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Bible & Prayer Nuggets 0311

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First and fourth Beatitudes of Godly Character

 

Bible Nugget  0311 [Matthew 5 v 3 & 6 KJV]

 

3Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. …

6Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled..

 

Or as narrated in New Living Translation Bible version

 

3 “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him,
      for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

 

6 God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice,
      for they will be satisfied.

 

A. Poor in Spirit

 

I like to share these two verses amongst the series of verses on blessedness in the sermon by Jesus in Matthew 5. The bible makes us understand that the kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost [Rom 14:17]. God blesses or is ready to bless those who realize they are truly spiritually wrenched, naked and blind. These are the poor in spirit. For these people, they want to please God and are heaven’s candidates because they realize their utter dependence on God. They reverence God and take his word to heart, have a broken spirit, and a contrite heart and will not hide in their sins but rather humble themselves in repentance Isaiah 66:2 b.

 ………, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.

An example of someone poor in the spirit was King David, who said  in his prayer of repentance in Psalm 51:16-17:

16For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.

 17The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

 

The poor in spirit will receive the things of God like a little child and will totally empty themselves of pride, arrogance and have no affinity for worldliness. They are ready for personal discipleship with Jesus. Matthew 11:28-30

28Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

 30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

They are not lukewarm and want to make heaven no matter what they have to forsake to achieve this. Jesus in his wakeup call to the Laodecian church in Rev 3:15-21 said:

15I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

 16So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

 17Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

  21To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

 

B. Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness

Another group God wants to bless are those who hunger and thirst for his righteousness or justice. These are people who want and keep their garments as white as snow until the second coming of Jesus or rapture. They are filled with the spirit of holiness.  They are unsatisfied with their present state and want more of the character of God in their lives. They pant after God. Psalm 42:1-2

 

1As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.

 2My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?

 

Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will not compromise their salvation for a morsel of meat or the pleasure of sin; they will not see evil and call it good. They are not self-righteous. Jesus gave an example of two men who prayed to God and God’s assessment of each person. Luke 18:9-14

9And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:

 10Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.

 11The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.

 12I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.

 13And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

 14I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

 

They love personal fellowship with God and other believers: Psalm 84:1-2

 

 1How amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts!

 2My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.

 

Finally, they will not seek for revenge but rather wait for God to promote and honour them. Even before Pontius Pilate Jesus, Jesus showed great piety and restraint. He could have called for a multitude of angels (his servants) to deliver him from death which would be disobedience to the absolute will of God to save mankind by his death and resurrection. His character before Pilate is worth emulating.

 

Let’s read the account in John 18:36-37

 36Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

 

 

 

 37Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

 

 No wonder King David in worship prophesied  of Jesus in Psalm 45:6-7:

 6Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.

 7Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

 

Do you want to see these two godly characters in your life.  Hunger and thirst more for the character of Jesus.  The Holy Spirit will help you as you seek these godly virtues and he will fill you with his power. John 7: 37-39

37In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.

 38He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

 39(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

 

Prayer Nugget 0311

 

Holy Spirit infilling Prayer:

  1. Oh Lord fill me with your Holy Spirit. Soak me, drench me, and saturate me with your presence and power in Jesus Name.
  2. Oh LORD give me a broken heart and a contrite spirit. Let my soul pant for your righteousness like the deer pants for streams of water in Jesus Name.
  3. Purge my heart with your precious blood Lord Jesus. I empty myself of every form of pride. I embrace you with my whole heart. I cast all my burdens on you in Jesus name.
  4. Lord, make your righteousness to run deep in my heart. Holiness and godliness will be my desire all the days of my life in Jesus Name.
  5. Lord, let your kingdom reign in every area of my life. Make me a model Christian and form the character of Jesus in my life in  Jesus Name. Amen.

Bible & Prayer Nuggets 0309

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Divine Authority to carry out the Great Commission

 

Bible Nuggets 0309 [Luke 10 v 17-20 KJV]

17And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.

 18And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.

 19Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

 20Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

Every product is tested by the manufacturer before sale with a small sample. For example, vehicles are test-run to ensure they withstand the ruggedness of roads and mountains, very cold winter months or heat as required. 

Similarly, the products of Jesus are believers and Jesus has delegated to all believers his authority, against all challenges they would face as individuals or as a group aexternal forces, that is, the manifestations of the powers of darkness. Whether in your life or the lives of your loved ones and those whom you come in contact with, you have the authority of Jesus to send the enemy packing.  In his earthly ministry, Jesus test-run this assignment with his 12 disciples (core group, whom today could be compared to pastors and preachers) and also with a group of 70 other persons whom we can compare to today’s every other believer. Luke 10:1

1After these things the LORD appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.

Their mission was simple, preach the word; heal the sick and do not be distracted. Having received the mantle of authority form Jesus, these 70 believers obeyed and wrought wonders in the name of Jesus. It was no surprise to Jesus that their mission would work because Jesus, I believe was praying of them and held satan bound so the devil could not disturb their mission.

Before final departure back to heaven, that is, before Jesus’ ascension, he proclaimed the great commission in which he told every believer to preach the  word of God  to every creature ( Mark 16:15-18).

15And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

 16He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

 17And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

 18They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

 

Today, Jesus is seated at the right hand of God, praying for every believer. Every believer has the authority to preach the gospel with signs and wonders in his name. Sickness and disease cannot dominate or control you because the Holy Ghost lives on the inside of you. No matter how powerful Satan’s forces are, at the name of Jesus they must bow. You have the authority of Jesus. Go forth and use it in Jesus Name. Amen.

  Prayer Nugget 0309

Pray the following prayer’s fervently.

  1. Oh Lord, thank you because I am a product of Jesus. I pray I become like Jesus in words and deeds in Jesus Name.
  2. Thank you Lord for the divine authority granted to me as a believers over the powers of darkness. I exercise rule over them with your rod of iron according to your word in Jesus Name.
  3. Let your power be evident in destroying the yoke of bondages that have held me bound in the past. I release myself from every grip and oppression of the enemy in Jesus name.
  4. Oh Lord thank you for writing my name in the lamb’s book of Life in Jesus Name.Amen.

 

 

Bible & Prayer Nuggets 0306

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You can climb up to the Top of that Higher Mountain

 Bible Nugget 0306 [Isaiah 40:27-31, NIV]

27 Why do you say, O Jacob,
       and complain, O Israel,
       “My way is hidden from the LORD;
       my cause is disregarded by my God”?

 28 Do you not know?
       Have you not heard?
       The LORD is the everlasting God,
       the Creator of the ends of the earth.
       He will not grow tired or weary,
       and his understanding no one can fathom.

 29 He gives strength to the weary
       and increases the power of the weak.

 30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
       and young men stumble and fall;

 31 but those who hope in the LORD
       will renew their strength.
       They will soar on wings like eagles;
       they will run and not grow weary,
       they will walk and not be faint.

Are you wearied with the challenges of life? Or are you easily discouraged when confronted with a problem? It is natural to feel weak during a marathon race. But to faint in the race is another ball game. The umpires will carry the athlete to the sideline and revive the athlete.  There are days of adversity and the bible warns us not to fail in those days of adversity.

 

Proverbs 24:10

10If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.

 

A lifetime is like a marathon race and is full of moments of weakness or discouragement. Everyone will have different doses of these moments– the loss of a job, the loss of a loved one, marital difficulties, chronic sickness, spiritual weakness or dryness and so on. Thank God, He watches over his creation. He is a fountain of renewal of energy to go on when you are discouraged.  The hymn writer says “oh what needless pain we bear?  All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer”. God promises to revive us when we are weak. His word is the energy booster you need  for living. Place your faith in him. Wait on the Lord. If it means prayer and fasting for you to get back your spiritual energy level, do it. God will energize and reinvigorate you. You can then confront that problem head-on and overcome it. Every mountain will become small as you learn to wait on him. He will bear you on eagle’s wings to soar over any mountain.

Prayer Nugget 0306

 

Pray with confidence and claim the divine strength of God using today’s Bible Text:

  1. Oh Lord, look at my ways. Let my ways please you at all times in Jesus Name.
  2. Thank you Father LORD for your word that gives me inner strength. Lead me to the Rock that is higher than I, and make me soar like the eagle in Jesus Name.
  3. Fortify my defences with your Holy Angels against all the devices of the enemy in Jesus Name.
  4. Every challenge (mention them by name …..), I command you to bow; I overcome you in the Name of Jesus.
  5. Oh Lord, I place my hope on you. You know the route draining my strength. Plug it with your power and seal it with your Holy Ghost fire in Jesus Name.
  6. Lord grant me extra energy, I shall run and run and not be wearied. I overtake footmen and horses in Jesus Name.
  7. Lord let my life be bundles of testimonies, as I climb and overcome every mountain by your divine strength in Jesus Name.

 

Bible & Prayer Nuggets 0304

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Aglow for Christ: Keep the inner Fire Burning

Bible Nugget 0304 [2 Timothy 1:6-7, KJV]

 6Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.

 7For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

[2 Timothy 1 v 6-7 (Amplified)], translates it as follows:

6That is why I would remind you to stir up (rekindle the embers of, fan the flame of, and keep burning) the [gracious] gift of God, [the inner fire] that is in you by means of the laying on of my hands [with those of the elders at your ordination].

    7For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.

This scripture reminds us of  the enormous potential on the inside of the man or woman whom God has called on a mission. Timothy accompanied Paul in many missionary journeys and witnessed the mighty things accomplished in the ministry of Paul to the gentiles.  Being a Greek (Timothy’s father was Greek, and his mother Jew), Timothy was circumcised by Paul for the sake of peace to please the Jews who knew that Timothy’s father was Greek, despite the young Timothy’s exemplary character. The story is told in  Acts 16:1-3.

1Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:

 2Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.

 3Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.

 For his mixed parentage, Timothy was taunted in childhood, an experience which could alter a person’s personality adversely.  Paul no doubt remembered the timidity of Timothy in their missionary journeys and was now reminding Timothy through this epistle that, having become a Christian, Timothy had a greater power on the inside of him. The power that resided in the inside of Timothy was the power of the Holy Ghost, and Timothy had a double portion of that Power as a Minister of God.

Today, that same power, resides in every believer who is baptized or filled with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Ghost is the most powerful being because the Holy Ghost is the Spirit of God and when the Spirit resides in a man, what other power can challenge the Spirit of God? Remember, it is that same power that raised Jesus from the death and the Holy Ghost also came mightily in bodily presence on the Apostles on the day of Pentecost [Acts 2]. That power will quicken your mortal body as you yield to him. The Holy Ghost changed the fearful Peter to a fiery Peter who on the day of Pentecost preached the gospel of Christ and 3000 men where added to the church in one day. That same power raised Lazarus from the dead and the same powerchanged Paul from the vilest of sinners to a Saint. You have some portion of that power in your life if you have given your life to Christ because the Spirit of God convicted you of your sins. Desire more of him and he will energize your life just as he did that of Timothy.  

 

 

Prayer Nugget 0304

Pray the following prayers with all seriousness. If you have not received the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues, as you pray, earnestly desire Him and you will be imparted with the power in Jesus name.

1.        Lord, let every latent gift spring forth and let every natural and spiritual gift you have given to me start to flourish by the power of the Holy Ghost in Jesus Name.

2.        I shall not joke with your anointing.  Cause me to take your high and holy calling upon my life seriously in Jesus name.

3.        Thank you for filling me with the spirit of boldness. I reject every spirit of timidity in whatever form in Jesus Name.

4.        Lord, saturate my heart with love and fill me with absolute calm even in the midst of provocation in Jesus Name.

       5.     Lord I receive the grace to live a well balanced life, disciplined and self controlled as I enjoy everything you have given to me freely in Jesus name. Amen.

Bible & Prayer Nuggets 0302

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In God’s Image and Likeness

 

Bible Nugget 0302 [Gen 1:26-28, KJV]

26And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

 27So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

 28And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

Everyone is an offspring of the first Adam, made in the Image and likeness of God. Man did not evolve from Apes or monkeys as some would have people believe. God created the lesser animals and then man to crown his creation. Every other living creature was created by God speaking them into existence, but man was created by a very thoughtful process. It takes great thought to create something original  and man was original because he is an image of the triune God, given a spirit and soul living in a body.

God is a Spirit, man has a spirit. The clearest scripture is as said by Jesus in John 4:24

 24God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

 

God has a Soul, man has a soul. The clearest scripture is in Gen 2:7 when God gave Adam life from himself (God performed the first Cardiac Pulmonary Resuscitation, CPR).

7And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

 

God has a Body, man has a body. The physical presence of the member of the Godhead on earth in the person of Jesus Christ is the clearest scripture.  John 1:1-4.

Some bodily parts of God to name a few in scriptures are as follows:

Heart [Gen, 6:6; 8:21]

Gen 6:6 “And the Lord regretted that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved at heart.”

Nostrils and Mouth [Psalm 18:8, Num 12:8]
Psalm 18: 8There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.
Lips and Tongue [Isaiah 30:27]
 27Behold, the name of the LORD cometh from far, burning with his anger, and the burden thereof is heavy: his lips are full of indignation, and his tongue as a devouring fire:

So my friend, who told you, that you are an offspring of apes? You have been fearfully and wonderfully made. God set the process in motion when he made Adam and Eve. Begin to see yourself as special because God invested time in creating you. Psalm 139:13-15  reads

13For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb.

 14I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

 15My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

Today your responsibility is to make peace with your maker since Adam dragged everyone into sin and death by falling into sin in the Garden of Eden. God will come into your life and dwell in your heart and you become the temple of God carrying the image and likeness of God just like Adam with all his glory before sin. Ask God for forgiveness of your sins and invite Jesus into your heart. Thereafter, you need to keep yourself holy to retain the image and likeness of God. 1 Corinthians 3:16-17

16Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

 17If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

 

Prayer Nugget 0302

Salvation Prayer: Lord Jesus come into my heart. Be my Lord and Saviour.  I believe you died for me to reconcile me back to God. I ask for the clensing power in your precious blood to wash away all my sins. I make peace with you God. Thank you for being my Father. Thank you for accepting me into your family and making me a new creation in Jesus name. Old things are past away in my life in Jesus Name. Amen.

 Prayer of thanksgiving and consecration: Oh LORD I thank you for creating me in your image and likeness and granting me dominion over all your works on the earth. Thank you for giving me the breath of Life. Thank you for fashioning me very specially in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me complete: spirit, soul and body.  I ask for your mercy. Let me treasure every spiritual resource you have deposited in my life. I shall worship you in spirit and truth. Sin shall not have dominion over me in Jesus Name. Thank you for making my body your temple. Give me the Grace to keep it holy. Send your fire to the foundation of my life and destroy everything that draws or want to draw my heart away from you in Jesus Name. Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bible & Prayer Nuggets 0301

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 The Sanctifed Mouth and Tamed Tongue

Bible Nugget 0301 [Eph 4: 29-30, KJV]

29Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

 30And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

The mouth is the house of the tongue and is kept shut when the lips are closed. The tongue itself is like a river bed through which water flows. Thoughts are like the waters of the river. The waters of a river could be classified as bitter or sweet. When corrupt communication proceeds out of the mouth it is like contaminated water. In the context of how the Holy Spirit operates in the life of a believer, Jesus said  out of the belly of the believer filled with the Holy Spirit shall flow rivers of living water. The Holy Spirit does not produce both bitter and sweet water. The Holy Spirit produces sweet, pure unadulterated water in a believer’s life. James 3:11 asks;

 11Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?

 

The Holy Spirit will therefore be grieved with the mouth or tongue from which contaminated water (corrupt communication) proceeds.

 

John 7:37-39

 

 37In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.

 38He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

 39(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

The course of the communication is the heart, which produces evil and good communication. The heart needs to be healed of evil thoughts and the gates of the mouth, that is the lips need to be controlled by the Holy Spirit for a believer to please the Holy Spirit.  These facts are stated in James 3: 5-10

 

5Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

 6And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

 7For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:

 8But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

 9Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.

 10Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

Companionship with the Holy Spirit thrives when the lips and mouth are under the control of the Holy Spirit. Desire and pray this in your life and you will begin to express more presence and power of the Holy Spirit in your life.

Prayer Nugget 0301

Oh Lord forgive me for every evil speaking I have done in the past with my tongue. Gentle Holy Spirit, come in your own special way to govern my relationship with you and other believers. Oh Lord shut the gates of my mouth against every evil speaking. Purify the thoughts of my heart with your word. Let the fire of your word react against every evil communication in my thoughts, words or actions. Let me bless you with my tongue always and make my mouth an outlet of speaking blessings into the lives of other believers in Jesus Name. Holy Spirit tame my tongue and refresh my thoughts with your word always. I command every power of the enemy using my tongue or its image to hinder the power of the Holy Spirit in my life to be roasted by fire in Jesus Name. Season my tongue with your word to minister grace to other believers in Jesus Name.  Amen.