Category Archives: Word of Faith

Spiritual Burnout: 10 ways to Overcome the feeling to quit!

Posted by Feb 13, 2020 Holy Word, Church, Word of Faith 2 Comments
Spiritual Burnout: 10 ways to Overcome the feeling to quit!

Spiritual burnout occurs when the fierce fire to please God goes off due to the Christian’s exposure to the wind of overzealous spiritual stress. It is a terrible situation that must be handled carefully when the signal starts to manifest.

Today’s message about spiritual burnout is for the servants of God and the disciples of Jesus who give their strength and resources for the spread of the Gospel.

Barna Research Group made press release in 2017 and reports that one in three American Pastors is on the verge of burnout. This troubling number revealed that nearly half of the Pastors face relational risks in their marriages, families and friendships.

Pentecostal Theology Group posted a survey on Pastors that:

33% felt burned out within their first five years of ministry.

40% of pastors and 47% of spouses are suffering from burnout, frantic schedules, and/or unrealistic expectations.

45% of pastors say that they’ve experienced depression or burnout to the extent that they needed to take a leave of absence from ministry.

1,500 pastors leave their ministries each month due to burnout, conflict, or moral failure.

These statistics scare me so much that I think it is important we encourage ourselves in Christ. The level of faith in our generation must not be a disappointment to the Lord. Jesus’ question in Luke 18:8 is a serious concern: “…Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”

 

Seven Spiritual Burnout Signals to Avoid?

1. Spiritual strain; you feel incapable to play your spiritual roles

2. Feeling depressed; tired of everything about Jesus

3. You don’t feel like participating in public evangelism anymore

4. Spiritual disappointment; you doubt God just because something unwanted happened to you.

5. Feeling hopeless; when your faith level is diminishing.

6. Spiritual disconnection; when your time for personal fellowship with God is scheduled for something else.

7. Inability to concentrate; takes you too long to connect your mind to God and your spiritual roles.

 

What are the Causes of Spiritual Burnout?

Spiritual burnout is the result of overwhelming duties you admit to place on yourself which you cannot bear the weight anymore. Some causes include:

1. A long period of effort at a particular task; when you do the same thing at the same time at same place using the same church doctrine…

2. Carrying too many burdens; Only you want to help everyone that comes your way with your strength just like the blunder of Moses.

3. Vigorous sourcing for a million dollars to feed a million people.

4. Not asking for God’s wisdom and direction to handle the cases of people around you – the blunder of self-reliance!

5. Pleasing everyone by sacrificing your sleep, poor nourishment of your body, extending your schedules, and loving your neighbours more than yourself could put you into terrible burnout.

10 Effects of Spiritual Meltdown

1. Spiritual coldness

2. Separation from the LORD

3. Backsliding

4. High risk of becoming an Atheist

5. Spiritual status of lukewarmness

6. Resolves to misconception of the scriptures

7. A mere church goer

8. Finding it easy to commit sin without restrain

9. Running away from church or renouncing evangelism

10. The Gospel of Jesus looks strange and unwanted!

How to Overcome Spiritual Burnout

A Christian must not get overworked to the point of burnout, but if you noticed this stage in your life then the following points would restore you:

1. Don’t love your neighbour more than yourself. Jesus says: “…You shall love your neighbour as yourself…” (Matthew 22:39)

 

2. Don’t act like Mr. Know all; Always ask for directions from the Lord. The Holy Spirit is there for you. Not all things are profitable! You would hit the wall of frustration without the leading of the Holy Spirit.

 

“However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.” (John 16:13)

 

3. Always observe sabbath; Find time to sleep well and burnout would not trouble you. You are a human and not GOD (who don’t rest). The deep sleep of Jesus in the storm was a clear indication that our body needs rest after ministration. (Matthew 8:24)

 

Though, I was a culprit to murdering my rest, but when I noticed it drains me and gets me weaker than my age. I knew if I continue the habit of missing my sleep, I may die young. I tried to increase my sleep from 3 to 5 hours daily. I made up my mind to still improve better…

 

4. Monotonous way of doing things brings boredom, so practice holy dynamism. For instance, Jesus did not restrict His ministration to the temple only, He ministered in the market, at the sea chore, on the mountain and so on. Thus, follow the example of Jesus and you won’t burnout.

 

5. Don’t put the burden of people on yourself but on God.

 

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

 

6. Ministration can take your whole day but it’s not good for you. Create time for prayers and Bible Study like Jesus did when on earth.

 

My experience about this point is not funny; most times when I am through with the offline and online ministration, I became worn-out to the point of negative impact on my brain… But I have learnt my lesson to always take the ministration easy and find time for refill of anointing…

 

7. Stop counting your efforts or money you put for the progress of the Gospel. (Luke 18:11-14)

 

8. Delegate some tasks to trusted Christians who share the same vision with you.

 

9. Any spiritual stress in me melts away when I listen to inspirational or worship songs. So, it would work for you as well because music is life in Heaven. Don’t joke with your MP3 Player!

 

10. Don’t prove to be over-confidence when temptation knocks on the door of your heart, always respond with the word of God and flee!

 

Spiritual burnout is a terrible condition that pulls people away from God. It is destructive and without respect for any Christian. You won’t experience such if you always seek God’s direction in all your actions. Put all burdens on God and enjoy your sabbath.  

Crucify Your Flesh:7 Ways to Get Deliverance

Posted by Dec 31, 2019 Holy Word, Word of Faith 8 Comments
Crucify Your Flesh:7 Ways to Get Deliverance

Crucify your flesh is a process of reformation. It is not done by miracle but through commitment. It is not a third-party intervention but your personal decision.

“I couldn’t stop myself doing it,” said Jones. “It” was his lust, which he satisfies regularly. “I lost control of it,” said Janet. What she lost was control of her tongue, which she always uses to pull down people with toxic insult. Similar instances are listless, but my question is should we continue these regrets or to crucify the flesh?

What Does Crucify Your Flesh Means?

Paul told the churches of Galatia that those who have come to faith in Christ have “crucified the flesh.”

“And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” Galatians 5:24

More than anything else, “crucifying the flesh” is Paul’s description of a radical repentance that must take place in your life.

The conventional crucifixion causes physical suffering, but to crucify your flesh involves psychological suffering as you turn your back on the old way of life.

Criminals nailed to the cross did not survive. So, your old nature must be on the cross and no more survival of the old self in you.

Your crucified flesh means your sinful old desires are separated from you and are dead.

Note: Crucifixion is painful, so get prepared for unpleasant moment when nailing your sinful desires on the cross.

Crucifying the Old Man for New Life

To receive a new life from the LORD, you have to put off the “old man” who is your old life without godliness.

“If indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesian 4: 21-24

Your “old man” is your mindset before given your life to Jesus Christ, where you allowed sin to rule your life. Your old life did not make a conscious decision to resist sin but instead gave in to temptation.

There is no way you can stop sinning if your “old man” continues to be active in your life. So, you we will need forgiveness for the same sins you commit every day.

To believe some church doctrine that you can get victory over sin without putting off the “old man” is deception from the kingdom of Devil. If you want spiritual progress after given your life to Jesus Christ, then you have to crucify or put off, your “old man.”

Crucifying the “old man” is a decision you make by faith to put off your old mindset (which willingly gave in to sinful actions) and put on the “new man”. Your new man is a new mindset with a strong determination to resist sin and to live a crucified life with Jesus Christ.

When you crucify your flesh then your new mind no longer serves sin, but instead declares a resounding “No!” when you are tempted. This is a powerful decision of faith, which takes place in our mind.

Appetites of the flesh

Despite given your life to the LORD, your flesh may crave for the following appetites, but you must remember that your old man is crucified. Say a Big NO! to the following:

“Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Galatians 5:19-21)

“But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.

For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.” (Ephesians 5: 3-5)

“Therefore, put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience…” (Colossians 3:5-6)

“But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:8)

7 Benefits when you Crucify Your Flesh

Your Flesh is referred to as the old man, the sinful desires and the unholy thoughts. The only way to receive a righteous peaceful life is to imitate the act of Jesus. How? Crucify your flesh!

The Benefits of killing your flesh on the cross include:

1. Acquisition of a New Life

2. Jehovah, Jesus Christ and Holy Spirit will come into your heart

3. When sinful thoughts come, you would overcome the temptation

4. Your name is written in the Book of Life

5. You will have Peace everyday

6. You won’t misbehave because every decision is approved by God

7. Your status will change permanently from sinner to Child of God

7 Ways to Crucify your Flesh

Don’t worry if you have to follow the steps below every day, because His Grace is available. Very soon your lifestyle will adjust completely to the standard of the Lord.

1. Pray with all your heart

Prayer is a means of communicating with God. This is the time you put everything before the LORD. Ask for victory and forgiveness. You will gain strength, clarity, peace, and comfort through prayers.

2. Read your Bible

No child of God can survive without studying the Word of God daily. The Word of God helps true repentance and transformation. Reading the Bible with an open willing heart does wonders for your mind and soul.

3. Genuine Repentance

Repentance is turning away from sin. To crucify your flesh is to turn away from your sinful nature. Make a commitment not to go back to those wrong doings. Stay away from people that may lure you into the mess again!

4. Make GOD the First

Do not take any action without getting God’s consent. God dwells in the heart of the believers. His Spirit is your Counsellor. Don’t take any action because 99 percent of the people around you are doing the same thing.  

5. Always Activate your Mind

Always fill your heart with; the promises of the LORD, His commandments and His instructions. Listen to good gospel music that inspire your soul. Read books and websites that connect you to the spiritual things of the Lord. A passive mind is a sinner’s mind.

6. Obey the Word

The difference between the old man and the new man is obedience to the word of God without compromising. Your crucified flesh will always be doers of the Word and not just hearer. Your flesh would be crucified if you don’t argue with the Holy Spirit.

7. Be Steadfast

When you neglect your personal relationship with Jesus Christ, it becomes easier to backslide and fall into your sinful nature. But steadfastness brings about holy mind set and spiritual growth.

 

The steps above are scriptural guidelines to crucify your flesh. I followed the steps and my flesh was crucified. Obey the steps and you will have freedom from bondage of sin.

Walk in the Spirit: 5 Practical Ways to Walk in Perfection!

Posted by Dec 11, 2019 Holy Word, Church, Word of Faith 1 Comment
Walk in the Spirit: 5 Practical Ways to Walk in Perfection!

Walk in the Spirit means obeying the ‘spiritual compass’ of the Lord during your journey in this world. There are many questions such as:

Who can be a perfect man? Can anyone on earth be holy as the Lord? Is it possible to live without sin in this sinful world…?

Despite the LORD’s instructions to us to be perfect, holy and sinless, many people still find it impossible to do. Why? The reason is simply because many don’t walk in the Spirit.

Today’s message will elaborate the significance of Holy Spirit and how to walk in the presence of the LORD blamelessly.

Who is the Holy Spirit?

Holy Spirit is the Spirit of GOD. Jesus says: “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:24)

The plan of God for our permanent salvation is to send a sinless being (Jesus Christ) as the last sacrifice for cleansing our sins and after the Blood and Resurrection, His Holy Spirit will always be available to guide us in all our steps on earth.

Holy Spirit is the only Helper that can make you have a successful walk. Jesus says: “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.”

7 Ways to Receive the Holy Spirit

You can only walk in the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God in you.

To receive the Holy Spirit has nothing to do with learning the language of speaking in tongues, anointed handkerchief, drinking holy coconut water and anointing oil or moving from one Pastor to another.

Note: No one is a distributor of the Holy Spirit, it belongs to GOD and it only comes from the LORD.

I received the Holy Spirit directly from GOD, so if you want a genuine Spirit then do the following:

1. Make a choice to leave worldliness and love godliness

2. Confess your sins from the depth of your heart

3. Repent from your careless life and decide to follow Jesus Christ

4. Pray to the LORD for Forgiveness

5. Read and Obey the commandments of Jesus Christ

6. Give your whole heart to the LORD

7. Pray to God to bless you with His Holy Spirit

If you follow the seven steps above, the Holy Spirit will be activated in you. Not necessarily through speaking in tongues because there are many other gifts of the Spirit. Please read First Corinthians chapter 12 for more understanding.

The main signal to know that the Holy Spirit is in you is; He will always instruct you to do the right things and give you wise advice and brilliant opinions that won’t make you stumble as you walk in the spirit.

He is also responsible for the success of your daily endeavours and you won’t be a failure anymore. I always enjoy the counsel of the Holy Spirit every minute of my life!

What is the Way of the Holy Spirit?

To walk in the Spirit requires knowing the way of the Holy Spirit.

“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6)

Thus, the way of the Holy Spirit is Jesus. So, how can you understand the way? You can do this by:

1. Studying the life of Jesus as written in the Bible

2. Drafting all His commandments and

3. Understanding the broad picture of His salvation for your life

The way of the Holy Spirit is summarised as the route of Righteousness. So, when you walk in Spirit you are invariably working in God’s Righteousness.

5 Practical Ways to Walk in the Spirit

1. Love Jesus with all your Mind

Not the love on the lips, but the true love that can be seen in your lifestyle.

“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)

Hallelujah! I love this passage so much because it works so much for me!

2. Make your Body a Living Sacrifice

Be cautious of the things you do with your body. Don’t involve yourself in the works of the flesh such as: image transformation (tattoos, make-ups…), adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like… (Galatians 5:19-21)

3. Produce Fruits of the Spirit

To walk in the Spirit is a righteous lifestyle and not a doctrine. Thus, your life must have the following qualities; love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

4. Daily Devotion of your Life

My practical experience shows that I can’t live today through the glory of yesterday. If you want to walk in Spirit always, then always refresh your mind in the presence of the LORD every morning.

Pronounce your dedication to serve Him with all your heart and ask Him for divine strength on daily basis. Did you know the cause for daily Prayers? The reason is each day has its own peculiarity.

Jesus says: “…Sufficient for the day is its own trouble…” (Matthew 6:34)

5. Eat the Bible like Food

Download the soft copy of the Bible into your mobile phones, tablet, laptop and USB devices for the audio versions. I recommend the NKJV and NLT versions because I noticed many new versions watered down the original meaning of the scriptures.

To walk in the Spirit involves knowing the word (instructions) of God. Despite my busy schedules, I put on my ear-piece to listen to the audio Bible for perfect remembrance of the route and direction to follow.

 

The benefits of walking in the Spirit are the unlimited Joy on earth and the inheritance of Heaven. If you want to consistently walk in the Spirit then forsake the things of this world and obey the commandments of Jesus Christ and don’t disobey the voice of the Holy Spirit.

How to Make Peace with God

Posted by Nov 28, 2019 Holy Word, Word of Faith Leave a Comment
How to Make Peace with God

Peace with God is a new kind of life that gives rest to your soul during good and bad condition of life. Peace is so precious that money cannot buy, but don’t worry you can get it free!

Today’s message elaborates the significance of peace and how to possess it.

Before I met Christ, I had many friends of different high classic categories but I couldn’t find peace in their midst. My money could not give me peace. My beautiful properties compounded my fears. I attend church services but I couldn’t enjoy that joy which can give rest to my soul…

But when I changed my orientation about life, I made peace with God and my life is full of rest till this moment.

5 Major Ways to Make Peace with God

 

1. Trust Jesus Christ as your Saviour

Take your Christian life to the next higher level. Boycott hypocrisy and surrender your total life to Jesus. Read about Jesus in the Bible and Obey His instructions.

Jesus says: “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27)

2. Confess Secret Sins

Stop given excuses for your wrong doings. Forgive your offenders and go on your knee with a broken heart to seek God’s forgiveness for your sins.

“…having made peace through the blood of His cross. And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works. Yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight…” (Colossians 1:20-22)

3. Build Personal Relationship

The best way to make peace with God is to set up a daily fellowship with Him. Make some minutes or hours available for worship, prayers and Bible studies. The LORD would always visit you. I followed this step strictly and I had a spectacular experience with the LORD.

“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” (Isaiah 26:3)

4. Life of Holiness

Log out from the school of thought that the grace of God neutralises your active sinful life. Hate sin and stay off from it! You can make peace with God by living a holy life.

“And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy.” (Leviticus 19:1-2)

5. Love your Neighbour

You can make peace with God by helping the poor, preaching the Gospel to the unbelievers and be at peace with your neighbour. This step pleases the Heart of the LORD and He would reward you.

When you accept Jesus Christ, who is the Prince of Peace into your life then it becomes easy for you to make peace with God. Your Faith in the Lord, Obedience to His word and your holy lifestyle are paramount factors for your peaceful life.

Spiritual Procrastination: Can Christian overcome Procrastination?

Posted by May 11, 2019 Holy Word, Word of Faith Leave a Comment
Spiritual Procrastination: Can Christian overcome Procrastination?

Procrastination is a sluggish attitudinal weapon that irreversibly destroys its victim. Spiritual procrastination is a feeling of desperately wanting to do God’s instruction or assignment, but not getting started.

Pies Steel, a human resources professor at the University of Calgary’s Haskayne School of Business, stated that 95% of the population procrastinates at times, with 20% being chronic offenders.

How often do you put procrastination under your foot? Today’s message will elaborate the effects of spiritual procrastination and how to overcome it.

How does Spiritual Procrastination find its way into you?

You will suffer procrastination whenever you blame someone or something other than yourself. Watch out for the following words as the channels of spiritual procrastination:

*I was too busy to share the gospel with my friends …

*I was too tired …

*I was stressed up throughout the day …

*I was too sleepy to study the Bible …

*I am not wealthy enough to help the poor …

*I can’t concentrate …

If you always see someone or something standing against you and your willingness to do God’s will, then you will never hold yourself responsible for the spiritual procrastination, and such act is a time-bomb.

Effects of Spiritual Procrastination to Christians

Spiritual procrastination looks harmless, but at a long-run it tumbles the life of the sufferer. The effects are not limited to the following points below:

  1. Procrastination steals your productive time and you can never recover it anymore.
  2. It takes away the physical and spiritual blessings from you.
  3. Your heart is always filled with fear and uncertainty.
  4. Spiritual procrastination makes you fruitless, because you lose the fruit of the spirit such as faithfulness and self-control. (Galatians 5:22 – 23)
  5. It negatively affects your level of achievement in life.
  6. Procrastination separates you from the presence of the LORD.
  7. If you permit spiritual procrastination, then spiritual laziness that slides a Christian is at your door step.

It is unwise, ungodly and unhealthy to allow spiritual procrastination to hit you with fear, unfaithfulness, weakness or spiritual laziness. The outcome of procrastination is disastrous.

Biblical verses to Hit Procrastination

The word synonymous to procrastination in the Bible is slug, delay or laziness.

Proverbs 20:4 – “The lazy man will not plow because of winter; He will beg during harvest and have nothing.”

Colossians 3:23 – “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men…”

Proverbs 26:13 – “The lazy man says, “There is a lion in the road! A fierce lion is in the streets!”

Matthew 5: 23-24: “Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.”

Proverbs 6:9-11: “How long will you slumber, O sluggard? When will you rise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to sleep-So shall your poverty come on you like a prowler, And your need like an armed man.”

7 Ways to Overcome Spiritual Procrastination

What do you do when you feel the slothful monster of procrastination trying to creep into your life?

An online survey by the Procrastination Research Group posed the question, “To what extent is procrastination having a negative impact on your happiness?” of the 2,700 response: 46% said “quite a bit” or “very much” and 18% claimed “extreme negative effect”.

If you are eager to be free from procrastination, then the cogent solutions below are for you.

 

    1. Start gradually without delay

You need the daily intake of God’s Power in your life to achieve His wills. Thus, don’t be carried away by the magnitude of whatever the Lord asks you to do. Take a faithful step and He will guide you to the end.

 

  1. Be Focused and Diligent

There are some spiritual assignments that take a long time to be accomplished due to some factors. Be focused on your spiritual lane to achieve the goals. Don’t be discouraged at any point of your responsibility to the Lord.

  1. Meditate the Word of God

You cannot be trapped by spiritual procrastination if you fill your heart always with the word of God. Read the Bible or listening to the audio format regularly.

 

  1. Keep Records

What I do is to set reminder on the calendar app of my phone and once the phone beeps, I do the needful. Tracking events really helps me a lot from procrastination. You can also design a feasible to-do list accompanied with a deadline and you would be delivered from procrastination.

 

  1. Give God the Car Key

If you always give your power of choice to the Lord every morning, then the activities of your day would be planned in the presence of the LORD, and your obedience to God’s plan will knock down spiritual procrastination.

 

  1. Push Away Distraction

When I discovered that watching the television and scrolling through my social media platform distracted me from accomplishing other spiritual duties. I reduced my television presence to watching news, and answering questions on the social media. This discipline really helped me. List your time-takers and screen them accordingly.

 

  1. Assess yourself at night

Don’t pretend that all is fine when many things you should do are hanging on your neck undone. Before going to bed assess yourself and be determined to do better the next day.

 

Spiritual procrastination is a spiritual explosive to the sufferer. But, the obedience to solutions above will deliver you from the destructive act of procrastination.

If you are stuck into the procrastination of giving your totality to the Lord, please give everything about you to the Lord today – tomorrow may be too late!

I pray for every procrastinator who reads this message today that the Lord will deliver you and set you free in Jesus name.