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Showing posts from April, 2016

STILL ROBBING GOD?

Still robbing God? Some Sundays ago, I stood there teaching and leading songs at the Lord's church in Asaba. When you lead, you see a wide array of singers: happy, interested, motivated, detached, disgruntled and even mute. Malachi 3:8-9 (AKJV)  Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed me. But you say, Wherein have we robbed you? In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse: for you have robbed me, even this whole nation. Hebrews 13:15 (AKJV)  By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. I got wondering if God really would accept what we bring as an offering today. What was an oblation of bulls and rams have been substituted with songs of praise in this new covenant. I think it's easier and even better. For we now have an opportunity to pour our heart felt feelings of gratitude as we make melody in songs to our great God. Those of old robbed God. They offered what the...

Keep Headquarters Close

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Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners, and purify your hearts, ye double-minded. (James 4:8) (KJV) When we hear the term "headquarters" what normally comes to mind is the "meeting place," or "the place where everything is going on," or even "starting place". Or we can even say the term "headquarters" denotes the place where needs can be met or perhaps protection can be found. Certainly at "headquarters instructions can be given before proceeding further. It is a place of authority. If in this particular juncture in your Christian experience you feel lost, or in the dark, or can't quite find your direction, I challenge you to worship God. I believe that worship is an avenue, along with prayer, that will get us to Headquarters. The throne of God is the meeting place or the place of authority when we find ourselves in need of instruction before we move forward. When mi...

I'm Not Crazy; I'm Just Walking Out My Purpose

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And so, having obtained help from God, I stand to this day testifying both to small and great, stating nothing but what the Prophets and Moses said was going to take place; that the Christ was to suffer, and that by reason of His resurrection from the dead He should be the first to proclaim light both to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles." And while Paul was saying this in his defense, Festus said in a loud voice, "Paul, you are out of your mind! Your great learning is driving you mad." But Paul said, I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I utter words of sober truth. For the king knows about these matters, and I speak to him also with confidence, since I am persuaded that none of these things escape his notice; for this has not been done in a corner . (Acts 26:22-26, NASB) When you know your God-given purpose everybody won't stand with you. It isn't because they don't like you or don't want you around - it's be...

It's Going to Cost You

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I cry out to God without holding back. Oh, that God would listen to me! When I was in deep trouble, I searched for the Lord. All night long I pray, with hands lifted toward heaven, pleading. O God, your ways are holy. Is there any god as mighty as you? You are the God of miracles and wonders ! (Psalm 77:1-2(b); 13-14(a)), NLT) Why do so many of us come into God's presence unprepared? By "unprepared" I mean we have spent no time in His presence during the week. So when Sunday comes we expect to be pumped up by the choir, the preacher, the praise team, etc. But we've got it twisted. I know this may come across hard, but stay with me. There is a vast difference between a huge department store and the dollar store. Everything is cheaper in the dollar stores, whereas in the huge department stores you're going to spend much more because the quality of the product is better. It cost more, but you made the sacrifice to have it because the b...

The Christian Duty to Praise God

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                                             “We are bound to thank God always for you, Brethren, as it is fitting.” Whether we shall praise God or not, is not left to our opinion. Although the Commandments say not, “You shall praise the Lord,” yet praise is God’s most righteous due and every man, as a partaker of God’s bounty, and especially every Christian, is bound to praise God, as it is fitting. It is true we have no authoritative rubric for daily praise. We have no commandment left on record especially prescribing certain hours of song and thanksgiving. But still the law written upon the heart teaches us with Divine Authority that it is right to praise God. And this unwritten mandate has as much power and authority about it as if it had been recorded on the tablets of stone, or handed to us from the top of thundering Sinai! The Christian’s duty is to p...