God Intended Perspectives

Posted on September 29, 2011 by fivetalents

God intended perspectives

Habakkuk 2
Does your purpose in life focus on an intended activity and direction which requires action? Our progress in reaching our desired objective begins with a God intended plan. When we set achievable goals and fulfill the tasks set within these goals, it is safe to say that we are off of the starting blocks and our journey begins.

Usually starting off on a journey with purpose, a persons specific need will help them to formulate their immediate goals. When a couple join together, their vision becomes one. When a church has a mission, a plan and a vision, they can really do great exploits according to Gods plan. When churches come together, again, plans, goals and their vision are clear.

Jesus has a vision. Sent from heaven with a plan and purpose, He walked with God the Father. He took His time, set out what He needed to do and executed various tasks within the goals He set to achieve His objective. He was not desperate to reach His goals and achieve His purpose, no, He was passionate. That passion fueled energy of its own.

When Jesus connected with His disciples, his purpose was clear. When we have the bigger picture of Gods plan for our lives in our heart then we are able to establish a clear direction.

What do you need for your journey, who shares your vision, what is the cost, the price, the sacrifice. What will it take, what you have to give up, when you have to go and achieve your God given goals?

Remember, the Lord is with you by His Spirit as your guide. He will never leave you nor forsake you.

When you are aligned with your purpose and your passions and talents are aligned with your goals, your process and journey becomes easier. You will begin to see everything falling into place. Your Spiritual eyes open and see what is necessary to transport you to the phases in your life. Your skills and talents are the context of your assignment on this planet.

If you like working with children and are talented in this area, you will most probably utilise your talents and be passionate about teaching them. You may even say that you were born to do this. Even without pay, you gravitate towards this form of work. To excel in this area, one would get qualified, develop the skill, and apply it to ones God given purpose.

How would you think that person feels when that children’s teacher has to do accountancy to fulfill a survival need and spend all day in an office or at a computer. How do you think that person would feel not working in their own strengths with their purpose in mind? It’s like having a greyhound racing dog as a garden pet or a racing pigeon cooked up as a house pet in a small bird cage. Imagine captured animals from the wild, caged in a zoo or a whale or a dolphin living in a large swimming pool.

Though these examples may seem extreme, the point that I am making is that those animals are not in their God given space, they are not happy; they are in fact, trapped and in bondage. When humans are in an environment where they are consciously not operating in their strengths, it can cause their energy to drain, become de-motivated and the next thing you know, kryptonite manifests and everything that is meant to have meaning, begins to become like a treadmill scenario. The space gets emotionally foggy and draining. Straying too far from your passion will cause you to become de-motivated in your interactions and ventures. So, a plan would be to work toward achieving your God given purpose.

It is crucial that you have direction and purpose in your life. Your focus today is not the negative consequences of living without a vision, a focus, a plan, an objective, a purpose or meaning. He will never leave you nor forsake you. God wants you to be assured that you have a hope and a future and an expected end (Jer.29:11-13).

As life goes on in one’s current circumstances, from time to time, God will be knocking on your door. He is aware if your current situation whether it be economic, social, physical psychological, spiritual, practical, whatever. He expects you to talk to Him and reason with Him in prayer and thought. According to His riches in glory, He will supply your need. Firstly, our focus and faith needs to be towards God our Father.

I mentioned earlier that one may be in a job, possibly stuck there for financial reason and fears leaving that job and not being able to put food on the table for their children or to pay the rent. Well, God can change that situation, if that person I spoke about earlier had a passion to work with children, God may inspire them to write story books. Their passion would activate their God given talents and they would write a divine master piece with pleasure and want to share it with the world. Their main objective would not be for profit but to give in love. When that person’s vision becomes set in motion and they are able to move toward it with wisdom, God will make a way for them, a high way in the desert storm.

It is sad to see people in meaningful jobs without true feelings and passion for the particular work that they are in. One sees disrespect, lack of care for the theme or cause of their place of work. Of course, there are many circumstances that cause people to feel resentful, feeling stuck or just plain bad with an attitude at work.

My point is that it is important to begin to look at what God can do through you and to work on your strengths and for you to open your eyes to opportunities to step into a place of where your spirit can be fed and that you can begin to build on your strengths. Being in a place where a person’s energy is able to flow and a place which they love and can grow in, their vision and purpose will motivate them and change will happen. You can be released in your mind there ever you are, it’s important to develop that cause to spur you to work towards to your God intended goal.

When your focus begins to change, God will create opportunities for you to move on into your divine intended direction. So, walk with your spiritual eyes open, daily the Lord showers us with benefits, it’s about time you began to recognise them. You will excel and prosper in all your ways.

Apostle Richard

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Give Ear To My Word Oh Lord Pt.3 of 3

Posted on September 26, 2011 by fivetalents

Psalms 5:1-3

Pt.3

The church of Jesus Christ is made up of many small ministries that are on fire for God. The problem is, many are suffering from a ‘my ministry syndrome.’ Instead of simply wanting to win the world for Christ, its modus operandi has become slightly askew, being, “I, me, my ministry want to win the world for Christ.”

The underlying reason why some ministries do not grow may well be the lack of enthusiasm and commitment to want to work with other ministries.

Everyone wants to be in charge. Everyone wants his or her vision to be realised. Guess what? We are all leaders in one form or another. The Lord stated in Isaiah 33 that He wants the church to be unified and to walk and work together in that unity; that’s where the blessing is, that’s when He commands success, prosperity and greatness: when the churches are working and functioning together as one.

What does it take for this to happen? Change! Change is radical. Our prayer is that Christian leaders will learn to adapt and become teachable. When there comes a change in the church and its structure, much of the time the congregants will not understand the context of the new vision and will often not see any personal benefit in it for them. Often they will begin to voice their opinions, that the changes and newly revealed vision are unrealistic, ridiculous or even not thought through. This can become a serious distraction and stumbling block in the fulfilment of God’s revealed purpose within the church.

To motivate the church or its leaders to engage with the vision, it is important to involve them in the creation of it, the execution of it and to give them a stake in it. The challenge is to find a process that will engage everyone. That means freeing the mind of each to see a larger, greater and more expansive reality than what is right in front of them. People need to be released to exercise their imagination, talent and creativity based on what the Lord’s revealed will is.

This kind of involvement will generate a much-needed, high level of commitment and enthusiasm towards God’s plan to change a nation which will increase the desire for a strategic focus and the level of success for any church that holds fast to their calling. Let us remain optimistic, expectant and in agreement with God and each other and we will experience God’s mighty blessing.

In Messiah

Apostle Richard

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Give Ear To My Words Oh Lord Pt. 2 of 3

Posted on September 22, 2011 by fivetalents

Psalms 5:1-3

PT 2
A man of God once said to me, that the power in a machine comes from the hydraulic reaction to a piston or a pump creating air pressure caused by continued and repeated compression. God causes things to move and to grow but He uses us as the instrument to facilitate this: to be the planter or the cultivator or the machine/instrument which is being pushed or led by His Holy Spirit.

Dick Eastman once gave an analogy of prayer power. He likened it to being like many men swinging a massive sawn tree trunk with momentum and consistency, crashing it over and over again into a fortified, seemingly impenetrable, castle door. Eventually, the hinges of the castle door will loosen. With this continued action the massive tree trunk will eventually come crashing through the castle gate door. In prayer terms, this is called a breakthrough: pressing in until something happens. What did it take for this to occur? Consistency; focused intention and deliberate determination.

Let’s not overlook our purpose for pressing through; it’s not just to gain ground for gaining ground’s sake or to celebrate answered prayer to desired objectives, no, it is to advance toward God’s intended plan for our life – victory on the journey of destiny. So, when pressing in in prayer, our faith is toward God and so we must believe that the battle is already won because we have already been given the victory by the Lord.

Our actions ought to reflect our faith and the outcome will confirm the truth of the word of God which is that, ‘God is able’ or more personally, ‘I believed, therefore I spoke.’ The importance of the aforementioned perspective on prayer is faith, expectancy and focused attention towards fulfilling God’s plan.

Walking in the Spirit, gives us an ability to be open to God’s leading and to change direction from our own plans toward God’s plans and purposes. As long as our mind is stayed on the Father, He will clearly reveal His will and help His people to recognise the changing of the times and discern prophetically the season we are in because He has given us the mind of Christ and also opened our minds to understand the Scriptures.

Question: does the Spirit-filled believer hold the same perspective as the world and teach the same message as they do? No! As a matter of fact, the Bible says that the wisdom of God is foolishness to man. We see this in many of the things that our Lord Jesus spoke and said concerning Himself.

For example, Jesus became poor so that we might become rich. Does that seem sensible? And Jesus said, ‘I am the resurrection and the life’ and yet the Romans, the Jews and even His disciples saw Him die on the cross. Jesus also said, ‘I am the bread of life’ and that those who choose to follow Him will need to drink his blood and eat his flesh. Surely, this is a tasteless joke? God would not call us to be cannibals, would He? But there’s even more: He also said these things: ‘the greatest among you will be the servant of all;’ ‘first you have to die before you can live;’ ‘you must be born again’; ’if your eye offends you, pluck it out’ and lastly, ‘if an enemy slaps you on the face, turn the other cheek (for him to slap you again)’, and there’s much more.

It is important for the church to hear what the Spirit of the Lord is saying to the churches.

The Lord communicates His plans to His people and speaks in parables and mysteries. To the true disciples of the church it is received with insight and understanding but to the world it is foolishness. The Lord says that the wicked have eyes but cannot see and have ears but cannot hear. I repeat, but we have the mind of Christ.

An important strength that the believer wields is the ability to change and adapt to God’s plan for their lives and to not stubbornly follow their own agenda.

This means walking in the same direction as the spiritual flow, in step with His Spirit, moving purposefully with a high level of commitment and energy towards the mission or internal vision for the future.

Although the Bible clearly instructs us from the book of Habakkuk to: ‘write the vision down and make it plain,’ the understanding, organising and the power of delivering the vision is one thing but, building on that vision is also important, and having others subscribe to the same vision as it is handed down or transferred is hugely important to its fulfilment. We are all members of the one body (of Christ) and partakers (together) of the same spirit.

Part 3 follows in the next post,

In Messiah

Apostle Richard

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Pastor Janets birthday 29th sept.

Posted on September 21, 2011 by fivetalents

Give her a big HI and bless her. Her email is janet@fivetalentchurch.org

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Give Ear to My Words Oh Lord Pt.1 of 3

Posted on September 21, 2011 by fivetalents

Based on Psalm 5:1-3

Pt. 1
What is the quickest way of moving from one place to another? I would say by being in the right place at the right time, in position for transportation, in a condition to change and also being committed to prayer. Today I would like you to consider my words as being within the realm of possibilities. Consider not the obvious but the potential and awesomeness of what the Lord could do through you.

Imagine that you were given the opportunity to manifest the truth of His mighty word in you and through you, to unlock the shackles of limitations that bind you and unstop the wisdom, knowledge and understanding that lie within you waiting to be realised; you would surely be on your knees asking the Lord for direction and insight. Through you the Lord can do so much.

Today, consider the following bite-sized chunks of information to encourage you in the knowledge that the Lord wants to make His name great ‘through you’.

The Lord would like us to be in a ‘condition’ to contain His glory and grace and there are some areas in the lives of His people that need to be worked on and transformed. For the Lord to be able to do a great work in you, it is very important not to rely on what others think is best for you, but to listen to what the Lord is saying is best for you and to trust Him with all your heart, mind, soul and might.

Even though the Wisdom Scriptures say that where there are a multitude of counsellors, there is safety, it is important to go about receiving counsel the right way, in the right order of things. First spend time with the Lord to hear, understand and consider what He may want to say to you or to show you through a vision, then, and only with wisdom, you can share this with trusted counsellors who may help you to put in place what God has revealed. But God’s help and guidance is paramount, always. He will surely show Himself strong in your cause or situation and provide sufficiently for your need.

It is important to recognise and understand the right time to implement any significant changes in your life which the Lord has revealed for you to do and so please consider the following words carefully.

You may feel that you are in a stuck place in your mind and emotions and don’t know or understand the process of change – if that is the case, to move from that place to where you want to be, the first thing you need to do is to focus on what works for you!

Don’t be too ambitious or too radical at this initial stage! Focus on your known strengths as a basic starting point. You need solid ground beneath your feet before you can make a successful leap! Then pray with faith toward God for His Divine guidance, His will and His empowerment, specifically in regards to how to get from where you are now to where you would like to be, or how to achieve what you would like to attain.

Remember, start your process based on a previous success – the best place, best position or best accomplishment you have previously had before. It is not so much the actual circumstance that is important, but the character and inner ability that you have previously manifested to cope and succeed in a certain arena.

To sharpen your God-given vision, you will need to know and accept your ability and capacity based on your previous successes. With these strengths in mind, your forward momentum will be greater and your prayer power, expectancy and determination will be much more focused and accurate in its target and delivery. He is your Rock and your fortress. He must remain your sure foundation upon which He can build great things through you, as you labour in His vineyard.

If you believe the lord is speaking to you through this address, read the Psalm noted at the beginning of the message: psalms 5:1-3

Apostle Richard

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Humble Yourself

Posted on September 18, 2011 by fivetalents

Humble yourself

“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:6)

I was a passenger on an aeroplane, on my way to Nigeria with a team of pastors to bless the country with the Word of God. We had many places in over 5 states to visit up and down the country so, in the place of rest and peace in the Lord; I sat on the aircraft, prayerful and open to the leading of the Holy Spirit. I flipped through my note book and browsed through the various messages that I prepared. I looked across the plane and smiled at the other ministers who caught my eyes, and then I closed them and was still before the Lord.

Then a scripture came to my mind and a song which accompanied it; humble thyself in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up higher and higher and (the song repeats) He will lift you up. As I sung this song I wondered what the Lords purpose was for me in this song. Yes I will do my best Lord where ever you position me on this trip.

Then the presence of the Lord fell on me whilst I sat on the plane with me eyes still closed, singing the same worship song over and over. Tears streamed from my closed eyes as His presence overwhelmed me. The words and melody sounded so beautiful in my heart and mind, it was as if I was in the midst of Almighty Jehovah’s angelic choir and receiving a word from the Lord through a song.

When that moment had passed, I sat wiping the tears from my eyes; I focused on the word of God again and considered this experience as not limiting God in any way on this Holy Ghost conference crusade bonanza.

The ministry I was supporting on the trip was led by an ordained female woman of the gospel. I later recognised that I was not ministering any leading gospel messages but as intro and exhortations. I remembered what the Lord had told me in song on the way to this Spiritual thirsty land. I remained humble and obeyed the woman of God and remained open to God. When the week end came there was a miss communication of times and the team had to minister in two different places at the same time.

I was assigned to the same church we began in with over 1000 expectant members to receive from the Lord. My ministerial colleague, a powerful woman of God, her strength in her ministry was preaching the undiluted word of God seasoned with the prophetic. I opened the week end conference with unctioned prayer ministry and the power of God fell on the whole congregation. They were dancing, crying, wailing, singing, waving their handkerchiefs in the air, and just basking in His presence.

When I had completed the prayer teaching and ministry section, the atmosphere was so dense with the presence of the Lord that my eyes were pierced. Looking at the congregation, wow, the Lord was ministering to the church in a serious mighty way. My colleague then delivered the word of God. The ministry continued over the week end.

Many young and old congregants received salvation, some recommitted themselves back to God, some were delivered, and some healed. Many received prophetic words from the Lord and overall there were many testimonies of how and what God was doing at that time with each person. . What a week end. And this was just the start of the mission.

What did I learn? The bible says, `A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.’ ‘The preparations of the heart belong to man but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.’…submit your works to the Lord and your thoughts will be established (proverbs 16:1-3).

On that trip it was a learning experience for me to listen to the Lord, be open to his leading. It’s all about Him. His plans and purposes not yours. The Lord can only use you if you are available not only in a physical was but also available in your heart and mind.

Let’s lay all our short comings to the lord today and ask for forgiveness in prayer. This is a good time to be humble before God.
Sometimes we need to get out of Gods way, even though our intentions are good. It’s not our way but YHWH.

God can and will use you if you listen to him, obey him and are humble before him.

His ways are not ours nor is his agenda ours. His plans are way ahead of ours, the lives he touched that day, who knows what they are doing right now but guess what, you can be available to Him for His divine purposes and for His glory. We give thanks and praise for what he is doing in us and the lives He affects through us.

“Help us Lord to become effective servants and obedient to your word.”
My assignment on this crusade was not to lead but to serve. Allow the Lord to compromise your process, as a natural father would say to his child, “Please do as you’re told.”
Amen.

Apostle Richard

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Gods Plan For you

Posted on September 12, 2011 by fivetalents

I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord (Jer 29:11)

I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future and an expected end. First commit your works to the Lord and your thoughts will be established (Prov. 16:3). This will enable you to run with patience the race that is set before you.

When you have a vision, you are able to get a clear focus on your direction. God clearly pointed this out to the man Of God, Hakukuk. Without a plan, we plan to fail. A project needs a strategy which will enable projections of plans and purposes. Within a project, tasks are set for achievable goals to succeed a meaningful outcome. If your journey is fuelled with intention, expectancy and faith, then your stomping ground will be in the field of possibilities.

Luke 11:1 points out that with God, all things are possible. The bible says that it’s not by might nor by power but by my Spirit says the Lord (Zechariah). Our joy is his strength, and the battles that we encounter on our journey belong to the Lord. Our aim in the process is to walk in love, courageous and with boldness and fight the good fight of faith. We are not to be influenced, discouraged, dismayed, become fearful or doubt God in any way. We are to invest our energy into our passions and talents as we serve or father in heaven.

To stay in the river of God in his divine flow, we must stick to His divine plan for our lives. The church in these end times are slowly becoming infiltrated with the spirit if the world. The world is ungodly and hates God. The church must watch out for the fear of man, pride and the influence of the carnal ways of man. The battle is in the mind so the Lord wants us all to be mindful of the wiles of the enemy of our souls. So, as mentioned earlier, committing our works to the Lord, gives God first place in our decision making and he can then help you to steer your ship with wisdom and to a clear direction towards your God given purpose.

When a junkie puts his mind to acquire mire drugs or a strategy to get money for the next day, he formulates a plan. He is confident of scoring, even though he has no tangible proof of where his next penny is coming from. He is not just walking by faith but with two additional advances; intention and expectancy.

The bible says, ‘If you being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your father in heaven give good gifts to those who love Him.’

As a blessed people of God, the church can attain much more than they do if they were to develop their heart to understand the heart of God and His ways. Our need would be less and our abilities would increase. If all Christians had intentions for godly desires just as a junkie has intentions for his next fix, the church would be much more motivated than it is today.

Some junkies make hundreds of pounds every week but do not bother to account for it. The book of Hosea points out that, Gods people, die through lack of ignorance or lack of knowledge…

God wants us to grow strong in the word of God, walk by faith, and walk in love. We are a mighty nation and even though our commission is clear, we are not to forget Israel, pray for its peace and for the nation to be born again.

In Messiah
Apostle Richard

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You Can Do It!

Posted on September 6, 2011 by fivetalents

It is said that you purpose is found between your passion and your talents. When your passion begins to line up with your purpose, you will see that the energy and fire will increase in you. The prophet Jeremiah said that, that which was in him was like a fire shut up in his bones. When you are on fire with excitement and passion, it is not easy to contain your enthusiasm.
The passion in you is attractive. Your need will be met because God is with you. There is an energy and drive which will cause you to want to get better at what you do and advance and your spirit in you to inexplicably overflow, the bible expresses this as ‘ …pressed down shaken together and running over.’ The skilled gift that God has given you will make way for you if you nurture it. God can only go so far with you, ultimately, you make the choice and the decision that you make is then set.
If you are wondering how to harness that potential goldmine in you, setting goals is a good place to begin. If a skill that is resident in you is developed, just as a muscle is developed when exercised, you will see definition.
Your purpose is like a long term objective, your journey becomes your mission and the goals that you set along the way toward your God ordained plan will be as stepping stones. The moment you develop a cause in your life and have a clear definition and a good reason for doing what you are doing, you then become more focused and patient and understanding with yourself.
For years my wife worked as an accountant, encouraged from school to focus on a professional career that would ‘bring in good money.’ This skill she developed but her desire and purpose was to work with and teach children. Years later she stepped out of the ambition driven lifestyle to pursue that God given passion with natural talents. She found her purpose and now with a vision, has resourced herself in learning and training for the right reasons. When you begin achieving your God given goals, success will be realised with pleasurable effort.
Without purpose in your life, you will remain in your needs zone with limited motivation. It’s time to free your mind as Peter did in the gospel of Mathew chapter 14. He stepped out of the boat! He took a risk. He fixed his eyes on Jesus; all of a sudden there was no stopping him. Christ was his reason for taking that step of faith. There was a shift in his thinking, and a shift in his belief. Though it caused consternation to his colleagues, he was in a zone where he needed to be sure of his faith and his own personal potential. With a storm blowing and Peter getting out of the boat I’m sure this was a most disturbing time for his colleagues.
This was a learning experience for everyone. Jesus took Peter by the hand stilled the storm, got into the boat with His disciples and everyone had a learning experience. Stepping out is an experience for you as well as for someone you know. Be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Do not just step out without wisdom or counting the cost. Be clear in your calling and God will make a way for you. Peter it seemed went about things in the wrong way but as we saw reflected the right motivation. Be prayerful in your direction in your life right now. Are you on the right track?
In the book of Chronicles, King David said to his son Solomon when he was handing over his kingdom to him, “Be strong and do it.” He was saying to his son, ‘exist in strength, and take action!’ We are to take hold of these words and make good use of the power that they contain.
Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
It is not by might nor by power but by my Spirit says the Lord.
The joy of the Lord is my strength.
To understand and learn the essence of the meaning of any word, will give you an edge on your intentions and the boost in delivering your plan. You will have a clear panoramic view of what you mean and intend to do.
Amen.

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I’ll Pray About It! (Pt.2 of 2)

Posted on August 23, 2011 by fivetalents

Many people, in all walks of life, may feel they can say that they have sought and found their purpose in life and walk that walk. But sadly enough, often even for them there can be a void: something is missing, where is the inner peace, why isn’t their more joy, or love, why do they have no blessed assurance of their future, why still an unsettling sense of incompletion or dissatisfaction?

That void in their lives is there because despite all else, they do not actually know Christ and have not been born again as a sanctified child of God; they have not understood the imminent dangers of a life not submitted to the Lord or that their ‘salvation’ hangs in the balance, waiting for their relationship with God to be put right regardless of whatever good deeds that they do.

A commitment to the Lord always happens at the right time – the time when you are ready, even if you don’t know that you are. I pray that all those ‘successful’ people who have failed thus far to glorify God in their lives, will become vessels of honour in the remainder of their life time.

Pray:
Father, open the eyes of my understanding.Open the doors of opportunity for me and guide my footsteps in the way everlasting. Amen.

Father help me to set clear plans for my life, to set and attain achievable, realistic goals. Help me not to be distracted with many other good pursuits that will divert me away from Your plans and purposes for me in these last days.

Forgive me for wasting time, for delaying, for being unsupportive to others and being wasteful in times of famine and times of plenty. As the prodigal son, Father, I come to you in humble adoration, submitted and repentant for my misdeeds. I lay myself before you and ask forgiveness. Amen

As Christians work out their salvation, it is understood that part of their reasonable service is to be the breech for the world, to be that bridge to cross over for those who choose to follow Christ and would like to be part of the kingdom of God, reconciled back to our Father in heaven, where we originally came from.

This may not be so easy when one is in a place of decision or transition. Difficult times do come but part of the quest is knowing how you ought to handle those difficult times. The bible, in James 1:1-5, calls those difficult times, ‘fiery trials’. Such difficult times are also referred to in Hebrews. Colossians 2 teaches us that at such times we are to put on Jesus, to wear God’s love as if it were a garment and to walk in it daily.

As you transition through life, being a Christian does not exempt you from learning from your mistakes and growing wiser. As we develop in our ability to listen to hear from God and to listen intending to obey, we are to be ready to take action in God’s time and not our own. As we find our God-given direction and directives, challenges will always be encountered; this is the reality of our life in this fallen world.

Many challenges may be simple to deal with or perhaps to avoid, but others will be more taxing, but provide us with an opportunity to overcome. It depends on our mind set. Are you wired up to succeed? The Holy Spirit is with you to assist you every step of the way.

To be on a journey without a map or without route-planning really means that you are not going anywhere specific. Knowing what to do and not doing it is not progress. The experience is in the process. The key to successful outcomes are in developing a consistency. As God is a God of divine order, He would want you to write your vision down on paper and make it plain (see Habakkuk).

Timing:
When getting from A to B on a journey, a quest or a mission, with clear definitive goals, you will be able to measure your progress. It is important to establish through prayer, an advance and pursue the adventure with a clear focus.

The details make all the difference when painting a master piece or sculpting a statue. Evidence in a court case, mathematical formulas and equations, a wrong word spoken at a time of war and peace, a single puzzle to a jigsaw or a back page of a book can make all the difference. And so, I emphasise again, success comes from setting a plan for your life in line with God-given goals.

Timing is essential as you accelerate toward the future. We are to walk circumspectly with our eyes open (Ephesians). We are to seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness and exist in it (Matt. 6:33) and remember that God’s plan is to give you a hope and a future and an expected end (Jer 29:11).

On a scale of 1 to 10, measuring 1 as not much and 10 as a lot, honestly now, how powerfully are you expecting God to move in your life? Are you expecting God? Those who are, continue to believe it is true. Upgrade your thoughts; begin to take your spiritual life to the next level. Allow creation to recognise the Holy Spirit synchronised in you walking with and knowing the will of God.

What a great and strategic time it is to be alive and serving God as an ambassador of our Father in heaven. Your assignment on this planet is the great commission inaugurated by Jesus Himself. Your condition is to walk in His love, courageously and without fear and with His blessed assurance. Your expectancy level is measured by His grace.

As the days progress in your life and you engage with your God-given destiny, your potential and potency in your sphere of influence has no measure, it is just as yet not fully realised. The generation to come have not awoken yet; those who you will affect and who will glorify His precious name have not yet been set on the right track. There is a Christian song which reflects my point with the following lyrics:
“I am building a people of power, I am making a people of praise, they will move through this land by My Spirit and will glorify My precious name…”and the song goes on.

You are a blessing in disguise, a fearfully and wonderfully made gift from God to the world, packaged by our loving Father in heaven containing within you, a beautiful miracle.

Today, it’s time to take off the disguise and reveal your true identity. Yes, you are truly a blessing, revealed today in the name of our Lord Jesus, and ready to take action.

Put this address to prayer and see what God is saying to you in these end times, Amen.
Apostle Richard

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I’ll Pray About It! (pt.1 of 2)

Posted on August 20, 2011 by fivetalents

I can remember when I was leaving bible school, the tutor cautioned all the students, ‘Do not wait until you leave the school before you begin asking God, “Where do I go from here?” Pray now, for clear direction and listen to the directives of the Holy Spirit.’
Those of you who may not be bible students, I’m sure still consider the same question from time to time, even as I speak, which is:

“Where do I go from here?”

In response to your query, I have possible directives for you to consider. Firstly, what exactly do you want to do at this juncture in your life as it relates to your Christian walk? After reading this message through, please immediately take the time to write down the following questions and be ready to address them one by one.

Where do you want to go? What will it cost to get there, in terms of time, money, work and sweat? Up to what maximum cost are you still willing to pay the price to get to where you think you need to be or to get what you think is necessary to accelerate you forward toward your desired objective?

If you are serious about your journey, the price should not be a stumbling block for you. The bible says to work out your salvation with fear and trembling and that Jesus has already paid the price, the ransom for you and for everyone. So begin to train your eyes to be fixed on the mark of the prize with one clear objective of fulfilling your ministry.

Getting to the nitty-gritty of making a decision, you will need to decide in advance that you will pay the price whatever the cost. This may seem a harsh statement at the beginning stages of a decision making process but it is an essential one. It is necessary to emphasise the non-compromising and non-lukewarmness of fulfilling Christian directives.

Clear decisions are essential in the pursuit of progress.

Laying all your plans and purposes before the Lord will put you ahead of all opposition in your particular pursuit. Because our Lord is a God of divine order, it is important to apply the wisdom He has accredited to us by praying through and proposing clear possible goals and objectives before Him. The bible says that before you build a house you should count the cost. Divine order is one of the keys to success so therefore a cost worth paying. Divine order, once attained, will replicate itself in all areas in your life.

Recognising and understanding our strengths and weaknesses will help us to avoid wasting valuable time in our pursuit for happiness.

Let us de-mystify the road that is set before us. You are expected to run the race with patience that is set before you. God wants to bring a balance between your social life, your physical life, your spiritual life, practical and psychological lifestyles.

In all of your endeavours, do you think that you are alone? Of course not, the bible clearly states that, ‘He will never leave you nor forsake you,’ He always goes ahead of you. He has already mapped out your tomorrow, you just may not be aware of it. He prepares a table before you in the midst of your enemies, why? Because He always prepares a way out for you from difficulties you may possibly encounter on your journey. This is when you need to trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. He will make our paths straight if we acknowledge Him. He will protect us in times of trouble. He who began a good work in you is faithful to complete it.

So saints, recognise what the Lord is doing in your lives. Observe and consider instances which the world would deem as ‘luck, chance or coincidence’ when circumstances in their lives become favourable and ascribe greatness to your God, for it is divine providence, and not luck, which has been at work at those times.

The church has a great advantage when walking with God, their Father, because they can walk with an expectancy, a confidence, a faith, a surety, and a knowing that the God that they serve is alive and active in their lives. He is faithful and true to His word. The Lord is with you to fight your battles for you. Believers can choose to fight their own battles, but if we can trust God and allow the Lord to fight for you in answer to our prayers, we will see that the victory is ours when the battle is the Lord’s.

Though we live in the world we are not of the world; we are set apart as God’s redeemed, walking with God, in the name of Jesus. Our experience of the world we live in is shaped by how we understand it to be. The reality is that we can view the world in which we live either as a beautiful, wonderful place of developing brilliance and perfection or as a dark, sick, sorry and morbid place to be. Saints, never forget that we are called to be lights in a dark world, to help guide many to the saviour of the world, Christ Jesus, our Lord.

And so once we are on the highway to our God, it is important not to be naive in recognising that there is an enemy of our soul. So the time we spend with God and outworking God’s plan for our lives, needs to have clear focus, engaging our mind with understanding and not just our spirit or emotions. King David said to his son, Solomon, when he was handing over the Kingdom to him, ‘Be strong and do it!’ (Chronicles 28).I interpret this scripture to mean: exist in strength and take action in the things which God has called you to do.

Today is a good day for you to look at you.

Where do think that you should be? Do you think that you have wasted any time? Be careful not to spend your life following after the goals of others who have a clear direction and not in pursuing your own. Those who fail to reach their goals are often those who have no goals. Some people gauge their goals as short, medium and long term – this is a good practice. Tasks can be set to ensure that the processes of achieving the goals are progressive and recognise that success is not always instantaneous.

Setting out on a journey to fulfil your purpose is an adventure to be embraced and pursued diligently.

But to know what you are meant to do and choose wilfully not do it, is sin – you will have missed the mark of the prize of the high calling in Christ Jesus; which reminds me of the ‘one talent man’ in the parable of the five talents found in Matthew 25. The ‘one talent agenda’ is an interesting one and a lesson to be learned and explored. Can I give you that as an assignment? Read Matthew 25 and consider the message from the parable.

Don’t miss the next part of this message.

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Responsibility

Posted on August 9, 2011 by fivetalents


Are you a responsible person?
Are you responsible enough to be given charge over other people? Are you responsible for yourself? Are you able to take full responsibility for your thoughts?

‘As a man thinketh, so is he’ so it is written. Your reality is built upon what you think. The outcomes you face in your existence are the consequences which were brought to life and fueled by your thoughtful intentions.
Everything – sin or good deed – begins as a thought. Sinning in your thoughts is just as bad as sinning in the open. Repentance (which is changing the way you think), is a process that God wants you to understand clearly and put into practice whenever necessary. We are all sinners, all fall short of the glory of God, but this doesn’t constitute an excuse or give us a reason or permission to sin. We must fix our eyes on Jesus and love the Lord with all our heart, mind, soul and strength. The Lord is looking for us to afford total submission to Him. He wants us to acknowledge Him in all our ways and He will make our paths’ straight (Prov. 3:5-6).
Trusting the Lord with all of our heart predicates walking closely with God day by day. He wants us to talk to Him, to reason with Him. You are given a choice in how to respond to His leading during your own decision-making process. He leads you, but you are responsible for your own actions. You are accountable to God for all of your actions – of obedience or disobedience. You are saved by His grace and by your confession of faith.
Jesus is your saviour and will forgive you your sins as you confess and repent of them. By your words you are justified, by your words you are condemned.
Before we go any further, it is important to come to terms with taking responsibility for where you are today in your life. This is your life, your reality. You are responsible for you.

Apostle Richard

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Discovering your God given purpose

Posted on July 15, 2011 by fivetalents

Take to time and fill in the form

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Your Reasonable Service

Posted on June 27, 2011 by fivetalents

When opportunities arise for a person to be a blessing to another, remember there is an objective and a blessing for both giver and receiver. Recognising God in their interactions, they are both to give thanks to God for connecting them and for an opportunity to take inspired, motivated action.

Motivation develops when success finds momentum. Success requires focus, expectancy and a target toward a meaningful outcome. The more successful you become, the more willing you will be to share what God has skilled or equipped you with – mentally, physically, spiritually, practically or materially.

As a Christian, when your reasonable service to the Lord is one of love, you give of yourself in whichever manner you can – be it time, money, substance (meaning hard work), support or advice – the purpose of your service is to give of yourself to others, in a practical, substantive way.

Jesus says to be ‘a servant of all.’ Serving others is an act of love with a mind-set that seeks to add value to another’s life or help them with their cause. No man can out-give God, but to be a cheerful giver with an objective of giving no matter what you receive, it will always result in you wanting to see the endeavours of others fulfilled with whatever help you can inject to add value and support to their works in a spirit of love and of service to God.

Giving money at offering time in church is not meant to be ritualistic or perceived as ‘a payment to the church;’ neither is it meant to be given in order to get back thirty, sixty or a hundredfold, no! Giving is an act of love, directed toward God and for His purposes to be accomplished. We give because we love. Giving of our substance is a practical, personal demonstration of our faith toward God.

I constantly look for opportunities to give and to share what I have. Generosity and sharing should be an action that is done as a way of life, because you love to do so, without any objective plan or strategy for future gain. Giving solely to benefit another is the correct spiritual condition necessary if you are to truly be a blessing. What spiritual condition are you in? It is time to be in a place where you are taking action, putting to work the talents which God has given you; where can you clearly see where your skills and giftings can add value to those you encounter in life and time for you to be willing to do whatsoever it takes to bless them.

As long as your heart is in the right place, the Holy Spirit will make your crooked paths straight. So let us continue to walk in love, to walk circumspectly, to be wise, polite, gracious, humble and to wilfully cultivate the fruit of the spirit, daily (Gal 5:22-23, Phil 4:4-8). Jesus became poor (materially) so that we may become rich (spiritually). Remember, we can’t out-give God.

When seeking to do a great work in the kingdom for the Lord, it is important to note that the success of your mission is not measured by the value that you put on the work that you do, but rather on the impact that what you do has on others. The impact denotes positive change, measured either quantitatively or qualitatively. As long as your work is building on a sure foundation, it is God that causes all things to grow. You must practice seeking God’s divine guidance in your decision-making process as this will determine the direction which you will go, and grow. Never forget that your work is a service unto the Lord. The greatest among you will be the servant of all.

“…he who is greatest among you let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves. For who is greater, he who sits at the table or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as One who serves (Luke 22:26-27).

“Yet it shall not be so among you. But whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave – just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many, (Matt 20:26-28).

The bible expresses that kingdom people are all ambassadors for Christ. Do your fellow believers see you as an ambassador, a representative of the king of glory? Do you see your fellow believers as the same? It’s time to upgrade your fellow man’s importance in your own eyes and to look out for ways you can help them in their service unto God, to see if you can be of invaluable help to any one of ‘these my brethren.’

As you love your neighbour as yourself and you do for others as you would have them do for you, or if you give more than you get to those whom you genuinely have meaningful relationships with, each person will be looking out for one another in such a way that it would almost become impossible not to bless and be blessed in your advancement in your life, their life and your God-given life purposes. Imagine that everyone you know, like and trust – who you are in touch with – had a personal investment to see you succeed? Surely it would happen.

Are you genuinely looking out for your fellow man’s interest? Remember, Jesus judged the nations based on their service to His brethren and called them righteous who fed, clothed, visited and cared for those in need (see Matt 25). Those he declared righteous were all busy ticking the boxes in the service of love, they may not even have been aware that they were doing so; they were selflessly putting the interests of other’s first and by so doing they created an influence amongst those people. Putting other’s people’s interest first creates influence for you.

A cheerful giver is a very attractive, magnetic person. Give and it will come back to you, pressed down, shaken together and running over. It is better to give than to receive. Your true worth is in your giving. Love thy neighbour as yourself. Become the servant of all. Have faith toward God, believe in Jesus. You are a winner, either winning yourself or helping another to win. Either way you win. God so loved the world that He gave His Son…

Walking with the love of God inside of you, enables you to love your neighbour as yourself, to have genuine friends and care for them and make people feel good about themselves. When you add value to others they grow and this helps you to grow. You are a precious gift from God with the potential to affect every person on this planet, whether you – or they – know it yet. If you put value on the gift and sharpen your skill and talent then when freely given to others, it will be cherished and well-received.

We may have communication and people-skills, that is good, but what is more important is introducing yourself to people as who you really are. The Spirit of God will represent you and manifest His presence from within you as you represent God as His ambassador and as an example of the character of Jesus. His word and ways in you will exceed all expectations of what a genuine and meaningful relationship with others should be like. The love and trust that you will operate in, will extend even into divine business plans and strategies to help the poor, or will provide for those who lack and cause you to contribute in helping them to fulfil the call on their life.

As you continue to fulfil your own objectives, walking circumspectly, redeeming the time for the days are evil, you will become prosperous and successful in your walk with God; His favour will be upon you. You will be successful in your endeavours, His love and power will flow through you, you will observe and teach, rightly dividing God’s word. He will make all things possible for you who believe. Do you believe Christ can change you? Then, He will.

Spiritual growth is imminent. There are many lessons to be learned in the journey of life. Walking with a clear vision in God’s love, with God’s wisdom, then your eyes will be opened to God’s plans and purposes. This will enable Him to use you effectively for His glory and purpose.

As He is glorified so will you be glorified in Him. God gives seed to the sower; try not to eat the seed that God gives you. Without seed there is no crop. Without a crop planted, there is no harvest. Remember, there is a time for sowing and a time for reaping. Consider the seeds that you have to sow. Imagine yourself as a seed. Imagine your potential if planted in rich soil, in fertile soil, at the right season and tendered by a faithful vinedresser. When you are watered and God causes you to grow, consider your potential. Don’t ever overlook the potential in anything or anyone presented before you. Be careful not to judge any book by its cover.

Consider the substance in the vessel rather than the vessel itself. Things, or people, you meet or see are not always what it, or they, may seem. Consider the oyster, a shell sealed but producing a beautiful precious stone on the inside of its vessel, preparing it for an appointed time to be manifest and serve its purpose in due time.

The wrapping of a present is pleasant to the eye but the beauty is the gift found within. The real prize is the love which generates and resonates with the gift and the giver. God’s gift to us was the Holy Spirit deposited within us after we believed and accepted Christ Jesus as our Lord and Saviour. God’s gift to man is wonderful, powerful and great, but do you really understand the value of this gift and the expense it cost to acquire it for every believer? Consider these words: the value which our Father in heaven has put on you, a man or woman created in His image, far outweighs the value He has put on all other things He created on this entire planet! You are precious in His sight and He loves you more than you will ever know or understand, why? Because God is love and He made you to be like Him and to love Him back and to love all others as He loves you. Now, that’s your reasonable service.

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Daisy & Ben to wed

Posted on June 23, 2011 by fivetalents

What a wonderful day its going to be on the 2nd July 2011, a day when Daisy Davis and Ben Elliott will be married and where a great banquet will be held.

Apostle Richard and Pastor Janet will be officiating the marriage service and marrying the couple at “Kingswood Congregational Church” in Bristol, UK. at 2.30pm. Be early or on time, but i warn you, its going to be a full house. We have made room for the host of heaven. The Lord is expected to show up.

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Marriage

Posted on June 23, 2011 by fivetalents

Apostle Richard and Pastor Janet are graced with the privilege of marrying Daisy Davis and Ben Elliott.

The wedding will be on Sunday 2nd July 2011 at kingswood Congregational Church at 2:30pm

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Gospel Explosion

Posted on June 22, 2011 by fivetalents


Live event: 23-26 June 2011–See poster for details
For those who walk by faith and believe in Gods miracle wonder working power, I adjure you to attend this crusade and see the Holy Spirit at work, healing, delivering and saving the people who seek the Lord and believe for love, forgiveness and restoration.

There was much rejoicing this year, at the graduation of Apostle Simon Mburu, on successfully completing the certificate course, on Imperative Biblical Studies. As Apostle simon prepares to plant another church, Apostle Richard, spiritual father will cover in prayer and oversight and observe the process.

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Doctrine of Salvation 4 of 4

Posted on June 20, 2011 by fivetalents

The Word of God is near you

5. Salvation is for everyone who believes and receives Jesus as Lord

There is none righteous, no, not one…
-Rom. 3:10

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus….
-Rom.8: 1

.…The Word of God is near you, in your mouth and in your heart….if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in you heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation.
—Romans 10:8-10

For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved
Rom.10: 13

Faith comes by hearing and hearing the word of God.
Rom.10: 17

…unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom if God….unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
-John.3: 3, 5

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God
—John 1:12

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. —John 3:16-17

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
—John 14:6
Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the Law of Moses. —Acts 13:38-39
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. —Romans 1:16
…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, —Romans 3:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. —Romans 6:23
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. —2 Corinthians 5:17
In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. —Ephesians 1:13-14
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. —Ephesians 2:8-9
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with me. -Revelation 3: 20

And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by cancelling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. —Colossians 2:13-14
For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. —1 Thessalonians 5:9-10
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. —Titus 2:11-14
Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. —1 Peter 1:8-9

6. How do we know when we are saved?

Seven signs of true conversion
• Conviction of sin
• Genuine repentance
• Faith’s confession
• Hunger for the Word of God
• Changed speech
• Changed action
• Desire to be around people of God

What has salvation taught us?

Some one close by reading: Titus 2: 11-12

What do I do to be saved?

To be saved you must turn away from sin, believe in the death and resurrection of Jesus and receive Him as your Lord and Saviour. You must first consider your life. Then turn away from everything that is contrary to what God wants. Turning away from the old way of life is called repentance (Matt.3: 7-10, Acts 3:19). You must acknowledge that Jesus died on the cross to forgive you of sin. You take Him as your Saviour to cleanse you from sin, as the substitute who paid the price for your sin (Rom.5:9-10, Titus 2:14). You must ask Him openly to be the Lord of your life, acknowledging openly and verbally that Jesus is not only your Saviour but also your Lord (1 John 2:23).

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Baby dedication

Posted on June 17, 2011 by fivetalents


Title: Baby dedication
Location: Victory Christian Mission
Description: Senior Pastor Ken Chukwunwejim proudly presents his dearly beloved sons dedication to the Lord.

Apostle Richard is the officiating minister dedicating the pastors son.

This will take place at his church: Victory Christian Mission at St. Olave church, Manor House, N4 2TW.

What a wonderful day this will be. The whole host of heaven will be there, Father Son and Holy Spirit. Come and join us there, giving glory to the father through the Son.
Start Time: 14:00
Date: 2011/06/26
End Time: 16:00

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12 points for a good prayer meeting

Posted on June 16, 2011 by fivetalents

Family & Community in Prayer

To have a good, lively prayer meeting there are many things to consider. Obviously, the most important aspect is the presence of the Lord. But there are ways we as people can help or hinder an effective prayer meeting. Below we will look at some of the main aspects of this.

  1. Physical conditions

A bright, cheerful freshly aired, non stuffy room is important so that people do not fall asleep.

  1. Timings

Timing is important. Meetings need to begin promptly on time.

Consider the following activities:

  • Catching a bus or an aeroplane flight, a job interview, school exam, attending a court hearing, or a theater production or a sports performance.

With all of these activities, prompt timing is essential. If you miss the right timing, the opportunity is gone. These activities/appointments are important and should be treated as such. Same when you are meeting with God, or waiting to see God – this time is important and needs to be treated with due respect. Be on time. Do not be late. Don’t keep God waiting. Wait on God.

Announcement of the prayer meeting is to be made in advance at the church at the Sunday Service inviting the congregation to attend.

  1. Structure the prayer time

The prayer time should have structure yet allow the Lord liberty to flow any which way He chooses. For example,  you might allow ¼ hour for worship, ( remember, He inhabits our praises), ¼ hour for scripture reading and introduction of the evening,  ¼ hour for testimony and the remaining for specific prayers and ministry.

Allow one minister to facilitate the meeting and introduce the various other sections/participants.

  1. Worship

The bible reads in Ephesians 5:19, “Speaking to one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.”

And in Philippians 4:6 it says, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.”

Giving thanks and praise to God can be clearly expressed in song – especially if everyone knows the songs. A motivated worship leader needs to be in tune with the Spirit and familiar with spiritual songs. He/she should know when to bring in another song or sing in the spirit as well as the right times to remain in silent meditation.

  1. The Leader

The success of the meeting depends on the minister who is leading the session. If he is full of spirit and life, the people will catch his enthusiasm. But if he is dry, cold and boring, he will make it seem like it is an effort to attend.

He should be at the meeting venue at least 15 minutes before the meeting begins in order to make sure that everything is in order.

The prayer leader is to come with something prepared. He will demotivate the attendees if he shrugs his shoulders and says ’Sorry, I have nothing prepared.’ (How would you feel if you heard that?)

If a subject is announced, it is his duty to study it and present it intelligently.

If he is not restricted to any particular subject, he should prepare and present something that is on his heart as the Lord leads.

Also, if the Lord impresses upon him to pray for another matter during the meeting, he should try to incorporate this without totally abandoning a pre-announced topic.

Liberty is important, but so too is discipline and order.

Do not ramble. Make your points clear and to the point. Be interactive, receiving comments and having others reading scriptures.

Jesus is the word and the bread of life. We are to feed the people the Holy Scripture. The bible says, ‘Oh taste and see that the Lord is good.’

Without the bread of life, the people starve, become weak and stumble and fall. Make sure the prayer meeting is grounded on scriptures.

  1. Successful meeting

As mentioned earlier, the success of the prayer meeting depends on the congregation; the prayer meeting is to be interactive.

Though the leader facilitates, let others join in and have their say. Don’t be selfish as the ‘sole leader.’

The subject of the prayer meeting needs to be interesting and relevant to the church members, encouraging them to engage and take part in the meeting.

The prayer leader should try to bring in fresh voices and draw out the more quiet ones as well as those more used to talking in public.

Fresh voices and regular speakers are important to have. Find these people before the meeting if necessary.

  1. Spirit of prayer

Members should come to the meeting in the spirit of prayer. People need to be prepared and focused, ready to lift up prayers to the Lord and expecting God to move in this corporate setting. This attitude of expectancy ought to be on their hearts week by week.

If the spirit of unity prevails and members come together in one accord, then as it happened in the days of old, so it will happen now, and God will move on those prayers and blessings will surely follow.

  1. A reflection of your relationship with God.

Many people give excuses or have no time for not attending the prayer meeting. Some reasons are genuine.  Daniel was a busy man, set over princes over 120 provinces but he found time to give thanks and pray 3 times a day.

  1. Prayer points

In a prayer meeting, points need to be brief and to the point. It is not in our many words that God will hear us. Most biblical prayers were short.

  1. Be definite

Be aware of sounding vague or uninterested – whether through boredom or lack of understanding of the subject matter: it can be a sign of formality rather than spirituality. Be clear and give shape to what you are presenting. Don’t allow yourself to be unengaged or half-hearted.

Be aware of praying about everything that can be touched upon. Leave something for those who follow to pray about.

Avoid being part of the ‘just generation.’ The just generation may pray something like this:

“Lord, I just….yeah, and if You would just…yeah, thank you, Lord. I just believe You will do this…yeah, thanks, amen.”

The just generation never complete their prayers aloud – they start their sentence off verbally and seem to finish it internally, like they are having a private conversation with the Lord. This does not benefit a public prayer meeting, or edify the church.

Avoid religious prayers.

  1. Believing God vs. unbelief

Many people pray but don’t expect an answer. Many are surprised when God answers their prayers – that is unbelief.

Remember Zachariah, when he prayed for a son? The angel Gabriel came from the throne room of God and told him that God had answered his prayer. Zachariah did not believe God’s messenger and so God silenced him until the child was born.

Are you surprised when God answers your prayers? Be expectant and confident, give Him thanks and allow God to move.

  1. Specific Prayers

Prayer meetings are for the members and should be for the benefit of God’s church and its members. At every meeting, specific prayers should be offered on behalf of:

(1) The church and its varied activities,

(2) the pastor and all in authority,

(3) the sick and those in need of support,

(4) the lost

(5) the coming Sunday service

(6) Israel

(7) Special prayers and ministry

Altar calls can be done at the prayer meeting. This is sometimes an easier place to receive the Lord than the main Sunday service.

The greatest need of the church today is more of the presence and power of the Spirit of God. If the church rises up in earnestness and persistence, I believe that there will be the greatest outpouring of revival the church has ever seen

.

May the good Lord help each one of us to be faithful in doing our share. Let us pray…

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Doctrine of Salvation 3 of 4

Posted on June 14, 2011 by fivetalents

Some good reasons for Salvation

2. We are saved to restore our relationship with god – to be reconciled back to Him and help others do the same.

When Adam disobeyed God, his relationship with Him was broken. Death entered in through the sin of Adam
The earth became cursed, generations sinned and there was a downward spiral heading for hell.

John 3:16-Jesus came to reconcile us all back to God 2 Cor:5-17-21, Jesus is coming again soon for a spotless bride. He has given us authority to rule. The government of God is the Kingdom of God

3. We are saved by the covenant of the blood sacrifice
• Gen 17:1-11 The sign of the covenant – circumcision in the flesh
• Romans 2:28-29 & Deut. 30:6 Circumcision is of the heart.
• Heb: 9:11-15, 22
• Lev. 17:11
• 1 Peter 1: 18-19
• Eph.1: 7
• Eph.2: 8-9, 13.
• 1 John 1:7
• Col.1: 19-22
• 2 cor.5: 17

“You must go to church every Sunday, you must read the bible every day, you must pray every day, you mustn’t sin.”

? How many of us have heard that? But does doing all those things save us? NO! Only going through the new birth will save us.

The new birth: Romans 8:1-4, 9-11, 12-17.

More key words to look at:
Justification, Righteousness, Redemption, Propitiation

Romans 3:21-26 Justification by faith in Jesus

Accounted to us as righteousness Romans 4:1-3
The effectual call is when it is your time and the Spirit draws you by the anointing. The faith to believe is a gift from God that you receive in an instant and get born again.

4. We are saved by God our Saviour, Jesus Christ our Lord
• Make no mistake – the Saviour is Jesus Christ our Lord who is fully God.
• When Jehovah’s Witnesses say that Jesus is the Saviour, but that He is not God, we need to point them to these passages of scripture in Isaiah – the same book of the title of their doctrine as ‘Jehovah’s withnesses’.

1. Isaiah 43:1: “I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour.”
2. “You are My witnesses,” says the Lord, “and My servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe Me, and understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed. Nor shall there be after Me. I, EVEN I, AM THE LORD, And besides Me there is no Saviour!” Is. 43:10-11
3. Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel, And His redeemer, the Lord of hosts; “I am the First, and I am the Last; besides Me there is no God.” Is.44:6
4. Truly you are God, who hide Yourself, O God of Israel, the saviour. Is.45:15
5. Israel shall be saved by the LORD, with an everlasting salvation, you shall not be ashamed or disgraced forever and ever. For thus says the Lord, who created the heavens, who is God, who formed the earth…I am the Lord and there is no other…Is.45:17-18
6. A just God and a Saviour” Isaiah 45:21a-24a
7. “I, the Lord, am your Saviour, and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.” Isaiah 60:16

• Jesus IS the promised Messiah:

a. “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6.

b. The name Jesus (Yeshua in Hebrew) means Yahweh is Salvation.

c. Messiah (Hebrew – Mashiach) means ‘The Anointed one’. In the OT priests and kings were anointed. The Anointed One is also from book of Isaiah, a specially anointed saviour who would save Israel and give them eternal peace. Messiah in the Greek is Christos, and in English is Christ.

d. Jesus is our anointed high priest and king.
• Malchi = King. ‘Melchizedek = My King is Righteous (or Legitimate). Melchizedek was the King of Salem to whom Abraham gave a tithe.

• Melchizedek is called the priest of God Most High. Many wonder whether Melchizedek may have been Jesus Himself as Jesus is also the priest of God Most High. The book of Hebrews says that Jesus is in the order of Melchizedek. Whether or not Melchizedek was an earlier incarnation of God or not, is not really clear, but it is not of paramount importance. Jesus is God and God has been present in our world since before creation and is so until now. In the Old Testament He is called the angel of the Lord and other names. The Holy Child (Jesus) as per Is.9:6 is also called the ‘Prince of Peace.’ Melchizedek is called King of Salem which means King of Peace.

• The Old Testament points to Jesus throughout. He is not a New Testament God. He is God incarnate (in – carnate = in carnal = in the flesh). Jesus is God as a man.
• Jesus the Messiah came to preach and demonstrate the message of God’s salvation for mankind
a. “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord…” Isaiah 61:1-3
b. This prophecy is repeated by Jesus in Luke 4:18-19 & v.21 where Jesus says, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
c. John the Baptist and many other disciples and the apostles confirmed the fulfilment of the prophecy:
• John 1:29: “The Lamb of God who takes away all sin…”
• John 1:34: This is the Son of God…”
• John 1:49: “You are the Son of God, the King of Israel”
• Matt. 1:21: “And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

e) Jesus was Rabbi and Teacher
a. This seems to be something overlooked or marginalised in the church, probably because the Jewish faith has not been much examined and the Jewishness of Jesus not greatly explored. I believe God doesn’t want us to ov er-look this anymore as we go back to the roots of our faith – because it IS a Jewish root and when Christ returns, He returns as a Jew. Remember, Jesus did NOT start a NEW religion, He came to teach and rightly interpret how mankind should live under God and be saved from eternal punishment. How? By believing in Him and following His example. By becoming His disciples.

b. But how many of us have read the various scriptures which refer to Jesus as ‘Teacher’ or ‘Rabbi’? Have we wondered how come He is called that? What does it mean?
• To be called a Rabbi one must have received religious training and studied under other respected Rabbis of the day. This is no doubt also true for Jesus.
• The last time we heard of Him doing such was when He was 12 years old and stayed behind in the Jerusalem temple amidst the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And what did He say to his mother when she asked Him why He had done this? “…I must be about My father’s business.” Luke 2:46-50. If this was His driving force at age 12, do you think He suddenly stopped and knuckled down to banging in nails and making tables and chairs?
• By the time Jesus began his public ministry, he would most likely have received the thorough religious training typical of the average Jewish man of his day, and probably spent years studying with one of the outstanding rabbis in the Galilee. Jesus thus appeared on the scene as a respected rabbi himself. He was recognized as such by his contemporaries, as passages in the New Testament illustrate:
• And Jesus answered and said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he said, “Rabbi, what is it?” (Luke 7:40)
• A lawyer asked him a question to test him: “Rabbi, what is the greatest commandment in the Torah?” (Matthew 22:35-36)
• And behold, a [rich] man came up to him and said, “Rabbi, what good thing must I do to have eternal life?” (Matthew 19:16)
• And someone in the crowd said to him, “Rabbi, order my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” (Luke 12:13)
• And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Rabbi, rebuke your disciples.” (Luke 19:39)
• Some of the Sadducees came up to him…and they asked him, saying, “Rabbi….” (Luke 20:27-28)
• Note the diversity of those who addressed Jesus? A fisherman, a lawyer, a rich man, ordinary people in the crowd, Pharisees, Sadducees…it seems that all of the Jewish society of Jesus’ day accepted that He was indeed a Rabbi even if they did not like or agree with His teaching. They certainly did want to know who He trained under and by what ‘authority’ He taught, as to the Jewish leaders, what He said was blasphemy.
• A trained rabbi cannot take on His own disciples until he is aged 30, which is precisely what Jesus did.

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