Category Archives: Church

The Gap

Ephesians 6:18 “Pray in the Spirit at all times. Pray with all kinds of prayers, and ask for everything you need. To do this you must always be ready. Never give up. Always pray for all of God’s people.” (ERV)

Prayer is a conversation; you speak to God, and you are spoken to by God. So, prayer is not just talking, prayer is also listening, and hearing. But God says always pray in the Spirit, never stop praying, never give up. So, when do we listen, and when will we hear Him? Read the rest of this entry

Together

Ecclesiastes 4:9 &12Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed… A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.”

God creates people and puts them in community because we are designed for community. Do you know that the number one problem of man was not sin? The number one problem of man was isolation. Genesis 2:18 Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.” Read the rest of this entry

In Harmony

Prov.21:31 “The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord.” (emphasis added).

Father in the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, we ask that You breathe upon us. Open our eyes to see as we ought to see, challenge us, and stretch us beyond our faith in Jesus Mighty Name. Prov.21:31 The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord.” (ESV, emphasis added). Read the rest of this entry

Tell It!

Luke 2:17-18 “After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished.”

The Bible says, give thanks by telling the world, not by keeping it to yourself. I had a coursemate in university, neat, always tucking in. But in retrospect, I realized that whenever we are abusing lecturers or talking about ‘bad’ things, he would not say anything. Read the rest of this entry

Understand This

Isaiah 40:13-14 “Who is able to advise the Spirit of the Lord? Who knows enough to give him advice or teach him? Has the Lord ever needed anyone’s advice? Does he need instruction about what is good? Did someone teach him what is right or show him the path of justice?

Easter is all about getting up. You may have been down because of perhaps happenings in the world today, or maybe even your personal issues now compounded by world events. But Easter is about getting up. You may be emotionally down, or maybe spiritually down, or maybe even physically down. Read the rest of this entry

Be Renewed

1 Cor.9:26-27 “I don’t know about you, but I’m running hard for the finish line. I’m giving it everything I’ve got. No sloppy living for me! I’m staying alert and in top condition. I’m not going to get caught napping . . .” (MSG)

When it comes to Church, we do a lot of spiritual work and it is great because everything stems from the spiritual. We do a little bit more on the mental side, but we do not do much on the body side. Read the rest of this entry

Loaded Benefits II

Acts 2:2-4 “Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit…”

John 20:22Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” What is the difference between what happened in Acts 2 and this experience in John 20? When Jesus breathed on the disciples here, they were clothed with power and authority as a Church. Jesus was clothing them with His power and authority. John 20:23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” It is almost unbelievable that God will give men such authority. But the Church has that power to retain people’s sin and to forgive.

What happened at Pentecost was what was prophesied in Joel 2:28-29. “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.” (KJV). Read the rest of this entry

Dear Woman

John 20:14 “She turned to leave and saw someone standing there. It was Jesus, but she didn’t recognize him.”

The only thing that could satisfy the thirst Mary had was Jesus. Like we said yesterday, Mary was not impressed with the linen wrappings, or with the head covering that was majestically arranged, and she was not even impressed with the angels. Read the rest of this entry

Unity

Eph.4:2-3 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.”

Yesterday, we looked at two of the three predominant themes in Jesus’ prayer. Jesus prayed for Protection, Jesus prayed for Glory and thirdly for Unity. Jesus prayed for unity. Jn.17:21, 23I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you… I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.” (emphasis added). Read the rest of this entry

Advocate II

John 16:8-11 “And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.” (KJV].

When the Holy Spirit comes, He will radically redefine three of the foundational notions of spirituality. The first notion He is redefining is sin; sin is not believing in Jesus. Previously, the opposite of sin was righteousness. But now, the opposite of sin is faith in Christ Jesus sin. Read the rest of this entry