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Thursday, November 26, 2015

Pray, pray, pray



"And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples."
Luke 11: 1


The disciples asked to be teach them to pray. They did not ask "Lord, teach us how to do miracles, or how to walk on water or raise the dead"

The supernatural manifests as a result of prayer. 

Prayer in communion and intimacy with God. Prayer is a dialogue. We speak to God and God speaks to us. Through prayer, we connect our spirit, soul and body to God.

Prayer should be first and foremost personal - my time alone with God - then congregational - our time with God.

Matt. 26: 36-44
Jesus encouraged His disciples to join in prayer with Him.
Jesus dealt with depression and discouragement by prayer.
Jesus dealt with sorrow through prayer
Jesus expected His disciples to join Him in prayer
Jesus saw THEM asleep and spoke to PETER (verse 40): " What could you not WATCH and PRAY "with me" one hour?"
Jesus never forced His disciples to pray (verse 43-44)
Jesus repeated the same words in His prayer
Jesus revealed that the way to deal with temptation is through prayer

Matt. 21: 13 
Jesus said: " My house shall be called a house of prayer"

In the book of Acts of the Apostles, 
they continued as Jesus instructed and taught:

Acts 1: 14
They ALL continued with one accord in prayer including the women and the mother of Jesus.

Acts 2: 41-42
After the preaching of Peter, there were 3000 new converts, that:
1. Gladly received the Word
2. Were baptized
3. Continued steadfastly in the Apostle's doctrine
4. Fellowship
5. Breaking of bread - Holy Communion
6. And in prayers

Acts 3:1
Although the church was growing, Peter and John went up together at the HOUR OF PRAYER

MIRACLES, SINGS AND WONDERS FOLLOW PRAYER

Acts 4: 24
After a testimony, they lifted up their voice with one accord in prayer...

Acts 4:31 
...and when they had prayed, the place was shaken and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and with spoke the Word with boldness

Acts 9: 10-12
Once Paul was converted (saw the light), one of the first thing that he did was to PRAY

Acts 10: 2-3
Cornelius was a man of prayer...because of prayer, he had a Godly vision and favor from God

Acts 10: 9-11, 13
Peter spent time praying and saw the same vision and heard a voice from heaven

Acts 12: 1,5, 12
Peter persecuted in prison...But the church prayer! 
Prayer brought deliverance!

Acts 13: 1-3
The church prayed and God spoke and sent people out on missions and church plants

We should continue in prayer...Prayer brings results and a supernatural manifestation.


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Friday, November 20, 2015

God open doors



 "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;
I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name." 
Rev. 3:6-8

When God opens door, no man or devil can shut. This demonstrate the sovereignty of God!
It's a spiritual door granting us access to a new level, new dimension, promotion, increase...

Three things that church believed in and held on to:
1. The Word of Jesus Christ
They held onto the Revelation about The Word. 
As a disciple of Jesus, they kept the Word (John 8:36)

2. Not denied the name of Jesus
The Lordship of Jesus. Evidently Jesus was their Lord and the one they worshipped.
Today there is not a spirit of anti-god but anti-Christ 
There is only ONE way to God - Jesus is the way, the truth and the life (Jn. 14:6)

3. The patience of Jesus
Perseverance & patience (as Jesus) in times of adversity
God allows us to go through certain things. 
At times He provides a "Escape" (deliverance) route and at times He allows us to "Endure" (discipline)

Doors:
Doors can be PULLED (spiritual attraction) towards you or can be PUSHED (spiritual effort).

Communion with God through prayer and the Word help us to know and discern the doors which God opens. Prayer is the PULLING and the PUSHING in the spiritual realm. 
Faith in the Word of God - Faith in the name of Jesus and the power twins of Faith and Patience (perseverance) takes us through every circumstances in life.
Faith opens the door and patience (perseverance) keeps the door open!

Different types of doors:

A) Door of revelation and instruction - Rev. 4:1
B) Doors of faith - 1 Cor. 16:9
C) Doors of utterance - Col. 4:3
D) Doors of ministry - 2 Cor. 2:12
E) Doors of opportunity - Rev. 3:6-8

3 ways to know an OPEN DOOR is from God:

The Door that God Opens Will Never Contradict His Word
The Door that God Opens Will be Accompanied by Confirmation 
The Door God Opens Will Require You to Depend on Him

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Breakthrough to blessings - following Abraham's footsteps


It was an honor to be ministering at Christian Family Church International, South Africa for Drs. Theo and Beverley Wolmarans. 
People were blessed by the teaching and some emailed me and asked for the notes.
This is Sunday evening service message: "Breakthrough to blessings - following Abraham"

Gal. 3:26-29, Gal. 3:7-9
Those of faith are children of Abraham
The same blessing of Abraham is duplicated on those that walk by faith

Gen. 12:1-4, 7-8

Abram believed God - God said: "Follow me...trust in me..."
Gen. 12:1-3 : If you do what God says then He "shows" (vision) and He will "make" (provision)...

1. Abram acted on what he believed - He did what God asked :  Abram operated in FAITH
Faith requires "confession" and "action"
Abram walked by faith and not by sight

2. Abram built altars - Gen. 12:7-8, Gen. 13:4, 18
Gen. 13:2 - Abram built altars before and after he became very rich 
Altars are place of worship, sacrifice, communion, covenants, spiritual gates - the place where man and spirits meet
Make your house an altar - a place of worship, serving and covenant

3. Abram refused to quarrel and strife - Gen. 13:5-17
Quarrel and strife brings confusion and every evil work - Js. 3:16
Confusion = no decision or direction - you are lost!

*THOSE WHO QUARREL WILL BE INFLUENCE BY THEIR NATURAL EYES - Gen. 13: 10
*PEOPLE OF FAITH WHO DONT QUARREL WILL BE DIRECTED & INFLUENCE BY SPIRITUAL EYES - Gen. 13:14-17

4. Abram was humble - he was Lot's senior spiritually and physically yet he gave Lot first choice. (1 Pet. 5:5)

5. Abram refused offense and vengeance - he went out to rescue Lot his nephew (Gen. 14)
Offense leads to vengeance
Forgiveness leads to grace
God is a God of grace and mercy - as children of God, we must become people of grace and mercy.

6. Abram trusted God. He met Melchisedek: bread and wine and then gave TITHES of all.
Abram was a TITHER

7. Abram refused to depend on the hand of corrupt and perverse king of Sodom - Gen. 14:23
Melchisedek - King of justice and King of peace
He depended on justice and peace

8. Abram covenanted with God and broke the curse of barrenness - Gen. 15: 8-18 & Gen. 17, Gen. 21:5

9.  Abraham interceded for Sodom and Gomorah - Gen. 18:22-33
He did not accused, judge or condemn others, he stood in the gap and prayed for them

10. Abraham put God first (offered Isaac) - Gen. 22, Ps. 126:5-6, Heb. 11:4
We must develop faith to receive and to GIVE

God blessed Abraham in ALL things - Gen. 24:1 

 

Friday, July 3, 2015

Don't give up!

Don't give up.
(excerpt from the new book "7 Dimensions of the anointing"
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Jairus...Mark 5:22-43

Jairus had a family problem. His daughter was ill to the point of death. We are not told how many children Jairus had but we know he had a very sick daughter! My wife and I have only one daughter and I can tell you that twice she has had life-threatening situations. So I can just imagine his anxiety as he goes searching for solution and ends at meeting with Jesus.

As a ruler of the synagogue, Jairus was well known in the community. He was a man in leadership. It took courage and humility to come and fall at the feet of Jesus publicly. He did not come in his official capacity but as a man desperately looking for a solution. His action was totally against Jewish custom, tradition and culture. Jews don't worship man! Jairus must have recognized that Jesus was no ordinary man. When he bowed before Jesus, he recognized higher authority. His action proclaimed Jesus was the Christ, the Messiah, the son of David sent to save the world.

As I have mentioned before, in Mark chapter five, we see the supernatural power of God at work through Jesus as he delivers a young man possessed by demons name legions, healing a woman suffering from blood disease for twelve years and then miraculously resurrecting Jairus daughter. Jesus delivers, heals and operates miracles. But all three of these had an attitude in common. They all fell at His feet. Falling at the feet of Jesus shows humility and worship. Their worship was not a private affair. They did this openly. People saw them coming and worshipping Jesus.

After the deliverance of the man of Gadara, Jesus crossed the lake and went to the other side of the country. A crowd followed Him and Jairus approached him with a request: "Master my daughter is about to die, come and lay your hands on her that she may be healed and live." That was faith speaking out of his heart. Although he left her at the point of death, he approached Him with faith in his request believing that he can do something for his daughter. His prayer was coupled with faith. Jesus agreed and followed him. An attitude of worship and faith always attracts the presence of God. They begun to walk towards the house. In the process, a woman also having faith approached Jesus and seized her healing. Suddenly Jesus stopped! He asked: "Who touched me?" Imagine what is going through Jairus' mind at this point. Time was against them and he approached Jesus first, yet here comes a woman testifying how His power healed her.

As she testified and told Jesus and the people how many doctors she has seen and the amount of money she has spent, Jairus grew the more impatient! When all of a sudden a messenger arrived on a horse and announced the dreaded news that his daughter is dead. The thing that he didn't expect has occurred. Sadness and tears begun to seize Jairus. He didn't want to hear that and the messenger told him that there was no need to bother the Master. Right there Jairus could have given up. He could have abandoned his dream of seeing his daughter healed. In his mind, he can only imagine how she was happy and played with daddy but now all hope has gone as she has moved into the point of no return. But Jesus having heard the news reassured Jairus and said:"don't be afraid, just keep on believing and trusting."

At this point, many of us would have given up and would have been offended. It seemed Jesus took his time. He wanted to know who touched him even though He was crowded and then hear this lady give her testimony. "I was here first" could have echoed in Jairus' mind as he begins to contemplate the situation. He could have been offended at Jesus and then the woman with the issue of blood. He could have moved into anger when the messenger told him to not bother the Master. No one was in his shoes! No one knew how he really felt inside. The pain, the anger, the offense and the sadness all pumping inside affecting his mind and emotions. This is precisely why many Christians give up. These negative emotions and thoughts pushes us to abandon our prayer and dreams.

In this situation, Jairus is learning self-control and patience. Two important factors that keeps us strong and persevering until we receive what was promised by God. It was a test of his character. We may face trials, difficulties, persecutions, accusations and disasters but it may be a test to see where we go and what we do! Will we still depend on the Word and rely on His presence and promises? Will trouble make us walk out and go away from God or bring us closer to God? Will we be influenced by the opinions of others or do we maintain our focus in Christ? Do we allow offense to suffocate our faith? Will fear torment our mind and annul our faith? Jairus' faith has been under attack since he first went to Jesus. But the Word of God says: "Our faith overcomes the world".

If Jairus gives up, he accepts the death of his twelve year old daughter. If he gives up, he has wasted his time. If he gives up, he has showed others that they control his emotions and destiny. Many times you and I, we are "Jairus" faced with a tough decision. Either we abandon our dream, the desire of our heart and destiny or we stay strong and trust the anointed one and His yoke destroying, burden removing, unlimited power to transform our lives and circumstances. It was indeed his continual faith in the anointing of Jesus that made his dream come true. It was his attitude in a difficult situation that made him hold once again in his loving arms his daughter full of life. It was his persevering spirit that turn impossibility to possibility. I want the words "Never give up" to echo in your mind and emotions. I want your heart to fully believe that God can turn your situations around. I want you to be fully persuaded that He that has begun a good work in you will bring it to pass.

We must do what Jesus did and yield to His words of encouragement as he said: Do not fear, only believe". Simply put: "Keep on believing. Keep on keeping on". He wasn't influenced by the messenger's word and opinion. He didn't permit the crowd to follow him. He only took three of his disciples to the house of Jairus. He didn't allow an atmosphere of fear and unbelief to roam. He threw out the mockers. He cast out the death spirit! It is something that you and I must do in order to see our miracles. Chose our friends and the voices that influence and affect us. Refuse discouragement! Don't lose hope! Jesus is still here and willing. Rise up and pursue your dream. Don't let go of God's hands. The manifested presence operates in an atmosphere of faith. Faith expects to see results. It puts a demand on the anointing. The anointing never disappoints.

You must reach a point in your life where nothing and no one will stop you achieving your God-given dream and destiny. We may face delays but we will not be denied! Rise above the reproach of people. They may laugh and ridicule us, but with God we will have the last laugh! We possess the spirit of an overcomer. As an overcomer, we refuse to grow weary and lose heart or be discouraged. As an overcomer, we hold on to our due season knowing He makes all things beautiful in His time. We know that a quitter will never win!

Many men of God in the bible could have given up. Noah, Abraham, Moses, Job, David even Jesus could have given up when faced opposition, persecution and even offense. Yet they persevered and pursued their dream. Noah built the ark that saved his family irrespective of the mocking and laughter of others. Abraham held his promised son at the age of a hundred years old. Moses had the strength and courage to face Pharaoh and led the children of Israel out of the slavery of Egypt. Job stayed strong even though he lost his business, workers, children and friends. David fell in sin, lost a son but still became the king of Israel and birth the generation that brought forth the Christ. Jesus came to His own and they refused Him, beat Him, insulted Him, crucified Him yet he rose up again and conquered the grave and hell. Today, you have the same ability in the Holy Spirit and His anointing! You may be tempted to give up... But don't give up!

Friday, June 12, 2015

The grace of God

Paul the writer also received the revelation of grace.
Once known as Saul, a well-known persecutor to Christians, met our Lord on the road to Damascus and had a total life transformation.

 
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God" - Eph. 2:8

Grace carries the power of God to set us free.
Grace is God's transforming power.
Paul personally experienced God's grace.

Grace is God's attitude towards us and Faith is our attitude towards God!
Grace is the attitude which God provides Salvation - Faith is how we obtain it.
Grace brings healing, deliverance and peace of mind.


"And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth." - Gen. 1:26
 
God creates man in His own image & likeness - like no other creation 
 

And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. - Gen. 2:7
 

All other creation came as a result of God's spoken word but man had something else...
God forms man out of the dust of the ground and breathed the breath of life.
Man had the breath of God - the personal & intimate contact with God.
God invested into man personally.

It's the communion with God that gives man dominion on other creation.

Grace has the power to sanctify and purify the condemned soul.
It has the ability to cleanse even the guilty conscience.
Grace penetrates the spirit, soul and body of man.

Grace grants us the ability to enjoy forgiveness & restoration to communion with God.
Grace takes us from shame to honour.

Grace gives Salvation three components : 
1. Justification - Forgiveness of sin, revocation of curse and right standing with God!
2. Sanctification - set apart from the world and kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light and the ability to be "holy". 
The process of becoming like Christ! 
Sanctification has power to make us 'saints'.
3. Glorification - in two parts (a) in our spirit (b) for our eternity.

Grace strengthen us and produce perseverance and endurance.

Grace is not only a miracle worker but it is a comfort, strength and perseverance when miracles are delayed!