Process Before Manifestation

I have observed that a large proportion of people in this generation attempt to manifest results in diverse aspects of life without following due process. This made me realize how much we have neglected the fact that Jehovah is a God of processes. We often assume that as Christians, having God permits us to ignore or neglect key life principles.

Jesus, despite being the Son of God, came into the world and subjected himself to training and preparation before he became the Saviour of the world (Luke 2:46-52). If Jesus had to subject himself to training to become the Messiah, why shouldn’t we follow His example? As Christians, we should not aspire to jump straight into glory, power, and success ill-prepared. Can a baby born today begin to run immediately? Definitely not!

Skipping processes is akin to skipping classes required to equip and prepare you for your life’s purpose. A seed planted in the ground today will not begin to produce fruits immediately; it takes time to grow and mature. It is the will of God for all to manifest; however, it must be done in due season.

By Toniacendra Mmasinachi Uchegbu.

You Are Blessed to Bless Others

No man can receive nothing except it is given by heaven ( God ) . …john3:27. Whenever God blesses a man, he does it out of mercy and love. A blessed man is a channel for others to be blessed.

Proverbs 11:25-26 – The generous soul will be made rich, And he who waters will also be watered himself.

When you reach out to the less privilege with God's blessings upon your life, you are transacting business with God that would in due time bring a good reward in one form or the other.

Gods blessings upon ones live could be in several forms not necessarily in monetary form alone. Gods blessing upon some could be in the profession they are into. God may bless them with extra ordinary knowledge and success in the field of profession they practice.

Take for example, a doctor that would always be committed to his or her work to safe lives is blessing people with what he or she is doing. A judge that ensures that Justice is not manipulated or altered in favour of the wicked is also blessing others with his job. A police officer that is genuinely discharging his duty within the ampit of law with out being biased is a blessing to the people.
You could even be a farmer or trader that is not greedy always inflating the price of his food products just to make a sky rocketing profit at the expense of the consumers. Remember,

Luke 12:16-21
16 And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. 17 He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’

18 “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. 19 And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’

20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’

21 “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”

YOU ARE NOT BLESSED FOR YOURSELF ALONE BUT BLESSED TO BLESS OTHERS.

Jesus Christ: The Light of the World

According to John 8:12, “Then spake Jesus again unto them saying, I am the Light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but hall have the Light of life”

The following lessons can be learned on how Jesus Christ has become the Light of the world, as proclaimed by Him, from the above passage.

1, Jesus Is The Light Of The Church

Jesus says in Revelation 1:20 that “The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lamp stands; The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lamp stands which you saw are the seven churches”.

 

2.  Jesus Is The Light Of The World

According to Psalm 119:105,  “Your word is a lamp to my feet, And a light to my path”.

We all need light to walk through darkness. In the world we live in, we walk through a dark forest of evil, for example, in our various places of work, in our businesses, in our homes, among our family members, friends, even in the church.

But the WORD (the Bible) can be our light to show us the way so that we do not stumble as we walk. The WORD reveals the entangling root of false values, and philosophies. Study the WORD so that you will be able to see your way clearly enough to stay on the right path.

 

3. Jesus Is The Light Of The Gospel

2 Corinthians 4:4 says “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the mind of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them”.

The gospel of Jesus Christ is open and reveal to all, except to those who refuse to believe. (Satan is the god of this world (age)). His work is to deceive and he has blinded those who don’t believe in Christ (as in 2 Corinthians 11:14-15). The pursuit of money, power and pleasure blinds people to the light of Christ’s gospel. The people who reject Christ and prefer their own pursuits have made Satan their god, without really realizing it.

 

4, Jesus Is The Light Of The Believer

According to Psalm 27:1, “The LORD is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”

Fear is a torment. It is a dark shadow that envelops us and ultimately imprisons us within ourselves. Is there anyone among us or out there who has never experience fear before? Each one of us has been a prisoner of fear at one point in time or another, e.g., fear of the unknown (uncertainty), rejection, failure, misunderstanding, being found out, sickness, even fear of death. But we believers can overcome (conquer) fear by using the bright liberating light of the LORD who brings salvation. If we believers want to conquer fear or dispel the darkness of fear, let us remember what David said that “The LORD is my light and my salvation”. Unwavering confidence in God is the believer’s antidote for fear and loneliness.

 

5. Jesus Is The Light Of The Heavenly Jerusalem

Revelation 21:23 says “The City has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it, The Lamb is its light”.

The Temple, the center of God’s presence among His people, was the primary place of worship. No Temple is needed in the New City. However, because God’s presence will be everywhere, He will be worshiped throughout the City, and nothing will hinder us from being with Him, in Jesus’ Name.

 

6. Jesus Is The Light Of The Nations

“The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined” (Isaiah 9:2).

The territories of Zebulun and Naphtali represent the Northern Kingdom as a whole. These were also the territories that Jesus grew up and often ministered. It was a time of great darkness, which was why would see “a great light”. God indeed promised and sent a Light who would shine on everyone living under the shadow of death. The Light is both “Counselor” and “Mighty God”. This message of hope was fulfilled in the birth of Jesus Christ (which we celebrate at Christmas) and the establishment of His eternal Kingdom. HE came to deliver us from our slavery to sin.

 

In conclusion, Jesus Christ is the Light which enlightens every person born into this world.

  • We must see Him as the Author and Finisher of our faith (Hebrew 12:2)
  • He is the Light in the darkness (John 8:12)
  • He is our Lord – We must obey Him (John 13:14-15)
  • He is the Shepherd – We must follow Him (John 10:27)
  • He is our Master – We must serve Him (Matthew 23: 8-12, Romans 14:18)
  • He is the eternal destination we want to reach (1 Corinthians 9:24-25, Philippians 3:12-14)

To follow Jesus implies transformation of life, according to Luke 5:11.

Transformation of life means:

  1. Humility – Jesus was humble to the grave (John 13: 4-5)
  2. Commitment – Jesus was totally committed to the Father (John 12:23-26)
  3. Hard Work – He worked day and night (John 3:2, 4, 6)
  4. Participation – He participated of people’s sufferings (Matthew 9:36, 14:14)
  5. Love Unconditionally – Jesus is an epitome of love and He loved constantly (John 13:1, Luke 23:34).
  6. Suffering – Jesus suffered from the manger to the Cross (1 Peter 3:18)
  7. Persistence- Jesus remained persistently faithful to the end (Matthew 10:22, 24:13)

 

TODAY, invite Jesus Christ into your life; to become your leading Light in ALL Ways and everything that you do. Accept Him as your personal Lord and Savior, ask Him to forgive your sins and become the Master and Ruler of your soul from now on. If you have said this prayer, CONGRATULATIONS!

Now look for a Bible believing church in your neighborhood to attend and grow in the Word of God. If you already have Jesus active in your life, always tell others about Him; let them know that He alone is the Light of the World and the Only Light that leads to everlasting life in Heaven.

 God bless you

-PathofLife 

Jesus Christ

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made (John 1:1-3). He it is who revealed Himself as the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, walking in the midst of the seven candlesticks, which are the seven churches. He was clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. His head and His hairs were white as snow; and His eyes were as a flame of fire; His feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and His voice as the sound of many waters. In His right hand were seven stars, which are the angels of the seven churches, and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword; and His countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. Says He, I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen: and have the keys of hell and of death (Revelation 1:11-20). This same God is He, of whom to Moses, Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, revealed Himself as the God of Israel: who had under His feet as it were a paved work of sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in His clearness (Exodus 24:9,10). In contrast, the Ancient of Days, whose garment is white as snow, and the hair of His head like the pure wool: whose throne is like the fiery flame, and His wheels as burning fire, is the Father. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him: thousand thousands ministered unto Him, and ten thousands times ten thousand stood before Him: where the judgment was set, and the books were opened. The Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of Days, and was given dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom shall not be destroyed (Daniel 7:9-14).

Christ the same is the image of the invisible God, and the firstborn of every creature: For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him: And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things He might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fulness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven (Colossians 1:13-20). For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth Him all things that Himself doeth; For as the Father raiseth up the dead and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom He will. For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. … For as the Father hath life in Himself; so hath He given to the Son to have life in Himself; And hath given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of man (John 5:20-27). There is One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all (Ephesians 4:5,6). Says He, I am in the Father, and the Father in me; I and my Father are one (John 10:30; 14:11).

The Son of God, prophesied through the seed of Abraham by the promise, was decreed: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten Thee, and, a body hast Thou prepared Me (Psalm 2:7, Hebrews 10:5). Out of Jacob was brought forth a Star, and a Sceptre out of Israel, who would smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth. Says Jacob, Judah is a lion’s whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up. … The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto Him shall the gathering of the people be, who would wash His garments in wine, and His clothes in the blood of grapes (Genesis 49:9-11; Numbers 24:17). Saying, Where is He that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen His star in the east, and are come to worship Him (Matthew 2:2).

He was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the Only Begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. In Him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shone in darkness; but the darkness comprehended it not. … He was the True Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, yet the world knew Him not. He came unto His own, and His own received Him not. But as many as received Him, to them gave He the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name, born of God (John 1:4,5, 9-14). For God so loved the world that He gave His Only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved (John 3:16,17). He is the Light of the world: He is the Bread of life: He is the Living Bread which came down from heaven, which if any man eat of, he shall live for ever. Whoso eateth His flesh, and drinketh His blood, hath eternal life: and He will raise him up at the last day. For His flesh is meat indeed, and His blood is drink indeed (John 6:32-55).

Slain from the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8), the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, prevailed. Says the Revelator, A Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, came and took the book out of the right hand of Him that sat upon the throne. And when He had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb and sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation. … Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. … Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped Him that liveth for ever and ever (Revelation 5:5-14).

He it is with whom the enmity between the woman’s seed and the serpent’s seed would bruise the serpent’s head (Genesis 3:15). The woman with child, clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars, is the virgin who follows the Lamb whithersoever He goeth; redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. In their mouth is found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God (Revelation 12:1; 14:4,5). By faith have they subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, and turned to flight the armies of aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: and others had trial of cruel mocking and scourging, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided something better for us [who remain], that they without us should not be made perfect (Hebrews 11:33-40).

Thenceforth did the dragon, that old serpent, called the Devil and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world, stand before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her Child as soon as it was born. And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her Child was caught up unto God, and to His throne. Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time. The dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ (Revelation 12:4-12, 17).

The Lamb of God is the Lion of Judah, and the Son of God is the Son of man. Fear God and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come: and worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters (Revelation 14:6).

Survival Tips When Pushed To The Edge

They harass, taunt, belittle and berate.  It is not just a small group but a whole gang of people.  You were just surfacing for air.  You rose above your circumstances and boldly spoke the truth about your purpose and identity in Christ.  “Who do you think you are,” they respond.  They glare in anger.  It wasn’t enough to use words.  They got up and rushed at you.  They put obstacles in your way, tried to discredit you and push you back into the suffocating existence you escaped.  Jesus was there.  He went to his hometown and without an ounce of uncertainty declared his purpose.  His purpose proclaimed his identity as the Son of God.

The account reads this way:

23 Then he said, “You will undoubtedly quote me this proverb: ‘Physician, heal yourself’—meaning, ‘Do miracles here in your hometown like those you did in Capernaum.’ 24 But I tell you the truth, no prophet is accepted in his own hometown.

28 When they heard this, the people in the synagogue were furious. 29 Jumping up, they mobbed him and forced him to the edge of the hill on which the town was built. They intended to push him over the cliff, 30 but he passed right through the crowd and went on his way.

Luke 4: 23, 28 New Living Translation (NLT)

The people rejected and berated Jesus.  He responded with a simple truth.  He told them their unwillingness to accept him hindered them from receiving what he had to offer.  That meant they lost the opportunity to be healed, delivered, restored, and strengthened.  They lost everlasting life.  Jesus never denied them his service and never denied his identity.  He stayed true to himself despite their awful actions.  We too have to remain true to who we are.  There is no need to mirror the behavior of our attackers.  The choice to keep your character is what makes the difference between being pushed to the edge and being pushed over it.  Jesus was pushed to the edge by the mob.  They had him right at the cliff.  But he walked through the crowd and headed back to fulfilling his purpose.    So we can train ourselves to be unwavering in our commitment to our purpose.  When pushed to the edge we won’t be shoved over, we will have the strength to walk away.

The Wonders of The Working Power In The Spoken Word (Voice) of The Son Of God

In John 5:25, Jesus says “Verily, verily I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God, and they that hear shall live”.
Evidence abounds in the Scriptures, especially in the New Testament the wonders of the working power of the spoken word (voice) of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

What Are The Wonders Of The Spoken Word of Our Lord Jesus Christ?
1) His Voice (spoken word) Rises The Dead
Ephesians 2:1 says “AND you hath quickened who were dead in trespasses and sins”.
Also John 5:25, where we took our text says in part “………… and now is when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God, and they shall live”.
He made us alive, who were dead in sins, (let someone shout Hallelujah!).

2) The Power In His Spoken Word Gives Life To The Dead
Jesus saying “that the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God” (John 5:25), He was actually talking about the spiritually dead, who hear, understand and accept Him. All those who genuinely accept Jesus Christ, the Word, will have eternal life.
Jesus was also talking about the physically dead in this passage of the lady of Nane whose only son died.
At His second coming, all “the dead in Christ” (1 Thessalonian 4:16), will rise to meet Him.

3) His Word Will Rise All The Dead In One Day
In John 5:28-29, it is written, “Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice, And all shall come forth: they that have done good unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation”.
Like those who heard, understood and accepted Jesus, all those who rebelled against Him, will also be resurrected, but to hear God’s judgement against them and to be sentenced to eternity, very far away (hell), from God.
There are people today who want to live well in this world, ignore God and then see death as final rest. Unfortunately for them, Jesus Christ will not and does not allow unbelieving people to see death as the end of it all. No!, There is an inevitable judgement to face and the end result of such judgement is not palatable at all.

4) All Will Hear His Voice
“And when He thus has spoken, He cried out with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth” (John 11:43).
Like Lazarus, we all shall hear the voice of the Son of God, some to eternal life and some to eternal damnation. Question is, which do you want to hear?

5) The Jews rejected The Voice Of The Son Of God
“Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill Him because He not only had broken the Sabbath, but said also, that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God” (John 5:18).
Jesus clearly identified Himself with God and due to His unity with God He lived just as God wanted Him to live. In the same manner, because of our identification with Jesus, we must live as He wants us to live and honour Him as such.
In any given situation, if we take time out to ponder on the following questions:
a) What would Christ in this situation?
b) What would Christ have me do in this situation?
Our answers to the above two questions may help us make the right choices.

6) The Power In His Word Gives Life Eternal To Those Who Believe
John 5:24 says “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my Word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation: but is passed from death unto life”.
Also John 3:16 tells us that:
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life”.
God loves us so much that He does not want any soul to perish. He takes no pleasure in any soul perishing (Ezekiel 33:11). That was the reason He gave us Jesus Christ, our Saviour.
Living forever with God (Everlasting life), begins when you accept Jesus Christ as Saviour, whom God has sent to save you. The moment you accept Jesus Christ as your Saviour, a new life begins in you, according to 2 Corinthians 5:17 and 1 Corinthians 5:7. You will still die physically, but according to 1 Corinthians 15, when Jesus returns again, your body will be resurrected to live with Him forever. That shall be your portion and my portion, in Jesus’ Name.

TODAY, invite Jesus Christ into your life, accept Him as your personal Lord and Savior, ask Him to forgive your sins and become the Master and Ruler of your soul from now on. Congratulations as you do this, Now look for a Bible believing church in your neighborhood to attend and grow in the Word of God. If you already have Jesus Christ active in your life, always tell others about Him and the importance of the wonder working power of His Voice or spoken Word..

God bless you
-PathofLife

Children of God Are Heirs

“Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He hath promised to them that love Him?” (James 2;5)

What Is Heir?
a) An heir is a child of the owner of a property or title
b) One who inherits, (Inheritor)

How Can One Become An Heir?
John 3:1-5 says “Ye must be born again”, to become an Heir of the kingdom.
Nicodemus, a highly placed and influential man came to Jesus and desperately wanted to know how to become an heir, Jesus told him the way to become an heir is to be “born again”

Also in John 14:6, Jesus told His disciples, especially when Thomas sought to know the way, Jesus said to him, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life; no one cometh unto the Father but by Me”

You become an heir when you accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior. Make Him the Master and TOTAL RULER of your life. Once you do this, you become a child of God.

What Is There To inherit OR What Are We Heirs Of?
1) We Are Heirs of God’s Promises
Heb 6:17 says “Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath”
Our God is unchangeable and trustworthy, so are His promises. It is only a man who can change and with his promises. God does not. When God promised Abraham a son, He took an oath in His own Name. The oath (which was the promise), was as good as God’s Name and His Name is as good as His divine nature. It never changes, “Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and today, and forever”. (Hebrew 13:8).

2) We Are Heirs Of Injustice
“By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house, by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith”. (Hebrew 11:7).
Like Noah, you would experience rejection from your neighbors and friends, because with your new life in Christ, you would be different from your neighbors and friends.

Just like Noah’s obedience to God’s command to build a boat on a dry land made him look strange to his neighbors, so also will your obedience to God’s Word in your new life (belief) in Christ will make look strange to your neighbors, friends and even some family members. As you obey God’s Word, you will undoubtedly be positively “different”. Our obedience in Christ will make the unbelievers’ disobedience stand out.

Inspite of all the rejection and name calling Noah might have gone through in the hands of his neighbors, God gave him all the necessary strength and resources to complete the assignment. So also will God give you all-round help you need to complete the assignment He has committed or will commit into your hands, in Jesus’ Name.

3) We Are Heirs Of Salvation
“Are they not all ministering Spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?” (Hebrew 1:14).
As heirs, angels will serve you and me. Angels are our Father’s messengers, spirit beings, created by our Father and are under His authority. As children of God, what belongs to Him (our Father), also belongs to us. They will be subject to us.

4) We Are Heirs Of The Kingdom Of God
The Bible tells us in James 2:5, where we took our reading from, about the “poor” and those whose simple values are despised by much of our affluent society. James thinks that perhaps the “poor” people prefer:
• serving to managing
• human relations to financial security
• peace to power
• This does not necessarily imply that the poor will go to heave and the rich to hell. No!
• The truth is that poor people are usually more aware of their powerlessness. Therefore, it is often easier for them to acknowledge their need for salvation.
• Pride is one of the greatest barriers to salvation for the rich
• Bitterness can often bars the way of salvation for the poor

For the rich, kick pride out of your and for the poor, have nothing to do with bitterness. You both should accept true salvation which only Jesus Christ can give, before you know kit, you will be sinking into your inheritance, the Kingdom of God.

5) We Are Heirs Of God And Co-Heirs With Christ
Romans 8:17 tells us that “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint –heirs with Christ: If so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together”
To live like Jesus lived means serving others, giving up one’s rights, resisting pressures to conform to the world- this comes with a big price. There is nothing we can compare to the greatest price He paid to save us and even the treasure that is laid up for us as heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ.

6) WE Are Co-Heirs Of The Grace of Life
“Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers be not hindered” (1 Peter 3:7).
Our prayers may be hindered if we are not considerate and respectful of our wives or spouses, because, as children of God, a living relationship with God depends on our right relationship with others. In Matthew 5:23-24, Jesus admonishes us to reconcile our differences with our neighbors before we come to worship. The same principle applies to families too. If you use your position to mistreat your wife or husband your relationship with God will suffer. Until you ask for mercy, your sonship is in doubt as well as being heir and you might therefore miss the grace of life. That should not our portion, in Jesus’ Name.

7) We, As Over comers, Will Inherit The Earth
Revelation 21:7 puts it this way: “He that overcometh shall inherit all things, and I will be his God, and he shall be my son”
• Those who overcome “endure to the end” (Mark 13:13)
• Over comers will receive the blessings that God promised;
a) eating from the tree of life – Revelation 2:7
b) escaping from the lake of fire (the 2nd death) – Revelation 2:11
c) receiving a new name – Revelation 2:7
d) having authority or power over the nations – Revelation 2:26
e) being included in the Book of Life – Revelation 3:5
f) being a pillar in God’s Spiritual temple – Revelation 3:12
g) sitting with Christ on His Throne – Revelation 3:21

All those who can endure the testing of evil and remain faithful will be rewarded by God.
You can only become an heir if you are a child of the owner. TODAY is an opportunity for you to be the child of the Father, Owner of inheritance, by accepting Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior. Ask Jesus Christ to forgive your sins and be the Master and Ruler of your life henceforth. Now look for a Bible believing church in your neighborhood to attend and grow in the Word of God. If you believe that you are already an heir of the Kingdom of God, please always tell others about Jesus Christ, the Father and Owner of inheritance.

True Help Can Only Come From Above

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, He will give it to you.” (John 16:23)

If God does not help a man, nobody else can. Don’t be angry with your parents or siblings or friends when they are unable to render you help, promised or not. They might sincerely want to help you, but due to some situations beyond their control, they find themselves unable to. The truth is that if they themselves have not been helped by God, the True Helper, who lives above, they just won’t be able to render you that much-needed help.

The Only True  Helper has your blueprint, not only does He know the appropriate kind of help you need, but also knows how, where, and when to give you such help “until your joy is full” (John 16:24), if you ask Him.

Your Only True Helper says “…I have come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10b). That is why He alone is your True Helper, to help you with spiritual productivity and purposeful life.

However, you can only “ask” for the help of the Father, the Only True Helper by having a personal relationship with His Son, Jesus Christ. For example, the woman with the issue of blood for 12 years in Mark 5:25-34, only touched the hem of Jesus’ garment and she received her healing instantly because she believed and had a living faith in Jesus.

TODAY, establish a personal relationship with Jesus, invite Him into your life by saying this prayer: Lord Jesus, I accept You into my life today as my personal Lord and Savior. Forgive me of all my sins, come and be the Master and Ruler of my life.

Congratulations! Now look for a Bible believing church in your neighborhood where you can grow in the Word of God. If you already have Jesus Christ in your life, please make sure you hold tenaciously to Him, tell others about Him and your True Help will always show up.

God bless you.

-PathofLife

The Accident, the Jump and Living Through It

I know that we have all been through something or another. However, none of us has withstood what Jesus Christ did on the cross. He definitely has endured the most. Things may have happened to us at a very young age where we don’t have specific memory. Specific parts of our brain do remember, though. These events definitely form our lives. God knows everything that is happening to us and everything that is going to happen to us. I once heard that we can not question God, so I try not to. Like many, I had a very challenging childhood. We live in a dysfunctional world. My dad suffered from mental illness, poverty as a child and alcoholism. Although our dad was a financial provider, he was not much else. He was seeking something he never found because of the fact that he grew up with a very sparse knowledge of God. He was never taught to develop a relationship with God. He was subjected to nothing but traditions and rituals. I sincerely believe that if my parents were raised in Christian homes that our lives would have been much healthier. My mother, siblings and I now attend Bible believing churches. Praise God for that. Until the time I left for college in 1993, I definitely resided in a broken home. 

On July 8, 1991, I sustained a Traumatic Brain Injury. I was at my brother’s baseball All-Star game and I had left for work. I still don’t know why I went the way I did, but I assume I was taking my passenger home. My paternal aunt suggests that I may have been blinded by the sun. Four pieces of glass went in my head at 65 mph and I was in a coma for around two to three weeks. My Grandpa Flores passed in 1980 and I did see him during my recovery time. He was surrounded by birds and deer and it seemed animated. He asked me if I was ready to go back and I woke up saying my paternal Great Grandpa’s names. The accident happened about a month after I graduated from high school. I was also in summer school at the local college. My plans were to attend the University of Texas in the fall, but that was no longer going to happen at the time. When I was released from the hospital, I went back and took my summer school finals and got B’s. I remember I was like a baby in innocence when I started to recover. I didn’t know a lot about my surroundings, but I adjusted quickly. I had no physical injuries, so I seemed fine. I wasn’t prescribed any medication. I just had a few follow up visits with my neurosurgeons. 

I did start the local college in the fall of 1991 and I started getting D’s and F’s for the first time in my life. I had been in excellent schools since first grade and I had always done well. My parents were fighting still and genetic and organically induced mental illness set in. I jumped off of a significantly high bridge in my hometown and again I survived. I did have some back fractures because I landed on my back. I remember being near the seawall because I tried to climb out. When I jumped, I just drove up to the bridge, parked my car and jumped. Brain injured people are definitely left with impulsive tendencies. I remember just screaming for my Grandpa Flores. I remember hearing the medics say that they couldn’t believe it and that I was so young. Next thing I know, I was in a local mental health hospital under suicide watch. The first of many mental health hospitalizations. My family was in shock and my parents tried to find appropriate care for me. The then Neurobehavioral Institute of Houston accepted my dad’s insurance and I went over there for some time. I did improve significantly through my time there.

In 1993, I felt I was ready to try school in Austin, Texas. I had to start at Austin Community College because my GPA had dropped significantly due to the previous grades I mentioned. I went through some junior college and reapplied to The University of Texas at Austin. Thankfully, I was accepted into UT Austin in the Spring of 1995. Eventually, I moved in with my college boyfriend and that was a waste of four years. God tells us not to fornicate, etc. I still graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology in May of 1997. I decided to move back home, which was unthinkable. However, I wanted to continue my studies and my boyfriend and I were going nowhere. I started a Master of Arts in Psychology program the next fall in my hometown. I soon came to see through a related job that that particular degree was not for me. I quickly switched to a Master of Science in Counseling program and finished in December of 1999. My 22 year old is currently pursuing the same degree. Thankfully for me, it was much easier when I got that degree. She and I are very similar and very different. God works in His way.

I gave birth to the daughter I just mentioned in 2000 and I thank God that my mother was there to basically raise my Hannah from age 5 on up. After Hannah’s sister Rachel was born in 2004, the brain injury related medication no longer worked the same. I wasn’t on any brain injury medication initially. However, when depression set in and around the time of the jump, I was prescribed psychotropic medication. I took it from 1992 to 2004 and after Rachel was born, it no longer worked the same. I tried to take my life again after she was born. Rachel was raised by her dad. I visited with her, was there when I could be and I definitely wrote to her from jail and prison. She is now 17 and I have joint custody and visitation with no help from a lawyer. I did it all on my own…through court of course.  In 2009, I gave birth to Sabrina. I was very mentally not there. I met her dad in Austin at a homeless shelter, we drove to Corpus and were married shortly thereafter. We married in 2008 and he is no longer with us. 

From 2005 to 2014 my life was horrible. I was in and out of the local jail. I was in and out of psych hospitals in South, Central Texas and Sabrina was removed from me through no fault of my own two months after she was born. I used to work for Child Protective Services and the supervisor on call did everything she could to keep Sabrina from me. That supervisor did not like me as a co-worker. In 2011, a local political figure terminated my parental rights. Sabrina was adopted by her previous foster mother’s. Hannah found out that they changed her last name to Sass and that she lives in Round Rock, Texas. 

I was finally prescribed medication that worked for me in 2014 and I have been re-establishing my life ever since then. Today is October 31, 2022 and I still take medication. I couldn’t function without it. I also take Milk Thistle to help my liver. It is hard to drive near the accident site. I don’t like driving by the hospital I was taken to after I jumped off of the bridge. However, that is nothing compared to other people I have been hospitalized with. Only God knows the events of our lives. I have actually been in a place during my coma that has shown me that all I need to do is accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. I pray blessings on everyone and I just have to say that life is a choice. If I am making it, so can you. God bless you.

TRY JESUS

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. -Philippians 4:6-7

Our present world is full of misfortunes and crises. We wake up every day to a new challenge and adventure. It is terrible and tense, and its effect can not be overemphasized.

There is hardship everywhere. We hear the same news of disasters, rapes, suicides, murders, terrorism, and others every day. We ask, “Is it the end of the world?”

We are besieged by terror and dread. In spite of all the technological advances, we know that we have no solution to our problem. We realize money cannot buy life. The rich people have no peace. They have all the protection they need, yet they worry about assailants.

The poor man is also unhappy because he cannot afford the high bills and exorbitant prices of food and drugs. We are never satisfied with food, and we are not content with enough. There is no justice. There is no peace; lies and covetousness reign; the truth is trumped. And we ask, “shall there be a change or restoration of things again?” Is our world ever going to find peace again? because everything is collapsing and crushing. Our world is hastening to destruction.

Not quite long ago, the coronavirus brought the world to a halt. And there is a fear of monkeypox in the country. Is this ever going to change?

The answer is “YES.”

There is peace in this world of trouble, sorrow, hardship, and pain. There is hope in this devastated, evil-infected world. The answer and solution to our present world is Jesus Christ.

Jesus said, “I have overcome the world,” the world of problems. The world of grief and anxiety, the world of terrorism and disease.

He finished it for you on that Friday afternoon when he exclaimed on the cross, “IT IS FINISHED!”

And he says, through him, we may have peace. In the world, there is tribulation. However, we shouldn't be frightened because he has overcome the world. ” -John 16:33

In this world, we will have trouble. We are guaranteed to have trouble.

And in the midst of all these uncertainties, God is reassuring us that HE IS THE ANSWER.

We have realized that science and technology DO NOT have solutions to our problems.

 

Try Jesus by Prayer.

When we pray, it literally means that we are telling God we're finished, therefore we cannot do what we ask ourselves. We surrender to authority and say, “God help”. The Bible says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ” -Philippians 4:6-7

 

Try Jesus by Faith.

God commands us to have faith, faith in Christ and not in ourselves. It is written, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. ” -Proverbs 3:5-6.

Hebrews 11:6 says it is impossible to please God without faith. Everything he has said in his words is true.

Have you tried your government yet and found no solution? Try Jesus. Have you tried your country's security but still there's insecurity? Have you tried your doctor or your drugs but still can't quite get over that sickness? Have you tried everything to give yourself joy and be happy, but still there is no joy to be found? You need Jesus. Try Jesus Christ. In “the world you will have tribulations, but in Christ, there is peace for you. There is hope for the hopeless. Try Jesus!

KWESI ABBAN (ELD.)