SECRET TO GOD'S BLESSING (pt2 2)

IOI CHRISTIAN MORNING MEAL

TOPIC: SECRETS TO GOD'S BLESSINGS (pt 2)

We started digging down to the book of Haggai 1:1-3:23 yesterday, where we learn SECRETS TO GOD'S BLESSING. And I was only able to give you only a point, today I will continue the part two of the meal. As I will give you another point, why you missed God's blessing and why you tap into God's secret of blessing.

2. Blessings are missed because people fail to remember God's will, word and ways. Haggai urged the people in Jerusalem that the work of God was neglected, overlooked and considered as a lower priority their own concerns. Haggai spoke, "This is what the Lord Almighty says: Consider how things are going for you!... You hoped for rich harvests, but they were poor. That is why the heavens have withheld the dew and the earth has withheld its crops. I have called for a drought to starve both you and your cattle and to ruin everything you have worked so hard to get." (Haggai 1:7-11)

God has the ability to withhold His blessings to the disobedient. Fear the Lord you His saints for to those who fear Him there is no want. The young lions lack and suffer hunger, but they who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing. (Psa 37)
.... CONTINUE TOMORROW.

LET US PRAY
DEAR LORD JESUS OPEN OUR UNDERSTANDING TO KNOW YOUR WILLS AND YOUR WAY FOR OUR LIFE IN JESUS NAME.

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SECRETES TO GOD'S BLESSING

IOI CHRISTIAN MORNING MEAL

TOPIC: SECRETS TO GOD'S BLESSINGS

(Haggai 1:1-3:23)

Many people needlessly spend too much effort worrying, working and wrestling with things without the blessings of God.

Haggai's message to the people taught them how to get their priorities straight. He gave them a word from God that reversed their demorilizing ways and motivated them to engage in God's work. Like these people we often place too much emphasis on our own concerns forgetting to put God's work, will and worship first. When God is pleased with our priorities He promises to empower, guide and enable us to enjoy His supernatural blessings.

Blessings are missed because we fail to put God's purpose, priorities and plans first. Haggai spoke to the people calling them back to God's values. "Why are you living in luxurious houses while my house lies in ruins?" (Hag. 1:4)

Many people fail to realize they are living displeasing lives and so fail to repent of their sins of omission. Whatever is not done out of faith is sin. James writes, "If anyone knows the right thing to do but fails to do it for him it is sin." (James 4:7)

LET US PRAY
LORD JESUS CHRIST TEACH US WHAT TO DO TO ENTER INTO YOUR ABUNDANCE BLESSINGS IN JESUS NAME

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CHOSE TO REMAIN FAITHFUL

IOI CHRISTIAN MORNING MEAL

TOPIC: CHOSE TO REMAIN FAITHFUL

The world interpreted success differently. Being faithful is not the key to a successful life, but not in the eyes of God. Look at the disciples - most of them died as criminals. Heb 11:36-37 describes what happens to many of Jesus followers - "36Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. 37They were stoned ; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated ..."

They suffered because they chose to remain faithful to God's Word and God's Work. According to the world's standards, all of them were absolute failures! Yet Hebrews 11:38 says, "the world was not worthy of them."

All these people were called losers or failures by the world. Yet they were honoured by God. Why? Because they were faithful to their Master. They were faithful servants. They were successful not because of prosperity and power, not because of prestige or popularity, but only because they were found faithful to the Lord. They were faithful in obeying His Word and doing His work.

Whenever God give us a responsibility, let us accept it and do our best at it. Treat each small task as important and demonstrate that God can depend on us. One day, we are going to hear the Lord says, "Well done, good and faithful servants."

Matt 25:23 "His master replied, well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your masters happiness!"

Luke 16:10 "Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.

Dear friends, we are not alone in this world. We have a God who is our Lord and Saviour. One day we will all face Him. And give an answer to our life. Why? Because we received this life from Him. He made us and loved us. He wants you to know Him and that's why He sent Jesus to this world. Come and believe Jesus today, and once you have reconciled with God, you will experience life abundant.

LET US PRAY
DEAR LORD JESUS, DESTROY EVERY UNFAITHFULNESS IN US AND MAKE US FAITHFUL TO THE END THAT WE MAY HEAR WELLDONE FAITHFUL SERVANT

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GOD IS LOOKING FOR FAITHFULNESS

IOI CHRISTIAN MORNING MEAL

TOPIC: GOD IS LOOKING FOR FAITHFULNESS

Matt 24:45-46
"Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns.

Therefore, whether in big or small ways, we must do what God has entrusted us. We must share Christ - directly, bringing them to church, or praying for the unsaved.

Paul tells them in his second letter - 2 Cor 5:18-20
"All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation and He has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us"

If you are a boss or master, what one quality would you look for in a worker or servant?
- reliable, trustworthy, integrity, loyalty Do what I tell them and do it well.

The one quality that God looks in us is faithfulness.
Notice what Paul says about being faithful -"it is required." As servants of God, as God's children entrusted with the Gospel, we are required to be faithful to this cause.

From the parable of the talents we saw earlier - God is not going to see your success in terms of quantity, output no. of converts saved under you (you can't save anyone unless HS works) but you must be faithful - whether God has given us 5, 2 or 1 talent. We don't have to compare our accomplishments with wrong measurement. Important question: How faithful are you?

God is looking for faithfulness. He has entrusted the work of His Kingdom to us,

LET US PRAY
DEAR LORD JESUS CHRIST, HELP US TO BE FAITHFUL TO THE END IN JESUS NAME

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Be Faithful

IOI CHRISTIAN MORNING MEAL

TOPIC: BE FAITHFUL

Are you successful today? What measure do you use to measure success? The world may measure success by profit - how much are you earning? By prosperity - what do you own? By prestige - how high are you in the corporate ladder?

How does God measure success? We see from scriptures that God measure success by faithfulness. How faithful are you to God?
Faithfulness is not a virtue appreciated much today. We see that in marriages - relationship between spouse. In scholarships, breaking of bonds. Why should we remain faithful?

God wants us to be faithful to what He has called us to do. He is not going to measure you based on how many converts you have, how many years have your served the church, how great things have you done These are all important, and we want them. But growth comes from God Himself. God wants to see our faithfulness.

Paul was experiencing some difficulty with his ministry in church in Corinth. If we go by popularity and numbers, Paul ministry at Corinth does not seem to be very successful. People are judging him, but listen to what he tells them: "I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. 4My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me." (1 Cor 4:3-4)

True success is not to be measured in terms of what man can see, but in terms of what God sees. "My judge," says Paul, "is not man or even myself, but God."

And how will God judge me? He said it in the first few verses: 1 Cor 4:1-2
So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.

In other words, the important thing for us is to be faithful faithful to God and the work God has entrusted to us.

Noticed the words Paul uses: we are "servants" of Christ; "entrusted" with a message of salvation; and "given a trust".

LET US PRAY
FATHER IN JESUS NAME, HELP US IN ANY CIRCUMSTANCES WE FIND OUR SELF'S TO BE FAITHFUL TO YOU ALWAYS IN JESUS NAME

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THE PLEASURE OF THE SUCCESSFUL BELIEVER

IOI CHRISTIAN MORNING MEAL

TOPIC: THE PLEASURE OF THE SUCCESSFUL BELIEVER

We started talking about successful believer yesterday and we will continue this morning again.
The successful believer is genuinely and completely in love with the Word of God.

A. The Word Has Captured His Full Affection – Delight = Pleasure! The Word of God isn’t a Book of fables, myths and legends. To the child of God it is the very Word of Truth. it is God-breathed and infallible, inerrant and absolutely perfect. He loves it and he lives it, finding in its pages all he needs to grow and prosper for Jesus.

The value of the Word:
1. It is Food – Job 23:12; Matt. 4:4
a. Milk for the baby – 1 Pet. 2:2
It gives the baby Christian everything he needs to grow up strong and healthy!
It needs to be prepared and served right however!
b. Meat for the growing – Heb. 5:12-14
It provides all we need to make us strong in the Lord!
c. Bread for everyone – John 6:51 Bread is the staple food of the world! No matter where you go, people need the Bread of life!
d. Honey for those in need – Psa. 19:10
nothing has the power to encourage as does a Word from God!

2. It is Light – Psa. 119:105
3. It is Truth – John 17:17
4. It is a Mirror – James 1:23-25
5. It is Water – Eph. 5:25-27
a. It Cleanses – Eph. 5:26

b. It Quenches – John 4:13-14

c. It Refreshes – Psa. 119:150

6. It is a Seed – 1 Pet. 1:23
7. It is a Sword – Heb. 4:12; Eph. 6:17
8. It is a Hammer – Jer. 23:29
a. It can Build Up – Pro. 16:24

b. It can Tear Down – Rev. 2:16; 19:15, 21

9. It is a Fire – Jer. 20:9; Luke 24:32
The successful believer is in love with the Bible. He knows that in its pages, he can find all that his soul requires. It embodies the complete revelation of God to men. It meets the need of the Christian life.

Do you love it as you should?

B. It Has Captured His Full Attention – Not only does the successful believer love the Book, but he lives out the Book daily. The Bible is internalized and it becomes the singular standard for faith and practice. Every thought, every move, every decision is made against the backdrop of God’s Word, and what it has to say about an issue. However, before life can ever be lived in this fashion, the Bible must be consumed and made a vital part of who you are – 2 Tim. 2:15.

The Psalmist declares that the successful believer spends his days and his nights in the pursuit of the Book.

Does the Bible fill your thoughts? Do you find yourself consumed with its content and mesmerized in the meditation of it?
The Bible is never better than when it is read and then lived out!

LET US PRAY
FATHER IN JESUS NAME, LET YOUR WORD CONTINUALLY BE IN OUR MOUTH AND HELP US TO LIVE BY IT IN JESUS NAME. AMEN

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THE PATH OF THE SUCCESSFUL BELIEVER

IOI CHRISTIAN MORNING MEAL

TOPIC: THE PATH OF THE SUCCESSFUL BELIEVER

A. The Successful believer is separated in his walk of life.

1. He doesn’t Believe like the wicked – (Ill. He doesn’t listen to their counsel and invitations to evil) His hearing is turned a little higher!

2. He doesn’t Behave like the wicked – 2 Cor. 5:17 – (Ill. The old man has been put forever away!)

3. He doesn’t Belong with the wicked – 2 Cor. 6:17 0 (Ill. He feels out of place when surrounded by the devil’s crowd.

B. Ill. The downward progress – Walk, Stand, Sit. (Ill. This is the path Lot took – Gen. 19. It eventually led to his total downfall!)

C. The successful believer realizes that there is a vast difference between himself and the world he was saved out of, and he lives accordingly!

Don't just be a believer, be a successful believer, someone is has all this character, know and believe yourself that you can do it and God will help you

LET US PRAY
FATHER IN JESUS NAME, MAKE US A SUCCESSFUL BELIEVER ON EARTH IN JESUS NAME

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LOVE IS VULNERABLE TO THE OTHER

IOI CHRISTIAN MORNING MEAL

TOPIC: LOVE IS VULNERABLE TO THE OTHER

In other words, love opens up its life to another person. It goes beyond sentimental feelings. It breaks down barriers. It exposes the heart.
Think about Jesus. He left the glory of heaven to come to earth. He veiled His divinity and took on humanity. And what did it get him? "He came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him" (John 1:11).

Can you imagine being away on a business trip for a week, coming home, and your family not recognizing you? That's similar to what Jesus experienced when he came to earth. Surely that must have hurt. Then, as Jesus hung on the cross, dying for these people that he loved, they hurled abuses, scorn, and ridicule. His heart was broken. And yet, He forgave them.
Christian love is the most costly investment you will ever make.

C. S. Lewis, in The Four Loves, describes the vulnerable nature of love.
"To love is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly broken.
If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries. Avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket - safe, dark, motionless, airless - it will change. It will not be broken. Instead, it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable.

LET US PRAY
FATHER LORD JESUS CHRIST, GIVE US YOUR OWN KIND OF LOVE AND TAKE LUSTFULNESS OUT OF OUR LIVES IN JESUS NAME.

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VIRTUE OF LOVE

IOI CHRISTIAN MORNING MEAL

TOPIC: VIRTUE OF LOVE

How do we demonstrate the distinctiveness of Christian love? Because virtue is moral action we practice, How can we practice the glorious virtue of love?

Love values the other person
Let's not confuse Christian love with its modern counterfeits - lust, sentimentality, and gratification. While love is a wonderful, warm feeling, it is not only a feeling. In fact, according to the Bible, love is primarily an active interest in the well-being of another person. Love acts for the benefit of others.

According to William Barclay love "is the spirit in the heart that will never seek anything but the highest good of its fellow man."

God loved us not because we had something to offer him, but rather because He had something to offer us. "For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16). God loved us so that He could demonstrate His mercy to us in the person of His Son.

Dr. W.A. Criswell, former pastor of First Baptist Church, Dallas, Texas, officiated at a lot of weddings. The nervous groom would always say, "Dr. Criswell, how much do I owe you for this?" And he'd always smile and look at the groom and say, "Aw, just pay me what she's worth." Dr. Criswell made a lot of money from weddings, because to each man his new bride was of extravagant value.
In like manner, everyone around us is of incredible value to God as a potential object of His mercy. His one and only Son died in their place. Because people matter so much to him, they ought to matter to us. And, we, therefore, need to love them as he loves them.

LET US PRAY
DEAR HEAVENLY FATHER HELP US TO DEMONSTRATE YOUR TRUE VIRTUE OF LOVE TO ALL ACCORDING TO YOUR WILL IN JESUS NAME

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NATURE OF LOVE

IOI CHRISTIAN MORNING MEAL

TOPIC: NATURE OF LOVE

When we demonstrate Christian love, it distinguishes believers from the rest of the world. Jesus goes on to say, "By this [love] all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:35).

Notice Jesus did not say that people will know that you are my disciples if you promote my agenda, or wear Christian T-shirts or a WWJD bracelet, or have a fish decal on your car, but rather if you love one another. A watching world will be persuaded not when our values are promoted but when they are incarnated, when we become purveyors of love. It is as though Jesus has given the entire world the right to judge whether or not one is His follower simply on the basis of their love for fellow human beings. The vivacious virtue of love distinguishes the Christian.

From the very beginning, God's plan was to develop a people that reflected his character. And what is his character? Love. "God is love, and the one who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him. In this, love is perfected with us so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; for we are as He is in this world" (1 John 4:16-17).

Believers are God's advertisement to a watching society as to how individuals could best live in that society. In fact, Christian love will always be the best apologetic that the church has.

LET US PRAY
FATHER IN JESUS NAME LET YOUR LOVE RULE OUR WORLD AS WE RECEIVE AND DEMONSTRATE YOUR KIND OF LOVE IN JESUS NAME.

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UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF LOVE

IOI CHRISTIAN MORNING MEAL

TOPIC: UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF LOVE

When Jesus spoke to the disciples regarding the first and second greatest commands, he explained that "All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commands" (Matt. 22:40).

To the people of Israel, as well as for many believers today, it would seem more logical for obedience to be the peg from which the Law hangs, since the point of writing a law is adherence to it. And it is written, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments" (John 14:15). Yet Jesus also said, "I give you a new commandment: love one another. Just as I have loved you, you must also love one another" (John 13:34). The apostle Paul goes on to tell us "Love does no wrong to a neighbor. Love, therefore, is the fulfillment of the law" (Rom. 13:10).

This may sound irrelevant to our generation that depends on police departments, guns, and force to uphold and fulfill the law. Yet Jesus' simple command requires greater strength than any of us naturally possess - more power than any man-made weapon.

The logic of Paul's interpretation of Jesus' command that love fulfills the Law seems equally simple. For if one loves his neighbor, he will not commit adultery with his neighbor's spouse. If he loves his coworker, he will not lie to him. And if loves his enemy, he will not slander him. Love fulfills the law, because if we truly love every person because he is a person, we will not desire to hurt or violate him or her, thus never break the law. God established love as the impetus for obedience.

LET US PRAY
DEAR LORD JESUS CHRIST, HELP US TO LIVE OUR LIFE FULFILLING YOUR LAW IN LOVE IN JESUS NAME

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MAKING LOVE A PRIORITY

IOI CHRISTIAN MORNING MEAL

TOPIC: MAKING LOVE A PRIORITY

TEXT : 1COR 13.

The Bible says we are to love one another. Sounds good, but can we do it? Whoever said, "I love mankind; it's people I can't stand," was about right.

People are just irritating. I agree with the guy who said, "To live above with those we love, oh, how that will be glory. To live below with those we know, now that's another story.
Even people at church can be difficult to love. Sometimes we sing a chorus in church: "I'm so glad you're a part of the family of God," and then we look at the person beside us and sing, "I'm surprised you're part of the family of God."
Sometimes it's hard enough to love our own family. One guy told his wife that if she had really loved him she would have married someone else.

How do we make love a dominating characteristic of our lives?

Make love a priority
Indeed loving people is difficult. Yet this is what the Bible commands. "For this is the message you have heard from the beginning: we should love one another" (1 John 3:11). We spend time on what we deem important. For many of us these choices are valid: time with family and friends, work, prayer, serving the poor, fighting for rights, protesting wrongs. But as the Scripture reminds us, "And if I donate all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body in order to boast but do not have love, I gain nothing" (1 Cor. 13:3).

Even though we have the freedom to set our own priorities, Jesus made a point of defining certain ones of them for us: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the greatest and most important commandment.
The second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself'" (Matt. 22:37-39).

Love, then, is not a gray area the Scriptures. Jesus gave love priority over all other Christian virtues. Every thought, response, and act of goodwill must first pass through the fine filter of love, or it means nothing at all.

In "Strength to Love", Martin Luther King, Jr., encouraged us to realize that "our responsibility as Christians is to discover the meaning of this command and seek passionately to live it out in our daily lives." But why love? What makes it so important?

LET US PRAY,
DEAR LORD JESUS CHRIST, HELP US TO LOVE TRUELY BEYOUND OUR HURT AND HATRED IN JESUS NAME

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A HOLY LIFE

IOI CHRISTIAN MORNING MEAL

TOPIC: A HOLY LIFE

Let’’s ask ourselves: What are the marks and characteristics of a holy life?

(1) A life that is pleasing to God (verse 1). Do you desire to please Him? – then you must be holy and you must have a testimony like that of Enoch (Hebrews 11:5).

(2) A life of going on with God. Verse 1 tells us that it is a life of increase and of progress. How many people are born again, have the assurance of sins forgiven, but they never seem to grow in grace! Are you going on with the Lord and growing? – look up 2 Peter 3:18.

(3) A life of clear-cut separation from evil. In verse 3 we are exhorted to “”avoid sexual immorality””; verse 5 speaks of ““passionate lust””; verse 6 warns us that a Christian should not ““wrong his brother or take advantage of him””; and in verse 7 we are solemnly called to cut out every form of impurity. Because God calls us to a life of purity, we must do something about it –- look up 2 Corinthians 7:1.

(4) A life where the body is kept under control (verse 4). Have we presented our bodies to the Lord for Him to give us the mastery over them (Romans 12:1)? – compare Romans 6:13.

(5) A life that is transformed (verse 5). God calls us to live an entirely new life, a holy life (Romans 6:4).

(6) It is a love-filled life (verses 9 and 10). To be holy is to be healthy, and the secret of spiritual health is love (Romans 5:8).

(7) It is a life of absolute honesty (verse 12). No-one can say that this is not practical –- holiness in action! –- becoming more and more like Christ.

LET US PRAY
DEAR LORD JESUS CHRIST, HELP US ALL TO LIVE A LIFE OF HOLINESS BEYOND OUR SELF RIGHTEOUSNESS IN JESUS NAME.

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GOD COMMANDS THAT THE CHRISTIAN BE HOLY

IOI CHRISTIAN MORNING MEAL

TOPIC: GOD COMMANDS THAT THE CHRISTIAN BE HOLY

(1 Peter 1:14-16; Lev. 11:44-45; 19:2; 20:7). God said, Thou shall be holy, for I am holy. Be holy, and not conforming to evil desire. God's holiness expresses His divine perfection. His innermost nature is holy, and a holy God calls for a holy people (1 Cor. 6:19; 1 Pet. 2:9; 1 Cor. 1:2).

Holy living demands determination (Rom. 12:1). The Christian is responsible for his inner life and outward walk. All areas of our life should be in the process of being conformed to the likeness of Jesus Christ. Sin is abnormal and unnatural for the believer. The Christian does not experience the sinless life perfectly on this earth (1 John 1:8, 10), however we do overcome sin through the power of the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:16-21).

Holiness or sanctification can be perfected, i.e., completed or matured (Phi. 3:8-16). A maturing, or growing holiness, is an increased Christ-likeness (2 Cor. 3:18). It is a progressive sanctification, not sinless perfection.

We will receive glorification when we see Jesus in heaven, and not before then. Until then, we are to grow in His likeness (1 John 3:3). Our responsibility is to yield ourselves to the inner working of the Holy Spirit and keep on growing in His likeness (James 4:8).

LET US PRAY
FATHER IN JESUS NAME, HELP US TO PLEASE YOU IN ALL OUR DEALINGS TILL THY KINGDOM COME IN JESUS NAME

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DEALING WITH HABITUAL SIN

IOI CHRISTIAN MORNING MEAL

TOPIC: DEALING WITH HABITUAL SIN

It is very clear in the teachings of the Scripture that no Christian is sinless (1 John 1:8-10), but it is also clear that God expects the true believer to not sin habitually. No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in Him, and he cannot practice sin because he is born of God (3:9).

To Practice sin is to see sin as a way of life.
An unsaved person lives a life of habitual sin. The sin of unbelief is a normal thing for the lost person. A true believer does not live in habitual sin. He may commit occasional sins ( I mean he may fall into it unknowingly or push by flesh nature) but he will not make it a habitual practice.

The word Holy, Holiness, Saint and Sanctify, comes from a Greek root meaning, to set apart to God. The believer in the Lord Jesus Christ is set apart for God by the Holy Spirit. The Saint is a person set apart for God, enjoying a holy standing before God in Christ Jesus, with the obligation of living a holy life (1 Pet. 1:15-16).

The evidence of the new birth is righteous behavior in the life of the believer. Sanctification is evident in a changed life. God changes us from the inside out (2 Cor. 5:17). And we must live for his glory.

This is what God is calling us to, today as you go out let your life reflect his holiness, his glory and his praise.

LET US PRAY
DEAR LORD JESUS, DESTROY EVERY DEMONIC POWER IN OUR LIFE'S AND HABITUAL SINFUL LIFE IN JESUS NAME

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THE LIFE YOU LIVED

IOI CHRISTIAN MORNING MEAL

TOPIC: THE LIFE YOU LIVED

Philippians 2:15; 1 Timothy 6:6; Titus 2:5-12; 1 Peter 2:11-12; 2 Peter 1:

Despite many technological advancements, the twenty-first century has entered frighteningly dark waters. Look at the headlines—the threat of global terrorism, the chaos of unthinkable criminal activity, the defilement of pornography, the confusion of gender roles, the future of the economy, the "lostness" of our children, etc., etc. People are helplessly buckled up, strapped in, and holding on to a world careening out of control into a future of even greater fear, confusion, frustration, uncertainty, and isolation.

As a Christian, a true Christians, you are quite a contrast. Anchored in Jesus Christ, you are immoveable, steadfast, and strong. Your eyes are fixed on the Word of God, a beacon that stands out like a "lamp shining in a dark place" (2 Peter 1:19). As you move toward that light, God changes your life by the power of the Holy Spirit. The message you proclaim and the life you live guarantees you will stand out in the culture.

Holy, righteous lives are the backbone of the gospel we preach. The apostle Paul understood that. In the midst of a pagan society that did all it could to persecute Christians and discredit the Christian faith, he wrote to Titus telling him how to instruct the Cretans "to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age" (Titus 2:12).

The same message is coming to me and you today as a challenge to live a holy life so as to overcome the world. Not by money or crowd or fame or magic as some pastor preach today but by holiness shall we be a terror to devil's Kingdom and win the world.

LET US PRAY
FATHER IN JESUS NAME, LORD PLEASE MAKE US STANDOUT IN HOLINESS IN THESE SINFUL WORLD

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7 Steps To Living A Holy Life

IOI CHRISTIAN MORNING MEAL

TOPIC: 7 Steps To Living A Holy Life

1. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.
Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand.

2. Put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you.
Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming. You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds.

3. Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like Him.
In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.

4. Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with:
tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.

5. Above all, clothe yourselves with love,
which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace.

6. And always be thankful.

7. Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives.
Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.

LET US PRAY
FATHER IN JESUS NAME LET YOUR RIGHTEOUSNESS SHINE UPON US AND LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION IN ALL OUR WAYS IN JESUS NAME

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LIVING A HOLY LIFE

IOI CHRISTIAN MORNING MEAL

TOPIC: LIVING A HOLY LIFE

To be holy is the opposite of being “common” or “profane.” God is holy in that He is utterly different and distinct from His creation. His people must also be distinct, separate from the heathen attitudes and actions which characterized them as unbelievers. The translation of 1 Peter 2:9 by the King James Version conveys this idea of “separateness:”

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9, KJV).
As you go out today, all God require of you is to start separating yourself from anything anyone or whatever will make you unholy, separate yourself from talk, meetings, acts, places, friends, group and relationship that will make you to commit a sin against God, as you practice this God is seen your heart and will help you living a holy life.

LET US PRAY
MAY GOD DELIVER US FROM FALLING AND SAVE US FROM HIS WROUGHT AND SHINE HIS BEAUTIFUL FACE ON US WITH LOVE IN JESUS NAME.

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MOVE ON

IOI CHRISTIAN MORNING MEAL

TOPIC: MOVE ON

When the children of Israel were delivered from Egypt, their greatest challenge was coming out of a bondage mentality. When God sets us free, the enemy attempts to get us to remember the good things about our former bondage because he wants to make serving God seem harder.

We must move forward! People who are stagnated spiritually have no prophetic insight. Go forth based on the word of the Lord that has been given to you.

The greatest aspect of deliverance is hope. It gives us a foundation for our faith.

Your faith must stand trial. The Lord spoke to Moses and told him to tell the people to move forward (see Ex. 14:15). They could not be concerned about the Red Sea in front of them. It always takes faith to move forward.

Lot was delivered out of Sodom and commanded never to look back. When his wife looked back, she lost her deliverance (see Gen. 19:27).

Obstacles will attempt to make you doubt. Soul ties will make you want to look back. Always remember that Jesus is the Author and Finisher of your faith. He brought you out, and surely, He will take you in!

The enemy tempted Jesus, and no matter how anointed you are, he will continue to tempt you, also. But when temptation comes to steal your deliverance, you can make a statement that has helped me during the years: "Jesus, I love You more!"

Truly loving God instills reverential fear. The fear of the Lord is a sure foundation.

Deliverance is for everyone! And as God's agents on Earth, we have authority to defeat and destroy the enemy and his spirits whenever we encounter them. Weapons will form against us, but they will not prosper because we possess an arsenal on the inside of us that will annihilate darkness.

LET US PRAY
EVERY LUCK DOOR THAT IS HOLDING US STAGNATED, BE BROKEN AND GIVE WAY FOR FORWARDNESS IN JESUS NAME.

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GUARD YOUR THOUGHT.

IOI CHRISTIAN MORNING MEAL

TOPIC: GUARD YOUR THOUGHT.

You are only as delivered as you think you are (see Prov. 23:7).

Most strongest bondages of many born again brethren were fornication, adultery, drinking cigarettes cochane, lustfulness and unforgiving spirit. ETC. But after they were set free by the power of Jesus Christ, the devil would place images before them to make them think they are still bound by these addictions.

Devil will tells you that you are still a junkie. But you must know that you are deliver and set free in Jesus Christ from your thought daily.

When Satan speak, you will hear him from afar because God's voice is so much louder when we are close to him in heart and truly born again. God said that we would know His voice and this would help us not to follow the enemy (see John 10:5).

People think that when the devil speaks to them, something is wrong. Many atimes if he speaks to you, you are actually doing something right that is why he is speaking to confuse and get you disfocus, and he use to communicate through our heart that is why we must guide our thought.

Take responsibility for your deliverance. Once you have submitted yourself to God, learn to resist the devil. If you do, he must flee! (See James 4:7.)

The devil is not trying to talk you out of what you do not have. He is targeting you because you have something he wants.

Guard your thought life from the enemy. He wants to confuse you and cause you to doubt your purpose in God. Any voice that does not speak the truth (the Word) is of the devil. Watch out.

LET US PRAY
EVERY DOOR BY WHICH THE DEVIL IS TAKING TO MY HEART TO POLUTE MY GODLY THOUGHT, I CLOSE SUCH DOOR IN JESUS NAME

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BREAK OLD TIES AND SOUL TIES.

IOI CHRISTIAN MORNING MEAL

TOPIC: BREAK OLD TIES AND SOUL TIES.

Second Corinthians 5:17 describes true deliverance. Old things are passed away, and, when people see us, all things in our lives appear new.

Romans 12:2 says to be "transformed" into the image of Christ and not "conformed" to the image of the world. The image of the world represents what you've come out of. The image of Christ is what you are moving toward.

The "new man" will not fit over the old man. Just like a floor that must be stripped and buffed before it is waxed, you must be stripped of every troubling sin or weight. Stay away from the thing from which you have been delivered (see Heb. 12:1). Then you are ready to be deliver and live a free life of satanic bondage.

LET US PRAY
FATHER IN JESUS NAME BREAK EVERY CHAINS OF ANY KIND THAT WON'T ALLOW OUR FREEDOM AND FULFILMENT OF LIFE IN JESUS NAME.

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Good morning friends