Month: February 2016

Jesus is always praying & gives us reasons to Pray

 When we read about the ministry of Jesus, one thing that is clearly evident is how he taught so much about principles of the Kingdom of God and effective Kingdom living through having the right attitude and heart condition before God. He would teach with direct speech, use parables or illustrations.
A key point worth noting in relation to Jesus’ ministry is the fact that God cares very much about the life of a believer in Jesus beyond their salvation and is determined to ensure that we fight the good fight of faith so as to be winners in His camp or that we overcome every obstacle through the finished work at Calvary by our precious Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Jesus knew that the best way to reconcile mankind to God, even beyond salvation to a place of consistent intimacy was not only to teach about the principles and requirements of the kingdom of God but to engage with them in the area of prayer. Prayer is communication with God by true believers in Christ who have the Holy Spirit dwelling within. The Holy Spirit is first and foremost the power of God. Without a life of communication with God in a fervent, consistent and frequent manner, the power to sustain victorious Christian living is impossible. We can have all the teaching of the Word possible but if we do not have a relationship with the source from whom we have the Word, then we are unable to grasp the meaning of the Word. A relationship with God in the power of the Holy Spirit is cultivated through prayer and enables the Holy Spirit to teach us and consistently remind us of the teachings of Jesus.

“26I am writing these things to warn you about those who want to lead you astray. 27But you have received the Holy Spirit,and he lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spiriti teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true—it is not a lie. So just as he has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ. (1 John 2:26-27 NLT)

“… when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.(John 14:26 NLT)

Jesus was therefore determined that believers in him then and thereafter would
1. understand the importance of having time away from all the noise and busyness of the world to be with Abba Father.

What did he do to be our perfect example in relation to this?

In Luke 5:16 we read

“..Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer” (NLT)

The NIV translates “..Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed”.

Also we read in Mark 1:35 “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.”
When Jesus isolated himself several times during his ministry to pray, reflecting on how he preached before his crucifixion (John 17), we can conclude that he not only prayed for himself, but he often prayed
-for those who would/that people would hear his teachings and believe in God through believing in who he was and his messianic mission.
-for his twelve disciples and several others who believed in him and even went from towns and villages with him such as certain women including Mary Magdalene, Joanna and Suzanna.

2.know how to pray effectively
“The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous availeth much” (James 5:16 KJV).
Jesus took it upon himself to teach his disciples to pray
-with the right heart or motives (Matt.5:5-8 NLT)
-using the basic format as a template that pleases the Father; (Matt.5:9-13 NLT)

When we pray, we are required to
i. recognise God as our Father who is in Heaven and hallow His name.
ii.ask for
-God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven”
-our provision; this means we recognise him as the one we depend on for our daily needs.
-forgiveness but only if we know we have forgiven others their sins against us. This is because if we have not, then God will not forgive us our sins and non forgiveness will serve as an obstacle to our relationship with him and therefore our prayers being answered.
-deliverance from temptation and evil

3.know that
a.teaming up to pray with and for someone in their time of desperation was also required of us.
b.in a time of crisis, whether personal or in a group, prayer or intercession is important for it strengthens the spiritually weak.

What happened to confirm this? when Jesus retreated to the garden of Gethsemane he could have gone alone as it was the time just before the Roman Soldiers would appear with Judas to arrest him. However he did not, he chose to pray and asked Peter and the sons of Zebedee, namely James and John to watch and pray with him.

“36 Then Jesus went with them to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and he said, “Sit here while I go over there to pray.” 37 He took Peter and Zebedee’s two sons, James and John, and he became anguished and distressed. 38 He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”
39 He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”40 Then he returned to the disciples and found them asleep. He said to Peter, “Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour? 41 Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!” Then Jesus left them a second time and prayed, “My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will be done.” 43 When he returned to them again, he found them sleeping, for they couldn’t keep their eyes open. 44 So he went to pray a third time, saying the same things again.45 Then he came to the disciples and said, “Go ahead and sleep. Have your rest. But look—the time has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.46 Up, let’s be going. Look, my betrayer is here!” (Matt. 26:36-46NLT).

Jesus wanted his inner circle of disciples Peter, James and John with him at this time which was a period of intense spiritual warfare in the heavenly realm. Jesus knew that at that time of crisis with the hordes of hell mobilised greatly, it would be easy for them to give in to temptation such as denying they knew Jesus or reject him for fear of what people would think if they knew the disciples walked with Jesus. Therefore praying before hand would strengthen the flesh so that it would be aligned to their willing spirit man. We know that some disciples fled after Jesus was arrested and Peter denied he knew Jesus.

Jesus knew that Peter would deny him three times and told him so (Luke 22:34), however prior to that Jesus had said to Peter (also called Simon)

“31 “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. 32 But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.”(Luke 22:31-32 NLT)

Just pause and think of how when Jesus was having his one to one with Father in a solitary place he would speak to Father about his beloved disciples and especially pray for those, such as Peter he had foreknowledge would undergo affliction for his sake. That was then, but similarly Brethren, Jesus who is now seated at the right hand of Father is making intercession for you and I, asking God to deliver us from evil and temptation and to bring forth His plans and purposes for our lives.
Did Simon Peter overcome? Yes and we are also overcomers through Christ who loves us (Romans 8:37). If we have not yet seen breakthrough in certain areas of our lives, we must rest assured that it will come to pass for Father is never late but His timing is perfect.

Jesus not only prayed for his disciples but he prayed “also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. 21 I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.” (John 14:20-21 NLT).
It was important to Jesus that there would be unity of all believers with one another and with God and himself. This unity would be a testimony that Jesus was sent by God. Likewise we too must pray for the unity of believers under a mission statement founded on the Word of God. Division among other things does not glorify God or make the Kingdom attractive to the unsaved.
Brethren, we are given insight into the mystery and power of intercessory prayer, for Jesus’ prayers even in biblical times (John 17:20) is the reason why you and I are not only saved and living lives in God’s kingdom but we are being sustained daily by the power of God. We are also more than conquerors (Romans 8:37) daily because Jesus is still making intercession for us, this time in his position as the Royal High Priest seated at the right hand of Father (Romans 8:34/Eph. 8:1-6). We give him all the glory and praise!
This ought to give us assurance and hope that being a kingdom of priests seated in heavenly places with Christ, (Rev 1:6/Eph. 2:6) as we pray for the unsaved, they too will be saved. To God be the glory great things He has done!

You are blessed, determine to stay blessed!

Deborah Esther

©Deborah E.Nyamekye 27/02/2016

Advertisement

Nevertheless at thy Word, LORD!

fishermen_Launchdeep

“Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, “Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught”. And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. And when they had done this, they enclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake” (Luke 5: 4-5 KJV).

Simon (also known as Peter) and his partners were washing their nets, they had toiled all night and caught nothing. Jesus Christ who Simon had made a part of his life accepting him as his “Rabbi” or teacher, needed the use of Simon’s ship for his teaching ministry that day. So Jesus got into Simon’s ship and was sitting in it in the lake not too far from the shore and teaching the crowd.

Having used Simon’s ship to teach the crowd, Jesus then had a plan to bless Simon, James and John. He started by asking Simon to “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a draught”. Note that Jesus did not merely say launch out into the lake, but in the deeper most part of it is what he was instructing Simon to do.
Simon and the other fishermen had toiled all night and they had caught nothing not even in the shallow waters, and Jesus was saying “Launch out into the deep!”, but Simon obeyed Jesus saying “nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net”.

Brethren, when you welcome Jesus in your life “Ship” and allow him to orchestrate your life for the sake of others it means God has a plan for your life that would surprise you, He will do something for you that you least expect; there is a great miracle awaiting you in areas of your life where you lack as Simon and his fishing partners James and John found out.
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matt.6:33 KJV).

When you say “nevertheless at thy word” to the LORD, not looking at things with your natural eyes, but your spiritual eyes of faith, if the company you keep also have Jesus in their life “ship”, as Simon did, they will surely partake of your blessed life in Christ as you will theirs. It is inevitable that when God provides for you miraculously in your areas of need, they too will benefit from it and you will also benefit when they receive the same. This is because it is God’s will that His people are one and live together as a family of God. Jesus prayed for God’s people to be one (John 17:19-21).
“…Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1 KJV)

What do you have in common with your closest friends? It is the unity through Christ that creates a ripple effect of blessings.

Dear brothers and sisters, this account ought to encourage you that God is always looking for ways to bless His children as only a heavenly Father can do. He knows how you have made Him the captain of your life “Ship” through Jesus Christ your Lord and Saviour and so He knows your needs, where you lack and how much you carry on working and toiling for Him, saying daily “nevertheless at thy word” even when he sends you into those “deep” places where an outcome of success seems more impossible.

My message to you today is that He always hears your surrendered response and sees your activation of faith in obedience and whenever you are weak He extends His hand to help you and strengthens you with His powerful Holy Spirit. If you are already seeing the fruit of your labour, I praise God with you and encourage you to keep on keeping on. If you have not yet, I also praise God with you, because God is working on it, delay is not denial and His timing is perfect.

You are blessed, determine to stay blessed.
Deborah Esther
©Deborah E. Nyamekye 2/12/2015

(posted 2/12/2015 & 25/02/2016)

Exaltation of Warrior God & His Chosen King, Jesus Christ

image

Scriptural Exaltations II: Exaltation of Warrior God & His Chosen King, Jesus Christ

Most High God, you have shown yourself to be a warrior God on behalf of your people, I give you praise and exalt your name above every name for you are the only mighty, unconquerable Great One!

The righteous are filled with joy and sing your praises for you sent Jesus Christ, your Chosen King in righteousness and at His baptism when the Spirit descended upon him, you said “this is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased” Then when the Prince of Peace, Jesus began his victorious life to take back the world you so love, while fasting in the wilderness he overcame the Prince of this world.

You handed over the nations to Christ as his inheritance with authority and might over them. Indeed he, your chosen King, is the one anointed for victory and all saints through him for he said “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released,
that the blind will see,
that the oppressed will be set free…”
So “Why are the nations so angry? Why do they waste their time with futile plans?
The kings of the earth prepare for battle; the rulers plot together against the Lord and against his anointed one.
Let us break their chains,” they cry, “and free ourselves from slavery to God.”
But the one who rules in heaven laughs. The Lord scoffs at them.Then in anger he rebukes them,terrifying them with his fierce fury.
For the LORD declares, “I have placed my chosen king on the throne in Jerusalem, on my holy mountain.”

To the kings seated on thrones entrapped in hell, the LORD warns
“Now then, you kings, act wisely! Be warned, you rulers of the earth! Serve the Lord with reverent fear, and rejoice with trembling.
Submit to God’s royal son,[a]or he will become angry,
and you will be destroyed in the midst of all your activities—for his anger flares up in an instant.
But what joy for all who take refuge in him!”

Most compassionate God you said in ancient times to Israel “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.I will strengthen you and help you.I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. See, all your angry enemies lie there,confused and humiliated.Anyone who opposes you will die and come to nothing. You will look in vain for those who tried to conquer you.
Those who attack you will come to nothing. For I hold you by your right hand—
I, the Lord your God.
And I say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.”

In these times you continue to assure your children of your love and care. “Do not be anxious about anything, bring your petitions to me with thanksgiving and I will give you peace, that surpasses all understanding”, “Give all your worries and cares to me for I care for you” are your comforting words to your people.

“Praise the Lord; praise God our savior! For each day he carries us in his arms. Our God is a God who saves!
The Sovereign Lordrescues us from death. But God will smash the heads of his enemies, crushing the skulls of those who love their guilty ways. The Lord says, “I will bring my enemies down from Bashan;
I will bring them up from the depths of the sea.You, my people, will wash your feet in their blood, and even your dogs will get their share!”

Oh gracious LORD, you assure us that we are more than conquerors through the lover of our souls, Christ Jesus; He has given the Saints authority to trample upon all the powers of the enemy and promised that no harm will come to us. We are raised up and seated in heavenly places with God in Christ Jesus, exalted as he is, for through him we “are a chosen people…royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession.” As a result, we can show others the goodness of God, for he called us “out of the darkness into his wonderful light.”

People of God, the children in His quiver, do not fear for
Jehovah is
Gibbor, the Mighty Man of War,
Nissi, the LORD my Banner (Standard & Standard-bearer) and
Sabaoth, the LORD of the Hosts of warring Angels.

The anointed warrior king is our Christ, the rider on the white horse “named Faithful and True for he judges fairly and wages a righteous war” and “subdues kings before him, he turns them to dust with his sword to windblown chaff with his bow, he pursues them and moves on unscathed” to bring down the might of more kings and takes lands in cyclical splendor.

In victorious declaration, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords daily raises his banner and pierces his scepter of righteousness on fallow ground and decrees as the loud voices in heaven “The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.”

Quotes (NLT unless stated) scriptural references in this sequence: (1)Matt.3:17 (2) Ps.2:7-9 (3) Luke 4:18-21 (4)Ps. 2:1-6
(5) Ps.2:10-13 (6) Is.41:11-13
(7) Phil 4:6-7 (8) 1 Peter 5:7 (9) Ps.68:19-23 (10) Romans 8:37 (10) Luke 10:19 (11) Eph. 2:6 (12) 1 Peter 2:9 (13) Rev 19:11 (14) Is.41:2-3 NIV (15) Rev. 11:15 KJV

©Deborah E.Nyamekye 22/02/2016

Trust God or your Feelings? that is the question

 

trust-in-the-lord-proverbs-3-5-6
When we come to Christ we must learn to live by faith in God.

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen”
(Heb. 11:1 KJV).

We don’t see those things we hope for yet, but we believe we have obtained them. We don’t always feel righteous but we believe we are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. We don’t question what God will do, we just accept it, why? Because the God in whom we believe has either spoken to us directly or through others and His word.

When we come to Christ, we are declared a new creation because old things have passed away and all things have become new. We may not feel like “a new creation” sometimes during our Christian lives, but who are we going to believe our feelings or God? That is the fundamental question right there!

In the journey of sanctification as a child of God, the old or carnal nature is raging wild because it is losing its battle to stay alive, it’s agreement with Satan and his demons is no longer effective in controlling our soul (mind, intellect and emotions) as before.

This is because as we live a life of praise, prayerfulness and bible study, we become totally surrendered to God and develop a “Spiritual man into God” nature. Living in the Spirit daily our soul learns to distinguish between what we do that is motivated by Satan and what is motivated by God and we are empowered by the indwelling Holy Spirit to reject satan’s control of our mind, intellect and emotions.

The carnal or natural man cannot know the things of God because they are spiritually discerned (1 Corinth.2:14)
In addition:
“For to be carnally minded [is] death; but to be spiritually minded [is] life and peace.7Because the carnal mind [is] enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.8So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.9But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.10And if Christ [be] in you, the body [is] dead because of sin; but the Spirit [is] life because of righteousness” (Romans 8:6-10 KJV)

Praise the Lord that with sanctification and maturity comes the dying of self so that the natural tendency to act out our feelings at a whim or quickly declines increasingly. If we are still struggling in these areas, our God is faithful to help us when we acknowledge our weaknesses and sins before him.

By God’s revelation we know that our feelings are naturally under the influence of our soul (mind, intellect and emotions) and reveal the condition of our soul most of the time. The degree of sanctification of our soul nature is dependent on the degree in which we are surrendered to God. How we feel about ourselves, others and situations is therefore often a reflection of the state of our soul.

When we live by the Apostle Paul’s following admonition based on the word of God: “whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Phil. 4:8 KJV).

it is inevitable that our souls will be transformed and aligned with how God feels about us and our feelings serve as an outlet to affirm the changes we are experiencing to the glory of God.

While our soul is being transformed daily, maintaining an attitude of having a reverential fear of God is important as well as remembering that our dependence is always on God. This is regardless of our spiritual gifts or an advanced knowledge of the bible. In short, an attitude of humility before God is important.

Why? This is because our feelings must be kept in check as we can still be deceived into believing something that is untrue and so be misled. For instance, when I feel a certain way, it does not necessarily mean that is a true indication of the circumstances. As believers in Christ, if we have not already done so, we must awaken to the fact that in the Christian journey there may be areas of our souls that are not yet completely surrendered to God. This is because in our lives before Christ the enemy reinforced his might in those areas due to things we may have got involved in or we had no control over.

This is why however much sanctified or close to God we think we are, we should still be cautious in trusting our feelings, for they could be giving us signals contrary to what God is saying. How do I know for sure what the reality is? I must wait patiently on the LORD in prayer or speak to Him about the way I feel. I need to ask Him to give me clarity and understanding directly or through His word. This is because quick decisions based on the way I feel are likely to cost me heartache or distress because they could be rooted in deception.

Dear brothers and sisters let us remember that it is what God says about us that defines us not our feelings. It is important to meditate regularly on what the word of God says about who we are as children of God.

You may feel insignificant because of how you were treated in your formative years by family or peers at some point in your life. However as a child of God, He says that He loves you, you are precious and his delight and this is why He sent Jesus for you.

“I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee” (Jer 31:3 KJV).

“Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God.4 Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzibah, and thy land Beulah: for the Lord delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married” (Is.62:3-4 KJV).

Jesus spoke of how the greatness of his love for mankind compelled him to give up his life for us, his friends (John 15:13 KJV).

You may be plagued with guilt about a certain area of your life, but God says
-When you came to Christ, he blotted out all your sins and remembers them no more (Is. 43:25 KJV).
-There is no condemnation for you because you are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1-3)

My prayer for you is that you may “abound in knowledge and … insight” and be able to discern the truth as concerns your feelings and their alignment with the will of God in Jesus’ name. Amen. (Phil. 1:9-10 NIV)

You are blessed, determine to stay blessed

Deborah Esther

©Deborah E. Nyamekye 10/12/2015

(originally blogged on 10/12/2015, then 21/02/2016)

 

 

 

PLAIN SPEAKING & COUNSEL II: The question of friendships; Acquaintance, close/inner circle friend or none of the above!

image

While we are called to love one another even those who persecute us because they too are God’s creation who He loves, not everyone is meant to be your close friend. While Jesus had many acquaintances he only had a few close friends. We note how he sent out 70 disciples to minister and had 12 disciples who walked closely with him, even among the 12 there were 3 who stand out as exceptionally close to him within his inner circle namely Peter, James and John.

Thus it is worth noting that our Messiah had different levels of friendships. As we live consecrated lives unto The Lord, the urgent, persistence call is to “depart! depart! from uncleanliness, you who carry “holy vessels” of the Lord ( Isaiah 52:10-12). To put this into action there are many things one is inclined to do which are a result of obeying the commandments of the LORD. Those that we allow in our inner circle of friends whether we are leaders or congregation members could be helpers in our holy walk or distractors and at times we only realise when it is too late. But there is hope, we serve a God of second chances who teaches us to learn from our adverse experiences.

If we are not doing so, we need to pray and ask Father who should be among our close circle of friends. If you have suspicions or discomfort about specific people, do not ignore them as this could be a nudge for you to be careful or start paying attention to what The Lord is trying to tell you. In fact get on your knees daily until you get your answer. Some people may want to be your close friend but are they sent by the LORD? Are they meant to be at the acquaintance level, rather than inner circle level or kept at a distance for reasons you don’t need to blurt out but highlighted by Holy Spirit enough times for you to take a serious stand.
As well as praying about specific situations, praying for the gift of discerning of spirits or a greater measure of it is important for we do not fight flesh or blood, but satanic principalities and powers.

image

In these last days, we must guard our hearts seriously and be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. It is not about being fearful of people but walking in wisdom for there are wolves in sheep’s clothing, satan as a roaring devouring lion counterfeiting Jesus the redeeming Lion of Judah.
Also it is exhausting and an unproductive use of your time (it is set for God’s purposes, remember) to be here, there and everywhere being with people who may not be sent by the LORD and going places under their influence where God may not have sent you.

Prayer:

Father I commit all our friendships into your hands. You know us, who we are and our purpose in this world. Father I pray that you will minister to each and every one of us and give us wisdom and discernment in how to conduct our interpersonal relationships so that whatever we do with whoever we are with is your will and gives glory to your kingdom, in Jesus’ name Amen.

You are blessed, determine to stay blessed.

Deborah E. Nyamekye

©Deborah E.Nyamekye 21/11/2015

Also see PLAIN SPEAKING & COUNSEL I (posted 5th Feb. 2016) The Question of failures/affliction – is it always the fault of the devil, me or both?

God is Loving the World through You!

image
🎵🎼He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands”🎼🎵

❤️❤️❤️

God is Love! He loves the whole of mankind with an everlasting love.

God revealed this when He came in the person of Jesus Christ through the nation of Israel to redeem anyone who would accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour from a life of sin so that they would have eternal life. However let us remember brethren that His love is not just for mankind but the whole world. These two scriptures make it clear:
“…God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself” (2 Corinth. 5:19 KJV)

“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.” (John 3:16 KJV)

As we can see, the Apostles wrote “world” rather than “man” in these verses.
Man, in God’s eyes is not apart from the world, redemption for the world is through man. There needs to be a massive mindset change among multitudes of Christians, there is a prophetic sound from our Lord which has been resonating loud and clear “it is not all about you, I am loving the world through you, I call you to partner with me!”

God was in Christ during his ministry on earth reconciling the world back to Himself, and as His children empowered by the indwelling Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ He continuous His world reconciliation process. What a privilege to be God’s missionaries to family, neighbours, colleagues and multitudes across the nations.

God’s children are mandated and empowered by the Holy Spirit to be “Ambassadors” (2 Corinth 5:20) or the “Light of the world” (Matt.5:14), to preach, disciple, baptise and to bring healing and deliverance to multitudes (Mark 16:15-18/Matthew 28:18-20).

In these modern times one does not even have to physically travel to other nations of the world to evangelise or preach the gospel in foreign lands, for social media gives us many ways of doing so.

The extent of gratitude is difficult to express in words when one contemplates the worth of human beings to God; He not only loves us with an everlasting love to the point of sending His Son to die a sacrificial death for us, but He chose to give the redeemed saints the responsibility to be instruments of deliverance, salvation and therefore world reconciliation on His behalf.

One thing we know is that God values human beings more highly than any living creature, after all we are created in His magnificent image. He gave His first human beings, Adam and Eve the following authority and responsibility no other creature has
“…fill the earth, and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the sky, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”(Gen 1:28 KJV).

This responsibility over his surroundings and other creatures was confirmed when
“..the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.”(Gen 2:15 KJV)
and when having created the animals and birds, God “…brought [them] unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that [was] the name thereof.” (Gen 2:19 KJV)

In Psalm 8 the psalmist is full of praise for a God who is so “mindful” of man to the point of elevating him as trustworthy enough to be given responsibility over the works of God’s hands (His creation) even “babes” are His instruments!
He says “3When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;4What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?5For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.
6Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all [things] under his feet..9O LORD our Lord, how excellent [is] thy name in all the earth! (Ps 8:3-6,9KJV)

In verse 6 when the Psalmists states that all things have been put under man’s feet, we are reminded of
-him who has all things under his feet, our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ! (Eph.1:22, Heb.2:8) and has given the Saints the authority to trample upon “…serpents and scorpions and all the powers of the enemy” and has promised to protect us (Luke 10:18-19).

After Adam and Eve sinned they and their descendants were banished from God’s intimate presence and lost their place of elevation as trustworthy by God and therefore their position as God’s representatives on earth (God’s delegated authority for dominion and responsibility).

However God never stopped loving human beings! Even though he punished them, He made a way for their restored intimate fellowship with Him through the promise in Gen. 3:15, which is that the seed (the Messiah, Jesus) of the woman would crush the head of the serpent. We give thanks and praise to God that through Christ’s redemptive work on the cross (crushing of the serpent’s head), he made a way (John 14:6-7) for us to be restored or reconciled into intimate fellowship with Abba Father.

Therefore through Christ, as the redeemed, we are in effect restored to what I call our “Creation Mandate”, the purpose for which God created human beings. Praise the LORD!

This purpose is not only to live in God’s presence and have fellowship with God through His Word and in prayer and praise and to minister to others inside and outside the church but to also be His instruments for the upkeep of the earth, taking care of it as according to His Word. His desire is that we would do so in obedience to Him because we love Him. Jesus said that those who obey his commandments love him and their reward is that God’s presence or glory will be made manifest in their lives (John 14:21-23).

The Apostle Paul reminds us of the extent of our responsibility as redeemed human beings which is far beyond cultivating intimacy with God and caring for or bringing other human beings to God, when he said that “all creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed” (Romans 8:19 NIV). All creation.

As I have personally planned to do more of this, I pose the following questions to you;
Do you play your part in taking care of the environment or the Recycling process?
Would you be willing to volunteer at some stage in your life, if you do not already, to help the cause of organisations that work to either protect the natural food cycle, environment in general or work to prevent harm to wildlife?

I personally believe that the initial and continued efforts by governments and key organisations worldwide focused on the need to work towards ending climate change and other hazards to the environment and wildlife was God birthed. This is simply because God loves the whole world, all His living creatures and the environment they live in.

I wrote this poem after a time of meditation and prayer focused on God’s love and personal heart issues in relation to love.

❤️“…GOD IS LOVE” 1 John 4:8 ❤️

Oh that my expressions of love would reflect your kind of love, LORD
and that my desire to be loved would be as arrows in my quiver
aimed directly at you and you alone my LOVE.

When I am in your presence, LORD
I see,
Smell,
Hear,
and touch Love,
for you are Love.

When I am near you LORD,
I feel
unconditional,
unrestrained,
everlasting love,
for you are Love.

When I am in need of comfort,
I rest on your bosom fragranced with your Love.

When I walk the tightrope of fear,
I am fastened to your arms of Love,
then I am filled with hope of a
safe landing because I remember that
“GOD IS LOVE”

This phrase I start the poem with “Oh that my expressions of love would reflect your kind of love, LORD”, is a daily prayer for myself and my Christian brothers and sisters. I deliberately used the plural “expressions” for as we aim to seek God alone for fulfilment in terms of love, my prayer is that we would be channels through whom His “Kind of love” would be poured out (so to speak) in different ways or “expressions” into the world; to fellow human beings, other living creatures and the environment…

May God love the hungry through you– Do you have food to share ?
May God love the homeless through you – Do you have shelter to share or a room to offer ?
May God love the lonely and suffering through you – Do you have a listening ear, hugging arms and praying lips ?
How else can God express who He is (Love) through you?

❤️God of Creation is Love❤️

You are blessed, determine to stay blessed!

Deborah Esther

©Deborah E.Nyamekye 10/02/2016

Nominated for The Versatile Blogger Award – Feb. 2016

imageI give thanks and Glory to God for this surprise nomination from God’s beloved Emma Negrete of https://emmaonegrete.wordpress.com/

Emma, thank you and God bless you, you are such an inspiration to multitudes and I look forward to reading more of your great posts.

I am fairly new in the blogging world (November 2015) and only realised while browsing a fellow blogger’s site in later December that such awards exist.

THE RULES (for nominees)
1.Thank the person that has nominated you and include a link to their blog
2.Nominate at least 15 blogs of your choice
3.Link your nominees and let them know of your nomination
4.Share seven different faces about yourself.

You will find more than 7 things about me in my “about” page ( the rules require this – see above for rules) and I will be sending links to 15 people I will also nominate for this award.

God bless you!

Deborah Esther

 

 

PLAIN SPEAKING & COUNSEL I : The question of failures/affliction – is it always the fault of the devil, me or both?

image.jpegWhat we reap out of life as children of God is determined by our heart condition before God, and how we relate to people (remember two greatest commandments).

If there is always a cycle of failure or defeat in certain areas, let’s not suddenly or immediately blame the devil (He gets too much credit) or have a “pity party” lets re-examine our hearts before God HONESTLY!!

If we have done all that we have to do and discern from God it is indeed the devil at work, then let’s rise up in prayer/ spiritual warfare against his evil schemes. We must believe that we have overcome satan by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony as children of God (Rev 12:11). We are more than conquerors through Jesus who loves us (Romans 8:37).

In addition if we refuse to live in denial, blaming everyone else including the devil and rather humble ourselves and self examine, allowing the Holy Spirit to convict us, we may also realise that we have had a part to play in what is happening.

There could be unrepented sin against God and/or man. If we repent (1 John 1:9) and determine to change our ways (perhaps there is something we need to do -an action, let’s do it in obedience to God) with the help of the Holy Spirit we are sure to see circumstances change to the glory of God in those areas of our lives we have been experiencing defeat or affliction.
Indeed God needs our cooperation to “iron out the creases”, end the cycle of defeat and fulfil His will in our lives. Let’s partner with Him wholeheartedly.
You are blessed, determine to stay blessed!
©Deborah E.Nyamekye 05/02/2016

Hepzibah’s Visitations Part I.

Most Noble Counsellor: “Have faith in an unrelenting faithful God”

scrollI had a visitation from the Most Noble Counsellor, I saw His glistening form clad in white garments and only the lower part of His face with a magnified mouth and a tongue that appeared as a long white scroll extending to the ground before me upon which was much biblical text. I rubbed my eyes and looked again.

He smiled and said to me in a loud resonating voice “Yes you see well Hepzibah, I have been sent to you about the question of your faith. Your repetitive words “I will only believe when I see it!”
concerning the miraculous deeds and promises of the Most High God, thunders to the hearing of the Heavenly crowd.

Remember Christ said “…blessed are they that have not seen, and [yet] have believed(1)”

Truly these are the ones who will launch out in the deep and sink to the bottomless abyss for His sake
Why? Because they have the assurance necessary for endurance that Jesus is in their Life Boat. You are called to be among them.

“Faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen (2)”

By faith in Christ’s Word, those who are his see miracles galore when fishing in the sea and even for men.
At his command the troubled waters are calmed and even man’s soul finds peace in the storms of life.

Faith is trusting in God who you cannot see physically but you are able to say like David
“Mine eyes are ever toward the LORD; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net(3)”.

“God is not a man that He should lie neither the son of man that He should repent(4)” for He commended prophet Jeremiah for seeing clearly what He showed him, saying “I will hasten my word to perform it (5)”.

If God is faithful to send waters on the earth for seed time and harvest and therefore man’s provision, would He not send forth His Word to accomplish the purpose for which it was sent?
And when you pray, believe that you have received whatever you ask for and it will be yours.”

I replied trembling with excitement “Most Noble Counsellor your words penetrate my mind as the falling rain on patched soil reviving life!
As you spoke, seared into my heart as with hot iron from the furnace, were two key points.

“What are they Hepzibah?”

“It is simple yet powerful and true: To be victorious in life is to walk in blind faith in my unrelenting faithful God and to pull down the blinds on doubt, an aggressive opponent to faith.

He replied “You understand well, stand on this rock of truth enclosing my words to you and you shall be victorious along the path set before you, most blessed child of God.”

Then he departed, but I still feel his presence and the weight of his sacred message from Almighty God which I live by daily. Thank you LORD!

dove
Quotes/verses used: (1)John 20:29 (2)Heb.11:1, (3) Psalm 25:15 (4)Numbers 23:19, (5) Jer. 1:12, Luke 5:4, Mark 4:35-41, Isaiah 55:10-12, Mark 11:24
 ©Deborah E.Nyamekye 02/02/2016