THE BEAUTY OF BEARING THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT

By SIXTUS ONYEANUSI

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, self-control. Against such, there is no law.”

Galatians 5:22:23.

It is God’s utmost desire for us to be first of all fruitful in life, that is, being full of the fruit of His Spirit in us as He detailed in the book of Galatians chapter 5. It’s important because those virtues depict His image and likeness in us; they vividly express the presence of Jesus living in us. (more…)

How to Have Childlike Faith

By Frank King

Recently, I was preaching at one of our local churches. At the end of the service and as everyone was leaving, a lady walked up front to me and asked, “How do you get childlike faith?” I was somewhat taken aback by her question because that’s not what I had been preaching on that day. On the other hand, Jesus said, “Except you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3). So the lady’s question was certainly relevant. (more…)

Accessing God

By beatrice ofwona

God is willing and available to explain our circumstances to us if we are willing to listen to Him. One such example in Scripture can be seen in Job 42 when the Lord finally appears and ministers to Job. We can see a conversation going on here. It is awesome to imagine that this great God, this omniscient presence, this Mighty one, is willing to listen to us. He is not averse to intellectually engaging us; in Isaiah 1:18 He invites us further, “Come now, let us reason together”, says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow, though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool”. Through Christ, our God is willing to listen to what is in our hearts and also forgive us our sins. (more…)

Enjoy Life-Life in Jesus Christ

By Ngozi Nwoke

How has life been to you? Would you recommend your type of life to someone else? Life really can be full of excitement if you have the right foundation. This article tells you why life in Jesus Christ enables you to enjoy life

But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name – John 20:31 (KJV) (Emphasis mine) (more…)

Just Praise Him

Just Praise Him
By Steve Countryman

I know it sounds so simple, just praise Him. Lately I needed reminding of that phrase. I had been told it before and had heard confirmation on it, how you are to praise God in the storm. In the middle of your troubles, trials, circumstances, problems, headaches, sorrow, grief, despair, depression and anger just praise God. While going through some things lately, I found myself praying over the same issues. I know that we are not to keep praying and repeating ourselves in our prayers like the heathens do, but the Bible also says to be diligent and persistent in your prayers like the widow before the unjust judge. Keep in mind that you are responsible for your own conduct, character and situations regardless how you ended up there. (more…)

A heart after God

By beatrice ofwona

2Chronicles 15:1-2 reads:’ The Spirit of God came upon Azariah son of Oded. He went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Listen to me, Asa and all Judah and Benjamin. The Lord is with you when you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you”.

It is God’s intention that we may commune and connect with Him. In our relating to Him we are not after something but rather after someone. We are not seeking for miracles, favor, jobs or wealth but rather for Him. We know we are in this place when there is a cry in our hearts, a hunger that consumes us, a thirst that remains unquenched, and a void that seeks to be filled and only He can do this to those He has called to Himself. Philippians 2:13 says, ‘for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose’. How then do we bring change to ourselves as individuals, as a congregation or as a nation in order to get to that point of hungering for God in this way? (more…)

Two Nations

By Steve Countryman

The Bible is divided into two parts, the Old Testament and the New Testament.  The Old Testament is represented by the country of Israel.  The laws of God were given to the Israelites along with the blessings and the covering of sin through the required sacrifices.  All the prophecies about Jesus and the end times are also covered in the Old Testament.  The New Testament tells of those prophecies fulfilled through Jesus Christ.   (more…)

Recognizing Jesus Christ’s Kings

By Carl Marshall

The two responsibilities that we are given in this world are to enrich the life of our body, and spirit. Our body’s desire may not be that of our spirit, which at that time, we may have already given privilege to the evil one, who uses such opportunity to interfere with the life we lead. In the beginning Adam and Eve had only one temptation, and that was a fruit tree in the garden of Eden, but today, we are overwhelmed with temptation. The price for sin is death, but Jesus Christ has paid that price, and has given us our day of independence. As babes we are not able to choose whether or not to be born, but being born of the spirit is our choice. Observe the foundation of Christian living (we must believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God, Second is to have faith, and third, we carry our cross, but must follow only the Son of God) our needs are met by faith but not all our needs are known by us. God knows all our needs and so he told us to baptise because there is a need for it. (more…)

Get Your Head On Straight!

By Steve Countryman

1 Corinthians 2:16 But we have the mind of Christ. Ephesians 5:1-2 1 Be mitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Putting on the mind of Christ and being imitators of Christ is a daily decision for us Christians. This is not an easy task for you have to discard your past identity so that you can now identify with Christ. (more…)

The Bible in Everyday Life: Pride and Humility

The Bible in Everyday Life: Pride and Humility
By Hugh Houchin

In the culture of today’s world, pride is often seen as character strength, while humility is a character weakness. However, in the Bible 1Peter 5: 5 says, “You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (more…)

Words

By Steve Countryman

Proverbs 18:21 The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Ephesians 4:29-32 29Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (more…)

Lust

By Jerry Ousley

Easton’s Bible Dictionary defines lust as being “Sinful longing; the inward sin which leads to falling away from God.” It also says, “Lust, the origin of sin, has its place in the heart, not of necessity, but because it is the center of all moral forces and impulses and of spiritual activity.” In other words, lust isn’t some strong physically necessary reaction but comes first from within the heart of man the seat of our soul. We are not compelled to do it naturally but it must be given thought and then put into action. (more…)

Death Brings Life

By Rick Kin

September, 15, 2011

Death comes in two ways. We get old and die physically and we die to our flesh during being alive. We get saved and have a new nature. We have a new driving force within us that causes us to desire the spiritual things over the natural things. Though this is a process, we must die to live. (more…)

The Blessedness of Patience

By Yooko Dawson-Andoh

Ordinarily, patience is not one of the virtues strongly desired, sought after or prayed for because of its nature. Patience is not glamorous, attractive, or appealing in the midst of congregation of believers as the gifts of the Holy Spirit and God the Father 1 Corinthians 12:-10, Romans 12:6 and James 1:17. And yet when you possess this virtue, it makes you stand out and noticeable amongst Brothers, Sisters and even those who are not of the same faith. When the degree of prevailing conditions are very hot or of such intensity that makes you jittery, desperate or loose hope of the promises of God, patience displays its qualities that enable you wait for the goodness of our Lord Jesus Christ. For without it, desperation can lead you to wrong choices and decisions that end you up in paths of destruction. (more…)

Knowing The Unknowable God

By Rabon Byrd

If you were to ask any believer if they desired to know the Lord in a greater and deeper way, I would guarantee that all would answer in the affirmative. Therefore, I do not believe that lack of desire to know Christ is the leading reason for the evident lack of spiritual knowledge in the Church. Many will say that it is due to indifferent Christians who are not trying hard enough and not putting enough effort toward knowing the Lord. In my opinion, lack of desire to know Christ does not account for the lack of knowledge in the Body of Christ, but the means by which they endeavor to achieve such knowledge. (more…)