Month: April 2016

Mended & Raised up for God’s Glory

image

I woke up this morning thinking “Jesus mends nets”. I remembered that Jesus called James and John at the time when they were with their father in their fishing boat mending their nets (Math.4:21).

Jesus’ purpose was to “mend” their lives by making them his disciples so that they would in turn “mend” other people’s lives, by becoming fishers of men. He is continuing God the Father’s “Mending Nets” business today through the power of the Holy Spirit in all the earth and at work within born again believers.

What do “nets” symbolically mean here? Our capabilities, mindsets, attitudes and emotions that have been afflicted or tattered by the enemy, whether before we become Christians or even during our Christian walk.
This could have been either at home, school, church or work.
Some of these afflictions are from childhood through to adulthood because of what people did to us, also how we responded as well as what we were taught which has influenced our way of thinking, attitudes and understanding.

Jesus came to do what he saw the Father doing or what God gave him the authority to do. His “mending nets” business is clearly expressed and summarised in Isaiah 61:1-3:

1The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is upon me for the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. 2He has sent me to tell those who mourn
that the time of the LORD’s favor has come, and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies.
3To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes,
a joyous blessing instead of mourning,festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for his own glory. (NLT).

Such people, having been “mended” will be called in service as “menders” or rebuilders as Jesus, their destinies are also expressed as follows: Isaiah 61:4
4They will rebuild the ancient ruins,
repairing cities destroyed long ago.
They will revive them,
though they have been deserted for many generations. (NLT).

Another scripture that comes to mind is Acts 10:38
“And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.” (NLT).

In addition to healing the sick, the “Good” is all that Father God told Jesus to do in order to “mend” lives such as teachings (I.e perfecting the Law of Moses, how to pray), deliverance of the demon possessed and spending time with society’s rejects so that they know they are loved and valued.

Jesus’ “mending” (restoring or rebuilding) business as we know is necessary for us to be saved and then grow to maturity as children of God, thus capable of fulfilling our God given identities and destinies. We each have a part to play in the Body of Christ and the world at large.

Some people have found their God given purpose in life, some are on the way to doing so and others don’t have a clue. There are also those who think they do one day, but then they are not sure the next day!

Whatever category you fall into, know that God is at work in you however it may feel like or appear to take you to even greater depths in your relationship with Him than you are experiencing right now.

I sense God wants you to know that as long as you stay in His Word through study and obedience daily, you will receive all that He has for you and will fulfil your God given purpose. He will abide with you as you abide with Him (John 14:21,23). The heavenly portals of revelation knowledge, wisdom and understanding will be open to you because of your obedience and faithfulness.

This is my encouragement to you as I do to myself, that you would live a life of worship, singing praises unto God in fellowship with the Holy Spirit. Pray fervently for all things at all times, always be determined to trust God giving thanks regardless of the circumstance and do all you can to live at peace with others, loving them as God loves you.

From experience, I know forgiveness is difficult, but if you are struggling be honest before God about the pain you have suffered and tell him how you are finding it difficult to forgive but because you desire to obey His command that you forgive you choose to do so and ask for His supernatural power to enable this desire to be a reality. Nothing is impossible for our God,

Having “mended” us through salvation and raised us up, God is always on the look out for tears to our “nets”, the sooner we allow Him to mend then the better because the effective fulfilment of our mission is dependant on our wholeness.

You are blessed, determine to stay blessed.

©Deborah E. Nyamekye 28/04/2016

 

Advertisement

Thy Word…Sweeter than Honey to my Mouth (Ps. 119:103)

img_0348

 

We give thanks and praise to God for His mighty Word which is

“…living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and is able to discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart”(Heb. 4:12 WEB).

As believers in Jesus Christ, the Word of God (the Old and New Testament) is essential to us for holy living because as food gives nourishment to the body so the Word of God nourishes our spirits and souls.

When Jesus was undergoing temptation at the hands of Satan, Satan told him to prove that  he was the Son of God, by turning  stones into bread. But Jesus “answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matt.4:4 KJV)

Jesus himself spoke of the power of God (Holy Spirit) in his words when he said to his disciples

“It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, [they] are spirit, and [they] are life. (John 6:63 KJV).

The personification of Jesus as both the Word and Spirit of God is evidenced in the following two scriptures:
-Jesus is the Word of God
1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2The same was in the beginning with God.3All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made….14And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”(John 1:1-3,14 KJV)

-Jesus is the quickening (or Life-Giving) Spirit:
“So it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam [was made] a quickening spirit.”(1 Corinth. 15:45 KJV).

God’s Word is true:
“Thy word [is] true [from] the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments [endureth] for ever.” (Ps. 119:160 KJV).

We give thanks and praise to God that as we abide in Christ we know the truth and are set free from demonic bondage (John 8:32).

As the Word of God is true and  life-giving so too we must speak life and truth into situations and people’s lives. In other words we must be instruments of blessing and encouragement not only by acts of service to God but in what we say because as God’s children, we are anointed by His indwelling Spirit.
We however take nothing for granted and our daily prayer should be as that of David
“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14 KJV).

We have the Word of God available to us, His written Word and spoken word personally or through prophecy. May we meditate on God’s Word which is “sweeter than honey”(Psalm 119:103) in our mouth and receive the same “joy and rejoicing” in our hearts that Jeremiah did:
“Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.”(Jeremiah 15:16 KJV).

When we are afflicted we receive encouragement and comfort by reading and meditating about the goodness of God in His Word:
“This is my comfort in my affliction, for your word has revived me.(Ps.119:50)
“Unless thy law [had been] my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction.”(Ps.119:92).

Proverbs 3:13 states “Blessed is the man who finds wisdom the man who gains understanding”.

Also we know that “there is no [Human] wisdom or understanding or counsel that can prevail against the Lord.” (Prov. 21:30).

So whose wisdom do we seek after?
The Lord’s of course; “How much better [is it] to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!” (Proverbs 16:16).

In God and Christ “are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge hidden” (Colossians 2:3 KJV).

Our prayer to God daily should be “…teach [us] to number our days, that we may apply [our] hearts unto wisdom.” (Ps.90:12 KJV)

We praise God that we obtain His wisdom and understanding from reading and meditating on His Word:
“through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they [are] ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies [are] my meditation. I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts… I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me… Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.” (Ps.119:98-100,102,104 KJV).

Seeking direction or guidance? As we read God’s word prayerfully we are led and guided by His wisdom
“Thy word [is] a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path (Ps.119:105 KJV). We are therefore able to refrain “our feet from every evil way” (vs 101).

Brethren, be reminded that the Word of God by which He created the world is “forever settled in heaven” (Ps.119:89) and therefore as we find security in God so too we find security in His Word.

Whatever He has planned concerning your life is settled and unchanging. As the rain comes down, so too God sends His Word into the earth realm for the fulfillment of His plans and purposes (Is. 55:10-12). This includes His prophetic words concerning your personal life.

Dear Father
We give you thanks and praise that whatever we need is found in your Word. We also thank you for the many times you speak to us personally as we meditate on scripture and through prophetic people assuring us that you are with us and in absolute control of our lives. Amen.

You are blessed. Determine to stay blessed!
Deborah Esther
©Deborah E. Nyamekye 17/12/2015

(posted on 17/12/2015 & 27/04/2016)

Bible Study, Meditation & Devotional Manual-For Sale

** Available now on Amazon Kindle For Sale **

Loveintertwined_cover

How about a book that is a bible study, meditation and devotional all rolled in one? This book will not disappoint !!

Whether it is for you, a friend a new or mature Christian.

Do you know someone you would like to introduce Jesus to?
This book is what you have been looking for !

Title: LOVE INTERTWINED
Subtitle: Behold Jesus Christ & His Beloved Disciples

Author: Deborah Esther Nyamekye
Publishers: Light of the World-John8.12 publishing

Pre-order: from 23rd March 2016
On sale: 30th April 2016
Price: $3.99

To pre-order click
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01D7QB67E

Description of book

“Love Intertwined” is a book for Christians, students of the bible, and those seeking the meaning of life. It serves as a bible study, meditation and devotional manual.
More details:
-To help the reader or student to better understand the character and mission of Jesus Christ, the Messiah as presented in the New Testament and particularly the Gospel of John, the Apostle.
-The book gives a detailed revelation of the relationship between Father God and the Lord Jesus first and foremost and how this relationship impacts the disciples of Jesus and their relationship with him. The part of Holy Spirit plays in these relationships is also explored in detail.
-It helps the Christian know how they can live a fruitful Christian life in true intimacy with God the Father through the Lord Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit.
With this focus on the centrality of Christ in their Christian walk, the believer in Christ is able to live a victorious Christian life.

-Personal and Group Bible Study & Meditation:
1) It is for the purpose of aiding Christians or those interested in the Christian faith to easily understand basic truths, doctrines and principles of the Christian faith as they read and study the New Testament, particularly the Gospels.

2) To serve as an aid to the disciple of Jesus in grouping together similar themes or topics about Jesus and his ministry gleaned from the book of John. It is then possible to cross reference these with similar themes from other biblical books, thus enabling one to easily perceive and understand the central message across chapters and verses.
To this end, the book serves as an aid to Personal and Group Bible Study and Meditation.

-To enlighten the reader to the wisdom, understanding and counsel that can be derived from God while studying the scriptures.

At the end of each chapter, there is
either a Discourse, Encouragement or Word of Counsel derived from the chapter.

Pre-order price:$3.99

To pre-order click
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01D7QB67E

More on Author:
www.bearwitness-forerunner.org

Author’s blogs: www.readywriterps451.org
www.rwps451propheticword-poems.org

God is Loving the World through You! -EARTH DAY 22nd April 2016

In Honour of EARTH DAY, 22nd April 2016:
I found out this morning that today is EARTH DAY (check out http://www.earthday.org/), so I decided to re-post my teaching/devotional entitled “God is Loving the World through You” first posted in Valentine week 2016 (God of Love!!). It expresses not just how valuable we are to God, but reminds us of our creation mandate which also includes the call of God to be responsible for the earth and all living things:

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

You are an overcomer!


I declare over your life today that
“No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue [that] shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This [is] the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness [is] of me, saith the LORD”

(Is. 54:17 KJV).

What is a declaration? It is a formal, explicit statement or pronunciation or proclamation. The bible says God’s word is forever settled (Psalm 119:89). Therefore this declaration or statement (Is. 54:17) regarding God’s protection of you because you are His is settled! Just receive it and meditate over it, read it out loud, sing it over yourself because your God who wars on your behalf, delights in you and sings over you!

“The Lord your God is with you,the Mighty Warrior who saves.He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you,but will rejoice over you with singing” (Zeph. 3:17 NIV).

To God be the glory great things He has done!

The Lord says to you as He did to the children of Israel, this is your heritage:

1.”No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper…”

What is a weapon in this context? Anything that Satan uses to attack God’s people is a weapon. These include:

i.Objects such as talismans, voodoo dolls and amulets used in witchcraft and the occult.

ii.Human agents (by action or words)
-An individual, even a friend or family member, serving as an agent
-Satanic cults, witchcraft covens that engage in satanic séances, incantations

-A group of people, who could be a group of friends or a group of family members serving as satan’s agents.

Some people whether they are in the church or outside of it do not even realise they are being used as weapons. As we abide in Christ and He in us, our prayer is that we will strong in the LORD and in the power of His might so that we are not used by Satan and his demons.
If the weapons used against you do not prosper it is also true that the works or outcome of those diabolical weapons if they manage to manifest at all are powerless against you by almighty God. This is because you have the authority through Christ Jesus to withstand them. Jesus spoke of the fact that Satan has been defeated and that he has empowered his disciples which you are today:
“And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.19Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you” (Luke 10:18-19 KJV).

“Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.”(Romans 8:37KJV)

Satan’s weapons and their works cannot stand or prosper because you are in right standing with God (righteous) and prospering in Him.

“2Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.(3 John 1:2 KJV)

Will you grasp these truths if you have not already and walk in the freedom that is your heritage as a child of God? If you have already done so it is time to be even more vigilant as you prepare to enter into the new year!

2.”…every tongue [that] shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn..”

As one empowered by the Holy Spirit you are a powerful weapon in God’s hand for you have the power to condemn the enemy who attempts to condemn you!

1[There is] therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.2For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.(Romans 8:1-2 KJV)

As one who is righteous, empowered by the indwelling Holy Spirit who makes intercession for you and through you according to the will of God, your earnest prayers “has great power and produces wonderful results” (NLT). Just take a moment to reflect on that!

Words released out of someone’s mouth a “Human satanic weapon”, which has condemned you, given you a negative picture of who you are and resulted in a sustained low self esteem even since your childhood are powerless once you come to Christ. Why? Because God’s words are the most powerful words which counteract, reverse and thwart the words that have been spoken against you since birth.

As you meditate on the word of God and declare it out loud as one in fellowship with the Holy Spirit who is the power of God,
-the voice of God is released in the atmosphere in all its power
-the testimony of Jesus (who is the Word of God) is made manifest.

Satan and his demons have no choice but to flee from the life of one who lives in the presence of God. This is because as a weapon and a mouthpiece of the almighty God, you are His “Battle Axe” (Jer. 51:20) or an instrument of His anointed voice and Holy Spirit that breaks demonic yoke and bondages.
4The voice of the LORD [is] powerful; the voice of the LORD [is] full of majesty.5The voice of the LORD breaketh the cedars; yea, the LORD breaketh the cedars of Lebanon.(Psalm 29: 4-5 KJV)
20Thou [art] my battle axe [and] weapons of war: for with thee will I break in pieces the nations, and with thee will I destroy kingdoms;21And with thee will I break in pieces the horse and his rider; and with thee will I break in pieces the chariot and his rider;…(Jer. 51:20-21 KJV)

If you believe that God’s words come to pass (Isaiah 55:10-12), then it means you also believe that they replace and so withstand the words of the enemy against you. This is what Jesus came to do, to engage in a divine exchange. When he died on the cross, he took on every curse, the written and spoken ordinances against you.

“14Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;15[And] having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it ”(Col 1:14-15 KJV).

This is why it is important to meditate on God’s Word (the bible) over and over again and to declare them out loud. In so doing your heart (your innermost being of moral activity, your soul) comes in agreement with God’s word of truth, His predestined identity and destiny for you. There is therefore a renewal of mind and so an exchange of the lies and false presumptuous about life and who you are.
Every plan or scheme of satan through his “principalities, powers and the rulers of the dark world, spiritual wickedness” (KJV) is thwarted by almighty God who is the LORD of the heavenly armies (angels) in Jesus’ mighty name!

Brethren, let us therefore continue to be steadfast in abiding in God through our Lord Jesus Christ because in so doing, we allow God through His Word and by His power to condemn and render null and void all of Satan’s weapons, schemes and plans against us.

Thus living a life that daily bears witness to the LORD “who bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect.11 The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations” (Psalm 33:10-11 KJV).

Blessed are you “whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance” (Psalm 33:12 KJV).

You are blessed, determine to stay blessed!

Deborah Esther
©Deborah E. Nyamekye 21/12/2015

(Posted 21/12/2015)

 

God’s Faithfulness to the Fully Committed

image

When your heart is fully committed to God, every step you take will inevitably be guided and guarded by Him.

“The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him…” (2 Chronicles 16:9 KJV)

These are two points to remind you of God’s faithfulness to the fully committed, not just by their words but their deeds as well:

1. “Enter in by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter in by it. Narrow is the gate, and restricted is the way that leads to life! Few are those who find it.” (Matt. 7:13-14 KJV).

The LORD will make sure that you are steered back onto his “narrow” pathway if you should stray away from it at any point due to affliction.

The Lord will be your help in times of trouble to make this possible.
The Psalmist (46:1-3) says “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we won’t be afraid, though the earth changes, though the mountains are shaken into the heart of the seas; though its waters roar and are troubled, though the mountains tremble with their swelling. Selah”

As one who is in fellowship with His Holy Spirit, He will also give you the ability to discern what is of Him and what is not so that you know when you are on a path He has not led you on.

“So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.” (Gal. 5:16-17 NLT)

God’s will is that you live and walk guided by the Holy Spirit not by your own carnal longings and desires which is under the control of Satan who entices the flesh to take the “wide gate” or “broad way”. This pathway is pleasing to the flesh or carnal nature because they offer what appear to be easy and quick benefits, in the long term however one realises that the so called benefits were short lived, resulted in affliction or heartache and discouragement.

2. The Lord will ensure that you part with those you are in alliance with who
a)do not have the same call of God as you do.
b)are likely to be a hindrance to you one way or another. This is because they could be agents of conflict or contention directly or through others associated with them.

Abraham (then called Abram) had left Haran (Gen 12) with his nephew Lot, travelled with him to Egypt where Abraham’s riches including livestock had increased. Together Abraham and Lot had a large amount of livestock and there came a time that living together and grazing their animals proved difficult as the land was crowded as other communities lived there as well. In addition their herdsmen had began to quarrel among themselves. Abraham took the wise decision to separate from Lot saying
“..Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if [thou wilt take] the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if [thou depart] to the right hand, then I will go to the left…” (Gen. 13:9 KJV).

When we study scriptures closely, it is evident that Abraham’s call by God out of his country, Haran (Gen. 12) did not include his relatives. He was married at the time so his wife was included. It was therefore not surprising that a time came for him and Lot to part and what better time than when the land they occupied could not hold their combined possessions.

Today let us pray, asking the LORD to reveal to us if we are aligned to the wrong person, people or group and the wise steps we should take to dissociate ourselves from those He exposes. We need to take care that when God tells us to do something or go a particular way we are not involving anyone He has not told us to partner with.

Brothers and sisters, when we are fully committed to the LORD, we must partner with Him as He guides and guards our lives and this means we are to walk in obedience and refused to compromise with evil. As long as we know what the truth is according to God’s Word, we should refuse at all costs to live by half truths and lies.
” said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, [then] are ye my disciples indeed; ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:31-32 KJV)

Today, let us resolve to continue living as dedicated soldiers of Christ marching on fully committed to our commander in chief, the Lord Jesus Christ, helping others to stay in line or line up with us as is the will of God.

You are blessed, determine to stay blessed!
Deborah Esther x

©Deborah Nyamekye 28/11/2015

God is Always True to His Word  

  
I don’t know what you are waiting on the LORD for, but I have a message for you today: I sense the LORD is saying continue abiding in Him, trusting Him and He will bring it to pass His WAY.
“I have spoken it, I will bring it to pass” Isaiah 46:11.

In 1994 I sensed the LORD saying that He has called me to “write and bear witness” of Him, six years later in 2000 at a prophetic conference one of the prophets prophesied that God has called me to write, He will give me what to write and that I will write many books. I praise God that I am walking fully in this prophetic Word, with my first book due to be released on 30th April (now on pre-order).

Therefore whether the Word was given directly to you, through a world renowned or seasoned Prophet or a fellow believer in Christ who hears from God, it will surely come to pass. Our God cannot lie and His Word is life giving, transforming and sets in motion as well as propels His children forward into the fulfilment of His predestined plans.

As we know God does not speak for the sake of speaking; God’s Word whether the written Word (Bible) or spoken prophetic Word is “Alive and Active”  (Heb. 4:12) and is therefore bound to bear fruit or be productive for His glory. 
These two scriptures among others illustrate this point very well: 
1 Samuel 3:19 – God did not let none of the Words He spoke through Prophet Samuel go unfulfilled in his lifetime. 
Isaiah 55:10-11 – 10“The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry.

11It is the same with my word I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.(NLT).

So dear Brethren, let us always be expectant with joy in relation to what God has in store for us. We may know only some of His plans for us personally but there is much more; 
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9 NLT).

In addition the Bible is full of promises for God’s children; it is time to consciously receive them by faith and declare them over our personal lives if we are not doing so already.

Be encouraged! 
“You shall live in Joy & Peace..”. (Is. 55:12).

You are blessed, determine to stay blessed!

Deborah Esther x

©Deborah E.Nyamekye 14/04/2016

Promises of God – Psalm 1:1-3

Do you detest compromise with the World, but delight in the Word of God ?

If so God says you are

BLESSED:

As a tree planted by the rivers is
well watered
         and therefore
            has leaves that never wither
                                             and is fruitful,

so are you
filled with God’s Spirit “Living Waters”
                                    and are therefore
                                               spiritually healthy 
                                                                     and fruitful.

WHATEVER YOU DO SHALL PROSPER.

tree_planted.jpg

Promises of God – Psalm 5:11-12

Do you love and trust God?

If you do, He calls you righteous and promises to defend you and with favour,
He will surround you as with a Shield.

“11But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee. 12For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as [with] a shield” (Psalm 5:11-12 KJV).

 

promises of God

Guard your heart, a well-spring of Life 

Proverbs 4:23: “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” (New Living Translation)

or “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” (English Standard version).

Your heart is the central and innermost part of you where moral activity takes place and therefore includes your soul; emotions, intellect and mind. If one has a pure heart, then it means that one lives devoted to God and for the sole purpose of glorifying Him. God’s nature is to look at man’s heart while man has the tendency to focus on outward appearances (1 Samuel 16:7).

This is why our pious acts of worship and involvement in church ministry do not impress God if we are living secret sinful lives or in hypocrisy. He takes our heart condition before Him very seriously.

When I think of this verse in the bible (Prov. 4:23), I note that it is full of the counsel of God. If my heart is guarded by worshipping God in Spirit and in truth (His Word of truth) and prayer, then the outflow from it bears witness to the fact that I am a child of God. This is one of the functions of the Holy Spirit.

“The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together” (Romans 8:16-17 KJV).

The course of my life is therefore dependant on what I “feed” my heart and from the scripture above amongst others in relation to the Spirit of God, the importance of life lived in fellowship with the Spirit cannot be underestimated.

Two key words of counsel derived from Proverbs 4:23 are that we
1.Watch the Company we Keep.
There are certain people who are inclined to gossip or speak negatively about others and the more I stay close to them the more I will find myself speaking the same way even without realizing it. In fact the mere fact that I listen to such talk means that I am in alliance with their gossiping and malicious banter.

The bible states
“A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends” (Prov. 16:28 ESV).

“There be six things which the LORD hateth; yea, seven which are an abomination unto him: Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood;An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief;A false witness that uttereth lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren” (Prov.6:16-19 ESV).
The Apostle Paul gives this noteworthy advice for our application:
“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear”. (Eph. 4:29 ESV)
If I choose to hang around gossipers and malicious people thinking I will change them then I am likely to be disillusioned. Why? Because it is not possible to change someone over night and honestly God is not giving me that mandate unless he knows that I am spiritual strong enough to resist adding to their gossip or malicious talk and partaking of their ways. Even then, God will give me the wisdom to wait on Him for the right time to confront them about their behaviour.
Having done so if they choose to continue, then it means it is time to separate from the one who has chosen to walk the way of the ungodly despite professing to be in Christ. Such people are to be removed from the category of close friends to that of acquaintances who I do not stop praying for, but I guard my heart if I happen to find myself in their company. I accept my calling as a child of God to love the brethren in Christ with the love of God, however not everyone is meant to be my friend. As I walk with the LORD, my priority is to cultivate heart- felt intimacy with Him in true holiness as is humanly possible.
Nothing and no one should be able to prevent me from sustaining a heart from which flows the life of God so that I am able to be in fruitful service unto Him. Therefore if anyone or anything stands in the way, I must step back and take a hard look at that thing or person and pray seriously about it before God, there is no beating about the bush. Satan does me no favors and comes as an angel of light, but praise the Lord that his dark ways through certain people and situations.
It is also important to self examine. If I am so easily influenced by people and even though I know better, I continue to be part of such a crowd and partake of their gossip and malicious conversation (yes even one word) then it means I have formed an unholy alliance which will forever be an obstacle to the power of God working in and through me. This is a serious matter brethren! That I would be quick to acknowledge my sins and repent before the LORD!
We have a Heavenly Father who is merciful and forgives those who acknowledge and confess their sins before him (1 John 1:9).
2.Have the characteristics of true children of God
As believers in Jesus Christ we must remember that we are those who live on God’s “Holy Mountain” and there are characteristics that affirm we are children of God:

Psalm 15

Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain? The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart; whose tongue utters no slander, who does no wrong to a neighbour, and casts no slur on others; who despises a vile person but honors those who fear the Lord; who keeps an oath even when it hurts, and does not change their mind; who lends money to the poor without interest; who does not accept a bribe against the innocent. Whoever does these things will never be shaken.
Strife is not the portion of the child of God and from these verses we are also presented with the importance of the Holy Spirit in our lives:

“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. 16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever[c] you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. “(Gal 4:13-18 NIV).

May the Lord help us to have and sustain the characteristics that bear witness to the fact that we are true children of God;

“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. “(Gal 6:19-26 NIV).

3.Cultivate a life of intimacy with God;
To have the “light of life” (John 8:12) or a heart which is a well spring of life so as to be the “Light of the world” (Matt.5:14) in christlikeness, we must follow the leading of God our faithful Shepherd:
“The LORD [is] my shepherd; I shall not want.2He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.3He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake” (Ps.23:1-3 KJV).

The secret place of the most high, that place of intimacy is also abiding “under the shadow of the Almighty” as according to psalm 91, and with psalm 23 we are expressed the profound peace, protection, goodness and mercy we receive as children of God.
If we have the attitude that the sanctification process of the believer in Christ means being restored to the place of having the nature of God the Father, then we will see this process as a partnership which involves us consciously doing our part in obedience to the Word of God. This involves starting our day being still before the Lord, in praise, prayer and bible reading and meditation and also ensuring that throughout the day our focus is on Him through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Setting time aside with God during break times at work, school or from whatever we are doing. Any time with the Lord is a form of resting in Him “beside still waters” in “green pastures” or in “paths of righteousness”.

In doing the aforementioned, the outflow of the life of God which speaks of one full of the Holy Spirit to overflowing setting the course of one’s life is not only sustained but increased so that we can do more for God. The reality of the “Life-giving Spirit” Jesus’ words in John 14:12 become evidenced in our lives.

“Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father” (John 14:12 NIV).
In addition, our discernment and sensitivity to God’s Spirit and His ways is increased and so we are spiritually strengthened and mature enough not to fall into temptation nor act on carnal or satanic provocations.

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me (Ps.51:10-12 NIV)

You are blessed. Determine to stay blessed!
Deborah Esther
©Deborah E. Nyamekye 18/12/2015