Not many mighty are called...

1 Corinthians 1:26 - KJV
For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not
many mighty, not many noble, are called.

   
1 Cor 1:26-27 -  GWT
 Brothers and sisters, consider what you were when God called you to be Christians. Not many of you were wise from a human point of view. You were not in powerful positions or in the upper social classes.

   
1 Cor 1:26-27 – TLB
 Notice among yourselves, dear brothers, that few of you who follow Christ have big names or power or wealth.  Instead, God has deliberately chosen to use ideas the world considers foolish and of little worth in order to shame those people considered by the world as wise and great.

You may think that you are a nobody, (not wise, not mighty, not noble according to the flesh) or even people might have called all sort of bad names foolish, chicken bone, “Good for nothing bad faced worm” etc

Don’t be discouraged because the scripture says that, those not wise, not mighty or not
noble according to the flesh are a key candidate to be called, for they have nothing to be boastful of.

And when He begins to use you, you will see His glory and power change your life.
.

(James 2:5) - paraphrased
God has chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith; as sons of God, and inherit the wealth of the kingdom.

There is a popular slogan which says God does not call the qualified but qualifies the called. God does not call those that seem perfect in their sight, No, he calls the imperfect to perfect them.

The Bible tells us Moses was a stammarer (Ex 4:10)
Peter was a fisherman and not a scholar (Matt 4:18-22)
Abraham was called alone and God made him father of nations (Isa 51:2)
Gideon was from the weakest clan in Manasseh (in Isreal) to save the whole Israel from the Midianites (Judg 6:11-16)
Amos from a shepherd to a Prophet (Amos 7:14-15)
Matthew from a tax collector to an apostle (Matt 9:9)
Rahab from a prostitute to a hero of faith (Josh 2:8-21)
Jephthah from the son of a prostitute to a Judge in Isreal (Judg 11)
Among others…

 My Brethren, don’t let anything hinder you from Jesus (your success), when you think that you are weak and small compared to others in the world, then Remember (1 Cor 12:6 – God has not called the mighty according to the flesh). This is when God can use you to do wonders to for Him! Rise up for Jesus!

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Top 10 things every new Christian should know - Part 2

Fact 7: You need to be baptized in Water

 Water baptism is necessary for every Christian. It is the Lord’s command. Peter declared “...Repent and be baptized, every one of you...” (Acts 2:38).

Water baptism in itself does not save you or wash away your sins, but is an act of your obedience in God’s Word.

 Symbolically, it shows that you have died to the old sinful life, and have risen  in the newness of the Life of Christ.

Fact 8: You need to Pray every day

 Prayer is the communication between you and God. Prayer is vital to your spiritual growth. God is your Heavenly Father, and He wants us to commune with each other. Not only will he answer your prayer requests, but as you pray He will provide specific guidance and strengthen us spiritually.

 The scripture says in (1 Thessalonians 5:17) to  “Pray continually,”. i.e every time (without season)

Fact 9: You should tell others about Christ

You have seen the light of God also help others by helping them to see this light. God will reward every labour of Love. Sharing the gospel as a Christian is a command by God (Mark 16:15). Let us be fruitful like Jesus

Fact 10: You need the Holy Ghost Baptism for Service 

The Holy Ghost is described as our Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener and Standby.
   
John 14:26 - AMP
 But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things…

We need to be baptized in the Holy Ghost for effective witness of Jesus Christ. It is a gift of power

(Acts 1:8 [KJV])
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Extra:

You need to know that Christian living is not a bed of roses.

As it is, we are sons of God, but in a wicked world, Jesus let us know that we will face persecution in this evil world but we should rejoice for he has overcome the world for us. People of this world we hate us, speak evil about us for we are no longer of this world (of their evil deeds).

(John 16:33 [KJV])
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Doctrine of Laying of Hands

The bible has  a lot to say about Laying of hands, but in summary laying of hands is used for the following purposes:

Transmitting of blessings/Ministering a gift
DEUTERONOMY 34:9
9 And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; FOR MOSES HAD LAID HIS HANDS UPON HIM: and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the Lord commanded Moses.

Transmitting of curses
EXODUS 29:10
10 And thou shalt cause a bullock to be brought before the tabernacle of the congregation: and Aaron and his sons shall put their hands upon the head of the bullock.

Healing the sick (Matt 16:17-18)
And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

Ordination into the ministry
ACTS 13:2,3
2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.

3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

Holy Ghost Baptism
(Acts 19:6 [KJV])
And when Paul had laid [his] hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

Summary (Heb 6:1-2)

These 10 can be summarized into 6 headings
REPENTANCE FROM DEAD WORKS- you are saved by faith not works
FAITH TOWARD GOD – trust in God, he is able
DOCTRINE OF BAPTISMS – baptism into the body of Christ, baptism of the Holy Ghost
LAYING ON OF HANDS – transferring of blessings/curses
RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD – the dead will resurrect to  be Judged
ETERNAL JUDGMENT – God will one day Judge all men,  one to the eternal condemnation and other to eternal life (Separation of sheep from goats)

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Top 10 things every new Christian should know

(Heb 6:1-2 [KJV])
Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; NOT LAYING AGAIN THE FOUNDATION OF REPENTANCE FROM DEAD WORKS, AND OF FAITH TOWARD GOD, OF THE DOCTRINE OF BAPTISMS, AND OF LAYING ON OF HANDS, AND OF RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD, AND OF ETERNAL JUDGMENT.

The greatest miracle/blessing that can ever happen to man is the miracle/blessing of salvation. It is the most important decision ever made by man; It is the beginning of a new life as a new creature (a child of God).

Here are top ten things that every new Christian should know

Fact 1: You are saved by faith not of works

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

It is not because you are good that you are saved, it is as a result of God’s overflowing mercy (His unmerited Grace). Every man was born bad (a Sinner/in a condemned state)

Fact 2: You are forgiven but not yet perfect

The idea that you are a Christian and that you can’t make mistakes is not true. You have a new born spirit (having the nature of God) but your soul (mind) and flesh is still that old one. Therefore you have to renew your mind with the word of God (for those God forbidden thoughts are still there) and put you flesh under ( for the flesh is at enmity with God, the desires of the flesh are sinful/carnal desires).

Therefore if we sin we have an advocate with the father Jesus Christ the righteous

1 John 2:1
My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous

Fact 3: You have the Spirit of God in you

When you gave your life to Jesus, you received the Holy Spirit into your heart. This is what makes you a part of the church – the spirit of God in you. This is not the same as Holy Ghost Baptism (which is accompanied with the evidence of speaking in tongues). There is the Spirit within (for personal edification) and the Spirit upon (for service, for witness) but nevertheless still the same Holy Spirit.
(Rom 8:9 [KJV])
But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. 

Fact 4: You have received Eternal Life

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

The scripture says that when you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour and receive him into your heart, you have received eternal life. In order words, when your physical body (earthly tabernacle) wears out and dies, your Spirit and soul will go to be with the Lord to spend eternity with Him! No condemnation (hell) for you.

Fact 5: You must keep living for Christ

You must understand that your salvation is based upon your “continued” relationship with Jesus. He has promised to keep you saved, as long as you keep believing and living for Him.

The Bible says, Christ will one day present us before God, holy and unblemished

“...If you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the Gospel” (Colossians 1:23).


(2Pet 1:5-11[KJV])
And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
For if these things be in you, and abound, they make [you that ye shall] neither [be] barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
WHEREFORE THE RATHER, BRETHREN, GIVE DILIGENCE TO MAKE YOUR CALLING AND ELECTION SURE: FOR IF YE DO THESE THINGS, YE SHALL NEVER FALL:
For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.


   
2 Peter 1:10-11 - TLB
 So, dear brothers, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen, and then you will never stumble or fall away.  And God will open wide the gates of heaven for you to enter into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

The doctrine of once saved can continue to sin and that there is no more condemnation for him is wrong. Living righteously is vital for every Christian, we need to keep living for Christ (Our new master)

Fact 6: You need to Study the Word of God daily

 The Bible is God’s manual for living. Just as you cannot operate a foreign equipment without the manual, likewise you cannot live a victorious Christian life outside God’s Word

 As a new Christian there are a lot of things God want to reveal to you.  God wants to show you his ways, He wants to guide you in this evil world  (The world is wicked, Satan is the god of this world and he wants evil to befall every man). The Father wants to be close to you. The study of the word of God will enlighten your mind and make you know more about God and Jesus.  Studying the bible daily will result in your Spiritual growth (2 Timothy 2:15).

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path” (Psalms 119:105).



To be continued tomorrow.... THANKS FOR READING

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Are Givers Losers?

II Cor. 9:6.
But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

Today, we want to know what God says about giving. Maybe givers are losers, if  giving means losing, if givers are just wasting their dear time and resources or perhaps they are not being prudent in their spending that is why they give.

Giving to God

Prov. 3:9, 10.
Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
Mal. 3:10
Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

Giving to Man

Prov. 11:24, 25
There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.

Luke 6:38
Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.


The Word of God clearly states that giving bring about receiving. Many want to receive but they don’t give, some other expect to receive much but they give little (maybe 1% of what they ought to give) but to their disappointment, they receive little.
God’s word cannot falter, giving abundantly bring about abundant receiving.

Acts 9:35-42 talks about a woman Dorcas who gives generously and cheerfully. Then one day she became sick and died of the illness. As a result of her generous act, people do not want to lose her to soon, Apostle Peter was called upon to pray for her and God raised her back to life. Her giving caught God’s attention.

In 1 Kings 17:9-16, The widow gave to Elijah (the Man of God) first and God really helped her, she was sustained, she did not die of hunger.

In Acts 10:1-5, Cornelius alms giving served as a memorial to God. As a result God sent an angel to him to show him the way of Salvation (The Greatest Blessing).

In Luke 21:2, God saw the widows mite.


These are just few out of the many scriptural illustrations about Giving. God loves a cheerful Giver. God himself is the first Giver, He gave us all we have, He created the earth and yet gave the earth to man, God gave his only begotten son for our sins, He gave us the Holy Spirit as a guarantee that he will take us to heaven.



Nowadays there are a lot of unscriptural givings, people cajole and even threaten people to give, Here are some of their tactics:
“Give me, or are you not a Christian”
“Give or you will die”
“Give for a 100 fold multiplication”
“God told me to inform you that, you should sow your car, house, properties to me for a 10 fold increase”

GIVING IS GOOD, WE SHOULD HAVE A GIVING ATTITUDE

How Giving should be done (2 Cor 9:7)

Giving should be done from the bottom of the heart
It should be done cheerfully.
It should not be done reluctantly
It should not be done in compulsion (i.e I must give or else I will be face punishment) or of necessity(2 Cor 9:7 - KJV)
It should be done in faith
It should be done in LOVE

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2 vital ingredients to make your faith FAITH

Today we will be discussing on the two vital/central ingredients for faith. Faith without these ingredients is faith that amounts to nothing (comes to naught).

Ingredient one:  LOVE (AGAPE)

Galatians 5:6 says,
"For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love."

Faith that worketh by love is the God kind of faith for God is love.

1 Corinthians 13: 2
And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and
though I have ALL FAITH, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity [the God-kind of love], I am nothing.

When we talk about LOVE, we mean agape, there are four types of love (friendship, erotic, etc), but the love we are talking about is AGAPE, KJV Version of the bible uses CHARITY for the word AGAPE. AGAPE is God kind of LOVE – a selfless love, love that does not fail (stop)

1 Corinthians 13 speaks in details about AGAPE/CHARITY.

Love is greater than faith. It takes love to make faith FAITH.

Ingredient two:  HOPE

Second, faith won't work without hope. The New English translation of Hebrews 11:1 says, "Faith gives substance to our hopes." You have to hope for something before your faith can give confidence (substance) to it. So faith is also dependent on hope.

HEBREWS 11:1
Now FAITH is the confidence (substance) of things HOPED FOR, the evidence of things not seen.

You see, if you don't hope for anything, your faith can't work because it has no goal or object to believe God for.

Some have said, “Well, I’m just waiting on God or I’m believing God.” Some of those people have been waiting for years, and they haven’t done anything. They are not really waiting on God—God has been waiting on them. They have made a decision by doing nothing.

Therefore, faith can't work without hope.

Since hope is vital for faith,  Where can we get hope:

You can always go to the Word of God and get some hope (God’s promises). People think we only get spiritual hope from the bible but not physical or financial hope. This is not true, Regardless of whether it is physical, financial, or spiritual, The bible is there for us. When your situation seems to be hopeless, go to the Word of God. God’s Word is hope for you.

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God cannot lie...

God’s Word cannot waver

The Veracity of God’s Word

(Num 23:19 [KJV])
God [is] not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do [it]? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?


Brethren, God’s Word is always true and does not change. It is absolute not relative. God’s word does not change with time, it is timeless. God’s Word can never fail. He can’t say one thing and mean or do another. God is not a politician that will play pranks with his Word. You can rely on God’s Word. It is infallible.

By two immutable things God cannot lie.

(Heb 6:18 [KJV])
That by two immutable things, in which [it was] impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:


Are you downcast (in a bitter state/depressed mood) because a breakthrough that you have been praying for has not yet come to pass? Perhaps it has taken some time now (days, weeks or even month) and you are asking, "How will I know that I will obtain it?" Abraham faced the same situation and God guaranteed him by covenant (Gen 15:8-21), so that by two immutable things; The ‘INFALIBILITY OF HIS WORD (IMMUTABILITY OF HIS COUNSEL)’ and ‘THE OATH’ God cannot lie.

My brethren, God has bound Himself to a covenant, an irreversible guarantee of His blessings and provision in your life, and it is all for our benefit. THE BREAKTHROUGH YOU ARE WAITING FOR IS GUARANTEED BY AN OATH YOU NEED NOT BE DISCOURAGED!

By Patience inherit the promise

(Heb 6:15 [KJV])
And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.


Patience cannot be left out in or Work with God. God is a patient God so we his sons should learn from our father. Patience is one of the fruit of the spirit, It is a virtue. We leave in a world where everyone wants it fast (fast foods, fast everything) but Patience is a key to receiving the promise of God in our lives.

(Heb 10:35-36 [KJV])

Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.  FOR YE HAVE NEED OF PATIENCE, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

Delay is not denial; Let us have patience in our walk with God.

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Who is an infidel?

Who is an INFIDEL?    KNOWING IT IS TO BELIEVE-IT

This is a true story and the author, Rick Mathes, is a well-known leader in prison ministry.

The man who walks with God always gets to his destination.

If you have a pulse you have a purpose.

The Muslim religion is the fastest
growing religion per capita in the
United States, especially in the
minority races!!

Last month I attended my annual
training session that's required for
maintaining my state prison security clearance.

During the training session there was a presentation by three speakers
representing the Roman Catholic, Protestant and Muslim faiths,
who each explained their beliefs.

I was particularly interested in what the Islamic had to say.
The Muslim gave a great presentation of the basics of Islam, complete with a video.

After the presentations, time was provided for questions and answers.
When it was my turn, I directed my question to the Muslim and asked:

'Please, correct me if I'm wrong, but I understand that most Imams and clerics of Islam have declared a holy jihad [Holy war] against the
infidels of the world and, that by killing an infidel, (which is a command to all Muslims) they are assured of a place in heaven.

If that's the case, can you give me the definition of an infidel?'

There was no disagreement with my statements and, without hesitation,
he replied, 'Non-believers!'

I responded, 'So, let me make sure I have this straight. All followers of
Allah have been commanded to kill everyone who is not of your faith so they can have a place in heaven.

Is that correct?'

The expression on his face changed from one of authority and command to that of a little boy who had just been caught with his hand in the cookie jar.'

He sheepishly replied, 'Yes.'

I then stated, 'Well, sir, I have a real problem trying to imagine The Pope commanding all Catholics to kill those of your faith or Dr. Stanley ordering all Protestants to do the same in order to guarantee them a place in heaven!'

The Muslim was speechless!

I continued, 'I also have a problem with being your friend when you and your
brother clerics are telling your followers to kill me! Let me ask you a question:

Would you rather have your Allah, who tells you to kill me in order for you to go to
heaven, or my Jesus who tells me to love you because I am going to heaven and He wants you to be there with me?'

 You could have heard a pin drop as the Imam hung his head in shame.

Needless to say, the organizers and/or promoters of the 'Diversification' training seminar were not happy with my way of dealing with the Islamic Imam,
and exposing the truth about the Muslims' beliefs.

In twenty years there will be enough Muslim voters in the U.S. to elect the President!

I think everyone in the WORLD!!! should be required to read this,
but with the ACLU, there is no way this will be widely
publicized, unless each of us sends it on! This is your chance
to make a difference...

Please, for Christ's sake, send it on!

follow@ faithsuccess.org

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