Category Archives: Church

Spiritual Discernment: A Spiritual Gift that Can Make You Great!

Posted by Jun 25, 2021 Holy Word, Church Leave a Comment
Spiritual Discernment: A Spiritual Gift that Can Make You Great!

Spiritual discernment is a gift from the LORD that helps you to differentiate the manifestation of the Holy Spirit from that of the demons, truth from lies and wisdom from foolishness. It is a vital spiritual gift that solves every spiritual puzzle and takes away stumbling stones from your rough way to Heaven!

Would you love to have such spiritual gift? Well, GOD is the only One that can give you and today’s article would explain more about spiritual discernment and how to enjoy it.

“But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all… to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits… But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.” (1 Corinthians 12)

Why Do You need Spiritual Discernment?

Every Christian has the basic level of spirit to discern but you need the spiritual discernment at the higher level for the following reasons:

1. You won’t be caught by the deadly doctrines in the church today.

2. No more confusion as you run your Christian race.

3. It becomes very easy for you to distinguish the voice of GOD from that of the Devil.

4. Demonic spirits cannot get into you.

5. Spiritual discernment gives you the ability to cast out demons.

6. Your level of wisdom increases tremendously.

7. You would be blessed with the right sense of judgment and direction.

10 Bible Verses to Study on Discerning of spirits

1. “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” (1 John 4:1)

2. “And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ.” (Philippians 1:9-10)

3. “Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.” (1 Thessalonians 5:20-22)

4. “But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” (Hebrew 5:14)

5. “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrew 4:12)

 10 Ways to Exercise and Develop Spiritual Discernment

The following steps can help you get a higher level of spiritual discernment:

1. Take a firm decision in your heart that you would always be on God’s side in all situation of your life.

2. Pray to the LORD to bless you with the gift to discern spirits.

3. Don’t be selective in your obedience to the commandments of the LORD through Jesus Christ.

4. Stop given excuses for your wrongs and disallow misconception of the scriptures to justify your sin.

5. Say ‘Goodbye’ to friends that does not help your spiritual growth.

6. Read the Bible and meditate on the word of GOD every day and night.

7. Practice the righteousness of Jesus Christ and you would be blessed with spiritual discernment.

8. Steadfast in your spiritual growth because your maturity determines how you can actively use the gift that discern spirits.

9. If you don’t hesitate to represent GOD in the lives of people through evangelism then the LORD would reward you.

10. Maintain a strong fellowship with GOD through night vigils.

5 MAJOR Signs to Know You Have Gift of Spiritual Discernment

1. You can easily know when a strange spirit is around.

2. Your sense of judgment is always godly and impartial.

3. Demons would bow for the glory of GOD in you.

4. Identification of false prophets and their heresies would be very easy for you.

5. You’ll have the boldness to minister during the deliverance section.

Spiritual discernment is a gift from the LORD and you can enjoy it if you give Jesus Christ the chance to dwell in your heart forever.

“Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.”” (John 14:23)  

The Lord’s Prayer: What is the Meaning of “Our Father in Heaven”?

Posted by May 16, 2021 Holy Word, Church 2 Comments
The Lord’s Prayer: What is the Meaning of “Our Father in Heaven”?

The Lord’s prayer was the response of Jesus Christ to His disciples who requested for His guide on how to pray. Our Father prayer is significant because it gives a clear picture of the expected relationship between you and the LORD.

Today’s message explains the in-depth meaning of the Lord’s prayer and how to apply the lessons for your prayer life.

What is the Meaning of the Lord’s Prayer?

Jesus’ teaching on prayers as recorded in the book of Luke chapter 11 means a template describing the best way to relate with the LORD and how to ask for the best from Him. The following points highlight the meaning of the Lord’s Prayer;

1. How to worship the LORD,

2. Embrace His Will,

3. Right things to ask from Him,

4. Significance of forgiveness and

5. Deliverance from the Devil.

Lord’s Prayer Verses in the Bible

You can find it recorded in the book of Luke and Matthew chapter 6 verse 9 to 13, but the verses below are written in the book of Luke chapter 11 verse 2 to 4:

“So, He said to them, “When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom comes. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

“Give us day by day our daily bread.”

“And forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”

Is Our Father Prayer a Template for Christians?

Some Bible scholars argue that the recitation of the prayer was strictly temporary for the disciples before the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Since, the bloody sacrifice of Jesus Christ had wiped away our sins at once, then repeating the Lord’s prayer every day (for forgiveness of sin) would contradict the salvation of Jesus Christ.

However, there are many lessons to learn as a guidance for your prayer lifestyle:

1. “Our Father in heaven”

It is wrong to start your prayers by mentioning the names of angels or by saying ‘god of your pastor’. The safest way to invite GOD to your communication is to call Him by His true name. Since you have a good relationship with the LORD through Jesus Christ, then you are His child and He is your Father.

2. “Hallowed be Your name”

It is good to start your prayers with worship and praise to the LORD.

3. “Your kingdom comes”

This is word of faith that connotes God’s presence in your life and in the place of communication.

4. “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven”

Followers of Jesus Christ are under covenant to live a holy life and to obey the commandment of God only. You are not allowed to live on earth the way your carnal nature wants but your lifestyle must be strictly controlled by the LORD.

5. “Give us day by day our daily bread”

Don’t be worn out about your future plans because you don’t know when you would be called home. And, it is wise to take things easy because GOD is primarily interested in your daily provision.

Jesus says: “…Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble…” (Matthew 6:25-34)

6. “And forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us”

If you confess and repent from your sins and accept Jesus Christ then you are free from the bondage of sin. This implies you don’t need to ask for forgiveness all the time, but if you fail to forgive those that sin against you then the blood of Jesus cannot work for you. Love your neighbour as you love yourself.

7. “And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one”

This prayer emphasizes the presence of the devil on earth and temptations comes from him. If the LORD leads your decisions every day, then you cannot fall into temptation and sin.

 Is the Lord’s prayer an eye opener to you today? Have you discovered something new about GOD’s expectation from you? Please share your comments with us.

Dead to Sin; 7 Steps to Live a Sinless Life!

Posted by Feb 28, 2021 Holy Word, Church, Gospel Evangelism 7 Comments
Dead to Sin; 7 Steps to Live a Sinless Life!

Dead to sin means that your soul is not controlled by the influence of sinful demons. It is a status of freedom from the bondage of sin.

We are surrounded by sins! Iniquities in the government, society and in many churches controlled by false Pastors or Prophets. I was confused when some leaders who were expected to uphold righteousness told me that no one can be free from sin. Dead to sin looks impossible!

However, God hates sin and does not want us to perish inside the stronghold of sin. He sent Jesus Christ to the world for the last Blood sacrifice to deliver us from the bondage of sin. Can Jesus make you dead to sin?

Today’s message explains the basic steps to take for a sinless life.

7 Ways to Become Dead to Sin

1. Marry the Bible

Going to church, participating in doctrinal rites, pumping your money to pastor for godly forgiveness or rendering service for the progress of the Gospel does not make you dead to sin. The secret code is reading and understanding the Word of God.

2. Make Covenant of Obedience

You cannot be dead to sin if you don’t make covenant with the LORD to obey every word and every instruction from HIM. Your absolute readiness to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ is a strong step.

3. Invite the Holy Spirit

Having confess your sins and choose to give all your life to the LORD to control, the next step is to invite the Spirit of GOD to dwell in you permanently. He releases Power of Holiness to you every time you encounter temptation and you’ll become dead to sin.

4. Don’t Copy the World

Be bold to say ‘No’ to all the popular non-scriptural practices going on in the church and around you. Raise a red card to anyone or any technology that could influence you to live a lukewarm life.

“If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” (John 15:19)

5. Always Ask Yourself

You’ll become dead to sin if you cultivate the lifestyle of asking yourself this question: ‘If Jesus Christ is presently in my situation, what will He do?’ Jesus Christ is in you to give the quick answer and His response will surely make you sinless.

“Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.” (John 14:23)

6. Offer Your Body as a Living Sacrifice

Many people could not be sinless because they don’t want any short-term pains or sufferings but they want to enjoy all the worldly deceptive entertainment and acquire wealth and fame by all means.

“For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.” (1 Peter 3:17)

7. Timeless Worship

Jesus was dead to sin when on earth because He worship the LORD every day and night. Sin could not have its way into heaven because the angels worship the LORD regularly. Always worship the LORD steadily in your heart and you’ll become sinless.

 

If the LORD told me to preach to the world that HE would forgive any sin provided the sinner is ready to follow HIM, then I believe GOD is not happy seeing anyone in sin. I follow the steps above and I have testimonies every day!

I urge you to follow the powerful ways above and you would surely be dead to sin.              

Gifts of the Holy Spirit; What are the Gifts from the LORD?

Posted by Feb 22, 2021 Holy Word, Church Leave a Comment
Gifts of the Holy Spirit; What are the Gifts from the LORD?

Gifts of the Holy Spirit are divine attributes given to you as a reward for giving your life to the LORD through Jesus Christ. Every child of God is given the gift but not all knows about this reward and its usage!

Today’s message highlights some of the gifts of the Holy Spirit and its usefulness.

13 Gifts of the Holy Spirit

The most popular number of gifts is nine as mentioned in some verses in the twelfth chapter of the first letter written by Paul to the church in Corinth. The Holy Spirit have many spiritual gifts but the popular ones known to us include:

1. The Word of Knowledge

Christians with this gift might be illiterate but would be a teacher to the professors. Always filled with insights on how problems can be solved. Ability to interpret scriptures according to the mind of the LORD. Such people can invent and innovate!

2. Word of Wisdom

Ability to solve complicated issues. Brilliant intelligence beyond human reasoning to offer solutions. The key that opens the great doors of blessings and victory.

3. Gift of Prophecy

If you always receive specific messages from the LORD to someone, group of people, the nation or the world, then you have the gift of prophecy.

4. The Gift of Faith

All Christians are expected to have faith but this gift is a supernatural addition to the benefactor for urgent prayers to be answered. For example; Jesus, his disciples and the sick boy.

5. Gift of Healings

It’s a helpful gift during evangelism. It made the ministry of Jesus to spread very fast. No ailment is incurable!

6. The Working of Miracles

This gift of the Holy Spirit tumbles the natural conditions to a spectacular status. For example; Jesus raised Lazarus from the death.

7. Discerning of Spirits

It is the divine ability to differentiate the presence and action of demonic spirits and the Spirit of GOD.

8. Gift of Tongues

If you have this gift, then you would speak language of another tribe you have never learnt before. For example, the apostles speaking foreign languages.

9. Interpretation of Tongues

A rear gift that gives the audience the understanding of a foreign language.

10. The Gift of Helps

If you have this gift then you would always pay sacrifices than others. For instance; the women helping Jesus’ ministry.

11. Gift of Administrations

You would be exceptionally excellent in planning and execution of order.

12. Dream is a Spiritual Gift

When you notice that your dreams always come to pass then that is your gift from the Holy Spirit.

13. Vision is a Gift

If you don’t necessarily sleep before seeing events (not created by your imagination) which later come to pass, then you are blessed with the gift of the Holy Spirit.

 

Bible Verses of Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Joel chapter 2 verse 28: “And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions.”

First Corinthians chapter 12: “…But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit… “

“To another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues…”

“And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.”

What is the Purpose of the Spiritual Gifts?

1. To avoid the church from stumbling into the traps of the dark powers.

2. Gifts of the Holy Spirit save Christians from acting foolishly!

3. Spiritual gifts bridge the gap between GOD and His children.

4. It helps you to stay consistent in righteousness as you drive the rough route to heaven.

5. No more bondage to the powers of sickness – Hallelujah!

6. Gifts of the Holy Spirit changes unfavourable situations to joyful circumstances.

7. The Devil cannot successfully deceive you by camouflaging as an angel of light.

8. Don’t be afraid to take the Gospel to a strange land because you either speak in their tongue or an interpreter of tongues is waiting for you.

9. Nothing would ever happen in your life without a previous clue

10. No false prophets can either deceive or dupe you!

The gifts of the Holy Spirit come from the LORD only. Paul advised the Corinthians to earnestly desire the best gifts, but don’t be shocked if GOD does not give you according to your desire. HE knows the best for you and all gifts from the Holy Spirit is best for the right application.

Your spiritual gifts are not meant for boasting or for selfish gains. They are given to you to help people around you to know more about GOD and His Goodness.  

Mammon; 10 Ways to Know if I Serve GOD or My Wealth.

Posted by Dec 26, 2020 Holy Word, Church, Gospel Evangelism 4 Comments
Mammon; 10 Ways to Know if I Serve GOD or My Wealth.

Mammon is a spirit that masterminds the love of wealth for people’s comfort on earth. He is a friendly master who specialize in turning the heart of Christians from godliness.

The voice of money is so loud in the Christendom today! We rank our churches by size and the luxury in it. Why do we have millionaire club in the church? Why do we raise funds for expensive projects through game of the biggest donor among the rich and through exploitation of the poor?

Today’s message is for the Christians who have a strong concern to know if mammon is with them or not.

What did Jesus mean by serving Mammon?

He was teaching His audience about money and possession: “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and Mammon.” Matthew 6:24

Jesus discourages you from the love of wealth accumulation. He wants you to spend your money into the lives of the poor. If you work hard to have many mansions, exotic cars, and all the best acquisition on earth then you are serving Mammon.

Jesus says: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal.” Matthew 6:19

You’ll serve Mammon when you give importance to your wealth. Did you want people to recognise you as a wealthy person? Then you are in for it!

Jesus is not against riches but He does not want you to love money or squander the monies on material things of this earth.

The sitting down and construction of luxurious churches is against God’s plan for the Gospel, because Jesus Christ expects us to always be on the ripe field for harvest! 

The Strategy of the spirit of wealth

1. He gives you reasons for keeping all your accumulated monies into various bank accounts across the world.

2. This spirit would always discourage you from huge investment into the lives of poor.

3. Mammon tells you that building luxurious churches and purchase of exotic cars for the church workers are enough for God.

4. He puts your mind in all your treasures, so you think less about God and Heaven.

5. The spirit of Mammon lures you into greediness and a life without satisfaction.

How to Serve God and not Riches

One vital way to serve GOD is to manage your wealth properly to avoid bankrupt and invest your profit into the lives of the poor.

“Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?” … Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”

But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew chapter 19

How to Know if You Serve Mammon

1. You love announcing your donations and when you are convinced to give to the poor, you want the TV stations to cover the events so that the world can know the millions you spent.

2. Preference to expensive things than moderate ones which serves the same purpose.

3. Do you yell at God disrespectfully when you run out of cash or not getting enough?

4. Devote more time to work and generate more money at the detriment of evangelism.

5. Followers of Mammon doze off when its time for Bible studies and prayers.

6. Mammon worshipers make special prayers to the Lord and promise to donate a big cash into the gospel if HE answers their request.

7. You serve Mammon when you limit the power of God to the amount of wealth you have.

8. When you love to preach prosperity and never want to emphasize messages like repentance and daily practice of holiness.

9. When your general overseer gets richer through the donation of church members and the poor congregates remain stagnant or get poorer, then you serve mammon in such a church! 

10. Church that spends much fund on various structural projects than the lives of the poor have Mammon on its altar.

I don’t intend to judge anyone or any church. The points above are not my opinion but the message of the LORD to all of us!

It’s a serious concern for me as well. You can share your comments with me.