TO BE READY FOR JESUS COMING, YOU MUST LIVE IN EXPECTATION OF HIS RETURN.

IOI CHRISTIAN MORNING MEAL

TOPIC: TO BE READY FOR JESUS COMING, YOU MUST LIVE IN EXPECTATION OF HIS RETURN.

Luke 12.

“Blessed are those slaves whom the master shall find on the alert” (12:37). The homeowner should have been expecting the arrival of the thief. So, Jesus says, “You too, be ready” (12:40).

If you’re expecting a guest, especially an important guest, you live differently than if you are not expecting anyone.
imagine how you would get ready if a President announced that he would be coming to spend the night.
Your house would be spotless. the beds would be made. You might even put a fresh coat of paint on some of the walls. You would want your yard to look presentable. You might buy some flowers to plant. You would want things to be clean and neat because you were expecting the President.

If you’re expecting the King of kings, how should your life look? Would you have been comfortable if He had come back during your activities this past weekend?

Are there books or magazines or videos that you need to get rid of before He comes to your home?
Do you watch TV shows where you would be mortified if the Savior knocked on your door while they were on?

Jesus says that we should be ready immediately to open the door to him when he comes and knocks (12:36). We shouldn’t have to yell, “Just a minute,” while we shut off the TV and hide a bunch of embarrassing stuff in the closet.

So to be ready for Christ’s return, make sure that He is your Master; be involved in serving Him all day every day; and, live as if you expect His soon coming.

At this point, Peter asks whether the Lord is addressing this teaching to the twelve or to everyone else as well. Jesus’ answer is indirect, but in effect He says that while the teaching applies especially to them (since they have been given much), it also applies to everyone in proportion to how much they have been given.

LET US PRAY
IN JESUS NAME, YOU AND ME WILL NOT MISS HEAVEN WHEN THE TRUMPET SOUND.

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TO BE READY FOR JESUS COMING, YOU MUST BE HIS SERVANT.

IOI CHRISTIAN MORNING MEAL

TOPIC: TO BE READY FOR JESUS COMING, YOU MUST BE HIS SERVANT.

Servants do not have a life of their own; they live to please their master.
Being a servant of Jesus Christ is first and foremost a mindset

I should see myself as a servant of the Lord Jesus, obedient to His will. As Paul says, “You are not your own, for you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body” (1 Cor. 6:19-20).

In addition to a servant mindset, servants of Christ should seek out an area of service in line with their spiritual gifts. God has given all of us a function to perform in the body of Christ and that body will be healthy and grow to the degree that every member functions as he or she ought (Eph. 4:16).

If you are not serving Christ in some capacity or looking for a place to serve, you are probably living for yourself.

Servants seek to serve their Master. When He comes, He doesn’t want to find them sitting on a hill waiting for His return. He wants to find them serving Him.

henceforth, find something doing in the body of Christ and let him meet you working faithfully when he comes.

LET US PRAY
Receive power and grace to be faithful in Jesus name.

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TO BE READY FOR JESUS COMING, HE MUST BE YOUR MASTER.

IOI CHRISTIAN MORNING MEAL

TOPIC: TO BE READY FOR JESUS COMING, HE MUST BE YOUR MASTER.

Luke 12:35-48

There is a sense in which Jesus is the Lord of every person.

In this passage, He clearly assumes the authority to be the rightful judge of everyone who has ever lived. But, also clearly, it will only go well for those who are rightly related to Him, who submit to Him as their personal Lord or Master. They will be blessed (12:37, 38, 43) when He comes; the rest will face His punishment.

Some will say, “Jesus is my Savior, but I haven’t yet made Him my Lord.”Really? Can you find a shred of biblical evidence that gives you comfort with such a condition?
I will grant that a person can truly be saved and yet fall into sin.

Every saint struggles daily against the world, the flesh, and the devil, and many saints have not learned to have consistent victory over these enemies of the soul.
But I deny that you can be truly saved and live in sin and yet be comfortable living like that! If you claim to know Christ as Savior and yet you’re shrugging off known sin as no big deal, you may be in for a serious reality

The only people ready for His return are those who daily seek to bring every area of life under His lordship.

It is a constant struggle, but if you are not engaging in the struggle, you need to examine yourself to see whether you are in the faith (2 Cor. 13:5). Those who are ready for Christ’s return seek to follow Him as Lord.

LET US PRAY
EVERY EVIL OR DEMONS WHO IS MAKING HIMSELF YOUR MASTER IS CAST INTO FIRE IN JESUS NAME.

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GETTING READY FOR HIS COMING

IOI CHRISTIAN MORNING MEAL

TOPIC: GETTING READY FOR HIS COMING

Today let me start with scoffer, on the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Scoffers may say, “It’s been almost 2,000 years since Jesus spoke these words. Every generation since then has thought that it was the final generation before His coming, but they all died without seeing it happen. Face reality: It’s just not going to happen!”

The apostle Peter points out (2 Pet. 3:3-13) that such foolish scoffers fail to note that God spoke the universe into existence by His powerful word and that He has given us an object lesson of the terror and power of His judgment in the flood.

The present heavens and earth are being reserved, not for a judgment of water, but of fire. Also, with the Lord, a day is as a thousand years and a thousand years are as a day.
His view of time and ours are vastly different! The only reason He has delayed judgment is His great patience as He waits for more to come to repentance. Peter then uses Jesus' image of a thief:

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up. Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God …"(2 Pet. 3:10-12a).

If you have any regard for Jesus words, you must be concerned with the question, “How can I be ready for His coming?”because that is what you must prepare for now and not doubting if he is coming or not, this is certain, Jesus is coming, and His coming is imminent. You and me must not prepare every second.

LET US PRAY
MAY THE LORD DELIVER YOU AND ME FROM EVERY SPIRITUAL LOOKWARMNESS AND GET US READY FOR HIS COMING IN JESUS NAME

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READINESS FOR HIS COMING

IOI CHRISTIAN MORNING MEAL

TOPIC: READINESS FOR HIS COMING

(Luke 12:35-48)

We should be ready for the Lord’s return, because when He comes He will judge everyone.

Readiness: We should be ready for the Lord’s return (12:35-40).

Jesus uses four word pictures to emphasize the same point: Be ready for His return. “Be dressed in readiness” is literally, “let your loins be girded.” In that day, everyone wore long robes which were a hindrance if you needed to move quickly or freely. If a person planned to run or work, he would tuck his robe into a sash around his waist so that it would not interfere with his movements. The verb here indicates a state of perpetual readiness for action.

The second figure, “keep your lamps alight,” comes from a day when there was no electricity. There were no streetlights or city lights outside and no nightlights to help you find your way to the bathroom in the middle of the night. If you were expecting a midnight visitor, you would keep an oil light burning so that when he knocked on the door, you could see to let him in. Again, the idea is, be ready for the Master’s coming.

The third picture is of servants who are awaiting their master’s return from a wedding feast. Such feasts could last for days, often for a week. The servants would need to be ready when they heard their master arrive to open the door and serve him. Scholars debate whether Luke is using a Roman or Jewish reckoning of the watches of the night, but the point is the same: the master could come in the middle of the night when you least expect him, so you must be ready.

The fourth picture is of a thief breaking into a house in the middle of the night. If the homeowner had known when the thief was coming, he would not have allowed his house to be broken into. He would have been ready and waiting. Then Jesus states the application of all four figures: “You, too, be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not expect” (12:40).

LET US PRAY
WHAT EVER WILL MAKE YOU MISS THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS CAST OUT OF YOUR WAYS IN JESUS NAME.

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TWO WIDOWS WITH A GIVEN HEART.

IOI CHRISTIAN MORNING MEAL

TOPIC: TWO WIDOWS WITH A GIVEN HEART.

I will Conclude our teaching of given by pointing two widow to us who trusted in God and in there want and lack still be a good giver. Me and you have no excuses.

1. THE WIDOW OF ZAREPHATH – (1 KINGS 17:7-14)

Don’t be afraid. Go make bread like you said, but make mine first (1 Kings 17:13).

This sounds rather selfish of Elijah, but Elijah represents the God of Israel. And the God of Israel and heaven and earth is sovereign – and to be obeyed. And as God’s representative, Elijah promises her a miracle – but she has to make his cake of bread first.

Now the woman has a decision to make. Do I divide my very last meal? This means that I and my son will not even have the hunger pains subside today – in the scant hope that something might be found tomorrow. It means the hunger starts today, not tomorrow.

Shall I do it, she had to wonder. This is a man of God, representing the living and true God. He has promised to provide miraculously for me. But do I really believe it? Do I believe it enough to give this man bread that leaves me hungry today?

She decides to trust God,

Let’s just make a few observations about this widow that might fit our situation:

1. She was a believer in the true God.
2. She had serious financial needs herself.
3. She was asked to give away a big part of the little she had.
4. She heard God’s promise to provide for her if she gave.
5. She believed God’s promise and first gave obediently to God.
6. God show His care by providing for her needs miraculously!

2. THE WIDOW AND JESUS AT THE TEMPLE – 30 AD

"Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. {42} But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. {43} Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. {44} They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything--all she had to live on.” (Mark 12:41-44)

So on one hand what made her gift remarkable was how small it was. But ironically, what made her gift remarkable to Jesus was how large it was! What make this gift so large was that it was all the money she had.

This is how God views giving today. God always sees the sacrifice of giving. That’s where the worship of giving really happens. It costs. King David once said, I will not sacrifice a burnt offering that costs me nothing (1 Chronicles 21:24 ).

Again, let’s learn some basic lessons from this incident:

1. We are never too poor to give.
2. Giving generously means trusting God for the future.
3. God is honored by our degree of sacrifice, not the amount.
4. Giving is worship that expresses our relationship to God.

NOTE THIS..
"GIVING ESTABLISHES OUR HUMILITY BEFORE GOD"

Deuteronomy 26:8-10 describes how giving expresses humble dependence, "So the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with great terror and with miraculous signs and wonders. {9} He brought us to this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey; {10} and now I bring the Firstfruits of the soil that you, O LORD, have given me." Place the basket before the LORD your God and bow down before him."

LET US PRAY
THIS WEEKEND MAY GOD GIVE YOU KEY THAT OPEN DIVINE TREASURY OF WEALTH IN JESUS NAME.

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TRUTH ON CHRISTIAN GIVING

IOI CHRISTIAN MORNING MEAL

TOPIC: TRUTH ON CHRISTIAN GIVING

Let me tell you something about God's blessing, it is already made for you and me because it is the Will of God that we are bless and prosper
3 John 1:2 KJV
Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

It's now left to you and me to connect into all this principle to activate our blessing

Today morning meal lead us to point Ten.

10. THE BIBLE TEACHES THAT CHRISTIAN GIVING OUGHT TO BE CHEERFUL GIVING.

As Paul says "God loves a cheerful giver." This is a truly amazing assertion. Paul assures us here that the Lord takes a special delight in those who are joyful, energetic, merry givers. Is there joy in your heart as you give?
Can you truly be characterized as a "cheerful giver"?

We have not come close to reaching our potential for giving. Won't you pray that we will give as we ought? That we will give for the right motives? That we will give joyously? And that we will give extravagantly.

LET US PRAY
EVERY COURSES AND COVENANT OF POVERTY IS BROKEN IN YOUR LIFE TODAY, I WELCOME YOU INTO A NEW COVENANT OF WEALTH IN JESUS NAME.

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TRUTH ON CHRISTIAN GIVING

IOI CHRISTIAN MORNING MEAL

TOPIC: TRUTH ON CHRISTIAN GIVING

Brethren, if you want to enter into the abundance of God. Then here are principles to follow without changing God's word to selfish gain.

This is point Nine of our morning meal, truth on christian giving

9. THE BIBLE TEACHES THAT CHRISTIAN GIVING MUST BE WILLING GIVING, FREE GIVING.

We learn this in 2 Corinthians 9:7 "Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion." But doesn't this contradict what we learned under the first principle, that Christian giving is not optional?

The answer is, of course, no. True Christian giving is both mandatory and voluntary.
It is required by God, but always willingly given by the believer.

Its time to ask ourselves, because it is the Will of God that we are blessed.
Is your giving to the Church something you do wholeheartedly, or indifferently, or grudgingly?

LET US PRAY
EVERY CHAIN OF POVERTY THAT TIED YOU. I COMMAND IT TO LOSE TODAY IN JESUS NAME.

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TRUTH ON CHRISTIAN GIVING

IOI CHRISTIAN MORNING MEAL

TOPIC: TRUTH ON CHRISTIAN GIVING

Brethren, if you want to enter into the abundance of God. Then here are principles to follow without changing God's word to selfish gain.

This is point Nine of our morning meal, truth on christian giving

9. THE BIBLE TEACHES THAT CHRISTIAN GIVING MUST BE WILLING GIVING, FREE GIVING.

We learn this in 2 Corinthians 9:7 "Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion." But doesn't this contradict what we learned under the first principle, that Christian giving is not optional?

The answer is, of course, no. True Christian giving is both mandatory and voluntary.
It is required by God, but always willingly given by the believer.

Its time to ask ourselves, because it is the Will of God that we are blessed.
Is your giving to the Church something you do wholeheartedly, or indifferently, or grudgingly?

LET US PRAY
EVERY CHAIN OF POVERTY THAT TIED YOU. I COMMAND IT TO LOSE TODAY IN JESUS NAME.

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TRUTH ON CHRISTIAN GIVING

IOI CHRISTIAN MORNING MEAL

TOPIC: TRUTH ON CHRISTIAN GIVING

Today, we continue in our topic "truth on christian giving" my aim is to lead you to the right Bible principle of giving so that your blessing may be full.

8. THE BIBLE TEACHES THAT THE LIBERALITY OF GOD'S BLESSINGS TO US IS CONNECTED TO THE LIBERALITY OF OUR CHRISTIAN GIVING.

Though it may seem strange, both Jesus and Paul emphasize that there is a relation between our giving to the Lord and the Lord's giving to us.

As Paul says in 2 Corinthians 9:6 "Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully."
About this matter J.A. Beet once said: "They who in giving think, not how little they can give, as they would if self-enrichment were the aim, but of benefits to be conferred, will receive back on the same principle. As they do to others, so God will act to them."

Jesus reminds us of this in Matthew 6:4, where He teaches that our reward in giving comes from our heavenly Father. As someone once said: "The desire to be generous and the means to be generous both come from God." Do you realize that the Lord has given you much, so that you can give much?

LET US PRAY
TODAY I PROPHECY INTO YOUR LIFE, YOUR BLESSINGS WILL MULTIPLY IN JESUS NAME.

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TRUTH ON CHRISTIAN GIVING

IOI CHRISTIAN MORNING MEAL

TOPIC: TRUTH ON CHRISTIAN GIVING

talking from last week....
Today is the point Seven.

7. THE BIBLE TEACHES THAT CHRISTIAN GIVING SHOULD BE DONE IN ACCORDANCE WITH OUR MEANS.

Paul is quite clear on this: "For if the readiness is present, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have" (2 Corinthians 8:12).

Put another way Paul is saying that you should give in proportion to what God has given you. He said it this way in 1 Corinthians 16:2, "each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper." This means at least two things:

(1) Since we are all supposed to give proportionately, those who have more money are expected to give more [we who are particularly blessed materially must remember this], and

(2) The Lord never asks us to give what we do not have, or contribute beyond our means.

Are you really giving in proportion to the material blessings that the Lord has given you?

LET US PRAY
MAY THE LORD JESUS MAKE YOU A GIVER AND NOT A BEGER IN JESUS NAME

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TRUTH ON CHRISTIAN GIVING

IOI CHRISTIAN MORNING MEAL

TOPIC: TRUTH ON CHRISTIAN GIVING

Today make the sixth day of our Christian giving series. So we continue from yesterday,

6. THE BIBLE TEACHES THAT CHRISTIAN GIVING SHOULD BE DONE IN LIGHT OF THE INCARNATION.

Many Christians argue about whether the tithe (10% of our income) is still the standard for our giving to the Church (disputants usually want to show that less than 10% is fine).

Paul scuttles the whole debate in one verse. He says: "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich" (2 Corinthians 8:9).
Christ's self-giving is now the standard for our giving! We begin from the base of the tithe and aim for emulation of His self-sacrifice.

Our giving is to be inspired and instructed by Christ's inexpressible gift. In light of such a challenge, who could possibly satisfy himself with asking "how little a percentage is acceptable for me to give?"

Do you try to get by with giving as little as possible to the Lord, or do you give in view of the Lord's costly sacrifice?

Be Spiritually Inspired.

LET US PRAY
THE LORD WILL MAKE YOU A SOURCE OF BLESSING TO THIS GENERATION IN JESUS NAME.

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TRUTH ON CHRISTIAN GIVING

IOI CHRISTIAN MORNING MEAL

TOPIC: TRUTH ON CHRISTIAN GIVING

...Continue from point four...

5. THE BIBLE TEACHES THAT CHRISTIAN GIVING IS AN ACT OF WORSHIP.

In connection with the previous point, we see this truth stressed in another way in Paul's word's "On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save" (1 Corinthians 16:2).

Paul here teaches the Corinthians that their taking up of the collection is an act of worship which is to be a part of their regular Lord's Day worship.

When we put our money in the plate, we are worshiping Almighty God in accordance with His Word. Note well, Paul is speaking here of a "collection for the saints" - this is giving by the Church to the Church for the Church.

Did you realize that giving is a part of worship? Is your worship in this area abundant or inhibited? Is giving to the Church a priority with you?

LET US PRAY
FATHER IN JESUS NAME, BLESS US ABUNDANTLY AND MAKE US A BLESSING TO THE WORLD.

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TRUTH ON CHRISTIAN GIVING

IOI CHRISTIAN MORNING MEAL

TOPIC: TRUTH ON CHRISTIAN GIVING

...continue from yesterday....

3. The Lord Jesus wants us to practice benevolent or charitable giving. Jesus said "When you give to the poor . . . ." (Matthew 6:2-3). Jesus is specifically teaching about "alms" in this passage: aid, charity, or benevolent offerings for the needy.

Do you give amply enough to the Church that she can be generous in benevolent giving?

4. The Lord Jesus reminds us that our giving is ultimately to the all-seeing heavenly Father. Jesus said "When you give . . . ; your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you" (Matthew 6:3-4).

When we give, we are not simply adding to the Church budget, we are giving up a thank offering to the Father Himself. Thus, we must all give "as unto the Lord." Our ultimate goal in giving is to please Him.
Are you conscious of the fact that your giving is to the Lord and seen by the Lord?

When you give, you are increasing your ban of blessing before the Lord.
...continue tomorrow...

LET US PRAY
WHATEVER IS BLOCKING YOUR BLESSING IS REMOVE TODAY IN JESUS NAME,

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TRUTHS ON CHRISTIAN GIVING

IOI CHRISTIAN MORNING MEAL

TOPIC: TRUTHS ON CHRISTIAN GIVING

1. THE LORD JESUS EXPECTS AND REQUIRES US TO GIVE.

Jesus said to His disciples, "when you give" not "if you give" (Matthew 6:2)! Hence, Christian giving is not optional, but rather essential. We often hear folks say: "in the Old Testament they had to give, but not in the New - now we only give if we want to." This is clearly not Jesus' teaching. He expected all His followers to be givers. Christians will give. Are you giving?

2. THE LORD JESUS WANTS US TO GIVE FOR THE RIGHT REASONS.
Jesus warned His disciples not to give for the sake of being admired by men. "Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them," He said (Matthew 6:1). When we give, we must be careful to examine our motives. We ought to give for the glory of God and the good of His people. We must desire His approval of our giving, rather than the praise and admiration of people. Are you giving for God's praise or man's?
....CONTINUE TOMORROW...

LET US PRAY
Every Spirit of Poverty is out of your life right now in Jesus name. Receive Grace to be a Giver in Jesus Name.

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INTRODUCTION ON TRUTHS ABOUT CHRISTIAN GIVING

IOI CHRISTIAN MORNING MEAL

TOPIC: INTRODUCTION ON TRUTHS ABOUT CHRISTIAN GIVING

Very often, people ask or wonder "what are the basic biblical principles for Christian giving?" As we seek God's answer to that question and as we contemplate our own giving to the Lord's church in response to the clear teaching of His Word, perhaps it would be wise and helpful to review those principles here.

First, let us go to the Word of God itself, without comment:

Matthew 6:1-4 Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven. So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

1 Corinthians 16:1-2 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so do you also. On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collections be made when I come.

2 Corinthians 8:9-15 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich. I give my opinion in this matter, for this is to your advantage, who were the first to begin a year ago not only to do this, but also to desire to do it. But now finish doing it also, so that just as there was the readiness to desire it, so there may be also the completion of it by your ability. For if the readiness is present, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. For this is not for the ease of others and for your affliction, but by way of equality - at this present time your abundance being a supply for their need, so that their abundance also may become a supply for your need, that there may be equality; as it is written, "HE WHO gathered MUCH DID NOT HAVE TOO MUCH, AND HE WHO gathered LITTLE HAD NO LACK."

2 Corinthians 9:6-7 Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

In our review of these four New Testament passages, we find at least ten principles for Christian giving in this week morning meal as we start tomorrow.

Remember this, it's God's command, it's God's will is God's way and it's the way to acquire blessing of God in our life. Give and it shall be giving into you.

LET US PRAY
THIS WEEK, GOD WILL BLESS YOU TO BE A BLESSING TO OTHERS. EVERY SPIRIT OF DEBT IN YOUR LIFE IS DESTROY IN JESUS NAME.

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FIVE THINGS THAT HAPPEN WHEN WE PRAY:

IOI CHRISTIAN MORNING MEAL

TOPIC: FIVE THINGS THAT HAPPEN WHEN WE PRAY:

1. PRAYER INTERNALIZES THE BURDEN

It deepens our ownership of the burden and our partnership with God. As we pray we begin to become aware of how God might us to answer the prayer, how He might involve us in ways we had not theretofore foreseen.

2. PRAYER FORCES US TO WAIT

Part of prayer is always waiting for God. God has three answers to prayers: Yes, no and wait. Yes and no are no-brainers. But wait, that is tough. John MacArthur says: "There is a tension between boldness and waiting on God's will. That tension is resolved by being persistent, yet accepting God's answer when it finally comes." Instead of getting frustrated that God is not on our schedule, prayer forces us to be on God's timetable.

3. PRAYER OPENS OUR SPIRITUAL EYES

It enables us to get in touch with what God is doing and how He is doing it.

In II Kings 6 you may recall the story of when the Army of Israel was surrounded by their enemies and Elijah's servant got nervous. Verses 15-17 say
Now when the attendant of the man of God had risen early and gone out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was circling the city. And his servant said to him, "Alas, my master! What shall we do?" 16So he answered, "Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them." 17Then Elisha prayed and said, "O LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see." And the LORD opened the servant's eyes and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
Prayer opens our eyes, enabling us to see what God is doing, to see things we are blinded to without prayer. That's because prayer is communication. We speak to God, God answers us, speaking to us, showing us.

4. IT ALIGNS OUR HEART WITH GOD'S HEART

Adjustment, alignment, setting our thoughts, emotions, actions.

5. PRAYER ENABLES US TO MOVE FORWARD

Prayer engages God, enables God's people, and enlarges His kingdom. Jesus said, "without Me, you can do nothing." Once we have prayed we are ready to do anything, until we have prayed we can do nothing, but once we have prayed we can accomplish anything.

What does your prayer life look like this morning? Are you persistent in prayer? Are your prayers passionate or are they perfunctory? Are they filled with intensity and fervor or are they weak, timid and lacking faith? What about gratitude? How much time have you spent thanking God for all He has done for you? And who are you praying for? Is there anyone in your life that you are praying will get saved? Is there a burden on your heart to see God's kingdom expand, to see His will done?

LET US PRAY
EVERY DELAY TO YOUR MIRACLE IS REMOVE TODAY IN JESUS NAME.

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Making Intercession

IOI CHRISTIAN MORNING MEAL

TOPIC: MAKING INTERCESSION

Colossians 4

Intercessory prayer is basically praying for others, it is praying for God's will to be done in the lives of other people.

Intercessory prayers characterized the prayer life of Jesus.

In Isaiah 53:12 the Bible says, He Himself bore the sins of many and, interceded for the transgressors."

Luke 22:23 Jesus tells Peter, "I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail;"

Luke 23:34 on the cross, Jesus was praying for others when He said, "Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing."
John 14:15 Jesus interceded for us, asking the Father to send the Holy Spirit

John 17:19 He prayed for us, the church, in His High Priestly prayer.
Listen to the intercessory nature of this prayer, "I ask on their behalf; I do not ask on behalf of the world, but of those whom Thou has given Me . . . "

Romans 8:34 tells us that Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father, making intercession for us.

And Hebrews 7:25 says, "Hence, also, He is able to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them."
Jesus prayed intercessory prayers, He was ever praying for others.
Understanding the power of Prayer, Paul wanted to be sure the Colossian Christians understood what it was they were to pray for. He wanted them to pray with a specific purpose. He wanted them to pray for him, asking God to open a door so that they could speak the gospel.

It was the gospel that Paul lived for, it was the preaching of the gospel that had landed Paul in prison, not because he was guilty of any offence or was he sin, it was the preaching of the gospel that was ever on the forefront of Paul's mind.
You see, Paul wanted God's kingdom to expand. Like Jesus, he was concerned about others, about their souls, their salvation and their sanctification.
What about me and you today? what is our focus in the work of God.?
Is it not our stomach, is it not fame, power and riches, let's start the selfless work of Jesus Christ, let's stand in the gap for others who is in need of salvation.

LET US PRAY
I CONNECT YOU WITH DESTINY HELPER TO DAY IN JESUS NAME. I INTERCEDE ON YOUR BEHALF TODAY BEFORE THE LORD FOR YOUR SALVATION IN JESUS NAME.

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PRAY WITH THANKFULNESS.

IOI CHRISTIAN MORNING MEAL

TOPIC: PRAY WITH THANKFULNESS.

Colossians 4

Paul never fails to mention it.
Ephesians 5:20 tells us that thanksgiving is the natural result of being filled with and walking under the influence of the Holy Spirit.

Philippians 4:6 tells us to be anxious for nothing but in everything we should pray, giving thanks as we make our petitions known to God.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 tells us that giving thanks at all times is God's will for us in Christ Jesus.
Colossians 3:17 says that as believers everything we say or do should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus as we give thanks to Him.

1 Timothy 4:4 - says that food and marriage are good things given to us by God and are to be received with thanksgiving and gratitude.

Expressing gratitude does several things:
It articulates dependence
It demonstrates relationship
It communicates gratitude - proper attitudes
It generates humility

Before, during and after your prayer request always be thankful let God's praises fill your heart, don't let your situation weigh you down that you won't be grateful to God for your past present and future miracle.

LET US PRAY
BEFORE THIS WEEKEND, GOD WILL SURPRISE YOU WITH A MIRACLE YOU HAVE LONG AWAITED IN JESUS NAME.

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PRAY WITH PASSION

IOI CHRISTIAN MORNING MEAL

TOPIC: PRAY WITH PASSION

Colossians 4

If you are persistent in something, it stands to reason that you are to be passionate about it. In fact, Paul says we should be vigilant or be watchful; it is the opposite of slothfulness. This describes passionate prayer.
Jesus was passionate about His prayer life, it was something He was always doing.

And every time we see Jesus praying He was praying with passion.

In Luke 3:1 at His Baptism - while He was praying the heaven was opened. Passionate prayer opens Heaven.

In Luke 6:12 before He called His disciples - He spent the whole night in prayer. Passionate prayer gives direction.

In Luke 9:29 at His transfiguration - And while He was praying, the appearance of His face became different, and His clothing became white and gleaming. Passionate prayer enables us to experience the glory of the Father.

In John 17 in His high priestly prayer - Passionate prayer impacts the lives of others.

In Matthew 26:39 in the Garden of Gethsemane - It is only through passionate prayer that we can pour out our hearts to God.

In Luke 23:24 as He hung on the cross - a life that is lived in passionate prayer will enable us to maintain that spirit, even in the most difficult of circumstances.

Jesus always prayed with passion, because He knew Who it was He was talking to and He knew that prayer to the Father is a powerful thing and not something to take lightly and glibly.

Prayer from the heart, that's what passionate prayer is, it is prayer from the heart not just from the head.

James 5:16 says, "The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much."

LET US PRAY
TODAY RECEIVE AUTHORITY TO PRAY A PREVAILING PRAYER OVER ALL YOUR HEART DESIRE TO THE GLORY OF GOD IN JESUS NAME.

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PRAY WITH PERSISTENCE

IOI CHRISTIAN MORNING MEAL

TOPIC: PRAY WITH PERSISTENCE

Colossians 4

Paul was somebody who understood prayer and its power. Prayer was a part of Paul's life, and he took it for granted that it would be a part of the life of every Christian.
You cannot really be a good Christian and not pray, just like you cannot have a good marriage if you don't talk to your wife.

You can be a Christian and not pray, just like you can be married and not talk to your wife. But in both circumstances you will be miserable.

Prayer is the pipeline of communication between God and His people, between God and those who love Him.

Paul begins by saying, "Devote yourselves to prayer," (NASB) or "Continue earnestly in prayer," (NKJV).

In the original language it says, "continue steadfastly in prayer." The word translated, "continue steadfastly," is one word in the original language. It can be translated, "persist in, adhere firmly to, or remain devoted to or to give unremitting care to." It caries with it the idea of dedication.

Persistence in prayer is not an option for the Christian it is an order from the Lord Himself.
Two of the most instructive parables Jesus ever told on prayer, one in Luke 18 and the other in Luke 11, both have to do with being persistent and not giving up in prayer.

Luke 18:1 says, "Now He was telling them a parable to show them that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart."

Luke 11:9 is where we find the promise that says, "ask and it shall be given to you; seek and you shall find; knock and it shall be opened to you."

Each of those verbs are in the present tense, active voice and could be translated, "keep on asking, keep on seeking, keep on knocking." Jesus does not want us to give up in prayer, He instructs us to be persistent.

Now there is a difference between a persistent prayer and a long prayer. A person who is persistent in prayer does not necessarily have to pray for a long time. Persistence means not giving up.
Some people give up easy, they quit because they say they don't feel like praying, the joy is gone, the feeling is gone. But we are not to live by our feelings but to live by the commandments of our Lord who tells us to pray without ceasing.

George Muller, known as one of the greatest prayer warriors of all times had this to say about persistence in prayer"
"It is a common temptation of Satan to make us give up the reading of the Word and prayer when our enjoyment is gone; as if it were of no use to read the scriptures when we do not enjoy them, and as if it were no use to pray when we have no spirit of prayer. The truth is that, in order to enjoy the Word, we ought to continue to read it, and the way to obtain a spirit of prayer is to continue praying. The less we read the Word of God, the less we desire to read it, and the less we pray, the less we desire to pray."
Be persistent in prayer.

This is a new week, commit all your ways to God in prayer, and make it a sweet time with the Lord, he will answer you surely.

LET US PRAY
This week heaven will open to all your prayers and there shall be quick answer as you request from the Lord in Jesus Name.

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PRAISE GOD FOR HIS EXCELLENT GREATNESS.

IOI CHRISTIAN MORNING MEAL

TOPIC: PRAISE GOD FOR HIS EXCELLENT GREATNESS.

Apart from His many mighty deeds, God is worthy of praise simply for who He is.
He is perfect, lacking in nothing. He is “the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God” (1 Tim. 1:17); “the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light”

(1 Tim. 6:16). “Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created”

(Rev. 4:11). “Praise God according to His excellent greatness.”

Thus if we would be people of praise, we must understand the where of praisethat God is to be praised in all of heaven and earth. We must understand the why of praisethat God is to be praised for His mighty acts and His perfect attributes.

God is expecting you to praise him today like never before, Some one said one of the things God can do but won't do is to praise himself, because he want you and me whom he has created to praise him.
When we praise God he comes down and where the spirit of God's is, there is liberty and all heavenly blessing.

Let bring down the Blessing of God in praises this days. Amen

LET US PRAY
THERE LORD JESUS, LET YOUR SPIRIT FILL US AND LET YOUR BLESSINGS FLOW AS WE PRAISE YOU IN JESUS NAME

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WE SHOULD PRAISE GOD FOR HIS MIGHTY DEEDS.

IOI CHRISTIAN MORNING MEAL

TOPIC: WE SHOULD PRAISE GOD FOR HIS MIGHTY DEEDS.

Think your way through the Psalms and you will be reminded of some of the great things God has done. As we saw in Psalm 139, He formed you while you were in the womb, and ordained all the days of your life.

As we discovered in Psalm 22, He sent the Messiah to die for our sins.
Psalm 23 shows us His providing for our every need as our good Shepherd.
Psalm 32 tells of the forgiveness of sin which God gives to the repentant sinner.
Psalm 57 describes how God is sufficient in a time of trial.

Psalm 71 taught us of God’s grace for old age. Psalm 119 extols God’s Word which He has graciously given to guide us. Truly, God has done mighty deeds!

Think of how he has dealt with you. He chose you in Christ before the foundation of the world. He sought you when you were dead in your transgressions and sins, when you were hostile toward Him. He caused you to be born again to a living hope. He has dealt graciously and patiently with you to lead you to the place where you are today. And He who began this good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus

(Phil. 1:6). Praise God for His mighty deeds!

LET US PRAY
May the Lord do a mighty work of wonder in your life in Jesus Name

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Good Morning Friends

IOI CHRISTIAN MORNING MEAL

TOPIC: WE SHOULD PRAISE GOD FOR HIS MIGHTY DEEDS.

Think your way through the Psalms and you will be reminded of some of the great things God has done. As we saw in Psalm 139, He formed you while you were in the womb, and ordained all the days of your life.

As we discovered in Psalm 22, He sent the Messiah to die for our sins.
Psalm 23 shows us His providing for our every need as our good Shepherd.
Psalm 32 tells of the forgiveness of sin which God gives to the repentant sinner.
Psalm 57 describes how God is sufficient in a time of trial.

Psalm 71 taught us of God’s grace for old age. Psalm 119 extols God’s Word which He has graciously given to guide us. Truly, God has done mighty deeds!

Think of how he has dealt with you. He chose you in Christ before the foundation of the world. He sought you when you were dead in your transgressions and sins, when you were hostile toward Him. He caused you to be born again to a living hope. He has dealt graciously and patiently with you to lead you to the place where you are today. And He who began this good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus

(Phil. 1:6). Praise God for His mighty deeds!

LET US PRAY
May the Lord do a mighty work of wonder in your life in Jesus Name

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Good Morning Friends