A New Life Is Possible

Dear friend, are you an alcoholic, addict, adulterer, smoker or in any other form of bondage? Do you make life difficult for yourself, friends or family members?

Here is freedom and transformation.

God's Desire For You

From the beginning of time, God has been speaking to the human race. He spoke through the greatness of His creation: the sun, moon and stars; the mountains, seas, trees and flowers; various birds and a vast number of animals. He spoke more clearly through His prophets in many different ways. But, best of all, He spoke to us through Jesus Christ:

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"God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds;"

                                                                               (Hebrews 1:1 - 2)

Some Things You Should Know About Jesus

1.   The Saviour Of The World: God loves you very dearly, that He gave His only Son, Jesus Christ, to die as your substitute, so that you might be forgiven and receive the free gift of God's eternal life (John 3:16) in all its fullness (John 10:10).

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2.   The Baptiser With The Holy Spirit: Jesus Christ is the baptiser with the Holy Spirit. The third person of the Godhead, convicting of sin, of righteousness and of judgement; drawing sinners to the Saviour, rebuking, pleading, searching, comforting, guiding, quickening, teaching, baptising and endowing with power from above on those who yield to His tender ministrations, preparing them for the great day of the Lord's appearing.

3.   The Great Physician: Jesus is the great healer. He made provision for your healing through His death on the cross -

"who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed." (1 Peter 2:24). 

Source - http://airocross.com/

"Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases." (Psalm 103:3). 

"Surely He has borne our griefsAnd carried our sorrows;Yet we esteemed Him stricken,Smitten by God, and afflicted.5 But He was wounded for our transgressions,He was bruised for our iniquities;The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,And by His stripes we are healed." (Isaiah 53:4 - 5)

4.   The Second Coming King: In the second coming of Christ, first to resurrect the dead in Christ; the saints that are alive will also meet Him in the sky, to be with Him forever. 

"For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first." 

                                                                         (1 Thessalonians 4:16).

 5.   The Death of Jesus Christ On The Cross:

Source - www.freejesuschristwallpapers.com

"For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit" (1 Peter 3:18). 

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)

6.   The Blood Of Jesus: The Blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sins.

"But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin." (1 John 1:7).

7.   The Way To Heaven: Jesus said

"I am the way, the truth and the life; no man comes to the father but by me" (John 14:6). 

Therefore, we must receive Christ's personal invitation. 

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me." (Revelation 3:20)

Receiving Christ involves trusting God to come into your life, and forgiving you of your sins. Turning away from sin and allowing Christ to live His life in you. Thus, give your life to Him right now, because tomorrow may be too late.

© Foursquare Gospel Church

Your Story Will Change

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The story of your life is about to change positively, because that situation is not permanent. God is bigger than your problems and will do something about it, so let your heart not be troubled. Only believe in Him.

Jabez is a unique Bible character; he started out on a bad not, cause the day he was born he was named "child of sorrow". Each time his mother called in the morning, she would say 'Sorrow! Come here.' One day, he got fed up being called "sorrow." He chose to change; and he cried out to God saying 'my mother calls me sorrow, but I want a change of name. My friends calls me sorrow, I want a change of name. I want You to bless me indeed; I also want You to enlarge my coast. I want you to lay Your Hand upon my life and I want You to keep evil away from me. I don't want to have anything to do with sorrow again!' The Bible records it that God granted his request.

Can you see a picture of your life in the life of Jabez? If you call upon God today, He will answer you. According to the Bible, even though Jabez was more honourable than others, his family bondage was his limitation. What was working for others could not work for him; and nothing was working for him because of the curse that was working against him.

Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, “I gave birth to him in pain.” Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.

                                                                                                 1 Chronicles 4: 9 - 10 (NIV)

Many are victims of hereditary curses, such as sicknesses and diseases, marital spells - where grown up adults cannot get married and settle down. While some who are married cannot have children.

There are families where divorce and separation has become the order of the day; as the couples are constantly fighting each other, and there's nothing to make them feel happy and enjoy their marriage. In some families, everyone lives below average - where no one can become great. Many have gone to school, received great certificates yet no jobs; for them it's always a case of near-success syndrome. Then, there are curses responsible for premature death in a family lineage, a case where everyone in the family dies at a tender age.

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It is the day you decide that you won't suffer again that your suffering comes to an end. If Jabez could receive his deliverance, then you too will break out and your story will change in Jesus name.

Amen!

© Liberty Life Ministries.

Thank you for visiting and God bless you. :)

Escape from Sorrow and Depression

Isaiah 51:20 - 22, "Your sons have fainted, they lie at the head of all the streets, as an antelope in a net: they are full of the fury of the Lord, the rebuke of your God. Therefore hear now this, you afflicted, and drunken, but not with wine. Thus says your Lord the LORD, and your God that pleads the cause of his people, Behold, I have taken out of your hand the cup of trembling, even the dregs of the cup of my fury: you shall no more drink it again."

Sorrow brings sickness. It makes the bone to dry. Whatever has brought sorrow into your life has a solution. Sickness - Jesus is the great physician. (Deuteronomy 15:26). Loss - Jesus is the great sheperd. (Psalm 23:1). Cheating - God says take no vengeance for yourself. (Romans 12:19). Relation - Loss of a child or an important relative. Remember, death is an appointment.  The solution is to make Jesus your portion in this world. The world will pass away with all its glories,  but Jesus is everlasting. When you have Jesus you have escape from sorrow to joy. Isaiah 61:3. He gave beauty for ashes, oil of Joy for mourning,  garments of praise for the spirit of heaviness that you might become trees of righteousness planted of the Lord; that he might be glorified

Finally, sorrow may endure till a night but joy is coming in the morning. Psalm 20:5 says "We will rejoice in your salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the Lord  fulfill all your petitions." Escape now from sorrow in your heart to the Joy of the presence of God. Psalm 16:11 says "You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at your right hand there are pleasures forevermore." Sing praises unto God, rebuke the spirit of heaviness. Hebrews 12:2 - "Looking unto Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."

You have been shown what is good. What God wants for you is to come out of sorrow and depresseion. You can escape, make a decision today. Do not ask your husband, wife or friend if you should make this decision.

First Decision: Accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour; He is the saviour of the world. John 3:16 says "For God so loved the world that he gave His only  begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life." He came because of you.

#Prayer Lord Jesus, I have heard your voice today, I confess all my sins of lying, stealing, corruption, adultery, idolatry, hatred ...

Please have mercy on me and forgive me. Give me a new heart of Joy. Thank you Jesus for taking me out of sorrow to Joy.

© The Redeemed Christian Church of God

Thank you for reading & God bless.

How To Find Peace

There is such a thing as "peace with God." It may be felt and known. My heart's desire and prayer is that you may be able to say with the Apostle Paul, "Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1).

This peace with God is a calm, intelligent sense of friendship with the Lord of Heaven and earth. he that has it, feels as if there is no barrier and separation between himself and his Holy Maker. he can think of himself as under the eye of an All-Seeing Being, and yet not feel afraid. He can believe that this All-Seeing Being looks on him, and yet is not displeased.

Such a man can see death waiting for him, and yet not be greatly concerned. He can go down into the cold river - close his eyes on all he has on earth - launch forth into a world unknown, and take up his abode in the silent grave - and yet feel peace.

Such a man can look forward to the resurrection and judgement, and yet not be greatly concerned. He can see with his mind's eye the Great White Throne - the assembled world - the open books - the listening angels - the judge Himself - and yet feel at peace.

It is the lack of this very peace which makes many in the world unhappy. Thousands have everything that is supposed to give them pleasure, and yet are never satisfied. Their hearts are always aching. There is a constant sense of emptiness within. And what is the secret of all this? They have no peace with God.

The peace of the true Christian is not a vague, dreamy feeling, without reason and without foundation. He can show the reason for it. He builds upon solid ground. He has peace with God, because he is justified. He is justified, and his sins are forgiven. However many, and however great, they are cleansed away, pardoned, and wiped out. They are blotted out of the book of God's remembrance. They are sunk into the depths of the sea. They are cast behind God's back. They are searched for and not found. They are remembered no more. "Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." (Isaiah 1:18). And so he has peace.

Let me show you the rock from which justification and peace with God flow. That rock is Christ. Christ has stood in the place of the true Christian. He has become his Surety and his Substitute. He undertook to bear all that was to be borne, and to do all that was to be done, and what He undertook He performed. Hence the true Christian is a justified man.

Christ has suffered for sins, the "just for the unjust" (1 Peter 3:18). He has endured our punishment in His own body on the cross. he has allowed the wrath of God, which we deserved, to fall on His own head. Hence the true Christian is a justified man.

Christ has paid the debt the Christian owed, by His own blood, and death on the cross. God is a just God, and will not require his debts to be paid twice over. Hence the true Christian is a justified man.

Christ, in one word, has lived for the true Christian. Christ has died for him. Christ has gone to the grave for him. Christ has risen again for him. Christ has ascended up on high for him, and gone into Heaven to intercede for his soul. Christ has done all, paid all, suffered all that was needful for his redemption. Hence arise the true Christian's justification - hence his peace. In himself there is nothing, but in Christ he has all things that his soul can require.


                                                                                                                       Dr. J.C. Ryle
© Revival Movement Association

Thank you for reading & God bless.

There Is A Choice You Need To Make Today

In the book of Like 16:19 - 25, a story was told of two people that lived here on earth and died. When they opened their eyes to the other side of eternity, both found themselves in different places. The two men were the rich man and Lazarus.The rich man was being tormented in hell - Note that he was not in hell because of his money, but because of how he lived his life on earth. The rich man could also recognize Lazarus in heaven. And Lazarus did not go to heaven because he was poor, but because of the life he had lived on earth.

You need to make a choice today as to where you want to spend your eternity (life after death); with Lazarus in heaven or the rich man in hell? It is your choice. Heaven and hell are real, and the truth is where you go depends on what you are doing now, that is whom you are following in this world.

Note too that is appointed unto man once to die and after death, is judgement. Believers are the ones appointed to preach the message of salvation; not angels. If you refuse to believe them, you are on your own.

Read the conversation between the rich man in hell and Lazarus who was with Abraham in heaven.

"Then he said I beg you therefore, father that you would send him (Lazarus) to my father's house for I have five brothers that he may testify to them lest they also come this place of torment (hell)." Abraham said to him they have Moses and other prophets let them hear them, and he said "No father Abraham, but if one goes to them from the dead they will repent, but he (Abraham) said to him, "If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded through one raised from the dead. 

                                                                                                   Luke 16:27 - 31 (NKJV)

Make your choice now, tomorrow may be too late!

Are you saying what can I do? Jesus assures us that there is no one who comes to Him that He will cast away. If you want to choose heaven, you must accept Jesus. Accept Him today, repent of your sins and turn away from them. With this done, you have heaven in view. Romans 8:1 says "There is therefore now no condemnation for them who are in Christ Jesus." If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Accept now into your life by confessing your sins and repenting of them. If you are ready, say this prayer - "Lord Jesus, I come to you; I recognize that I am a sinner. I confess my sins and ask you to come into my life. From today, I will serve you with all my heart."

Thank God you are a part of a glorious kingdom. Look for a Bible-believing church where you will be taught on how to maintain a relationship with God and serve Him.

© The Redeemed Christian Church of God

Thank you for reading & God bless.

Remember?

Life Is Short

"It is even a vapour that appears for a little time and then vanishes away" (James 4:14)

Death Is Sure

"It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgement" (Hebrews 9:27)

Sin The Cause

"Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death spread to all men, because all sinned" (Romans 5:12) 

Christ The Cure

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16)

"For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scripture, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures" (1 Corinthians 15:3 - 4)

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast" (Ephesians 2:8 - 9)

If you confess with all your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes in righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made to salvation" (Romans 10:9 - 10)

"Repent therefore and be concerted, that your sins may be blotted out" (Acts 3:19)

"For whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Romans 10:13)

© The Redeemed Christian Church of God

Thank you for reading & God bless.

Your Destiny Depends On ...

... your relationship with Jesus Christ!

His death on the cross is recorded in the Bible. At His death, a Roman soldier said, "Truly this was the Son of God" (Matthew 27:54 NKJV)

But the world did not accept Jesus. They liked His miracles, but they hated what He was: the Light, the Truth, and the living expression of God Himself (John 1:1 - 14).

First secretly, then openly they declared, "Away with Him! Crucify Him" (John 19:15). Wrapped in darkness and warped by sin, me plotted to kill the Son of God - to put out the Light, to silence the Truth.

But in death, Christ was more victorious than ever, because He paid the penalty for our sins: "While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). The darkness could not overcome the Light! Unbelief could overcome the Truth!

Rejecting Christ brings eternal death; receiving Christ brings eternal life: "He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on Him" (John 3:36; also 1:11 - 12).

Your eternal destiny depends on how you respond to Christ. Will you receive Him or reject Him?

                                                                                                               - T. V. R.


© Grace & Truth

Roll Away The Stone

In John 11:1 - 44, the wonders of God manifested in the life of a man the world had given up on. The man, Lazarus, was dead for four days before Jesus came to raise him up. When Jesus got to Lazarus' grave, He commanded that the stone be rolled away, after which He called Lazarus to come forth, and the grave could no longer hold him captive.

The stone represents the hindrances to the potentials of a person. It represents limitation to progress, joy, captive, growth, abundance and many other good things. We are however glad to inform you that, the same Jesus who commanded the stone to be taken away at Lazarus' grave, is ready to liberate you because He is not only alive, He changes not. Hebrews 13:8 says "Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and today, and forever."

He is the resurrection and the life (John 11:25). He is manifested to destroy the works of the devil (sadness, frustration, pain, lack and many terrible things) in your life (Acts 10:38). He has come that you might have life, and have it more abundantly (John 10:10). What is that stubborn stone hindering your joy? With Jesus Christ, it shall be rolled away. You however need to seek His help to roll it away by inviting Him into your life as Lord and Saviour.

In John 14:6, He boldly declared that He is the Way, the Truth and the Life, and that no one goes through the father without passing through Him. He has paid the penalty for your sins (Romans 5:8), but you need to confess them, ask for the forgiveness of God, and accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour. You don't have control over your life; don't the leave the decision till tomorrow. Take that bold step today and embrace eternal life.

God bless you. :)

© The Redeemed Christian Church of God

There Is A Choice You Need To Make Today!

In the book of Luke 16:19 - 25, the story was told of two people that lived here on earth and died. When they opened their eyes on the other side of eternity, the two of them found themselves in two different places. The two men were the rich man and Lazarus. The rich man was in torment in hell. Note that he was not in hell because of his money, but because of how he lived his life on earth. The rich man could also recognise Lazarus in Heaven. Lazarus did not go to Heaven because he was poor, but because of the life he lived while on earth.

The Best Friend

A friend is one of the greatest blessings on earth. Don't tell me about money: friendship is better than gold - sympathy is better than property. It is a poor man who has no friends. The world is full of sorrow because it is full of sin. It is a dark place. It is a lonely place. It is a disappointing place. The brightest sunbeam in it is a friend. Friendship halves our troubles and doubles our joy.

Does any reader want a real friend? I can recommend one for your attention. I know of One "who sticketh closer than a brother." (Proverbs 18:24) I know of One who is ready to be your friend for time and for eternity, if you will receive Him. Listen to me, while I try to tell you something about Him.

Your VICTORY is Sure

To avoid the pain of death, man resorts to seeking power.

Humans will always look for power in order to get fame and freedom. Unfortunately, all of man's efforts end up in failure, disappointment and frustration. This is not the desire of God for us. He has better offers for our lives.

The devil is in the business of deceiving and destroying the rights and privileges of man; but the Lord has provided the way out. Praise God! It is a way of reconciliation. Bringing the man back to His kingdom of power, love and grace.

"For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus"

                                      2 Timothy 2 vs 5.
                                                                                      
Jesus Christ alone possesses the right and power through His resurrection to bridge the gulf between man and God. Spiritually, the resurrection of our Lord is sufficient. Physically, it is sufficient for all things and all situations. Politically, it is sufficient to solve our problems like corruption, terrorism, moral decadent etc. His power can take you to greater heights in life.

Don't Give Up! (It is well)

"For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again. And that the tender branch thereof will not cease." (Job 14:7).

Are you a believer that has been knocked down by the problems of life, the satanic host or the flesh? Did you just loose your job and feel the end has come? Are you in the wilderness of disappointment and it seems there is no hope again?

Don't give up! There is hope for you. You are coming back. Your set back is a set up for your coming back. A tree has hope. As long as Jesus is your root, you have hope for a comeback.

Were you defeated several times in a bid to achieve a particular goal? Don't lose hope! As long as you are still connected with the root (JESUS). You will make it.

Action NOW is necessary ... No Adjustments Later.

The woodsman stood by the stump of a large, tall tree which he had just felled, surveying his work with regrets. He had made no effort to investigate the nature of the terrain hidden by heavy under-brush and now found to his dismay that the tree lay in a very narrow, rocky gully which made recovery of the logs an impossibility. While the tree was standing, the woodsman had the power of decision to determine in which direction it would fall, but once it was separated from its stump, a change in its position was beyond his ability no matter how earnestly he desired it.

My friend, you are approaching the day when you will wish that you had the opportunity that is yours at this moment, but your ability to make adjustments will, like the woodsman aforementioned, be forever past. Your condition at death, saved or unsaved, must remain eternally fixed.

The Coming of Joy

After the fall of man, as a result of the sins of Adam and Eve who chose to trust the devil rather than God, sadness filled the earth (Genesis 3). Cases of murder - note Cain, who killed out of envy (Genesis 4:1-8) - hatred, deceit and war have been multiplying.

Man's helplessness has become so apparent that those who cannot stand it have been taken to suicide. God, in  His mercies, nevertheless intervened through a sacrificial gift of joy - Jesus the saviour. John 3:16 says "for God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life."