February

The King who died for His people

Written by Mantebeah Elizabeth Matilda Abena.

"So let everyone in Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah!" (NLT) Acts 2:36 

Bible reading: Acts 2:22-36

The message of the cross is one that has been preached several times but not all of its listeners have become believers. To all who have accepted this message, I salute you and pray for more grace to finish the race (Acts 20:24; 2 Timothy 4:7). As great commission bestowed unto believers, the message of the cross (Christ) must continually be preached to everyone so that all can have the opportunity to be saved.

The message of the cross has not been accepted by many perhaps because of the deceitful nature of the human heart. When a heart is not dedicated to God, it is most likely dedicated to doing evil (Romans 1:22-31) and has no room for the message of the cross. As the Bible rightly said, the message of the cross becomes foolish to those who are perishing (1 Corinthians 1:18). It is therefore our responsibility as Christian to be merciful to the doubtful and stone-hearted people who are perishing in order to rescue them from eternal hellfire (Jude 22-23).

The ultimate example of mercy and love for mankind was demonstrated by our Father (God) for He is the best person who knows and understands the deceitful nature of our hearts (Luke 16:15; Jeremiah 17:10; Jeremiah 20:12; Acts 15:8; Psalm 139). And to cure us of this “sickness”, seemingly incurable to fellow men, He came down to us in a form of man to do the atonement (John 1). 2 Corinthians 5:19 sums this truth: “For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people's sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation”. Thus, the King of the whole UNIVERSE came to His people to cleanse us through His death on the cross: that is the greatest love of all. He is the GREATEST KING that laid down His life for His people (THE ENTIRE HUMANITY, including our worldly kings). His sacrifice is not comparable to the ancient folk tales of people dying for their earthly kings and people of perceived noble blood. It is rather a true story of the King of the universe who died for His sinful subjects.

Make no mistake beloved, this JESUS who is GOD and KING gave up His life for us so we can become Children of God. And to show His supremacy over the laws of the universe, He rose from the dead and continues to reign. Death could not have a grip on Him. His name is Power. For this reason, He did not only declare Himself as King superior to all others but became unto us, our LORD AND MESSIAH. This is the message of the cross that is embedded in the heart of Christians and must be preached to everyone in the whole wide world. All praise is unto His name now and forever, Amen!

What will you do with Jesus? || More

What will you do with Jesus?

Written by Tom Smith.

“What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” Pilate asked. They all answered, “Crucify him!” (NIV) Matthew 27:22

In this verse, Jesus has been taken from the garden and from the presence of his disciples. He now stands before the Jews with Pilate at his side. Pilate, because of Jewish tradition, knows that because of Jewish tradition, they will have one prisoner released. Pilate knows that Jesus is innocent of any and all charges. Hoping the Jews will have Jesus released he asks them who to release and they ask for Barabbas. He then asks them what he should do with Jesus. He did not really understand the full significance of the question. This question confronted Pilate, Herod, the Roman Empire, the Jews, Peter, Judas, as well as every human being who has ever lived on this earth since that time. Let us look at how some have answered this question.

Judas answered: "I Will Betray Him". Judas was Jesus friend (Psa. 41:9; Mt. 26:50). He walked with Christ. (2) He ate with Christ. (3) Yet, he betrayed Christ with a kiss for thirty pieces of silver (Mt. 26:49; 27:3-5). When men today refuse to obey Christ they sometimes sell him for far less than Judas did. Today folks sell Jesus for Strong Drink (Gal. 5:21; Prov. 23:31). Popularity and power (Mt. 27:22-24). Fornication (Gal. 5:19-21). Some even money, same as Judas, sometimes more, sometimes less (Mt. 19:24; 1 Tim. 6:9-11).

When Christians leave the faith they give up much more than anyone could possibly pay back to them. They give up a crown of life (2 Tim. 4:8). They give up peace and rest (Mt. 11:28-30). They give up the abundant life (Jno. 10:10). They give up their peace of mind because they crucify Christ afresh every day they live in sin (Heb. 6:5,6).

Peter answered: "I Will Deny Him". Peter did not want to deny him, he loved Christ (Mt. 26:33). He first stood up for Christ in the garden (Mt. 26:51). He then weakened and followed Christ afar off (Mt. 26:58). He then denied Christ not once, not twice but three times (Mt. 26:59-75). Men, today, deny Christ when they refuse to make him the Lord of their lives and confess him with their lives (2 Pet. 3:15; Mt. 10:22,23). Also when we refuse to confess him verbally (Rom. 10:10; Acts 8:37).

Pilate answered: "I Will Wash My Hands Of Him". Pilate wanted to turn Jesus loose because he knew that he was innocent (Mt. 27:21-23). He did not have the fortitude to set him free (Mt. 27:24). He cared more for his job and popularity than he did for an innocent life (Prov. 6:16-19). Today, church members wash their hands of Christ when they Sit back and allow the church (individual Christians) to come under attack and do nothing to stop it (2 Tim. 4:16), when they sit back and do nothing to bring others to Christ (Mt. 25:14-30). Also when they Care more for their good standing in the world than they do for God (Jas. 4:4) and when we sit back and allow false teachers to teach unopposed (Rom. 16:17; 1 Pet. 2:1-3; 2 Jno. 9-11). Alien sinners wash their hands of Jesus when they refuse to obey the word after hearing it (Jno. 5:25; Heb 2:2-3). Also when they Join in with others in attacking God, the Bible and the church (Acts 28:22).

The Jews answered: "Crucify Him". The Jews hated him and would have done anything to get him out of the way (Mt. 17:22-25). When Christians go back into the world they crucify him again (Heb. 6:5:6).

We have seen some answers that some gave to this question: Judas betrayed him. Peter denied him. Pilate washed his hands of him. And the Jews crucified him. But there is one other answer that can be given to that question. Peter repented and lived for him and eventually died for him (Mt. 27:75; 1 Pet. 5:1). Steven died for him (Acts 7:58-60). Paul later changed his life and died for him (Acts 7:58; 2 Tim. 4:6-8). We can live and die for him. If we do we will receive a crown of righteousness (2 Tim. 4:8). The question remains: "What Will You Do With Jesus?"

Whithersoever he wills || More

Whithersoever he wills

Written by Mantebeah Elizabeth Matilda Abena.

“The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will. ” (KJV) Proverb 21:1

For a very long time, I have been praying over my heart and the hearts of the people that are very dear to me. I have seen amazing results and for what it's worth, I can testify for a fact that this verse is true. So, I ask myself the same questions, I haven't still received the answer I want from the Lord: Why am I still doing this? Why return to the mud from which I was just cleansed? How long will I continue with this - one step forward, 10 steps backwards?

But today, God is reminding us to start the new year with the solid reminder that He holds the heart of all men. Whatever expectations you have for the year must be submitted into his hands. God is by this saying; child, give me your struggles and go to sleep. How he will work out your heart to achieve that expectation is solely on him. Indeed, the how belongs to God.

Sometimes, He may need to reroute us in the middle of very progressive progress to ensure that our ultimate goal for the year and life is achieved. I know they can bring unexpected heartaches but he is the balm we need along the way to completeness in Christ.

Beloved brethren in the Lord, in this year, let's stop questioning how God is going to achieve the impossible in our lives. Let’s not forget, that's what He specializes in. If we ask Abraham, Hannah, Mary, Lazarus among the few crowds of witnesses we know, they will surely testify of his faithfulness.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Amen (Romans 8:28).

Allowing God to be the builder of our lives || More

Allowing God to be the builder of our lives

Written by Dede Abebreser Tsonyake.

“For every house is built by someone but God is the builder of everything.”(NIV) Hebrews 3:4

We all have ambitions to succeed in all aspects of our lives and I believe we are putting in all efforts to see that we succeed. Sometimes in our quest to succeed, we think we can do it all by ourselves. We need to back our faith to succeed with hard work but even within that, allow God to shape the nature of the hard work. Dear reader, the only sure way to succeed in all aspects of our lives is to let God be the builder of our lives. Let us take a look at three things we need to do if we want God to build our lives.

The first thing is to retain nothing of our old lives but retain everything of our new lives. Before we became Christians, we had lived (the old lives) and when we became Christians, we now have new lives (2 Corinthians 5:17). As humans, as we are, there is always the temptation to go back to our old lives (the life of disobedience to our God). If we want God to build our lives, then we must learn to fight off the temptations of going back to our old crooked lives. We must stay focused and stay within our new life (the life of obedience to God) with Christ Jesus. That is the only way the Holy Spirit gets to stay within us and work for our good.

Allowing God to build our lives to success requires faith with works (James 2:20-21). To believe that God is with us and all things will work for our good is good but it needs to be accompanied by works. For example, you want to build a career but all you are doing after completing school is praying. Surely, God can open opportunities through prayers but without any action from you, these opportunities will pass by unnoticed. You are expected to diligently search for a job or start something on your own and believe that God will bless your handiwork. That is putting your faith to work. So get out there and do what you can and leave the rest to Him, He will handle it perfectly.

The last thing I will suggest is to always remember to bring Him His praise when all goes well with us or goes wrong. Our God deserves thanksgiving at all times. Many of us remember to thank God only when things are going well in our lives. When things are not going as we planned, what we unconsciously do resemble a parent withholding the child’s gifts because the child placed second in class instead of first. If we believe God will always work for our good, then we will thank Him even in bad times because we know we did our best and the outcome was ordained by God and it was for our own good. God bless you!

Planning your life without God || More

Planning your life without God

Written by Christopher Opey Tetteh.

Bible Reading: James 4:13-15

Life under the sun without a plan is just like travelling with no purpose. When we plan our lives and exclude God, the result is adversities and chaos! Involving God in every plan is, therefore, a necessity.

James the Apostle emphasized that in James 4:13-14, "Come now, you who say, today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit, whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It's even a vapour that appears for a little time and then vanished away”

Although we tend to make plans, we should never do so without considering God, our Creator. He is in vivid control of our affairs, and we are subjects to Him. Those who plan otherwise fail to recognize this truth. Wayne Jackson could not have said this truth in a better way: "It is a tragic mistake to assume that the events we have sketched out for our lives are carved into a calendar of stone. The plans for one's life are extremely precarious. To schedule one's life as if God does not exist (the practical atheist, if not the theoretical one) is the epitome of folly".

Life is indeed uncertain, so we must depend more on God. James the apostle, in seeking to instill within us a sense of reliance on God admonished in James 4:15, "Instead, you ought to say, if God wills, we shall live and do this or that". May the truth of Proverbs 16:9 reflect in all our actions. Amen.

Proverbs 16:9: “In their hearts, humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.”

God has not forgotten you || More

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