DON'T COMPLAIN; GIVE THANKS!

Agape Embassy ministries DAILY DEVOTIONAL:

Topic:
DON'T COMPLAIN; GIVE THANKS!
Sunday, JULY 27TH,2014.

Giving thanks unto. the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light (Colossians 1:12).

Christians who haven't learnt the value of thanksgiving have so many blessings elude them. Rather than complain and lament to God about your life or situation, you're to be thankful to Him for qualifying you to be a partaker of the inheritance of the saints in light. Many are not thankful because they only think about what they're going through—their lack and needs—instead of seeing themselves in glory. Every Christian is an heir of God, and a joint-heir with Christ; recognize it and be thankful.

When you express gratitude to the Lord for your present level, He'll do more for you; He'll take you higher. Do you recall the story of the ten lepers that Jesus healed? Only one of them returned to express gratitude to the Master for the healing, and he received more; he was made whole. His extremities that were eaten away by the leprosy were restored (Luke 17:11-19).

It brings to mind a certain man who was healed in one of our meetings. The man was deaf in both ears, but as the meeting progressed, under such a great anointing, he suddenly realized he could hear from one ear. He was so ecstatic about the miracle that he immediately started making his way to the testimony line. He had only taken a few steps when his second ear popped open. That's the power of a grateful heart. There're people whose circumstances will never change until they learn to be thankful. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, "In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."

Learn to count your blessings and glorify God for who He is, and for what He's done for you. There's nothing you need in your life today or would ever need, that He hasn't already provided. 1 Corinthians 3:21 says all things are yours. Your life, therefore, should be one of praise and gratitude to Him for giving you all things: "According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue" (2 Peter 1:3).

PRAYER
Dear Father, I thank you for blessing me exceedingly, and giving me all things that pertain to life and godliness. My heart is filled with praise and gratitude for the life of continual victories you've brought me into. I'm full of your glory, beauty, and grace, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY :
Psalm 140:13(CEV) Your people will praise you and will live with you because they do right.

Psalm 50:23(CEV) The sacrifice that honors me is a thankful heart.Obey me, and I, your God,
will show my power to save.

Hosea 14:2(CEV) Return to the [Lord] and say,"Please forgive our sins.Accept our good sacrifices of praise instead of bulls.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING:

1 Year Bible Reading Plan:
Romans 1:18-32; Psalm 35-37

For more of agape devotionals visit : Agapembassyministries.org.

FaithSuccess wishes you a blessed Sunday

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Think about God Always - God's will for man

Thinking about God at all times and in all conditions

(Col 3:1-3 [KJV])
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.


(Heb 12:2 [KJV])
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.


(Isa 26:3 [KJV])
Thou wilt keep [him] in perfect peace, [whose] mind [is] stayed [on thee]: because he trusteth in thee.

Every Man inherited Self consciousness as a result of Adam’s Sin

It says in Genesis 2:25, “And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.”

After the Sin (Eating of the forbidden fruit),  All of a sudden, they knew they were naked. They had never thought about it before. They were never conscious of their nakedness before.

Adam and Eve were now fully self-conscious, which made them fully vulnerable to evil

Mankind was created to be so God conscious that they honestly didn’t even notice themselves. There was no self-consciousness. They were totally God conscious, not self-conscious. That’s the way God created us to be—to be so conscious of Him that we didn’t even know if we were clothed or not.

Jesus came to restore this back

Jesus came to free us from self consciousness and restore our God consciousness. Everything we lost in Adam, we have in Second Adam (Jesus).
Jesus was God conscious at all times
Jesus was God conscious during his temptation - (Matt 4:3-11)
Jesus was God conscious even in the Storm (Matt 8:26)
Jesus was God conscious even when he was to be Crucified. (Luke 22:42, Matt 26:39, Matt 27:46).
Jesus was 100% victorious because he trusted in His God always. He was God conscious always

God consciousness is a key to victory

Genesis 37-50 tells us of the story of Joseph. How Joseph, from zero became a hero
 But have you ever thought of what mindset Joseph had that resulted in such a huge translation (From Dungeon to the Throne)

The reason is that. Joseph was filled with the consciousness of God at all times.

(Gen 39:8-9 [KJV])
But he refused, and said unto his master's wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what [is] with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand;
 [There is] none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou [art] his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin AGAINST GOD?

Today some people mistake God consciousness with Sin consciousness, they think Joseph Sin consciousness made him an hero. No! It was his God consciousness that made him and hero not Sin consciousness
Sometimes it’s necessary to confess sins, but it never feels good.

Sin & Self consciousness leads to failures, worry etc while God consciousness (how great God his) results in peace
No matter how much He loves you, if you’re not conscious and aware of it, it is not going to do you any good.

God consciousness a key to success
God consciousness was the reason for David’s Success. See:

(1Sam 17:37 [KJV])
David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.

(1Sam 17:45-46 [KJV])
Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.
This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.

Renewing the mind - Rom 12:2

The mind is corrupt (self conscious, selfish, evil etc), make it God conscious.

What we should think on

Beloved, we should not feed on negative words of man or the devil. It will only cause you to be
anxious and fearful. Feed on God's Word by reading the Bible, Pray in the Holy Ghost (Pray & speak in tongues) and listen to faith messages about who you are in Jesus Christ and what Jesus has done for you.



FAITH SUCCESS DECLARES - HAVE A GOD CONSCIOUS LIFETIME!

Also Read
GOD LOVES YOU
CONFESSION BRINGS POSSESSION
THINGS YOU SHOULD NOT CONFESS
TOP REASON THE DEVIL CANNOT HAVE VICTORY OVER YOU

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EMPOWERED WITH ALL MIGHT

AGAPEEMBASSY DAILY DEVOTIONAL:

THURSDAY, JULY 24TH, 2014.

…That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness (Colossians 1:9-11).

It's God's will for us to be strengthened; that is, empowered with ALL might (miracle-working) power in our spirits! Ponder on that for a moment. He wants us filled, not with some of His power, but with all of it. He's dealing here with "dunamis" (Greek); inherent power. He wants this power working in you.

This shouldn't be difficult for any Christian to comprehend at all, because the one who's born again, and has received the Holy Spirit, has received the power of God; for the Holy Spirit is the power of God. Acts 1:8 says, "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you…." The question now is, how can you make this power you have inside you, work for you?

The first thing is to recognize that you have it in you. You don't need to ask God for more power. The power of God is in you. That means you can't be disadvantaged. Acknowledge this about yourself always. In Philippians 4:13, Paul didn't say, "O God, I pray you'll give me power to do all things." Realizing that all the power he needed was already in him, he declared, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

Secondly, know that the power you've received works with attitude. Yes, you've been empowered with all might, and can do all things, but you must balance it with good character: love, patience, joyfulness, meekness, and humility. Observe that the latter part of our opening verse says, "…Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power,unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness."

Some people endure with anger when they face certain situations. But we're admonished to endure with joyfulness; patient and hopeful that the righteousness of God will be established in that situation. Therefore, in exercising your power to do anything, and effect changes in your life and in your environment, do so with patience, longsuffering (endurance), joyfulness, and humility.

CONFESSION:
I'm strengthened with all might by God's Spirit in my inner man. I have the right attitude of humility in the face of staggering opposition. Glory to God!

FURTHER STUDY:
2 Corinthians 3:5(CEV) We don't have the right to claim that we have done anything on our own. God gives us what it takes to do all we do.
Ephesians 3:20(CEV) I pray that Christ Jesus and the church will forever bring praise to God. His power at work in us can do far more than we dare ask or imagine. Amen.
DAILY SCRIPTURE READING:

1 Year Bible Reading Plan:
Acts 28:17-31;Psalm 30-31

www.agapeembassyministries.org

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Must Know Reasons why you should become a Christian

The word translated "religion" means "the outward practice, the service of a god." 
"Religion" and "religious" in Elizabethan English were used frequently to denote the outward expression of worship.

Most world religions have a creation story, a deliverance story, a revelation story, some kind of messiah (which others model after), set of do’s and dont's to appease God etc. Each religion has its own theorem. For example, Mormonism have their ‘many gods theorem’. Islam have their ‘7 heavens theorem’ amongst other theorems. Some religions have their reincarnation theorem, while others don’t.  Some believes there is a hell, while others disagree.

But what makes Christianity unique. Can it really be that there is one God with many religions to reach Him? No Certainly Not! Religions contradict each other; therefore, it cannot all be true that all religions leads to the true God (Almighty God)

"What makes Christianity unique?"

Christianity is the only religion where God has revealed himself to man. All others try to reach God by propounding principles and theorems. 

The burden of religion (man trying to please God in his own strength) is a grievous one (Matt 23:4)

Christianity is a relationship with God.

Christianity is LOVE. It doesn’t take pleasure in the misfortune of anyone even the worst offender

Christianity is not burdensome (Matt 11:28-30). Love lightens burdens.

Christianity is backed up with Signs and Wonders

• Jesus rose from the dead (Luke 24:39; John 20:27).
• Jesus appeared to disciples after resurrection (John 20:19).
• Jesus cast out demons (Matt. 8:28-32; 15:22-28).
• Jesus healed lepers (Matt. 8:3; Luke 17:14).
• Jesus healed diseases (Matt. 4:23, 24; Luke 6:17-19).
• Jesus healed the paralytic (Mark 2:3-12).
• Jesus raised the dead (Matt. 9:25; John 11:43-44).
• Jesus restored sight to the blind (Matt. 9:27-30; John 9:1-7).
• Jesus restored/cured deafness (Mark 7:32-35).
• Jesus calmed a storm with a command (Matt. 8:22-27; Mark 4:39).
• Jesus fed the multitude (Matt. 14:15-21; Matt. 15:32-38).
• Jesus walked on water (Matt. 14:25-27).
• Amongst many others…

Christianity has one source of Information (the Bible) – which is the inerrant Word of God

Christianity is the only religion that proves its authenticity by its Messiah rising from the dead never to die again (No other religions can and will be able to do this).

All man's present and eternal needs are met by the Bible (Christian)

Christianity is a religion of True Peace. 

Christianity is spiritually and morally powerful

Approx 3,300 verses (of the Christian Bible) have been fulfilled and still counting – Awesome!

 Among many others…

To be continued….


Also Read:
How to become a Christian (Sinners Prayer)
Understanding Salvation
The State of Man

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What I learnt in church on Sunday

I had already concluded this topic (Killer Tips to having a happy and successful marriage), permit me to add what I learnt yesterday (Sunday) from a guest speaker – Pastor Adeyemi on Marriage.


Eccl 4:9 Two [are] better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
Eccl 4:10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him [that is] alone when he falleth; for [he hath] not another to help him up.
Eccl 4:11 Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm [alone]?
Eccl 4:12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Two (2) has become one so whatever you are doing carry your wife along.

Husband carry your wife along
Wife carry your husband along

Where there is unity, there is progress

 None should lay claim to anything individually. ‘MY OWN’ then becomes ‘OUR OWN’

OUR children NOT my children
OUR car not my car
Our account not my account
OUR parents not my parents. Note when the two married, my parent now becomes our parent. It is no longer my parent. Each one now has (2 mummys and 2 daddies).

Then the following takes place

You do virtually everything together
Talk together
Eat together
Stay together
Bath together
Do everything together

TWO HAVE BECOME ONE. THEY ARE NO LONGER TWO BUT ONE
SO WHATEVER GOD HAS JOINED TOGETHER LET NO MAN PUT ASUNDER.

Matt 19:4 -6
Jesus answered, “Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator made them male and female,
 and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and will be united with his wife, and the two will become one flesh’?
 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”


NOTE: AFTER THE WEDDING, THE TWO HAVE BECOME WELDED TOGETHER

PRACTICE THIS WHILE NOT FORGETTING THE OTHER (LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS AND SELF CONTROL) AND YOU WILL EXPERIENCE A BLISSFUL MARRIAGE.

WISHING YOU ALL A HEAVEN ON EARTH MARRIAGE.

THANKS

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Killer Tips to Having a happy and successful Marriage - Part 2

Today we will be concluding the topic we started Yesterday - Killer Tips to Having a Happy and Successful Marriage

7. Faithfulness

Infidelity kills marriage. Husbands should be faithful to their wives, likewise wives to their husbands. Extramarital affair is an abomination, it kills.
(Heb 13:4 [KJV])
Marriage [is] honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

(Prov 5:19 [NET])
​​​​​​​a loving doe, a graceful deer; may her breasts satisfy you AT ALL TIMES (always), may you be captivated by her love ALWAYS. 

(Prov 6:26 [KJV])
For by means of a whorish woman [a man is brought] to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life.

8. Gentleness

 (Prov 15:1 [NET])
​​​​​​​A gentle response turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath.

(Ps 147:6 [KJV])
The LORD lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground.

 (Ps 37:11 [KJV])
But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

Husbands should not be harsh to their wives, likewise wives shoulnt be harsh to their husbands.
The meek will enjoy their marriage. If both parties are meek, it makes an awesome marriage.

9. Self Control

(1Cor 13:5 [KJV])
Love… is not easily PROVOKED… 

(Prov 25:28 [KJV])
He that [hath] no rule over his own spirit [is like] a city [that is] broken down, [and] without walls. 

Arguments, conflict and, all too often, shouting matches is not healthy for a marriage. Husbands and wife should learn to exercise self control over themselves.
Arguing, quarelling and Fighting in the presence of the children leaves a negative impact on them. This is not healthy.
The best solution instead involves seeking peace, settling your misunderstandings quietly in the bedroom not in the sitting room.

Where Men fail in marriages

1. Selfishness

It is generally accepted by marriage counselors that a man is more apt to be selfish. He is more demanding, more inclined to think of his own bodily comfort, often at his wife’s expense.

2. Harshness

(Eph 4:32 [NET])
Instead, be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ also forgave you.

(Eph 5:28 [KJV])
So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.

3. Adultery

(Heb 13:4 [KJV])
Marriage [is] honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

4. Dishonesty

(Prov 11:1 [NET])
​​​​​​​The LORD abhors dishonest scales, but an accurate weight is his delight.

(Prov 20:10 [NET])
​​​​​​​Diverse weights and diverse measures – the LORD abhors both of them.

(Prov 20:23 [NET])
​​​​​​​The LORD abhors differing weights, and dishonest scales are wicked.

5. Criticism

Some husbands are given to criticism.
(Matt 7:3 [KJV])
And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

(Matt 7:1 [KJV])
Judge not, that ye be not judged.

6. Not being head over their homes

(Eph 5:23 [KJV])
For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.

(1Tim 3:12 [KJV])
Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

Where Women fail in marriages

1. Nagging

(Prov 19:13 [KJV])
A foolish son [is] the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife [are] a continual dropping.

(Prov 21:9 [KJV])
[It is] better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.

(Prov 21:9 [NET])
​​​​​​​It is better to live on a corner of the housetop than in a house in company with a quarrelsome wife.

2. Domineering Tendencies

A man is the head of the house and not a woman
(Eph 5:23 [KJV])
For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.

3. Adultery

(1Tim 5:6 [KJV])
But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.

4. Ungratefulness

(Col 3:15 [NET])
Let the peace of Christ be in control in your heart (for you were in fact called as one body to this peace), and be thankful.

Ungrateful women don’t receive a lot from their hubby because they don’t appreciate it.

5. Idleness  - Full housewife

(Prov 31:27 [KJV])
She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

(Prov 31:31 [KJV])
Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

6. Gossip

(1Tim 5:13 [KJV])
And withal they learn [to be] idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and BUSYBODIES, speaking things which they ought not.

7. Slander

(1Tim 3:11 [NET])
Likewise also their wives must be dignified, not SLANDEROUS, temperate, faithful in every respect.

FAITH SUCCESS WISHES YOU A BLISSFUL MARRIAGE 

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Killer tips to having a happy/successful marriage

9 Keys/Formulas for a successful & Happy Marriage

LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE/LONGSUFFERING, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS & SELF CONTROL

(Gal 5:22-23 [NET])
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.


LIKEWISE,
The Keys to a successful marriage is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: AGAINST SUCH there is no KEY.

THE NUMBER ONE KEY (MAIN KEY) TO A SUCCESSFUL MARRIAGE IS LOVE (AGAPE)

1.    Love (Selfless Love – God kind of Love; Agape)
(Eph 5:25 [KJV])
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

Characteristics of true love (agape)

(1Cor 13:4-7 [KJV])
Charity SUFFERETH LONG, [and] is KIND; charity ENVIETH NOT; charity VAUNTETH NOT ITSELF, is NOT PUFFED UP,
DOTH NOT BEHAVE ITSELF UNSEEMLY, SEEKETH NOT HER OWN, IS NOT EASILY PROVOKED, THINKETH NO EVIL;
REJOICETH NOT IN INIQUITY, but rejoiceth in the truth;
BEARETH ALL THINGS, BELIEVETH ALL THINGS, HOPETH ALL THINGS, ENDURETH ALL THINGS.

The Kind of Love we are talking about is the God kind of Love (Agape). It is not the natural human love. It is the divine Love given to an individual when he becomes born again (Galatians 5:5).

2.    Joy

(Prov 5:18 [KJV])
Let thy fountain be blessed: and REJOICE with the wife of thy youth.

(Eccl 9:9 [KJV])
Live JOYFULLY with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life…, which he hath given thee under the sun…

The Bible tells us that husbands should live joyfully with their wives. Both partners should live joyfully with each other, this applies to both husbands and wives not husbands alone. Nevertheless women are known to be joyful while the husband stern and frowns face, No wonder the bible addresses this verse to husbands. Please Mr. Stern! Live joyfully with your wife, be joyful always.

3.    Peace

(Prov 15:1 [NET])
​​​​​​​A gentle response turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath. 

Over time, little & trivial matters can get propelled out of proportion, and not too long, couples say or do things that are nasty to each other. This results in arguments, conflict and shouting matches.
Since the fall in the garden of Eden, It is often very difficult to see our own faults. We are always right in our own eyes, so we place the blame on others. This started in the Garden of Eden - when Adam blamed Eve, and Eve blamed the serpent (Gen. 3:12-13).
But even if it is not our fault, shouting and maintaining the other person take all the blame is not caring. The best solution instead involves seeking peace, not reprisal (Matt. 5:9; Rom. 12:17-21).

4.    Patience/Longsuffering

Husband and wives, be patient with each other, patience will save you a lot.  Husbands remember your wife is the weaker vessel, a more reason to be patient.
Wives respect your husband and be patient with him.
Unfortunately, many younger wives today have not learned the importance of this.
In Malachi 2:14, marriage is a covenant. When we took our marriage vows, we probably repeated words like "For Better or Worse."
Do you consider Divorce (giving up) in your marriage if the situation has become "worse"? God says He "hates divorce" (Malachi 2:16), and He wants you committed to your marriage for life.
Paul gave instructions to the Church not to divorce (1 Cor. 7:10-11, Matt. 19:3-9).

5.    Kindness

(Eph 4:32 [NET])
Instead, be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ also forgave you.

(Prov 31:26 [KJV])
She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue [is] the law of kindness.

Kindness from both parties is a vital key to a happy and successful marriage

6.    Goodness

(1Thess 5:15 [NET])
See that no one pays back evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good for one another and for all.

Be good to your wives, cherish her, buy gifts for her, and take good care of her
Wives, be good to your husbands, respect him. Do your duty
(1Tim 5:10 [KJV])
Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed EVERY GOOD WORK.

The Concluding part  which also includes why most men and women fail in marriages will be taken tomorrow. Thanks for reading.
We LOVE YOU!

Also Read:
How to become a Christian (Sinners Prayer)
Understanding Salvation
The State of Man

Read More