Tag: Discourse on ostentation

Posted in GOD'S KINGDOM, JESUS

BECAUSE HE LIVES

Posted on by Uplifting Christ
Cover of "He Lives"
Cover of He Lives

DON’T FOLLOW THE MULTITUDE

Most (about 90%) of us are worried about the future. They are talking the wrong talks. They have conformed themselves to the world (which has nothing good to offer). So if the world (which has nothing good to offer) is suffering, they are suffering. If the economy is going down, they are going down with it. Romans 12:2 encourages us (as children of God, followers of Jesus Christ) to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. We are God’s people. We belong to Zion. All things are possible with God.

GOD IS YOUR FATHER

Have you seen a son of a president begging for job, food, cloth, accommodation, etc? Or worrying because he will be unemployed, hungry, naked, etc? O FAITHLESS GENERATION! Although the unemployment rate may be high, there may be famine, etc., they don’t affect him as the president’ son. Jesus said in Matthew 6: 25 that “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or drink; or about your body, what you will wear” The Creator of the universe is your Father. You are the son or daughter of the I AM. He knows what you need before you ask Him. The good news is He owns all things. If God is your Father, Jesus is your High Priest and the Holy Spirit is on the inside of you,Everything you would ever need in life has been made available. The Lord is your shepherd, you shall not want in life. Psalms 23.

FACE THE FUTURE WITH HOPE

Let us face the future with hope and a believing heart because the Light (JESUS) of the world has not been extinguished and cannot be extinguished.

Because He lives, we know that the future is bright. What you focus on magnifies. If you focus on your problems, they will magnify. I will advise you focus on Jesus; He is the Light that shines before us. Though the path ahead may be dark, He will shine before us. Hebrews 8:13 says Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Paul said in Romans 8:31-32 that if God be for us, who can be against us? He (GOD) who didn’t spare His own son (JESUS), but gave Him (JESUS) up for us – how will He not also, alongside with Him (JESUS) graciously give us all things? It’s high time we stopped worrying about the future because God has already made the necessary provisions for us. Let us pray each day, asking the Lord to show us the way, the right way or path to succeed. Faithful is He who has called us. He will do it.

 OUR ADVERSARY

Satan wants to hinder us from enjoying God’s best for our lives. The next time he shows up in your life, trying to make you feel like you don’t qualify for God’s grace. To make you feel like you don’t qualify for a job, you don’t deserve that promotion. You won’t have a bright future. That sickness is going to kill you. Your friends are better than you, they are talented but you are not. You are poor, you can’t make it, etc., just tell him this “Satan, Jesus defeated you years ago. I belong to Jesus. You have no power over me. If Jesus hadn’t resurrected, the story would have been different. But Jesus rose from the dead. He has given me power over you. I am the bona fide property of The Most High God. No Weapon forged against me will prosper. Every tongue that rises against me is condemned. I am equipped with possibilities. And because He lives, I can do all things. I am talented. I am healed. I can get that job, that promotion. I am not poor because He was made poor so I can be rich. No man can curse me. I am the greatest person the world ever saw.” As you make such declaration, Satan will be paralyzed. He won’t have power over you. Just as the pilot controls the plane, Satan wants to control your life. Resist the devil and he shall flee you. If he comes through a person to talk you down, resist such person. It could be your spouse, friend, brother, sister, pastor, mother, father, etc.  

BEST DAYS AHEAD

The life we live today is better than yesterday’s. And because He lives, the BEST Life is ahead of us. Quit worrying about those things you couldn’t do in the past life. The present is what you have. Make the right choices today to enjoy a better life tomorrow. Our life is not a mournful vigil over our sinful past and present. No, life is a hope – filled journey into God’s intended future. And Because He lives, we know that “death is no longer what defines life, but rather life (has become) what defines death.”

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow Because He lives, all fear is gone Because I know He holds the future, And life is worth the living, just because He lives

Related articles
Posted in GOD'S KINGDOM

Seek First the Kingdom of God

Posted on by Uplifting Christ

 “… Seek first the kingdom of God …” Matthew 6:33. Jesus talked about the things we need on earth. He knew man would have to put on clothes, eat, and drink. He knew a time would come for technology to develop so much that people cannot live without them, Yet He said we should not worry about them. Whenever I start to think about this particular verse in the Bible, the first question that pops into my mind is; How possible would it be for one to forget or pause all he’s doing and focus on God’s kingdom ?

What Jesus meant was that in all our daily activities, the first thing we should consider is God, Him (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit. From the world’s point of view, it is impossible but as a child of God, all things are possible, and you can do all things through Christ who gives you strength. We would consult Him before we act.

Heaven is our home therefore it would be unwise to build for ourselves treasures on earth. Our focus must be on God and His Kingdom everyday. Before we make any decision, we must consult our Maker to see if that would please Him. Surprisingly, “we make God our last resort; we turn to Him at the last hour. We search for wives, riches, strength, happiness, families, etc. before God.” – De Preacher. When all hope is gone, that is when we turn to Him. In 1 Samuel 23 “One day news came to David that the Philistines were at Keilah stealing grain from the threshing floors. 2 David asked the LORD, “Should I go and attack them?” “Yes, go and save Keilah,” the LORD told him.”

God wants us to be happy and prosperous in all we do. He is not a heartless, and a selfish Father who loves to see His children suffering. No, He is not. He is generous, Kind, loving, compassionate, etc. He wants us to seek His Kingdom first. When we are living in His Kingdom, anything is Possible. He comes close to us, He lives in us, and He has a rich relationship with us through His Spirit. God feels so sorry for us when we spend time fighting and struggling for physical need. We fight for what will make the flesh comfortable and ignore the soul. Remember what Jesus said “ what good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Matthew 16:26 (NIV)

For us to make right decisions that would make us live better as we journey to Heaven, we must seek first the kingdom of God and  his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto us. Matthew 6:33 (KJV). In 1 John 2:15-17, we are told not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the father is not in him. For everything in the world – the craving of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does – comes not from the Father but the world. The World and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.

Do you want to live forever? Seek His Kingdom.

Jesus wants us to store our treasures in heaven as that is more rewarding. Everything we see would pass away. When Hurricanes, typhoons, earthquakes rumors come out, I see most people leaving their house, cars, businesses, etc on TV. To those people, the important thing, at that time, is their LIVES. Why can’t we pick lessons from those disasters? “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.” Matthew 6:19-20. (NIV)

We can seek the kingdom of God when we store our treasures in heaven. In other words, when we say no to the flesh and its desires, and make heaven our focus, knowing that everything on earth would pass away. “Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.” Matthew 6:21

Benefits of seeking God’s kingdom first:

  • Eternal life. we would live a righteous life and make our way through the narrow gate
  • Happiness. we would happily enjoy our wealth on earth.
  • Death would be a gain. we wouldn’t be afraid to die because we know that our greatest investment is awaiting us in heaven.
  • The flesh would be crucified: The flesh would no longer dictate for us.  we would be free from the law of sin and death
  • Better life in Christ: everything we do will prosper. Our lives would be testimonies for others.

Seek ye first his kingdom.