The disciples were in the boat with Jesus (Mark 4v36). As they sailed on, a strong wind came with waves which entered the boat and it was nearly swamped, verse 37 of Matthew 4. Jesus was sleeping and the disciples woke him up. They said "Teacher,don't you care if we drown?" He got up and rebuked the wind and it calmed down.
The interesting part of this story is that the disciples who had been with Jesus, followed his teachings daily, still asked one another "who is this? Even the wind and waves obey him!"verse 41.
You would think that at this point the disciples should know the kind of authority Jesus had. They saw him driving out evil spirits, healing the man with leprosy and the paralytic who was brought by the four, plus many healing miracles which he did. They still got surprised when he calmed the storm because they never knew he had power even over natural disasters. The bible says in John 1v3 that through him all things were made, meaning that even the sea and the wind were created by him, so his creatures should obey him. We read in Mark 6v45 that he walked on water, this adds on to prove that he had authority over everything created by him. The water could not drown its creator.
We can start our walk with Jesus but still not realising how much he can do for us,some know him as a saviour which is not bad but there is more to know about him, to others he is a healer and a teacher. Jesus can also take care of our problems starting from the small ones to the huge or the challenging ones. He can even rebuke the storm around you. He said in Matthew 28v18 " All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me" If Jesus is in you, he is greater than any other problem.
The disciples thought they will die in that storm but that could not happen because Jesus had called them on a mission, that is to carry on with the gospel (Matthew 28v19)
Everyone is here on earth for a purpose, therefore refuse to die without accomplishing your purpose. Rebuke the storm around you in the name of Jesus, the one who was there when the earth was created, the author of your life.
Thursday 29 January 2015
Wednesday 28 January 2015
BEYOND THE GUARDS CONTROL
There were alot of confusions during the death of Jesus,especially among those who did not believe him. The book of Matthew 27v62. The guards were planning to tighten the security at his tomb,they thought Jesus' disciples would come and take away his body. They did not believe in the resurrection.
This first plan of tightening the security failed because the bible says in Matthew 28v3-6 there was a violent earthquake, the stone was rolled,the guards shook and became like dead men. The angel of the Lord spoke to the women at the tomb and told them that Jesus has risen,he is in Galilee. He rose from the dead and passed the security.
The guards did not stop there, they devised another plan with the chief priests. They collected money from the priests so that they should say Jesus disciples came in the night and stole his body. This plan did not work again because the news spread all over from that day up to today.
The whole salvation plan was from God himself. Therefore everything which was happening around Jesus crucifixion was already predicted,ie the Judas betrayal, Peters denial, but the plan to stop the resurrection news was not from God, not even in line with God's mission of bringing salvation to mankind. Therefore nobody will just come with an idea to stop it, nobody can stop God's plan.
When Jesus stopped answering Pilate's questions during his trial,Pilate said in John 19v10 "Do you refuse to speak to me? Don't you realize i have power to either free you or to crucify you?"
Jesus answered in verse 11 "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above.
This tells me everything happening at that time was authorized by God,otherwise no one will be able to touch him.
The same applies to his believers, God has already destined each one of you,no devil is allowed to frustrate God's plan over your life, reject any attempt from him to do so,in Jesus name!
This first plan of tightening the security failed because the bible says in Matthew 28v3-6 there was a violent earthquake, the stone was rolled,the guards shook and became like dead men. The angel of the Lord spoke to the women at the tomb and told them that Jesus has risen,he is in Galilee. He rose from the dead and passed the security.
The guards did not stop there, they devised another plan with the chief priests. They collected money from the priests so that they should say Jesus disciples came in the night and stole his body. This plan did not work again because the news spread all over from that day up to today.
The whole salvation plan was from God himself. Therefore everything which was happening around Jesus crucifixion was already predicted,ie the Judas betrayal, Peters denial, but the plan to stop the resurrection news was not from God, not even in line with God's mission of bringing salvation to mankind. Therefore nobody will just come with an idea to stop it, nobody can stop God's plan.
When Jesus stopped answering Pilate's questions during his trial,Pilate said in John 19v10 "Do you refuse to speak to me? Don't you realize i have power to either free you or to crucify you?"
Jesus answered in verse 11 "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above.
This tells me everything happening at that time was authorized by God,otherwise no one will be able to touch him.
The same applies to his believers, God has already destined each one of you,no devil is allowed to frustrate God's plan over your life, reject any attempt from him to do so,in Jesus name!
Tuesday 27 January 2015
YOU ARE TOO PRECIOUS, HE CAN'T AFFORD TO LOSE YOU.
In the book of Luke 15, Jesus gives three parables; the parable of the lost sheep, the parable of the lost coin and the parable the lost son.All with the same message. All of them conclude with celebrations.
Jesus made it clear to his desciples that he came for the lost. He even demonstrated it by associating with them. He said in Matthew 18 v11 that 'the son of man came to save that which was lost. God values each one of his children and he is not willing to lose any of them. He gives an example of a lost sheep in the same way the owner will leave the rest of the sheep and look for the one missing that God will also go look for his lost children,even if its only one, the father of the prodigal son did not give up on him although he had another one working hard on his farm, he kept on waiting for him. God will never give up on you although he has many faithful ones, you are still precious and the most valued.
It could be that you have never accepted Jesus who died for your sins and you are thinking God does not care about me. He actually gave his only son for you. He is not willing to lose you. The main mission of Jesus coming on earth was you, you are the reason he left the throne to die a shameful death.
There might also be someone saying i received him but wondered away like the prodigal son or the lost sheep, you are the one he is looking for day and night. The heaven will rejoice when you come back. He can't afford to lose you after shedding his blood, dear you are too precious.
Please join us in making this confession prayer;
MY FATHER IN HEAVEN, I COME TO YOU IN THE NAME OF JESUS,
I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I AM A SINNER AND AM SORRY FOR MY SINS,
I CONFESS JESUS AS THE LORD OF MY SOUL,
AND WITH MY HEART I CONFESS THAT GOD RAISED JESUS FROM THE DEAD
I ACCEPT JESUS AS MY OWN PERSONAL SAVIOUR.
THANK YOU JESUS FOR DYING FOR MY SINS,
THANK YOU FOR SAVING ME
IN JESUS NAME I PRAY,
AMEN
Jesus made it clear to his desciples that he came for the lost. He even demonstrated it by associating with them. He said in Matthew 18 v11 that 'the son of man came to save that which was lost. God values each one of his children and he is not willing to lose any of them. He gives an example of a lost sheep in the same way the owner will leave the rest of the sheep and look for the one missing that God will also go look for his lost children,even if its only one, the father of the prodigal son did not give up on him although he had another one working hard on his farm, he kept on waiting for him. God will never give up on you although he has many faithful ones, you are still precious and the most valued.
It could be that you have never accepted Jesus who died for your sins and you are thinking God does not care about me. He actually gave his only son for you. He is not willing to lose you. The main mission of Jesus coming on earth was you, you are the reason he left the throne to die a shameful death.
There might also be someone saying i received him but wondered away like the prodigal son or the lost sheep, you are the one he is looking for day and night. The heaven will rejoice when you come back. He can't afford to lose you after shedding his blood, dear you are too precious.
Please join us in making this confession prayer;
MY FATHER IN HEAVEN, I COME TO YOU IN THE NAME OF JESUS,
I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I AM A SINNER AND AM SORRY FOR MY SINS,
I CONFESS JESUS AS THE LORD OF MY SOUL,
AND WITH MY HEART I CONFESS THAT GOD RAISED JESUS FROM THE DEAD
I ACCEPT JESUS AS MY OWN PERSONAL SAVIOUR.
THANK YOU JESUS FOR DYING FOR MY SINS,
THANK YOU FOR SAVING ME
IN JESUS NAME I PRAY,
AMEN
Monday 26 January 2015
ORDAINED PRAISE
Jesus entered a temple in Jerusalem and cleared the temple by driving out all who were doing business inside the temple. He then started healing the sick,demonstrating the main purpose of the temple. As Jesus is working in the temple, the children who heard people shouting 'hosanna!' join the praise team and continue praising him. The Chief priests and the teachers of the law got offended on how the children were using the special word 'Hosanna ' on Jesus because they did not recognise him as the Messiah.
HOSANNA
Hosanna was used by the Hebrews on the Jewish festivals like the feast of Tabernacles. Its a joyous exclamation of Praise. The people in Jerusalem used it to acknowledge Jesus as their Messiah. They saw him healing the sick, setting the captives free. Therefore they accepted him as their saviour. Hosanna also means please save us, some scholars say they were celebrating the anticipated salvation through Jesus Christ.
The Chief priests saw this as a disorder, they expected Jesus to stop them mainly the children. Jesus refered them to the prophecy in Psalm 8v2 which says, 'from the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.The traditional of the chief priests did not allow children to be at the forefront shouting 'hosanna ' it is a special expression to the almighty God.
JESUS PAYS ATTENTION TO THE WEAK AND SMALL
He told the teachers of the law that yes i have heard them shouting hosanna, first of all it is a fulfilment of a prophecy that even babies shall praise God, secondly their praise is perfect and pure because they are innocent. If we could read 1 corinthians 1v27 the bible says that 'God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise,God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. The chief priests in the temple thought they knew the law and the children didn't know what they were doing but they missed the point that even God in heaven accepted that praise.
The praise from the lips of the oppressed is very significant. Praise God even if you feel you are low in the society, praise God when you are in trouble like Paul and Silas (Act 16 v
25-28). The devil will stop you because its a weapon to silence him (psalm8v2) The children and other people who welcomed Jesus in Jerusalem knew that their salvation has come, the Messiah is here, they said blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, Hosanna in the highest. Dear reader you better start singing this song because it is a privilege to praise God.The devil lost this privilege long time back and he will try to stop you.
Praise him for the salvation, he ordained you to praise him in any circumstance.
Hosanna to the son of David!
Hosanna in the highest!
HOSANNA
Hosanna was used by the Hebrews on the Jewish festivals like the feast of Tabernacles. Its a joyous exclamation of Praise. The people in Jerusalem used it to acknowledge Jesus as their Messiah. They saw him healing the sick, setting the captives free. Therefore they accepted him as their saviour. Hosanna also means please save us, some scholars say they were celebrating the anticipated salvation through Jesus Christ.
The Chief priests saw this as a disorder, they expected Jesus to stop them mainly the children. Jesus refered them to the prophecy in Psalm 8v2 which says, 'from the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.The traditional of the chief priests did not allow children to be at the forefront shouting 'hosanna ' it is a special expression to the almighty God.
JESUS PAYS ATTENTION TO THE WEAK AND SMALL
He told the teachers of the law that yes i have heard them shouting hosanna, first of all it is a fulfilment of a prophecy that even babies shall praise God, secondly their praise is perfect and pure because they are innocent. If we could read 1 corinthians 1v27 the bible says that 'God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise,God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. The chief priests in the temple thought they knew the law and the children didn't know what they were doing but they missed the point that even God in heaven accepted that praise.
The praise from the lips of the oppressed is very significant. Praise God even if you feel you are low in the society, praise God when you are in trouble like Paul and Silas (Act 16 v
25-28). The devil will stop you because its a weapon to silence him (psalm8v2) The children and other people who welcomed Jesus in Jerusalem knew that their salvation has come, the Messiah is here, they said blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, Hosanna in the highest. Dear reader you better start singing this song because it is a privilege to praise God.The devil lost this privilege long time back and he will try to stop you.
Praise him for the salvation, he ordained you to praise him in any circumstance.
Hosanna to the son of David!
Hosanna in the highest!
Saturday 17 January 2015
Hidden Treasures
In the book of Matthew 13v44, Jesus is teaching in a parable talking about the Kingdom of God. He says it is like a hidden treasure. Many people do not know the benefits found in the Kingdom of God because they are hidden, only revealed to those who choose to understand it fully .
The owner who sold the field
The owner of this field did not realise that he had treasures in his field and he sold it, sometimes we belong to the Kingdom of God with all the resources around us but we fail to see it or we do not know how to utilise it.
Jesus teachings on the Kingdom shows that the Kingdom principles are revealed to few people,those who have taken time to understand it. However he does not hide the teachings to those who oppose him like the pharisees. He said though they hear but they do not understand. We can hear stuff on daily basis but it takes another effort to understand it. The problem with the pharisees is that they did not believe Jesus at all, therefore did not make an effort to ask Jesus to explain further the meaning of the parables.
Many of us Christian we don't spend much time to discover the hidden treasures in the Kingdom of God, we are citizens and believers but we don't claim all the benefits entitled to us. The one who purchased this field in the story of Jesus realised that what he had was nothing compared to treasures hidden in the field.
May God give us understanding of his principles so that we discover all our benefits in the Kingdom of God
The owner who sold the field
The owner of this field did not realise that he had treasures in his field and he sold it, sometimes we belong to the Kingdom of God with all the resources around us but we fail to see it or we do not know how to utilise it.
Jesus teachings on the Kingdom shows that the Kingdom principles are revealed to few people,those who have taken time to understand it. However he does not hide the teachings to those who oppose him like the pharisees. He said though they hear but they do not understand. We can hear stuff on daily basis but it takes another effort to understand it. The problem with the pharisees is that they did not believe Jesus at all, therefore did not make an effort to ask Jesus to explain further the meaning of the parables.
Many of us Christian we don't spend much time to discover the hidden treasures in the Kingdom of God, we are citizens and believers but we don't claim all the benefits entitled to us. The one who purchased this field in the story of Jesus realised that what he had was nothing compared to treasures hidden in the field.
May God give us understanding of his principles so that we discover all our benefits in the Kingdom of God
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