Category: NEW TESTAMENT

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THE CHURCH TO LIVE IN PURITY OF JESUS – 1 Corinthians

1 Corinthians – Purity Means Everything To God

(Passage: 1 Corinthians 7)

Paul encouraged Corinthian Christians to maintain purity, and abstain from activities that can trap them into sexual immorality.

Those who are ripe for marriage must do so to avoid sexual sins. Also, any adult who chooses to live unmarried should do so, and be sure to abstain from sexuality and maintain body purity.

 

Paul wrote to the Corinthians (as it also applies to today’s Christians),

“I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distress, I say, that it is good for a man so to be. Art thou bound unto a wife? Seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? Seek not a wife. But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned…” (1 Corinthians 7:26-28 KJV).

Christians to Learn and Meet God’s Expectations

Humans are comprised of spirit, soul, and body – which are necessary for normal functioning. All three elements, except human soul, will transition after death.

The human body is corruptible and would decay after death. (Christians who are alive during rapture would see their body transformed). The spirit that keeps a person alive will also return to God after death.

However, human soul would survive natural death to face God’s judgment at the end. A person’s soul will face judgment to be rewarded for its past earthly activities. Souls that served God well on earth and also received the salvation of Jesus Christ will be awarded heaven, but unrepentant souls would be condemned in hell.

Therefore, everyone should be sensitive not to allow human body – which is temporal corrupt his/her soul that would ultimately face God’s judgment.

Application Prayer

Ask God to Help You Maintain Purity of Life

Dear God, please I do not want my soul to burn in hell fire, but I want to make heaven! Help me to resist sins; do not let me yield to temptations, but empower me to maintain my body in holiness so that I can receive your positive rewards in heaven. For in the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen. 

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PAUL PRAISED PHOEBE FOR HER SERVICE TO GOD – Romans

service to god

Service To God: God Will Reward Faithful Christians

(Passage: Romans 16)

A lady by the name Phoebe caught Paul’s attention with her exceptional godly servitude. Paul recognized Phoebe as a faithful servant of God who ministers to the needs of her people. Paul highlighted in her letter to the Romans, “I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea, that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her in whatever business she has need of you; for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also” (Romans 16:1-2 NKJV).

serviceLesson On Faithful Service to God

Faithful service to God has a reward! Christians must understand that our activities are not limited to church activities only. We must demonstrate the love of Jesus Christ to people within and without the church. That is, believers must minister to all people. We must understand that some fellow believers are in dire need of a few help that we can render. Our efforts to support others should include the provision of material and other resources. Believers must also offer moral support to people in need.

It is important that each believer is sensitive to the needs of other people and make a significant effort to assist them. In our attempt to demonstrate faithful service to God, Christians must operate as a theme and exercise the true love that Jesus Christ will applaud. We must not leave a brother or a sister-in-Christ behind to suffer. We must understand that every Christian is a co-sharer of God’s kingdom, and we must care for them.

Christians must understand that God cares to watch our attitudes demonstrated towards other people. God knows how we treat other people, and he will compensate us duly. Every Christian must understand that whatever he/she does to his fellow believer is touching the heart of God. In other words, whatever you do to a Christian brother or sister is what you are technically doing to God himself, and he will reward you in due time.

Be faithful in your service to God, He is watching you!

prayer of reward

Prayer To Faithfully Serve God

Dear God, please help me to be a relevant Christian who support others. Help me to be your true ambassador and make positive contributions to the lives of my Christian brothers and sisters. Help me to be relevant to your kingdom with true services! Please give me the resources that I will need to care for my fellow believers so that your name can be glorified.

Please qualify me for your kingdom! When my earthly race is over, let me wake up in your kingdom to hear “Weldone and welcome my good servant!”  For in the name of Jesus Christ I make my requests. Amen.

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JESUS CHRIST LIVED BEFORE MANGER – John

manger

Jesus Christ was in Existence before His Manger Birth

(Passage: John 1)

 Jesus Christ the Son of God has been in existence before Mary physically gave birth to him at the manger. He was in existence before the creation of the earth. In fact, Christ witnessed inception of the earth, and he also played a part in its creation.

The scripture attested,

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and nothing was made without him. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it” (John 1:1-5).

Lesson on the Birth of Jesus Christ and Earth Creation

The life of Jesus Christ did not begin at the manger when Mary gave birth to him. He was the breath of God that made earth creation happened.

It is virtually impossible to separate Jesus Christ from God. He is the breath of God – the voice of God. Jesus was God’s utterance used for the creation of the earth – the Word of God.

Earthly people may consider Jesus Christ as the Son of God, but he is indeed God in human flesh. It is impossible to separate him from God.

Jesus Christ cannot be separated from God, just as a person’s voice cannot be separated from him. In short, Jesus is God! All things were made through him, and nothing else was made without him! Hence, humanity is to declare the Lordship of Jesus Christ and accept him as their Savior.

The condition of receiving the salvation of Jesus Christ is to confess him as the Son of God (God in human flesh). The Bible declares,

“If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved” Romans 10:9-10.

Application Prayer

Pray to Accept the Lordship of Jesus Christ

Dear Jesus Christ, I understand that you have been in existence before the creation of the earth. You are Christ the Son of God! You are God in human flesh! I declare you as my personal Lord and Savior. I yield my complete life to you, and I will faithfully serve you throughout the days of my life. Please write my name in the book of life, and keep me heavenly worthy. For in the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.

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JESUS PREACHED AGAINST ANXIETY – Matthew

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Matthew – Christians Must Not Be Anxious For Anything

(Passage: Matthew 6)

Jesus instructed his followers to not worry about anything, but they should have confidence in God. Believers must be joyous and hopeful at all times. We must have an expectation that promises of God on our lives will come to pass.

Jesus said, “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?

Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek.

For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Matthew 6:25-34).

Important Lesson on Anxiety

People who serve God must not be anxious about anything, but we must be hopeful in God. Believers must be confident that God is ever strong to help us overcome our challenges and lead us to victory.

Christians must understand that Satan outsource scary situations to challenge our faith. His goal is to make us doubt God and stumble in faith. No Christian should give in for the desire of the enemy.

We must be full of faith and have high expectations. As we demonstrate unwavering faith, God will turn our trials into testimonies, and he will also make Satan be ashamed. Indeed, God will compensate our faith and turn it into testimonies!

Prayer Against Anxiety

Dear God, please help me to demonstrate unwavering faith in you. Help me to stop worrying about life challenges. Help me to realize that you are in charge of my life, and you will perfect whatever concerns me! As I continue to trust you, let my terrible situation turn around to good one, and let me have the story of your goodness to share with other believers and the rest of the world. For in the name of Jesus Christ I make my requests. Amen.

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JESUS PURCHASED THE CHURCH WITH HIS BLOOD – Acts

the church

 

Acts – The Church of Christ to Maintain Its Traditional Values

(Passage: Acts 20)
Apostle Paul declared to a body of believers and stated,

 

“Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock” (Acts 20:26-29).

The Church to Honor Its Virtues

Jesus Christ founded the church for the purpose of benefiting all people that entrust their faith in him – The Christians. The Son of God purchased the church with his own blood through his death on the cross, so that people can fellowship and meet God’s mandate of holiness.

It is unfortunate that the church that Jesus Christ purchased with his blood has digressed from its traditional value. The Church has moved away from its Christ-centered traditions to fall in love with activities that have little or no contribution to God’s kingdom.

Most churches now lean toward towards politics. Their leaders restrict the move of Holy Spirit but allow their activities to be fully moderated by politics.

However, Jesus Christ expects the church to regain its stature and celebrate its Bible-based values.

Jesus will demonstrate his power in our various churches again if we can abide by his rules. Christ will reinstate his love with his church if he can gain its cooperation.

 

Application Prayer

Prayer for Church Reinstatement

Dear Lord Jesus Christ please redeem your church again. Gain the hearts of our church leaders to give room for the leadership of your Holy

Spirit. Please the church that you died for become relevant again. Let our church leaders start to fear and obey your instructions, and take your heavenly mandates seriously. Let the truth of your gospel be preached from our church altars; let true love be demonstrated among brethren, and keep us fit for your second coming.

Please, establish the standard of your righteousness in our churches so that people of this generation can have a good legacy to pass down to the coming ones.

Please make our churches receive your royal welcome in heaven as an adorable bride fit for her husband. For in the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.

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THE PHARISEES CRITICIZED JESUS CHRIST – Luke

pharisees

Luke – The Pharisees Were Jealous of Jesus For His Capability

(Passage: Luke 6)

The Pharisees were bitter critics of Jesus Christ; they used their religion as a camouflage to express their jealousy and rage against him. The Pharisees were not hesitant to stalk Jesus all day long, and followed him on every turn to find an excuse to criticize and demean his ministry.

Bible recorded,

“Now it happened on the second Sabbath after the first that He (Jesus) went through the grainfields. And His disciples plucked the heads of grain and ate them, rubbing them in their hands. And some of the Pharisees said to them, “Why are you doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath?”

Bible also recorded,

“Now it happened on another Sabbath, also, that He entered the synagogue and taught. And a man was there whose right hand was withered. So the scribes and Pharisees watched Him closely, whether He would heal on the Sabbath, that they might find an accusation against Him”

Luke 6:6-7;Luke 6:1-2

Children of God to be Sensitive and Resist Satan

Satan loves to station his evil agents around godly people to frustrate their efforts. The enemies would focus on making attempts to derail believers from their pursuits of righteousness by castigating their works and throwing every available stone with the hope one might stick. Therefore to overcome the devil, believers must be spiritually sensitive (watchful) and prayerful, and they must be filled with the Holy Spirit also.

However, believers must not forget Satan’s intention is not to discourage them from serving God only, but his main motive is to kill, to steal, and to destroy their salvation (John 10:10). Hence, while we (believers) remain prayerful and watchful, we can follow Jesus’ examples and appropriately react in all situations.

For example, when Satan instigated fury in Pharisees to accuse Jesus of wrongdoing,

  • Jesus ignored the Pharisees – Believers should largely ignore their critics.
  • Jesus remained persistent in doing God’s business –Believers should never stop doing God’s will.
  • Jesus always withdrew to a silent place to pray for strength’s renewal after ministering –Believers must always refill and refresh their energy through prayers.
  • Jesus changed locations to avoid enemies’ distractions –Believers should diversify in ministry to outsmart their enemies.

Application Prayer

Prayer to Overcome Your Spiritual Enemies

Dear God, please give me strength to overcome Satan and live triumphantly on earth to the glorification of your holy name! Again, give me strength to remain focus and pay no damn attention to the devil and his evil agents!

Let your Holy Spirit empower me to remain immovable, and to keep faithfully serving you during opposition and challenges. Also, let your Holy Spirit empower me to be watchful and prayerful so that I can keep prospering in all my ministerial activities, so that light of your gospel can spread throughout the world.

When my earthly race is eventually over, let me appear in your presence in heaven to hear “Weldon and welcome my servant to the joy of your Lord!” For I pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

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PAUL ASKED TO HELP WEAK CHRISTIANS – Galatians

help weak

Christians To Seek Restoration of Backslided Christians

Help weak Christians! The scriptures emphasize the need for restoration of falling believers. It is written,

“Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:1-2).

The Need To Help The Weak Christians

Christian must help weak believers who have backslided from faith. God is hurt and heartbroken whenever a believer falls away from grace. The Creator will do whatever necessary to restore the person.

However, Christians are task to represent Christ and make serious efforts to restore those who have backslidden from faith.  We are Christ ambassadors, and we must restore falling Christians. Meanwhile, Satan may attempt to deceive believers to change focus from restoring their fellows. Therefore, Christians must avoid erratic criticisms of others.

Christians efforts must be to pray, encourage, and actively involved in other people’s lives until they are fully restored to faith. God will utilize our compassionate hearts as effective tools to help backsliding believers come on their feet and regain stability with God. The Creator will definitely bless believers that make positive contributions to the lives of other people.

Help weak Christians be restored to the faith in Jesus Christ.

Prayer For Ability To Restore Backslide Christians

Dear Jesus Christ, I ask you to please make me an instrument of restoration to backsliding Christians. Energize me to pray, care, and proactively engage them until they are fully restored to your love. Enable me with the strength to help weak Christians. At the same time, I am using this opportunity to pray for every Christian who has lost his/her first love to be restored.

I ask the Almighty God to restore them to true and effective worship. I pray that Christ rekindle his fire in them so that they can continue to serve God in Spirit and truth. May the Holy Spirit possess my brothers and sisters that are turning back from true love of God! May the power of God rest on all saints to remain steadfast until the day of Christ appearance on earth.

May faithful brothers and sisters remain focus unto the end, so that we can all shout “Hosanna” and sing songs of victory. For in the name of Jesus Christ I make all my requests. Amen.

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JESUS CARES FOR THE LOST – Luke

jesus cares

Luke – Jesus Cares for Those That Are Neglected

The Pharisees criticized Jesus Christ for attending a party that was organized by Matthew the chief tax collector. Everyone – including Jesus and Matthew’s colleagues was enjoying the moment, but the Pharisees showed up to express their rage against Jesus.

The Pharisees labeled Jesus an immoral teacher who spend time with sinners. However, Jesus corrected the Pharisees and said,

“Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance” (Luke 5:31-32).

Jesus cares for all people. Christians must learn from Jesus who cares.

Inconsistent Christians could be labeled as Pharisees since Jesus’ era Pharisees were not consistent with God.  “Pharisee Christians” shifts their focus from serving God to something else, and they always find an excuse to justify their action.

For examples, Pharisee Christians worship their church denomination, and some worship their spiritual leaders instead of worshipping the true God of heaven. Also, some Pharisees Christians come up with hand-made rules to make God’s laws become stricter with the hope the action will make them receive better positions in heaven.

In addition, Pharisee Christians elevate their customized practices and are quick to condemn other Christian sects who do not comply with them. However, God expects the Pharisee Christians to change their beliefs and mode of operations in order to consider them “justified” in his presence.

God requires that all people – whether they claim Christianity or not – to become genuinely born-again so that they can be acceptable to his kingdom. Only those who follow bible standard and faithfully serve God will be acceptable to heaven on the last day.

Application Prayer

Dear God, please make me a true Christian who focuses on the biblical principles to appease you. Please save me from self-righteous acts that cannot lead anywhere near your kingdom! Give me the spirit of humility to focus on improving my relationship with you, and not to get busy in condemning others!

Help me to be less critical of others, but enable me with grace to focus on activities and actions that will motivate people into moving closer to you.

Let my operations result to populating your kingdom, and not to depopulate it. After my earthly race is over, please count me worthy to enter your kingdom to hear your favorable acceptance statement, “Weldon and welcome my good servant.” For in the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.

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CHURCH PEOPLE TO LOVE EACH OTHER – James

true love

True Love Must Reign Among Christians

(Passage: James 5)

Christianity is all about love; therefore, whoever claims to be a good Christian must practice love. Children of God must love and care for each other. We must pray and minister to each other’s needs. Any physical or spiritual service that a Christian offers in absence of love is considered erratic, and it would not be rewarded by God.

The scripture emphasized the importance of love when it stated, “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (James 5:14-16).

true love

Lesson on True Love

Love is powerful, and it is essential for all Christians. Brothers and sisters in Christ must demonstrate true love towards one another. Brethren must care without prejudice! We must care for each other without segregation and partiality. However, for Christ love to reign in Christian fold, we must exercise forgiveness, pray for each other, and pray together as a theme. Also, we must be humble to confess our sins to one each other. We must also make some significant efforts to restore our fellows who have backslided from faith.

Consequentially, love will bind Christian brothers and sisters together. It will also grant access to Holy Spirit to freely operate in our lives. That is, many unimaginable miracles will happen among brethren when we allow the true love of God to reign.

prayer

Prayer for God’s Grace to Operate in Love

Dear Jesus Christ, please enable believers to operate in love. Let us love and care for each other genuinely. Let brethren minister to each other’s need through prayers and encouragements. Please let brethren provide for other people in terms of shelter, food, clothing, money, and other necessities. Enable Christians to visit our fellows in the hospital; let us offer moral supports for those who are in need. Please let your genuine love be real in Christian fold so that your glory can radiate in our lives with signs and wonders. For in the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.

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CHRISTIAN TO SHARE TRUE LOVE – James

true love

True Love Must Reign In Christian Fold

(Passage: James 5)

Christianity was established to demonstrate God’s love. Therefore, Christians must love God and love each other dearly. Any exercise that is demonstrated in the absence of love will not be acceptable to God.

The scripture emphasized the importance of love when it stated,

“Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (James 5:14-16).

lesson

Lesson on True Love

True love is essential for all Christians to demonstrate. Believers must love each other to demonstrate the true love of God. Christians must not prejudice; we must not segregate people, and we must not offer preferential treatment. Believers must also exercise forgiveness and pray for other people. We must confess our sins to one another and make a significant effort to restore people who have backslided from faith. The demonstration of our true love will bind brethren together; it will glorify God, and it will lead to an expansion of his kingdom.

prayer

Pray For Grace To Practice True Love

Dear Jesus Christ, please help Christians to operate in true love to honor your name. Help us to love each other genuinely! Let brethren minister to the needs of our fellows in prayers and encouragements. Empower us to provide welfare for people with food, clothes, money, and others. Let the brethren visit and pray for those who are sick. Please let your genuine love revolve around Christian community so that your name can be glorified at all times! For in the name of Jesus Christ I make my requests. Amen.

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