Tuesday, 18 April 2017

LOVE OF THE CROSS, BELIEVERS LOVE


IOI CHRISTIAN MORNING MEAL

TOPIC: LOVE OF THE CROSS, BELIEVERS LOVE

Christianity is different from the way non-believers live. Instead of revenge, anger, hatred, the believer takes the higher road, the road of love. Why do we love? Because Christ loves us.

If I take offense easily, if I am content to continue in a cool unfriendliness, though friendship be possible, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I feel bitter towards those who condemn me, as it seems to me, unjustly, forgetting that if they knew me as I know myself they would condemn me much more, then I know nothing of Calvary love.”

Honestly, loving others is hard. People have a hard enough time loving themselves but as Believers, love is not optional.

We are looking at Ephesians 5:1-7, the love of a believer,

Believers are called to…

1. Be Imitators of God. Paul gives the Ephesians these instruction in verse 1, “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children.”

The essence of God is love so as imitators we need to love as God has loved us. 1 Peter 1:3-4 says, “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”

LET US PRAY
EVERY SPIRIT OF HATRED IN US THAT WANT TO SEND US TO HELL. LORD DELIVER US OF IT IN JESUS NAME.

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Sunday, 16 April 2017

He Has Risen


IOI CHRISTIAN MORNING MEAL

TOPIC: HE HAS RISEN

Matthew 28:6
The resurrection is the cornerstone of our faith – our faith is predicated on the belief that Jesus Christ not only died on the cross but that He rose from the dead

If it were not a reality, there would be no Christian faith

There are things I want you to meditate on today as we celebrate the resurrection of Christ

I. Jesus rose bodily from the grave

a. When the believers first came to Jesus’ tomb, His body was missing

i. It had not been stolen as the Jewish leaders asserted

1. This would have been impossible because of the guard set at the tomb by Pilate

2. Matthew 27 tells us that he placed a seal on the tomb and guards to protect it

3. There was no way the disciple’s who wouldn’t stand next to Jesus at His crucifixion would risk their lives simply to steal His dead body

ii. His body was not stolen, God had raised Him from the dead

b. It was not just Jesus’ influence, His Spirit or His energy that rose, but His actual glorified body

i. When Jesus met with His disciples after His resurrection, He met them in bodily form

ii. Many new-age religions and mysticisms try to say that Jesus did not rise bodily, but He rose only spiritually

iii. But listen to Jesus’ own words in Luke’s Gospel

iv. Luke 24:39 “Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have."”

c. Jesus rose from the grave as not just a Spirit, not just a force, not just an energy, but as a glorified body of flesh and bone

II. Jesus rose eternally from the grave

a. Jesus was not the first person to be resurrected from the dead

i. Elijah and Elisha saw people raised from the dead

ii. Paul raised the young man from the dead who fell out of a window

iii. Jesus also raised others from the dead Himself

1. Jairus’ daughter

2. The widow’s son at Nain

3. Lazarus at Bethany

b. What separates Christ’s resurrection is that all of these others eventually died again

i. He is called the ‘first fruit’ of the resurrection

ii. I Corinthians 15:20 “But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.”

iii. This is not because He was the first to be raised, but because He was the first to be raised ‘eternally’

c. Jesus came forth from the grave, “alive forevermore”

III. Jesus rose victoriously from the grave

a. When Jesus walked out of that tomb death and the grave lost their sting

i. I Corinthians 15:55 “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?"”

b. The Bibles says that He came forth from the grave with the keys of death and hell in His hands

i. Revelation 1:18 “I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.”

ii. The grave could not hold Him

iii. Death could not harm Him

iv. The stone could not darken the Light of the world

i. On Good Friday it seemed the message was "Christ defeated"

ii. But three days later we discover that the message had not been receive in full.

iii. The resurrection reverses what we initially thought and declares "Christ defeated the enemy”

LET US PRAY
IN JESUS NAME, THE DEATH OF JESUS WILL NOT BE INVAIN IN YOUR LIFE.

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Thursday, 13 April 2017

tetelestai


IOI CHRISTIAN MORNING MEAL

TOPIC: tetelestai

Everything is complete!

It was three o’clock. Jesus called for water. He could hardly speak. A soldier fixed a sponge on a spear and held it up to his lips. It was terribly bitter but it was enough. He strained to raise his head and look up to heaven. "It is finished," he cried and then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

At the time, the moment was filled with too much emotion for those words to sink in and to ponder what they meant. But later as the early Christians read John’s Gospel and heard again those words, it dawned on them just how powerful these dying words of Jesus were. John wrote his Gospel in Greek, and those last words of Jesus are just one word in Greek – tetelestai (pronounced te-tel-es-sty).

The expression "It is finished" or tetelestai was well known to them. It was a part of everyday language.

When a servant had completed a difficult job that his master had given him to do, he would say to the master – tetelestai - "I have overcome all the difficulties; I have done the job to the best of my ability. It is finished".

When the Jewish people went to the temple with their sacrifice, the High Priest would examine what was brought. Most likely, he didn’t speak Greek but he would use the Hebrew equivalent of tetelestai – meaning, "Your offering is accepted; it is perfect".

"tetelestai – the deal is finished, complete. The price has been paid in full. I am satisfied"

Jesus is saying that his job of saving the world has been completed.
He has finished the task and nothing can be added to what has been done.

Jesus has paid the price in full – he has cancelled all debt.
His sacrifice has been a perfect one, acceptable to the heavenly Father who, looking down on his Son hanging lifelessly from the cross, said, "Well done, this is my dear Son with whom I am well pleased".
Tetelestai – it is finished. Everything is complete!

What is it that is finished when Jesus says, "It is finished"?

Reconciliation is finished.

Sin has a devastating effect on our relationship with God. Sin separates us from God and if we want to have any hope of going to heaven to be with God, then someone had to deal with sin and restore our relationship with God. So God sent his Son into the world for this very purpose.

Jesus died on the cross to get rid of the power of sin to condemn us. His death bridged the deep gulf between God and us. "Salvation is finished", Jesus cried. The restoration of the friendship between God and humanity has been finished. The task for which God's Son came to earth has been completed.
He has won forgiveness for all people.

Nothing else needs to be done.
Salvation is complete. "It is finished".

That’s why we call today "Good Friday". It certainly wasn’t a good day for Jesus. He endured pain, soul-wrenching agony, hanging by the nails in his hands for hours, death on a rough wooden cross, for our sakes. We call today "Good Friday"

LET US PRAY
IN JESUS NAME, YOUR SINS ARE FORGIVEN, SALVATION COME TO YOUR HOME TODAY.

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IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES GIVE THANKS


IOI CHRISTIAN MORNING MEAL

TOPIC: IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES GIVE THANKS

Lamentations 3 : 22-23
Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

We must give thanks for God’s presence in our lives. The Lord has never left us or forsook us. People may have deserted us when we needed them. But the Lord has been with us at all times and in all situations.
His presence has given us peace and rest. Christ lives in us and He is the hope of glory . Without the presence of God our lives would be meaningless and miserable.

We must always be grateful for the presence of God in our lives. His presence with us makes all the difference in every situation that we face.

We must give thanks for God’s protection in our lives. We are not destroyed because of His mercies.
There are so many dangers and hidden snares in this world and yet God has protected us so far.

We must realise that it is God’s protection that has kept us alive so far.
We must remember the dangerous situations that we have faced in the past and how God protected us and be grateful to Him. The Lord has watched over us constantly and protected us.

If God is your protection, give praise.

LET US PRAY
FATHER LET YOUR PRAISES BE LOAD IN OUR MOUTH IN JESUS NAME.

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Wednesday, 12 April 2017

A GRATEFUL HEART


IOI CHRISTIAN MORNING MEAL

TOPIC: A GRATEFUL HEART

Oh that men would praise the Lord for His goodness
and for His wonderful works to the children of men!
(Psalm 107:15)

Have you ever noticed that some people seem to recognize more things to be grateful for in their lives than others?
This is not primarily caused by having more good events actually occurring for that person.

In the story of the ten lepers being healed by the Lord, the same miracle occurred for them all, but only one returned to thank Him.
The other nine must have noticed the miracle of their healing. What was going on in their minds that they did not return to Jesus to thank Him?

A person’s thankfulness depends significantly on his or her state of mind.
For example, four people might receive exactly the same benefit. One could be too busy focusing on something else to even really notice.
A second could be so frustrated and angry that he hadn’t already received the benefit that he is still resentful when it happens.
A third might feel discouraged or depressed because he is so needy. But the fourth could feel a deep sense of gratitude. The benefit might be the same, but the reactions would be quite different.

think of the lords blessing in your life and have a deep thought over and over again not to keep quiet but to bust into thanksgiving

LET US PRAY
FATHER LET YOUR NAME BE PRAISE ALWAYS IN OUR LIVES IN JESUS NAME,

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APPRECIATION
THANKS TO GOD ALMIGHTY AND TO YOU ALL FOR THE BIRTHDAY WISHES. GOD BLESS YOU IN JESUS NAME.

Monday, 10 April 2017

I Am Fearfully And Wonderfully Made.


IOI CHRISTIAN MORNING MEAL

TOPIC: I Am Fearfully And Wonderfully Made.

You knit me together in my mother’s womb… I thank you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made Psalm.139:12

Years ago, I was born, like every human being knit together in my mother’s womb, and today i thank God for the way in which i, like every human being, is fearfully and wonderfully made.

Before we ever come to light, God marks our journeys. No one who is reading this morning meal today knew for what I was destined at birth. But Today we recognise that God knew it from the beginning.

You encompass me behind and before and lay your hand upon me [Ps.139: 4]

I am writing this today to worship God who made and formed me, I thank God for the way in which his hand has been so uniquely evident in my life.

Psalm 139 explores fear and wonder, and the connection between them.

In life there is much to fear. Over and again the Psalm describes those things we might be afraid of – the fears we harbour individually as well as the fears we share corporately. Fear makes us want to flee – from God, from one another, often even from ourselves. But over and again that fear is turned into wonder as we see that God is before, behind and beyond it.

Over the years there has been much to fear: at times of personal challenge or spiritual crisis. But just as the psalmist sees through fear to something more stirring and more extraordinary, so i look back with deep wonder and profound gratitude. Through war and hardship, through turmoil and change, i have been fearfully and wonderfully sustained.

The one who turns fear to wonder is Jesus. The story of Jesus shows us that God enters into the most fearful places imaginable in our lives – of sin, betrayal, violence, rejection, even death – and turns each one of them from horror into glory.

Nothing is outside God’s understanding. Nothing is beyond God’s grace. Nothing is too broken for God’s transformation. No one can flee from God’s redeeming goodness or finally escape God’s loving attention.

‘Consider the lilies, how they grow,’ says Jesus. They too are the handwork of God who clothed them in glory, from the overflow of his love and care. How much more does God care for and clothe each one of us.

Today i rejoice for the way in which God’s loving care has fearfully and wonderfully sustained me.

I PRAY LORD JESUS CHRIST, HELP ME TO KNOW YOU MORE, TO SERVE YOU FAITHFULLY AND TO END IT WELL AT YOUR FEET IN JESUS NAME.

I Am Fearfully And Wonderfully Made.


IOI CHRISTIAN MORNING MEAL

TOPIC: I Am Fearfully And Wonderfully Made.

You knit me together in my mother’s womb… I thank you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made Psalm.139:12

Years ago, I was born, like every human being knit together in my mother’s womb, and today i thank God for the way in which i, like every human being, is fearfully and wonderfully made.

Before we ever come to light, God marks our journeys. No one who is reading this morning meal today knew for what I was destined at birth. But Today we recognise that God knew it from the beginning.

You encompass me behind and before and lay your hand upon me [Ps.139: 4]

I am writing this today to worship God who made and formed me, I thank God for the way in which his hand has been so uniquely evident in my life.

Psalm 139 explores fear and wonder, and the connection between them.

In life there is much to fear. Over and again the Psalm describes those things we might be afraid of – the fears we harbour individually as well as the fears we share corporately. Fear makes us want to flee – from God, from one another, often even from ourselves. But over and again that fear is turned into wonder as we see that God is before, behind and beyond it.

Over the years there has been much to fear: at times of personal challenge or spiritual crisis. But just as the psalmist sees through fear to something more stirring and more extraordinary, so i look back with deep wonder and profound gratitude. Through war and hardship, through turmoil and change, i have been fearfully and wonderfully sustained.

The one who turns fear to wonder is Jesus. The story of Jesus shows us that God enters into the most fearful places imaginable in our lives – of sin, betrayal, violence, rejection, even death – and turns each one of them from horror into glory.

Nothing is outside God’s understanding. Nothing is beyond God’s grace. Nothing is too broken for God’s transformation. No one can flee from God’s redeeming goodness or finally escape God’s loving attention.

‘Consider the lilies, how they grow,’ says Jesus. They too are the handwork of God who clothed them in glory, from the overflow of his love and care. How much more does God care for and clothe each one of us.

Today i rejoice for the way in which God’s loving care has fearfully and wonderfully sustained me.

I PRAY LORD JESUS CHRIST, HELP ME TO KNOW YOU MORE, TO SERVE YOU FAITHFULLY AND TO END IT WELL AT YOUR FEET IN JESUS NAME.

Sunday, 9 April 2017

Forgiveness


IOI CHRISTIAN MORNING MEAL

TOPIC: FORGIVENESS

Be willing to forgive: striving for grace (Micah 7:18; Luke 6:27-37; Luke 15:11-32).

Micah 7:18 gives us a statement on why God forgives: “Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.”

God forgives because He delights in showing mercy. God does get angry. He does have wrath. But that is not the way He wants things to be. God delights in showing mercy.
Do we?

Let me ask you to be honest with yourself and honest with God: When you release somebody-when you tell him or her that you forgive-do you walk away with steam coming out of your ears, or do you, yourself, feel released? If we really have forgiven, we will feel released as well. Now that may take time, but the decision to forgive will set us on the right path.

In Luke 6:35, Jesus sets the high
standard of kingdom living:
“Love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”

Being merciful really happens-only when God’s character is impressed on the crookedness and hardness of our character.

Again Confront the problem:

striving for truth (Luke 16:3-4).
Often the letting go of forgiveness happens only after the truth of a problem has been confronted and put squarely on the table.
Confronting someone may not come easy for you, but it may be the most merciful thing you do for someone you care about. Jesus said in Luke 17: “If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him.”

Now that’s the ideal situation we’d all hope for: a mistake, a confrontation, an apology and forgiveness.
And we should hope for the ideal, while realizing sometimes we’ll have to let go of someone even if he or she isn’t convinced he or she has done anything wrong.

LET US PRAY
MAY GOD GIVE US A NEW HEART TO DO HIS WILL IN JESUS NAME. AMEN

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Forgiveness


IOI CHRISTIAN MORNING MEAL

TOPIC: FORGIVENESS

Be willing to forgive: striving for grace (Micah 7:18; Luke 6:27-37; Luke 15:11-32).

Micah 7:18 gives us a statement on why God forgives: “Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.”

God forgives because He delights in showing mercy. God does get angry. He does have wrath. But that is not the way He wants things to be. God delights in showing mercy.
Do we?

Let me ask you to be honest with yourself and honest with God: When you release somebody-when you tell him or her that you forgive-do you walk away with steam coming out of your ears, or do you, yourself, feel released? If we really have forgiven, we will feel released as well. Now that may take time, but the decision to forgive will set us on the right path.

In Luke 6:35, Jesus sets the high
standard of kingdom living:
“Love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”

Being merciful really happens-only when God’s character is impressed on the crookedness and hardness of our character.

Again Confront the problem:

striving for truth (Luke 16:3-4).
Often the letting go of forgiveness happens only after the truth of a problem has been confronted and put squarely on the table.
Confronting someone may not come easy for you, but it may be the most merciful thing you do for someone you care about. Jesus said in Luke 17: “If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him.”

Now that’s the ideal situation we’d all hope for: a mistake, a confrontation, an apology and forgiveness.
And we should hope for the ideal, while realizing sometimes we’ll have to let go of someone even if he or she isn’t convinced he or she has done anything wrong.

LET US PRAY
MAY GOD GIVE US A NEW HEART TO DO HIS WILL IN JESUS NAME. AMEN

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Friday, 7 April 2017

THE FORGIVER RESPONSIBILITY.


IOI CHRISTIAN MORNING MEAL

TOPIC: THE FORGIVER RESPONSIBILITY.

Continue from where we stopped yesterday...
Now, let’s turn the tables. What about when you are the forgiver?

Analyze the problem: when to forbear and when to forgive

(Colossians 3:13).
The first thing to do when you think you should forgive someone who has wronged you is to make sure that it really rises to the level of forgiveness.

Colossians 3:13 says: “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

There is forgiveness, and there is forbearance.

You can think of forbearance as a kind of low-level forgiveness, or more simply as exercising patience and tolerance in the face of the idiosyncrasies of the people in your life.

For example,
if your spouse is chronically late in getting ready to leave the house for an engagement, that doesn’t really rise to the level of mortal sin. It may be irritating, but it just doesn’t say in the Ten Commandments, “Thou shalt not wait until the last minute to put thy makeup on.”
And it doesn’t say in the Ten Commandments that table manners are a matter of spiritual life and death.

You may have to forbear someone who talks too much,
someone in your house who chews with his or her mouth open or who leaves towels on the floor, someone who seems incapable of replacing the toilet paper roll.

You may need to smile and tolerate some of the weird opinions of others or if they have no opinions or are opinionated about everything-but that probably is more about forbearance than forgiveness.

If you don’t see the necessity to forbear, then you may be living a narcissistic life, as if your way of living and thinking is superior in every way to that of others.
No, we have to live with the assumption that we live in an imperfect world surrounded by imperfect people, and not every bumping of heads means someone has sinned.

None of this is to say that we should take our sins against each other and minimize them, expecting others to just put up with our major mess-ups just because “none of us is perfect.”

I’ll say it again: Forgiveness is the gutsiest thing a human being can do because real people do real damage to each other all the time-but it can be solved.

And so here are our marching orders: “Forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

LET US PRAY
FATHER IN JESUS NAME, GIVE US A FORGIVING SPIRIT AND HELP US TO LOVE EACH OTHER IN JESUS NAME.

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Thursday, 6 April 2017

THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PERSON SEEKING FORGIVENESS


IOI CHRISTIAN MORNING MEAL

TOPIC: THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PERSON SEEKING FORGIVENESS

(Psalms 32:1-5)
Psalm 32 is a landmark passage about the way forgiveness works:
“Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the LORD does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit. When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the LORD’ – and you forgave the guilt of my sin.”

First, to be forgiven is to be blessed beyond your wildest dreams, knowing that your Creator, the gracious Father above, is willing to forgive your mistakes and offenses. God is willing to not hold our sins against us. One’s record is wiped clean. No debt owed. Account settled.

We’ve got to comprehend the blessing of forgiveness because if we take God’s forgiveness for granted with an attitude that says: “Well, what else is God going to do? Isn’t that His job?” then we’ll never understand or appropriate the forgiveness of God, and there is not a chance we’ll be forgiving of others.

Notice the progression of the person’s heart in this passage: “my bones wasted away… my strength was sapped.” This is a person being “eaten up on the inside” as we sometimes say. Guilt will do that. And though it is hard to believe, the tortured conscience is a gift.

WHAT's THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PERSON SEEKING FORGIVENESS?
Verse 5: “Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said,‘I will confess my transgressions to the LORD -and you forgave the guilt of my sin.”

When was the last time you tried to cover up your transgressions? Covering up is the unfortunate instinct of fallen human nature. Denying our faults and mess-ups seems to be the way of least pain, but it only adds pain to pain.
We are supposed to confess our wrongdoings. But to whom? The simple answer is: the person or persons whom we’ve wronged. Now in every instance, that is God. In Psalm 51, David’s heart-rending confession of his adultery with Bathsheba and arranging the death of her husband says: “against you, you only, have I sinned.” Of course, he had sinned against people-but the epicenter of the earthquake of our sins is always our detachment from God Himself. And so we confess to God.

We’re also supposed to confess our wrongdoings to the people we’ve wronged in many, but not all, circumstances. You have to judge the outcome. To say to your sister-in-law: “You know, I used to resent you all the time because I thought you were arrogant, but I’ve really learned how to tolerate you and to forgive your many shortcomings” may not be the most constructive thing to do. To confess to someone in your office that you’ve been attracted to him or her even though he or she is married is a confession best made between you and God.

But there are many times when a flat-out, humble-pie, heart-felt apology is the right thing to do. And if you know it’s right-don’t hold back.

Think of the sins you have to confess Now and take the right step.

LET US PRAY
TODAY GOD WILL SET YOU FREE FROM EVERY SINS THAT IS HOLDING YOU CAPTIVE IN JESUS NAME.

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Tuesday, 4 April 2017

FORGIVENESS IS A DECISION AND A PROCESS


IOI CHRISTIAN MORNING MEAL

TOPIC: FORGIVENESS IS A DECISION AND A PROCESS

forgiveness is a decision and a process. You can release someone from obligation to you personally, even though the smoldering fires of resentment keep burning in you for some time to come.

Let look at How Forgiveness Works

We would be terribly mistaken if we thought forgiveness was a kind of soft feeling certain soft-hearted people are capable of, and they cushion the blow that others of us with a harder edge aren’t good at.

Remember-the boldest act of forgiveness the world has ever seen was in the bloodied and beaten and torn body of Jesus Christ.

To forgive is the gutsiest thing you can do in life. Forgiveness is not for the faint-hearted. Forgiveness is the mark of the true man and the true woman of God.

If you and me confess to be a true man and woman of God, then Lets shows fruit of forgiveness and demonstrate it physically.

LET US PRAY
MAY THE BLOOD OF JESUS WASHES US CLEAN AND MAKE US HOLY IN ALL OUR DEALINGS.

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Monday, 3 April 2017

FORGIVENESS IS A NEW WAY OF LOOKING AT OTHERS.


IOI CHRISTIAN MORNING MEAL

TOPIC: FORGIVENESS IS A NEW WAY OF LOOKING AT OTHERS.

Forgiveness is a new way of looking at others. It’s a radical and counter-cultural perspective on life. If you believe in forgiveness-that God forgives, even though He is not obligated to, and that we’ll have the best kind of life if we hold other people in our lives with a loose grip-then here’s how you’ll view other people.

You will see people for what they can be and what they were intended to be, rather than simply as they are.
You’ll learn to not focus on people who simply irritate you. You can focus on them, of course, if you choose to, and keep yourself in a continual state of irritation; and you end up irritating the living daylights out of other people around you.

But it doesn’t have to be that way.
Forgiveness means looking at people who really have wronged you and deciding that you’d like to set things right-but in the end, you’re not going to play God.

And forgiveness means that you view the deranged people who shoot up school rooms and then turn the guns on themselves as people who are going to be standing before the judgment seat of God. They will answer to God.

if you and me know that we will answer to God at the end then you need not to hold people in your mind.

LET US PRAY
WHATEVER EVIL THAT IS ATTACKING YOU FOR NOT FORGIVE, YOU ARE SET FREE TODAY IN JESUS NAME.

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FORGIVENESS IS RELEASE


IOI CHRISTIAN MORNING MEAL

TOPIC: FORGIVENESS IS RELEASE

TEXT Matthew 18:27, Matthew 18:32)

Meaning of forgiveness?

Try to forget for a moment everything you have ever heard or assumed about forgiveness. Let a single word impress itself on your mind, the biblical word, the new covenant word. In Greek it is aphesis, in English, release.

Now just for a moment, don’t make it any more complicated than that. Release. To forgive means to choose someone whom you have been holding in your debt, holding in resentment and bitterness, and release him or her.

Forgiveness is not calling something that someone else did that was immoral or destructive OK.
It is not turning a blind eye toward injustice.

Forgiveness simply means that you choose to release somebody from personal obligation to you-even though that person will have to face the justice of God.

In Matthew 18, Jesus disciple asked:“How many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?” (Matthew 18:21).
Jesus answers in a parable in which a man owed a king ten thousand talents (Today’s equivalent? Millions of Naira.) and was on the brink of having to sell his wife and children into slavery to pay the debt. But the pleas of the man to the king resulted in a canceling of the debt. Forgiveness. Release.

But the same man turns on a man who owes him merely a hundred denarii (for us, #20 or so). And when the king hears of it, he is incensed, saying, “You wicked servant, … I canceled all that debt of yours. …Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant?” The king rescinds his forgiveness. And Jesus closing words are these: “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.”

Forgiveness is release-being released by God, and then we are able to release other people in our lives.
Before you go out today, make sure that you release someone you are holding in your heart.

LET US PRAY
TODAY GOD WILL REMEMBER HIS SON'S DEAD ON THE CROSS AND FORGIVE ALL OUR SINS IN JESUS NAME,

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FORGIVENESS IS RELEASE


IOI CHRISTIAN MORNING MEAL

TOPIC: FORGIVENESS IS RELEASE

TEXT Matthew 18:27, Matthew 18:32)

Meaning of forgiveness?

Try to forget for a moment everything you have ever heard or assumed about forgiveness. Let a single word impress itself on your mind, the biblical word, the new covenant word. In Greek it is aphesis, in English, release.

Now just for a moment, don’t make it any more complicated than that. Release. To forgive means to choose someone whom you have been holding in your debt, holding in resentment and bitterness, and release him or her.

Forgiveness is not calling something that someone else did that was immoral or destructive OK.
It is not turning a blind eye toward injustice.

Forgiveness simply means that you choose to release somebody from personal obligation to you-even though that person will have to face the justice of God.

In Matthew 18, Jesus disciple asked:“How many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?” (Matthew 18:21).
Jesus answers in a parable in which a man owed a king ten thousand talents (Today’s equivalent? Millions of Naira.) and was on the brink of having to sell his wife and children into slavery to pay the debt. But the pleas of the man to the king resulted in a canceling of the debt. Forgiveness. Release.

But the same man turns on a man who owes him merely a hundred denarii (for us, #20 or so). And when the king hears of it, he is incensed, saying, “You wicked servant, … I canceled all that debt of yours. …Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant?” The king rescinds his forgiveness. And Jesus closing words are these: “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.”

Forgiveness is release-being released by God, and then we are able to release other people in our lives.
Before you go out today, make sure that you release someone you are holding in your heart.

LET US PRAY
TODAY GOD WILL REMEMBER HIS SON'S DEAD ON THE CROSS AND FORGIVE ALL OUR SINS IN JESUS NAME,

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Friday, 31 March 2017

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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Wednesday, 29 March 2017

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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Tuesday, 28 March 2017

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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Monday, 27 March 2017

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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Sunday, 26 March 2017

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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Thursday, 23 March 2017

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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Wednesday, 22 March 2017

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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Tuesday, 21 March 2017

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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Monday, 20 March 2017

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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Sunday, 19 March 2017

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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Thursday, 16 March 2017

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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Wednesday, 15 March 2017

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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Tuesday, 14 March 2017

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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Monday, 13 March 2017

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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