Category Archives: Family

Christian Children: 13 Ways to Raise Godly Children

Posted by Aug 16, 2017 Holy Word, Church, Family 3 Comments
Christian Children: 13 Ways to Raise Godly Children

Christian children are God’s Army for the next generation. How much training have you given to your children? How ready are the children in the church today?

I noticed that the moral attitude of children in many places across the world is bad. And there is less improvement in the lives of so many Christian children. This scary development breaks my heart, and I would like to share some vital points with Christian parents on this platform today.

To raise godly children is a great challenge. Training a child involves the process of repetition, encouragement, and reinforcement.

The Act of Training Christian Children

It is not all about writing a long list of instructions to your children, but the godly transformation starts with you (the parents).

1. You must live an exemplary godly life.

Deuteronomy chapter 6 verse 5 to 7 says: “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength… You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.”

2. Teach your children boundaries, and give them the liberty within those boundaries. That teaches independence, but also self-control and respect for authority.

3. Guide them to know how to read the Bible from their toddler age. The best guide for training Christian children for good character and godly lifestyle are loaded in the Bible.

Second Timothy chapter 3 verses 16 to 17 says: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

4. Don’t irritate your children. Your decisions should be fair. Colossians chapter 3 verse 21 says: “Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.”

5. Idle threats is toxic, for instance: “If you shout again, I will break your …”

6. Spend quality time with your children. It is an avenue for them to tell you all the deceits, confusing statements and seductive approaches they were exposed to during the day’s activities.

7. Be firm as a parent. Don’t bend God’s commandments. Enforce it consistently.

It helps your Christian children to become good ambassadors in the society.

8. Beat your children when necessary.

Proverbs chapter 23 verse 13 to 14: “Do not withhold correction from a child, for if you beat him with a rod, he will not die. You shall beat him with a rod, and deliver his soul from hell.”

9. Correct their mistakes with love and not through public embarrassment.

10. It is not wise to publicly compare the abilities of one child to another.

11. Teach your children the power of music and how to engage in inspirational /worship songs all the time.

12. Jokes and all forms of worldly entertainment should be disallowed. Ephesians chapter 5 verses 1 to 11: “Therefore be imitators of God as dear children… neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks…”

13. Family Altar is essential; engage your children in singing and prayers to the Lord during family devotion.

 

Raise your Christian children in the way of the Lord and you will make the next generation to know more about Jesus. Train your children to be godly and the abominations in the land will reduce.

Barren? 5 Secret Steps to Take for Childbirth!

Posted by Dec 31, 2016 Holy Word, Family, Word of Faith 2 Comments
Barren? 5 Secret Steps to Take for Childbirth!

Barren Christians are not cowards, but they are the unique children of God that endure a tough trial of faith. A barren situation in marriage attracts external pressure from people, oppression, confusion and anxiety. But, I thank God that His power is above barrenness.

The Lord’s first commandment to us is to give birth to children. The book of Genesis chapter 1 verse 27 and 28: “So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

The information from CDC shows that infertility in the US affects about 12% of the reproductive-age population. This includes 7.3 million women and their partners.

It is God that opens the womb of a woman for childbirth. This article is for couples waiting for God’s fruit of the womb. So, I would expose the right steps to take for a barren womb to receive glorious children from the Lord.

  1. Prayers and not Barren Complaints

Barren Christians that complain every day in the church cannot receive any child from the Lord. The right step to take is putting your trust in God. Practice a prayerful lifestyle, and the Lord will hear your request.

Jesus says: “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” (Luke 11:9-10)

For instance, the complaints and hunger strike of Hannah did not give the barren woman a child. But, when she went into the presence of the Lord to pray, her status changed from barrenness to fruitfulness.

First Samuel chapter 1: “…Then Elkanah her husband said to her, “Hannah, why do you weep? Why do you not eat? And why is your heart grieved? Am I not better to you than ten sons?”… And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the LORD…

And Elkanah knew Hannah his wife, and the LORD remembered her… So it came to pass in the process of time, that Hannah conceived and bore a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, “Because I have asked for him from the LORD…””

Ten years of barren complaint cannot give childbirth, but a moment of faithful prayers can make God to open your womb.

  1. Walk with God

The Lord is an Unquestionable God. He knows the best time to give you His blessings. In most cases, the barren status of Christian couples is an opportunity to understand how to walk with God.

To walk with God is not limited to attending church services and night vigils. It involves understanding the covenant of God for your life, and your obedience to His commandments.

For instance, Abraham walked with God and the Lord changed his barren life. Genesis chapter 17 verse 1 says: “When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am the Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless.”

Note: This dispensation of grace does not imply that you have no commandments to obey. Don’t be deceived by the massive number of false preachers in the Christendom.

To walk with God means living a holy lifestyle in His divine power. Disobeying the commandments of Jesus (Matthew chapter 5, 6, 7…) can delay the fruitfulness of a barren couple.

Romans chapter 6 verse 15 says: “What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not!”

Do not walk before the false Prophets, Satanists or Witch Doctors; they have nothing better to offer you.

  1. Be Patient in your Strong Faith

The Psalmist said: “For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” (Psalm 30:5)

If you pray and walk in the presence of the Lord daily, then patiently wait for Him to open your womb. He will do the childbirth faster than how you thought. Make yourself available for the gospel services such as evangelism. And you will get pregnant in the course of the service to the Lord.

The father of John the Baptist, Zacharias was delivered from the barren marriage, because he was a patient child of God. Let’s read few verses from the book of Luke chapter one: “…And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless… 

But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years. So it was that while he was serving as priest before God… But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.”

The devil may tempt you to do ungodly child rituals, don’t listen to him. No one can give you a glorious child except the LORD.

  1. Engage Yourself in Hospitality

Share what you have with the poor children. Give to the poor orphans and the widows. It is a good practice for every child of God. Your hospitality to the needy can make God to open your womb.

I want you to learn from the experience of Abraham. He was prayerful and walked with the Lord for many years. But, his barren life was instantly changed to childbirth when he showed hospitality to the “hungry visitors”.

Listen to the reward of his hospitality in Genesis chapter 18 verses 14: “Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.”

  1. Love Your Marriage Partner

Love is not about the wedding ring, or the size of your bed. Love is about sacrifice and understanding. Love is neither partial nor selfish. Love is not after your money or properties of your partner. Love in marriage needs intimacy.

My meetings with some barren couples showed that the strength of their intimate love with their partners is extremely low. For instance, a couple who married for ten years never lived together for a year. The husband works in a far distance and the wife is not ready to move her business to her husband’s place. The husband died, and the poor woman remained barren.

Couples living far apart are exposed to the high risk of barrenness, because they violate the instruction of the Lord. The LORD says: “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”

Barren couple that lives together like strangers cannot break the yoke of barrenness. So, selfless love is needed to uphold the physical, spiritual and emotional status of couples waiting upon the Lord for childbirth.

 

It is God alone that gives children. And the five steps discussed above had been tested and confirmed genuine as the best ways to stop the barren period in couples. Give your life to Jesus through a genuine repentance, and you will surely laugh like Sarah.

“And Sarah said, “God has made me laugh, and all who hear will laugh with me.” (Genesis 21:6)

Fasting: How to Avoid Waste of Energy and Time!

Posted by Oct 25, 2016 Holy Word, Church, Family, Gospel Evangelism Leave a Comment
Fasting: How to Avoid Waste of Energy and Time!

Fasting involves depriving your body the regular enjoyment for a special spiritual meeting with the Lord. Fasting is not an easy task for the body, because it involves starvation, abstinence from sex (for married couples) and seclusion from social gatherings.

I chose to write on this topic, because my findings in the mission field reveals that seven in every ten Christians who claimed to fast suffered ‘hunger strike’.

Understand the act of fasting

The reason for fasting is to humble the flesh. It allows strict discipline to the body during your special meeting with the Lord. Fasting disallows distraction from your five senses and it quickens your spirit and soul.

Wrong Impression about Fasting

1. Fasting is not a Bribe

Your fasting does nothing to the Lord. Your fast is not a sacrifice to the Lord. I searched through the Bible, and I saw no verse where fasting is an acceptable sacrifice to the Lord. The benefit of fasting is strictly for you.

2. Fasting should not be a Doctrine

You can’t get it right if your church leaders compel you to fast for three, seven, forty or ninety days in a year. The Jews who practiced fasting as a doctrine end up becoming hypocrites.

Jesus says in Mathew chapter 6 verse 16: “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.”

It’s good you decide the starting period, and get prepared for it.

I felt uncomfortable when I saw the way some church leaders impose fasting on their church members. Jesus did not make His fast for forty days an annual event. And He did not recommend any specific number of days for fasting to His disciples.

Is it compulsory to fast?

You have no cause to fast if you are comfortable. But, if you go through one or more of the conditions below, then I recommend you fast. Seeking God’s face for;

1. Child birth

2. Miracles

3. Direction of life

4. Healing

5. Anointing and authority

6. Divine power

7. Restoration

How to prepare for fasting

1. List your requests

Write your prayer requests, and use the word of God to confirm that the requests are not against God’s will. For instance; a drug trafficker praying to God to blind fold the officers at the airport during his next trip is wasting his time. God does not support such illegal act.

 

2. Choose the type of fasting that suits your status

The full fast involves total abstinence from food and water. An example is Moses on the mountain with God for forty days. The partial fast involves intermittent sipping of water/natural fruit juice. I recommend you consider your health status before making your choice. There is no strict rule in the Bible as regards this.

 

3. Choose the number of days

This depends on your free days, such as holidays or weekends. The number of days you choose must be free from secular activities. For example, Jesus retired from His carpentry job before embarking on His fasting. And the disciples did not go fishing when fasting for the arrival of the Holy Spirit. (Acts chapter 1)

 

The number of days depends on your strength, so don’t over-work yourself to avoid hunger strike and ulcers. The number of days is not directly proportional to the number of response the Lord will give to your request. Our God is not a robot; He can answer more than one thousand requests in a single day of fasting…

 

4. Choose your daily down-time

The popular practice is morning till dawn. But, if your strength or health cannot take you till dawn, then break the fast in the afternoon. Don’t deceive yourself, because God cannot be mocked! You have not sinned if you obey my frank advice, because neither a law, nor an instruction from Jesus that compels you to break the fast every 6pm.

 

Many years ago, I fasted according to the church’s doctrine slated for 12am to 6pm. When it was 3pm, I did not find the fasting funny. I suffered severe headache, dizziness, and my tummy churned me badly.

 

I could not help myself, because my pastor said that the only way for my requests to be answered by God is to break the fast 6pm. I must confess to you that I lost total concentration from 3pm till 6pm… I suffered a hunger strike of three hours… My fast changed to punishment that day!

 

The pastor’s statement forced me to study the Bible, and I am happy that God is not as strict as my pastor described Him in the case of fasting.

 

5. Choose the right Place

If you want a fruitful fasting, then follow the practices of the great people in the Bible. Moses fasted on the mountain, (Exodus 24:18). Elijah and our Lord Jesus Christ fasted in the desert, (First King 19:8). So, choose a place of ‘zero’ distraction.

 

If your room is the only available location, then switch off all the electronics and lock the door. No audience for family, visitor, or friend!

 

Your office or business area is a wrong place during fasting, because your devotion to God is incomplete. I studied the Bible carefully, and I discovered that every great men and women who fasted in the Bible did not go to their office or business center. They fasted in a secluded location.

 

When you fast in a noisy environment, then the purpose of fasting is jeopardized. When your heart is not fully connected to God in fellowship, then such fasting is referred to as a hunger strike.

 

What to do during fasting

At this stage, you must have prepared adequately for the special meeting with the Lord. So, follow the steps below:

  • Marathon Prayers

Fasting without intensive prayers is simply a hunger strike. Thus, every hour of your fasting period must be devoted to prayers. Jesus never said that the disciples can heal and do miracles by fasting only. I don’t support praying indirectly to the Lord through the use of prayer books or tapes.

But, open your heart to the Lord, and speak to Him directly. Make your request known to Him. Don’t impress God by forcing yourself to speak in tongues. There is no specific minute for prayers, so pray until you need a break. Matthew chapter 17 verses 21 say: “However, this kind (miracles, authority and healing) does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”

Your break periods from prayers are meant for Bible studies. Read passages that explain the mighty works of God in the life of people. And passages that highlight the plan of God for your life. Don’t join the bandwagon of people who read the book of psalms only.

  • Meditate on the Word

Analyze the word of God you read, and write down the lessons you learn.

  • Songs of Worship

The Lord dwells in the midst of praises and worship of His people. After meditating on the word of God, accompany your prayers with songs of praise and worship. This step invites the presence of the Lord to your place.

 

If you follow the steps above with a humble heart, the Lord will speak to you. And you will never remain the same. This is the secret of the true men of God you know. So, obey these processes, and you will become great in the salvation of the Lord.

Fasting disciplines your body for intensive fellowship with the Lord. But fasting without aggressive prayers and Bible study in a secluded area is tantamount to hunger strike, waste of energy and time.

Witchcraft in the Church: 5 Ways to Defeat Rebellious Spirit

Posted by Aug 30, 2016 Holy Word, Church, Family, Youths 3 Comments
Witchcraft in the Church: 5 Ways to Defeat Rebellious Spirit

Witchcraft is a spiritual practice that makes the practitioner to receive power from the spirit realm for ‘good’ and evil purposes. God is the source of power, and He gives all His creatures a form of power to survive the existence of life.

Lucifer received a remarkable power in heaven, but he rebelled against God with the attempt to over-throw the Mighty Throne. Other powerful angels fought against Lucifer and he was chased from heaven to the earth. And his name changed from Lucifer to Satan, the evil one.

Prophet Isaiah revealed devil’s intention: “…How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, you who weakened the nations! For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God…” (Isaiah chapter 14)

Revelation chapter 12 verse 7 to 9 say: “And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.”

Witchcraft seems to be appealing or helpful, but its source is from the devil.

The official statistics of witchcraft across the world are uncertain due to the historical public condemnation of the witches. Though, the modern practices of witchcraft are increasing day by day, and it had crept into the Christendom in a harmless form.

The American Religious Identification Survey revealed that Wicca (a modern pagan witchcraft religion) is doubling every 3 years. Wicca had an average annual growth of 143% between 1990 and 2001. Wicca is one form of paganism and it is the fastest growing spiritual identification in America.

The statesman Anne Elizabeth Wynn said that there are more than 200,000 registered witches and about 8 million unregistered practitioners of Wicca in the U.S.

If the United States could have these figures more than a decade ago, then I can’t imagine the present figures across the world. This is a serious issue I want to open up for you in this article as the Spirit of the Lord takes the lead.

The Principles of Witchcraft/Sorcery

It is impossible to have the complete list of how witchcraft is done in this article due to the spiritual background attached to this practice. The basic principles include:

  1. Control of the Mind

The Sorcerers get their request from the devil when they give their state of mind to the demons to control. Your mind is the strong threshold that determines the success of witchcraft.

  1. Incantation/Spells

Repetition of a name, word, or phrase in a specific number of times is one of the ways to conjure demonic spirits for magic.

  1. Materialism

The practice of sorcery is not complete without the use of living or non-living materials. Example of a living material is human or animal blood/flesh. Examples of non-living materials are not limited to black, white, or red clothe, plants, drugs, candles and occult books.

What is God’s View to Witchcraft?  

God hates the practice of witchcraft, because it is the devil’s magical powers, which distract people from the Sovereign Lord. Sorcery is rebellion against the Spiritual Power of the Almighty God. So, God did not support witchcraft, either for good or bad purposes.

The book of Deuteronomy chapter 18 verse 9 to 12 say: “When you come into the land which the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominations of those nations.

There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, or one who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead.

For all who do these things are an abomination to the LORD, and because of these abominations the LORD your God drives them out from before you.”

How Witchcraft Strikes!

1. It takes control of the victims’ passive mind to deceive (just like the case of Eve in the Garden of Eden) or to create various forms of fearful imaginations.

2. The demonic voice speaks evil suggestions, discouraging words, or harmful instructions to the heart of the sufferers.

For example; witchcraft makes the sufferer feel sickness, and if the victim admits to such thought, then it leads to affliction of unexplainable or incurable sickness.

Note: Not all sickness is witchcraft.

3. Unholy Anger – the evil power of witchcraft creeps into the heart of some people and makes them feel unworthy. This leads to sad feelings and the sufferers loses their sense of dignity. The evil caused by witches/wizards contributes to the high cases of suicide in our society.

4. Deception – Devil reassure those who practice witchcraft a lot of goodies such as; healing, wealth, power, long life etc. Hmm! whatever devil gives to you is always counterfeit, and it is temporal. He gives one to collect one thousand!!

 

Questionable Practices in the Church

It is no more news that some Pastors visit the witches/wizard for ‘white witchcraft’. These shameful Pastors were not patient with the Lord. So, they went to the attractive servants of the devil for the magical power of miracles, wealth, healing and so on.

They claimed that such power is for the growth of the church. It’s a pity that the Lord will reject such ministers on the judgment day.

Matthew chapter 7 verses 21 to 23 say: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’

And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’”

Witchcraft is an act of lawlessness!

If the church you attend is involved in one of the practices discussed below, then please go on your knee and ask God to open your eyes:

1. Abusive prayers

This include: Spells of death sentence to someone whom you claimed as your enemy; repetitive prayers; repeating a word or phrase for a specific number of times.

For instance, a Pastor told his congregation that they would enjoy spiritual protection if they read Psalm 23 repeatedly for seven times before leaving the house in the morning. This is a churchy witchcraft method of incantation. False Prophets invented Bible incantation into the church. Jesus did not support this witchcraft practice.

Jesus says in the book of Matthew chapter 6 verses 7 and 8: “And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. Therefore do not be like them…”

2. Praying to God through Angels or Mary

It is a witchcraft practice to call the names of angels or saints during prayers. And it is not right to pray to God through ‘holy Michael’ or ‘holy Mary’. The name of Jesus is the only authentic Name to mention in your prayers.

Philippians chapter 2 verse 9 to 11 says: “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

3. The Use of Materials as a Medium for Prayers

When a pastor asks you to come into the presence of the Lord with materials such as; water, soap, handkerchief, oil, candle, rosary etc., then, he is controlling your mind to believe in Jesus and materials (modern idols).

Invariably, your faith is attached to the materials, and that is an act of witchcraft. I saw some Christians tying handkerchief and wooden cross to their vehicle; because their pastor said that it will protect them from an auto crash…

There is no verse in the Bible that instructs Christians to gather any form of material for prayers.

False Prophets and Pastors presented this idolatrous practice as a form of prophetic innovations in many churches. God says: “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them…” (Exodus 20:3-5)

4. Abuse of Speaking in Tongues

Demons have their own languages. Whenever you are lured or forced to speak in tongue, your mind will be controlled by the power of witchcraft. The demons in-charge of such disorganized church service will speak his language through your tongue. Demonic languages are filled with false confession and curses. And we don’t know all these, because there is no one interpreting the strange speaking in tongues to us.

I am sharing a true life experience with you. Please, do not speak in tongues when you are not led by the Holy Spirit.

Watch out for pastors that practice witchcraft; when they speak in tongues, there is always a consistent word or sentence in the one thousand and one tongues they speak. That specific expression is an incantation – top secret!

5. Liberal Acceptance of Worldly Practices

Many churches embraced idolatry holidays such as; Halloween, Christmas, Easter and so on. But, Jesus Christ did not instruct the church to celebrate such holidays. If you find out the origin of these holidays, then you will agree with me that it is purely witchcraft practices in the church.

The early church leaders who endorsed the celebration did so with the intention to attract idol worshipers into the church. Unfortunately, the liberal acceptance did not convert the idolaters to Christ, rather it made them to become ‘white witches/wizards’ in the church.

The act of celebrating a dead person by organizing party is a witchcraft practice. I am sure that many Pastors and Reverend who make a lot of money through burial ceremonies will hate me for exposing this truth. But, I won’t stop telling you the truth.

Satan used Entertainment and fashion as strong weapons of witchcraft to attack the church. Rock and rap music, movies and games were embraced by many Christians. This is one of the reasons for the increase in immoralities, divorce, suicide and indiscipline in the Christendom today.

Unscriptural fashion in the church increased the power of seduction, and this act results to the enthronement of the spirit of Jezebel. For instance, I heard of a pastor falling into the arms of a charming woman (she had heavy cosmetics on her face) to commit sexual immorality…

6. Smart Fundraisers

Beware of a church where your mind is controlled by the soul power and pressure of the Pastor during the contribution of funds. Example of such witchcraft practices are:

a. Forceful donation: A pastor insisting on a particular amount of money to be contributed before anyone could leave the church service.

b. Reference donation.

c.  Creation of millionaire’s club in the church etc.

How to defeat Witchcraft

1. Let your faith be in the Lord Jesus Christ alone and disregard materialism.

2. Keep your heart hot all the time: The powers of witchcraft find it easy to attack a passive heart. So, always keep your heart active with the word of God and good inspirational gospel music.

Colossians chapter 3 verses 16 says: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”

3. Always read the Bible every day and practice the instruction of the Lord written in the Bible. Demons find it difficult to attack the obedient Christians. But, rebellious ‘Christians’ are cheap goats for the witches to prey on.

4. Don’t take part in worldly practices that are generally accepted by the society. Please, focus your lifestyle on the spiritual activities that are clearly stated in the Bible.

Jesus says in John chapter 15 verses 18 and 19: “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 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.”

5. Discipline yourself: The secret of my victory over witchcraft today is linked to the ceaseless prayers through the name of Jesus Christ.

It is not easy for your carnal nature to easily obey the word of God. So, discipline yourself by staying away from spiritual laziness and sins and the grace of the Lord will sustain you.

 

Witchcraft is a practice that distracts the mind and faith of the practitioner from the Almighty Power of the Lord. And the use of witchcraft to help the church is ungodly and cannot stand the test of fire.

So, you will defeat any form of witchcraft if your heart is always active in the presence of the Lord.

I previously experienced witchcraft oppression, but I give God all the Glory for saving my life. My points in this article might sound unbelievable to you, but I have spoken the truth. I recommend you to do a deep research on this topic, and don’t hesitate to write your comments.

God with you.

Law of Jesus versus Law of Moses 2

Posted by Aug 19, 2016 Holy Word, Church, Family, Youths Leave a Comment
Law of Jesus versus Law of Moses 2

The law of Jesus is more dynamic than the law of Moses. I discovered that Jesus Christ did not want His followers to live a nonchalant and undisciplined lifestyle. So, He updated the law of Moses for the New Testament believers.

A lot of people do not like to hear that they are under the law. They love to quote Galatians chapter 5 verses 18: “But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.”

The translation of verse 18 in the content and context of Galatians chapter 5 is that, once you give your life to Jesus, you are no more under the sacrificial law that could condemn you to death.

Jesus was condemned for your sins and He died for your sins. Then He resurrected to give you a gracious life, which is above the sacrificial law. That does not mean you won’t be controlled by the law of Jesus Christ.

The mindset of Paul when he wrote the letter to the Galatians and others was to discourage them from embracing the Old Testament Law of Moses (such as ceremonial laws) at the detriment of Faith in Jesus Christ.

I discovered something funny about Paul; when he was in the midst of the Gentiles, he did not obey any Jewish law. But, when he was in the midst of the Jews, he obeyed the same law he told the Gentiles not to do.

He made this remark in his letter to the Corinthians. “For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law.”

Paul did not encourage anyone to disobey the law of Jesus Christ. The secret of Paul’s spiritual freedom from sin is attached to the faith in Christ and the obedience to the law of Jesus. Romans chapter 8 verses 2 says: “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.” 

7 laws of Jesus You Cannot Disregard

I agree that we are no more under the sacrificial laws, ceremonial laws and the selfish laws of the Pharisees. But, Jesus Christ who delivered us from all these laws does not want us to live an unguided or lawless lifestyle. So, it is wise for us to obey His rules.

  1. Avoid Unholy Anger and Abusive Words

Anger and abusive words are prerequisite of a murder case. The law of Moses was silent about the prerequisite, but the law of Jesus did not.

Matthew chapter 5 verse 21 and 22 says: “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment. But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire.”

  1. Close Your Eyes to Lust

Jesus Christ does not approve the habit of watching pornography, sexy films or ex-rated magazines. Jesus Christ advised us to exercise self-control, which is the only way to escape the sin of adultery.

Matthew chapter 5 verse 27 and 28 say: “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

He told us to cut off any part of our body if that is the only way to stop the mess. Many people thought that the statement in Matthew chapter 5 verses 29 to 30 is a proverb due to the harsh literal translation. “If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perishes, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.

And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perishes, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.” It’s neither a proverb nor a parable. (The sharia law court got their idea from these verses.)

  1. Divorce in the Law Does Not Imply Re-marriage

The law of Moses gave room for divorce and remarriage, but the law of Jesus did not. Jesus allows Christian to divorce their partner if and only if there is an evidence to prove the adultery.

The logical part of the law is that, both the divorced couple shall stay single for all the days of their lives. Did you ask me why? Fine! Jesus said: “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced from her husband commits adultery.”(Luke 16:18)

This practice is common in the world, but it is against the will of the LORD.

  1. Don’t Make Conversational Vow

The law of Moses allowed different forms of swearing, but the law of Jesus does not allow such anymore. Simply say “yes or no” during any form of conversation. Christians don’t lie because the devil is the father of lies. So, don’t swear to impress people.

Matthew chapter 5 verse 33 to 37 says: “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’ But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne… But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.”

  1. No More Eye For An Eye

The law of Jesus mentioned in Matthew chapter 5 verses 38 to 41 sounds too strange that many preachers and ‘bible scholars’ said that it was a proverbial statement. The content and context of the passage showed that the instruction is a direct statement and not a parable.

The motive of the law is to make every Christian a peacemaker and a non-violent person. “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also…”

  1. Love Your Enemies

The only way to show that you are a true child of God is when you show love to those who hate you. Malice is not an acceptable character. Matthew chapter 5 verse 43 to 45 say: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, “that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust…”

  1. Don’t Blow Trumpet

If you make a public announcement of the amount of money or assets you give to the poor or for the sponsor of the Gospel, then your reward is limited to the applause you received from the crowd.

Matthew chapter 6 verses 1 to 4 says: “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise, you have no reward from your Father in heaven.

Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward… that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.”

 

When you give your life to Jesus Christ, you are no more under the bondage of sins. But, you are obliged to obey the law of Jesus stated in the Bible. The law of Jesus is to guide you to live a holy life in this sinful world. His Grace and Sacrificial Blood on the cross are not meant for living a careless life, but they are strength for you to survive a righteous life on earth.