live like this? By His grace and our brokenness (humility) and yieldedness, we can.
2 Timothy 2.19 ;Matthew 24.12
2. Heaven -We want to be there; I want to be there, don’t you? Heaven is our goal but listen to these warnings. I Corinthians 10.12 (refer to verses before this conclusion.) I Corinthians 15.19; I John 3.3;
Note that the unrighteous cannot make heaven-I Corinthians 6. 9-11; Revelations 21.27; Rev.22.15. Not a murderer? See James 2.10-11; I John 3.15-16; Philippians 2.3-7.
How?
1. Discipline the desires of your heart, most especially the flesh.
I Corinthians 9.24-27- “Know ye not that they which run a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air; But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection; lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
2. Choose to do what is right; choose to obey God
I Corinthians 6.12; I Corinthians 10.23
3. Confess and repent, immediately after falling into sin; to Jesus Christ our Advocate, the only Mediator we have between us and God and not to any human being who is a fallen creature like ourselves.
I John 1.8-9; I John 2.1
Conclusion -
We overcome the world through our faith
I John 5.3.4;
I hope and pray that you find peace and rest in the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior.
Peace!!! (Quotations are from King James Version.
Rita Akoto Coker
(Rita A Coker)
What does it mean to ‘abide’ in something? Several meanings come to mind namely; to stay, to wait, to pause, to delay, to continue in a place, to have one’s abode, to dwell in a certain place, etc etc.
I believe the best definition for us in this discuss is “to continue in a place or to dwell in a certain place.”
This means to continually be in the presence of the Lord. If Christians are to walk by faith and not by sight, then we need to deliberately, no, we must deliberately choose to stay in the presence of the Lord for many, many reasons.
1. For protection - Psalm 91- and many such scriptures give us insight as to the necessity of abiding in the Lord our Saviour. (Read and discuss).
2. For strength to walk with the Lord in this dark and stormy world -John 15.1-5.
3. Deliverance from temptation and sin - What is temptation? James 1.13-16. Protection from sin - Galatians 5. 16-26 (read and discuss). But remember the goodness of God in I Corinthians 10.13-14.
Other reasons for abiding in the Lord
1. Our God is holy and in order for His love and protection to also abide with us we are commanded to be holy. I Peter 1. 15-16; Leviticus 11.44. What is holiness? (discuss).
Can we live like this? By His grace and our brokenness (humility) and yieldedness, we can.
2 Timothy 2.19 ;Matthew 24.12
2. Heaven -We want to be there; I want to be there, don’t you? Heaven is our goal but listen to these warnings. I Corinthians 10.12 (refer to verses before this conclusion.) I Corinthians 15.19; I John 3.3;
Note that the unrighteous cannot make heaven-I Corinthians 6. 9-11; Revelations 21.27; Rev.22.15. Not a murderer? See James 2.10-11; I John 3.15-16; Philippians 2.3-7.
How?
1. Discipline the desires of your heart, most especially the flesh.
I Corinthians 9.24-27- “Know ye not that they which run a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air; But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection; lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
2. Choose to do what is right; choose to obey God
I Corinthians 6.12; I Corinthians 10.23
3. Confess and repent, immediately after falling into sin; to Jesus Christ our Advocate, the only Mediator we have between us and God and not to any human being who is a fallen creature like ourselves.
I John 1.8-9; I John 2.1
Conclusion -
We overcome the world through our faith
I John 5.3.4;
I hope and pray that you find peace and rest in the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior.
Peace!!! (Quotations are from King James Version.
Rita Akoto Coker
Restoration Time - Part III
INSTRUCTION IN RIGHTEOUSNESS
LEAD SCRIPTURE: 2 Timothy 3.16 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”
Ezekiel 18.4-9; Romans 2.13; James 1.22
God is righteous and all His children must walk in righteousness. I John 3.7-12
What is righteousness? From 2 Hebrew words, tsedeq and tsedaqah- rightness; justice; virtue; to give God and man their dues in that which is right. See Dake’s Annotated Reference Bible -12 Facts about God and His righteousness (page 1056)
It is the act of doing what is right in line with the word of God towards God and man. In this world, what is right is skewed; many call evil good and good evil. (list examples).
What they don’t know is that God curses those who do this ‘cos it is in direct opposition to His will. How can man call evil what God says is good and vice versa? It’s unthinkable but man will always strive to go about things in his own way. Isaiah 5.20.
God loves us and has placed boundaries around us for our own protection even the people of the world and our parents or as parents have put some kind of boundaries around our own children? Why? If we can do this why can’t God? (list examples of things God has pronounced bad for us and the consequences).
Isaiah 5.21-23.
It is our own fleshly desires which lead us into unrighteousness. Romans 86.11.14; Romans 8 the whole chapter with special emphasis on verses 4-17. It is our desires that make us selfish, greedy, envious, jealous, etc. and the word of God tells us that all who do such cannot inherit the kingdom of God. I Corinthians 6.9-12.
There are many passages in the word of God warning us of unrighteousness, too many for our little discussion so I’ll go ahead and in a small way help us to understand God’s righteousness.
Jesus becomes our righteousness as soon as we are born again. Romans 3.20-23. We receive this righteousness by faith and Romans 4 explains this very well telling us that Abraham believed God and God counted it as righteousness unto him; in the same way anyone who comes to believe in the Lord Jesus receives His righteousness by faith! This is very very important for us to understand.
Now after this, we move to Romans 12.1-2 where we’re taught on how to go about living this righteousness. We have no choice but to submit and yield ourselves to the Lord for His righteousness to work through us if we say we want to walk with Him Amos 3.3 asks a very poignant question this way “Can two walk together, except they agree?”. We have to renew our minds daily by reading the word of God so we can be transformed into the likeness of Jesus. When our minds are renewed, we then receive the mind of Christ. Philippians 2. This is where humility comes in because Jesus was humble and as we humble ourselves several things begin to happen:
1. We accept God’s verdict on what is right and what is wrong
2. We seek to please Him at all times;
3. We desire to do His will and only His will alone
4. We desire to walk with Him daily
5. We look forward daily to His return
6. We desire to live with Him eternally
And we are told in I John 3.3, Colossians 3 and other scriptures that those who desire such things must purge themselves of iniquity and set our desires on heaven.
We do this by walking in the Spirit. Galatians 5.16 commands us to “Walk in the Spirit and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” and verse 17 goes on to instruct us as to how the Spirit and the flesh are at war. So we have to understand that at anytime in our lives, it’s either the flesh which is ruling or the Spirit. We cannot have both and Romans 8.13 warns us that if we live in the flesh we shall die.
Ways of walking in the Spirit
1. Again read the word of God daily
2. Pray over what you have read and commit to obey what you have read
3. Make a daily commitment to see the Lord rule and win in your life by rejecting sin and unrighteousness
4. Put the devil to shame by ensuring that the following instruments of your life please the Lord.
I. Purge your thoughts and heart of evil by bringing all contrary thoughts under Jesus’ command always
2 Corinthians 10.5
II. Reading only materials which will bring glory to God and eschewing pornographic or materials written against God and those of the occult.
III. Committing to watching ONLY television programs which will keep your heart and thoughts pure.
Psalm 101.3.; Romans 13.14; (what you see, read or hear) Job 31.1; Matthew 5.28.
IV. Avoid defiling your thoughts and yourself by staying away from gossip; at times we gossip and then
Cover our tracks by stating that it’s for prayers. You can simply ask for prayers for someone without
embellishments which can lead to gossip. Galatians 6.1
V. Have godly friends
VI. Have an accountability sister or mentor who can counsel you. Psalm 1.1.
VIII. Stay away from unprofitable discussions e.g. news which often times have biases and if you don’t
take care, you can begin to say libellous things you have no foundation on. Psalm 1.1-3
IX. Let your speech edify your hearers at all times. Colossians 4.6; Ephesians 5.4;Ephesians 4.29; Ecclesiastes 10.12-13.
X. DO NOT LIE!!! Colossians 3.8-9; Revelations 21.27 & Rev.22.15 where liars are counted beside murders, whoremongers, sorcerers etc. God help us!!! Jesus warned us “Let your yes be yes and
your no be no.” Matthew 5.37. Ephesians 4.25
5. Keep your faith sharpened and your light burning at all times. Remember the Parable of the 5 Foolish virgins. Also see Ephesians 5.18-21
10 Blessings of righteousness: See Dake’s Bible page 1056.
21 Facts about the Righteous: Dake’s Bible page 1054
Conclusion: The scripture is full of instructions to walk in righteousness. If you have time and read all the scriptures given here and try to read all the chapters, you’ll receive direct commands on what to do and what not to. Jesus gave us examples in Matthew Chapters 5 & 6. Paul through the Holy Spirit expanded this throughout all his writings, including Peter as well. See Colossians 3. 12-17.
So the most important thing is to know what God has said is right and doing it through His power because we need to remember that without Jesus we cannot do anything! John 15.5.
We must also remember that reading the word cleanses us John 15.3; Ephesians 5.26. BUT if we sin, remember we have an Advocate and a High Priest who is always, always making intercession for us. Hebrews 7.24-25; Hebrews 9.15; Hebrews 12.24; I John 2.1-6.
You must believe this else the devil will make your belief a shipwreck.
May God help us all in Jesus name. Amen!!!
LEAD SCRIPTURE: 2 Timothy 3.16 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”
Ezekiel 18.4-9; Romans 2.13; James 1.22
God is righteous and all His children must walk in righteousness. I John 3.7-12
What is righteousness? From 2 Hebrew words, tsedeq and tsedaqah- rightness; justice; virtue; to give God and man their dues in that which is right. See Dake’s Annotated Reference Bible -12 Facts about God and His righteousness (page 1056)
It is the act of doing what is right in line with the word of God towards God and man. In this world, what is right is skewed; many call evil good and good evil. (list examples).
What they don’t know is that God curses those who do this ‘cos it is in direct opposition to His will. How can man call evil what God says is good and vice versa? It’s unthinkable but man will always strive to go about things in his own way. Isaiah 5.20.
God loves us and has placed boundaries around us for our own protection even the people of the world and our parents or as parents have put some kind of boundaries around our own children? Why? If we can do this why can’t God? (list examples of things God has pronounced bad for us and the consequences).
Isaiah 5.21-23.
It is our own fleshly desires which lead us into unrighteousness. Romans 86.11.14; Romans 8 the whole chapter with special emphasis on verses 4-17. It is our desires that make us selfish, greedy, envious, jealous, etc. and the word of God tells us that all who do such cannot inherit the kingdom of God. I Corinthians 6.9-12.
There are many passages in the word of God warning us of unrighteousness, too many for our little discussion so I’ll go ahead and in a small way help us to understand God’s righteousness.
Jesus becomes our righteousness as soon as we are born again. Romans 3.20-23. We receive this righteousness by faith and Romans 4 explains this very well telling us that Abraham believed God and God counted it as righteousness unto him; in the same way anyone who comes to believe in the Lord Jesus receives His righteousness by faith! This is very very important for us to understand.
Now after this, we move to Romans 12.1-2 where we’re taught on how to go about living this righteousness. We have no choice but to submit and yield ourselves to the Lord for His righteousness to work through us if we say we want to walk with Him Amos 3.3 asks a very poignant question this way “Can two walk together, except they agree?”. We have to renew our minds daily by reading the word of God so we can be transformed into the likeness of Jesus. When our minds are renewed, we then receive the mind of Christ. Philippians 2. This is where humility comes in because Jesus was humble and as we humble ourselves several things begin to happen:
1. We accept God’s verdict on what is right and what is wrong
2. We seek to please Him at all times;
3. We desire to do His will and only His will alone
4. We desire to walk with Him daily
5. We look forward daily to His return
6. We desire to live with Him eternally
And we are told in I John 3.3, Colossians 3 and other scriptures that those who desire such things must purge themselves of iniquity and set our desires on heaven.
We do this by walking in the Spirit. Galatians 5.16 commands us to “Walk in the Spirit and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” and verse 17 goes on to instruct us as to how the Spirit and the flesh are at war. So we have to understand that at anytime in our lives, it’s either the flesh which is ruling or the Spirit. We cannot have both and Romans 8.13 warns us that if we live in the flesh we shall die.
Ways of walking in the Spirit
1. Again read the word of God daily
2. Pray over what you have read and commit to obey what you have read
3. Make a daily commitment to see the Lord rule and win in your life by rejecting sin and unrighteousness
4. Put the devil to shame by ensuring that the following instruments of your life please the Lord.
I. Purge your thoughts and heart of evil by bringing all contrary thoughts under Jesus’ command always
2 Corinthians 10.5
II. Reading only materials which will bring glory to God and eschewing pornographic or materials written against God and those of the occult.
III. Committing to watching ONLY television programs which will keep your heart and thoughts pure.
Psalm 101.3.; Romans 13.14; (what you see, read or hear) Job 31.1; Matthew 5.28.
IV. Avoid defiling your thoughts and yourself by staying away from gossip; at times we gossip and then
Cover our tracks by stating that it’s for prayers. You can simply ask for prayers for someone without
embellishments which can lead to gossip. Galatians 6.1
V. Have godly friends
VI. Have an accountability sister or mentor who can counsel you. Psalm 1.1.
VIII. Stay away from unprofitable discussions e.g. news which often times have biases and if you don’t
take care, you can begin to say libellous things you have no foundation on. Psalm 1.1-3
IX. Let your speech edify your hearers at all times. Colossians 4.6; Ephesians 5.4;Ephesians 4.29; Ecclesiastes 10.12-13.
X. DO NOT LIE!!! Colossians 3.8-9; Revelations 21.27 & Rev.22.15 where liars are counted beside murders, whoremongers, sorcerers etc. God help us!!! Jesus warned us “Let your yes be yes and
your no be no.” Matthew 5.37. Ephesians 4.25
5. Keep your faith sharpened and your light burning at all times. Remember the Parable of the 5 Foolish virgins. Also see Ephesians 5.18-21
10 Blessings of righteousness: See Dake’s Bible page 1056.
21 Facts about the Righteous: Dake’s Bible page 1054
Conclusion: The scripture is full of instructions to walk in righteousness. If you have time and read all the scriptures given here and try to read all the chapters, you’ll receive direct commands on what to do and what not to. Jesus gave us examples in Matthew Chapters 5 & 6. Paul through the Holy Spirit expanded this throughout all his writings, including Peter as well. See Colossians 3. 12-17.
So the most important thing is to know what God has said is right and doing it through His power because we need to remember that without Jesus we cannot do anything! John 15.5.
We must also remember that reading the word cleanses us John 15.3; Ephesians 5.26. BUT if we sin, remember we have an Advocate and a High Priest who is always, always making intercession for us. Hebrews 7.24-25; Hebrews 9.15; Hebrews 12.24; I John 2.1-6.
You must believe this else the devil will make your belief a shipwreck.
May God help us all in Jesus name. Amen!!!
Restoration- Part II
Humility and Repentance
Every believer is exhorted to clothe herself in humility; it’s like a command - I Peter 5.5;
Why? Because of the example of our Lord Jesus Christ and what He said in Matthew 11.29. Although He was humble, yet He was strong. As believers, Jesus is our role model; we are supposed to walk in His steps. Philipians 2.3-8.
We are also expected to walk in humility because our God resists the proud- I Peter 5.5. Who can oppose God when He opposes you? God demands humility from each and everyone of us because that is the way to the kingdom. This is what Jesus told us in Matthew 18.1-4.
Reason: Man is proud and never admits his faults. That’s why many are not giving their lives to Christ but the one who accepts God’s verdict of being a sinner, is the humble one and God loves such a person because the opposite of this is pride which is the epitome of Satan.
How many accept God’s judgement in Romans 3.23? The main ingredient or the main channel to God is through repentance which is the result of humility. So the two go hand in hand. You cannot have one without the other. A humble heart easily forgives another person whether they themselves are 1% wrong in any situation. Matthew 5.23-24. A humble heart takes the initiative to make peace because this person will remember the Word of God on forgiveness and OBEY her Master! In so doing, she repents of whatever happened before.
Repentance is 180 degree turn around from the direction one was going before. It takes humility to repent of any sin. Pride is the opposite of humility. It is the source of un-forgiveness so be careful ‘cos it’s destroying relationships. Humility will accept the hurts but will forgive not in its own power but in the strength of God.
Doug Britton puts it this way:
“Many people have the wrong idea about God, the Bible and humility, or being humble. They think being humble means grovelling in front of others or thinking we're no good and others are good.
God says when you are humble, you are free from pride and arrogance.
You don't need to defend yourself when you understand the Bible's picture of humility, for you know who you are in Christ. You are able to be a peacemaker without needing to fight for your rights. You are able to walk humbly in the power of God’s Holy Spirit, not your own personal power.
Godly humility is being comfortable with who you are in the Lord and therefore putting others first. The meaning of humility in the Bible is one of loving others, not being a wimp!”
Advantages of walking in humility and repentance:
1. God’s power and love rests on you - II Corinthians 12.9-10
2. Always a peacemaker and you know the reward of a peace maker -Matthew 5.5 & 9; Ephesians 4.29. You have kind and gracious words for everybody even when correcting them
3. It keeps a believer focused on making it to heaven - you search yourself daily, if not moment by moment using David’s cry in Psalm 139.23 -24
4. Gives you peace of mind because you can handle unfair treatment without being overcome with bitterness
Ephesians 4. 31-32
Conclusion: Bible-based humility isn't being unaware of your gifts or calling.
Although we should avoid self-pride, godly humility does not mean we should pretend we are unaware of the gifts God has given us. The key is to remember that they are from God. Ephesians 3:8 ; 2 Corinthians 12:11.
Bible-based humility does not mean never speaking directly.
When God says to be humble, he it lets us know we must examine our motives and attitudes. We also must examine how we take action. But there are times when we need to take strong actions. Here are two examples of taking strong actions while maintaining a humble spirit: Jesus was meek of spirit, yet he chased the moneychangers
Every believer is exhorted to clothe herself in humility; it’s like a command - I Peter 5.5;
Why? Because of the example of our Lord Jesus Christ and what He said in Matthew 11.29. Although He was humble, yet He was strong. As believers, Jesus is our role model; we are supposed to walk in His steps. Philipians 2.3-8.
We are also expected to walk in humility because our God resists the proud- I Peter 5.5. Who can oppose God when He opposes you? God demands humility from each and everyone of us because that is the way to the kingdom. This is what Jesus told us in Matthew 18.1-4.
Reason: Man is proud and never admits his faults. That’s why many are not giving their lives to Christ but the one who accepts God’s verdict of being a sinner, is the humble one and God loves such a person because the opposite of this is pride which is the epitome of Satan.
How many accept God’s judgement in Romans 3.23? The main ingredient or the main channel to God is through repentance which is the result of humility. So the two go hand in hand. You cannot have one without the other. A humble heart easily forgives another person whether they themselves are 1% wrong in any situation. Matthew 5.23-24. A humble heart takes the initiative to make peace because this person will remember the Word of God on forgiveness and OBEY her Master! In so doing, she repents of whatever happened before.
Repentance is 180 degree turn around from the direction one was going before. It takes humility to repent of any sin. Pride is the opposite of humility. It is the source of un-forgiveness so be careful ‘cos it’s destroying relationships. Humility will accept the hurts but will forgive not in its own power but in the strength of God.
Doug Britton puts it this way:
“Many people have the wrong idea about God, the Bible and humility, or being humble. They think being humble means grovelling in front of others or thinking we're no good and others are good.
God says when you are humble, you are free from pride and arrogance.
You don't need to defend yourself when you understand the Bible's picture of humility, for you know who you are in Christ. You are able to be a peacemaker without needing to fight for your rights. You are able to walk humbly in the power of God’s Holy Spirit, not your own personal power.
Godly humility is being comfortable with who you are in the Lord and therefore putting others first. The meaning of humility in the Bible is one of loving others, not being a wimp!”
Advantages of walking in humility and repentance:
1. God’s power and love rests on you - II Corinthians 12.9-10
2. Always a peacemaker and you know the reward of a peace maker -Matthew 5.5 & 9; Ephesians 4.29. You have kind and gracious words for everybody even when correcting them
3. It keeps a believer focused on making it to heaven - you search yourself daily, if not moment by moment using David’s cry in Psalm 139.23 -24
4. Gives you peace of mind because you can handle unfair treatment without being overcome with bitterness
Ephesians 4. 31-32
Conclusion: Bible-based humility isn't being unaware of your gifts or calling.
Although we should avoid self-pride, godly humility does not mean we should pretend we are unaware of the gifts God has given us. The key is to remember that they are from God. Ephesians 3:8 ; 2 Corinthians 12:11.
Bible-based humility does not mean never speaking directly.
When God says to be humble, he it lets us know we must examine our motives and attitudes. We also must examine how we take action. But there are times when we need to take strong actions. Here are two examples of taking strong actions while maintaining a humble spirit: Jesus was meek of spirit, yet he chased the moneychangers
Restoration Time
RESTORATION TIME
INTRODUCTION:
“come apart and rest awhile: Mark 6.31. This is what Jesus said whenever he felt His disciples needed time to renew, their strengths, their minds and receive fresh anointing for the work they were doing. It is a necessary activity for every believer who wants her lamp to continue burning until ’that day.’
Why? Because we do not want to be like the 5 foolish virgins Jesus told us about in Matthew 25.1-13.
What is Restoration?
I look at it in several ways:
1. It is a deliberate act of setting aside quality time to be with the Lord for self examination to check whether our walk with the Lord is in accordance with the perfect pattern of the Word of God. Psalm 139.23 & 24.
2. It is an act of submission. There can be no restoration without humility. Matthew 11.28-29; James 4.6-7. Remember the two men who went to pray? Luke 18.10-14.
3. It is the act of renewing our minds with the word of God. Romans 12.1-2. This is the greatest requirement for restoration; The word of God.
Why?
1. It is our mirror -James 1.22-24
2. It is our guide - Psalm 119.105
3. It cleanses us - Psalm 119.9, John 15.3
4. It gives us success in our walk with the Lord - Joshua 1.8
5. It gives us knowledge and the consequences of the lack there of-Hosea 4.6; 2 Timothy 3.16
6. It sets us free - play on words; Jesus is the Living Word -John 8.32 & 36.
Etc. etc.
So we have to stand on the Word of God, the Bible in order for us to be restored. We need restoration ‘cos of the busy activities of daily living; we become so busy that we even forget to pray or even read the Bible.
“When talking of restoration, it is important to rely on God’s Word rather than man’s word. Since this is something so very important to our soul’s salvation it is of utmost importance to make sure beyond any shadow of a doubt that the pattern that we use is the true one. The doctrines of men have changed countless times throughout history and will continue to change, but if we follow the Bible in its inspired form, we can rest assured that we are being restored to the pattern that God Himself created and has preserved in spite of countless attacks regarding its authenticity.”
We need restoration periods ‘cos as humans, desiring to live to please our God, we often do the opposite ‘cos of Romans 3.23 and yet God has said in Isaiah 43.21 “This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise.” See I Peter 2.9.
Our restoration time therefore will take the following pattern:
1. The necessity and importance of standing on the Word of God during restoration time
2. Humility and repentance
3. Instruction in righteousness
4. Abiding in the Lord in order to avoid future mishaps or mistakes.
INTRODUCTION:
“come apart and rest awhile: Mark 6.31. This is what Jesus said whenever he felt His disciples needed time to renew, their strengths, their minds and receive fresh anointing for the work they were doing. It is a necessary activity for every believer who wants her lamp to continue burning until ’that day.’
Why? Because we do not want to be like the 5 foolish virgins Jesus told us about in Matthew 25.1-13.
What is Restoration?
I look at it in several ways:
1. It is a deliberate act of setting aside quality time to be with the Lord for self examination to check whether our walk with the Lord is in accordance with the perfect pattern of the Word of God. Psalm 139.23 & 24.
2. It is an act of submission. There can be no restoration without humility. Matthew 11.28-29; James 4.6-7. Remember the two men who went to pray? Luke 18.10-14.
3. It is the act of renewing our minds with the word of God. Romans 12.1-2. This is the greatest requirement for restoration; The word of God.
Why?
1. It is our mirror -James 1.22-24
2. It is our guide - Psalm 119.105
3. It cleanses us - Psalm 119.9, John 15.3
4. It gives us success in our walk with the Lord - Joshua 1.8
5. It gives us knowledge and the consequences of the lack there of-Hosea 4.6; 2 Timothy 3.16
6. It sets us free - play on words; Jesus is the Living Word -John 8.32 & 36.
Etc. etc.
So we have to stand on the Word of God, the Bible in order for us to be restored. We need restoration ‘cos of the busy activities of daily living; we become so busy that we even forget to pray or even read the Bible.
“When talking of restoration, it is important to rely on God’s Word rather than man’s word. Since this is something so very important to our soul’s salvation it is of utmost importance to make sure beyond any shadow of a doubt that the pattern that we use is the true one. The doctrines of men have changed countless times throughout history and will continue to change, but if we follow the Bible in its inspired form, we can rest assured that we are being restored to the pattern that God Himself created and has preserved in spite of countless attacks regarding its authenticity.”
We need restoration periods ‘cos as humans, desiring to live to please our God, we often do the opposite ‘cos of Romans 3.23 and yet God has said in Isaiah 43.21 “This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise.” See I Peter 2.9.
Our restoration time therefore will take the following pattern:
1. The necessity and importance of standing on the Word of God during restoration time
2. Humility and repentance
3. Instruction in righteousness
4. Abiding in the Lord in order to avoid future mishaps or mistakes.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Winds of Change!! Power to the people!!!
First it was Tunisia, then Egypt and now who will be the next dictator to run for his dear life?
As I write now, there are rumours that Libya's leader Gaddafi has fled his country even though unsubstantiated, I will not be surprised if he has. How long did these dictators think their one man rule would continue? I say "More power to the people!"
When will African leaders learn that the position they hold is only temporary and not a life time career? When will they see the proverbial writing on the wall? How long do they think the people of Africa will continue to stand and watch their resources including oil, gold and other minerals end up in the bulging pockets of these greedy leaders?
Did you hear about what is happening in Uganda now? Just like Gbagbo of Cote D'IVoire,he is claiming victory after a sham election whose outcome had already been determined by these despots and their cronies. Gbagbo has refused to leave the position he is holding onto as if it is his birth right despite the cry of 'foul' to the outcome of the recent elections. Musevini of Uganda has been there for ages despite major opposition to his rule. What are these leaders waiting for? Are they waiting for the blood of their own people to flow before they relinguish power from their evil grasping hands? How about Mugabe of Zimbabwe under whose rule inflation has outpaced every document in the financial world?
If these leaders would learn from history what their predecessors like Mobutu of the then Zaire and Nkrumah of Ghana learnt the hard way that dictatorships are only temporary and that no matter how long it takes, when the people rise, dictatorships topple!
People, Africans, let us rise to this challenge and show our leaders that they stay in power only at our own convenience and that whenever we declare that we've had enough of their bumbling rule, they better sit up and listen!!!
Power to the People!!!
As I write now, there are rumours that Libya's leader Gaddafi has fled his country even though unsubstantiated, I will not be surprised if he has. How long did these dictators think their one man rule would continue? I say "More power to the people!"
When will African leaders learn that the position they hold is only temporary and not a life time career? When will they see the proverbial writing on the wall? How long do they think the people of Africa will continue to stand and watch their resources including oil, gold and other minerals end up in the bulging pockets of these greedy leaders?
Did you hear about what is happening in Uganda now? Just like Gbagbo of Cote D'IVoire,he is claiming victory after a sham election whose outcome had already been determined by these despots and their cronies. Gbagbo has refused to leave the position he is holding onto as if it is his birth right despite the cry of 'foul' to the outcome of the recent elections. Musevini of Uganda has been there for ages despite major opposition to his rule. What are these leaders waiting for? Are they waiting for the blood of their own people to flow before they relinguish power from their evil grasping hands? How about Mugabe of Zimbabwe under whose rule inflation has outpaced every document in the financial world?
If these leaders would learn from history what their predecessors like Mobutu of the then Zaire and Nkrumah of Ghana learnt the hard way that dictatorships are only temporary and that no matter how long it takes, when the people rise, dictatorships topple!
People, Africans, let us rise to this challenge and show our leaders that they stay in power only at our own convenience and that whenever we declare that we've had enough of their bumbling rule, they better sit up and listen!!!
Power to the People!!!
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