Christ Our Wisdom and Power Ministries

1 Cor 1: 24, 30 .... Jesus Christ is our Wisdom, Power, Righteousness, Sanctification, and Redemption

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WISDOM BOOKSTORE

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Christ Our Wisdom Bookstore recommends the following books for your spritual nourishment. These books are also great gifts for special moments such as “Birthdays”, “Christmas”, “Easter”, “Fathers’ Day”, “Thanksgiving”, etc. If you have been looking for that “special gift” for that Parent, your boss at the office, or a friend you have been praying for, these books will be a blessing to them.

Click the link below each book to purchase a copy.

15% discount off retail price for bulk purchase (10 or more copies).  Terms and conditions apply.

Call 780-433-7600; 780-901-2490; 780-901-2483; Fax: 780-669-5682

 

BOOKS IN STOCK. PLACE YOUR ORDER AND RECIEVE IT IN 5 TO 10 BUSINESS DAYS. 

The adventures of King David1

THE ADVENTURES OF KING DAVID: His Life & Legacy by Pastor Joseph Agbi

Paperback and Hardcover: 296 pages

http://www.friesenpress.com/bookstore/title/119734000010995421/Joseph-Agbi-The-Adventures-of-King-David

 CHRIST OUR PASSOVER LAMB_Front Cover

CHRIST OUR PASSOVER LAMB by Pastor Joseph Agbi

Paperback and Hardcover: 308 pages

http://www.xulonpress.com/bookstore/bookdetail.php?PB_ISBN=9781619968547&HC_ISBN=9781619968554 

 Living In God's Kingdom

LIVING IN GOD’S KINGDOM by Pastor Joseph Agbi

Paperback and Hardcover: 224 pages

http://www.xulonpress.com/bookstore/bookdetail.php?PB_ISBN=9781612154091

PROFITABLE TALENTS?

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PROFITABLE TALENTS?

Matthew 25 v 14-30
His Lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant … (verse 21)

Sometimes the word talent is difficult to define or explain. I used to consider talents as a unique gift someone has from birth or has acquired through time by training. To some extent, this may be right.

The free online dictionary has two definitions for talents: “a natural endowment or ability of a superior quality”, and the second is, “a former weight or unit of currency used by the ancient Greeks or Romans”.
There are some talent shows on television which bring home a better picture of what I am trying to convey in this piece of write up.

Some people actually bring out their spectacular gifts in artistic dances, singing high pitched notes, playing instruments and even some mathematical skills of summing up numbers without using a calculator, putting letters to spell words that have never being heard of, just to mention a few. I love watching whenever I have the time to do so because at the earlier stages of the competition, the participants are quite entertaining while displaying their talents. One sometimes wonders how talented some are, and my guess is not far-fetched from the Judge’s decision since such ones are easily eliminated from the competition. That is not to say that their unique performances are not talents but those with superior abilities are left standing to compete in the next round towards the final, since only one of the performances can win the competition.

While reading this’ Matthew passage’ cited above, three things stood out to me. It depends on the Bible translation you use, the King James Bible referred to the gifts as talents, while some Bible translations like “the Message Bible” and The New International Version” refer to it as money.
Everyone is made different by our God the creator. Embedded inside of us are unique gifts which are to be discovered and either used or buried just as the servants in the story did. I don’t think God is going to come down physically and give us money bags just as the Master did in the parable. However, He has given each one of us different gifts in different areas with differing abilities, which could be compared to the bags of money.

I want to focus on the attitude of the servants because it appears that having all received their gifts, the servants joyfully went their way thinking about what to do with their gifts. The first two servants who had five and two talents respectively went at once to do business with what was given to them. They did not delay or dilly-dally as some of us would do today. The response was sharp and immediate. The second point is that they took the master’s business as their own personal business and brought back profit. They wanted the master to succeed and profit so they invested. This was the exact opposite with the servant who had one talent. He did not do anything with his talent. The master did not only call him wicked and lazy, but he was quite disrespectful to his master by telling him that he reaps where he has not sown.

Today, some of us might say we don’t have any talent, or where do I start from? I encourage you to start from anywhere. Have you looked inward? Some people are very good at making others laugh while others are very gracious with their words and brighten the room whenever they come in. Some have caring attitude towards children or the elderly while others do not have such patience. Some people are interested in the progress of others by praying for them. We can go on and on with this list. The most important thing is to identify the gifts and put them to work.

This brings me to my third point. I discovered that all three servants thought they were working for the master because the master gave them the ‘seed money’ to start with. This is not the case as we see from the ‘reward ceremony’. The first servant started with five talents and made five more. His reward was to rule over ten cities (Luke 19 v17). The second servant was to rule over 5 cities. The servant who had the one talent probably did not realize that he was working for himself. If he knew this, he probably would have at least put the money in the bank to get the least increase in his investment as the master thought the servant would do.

We may think that it does not matter what we do with the gifts God has given to us. It may not mean much now, just as it did not mean much to the servant who had one talent. He discovered his mistake when it was too late to make amend. I pray this shall not be our testimony. I pray that God would give us grace to discover what he has given to us and to put it to work for His glory and also for our reward at the time Jesus comes back. May He say to us, “Well done , thou good and faithful servant…. Amen.” Come Lord Jesus come (1 Corinth 16:22).

Prayer Points
1. Lord, give me understanding to appreciate all the wonderful gifts in my life.
2. Lord, fill my heart with your presence and help me to love you more dearly.

Esther Agbi

DEC. 31 2013/2014 NEW YEAR PRAYERS

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DEC. 31 2013/2014 NEW YEAR PRAYERS

Jude 1:20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, 21Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

Psalm 104:23 Man goeth forth unto his work and to his labour until the evening. 24 O LORD, how manifold are thy works! In wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.

Tuesday Dec. 31 2013 [New Year worship/thanksgiving/prayers]
All the prayers should be prayed in Jesus name. Also cleanse yourself regularly with the blood of Jesus.

Praise Worship: Confession Scripture: Psalm 40:1-17 Text: Psalm 99:1-9

1. Praise Him for who He is using the verses of Psalm 99
2. Thank God for your salvation and divine protection for you and your loved ones in 2013 [Psalm 40:1-3].
3. Praise Him for His mighty hand of deliverance from all dangers and troubles in 2013 [Psalm 40:11-17].
4. Thank God for your successes, special blessings, and specific testimonies of 2013
5. Thank God for keeping you in divine health and meeting all your needs [pray, using Psalm 103:1-5]
6. Ask God for more wisdom in 2014. Pray that God make your heart wiser in Jesus’ name [Col 3:16].
7. Ask God for grace to serve Him more faithfully in 2014.

Prayer Session I [Prayer for Increased Spiritual Strength]

Confession Scripture: 2 Peter1:1-12 Text: Psalm 104:1-35

1. Lord, quicken my heart by the power of your Holy Spirit. Make my heart a citadel of power [Acts 2:1-4].
2. Lord, strengthen my inner-being. Refresh and revive me by your Spirit [Psalm 104:30].
3. Oh Lord, build me up. Help me to pursue the virtues of faith, holiness and love [2 Peter 1:5-8].
4. Lord, teach me to hate sin with perfect hatred. Consecrate me and sanctify me [Acts 10:38].
5. Every gift God has given to me; come alive, be stirred up and begin to function [2 Tim. 1:6-7].
6. Lord, cover me with your garment of righteousness and holiness. Make me a flaming fire [Psalm 104:1-4].
7. Lord, make me a healthy tree. Fill me with your sap of love and power in [Psalm 104:16; Psalm 1].

Prayer Session II [Prayer for Abounding Grace and Joy]

Confession Scripture: 2 Cor 4:14-16, Amplified Text: 2 Cor 8:1-24

1. Thank God you for the abundant joy of salvation and ask Him to cloth you with His righteousness [Isaiah 61:10; Isaiah 12:3; Habakkuk 3:18].
2. Ask God to strengthen you spiritually in 2014 so you will do exploits for His kingdom [Dan. 11:32].
3. Ask God to bless the works of your hands & make you a blessing to others [2 Cor. 8:7].
4. Ask God to fill your heart with kindness so you always be a blessing to the distressed [2 Sam 17:27-29].
5. Oh Lord, give me a humble & teachable spirit. Engrave your word in my heart.
6. Thank you Lord for your favour & blessings. Lord, distinguish me with your wisdom & excellence.
7. I receive the promotion, wealth & honour that come from you and you alone in 2014 [Prov. 3:13-18].

Jesus Christ is our wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption [1 Cor. 1:23, 30]

LOVE GIFT

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LOVE GIFT

Author: Esther Agbi

In the month of December, diverse things come into the minds of people.

The diversity depends on so many factors like age, gender, religious beliefs, social status, educational status and so on. In all of these, there is still a common link which is Christmas. There is an on-ending debate going on right now as to how the greetings would go. Is it Merry Christmas? Some people say they are Jews, so it’s happy Hanukah! Others are Atheists and they say, let’s just call it Holidays.

As people say, which I also agree with, Jesus is the reason for the season! Everything should revolve around Christ, but these days, we find out that Christ has been taken out of Christmas. How sad this sounds.

Many people are thinking of Christmas lights, end of year fireworks, wrapping sheets, chocolates, buying and selling, rounding up of business accounts, Medical field-stressors, Boxing Day discounts, deadline of purchases and even “end of the world” just to mention a few. Yours truly is included in some of these thoughts.

As there are diversities of thoughts at this time of the year, so there are diversities of gifts. The gifts differ depending on the giver and the receiver. I heard recently from a radio station that a teenager donated an organ. I believe he/she should be one of the youngest living donors. What a great sacrifice!

Gifts vary from computers, cars, education fees, remodeling of homes to inheritances. (Prov. 13:22a, a good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children.)

Gifts do not have to be so expensive or so cheap! It is not the amount but the thought that went into such giving. The everyday Joe could give a cup of coffee, gift certificates for groceries, baseball or plane tickets. The list goes on and on.

Some gifts like chocolates are temporary while others like inheritance are long lasting. What gift do you expect from a toddler who is 2 years old? He may give you a smile, or ‘high five’ or his cookies, which he may take back from you after about 30 seconds. Toddlers are so sweet.

This brings us to longer lasting gifts. The gift of life and the power to get wealth. (Deut 8:18).

There could be giving without love (1corinthians 13:3) but there is no love without giving.

God loved the world and gave the greatest gift of all- His son, whom we are celebrating his birth at Christmas (Jn 3:16. 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 has a gift for you and for me. The gift of salvation and the gift of life.

Jesus says (Jn 14:6, I am the way and the truth and the LIFE…)

Deut. 30:19b, God admonishes us to choose life.

Are you willing to accept this precious gift?

God bless you as you celebrate with others this Christmas period.

Have Christ in your Christmas!

Church Services & Programs

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You and your loved ones are cordially invited to our church services and programs

in our new sanctuary:

Location:
10706 101 Street Edmonton, AB T5H 2S3

Sunday Church Service:

Time: 10:00 am-12.00 noon

  • Sunday school both for adults and kids
  • Worship Session
  • Prayers
  • Sermon

Mid-week Service: Wednesdays

Bible-Studies/Prayer Meetings

Time: 6 pm  – 7:30 pm

Workers & Choir Meetings/Evangelism: Saturdays

Time: 1 pm  – 3 pm

Night Vigils: Last Fridays of the Month

Time: 10 pm – 12 midnight

COMING SOON: OUR BIBLE SCHOOL CLASSES

COME TO THE HOUSE OF BREAD AND BE PREPARED

TO MEET THE LORD IN A NEW PHASE OF YOUR LIFE

 

 

 

 

TRUE RICHES OF THE KINGDOM

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TRUE RICHES OF THE KINGDOM
This is a Bible Study outline prepared by the author and shared in one of our recent meetings. A lot has been said on prosperity and there are many divergent views. However, the Bible is very clear on what prosperity is and what it is not. As I was praying and meditating on the Word of God, I got the following points which I now share with you in questions and answers format.

Memory Verse
2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth [3 John v2].

1. What is the meaning of prosperity? True prosperity is a blessing from God. God owns all the resources in heaven and on earth. He wants us to prosper in our body, soul and spirit. However, His love transcends what we have, owe or own. God prospers us so we can be of better service to Him.

2 Cor. 9:8
8And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

2. Is it a sin to be prosperous? Prosperity in itself is not a sin. It is the means people used to achieve it that is a sin. Examples are hoarding, stealing, deception, etc.

11 Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase [Prov. 13:11]

3. What should believers do to prosper? Believers are encouraged to be hardworking, share with others what God has blessed them with, aspire to provide unique services in their vocation and pursue entrepreneurship as God gives you the ability.

4. Does the Bible encourage believers to be wealthy? How can we avoid being deceived? Believers are encouraged to seek the welfare of their soul first. That is the primary goal, having peace with your Maker. We are told not to take advantage of others in other to gain materially [1 Tim 6:17-19]. We are warned to avoid people who go about to deceive others [1 Tim 6:5, 9-11].

5. What is the balanced approach to prosperity? The balanced approach is to seek to live for Christ, glorify Him with all He has given to you but know you are mortal. Prosperity is not all about having a fat bank account which ends anyway when the person breathes his last breath. God is the one who adds His material blessings to you and me therefore it is wrong to hold Him to “ransom” with what He is freely willing to give to us [Matt. 6:19-34; 1 Cor. 4:7].

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you [Matthew 6:33].

6. Was Jesus Christ really poor or rich? Jesus is the King of kings so He is rich. All the Kings of the earth are subject to Him. He is the Word Incarnate that created Heaven and earth. However, He became poor to save us from our sins [Psalm 2; Heb 1:1, John 1:1, Rev. 19:11-17]

For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich [2 Cor. 8:9].

7. Does wealth hinder someone from serving God better and is poverty a blessing? Wealth does not hinder someone from serving God better. However, it can be a big distraction if you remove your focus from the Giver Himself. Examples of Bible Characters who were wealthy are Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, Solomon, Hezekiah, etc. Examples of wealthy people who became distracted by their wealth were Lot and the rich young ruler [Gen.13:1-13, chapter 19; Matt 19:16-26]. Examples of rich people who refused to serve God with their wealth or be generous to others were the rich fool, Nabal, the rich man in Jesus’ parable and Ananias and Sapphira [1 Sam. 25, Luke 12:16-21; Acts 5]. There were also those who were poor but devoted their lives to God some by being taught the principle of faith like the widow of Zarephath [1 Kings 17:1-16]. God judges everyone according to the state of his or her heart. How should you handle wealth if you find yourself blessed with an abundance of it? Handle it the way the Scriptures say in Tim 6:17-19 and Matt. 6:19-34. Do not allow the cares and deceitfulness of riches to choke the Word of God in your heart. Give no place to the devil to allow the god of “mammon” to be your master and lord.
The Bible states we should be content with what we have:

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out [1 Tim 6:6-7].

8. What was the approach of the Apostles to prosperity? The apostles were chosen for a specific mission and they each achieved his calling. None of them taught that poverty was a blessing. Neither did they teach greediness. The early church was one where people were encouraged to give according to the measure God had blessed them. Some brought everything to the Apostle’s feet, others did not and suffered the consequences [Acts 4:32-37; Acts 5]. Jesus taught his disciples to be fed by those whom the gospel is preached to [Luke 10:7]. In doing this both the giver and receiver learn to trust God to meet their needs, a lesson taught by Elijah to the widow of Zarephath [1 Kings 17; 2 Chron. 20:15-30, v20]

9. What are the conditions we must satisfy to truly say you are prospering? We are required to fear God, obey His word and serve Him in Love [Deut. 28:1-10].

10. What do we teach our children about prosperity? We should teach our children the fear of God and that they should grow in his wisdom [Prov. 4:1-11]

11. What investments should believers invest in to prosper? Christians should learn how to sow like the farmer. There are many opportunities out there to prosper. However, do not sow into a bag with holes. Prayerfully seek what to invest in. Seek counsel from those who know about wise investments and from your leaders.

12. How do we sow into the work of God? By looking at areas of need in your local assembly, mission field, blessing the Pastors and ministers as the Lord leads you, etc.

13. Tithing? Learn and continue the principle of tithing Principles and accountability to God. Serve God with what you have. What He has given to you is able to sustain you. Proverbs 3:5-10.
10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it [Mal. 3:10].

14. What is the role of wisdom in Prosperity. Godly wisdom is very important. The wiser we are the more God wants to bless us. He will only entrust true riches to those who would be accountable to Him.
If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? [Luke 16:11]

CONCLUSION I hope the study has been a blessing to you with better understanding of what true prosperity is. In conclusion, pursue the things of the Kingdom first. The Lord has promised to add all other things to you. Know that it is God’s utmost priority to bless you as emphasized in 3 John v2, 2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. Also know that there are diverse kinds of prosperity from God. At the time the Apostle John wrote this verse in this personal letter to a saint called Gaius, John was in his eighties or perhaps nineties. As he personalized the letter, so God personalizes His prosperity to you and me. He knows what to do and when to do the addition as you diligently serve Him. If you already are already enjoying His grace in this area of life, continue to serve Him and give Him the glory in reverence and awe. Only then will you continue to enjoy His true riches.

1 Cor. 4:7 says: 7 For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?