Tag Archive for: gospel

The Gospel in it’s simplicity

The call to spread the gospel is a fundamental responsibility of every Christian. The Apostle Paul poignantly raises critical questions in Romans 10:14-15: *“How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in Him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?”* These inquiries emphasize the urgency of our mission. The Great Commission, as recorded in Matthew 28:19, commands us to go and make disciples of all nations, highlighting that sharing the gospel is not merely an option but a divine mandate we must obey. Yet, in today’s world, we encounter a troubling trend where various gospels proliferate, often overshadowing the true message of redemption that Christ preached.

In our contemporary context, many individuals present their own versions of the gospel, often focusing on prosperity, material possessions, and fulfilling the desires of the masses. This so-called prosperity gospel diverts attention from the core message of Christ and creates a distorted view of salvation. The urgency to understand the true gospel has never been more pressing, as we must return to the foundational truths that Christ preached to both the Jews and Gentiles—truths that emphasize the necessity of repentance and redemption.

To present the gospel simply, we must first acknowledge the fundamental problem of sin, which disrupted the perfect relationship between humanity and God. From the moment Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden, as recorded in Genesis, sin entered the world, leaving humanity in a state of depravity. This separation from God highlights that man, inherently sinful, cannot save himself. Romans 3:23 states, *“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”* underscoring our collective need for salvation. The reality is stark: without divine intervention, humanity faces eternal condemnation and the wrath of God.

Yet, amidst this dire situation, we find the profound love and mercy of God. Lamentations 3:22-23 reminds us that *“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.”* God, in His justice and mercy, does not abandon us in our sin but actively seeks to reconcile us to Himself. This reconciliation came at a tremendous cost: the sacrifice of His only Son, Jesus Christ. As Paul explains in Romans 5:8, *“But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”* Through this act of unparalleled love, our transgressions were laid upon Christ, who bore the punishment we deserved.

In this divine exchange, God provided a means for humanity to be justified and made righteous. The blood of Jesus washed away our sins, restoring the broken relationship between God and man. Through faith in Christ, we receive forgiveness and a renewed standing before God. This restoration emphasizes that God invites us to respond with urgency; we must acknowledge our sinfulness and place our faith in Jesus, believing in His resurrection. Romans 10:9 states, *“If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”*

In conclusion, presenting the gospel in its simplicity is a call to communicate the profound truths of sin, redemption, and reconciliation. It challenges us to strip away the distractions of modern interpretations and return to the heart of Christ’s message. As we embrace the Great Commission, let us not be swayed by the myriad of gospels that seek to dilute the truth but instead proclaim the authentic gospel of redemption. This is our sacred calling: to share the good news of Jesus Christ with a world desperately in need of hope and salvation. Let us remain faithful to our mission, trusting that through our obedience, many will hear and respond to the life-changing message of the gospel.

By Wilson Loidimu Lenantare
Karatina, Nyeri

Prophetic Word For Purim 5784

Purim is a joyous Jewish holiday commemorating the survival of the Jewish people in ancient Persia from a plot devised by the evil Haman to destroy them. The story, found in the Book of Esther, centers around Queen Esther, her cousin Mordecai, and King Ahasuerus. Purim in 2024 will be celebrated from the evening of Saturday, March 23rd, to the evening of Sunday, March 24th.

I encourage you to read the story of Esther and how God intervened because His people in high places partnered with Him. The reason we read it now is not only to refresh our memories with the story, but mainly because God is releasing the same blessings again. The spirit of prophecy is the testimony of Jesus, and when we read a testimony, we position ourselves to receive the same authority of those blessings because there is no time in the spirit!

As I was praying for this holiday and connecting with the Holy Spirit to release His word for us, I believe He highlighted to me significantly the release of His favor FOR salvation. We know that Esther was highly favored for a reason, and not for the sake of the favor itself, or it becomes idolatry if it is not purpose-driven for the glory of God. God is preparing His table of favor for you right now to smear you with it, and you can expect doors of salvation to open up for the King of Glory to enter mightily.

Are you ready for some favor and to leap into salvation? I sense God is giving me here a word of knowledge for someone going through cancer, and God is about to bring this to an end for you. You are a minister of the Gospel, and you will live and not die in Jesus' name. He loves you, and never forgot about you, and it is your time for salvation because cancer is God's enemy, and it will be hanged on its gallows. What the enemy meant for evil, God will turn it for good! You're coming out in power. You're just getting started! Amen. (Feel free to email us back or leave a comment below if this word resonates with you, whether about the word of knowledge or the entire word here).

I also want to remind you that in moments like this, it is a significant time in the spirit, and sowing seeds is especially fruitful now. If the Lord is leading you to sow $500, that's your confirmation right here! (I don't usually do this, but I felt compelled to mention it). However, you can give any amount that the Spirit leads you to sow.

Special Seed

God bless you
Tony Francis

5 Life Lessons From Colossians

Lesson 1: Chapter 1 – Christ is everything.

Colossians 1:17-20, “And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.”

It's easy to get overwhelmed in this world with which we live. It seems like there are competing philosophies and views about almost everything. But the words in the above passage hold amazing and transforming words. Jesus Christ means everything and as his followers we need to reflect that.

Lesson 2: Chapter 2 – Live in Christ.

Colossians 2:6-10 – “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.”

Being a Christian means more than just assenting to a creed, or a particular moment in faith, or a public confession. We are to live in Christ.

Our lives are established and experienced in a daily commitment to follow the way of Jesus. He alone is the authority of our lives and he directs our path. Worldly “religion” and philosophy have no place in the lives of believers.

Lesson 3: Chapter 3 – Set your mind on Christ.

Colossians 3:1-3, “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”

I don't want to be misinformed or uninformed so I try to keep up with the news reports of what's going on around me. However, in today's world that can still happen if you watch the news. We can get overwhelmed, confused, and at times thrown in despair. Too much of this world's information can take our minds off of things from above. Focusing on Christ, his mission, his priorities and his values helps us get things right.

Lesson 4: Chapter 4 – Walk wisely as witnesses for Christ.

Colossians 4:2-6, “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.
Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”

I’ve seen two extremes in witnessing. Many say, “I don’t have the gift of evangelism and I’m not good at talking with people, so I’ll just live the Christian life, be an example.” That's a good start, but if that's all you do you’re going to have to live the Christian life better than Jesus because he not only lived the life (perfectly), he also spoke to sinners about salvation.

On the other hand, some Christians come across as what I call “throat crammers for Jesus.” These are the types who work in telemarketing and love it or just stand on a street corner screaming that everyone's going to hell. They have no problem accosting total strangers and shoving their message down the person's throat. And then the person who gets accosted makes sure they never go near another religious fanatic again. And unfortunately, those who are “silent” witnesses gain another excuse for why they don’t talk to others about Christ: They don’t want to be like those rude, insensitive “throat crammers for Jesus.”

There are two things here: First, there is the content of the gospel itself; then, there is how we share and discuss that content.

The Lord doesn’t want us to be “silent witnesses” or “throat crammers for Jesus.” He wants us to be wise witnesses who live godly lives and who take advantage of every opportunity to talk graciously to lost people about the Savior.

When Paul says that we are to walk with wisdom toward outsiders, he means that we are to live in line with God’s Word so that those who are not Christians will see the beauty of our lives and relationships that reflect Jesus Christ. They ought to be able to see the fruit of the Spirit in us, which should draw them to the Savior.

It should be noted that Paul asked for prayer so that when God opened the door, he would SPEAK the gospel. He was confined in prison, but he was still looking for ways to both live as an example of the gospel AND speak the gospel. That should be our mindset as well.

Jeff Hagan

Ascending From Glory To Glory

Psalm 24 marks 2024, a year of ascension for God's people across diverse levels. The humble, by the Lord's hand, shall rise to positions of power, for servanthood and Gospel advancement. I prophesy in Jesus' name, you are among them!

You traversed it all, brother! You dwelled in “caves,” consuming the fare of persecution, tribulation, and preparation. Some, perplexed, asked, “Why?” Some contemplated quitting, doubting God's goodness. BUT by His grace, you persevered and made it, and THIS IS YOUR YEAR!

Your name shall be summoned, demands placed upon you. You will experience spiritual joy serving God and others, yet your heart will remain captivated by the ONE. I see you, friend, adorned in new garments for the new season. As Joseph emerged from his prolonged preparation, embracing forgiveness, his name was called, and they bade him shave and don the new, for the old had passed.

God, through you and in you, in Jesus' name, is about to do something NEW. Amen! … Say YES!

God bless you,

Tony Francis

Paul and James: On Justification

The book of James is one of the most important topics to cover when it comes to faith and works. James is believed by many people to contradict Paul, especially in the book of Romans, making the case that works are an essential component to be the evidence of our faith. While James writes that faith without works is dead, just as the body without the spirit is, Paul states that he who does work will not be made righteous; however, those who do not work but believe in him who justifies the ungodly, their faith is counted as righteousness (Romans 4:4-5).

Both Paul and James become clear that they do not contradict each other but how do they agree without excluding one of these two concepts? Since both of them believe that grace comes through faith alone, works would not add to that according to James, who writes:

“You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.

He presents the point that even demons believe in the existence of God, so how can works apart from faith be useless? Depending on how you interpret the context of what James says and how Abraham was justified by works, we can settle to a point with Paul. Whereas faith without works is dead only in the eyes of men, not in the eyes of God. If that is the case, how is faith made evident according to what other parts of scripture says about the fruit of the spirit? Most people believe that the fruit of the spirit (or works) means to gradually abandon sin or, by having corresponding actions, to go along with our faith.

One of the most common reasons why people believe you must still abandon sin is told in John’s epistle: “No one who abides in him makes a practice of sinning; for whoever is born of God does not sin; you cannot keep on sinning by being in him.” Since he appeared in order to take away our transgressions, there is no sin in our new creation that’s within us, but as for our mortal body, sin still exists daily; it is part of our natural human instinct.

So works never involve deeds of the law as evidence of faith. Whether good works signify our faith is another matter to look at further. As for our sinful nature, which has broken the law of God, that is what the cross was for—to replace us from dying in the flesh—by his work alone, in order to live free according to the spirit.

If Christ’s righteousness is applied to us, then how can the law itself ever negate self-righteousness? For if you mix the law together, what grace could you receive, if Christ didn’t cover it fully? By his atoning sacrifice, his death, after living a perfect life, was sufficient enough to cover the full penalty. What works can add any value to that establishment for us on earth? We were called to be like him through only one way that can grow. Therefore, we should always look to spread his word through the willingness of the holy spirit.

In free grace theology, contrary to lordship salvation (where one must submit to God), opposes that we must gradually obey the law through the process of sanctification. Neither do good works or deeds of the law ever lay the foundation of our faith; all works are as filthy rags, as stated in the book of Isaiah:

“All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like a polluted garment” (v. 64:6).

However, those without corresponding actions may have denied him by not living according to the heart of the gospel teachings. Only by the fruit of this spirit — love, peace, joy, kindness, patience and forbearance — can faith become evident (Galatians 5:22). Those are the corresponding points to what Paul and James taught on the doctrine of justification.

The Importance of Faith In the Life of the Christian Believer

“For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith” (1 John 5:4).

What Is Faith?
Faith is a strong feeling of trust in someone or something
For the Christian believer, faith is belief and trust in one God
According to Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen”

Faith is so critical and important in our lives, as Christians, that it occurs or mentioned 100 times in the Bible – 28 times in the Old Testament and 72 times in the New Testament.

“By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible” (Hebrews 11:3).
The world or creation itself was founded in faith when God made the following decrees;
• “Let there be light” – (Genesis 1:3)
• “Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters and let divide the waters from the waters” – (Genesis 1:6)
• “Let the waters under the heavens be gathered unto one place, and let the dry land appear” – (Genesis 1:9)
• “Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb that yields seed, and the fruit tree that yield fruit according to its kind” – (Genesis 1:11)
• The decree continues until the creation of man when God said “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth” –(Genesis 1:26)

Faith is very crucial in the life of the Christian believer for the following reasons:

1) As Christian Believers, We Live By Faith
Romans 1:17 says “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written: the just shall live by faith”.

Also in Galatians 2:20 Apostle Paul tells us that “I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me”.

Our relationship with God through Jesus Christ, His Son, has been made right. God declared us to be righteous because of our faith in Christ “from faith to faith”
By faithfully trusting in God by our belief in Christ, we are saved and find life not only in this world but eternally.

2) As Christian Believers, We Are Firm In The Faith
Romans 11:20 says “Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not high minded but fear”.
2 Corinthians 1:24 puts it thus, “Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy, for by faith ye stand”.

Due to faithlessness, the Jews who are the natural branches of the tree were broken off. The Gentile believers have been grafted into the tree like a wild olive shoot. Both the Jews and Gentiles now share the tree’s nourishment based on faith in God. No one can rest on heritage or culture for salvation. The Gentiles should not feel superior to the Jews because if God had not rejected the Jews, as it were, the Gentiles probably would not have had a chance.

3) As Christian Believers, We Combat The Good Fight
1 Timothy 6:12 says “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called and has professed good profession before many witnesses”.

As Christian believers, we must have an active faith, obeying God with courage and doing what we know is right.
It is time for action on your part. What are you waiting for? – Get going, don’t wait!

4) As Christian Believers, We Walk By Faith
2 Corinthians 5:7 says “For we walk by Faith, not by sight”.

5) As Christian Believers, We Win By Faith
In 1 John 5:4 where we took our text, we are told that we can overcome whatever challenge life throws on our way, as long as we have faith and trust in God.
It says “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith”.

6) As Christian Believers, We Are Justified By Faith
Romans 5:1 puts it thus, “Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ”.

Peace with God means that we have been reconciled with Him. There is no more hostility between us and God, no sin blocking our relationship with Him. Peace with God is made possible by Jesus paying the price for our sins through His death on the cross.

7) As Christian Believers, We Please God By Faith
Hebrews 11:6 tells us that “But without faith it is impossible to please Him; for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him”.

God wants us to have a personal dynamic relationship with Him, and not just a mere knowledge of His existence. After all the demons and witches know that God exists, that does not stop them from doing evil. Those who seek Him diligently will find that they have intimate relationship with Him. When you tell others about the gospel, please encourage them to be honest and diligent in their search for truth and faith in God.

8) As Christians Believers, We Grow In Faith
1 Thessalonian 1:3 says “Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God, and our Father”.

Like the Thessalonians who stood firm in the face of persecution, Apostle Paul is admonishing us to also do the work of God produced by faith, labour prompted by love, and endurance inspired by hope. These characteristics are the hall marks of an effective Christian believer.

9) As Christian Believers. We Die In Faith
“These all died in faith, not having received the promise, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers, and pilgrims on the earth” (Hebrews 11:13).

This world is not our home and cannot live here forever. Many people, especially of the Old Testament, died without receiving all that God promised. However, a good number of them never lost their vision of heaven.
Many of us become frustrated, and defeated when our needs, wants or expectations, are not immediately met on giving our lives to Christ, and therefore want to quit. If you are one of such people, please be patient, take courage from heroes of faith who lived and died without seeing the fruit of their faith on earth and yet, continued to believe (Hebrews 11:36-39).

Some Heroes of Faith Who Did Not See The Fruit Of Their Faith On Earth
Abel and Enoch (Hebrews 11:4-5)
Noah and Abraham (Hebrews 11:7-8)
Sarah and Isaac (Hebrews 11:11, 20)
Jacob and Joseph (Hebrews 11:21-22)
Moses and Rahab (Hebrews 11:23,31)
Boaz (Ruth 2:15-16)

Some Heroes of Faith Who Persevered And Saw The Fruit Of Faith

Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, the Prophets (Hebrews 11:32-33)

How To Grow In Faith Through Jesus Christ
“That we henceforth be no children, tossed to and fro , and caused about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive” (Ephesians 4:14).
1) Growing In Faith Begins With The New Birth Through The Word Of God
1 Peter 2:2 says “As new born babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby”.

One thing common to all children is that they want to grow up – like their big brothers and sisters or their parents. Similarly, when we are born again, we become spiritual new babies, if healthy, we will yearn to grow. The need for milk is a natural instinct for a baby, and it signals the desire for nourishment that will lead to growth. In the same way, since we see the need for God’s word and begin to find nourishment with Christ, our spiritual appetite will increase and we will start to mature. How strong is your desire for God’s word?

2) As Children, We are Fed With Milk
“For everyone that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe” (Hebrews 5:13)

Commitment to Christ moves people out of their comfort zones or positions. You cannot grow as a Christian if you remain in the same position instead of applying what you have learned to your situation and teaching others. As a new born Christian, stop your old ways of doing things, fellowship with the brethren and imbibe the new culture in Christ. In this way, you will be able to understand the high-priestly role of Christ.

3) As Adults, We Are Fed With Solid Food
“But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Hebrews 5:14).

Your spiritual growth determines your capacity to feast on deeper knowledge of God (solid food). More often than not, we want God;s banquet before we are spiritually capable of digesting it. As we grow in the Lord and put into practice what we have learned, our capacity to understand will also grow.

4) Many Remain Eternal Christians
Hebrews 5:12-14 tells us “Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way, but let it rather be healed. Follow peace with all men and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord”.

In order for us to grow from baby Christians to adult or mature Christians, we must learn discernment. We must train our consciences, minds, senses and our bodies to distinguish between good and evil. Can you recognise temptation before you? Can you tell the difference between correct text of Scripture and a mistaken one?

5) We Should All Grow And Become Adults
Ephesians 4:13-14 admonishes us to walk in unity.
Working together, the church can express the fullness of Christ – Ephesians 3:19
Christ is the Truth – John 14:6
The Holy Spirit who guides the church is the Spirit of Truth – John 16:13
Satan, by contrast, is the father of lies – John 8:44

As followers of Christ, we must be committed to the truth. This means that our words should be honest and our actions should reflect Christ’s integrity as well. We should realise that speaking the truth in love is not always easy, convenient or pleasant. However, this is very necessary if the church is going to do Christ’s work on earth. Remember that YOU are the church.

6) The Lord Looks After Our Growth
Ephesians 4:11-13 says “And He gave some Apostles, and some Prophets, and some Evangelists, and some Pastors, and some Teachers. For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ”.

The Holy Spirit has given every Christian a special gift for building up the church. Now that we have these gifts, it is imperative we use them. If you know what your gifts are, please look fo opportunity to serve the Lord and use them. If you do not know, ask God to show you, perhaps with the help of your Pastor or other Christian friends. The enormous responsibility the church has includes preaching, teaching, evangelising, healing, giving, nurturing, administering, building, etc. God has called us as members of His body to perform this responsibility. Together we can obey God more fully than anyone alone. Working together, in unity, the church can express the fullness of Christ (Ephesians 3:19).

7) The Word Is The Best Way Of Generating Our Growth In Faith
Acts 20:32 puts it this way “And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the Word of His grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified”.

Like he prayed for the Ephesians in this passage, Apostle Paul is also praying for and commending you and I to God and His Word that the more we know Christ (our model), through the word, the more we will be like Christ. Study Jesus in the Gospel to see what He was like on earth. Personal knowledge of Christ through the Word will greatly change our lives. How much of His Word do you know? How much of Him are you willing to learn?

Until you invite Jesus Christ into your life (being born again) God’s continued presence can never abide with you. Today, accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Saviour. Ask Him to have mercy on you and forgive your sins and become the Master and Ruler of your soul, henceforth.
If you have backslid, retrace your steps back to Him right now and rededicate your life to God. However, if you have a living relationship with God, then tell others about Him – how much He loves us, He is our Savior, Redeemer and He died for our sins in order that we might not have to face the punishment that we rightly deserve. He is coming back the second time to take with Him all those who believe and accept Him, by faith, into their lives to live with Him eternally.
Congratulations if you have just accepted Jesus Christ into your life. Now look for a Bible believing church in your neighborhood to attend and you will be taught and grow in the Word of God.

God Bless You.       

#PathofLife

The Book of Revelation

In the past I used to approach the book of Revelation with fear, with that feeling of uneasiness, anguish and gloom; trying to find the exact word to convey my exact state. I approached the book of Revelation in lowness of the spirit.

The book of Revelation I must say is one of the books that always send fear to the spines of many; believers and unbelievers alike due to the widely misconception of the book by people who lacked the knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of God or for the sole purpose of misleading the ones who have little or no knowledge of the Scripture.

Going through memory lane, the year 2000 was a very scary year and a lot of people thought the world was going to end in the year 2000 (New Millennium). Many sold their properties and gave the proceedings to the poor while many lost their possessions in fear yet we are here 23 years on. But in the positive shade, it helped many to return to Christ but we must not return to Christ for fear of the end time but for his love for us.

Having for the first time in my life read the book of Revelation with an open mind and with the help of the Holy Spirit, I was able to understand in detail the Revelations of the mysteries in every lines, verses and chapters of the book and I thank the Lord that at last the world will be judged for her wickedness.

Oh! How lovely to be at the marriage supper of the lamb! This is all I long for, to behold the beauty and the splendor of his majesty.

To know that there’s a set time for the enemy to be judged and destroyed is consoling. And to join all the prophets and the saints who were long asleep and those slain for the sake of the same testimony which I bear today is glorious and it’s a blessing to my soul.

No wonder the Apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 1:21 ‘for to me, living is Christ and dying is gain. And in Revelation 14:13 “And I heard a voice from heaven saying, Write this.; Blessed are the dead who from now on die in the Lord, ‘Yes says the Spirit, ‘they will rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them.’

The book of Revelation has blessed my life like every other book of the Bible. Although it’s the last book of the Bible, it’s the beginning of the new life in Christ. It brings an end to this fallen world and ushers hope for the new heaven and the new earth, it is soul refreshing.

It reveals the mysteries of the kingdom of God in its splendor and majesty and exalts God as the righteous judge He is.  And that which was revealed to the Apostle John but instructed not to be written, I am sure is our little surprise package when we see Him face to face.

In the beginning chapters, our Lord Jesus forewarned the Seven Churches in Asia and also encouraged them. He applauded their good works and exposed their sins and urged them to repent, reminding them of the glory that awaits those that conquered.

It’s a wonderful feeling of safety to know that you have been saved from damnation by the blood of the lamb; your name is boldly written in the book of life and there’s nothing in this world that can pluck you from his hand… In John 17: 12 Jesus prayed ‘While I was with them, I protected them in your name that you have given me. I guarded them, and not one of them was lost except the one destined to be lost, so that the scripture might be fulfilled.

If our hope is of this world we are of all men most miserable’ Apostle Paul wrote. We have hope that transcends beyond time and season; our hope is in the Son. I encourage believers to have a clearer view of our inheritance in Christ. It’s awesome to know that there’s nothing on earth to be compared to the glory that awaits us in heaven and this alone encourages us to stand trials and temptations, it ushers the boldness to gladly lay down our necks for the sword; this was the strength of the Prophets and the Apostles those who were slain for the sake of the gospel.

At the face of death you see Christ standing before you to welcome you home into the joy, the peace, the fulfillment that life denied you of: that you’ll long to die.

The book of Revelation is reassuring, soul refreshing, consoling and comforting. No true believer would be scared or afraid of the end time, when God will pour out the cup of His wrath to the nations of the world because we have been redeemed by the blood of the lamb.

Having this understanding, I earnestly pray for God's judgment to be nearer because the blood of the slain saints are eagerly waiting for the holy vengeance of God and God in His mercy and grace have set an appointed time, waiting for more of His children to return home. If you have not, please make that decision now.

Lastly, the book of Revelation ignites the zeal for evangelism, to bring many to the saving knowledge of Christ like never before so that we all will be saved in the perilous time and to draw God’s judgment on the devil and death very near.

The expression of God's throne and the kingdom of heaven is more than minds can imagine and I can’t wait to behold it. I pray for the grace to hold on and to continue in His love till my last breath to sing Hallelujah with the hosts of heaven.

No true believer ought to be terrified by the words of the visions except they are not on the right standing and now is the time to make things right, tomorrow maybe too late.

Jesus said to the Seven Churches, I see and know your works, and I am coming with my reward. In chapter 22:14 ‘Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they will have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by gates.

I pray that the light of righteousness will shine upon you now and forever. Amen.

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 

Prophetic Word for the month of Kislev 5783 / December 2022

Every time I position myself to pray and hear from the Holy Spirit for each month (Hebraic and Gregorian) I get so excited and joyful. It is so powerful to make Jesus the Lord over our time and new beginnings. Two are at the door, the King of Glory and the enemy and when we consecrate ourselves and time for Yeshua, he comes and reigns and the rest is history! Surely goodness and mercy follow you every single day. I encourage you to make it your holy habit and discipline to download God's agenda, align with Heaven and pray for your times and seasons. God wants time to be your servant and not your enemy, he doesn't want you to war with time. If you want to learn more about that, you can read my post “I know My Plans For You”.

Now let's read and hear by faith what God is revealing to us about this month. Are you ready?

The Lord says this month you will feel a difference in your church meetings wherever you do them. My anointing will be present in stronger ways and levels like never before. The reason I am increasing my anointing in your church meetings and gatherings is that many are coming and they need MY deliverance. Entertaining sermons will not help them, they are after the real deal, they want to SEE ME, says the Spirit of the Lord.

It is so important as servants and ministers of the Gospel to prepare for this new level of anointing. Yes God is releasing the anointing in stronger measures BUT as a carrier and a vessel you need to steward it, less the pure will be mixed when coming out of your heart and character pipelines. God wants JESUS and JESUS only to be seen, in a pure form. Humility is key because it is not your power and skills that are changing people's lives but his power and might. Don't lose your mind, you are just a vessel and HE is the treasure.

Prepare yourself well behind the scenes, in deep prayers, in the fire of God, and let Jesus shines through you! It shall be an ever-increasing anointing in Jesus' name.

People will come to see you BURN for the Lord. “I set myself on fire and people come to watch me burn.” John Wesley (John 1)

Jesus told Peter if you love me serve my people. What a precious moment in time to show your love for the Lord and serve his people powerfully. One day you will enjoy the rewards in Heaven! I feel God's excitement this month because he is about to encounter many and show them his SAVING love which goes beyond words. It is power and tangible glory, it is a dark heart turning to the light, it is crossing from death to life, it is BONDING with the Son of the living God. You play an important role in all that and for that, we thank God for you! Halleluiah

If you have a church, if you lead meetings anywhere, feel free to comment below so the readers of this blog can lift you in their prayers. Let God anoint you! I end with those amazing words in the book of Ruth 3:3, wash before the anointing “Therefore wash yourself and anoint yourself, put on your best garment and go down to the threshing floor; but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking.” Amen

Tony Francis

Feel free to sow the beginning of this month to support this ministry, especially during this Christmas season. Your sowing helps us be a LIGHT to the world. Thank you for your generous donations. We pray over your seed and bless it in Jesus' name. I decree and declare that as you sow this month, your children will experience eternal salvation and will be powerful ministers to the Lord, evangelists waiting to be birthed in Jesus' name. I also sense that as you bless the work of the Lord in your sowing, you will usher into a breakthrough in your health and healing. I am believing for you that you will start a new beginning in your health, stronger than ever. God bless you! Make a Donation Now

I AM Coming Back

“Then Simon Peter, who was behind him, arrived and went into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus' head. The cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen.” John 20: 6-7

When Jesus rose from the dead, he took some time in his tomb to fold his face’ cloth and laid it separate from the linen he was buried in. Our Lord does things in wisdom to communicate to us a love message. So why did Jesus fold that napkin and put it away from the linen? Is he leaving us a message here?

In order to understand the significance of the folded napkin, you have to understand a little bit about the Hebrew tradition of that day. It is believed that if the master of the house was done eating, he would rise from the table, wipe his fingers, his mouth, and clean his beard, and would wad up that napkin and toss it onto the table. The servant would then know to clear the table. For in those days, the wadded napkin meant, “I am done”. But if the master got up from the table, and folded his napkin, and laid it beside his plate, the servant would not dare touch the table, because the folded napkin meant, “I am coming back”.

Whether this tradition is true or not, Jesus promised us many times in the bible that he is coming back for sure. His second coming is near and who knows maybe while I am writing this devotion he appears!

“Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” Act 1:11

I tend to believe that the folding of a napkin next to a meal means, “I am not done eating, I am coming back”. When Jesus folded his face’ cloth after his resurrection, he laid it next to the linen his body was buried in and what is the broken body of Jesus Christ than the bread of life? The unblemished lamb of our Passover? The Lord’s body is the real meal of life! Jesus is not done; he is coming back for another round. Don’t clear the table church, spread the gospel, feed the nations THE bread of life, shed the light of God’s salvation to every soul sitting in the dark, as long as it is day do the work of him who sent you. Yeshua is coming back …

Glory to God
Tony Francis