Thanksgiving: A response to God’s Faithfulness

The way we view and respond when things do not go as planned is one of the aspects of a believer's life that I find fascinating. It's amazing to observe the aspect of thanksgiving to God in good times and bad. As humans, I completely understand that we can allow our circumstances at times to mislead us from the fact that God is always deserving of praise, both in good and bad circumstances. The psalmist confidently said, “I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth" (Psalms 34:1 KJV). I’m very aware that it’s easier to quote this scripture than to live by it; however, I believe the knowledge of the faithfulness of God and the consciousness that we are not worthy of such faithfulness in every Christian’s life is the womb to the same conviction that the psalmist had. When I came to this knowledge, it raised the question of what we should give the Lord in exchange for all that he has done for us. Whether things are going well or poorly, we should never forget that our lives are an embodiment of the faithfulness of the living God, and that faithfulness should instill a lifelong appreciation, adoration, thanksgiving, obedience, praise, and worship to God. Thanksgiving is simply a result of what happens when someone takes time to water the seed of God’s faithfulness. Please take a few minutes to read a brief statement on something that is weighing heavily on my heart.

For me, God's faithfulness is one of the most priceless gifts that we as believers occasionally fail to recognize as something we have but aren't deserving of. It occasionally amazes me that we fail to recognise something we have from the everlasting God that we frequently long for from mere mortals. It is comparable to having a strong desire for something that you already own in significant amounts. The beauty is that we possess something as precious as God's faithfulness, though we're not worthy of it. The consciousness that we are not worthy of such faithfulness, something that is more precious than silver and gold, should establish a heart of thanksgiving, obedience, faithfulness, praise, and worship. "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness" (Lamentations 3:22-23 KJV). In order to really understand these words, I implore you to contemplate the author, the prophet Jeremiah. We are all too familiar with the story, so we need to think about how he felt. I think that even then, we wouldn't be able to understand the magnificent words that he spoke. Perhaps as you read this, your life seems to be in disarray from every perspective. I want you to realise that your vision just isn't capable of seeing things from God's perspective! Jesus murmured, "Peace, be still," amid the chaos. “I am the man who has seen affliction by the rod of His wrath.” (Lamentations 3:1 KJV) The almighty God is the source of the magnificent contrast between suffering and hope. Although Jeremiah had to endure great suffering, trials of various kinds, and afflictions as a man of God, he also came across something as priceless as hope in God, which is an insurmountable thing. 2026 is quickly approaching; many believers can attest to the severity of trials of all kinds. I can assure you that even after you have triumphed over one, you will face more because the battles will get more intense as our Lord and Saviour's return draws nearer. However, I encourage you to never waver in your faith in God because of the integrity of the Bible. The consciousness of the faithfulness of God should establish a heart of thanksgiving when you take a moment to think about the goodness of God and all that he has done, whether things currently are well or not. I believe everyone should be thankful unto God because we are all witnesses of the faithfulness of God. 

In conclusion, I urge you to ask yourself this question: “What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me?” (Psalm 116:12 KJV) The psalmist gave his answer: “I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving and will call upon the name of the LORD. I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people, in the courts of the LORD's house, in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD.” (Psalms 116:17-19 KJV) 

What is your answer?

Faithfully Trusting God to see His Glory

Despite the challenges you are encountering, it is imperative to remember that seeking God and finding joy in the Lord remains the ultimate solution to any situation you may be confronting. It may seem overwhelming, but I urge you to reflect on the words of the apostle Peter: “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial, which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you; but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” (1 Peter 4:12–13 KJV) You should rejoice because you share in Christ's sufferings, and when his glory is revealed, you will also share in it. It has become very clear to me that, as Christians, sometimes we don’t understand the importance of trials and sufferings. I would like to expound on my perspective on the importance of our sufferings as believers. The fact that every hardship, difficulty, and tribulation we go through allows the all-powerful God to show himself to us is, in my opinion, one of the most consoling things we as followers of Christ need to learn. The difficulties we go through need to inspire hope in us. Through my analysis of the scriptures and my personal experiences, I have come to understand that suffering compels God's revelation in various dimensions. As a result of these encounters, your faith will change, but we also need to recognize that the government of darkness will intensify its attacks. Nevertheless, I implore you to consider the fact that God's glory will be revealed in your life at every turn. “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” (James 1 NIV) In light of the knowledge that enduring hardships results in endurance, I exhort my fellow believers to find delight in the variety of trials and tribulations you encounter. “And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, and had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing better but rather grew worse.“ (St. Mark 5:25–26 KJV) Through meticulous contemplation of the scriptures, I have realized that trials can indeed reinforce our faith. In such situations, our trust in God becomes fortified. Even if despite earnest efforts, an illness has worsened over the past twelve years, remember that your faith should not be defined by your circumstances, but rather by your reaction to them. I want to emphasize that regardless of the challenges you face, Jesus remains the source of your joy. The pain you endure now pales in comparison to the glory that God will ultimately reveal in you. Without problems, we would never truly appreciate God's ability to solve them. This is the resounding question I urge you to consider.

 

Spiritual Ascension requires intentional preparation

 

These days, I realize that the Lord's coming is getting closer every day I wake up; every month that goes by brings him closer; and every year that I pass over brings him even closer. I mention this to encourage you not to be misled and convinced by the things and methods of this world. Darkness is unable to understand light. The awakening that followed that insight is the principle of preparation; giving God priority is, in my opinion, the most crucial aspect of the process. “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (St. Matthew 6:33) I hope and pray that we will be forced to put God first. We will be more passionate about God in 2024, and we will discipline our mortal bodies to follow the concepts that will serve as the foundation for ascension in all spheres of our spiritual lives.

 We must work to develop a close relationship with God as followers of Christ. These days, I've been analyzing a lot in the kingdom of God, and one of the things I've found is that we frequently let a lot of things come before our connection with God. I eventually realized that if we let the devil see this, he will drag you into such a dark place that you really won't recognize yourself. Our enemy's schemes and the world's algorithms are designed to prevent us from giving our prayers, supplications, thanksgiving, fasting, reading the Bible, and meditation the priority they deserve. As believers, we cannot forget these needs in the midst of everything else going on in our lives. "Where have you come from?" said the LORD to Satan. "From roaming through the earth," he replied, "and walking back and forth in it." (Job 1:7 KJV) Since the beginning of time, our enemy has been roaming the globe. He is aware of earthly patterns and is only interested in bringing oppression to God's people. He is waiting for you to become irresponsible in your connection with God. I say this with conviction because I know that your carelessness in your connection with God will have severe consequences. For this reason, I've reminded you of a sacred passage. “Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary, the devil, walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” (1 Peter 5:8 KJV) I exhort the generation I represent to remain sober; we cannot become sidetracked; we must apply wisdom to our lives and seek God's will in everything; occasionally, seemingly good things are devious schemes of the evil kingdom intended to undermine one's spiritual foundation. I advise you to address the issues that are preventing you from working for God; after all, our connection with God and matters pertaining to the kingdom ought to take precedence in our lives. Work and education are very important, but we must remember the most crucial thing: even though they will exhaust you, don't let that be the reason you lack spiritual discipline. I urge those of you who are really honest with yourselves to exercise the same discipline when spending time with God that you do when attending work or school, regardless of the circumstances. To sum up, I implore you all to examine yourself and reconsider how you view the spiritual life. My hope is that this year will be one in which we give our time to God and the matters of the kingdom of God top priority. I have included five scriptures below in the hopes that they will encourage those who wish to have a closer relationship with God.

• “But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (St. Matthew 6:33 KJV)

 

• “[1] He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. [2] I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. [3] Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler and from the noisome pestilence.” (Psalms 91:1-3 KJV)

 

• “Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn and the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.”

 

• “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV)

 

• “For what shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul?” (St. Mark 8:36 KJV)

Spiritual discipline: The anchor to Holistic development

 Have you ever been in a situation where you knew you needed to fulfill specific requirements to achieve your lofty goals? The value of spiritual discipline is the most significant lesson I've learned thus far. We all know that consistency and discipline are necessary for success in anything we undertake. I now see that Christians, too, have to abide by the same guidelines. It has dawned on me lately that our enemy can gain entry into our lives if we lack spiritual discipline. There is no shield against our enemy when we lack spiritual discipline; occasionally, our self-detriment results from irregular fasting and prayer. The fact that many believers in the kingdom do not comprehend the concept of spiritual discipline has become highly apparent to me. It begs the question: What exactly is spiritual discipline? Spiritual discipline is developing healthy routines and habits that help one grow, bear fruit, remain steadfast, and conquer physical challenges while maintaining the flesh under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and obeying God's word.

God is the one who brings about spiritual growth. It's an act of grace that alters and transforms you if you follow Jesus. However, this doesn't cancel out your role in the process—you still have a part to play, even though the Holy Spirit is at work in you. To hear the Spirit clearly and grow spiritually well, you must respond to His work in specific ways. Traditionally, these have been referred to as "spiritual disciplines." In times like these, where the coming of the Lord is evident, and in the realm of the Spirit, you realize our adversary is strategizing plans to pull us far away from our relationship with God. In an exchange with Timothy, a young pastor, Paul counsels him to "train yourself to be godly." In (1 Timothy 4:7-8 NIV) he says, "Physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come." It's instructive to note how spiritual and physical training are similar. My involvement in sports made me realize that a team's unmatched discipline is what sets them apart. Athletes are defined by specific disciplines that they must adhere to daily to notice any improvement in their performance. I now see that the same rules apply to my spiritual life; discipline in practicing routines like prayer, fasting, reading, and Bible meditation is essential for spiritual development. It will be challenging, just like anything else in life, but following these guidelines consistently will become essential.

In conclusion, please take stock of your spiritual discipline, identify the areas where you need work, and make an agenda to work on them. This is not the time to be careless. Even if you think you are fairly disciplined in every area, there is always room for improvement, as I can confidently tell you.

The Turning Point: The Experience

 

There has been a struggle to effectively express myself. However, recently, I had an encounter in the form of a dream that prompted me to share a testimony of God’s favor and ask all readers of this blog to share a testimony or speak on something you’ve been struggling with in the comments.

I've come to understand that there are a lot of God's children who are struggling, and some of them have even lost the motivation to work toward their spiritual goals. As I was lost in typing, I found myself reflecting on a time when I had no spiritual aspirations, wasn't living a life pleasing to God, and was unconscious of how I was living. The question then came to me: How many people in the kingdom of God are experiencing the same difficulties I did?

I can state with certainty that the young person I was then would have passed the person I am now without knowing who he is. There are times when I struggle to comprehend how lost I was, and what's funny is that I wasn't conscious of it. When I reminisce about my high school years, I’m consumed with gratitude to praise God for his faithfulness, especially when I wasn’t towards him. I believe this is the beauty of God, because even when we don't deserve his grace, he remains faithful to us. The commitment to being faithful to God while at school or work is, in my opinion, one of the most difficult things young people in the kingdom may experience. I can attest to this because those were the most difficult times in my life as a Christian. The fact that everything in our environment serves to draw us away from God makes commitment, especially in those times, very difficult.

The lack of preparation from regular prayer and fasting increased difficulties for me, and it became much easier for me to stray from my responsibilities and commitments as a Christian.

“Bad company corrupts good character." In retrospect, I realized that the people I surrounded myself with didn't foster an environment or encourage opportunities for prayer, fasting, or fellowship to aid my spiritual development, which initially led me to believe that no one in high school knew I was a Christian. Through experience, I can now advise any believer to surround themselves with godly company that fosters their development.

“He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings." (Psalms 40:2 KJV) Thank God that while I was wallowing in the quicksand of sin, I went to church one night and experienced the overwhelming presence of God. My body was unable to comprehend the joy and peace I felt, and in about 10 minutes, Alrich gained consciousness. That evening, I told my family that I would sacrifice all of my achievements in order to experience that moment again and maintain a spiritual connection and intimacy with God for the rest of my life. Everything changed; my desires, which had previously been carnal, changed to spiritual ones that night as I became aware of my transgressions.

In conclusion, the power of God can transform any man, just as it transformed me. Therefore, I would sincerely appreciate it if everyone who reads this blog shared a testimonial in the comments. This would allow us to connect and learn from one another's experiences. Thank you for reading. May God shower you with mercy, serenity, and love.

The Power Of Constant Self Evaluation

 

 

"Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?" (2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV) The ability to evaluate ourselves is a crucial part of being a Christian. I've come to learn that we can occasionally become so preoccupied with other people's problems that we forget how crucial it is to be able to assess our own predicament. When I was learning how to evaluate myself from the perspective of the word of God and to hold myself responsible for my actions, I became interested in the value of self-examination. I want to emphasize how crucial Christian self-evaluation is. In fact, we urgently need to engage in more self-examination in the modern world. Spiritual development requires the capacity for self-evaluation. This blog post's aim is to make someone aware of the value of looking at oneself before others and to help them reach that point.

"For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight—that You may be found just when You speak, And blameless when You judge." (Psalms 51:3–4 NKJV) King David was able to confess his sin to the Lord, while Saul was unable to do so, which was the difference between them. Saul lost the confidence he had in God before because of pride, jealousy, and fear. Saul lost his spiritual openness and became oblivious to both God and his own evil deeds. Saul ruled the country as king for almost 42 years. However, Saul was not completely obedient to the Lord, and as a result, he sinned against God. Saul also lacked the ability to recognize his wrongdoing before the Lord. David's leadership, dedication, faith, and accomplishments as a musician, warrior, and warrior commander all come to mind. But he also excelled in less well-known areas. David was a wonderful man of God, in particular because he was prepared to overlook the transgressions of others but not his own. David was preserved in the sight of God because of his capacity to confess his sins to the Lord. Our relationship with God is actually maintained when we learn to admit our sins. Our state of suffocating from our own faults is brought on by condemnation. To put us in a mental state where our minds prevent us from admitting our faults to God, our adversary plans to manipulate us. Have you ever reached a point in your spiritual journey where your transgressions have become deep waters and, like a surfer, you have been knocked off your surface by enormous waves and are now in deep waters where, if you are not conscious, you will start to sink, and the more you sink, the less likely you are to reach the surface. In our spiritual lives, when our transgressions threaten to consume us, it is fasting and prayer, along with someone pleading on our behalf, that prevent us from being devoured by our own deeds. Sometimes, this pressure will damage your chances of rising to the top, and you will need some assistance from other sources. David's passionate prayer life was the essential factor that kept him in God's throne room. Scriptures reveal that David was an ardent prayer, which is one thing we know about him. As Christians in this day and age, we absolutely require the quality of having a heart of repentance. It would be great if we could be effective in our daily practices, like prayer and heartfelt repentance. I think your prayers will be more powerful since there is a free flow channel for them to be heard. "Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my thoughts; And see if there be any wicked way in me; And lead me in the way everlasting." (Psalms 139:23–24 KJV) How powerful is that? God, search me and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Please point out anything about me that you find offensive and guide me along the way to eternal life. Allow our hearts and ears to be connected to you so that I can recognize my transgressions when I stumble and see where I've come short. It was like quicksand when I was at my lowest point, and it was during that time that I realized the devil works to have us sin so that as soon as we do, there is condemnation. In that instant, I came to the realization that condemnation distances us from God. I had been falling into sin so deeply due to condemnation, and I hadn't confessed or repented of my wrongdoing because I felt ashamed of how often I had fallen. It was condemnation that pulled me away from prayer and fasting. I was so ashamed to even pray because of condemnation, for the devil knows how impactful and powerful repentance and acknowledgment can be. I was set free from condemnation when I was driven by conviction to develop a strong prayer life. "He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy." (Proverb 28:13 NKJV) I want us to realize how beneficial it is for our spiritual lives as Christians to be able to recognize our transgressions and present them to the Lord. I am aware that many young people are battling condemnation, and I want to encourage those who are going through this by encouraging them to pray fervently and to develop a foundation for disciplining both their mind and body to pray regardless of the situation. "And he spoke a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray and not to faint;" (Luke 18:1 KJV) Prayer is the solution. I urge you all to pray to have a prayerful mind so that you don't allow yourself to get to a point where your prayer habit becomes stagnant. When you are at your worst, pray. When you are at your finest, pray. Don't let the devil or your own self-confidence lead you astray; instead, let your prayer shape you into the person God wants you to be.

Increase in compassion and harmony. Thank you so much for visiting and reading; I sincerely appreciate it from the bottom of my heart.

In Everything Give Thanks

"In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." (1 Thessalonians 5:18 KJV) I recently asked myself a question that I was stumped on how to respond to. Have you ever reached a point in your life where self-doubt becomes commonplace? I was struggling to find inspiration and drive to write, but one of the wonderful things about being a Christian is that whenever we are in need of anything, God provides it, and we simply accept it with gratitude. The question that emerges is whether I have thanked the Lord and Savior for the hardships because I am lacking inspiration and motivation. In the midst of the storm in your life, ask yourself, "Have I truly given the Lord thanks for my circumstances?" Paul exhorts the church in Thessalonica to "give thanks for everything you go through and whatever you face." Therefore, in both the good and the bad, in our victories and in our struggles, we must give God the glory and be thankful for everything, for such is the will of God in Christ Jesus for us.

"I will praise God's name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving." (Psalms 69:30 NIV) In fact, there are moments in our lives when we face difficult circumstances, and sometimes that causes us to lose sight of the possibility that things could have been worse. David pleaded for God's mercy in Psalm 69 by confessing his sins and faults. Have you ever reached a point in your life where you completely gave in to temptation and sin? We were only rescued from the sinking sand of temptation and sin by the grace and compassion of God. I pray that we will take some time to reflect and consider the potential benefits of offering God our sincere thanks. When you face difficult times, I advise you to just reminisce about the past and think about how far God has brought you. At this very moment, I am writing with tears in my eyes. Just reminiscing about how far God has brought me, brings me to my knees, giving him thanks for all that he has done for me in my life. Even though not all of my requests were fulfilled, I still give thanks to God because just the fact that I am still breathing, able to pray, and able to approach him with my requests makes it clear to me that God deserves praise and honor. Because there are so many souls that need to be rescued and because so many people are cruelly passing away from this planet every day, you should fall to your knees and thank God only for the fact that you were able to breathe this morning. I remember recently when I was going through a trying moment and I needed inspiration to get through this difficult time of not having the drive to push me to have the aspirations to reach greater heights in my spiritual life, and someone at church started singing the song. "Mighty Long Way, Mighty Long Way Lord, you brought me from a mighty long way." I came to the realization that whatever I may be going through at that point, God is able since he has already brought me this far when I started to think about how far God has led me. We must recognize the significance of simply giving God praise and thanks for the circumstances we face in this moment of our lives. There are times when we face a lack of spiritual aspirations, and occasionally, as Christians, our afflictions and sufferings push us to the point where we begin to consider giving up. I advise against doing so, and instead, ask God to simply reveal to you where he has led you from and where you might have been every now and then. If God hadn't been on your side, some of you wouldn't be reading this blog right now; rather, you would've died. I pray that as you read this, you will realize this and that in and of itself should be enough for you to be thankful to God. If you experience blessings in all facets of your life, don't forget to thank God. Don't let the blessing prevent you from expressing gratitude to the person who bestowed it on you. In fact, as a show of gratitude, you should fast and pray for God for a day or two. I hope that by reading this blog, you'll be reminded of how important it is to express thanks. Just a little reminder to be thankful. As Christians, let's try our best to uplift, encourage, congratulate, and love one another because when we stand together, we can accomplish anything. I give thanks to God for all of my brothers and sisters in Christ.

Impactful Friendships

"How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!" (Psalms 133:1 NIV) I've come to understand something as a Christian over the years: friendships are either what make us or what break us when it comes to personal development, joy, and peace. We need to be surrounded by people who will be helpful to us both spiritually and temporally. Finding true friendships that are based on God, with whom you can vent, and who honestly want the best for us is exceedingly challenging in these final days. How crucially good connections can affect my life in all its facets should now be your inquiry. What impact am I having on my friend's life is another question to ask oneself.

According to research, friendship is a relationship between two people marked by long-lasting love, esteem, intimacy, and trust. Throughout a person's life, friendships are crucial connections in all cultures. As Christians, we will experience many trials and tribulations, and there will be times when we will need someone to fight our battles alongside us via prayer and fasting. There will also be occasions when words of encouragement will act as a weapon for strength and revival in our lives. The people we choose to surround ourselves with must be able to contribute to the relationship that we have with them. One of the most crucial things we need to understand about the life of Jesus is that he surrounded himself with twelve people he could call his friends, of whom three—Peter, James, and John—were always by his side, according to what the Bible says. Of the three, the apostle John had a closer relationship with Jesus and referred to himself as "the one that Jesus loved." "When Jesus therefore saw his mother and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son." (John 19:26 KJV) In his hour of suffering, Jesus spoke about the welfare of his mother, but he knew he had a friend who could now shoulder the burden he formerly bore. He felt secure knowing that his friend John, the person he loved, was present at that time. This illustrates the value of friendship. "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." (John 15:13) Ancient friendships placed a high value on loyalty and the sharing of secrets. According to the Greeks, the ultimate act of loyalty was to die for a friend. It's crucial to understand that the people you choose to be in your life must be receptive to hearing the deeper ideas that you find difficult to express in public. "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." (James 5:16 KJV) James exhorts us to confess our sins to one another and to pray for one another. However, I believe that it has become more challenging for Christians to surround themselves with friends whom they can openly discuss their struggles. Yes, there are some things that they may confess to, but there are also other battles that they may be fighting that can be resolved by telling a friend and receiving additional prayer from that friend. I want you to see the significance of having a close companion who is not just a Christian but also upright and follows God's precepts. The Bible teaches that having such a friend can have a positive impact. "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." A friend who prays for you is a good friend, but the kind of friend we need in our lives is one who walks righteously in Christ. When we stray from God's purpose, that friend will help us get back on track. You ought to be that righteous friend whose passionate prayers will be successful for deliverance, healing, and protection when someone you know needs a shoulder to cry on because their life is in disarray.

"Above all things, have intense and unfailing love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins." (1 Peter 4:8 AMPC) Good friendships are built on love, which is something that is lacking in the modern church. This lack of genuine love for each other leads us to believe that we can survive without genuine love for one another, but the truth is that without love, you are none of his. Our adversary is aware that when we are in love, we are unstoppable; when we are in love, we are united; and when we are in love, we are saved. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John3:16 KJV) We didn't deserve it, but even before you and I were born, he intervened out of love for us, bringing us to this day and offering us hope that, if we would just put our faith in him, we would not perish but have eternal life. Everyone who reads this site has committed a sin or fallen short of a standard; you all have thought or done something against someone that you shouldn't have. However, sincere love will always compel you to make amends or apologize. Be aware that conflicts and disagreements will occur. As Christians, it is only normal to disagree with one another. However, instead of letting our adversary take advantage of this and drive us apart, we must be able to set our pride aside in order to put things right when they go wrong and, if necessary, to become venerable. "Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee, leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift." (Matthew 5:23–24 KJV) Jesus stresses the significance of maintaining interpersonal harmony. Sometimes we find ourselves in situations where we desperately need revival and, despite our sincere prayers and supplications, we are unable to obtain what we want because some reconciliations still need to be accomplished. For the power of God to be seen in the modern church, we can fast and pray every day, but things first need to be right between us. "Do not be misled: bad company corrupts good character." (1 Corinthians 15:33 NIV) Who we associate with can gradually change who we are; staying with people of negative character is toxic.

Inconclusion, I’d like you to ask yourself these four questions:

1.       Have I had an influence on my friends' spiritual lives?

 

2.       What effects have my close companions had on my spiritual life?

 

3.       How many of my friendships need to be reconciled?

 

4.       How can I make a difference in my friends' lives?

 

I am extremely appreciative of your answers, and I wish that peace and love may be multiplied in your life. I hope that my blog will inspire, be helpful, and lead to a spiritual awakening for people who read it.

An Anchor For My Soul

“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain.” (Hebrews 6:19 NIV)

Recently, as I was fasting, the lyrics to a song by Joseph Spence kept playing in my thoughts. "In times like these, we need a Savior." In times like these, we need an anchor. Be very sure. Be very sure. Your anchor holds and grips the solid rock. In singing this song to myself, I was convicted and inspired to express my thoughts about our anchor, which is Jesus, in a time when we desperately need a savior. We have an anchor that holds when everything around us is chaos. We have an anchor when principalities and darkness are approaching as if it were a thunderous storm. We have an anchor. I'm motivated to reassure you that you have an anchor in case your ship rocks. "Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer" (Romans 12:12 KJV) rejoicing in expectation that your anchor will hold, which makes it possible for you to be patient in affliction.

We must be extremely certain of our anchor in times like these and if it is holding. We must be aware that we are living in a period in which there are many false anchors that can't keep us from being easily wrecked when a storm comes through. When life is chaotic, when the enemy is pressuring us to flee from the truth, when our flesh is sapping the desire of our spirit, then we must stand our ground. The anchor must hold. We will face challenges as we grow in faith because God places us in circumstances where He can reveal himself to us, but I've come to the realization that right now, one of our most challenging circumstances is letting God lead us in everything we do. It can be challenging for some Christians to comprehend that God is their anchor, so it will be challenging for some of us to simply let God guide us through this life. "A person's steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand their own way?" (Proverbs 20:24 KJV) The fact of the matter is that we don’t even understand our own way. God is simply the potter, and we are the clay. The definition of pottery is the process and the products of forming vessels and other objects with clay and other raw materials, which are fired at high temperatures to give them a hard and durable form. Therefore, God, the master potter, merely employs a process to shape us into vessels of honor. We became something from nothing because of him, and he subjected us to high temperatures of trials, tribulations, and sufferings to give us the finished product. Now that our potter has already molded us from the ground up to be able to bear all burning trials and endure any false teaching, boasters, false prophets, or unholiness, our faith in him must grow in difficult times. "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." (Psalms 119:105 KJV) The elegance of our anchor, He provided us with a manual to serve as a guide in the shape of the Bible because he anticipated that we would require it before he created us. Scriptures cannot be changed, the truth cannot be concealed, and the word of God is the truth. If we want to let the word guide us, we must love the truth. When we feel as though we are straying from the word, we should return to its boundaries. I had the realization that the Bible is the rock that our anchor clings to since it has the solutions to all of life's problems. In conclusion, I'll just say that in order for the power of God to be seen in our church and in our lives, we must be absolutely certain that our anchor holds and that we are clinging to the solid rock, making sure that our lives are pleasing to God.

I pray that reading this blog will in some way shape or form have a beneficial effect on your life. I'm very appreciative of everyone who has taken the time to view it. I would really appreciate it if everyone would leave a comment and follow. All praise be to God, who will continue to be my compass.

With God You Can

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthen me." (Philippians 4:13 KJV) Through Christ, anything is possible. With God's help, who gives us Christians our strength, we can accomplish tasks that seem impossible. Even though the phrase "With God You Can" may seem straightforward, it might be difficult at times to let God have his way. When we as believers are guided by the principles and boundaries of God's word, we understand that no weapon that is formed against us shall prosper, and every tongue that rises against us will fall. However, there are times when we encounter situations and we forget that our heavenly father is there with us, and with him by our side, we can. This subject and how it may affect other people intrigue me greatly. The simple truth is that with God, anything is possible. I pray that God will allow me to speak under the influence of the Holy Spirit so that this blog can touch the hearts of its readers and consume the hearts of those who are excluding God from their situations.

"For with God nothing shall be impossible" (Luke 1:37 KJV) With God, anything that we perceive to be impossible in our lives is actually attainable. When God is on your side, circumstances that seem inadequate from every viewpoint become possible. "And, behold, thy cousin Elizabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren." (Luke 1:36 KJV) We need to experience seemingly impossible situations in order to fully grasp the impact and usefulness of understanding that nothing is impossible for God. The Bible tells us that even though Elizabeth was infertile and both she and her husband Zacharias were old, they were both righteous in the eyes of God, keeping all of the Lord's commandments and ordinances without breaking them, and they passionately prayed for what they needed. As Christians, it is our responsibility to make sure that we are living righteously and in accordance with God's word and to pray, beg, and thank God for his blessings. "But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elizabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John." (Luke 1:13 KJV) While it was undoubtedly doable when they were young, God blessed them when it seemed impossible. The circumstance that was once impossible was made possible because God heard their prayers—not just one day’s worth. We must believe that God is with us, but we are unable to do anything through him because he did not perform the task when we taught that it was possible at that specific time. Instead, he may have been waiting to demonstrate the wonder of his unfailing ability to complete the task when it seemed impossible so that your faith in him would increase significantly when you had previously thought to give up on him. Whatever people may say, he is simply capable of doing it all. He will always be by your side, so no matter what happens in your life, you can smile knowing that God is in your vessel. Be patient; this too shall pass.

"And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years." (Luke 1:18 KJV) Be careful not to let your faith in God be diminished by circumstances that appear insurmountable. We as Christians are able to say, "With God I Can," and I'm convinced that neither houses, land, school fees, bills, or anything else you desire that seems impossible for you is impossible for the God that we serve. Angels bow before him, and heaven and earth adore him. If the Creator should tarry and the price of one bottle of water becomes $1 billion dollars and I'm dying for water and I have no money on me at that moment, God is able to provide for me to get that one bottle of water in a blink of an eye.

If you don't remember anything, let me remind you that you can achieve anything you set your mind to in this life because God is on your side.

Increase in compassion and harmony. Thank you so much for visiting and reading; I sincerely appreciate it from the bottom of my heart.

Time Is Winding Up

Time is winding up

“But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you." "For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.” (1 Thessalonians 5:1-2 KVJ) You already know that the Lord's return is drawing near, so I don't need to write to you. I don't need to remind some of us about the difficult time we're entering; now is the time for us Christians to be praying fervently for God's will to be done in our lives because it is then that the devil will try to wreck our lives and divert our attention from the time that is quickly approaching. My prayer for everyone who reads this blog, saved or not, is that no matter where they are in this journey of life, God's will be done in them so they will be able to know the trying times we're in. When contemplating this fascinating subject about time winding down, a lot of ideas and insights came to me, but for the time being, I'd like to focus on the idea of being awake for the times that are coming.

“And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.” (Romans 13:11 KJV) It's time to get out of sleep. One of the most unfortunate things I've observed about Christians is how many of us are currently dozing off because we've become so engrossed in worldly concerns that we've allowed our awareness of the approaching end to fade. The word of God is being fulfilled every day, but there are others who haven't yet woken up. I find that there are so many people who don't seem to understand that in order for us to succeed as Christians, we must be in a place where the enemy can't drag us away from God's presence. “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1 peter 5:8 KJV) There is no time to be careless since our enemy is looking for us, and if we are not vigilant, he is going to attempt to consume us immediately as we take a breath to rest. On one hand, the spirit keeps us alert, but on the other, the war against the flesh and the torment of our sufferings in this life are carrying some of us into the state of deception of the coming of the Lord. Our adversary is attempting to trick us with his tactics of trials and tribulation to distract us from the realization that the coming of the Lord is at hand. There are so many factors that are causing individuals to fall asleep that it bothers me to think about them. No number of words can adequately convey how serious the problem is. The subject of how to stay awake in this situation has now arisen, and for some people, the more important thing to ask is, Am I sleeping?

In my spiritual journey, there was a time when I was sleeping; in fact, I was so deep in sleep that I was unconscious of the fact that I was sleeping. I was still at church, doing my ministry, but I was deep in sleep, and I allowed myself to think that because I was doing my ministry alone, it was good. I was so deep in sleep, however, that I started to fall deeper into sin without realizing it because sin is like quicksand: the moment you step in it, you better jump out because the moment you delay, it will consume you. One day I was visiting a church, and I was in the back of the church when I felt the presence of God. I started to cry, not out of sadness but of joy, which I had never experienced at that point. My desires changed from being carnal to spiritual that day, and I started to delight myself in the Lord. The more I delighted myself in him, the more awakened I became through prayer, fasting, and studying God's word, and the more conscious I became of this. The awakening of the age we live in is brought about through fervent prayer and fasting in the pursuit of God. “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” (James 1:5, NIV) I can only share with you what I’ve learned through my journey: that you can be awake and still fall asleep. To stay awake, that can only be done by seeking God and never getting comfortable in where you are because comfort becomes dormant, and when you get dormant you’re able to fall asleep. His word declares that if we lack any wisdom or understanding, we should ask, for our God is the great giver; he gives without finding fault.

My prayer is that this blog will open your eyes and convict your hearts. May God guide us all through the times we are in and the ones that are coming. May peace and love be multiplied among you all. increase in compassion and harmony. Thank you so much for visiting and reading; I sincerely appreciate it.

The Weapon Of Prayer

The significance of prayer is something that we as Christians frequently undervalue. We observe men and women of God who demonstrate the value of prayer by demonstrating a close connection with God that has developed through supplication to our heavenly Father. Without prayer, you cannot develop your faith, and without faith, you are not his. A connection with God is successful through prayer, which is one of the most effective practices we must engage in if we want God to carry out his will in our lives.

The primary types of prayer:

- Supplication

Supplication (also known as petitioning) is a form of prayer, wherein one party humbly or earnestly asks another party to provide something, either for the party who is doing the supplicating (e.g., "Please spare my life.") or on behalf of someone else.

 

- Thanksgiving

The word thanksgiving means the act of expressing or feeling thankfulness. In other words, it's the act of giving thanks for what you're grateful for. This sense of the word is often used in a religious context. For example, a prayer of thanksgiving involves praying to express gratitude for the blessings in one's life.

 

- Adoration

In prayers of adoration or worship, we exalt the greatness of God and acknowledge our dependence on Him in all things. The mass and the other liturgies of the Church are full of prayers of adoration or worship, such as the Gloria (the Glory to God). Among private prayers, the act of faith is a prayer of adoration.

 

- Confession

A prayer of confession is a way for us to acknowledge and repent of our sins. Through prayers of confession, we come clean with God about our mistakes and need for God's grace, preparing our hearts to be cleansed by Christ's sacrifice and transformed by the Holy Spirit.

 

- Intercession

Intercession, or intercessory prayer, is the act of praying to a deity on behalf of others, or asking a saint in heaven to pray on one's behalf or for others.

 

I'll like to emphasize on our time spend with God through prayer.

As a result, we can see that there are numerous methods to approach God in prayer while following the teachings of the Bible. Because the Bible is there to lead us on this path, Christians can see instances of situations where prayer made a significant difference in how they handled dangerous situations. When they needed a path out, they were aware of their means of subsistence and understood what to do. "O our God, wilt thou not judge them? For we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee.'' (2 Chronicles 20:11 KJV) When Jehoshaphat learned that a large number of people were approaching to engage in combat, he immediately sought the Lord and declared a fast throughout all of Judah. When we face obstacles, the first thing we should do is approach God. Depending on the circumstances, this should go beyond simple prayer and require us to address the issue through prayer and fasting. The Bible makes clear that the people of God believed that praying to their deity was the only method to overcome difficulties. "If, when evil cometh upon us, as the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we stand before this house, and in thy presence, (for thy name is in this house,) and cry unto thee in our affliction, then thou wilt hear and help." (2 Chronicles 20:9 KJV) When we stand in the presence of God and pray to him in our suffering while facing depression, sickness, pestilence, judgment, school stress, or judgment, he will hear us and assist us, according to what he said. Prayer is essential, but so is being in God's sanctuary, because when you're there, he'll hear you and answer. Elkanah's barren wife Hannah went to the sanctuary, where the Ark of the Covenant was kept, and prayed and cried vehemently to the Lord. If God granted her a son, she swore she would surrender him to God. When the priest, Eli, saw her praying, he assumed she was drunk.

Hannah prayed meekly and honestly to God. She was aware of her need. When she went to the temple, where she knew that God was present and could be reached, she made her plea to God with the assurance that God was aware of it.

 The most serious issue I see with believers is how little time we spend with God. I've come to the realization that we haven't established strong roots and a solid foundation for prayer in our lives. Instead, we have become so preoccupied with a variety of activities that prayer, which ought to be our top priority, has become the root that needs water for survival. We continue to walk past the well because there are so many droplets of distractions at work and in school from some of the people we surround ourselves with that the devil uses to divert our attention away from the fountain God has provided inside; the well to water our roots with prayer. In order for God's will to be accomplished in our lives, prayer has now taken on the role of a well of water, and without it, we would not be able to grow into the people God wants us to be. "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." (Romans 8:26) Therefore, we observe how the spirit assists us because, in truth, it is aware of our needs before we are. It is for us to nourish the spirit and take delight in the Lord so that the spirit within us can intercede. Before we even consider praying, we must understand that God is already aware of our innermost thoughts. Therefore, before we pray, we must fervently seek God, pleading with him to grant us the right heart, the right desires, and the will to be done, as there are times when our will is completely at odds with his. Praying should be a necessity in our lives.

"It is better in prayer to have a heart without words than words without heart."

 

"The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:5-7 KJV)

 In a time when it is evident that the Lord is at hand, it is no time to be anxious when trouble befalls us. Rather, in everything that will come at us through prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your request be made known to our God.

Increase in compassion and harmony. Thank you so much for visiting and reading; I sincerely appreciate it.