Saturday, January 17, 2009

How to receive from God

1. Sign in to Heaven's Insurance policy: Salvation gives you access to God's blessings and fullness. It is also your visa to Heaven. Just like earthly fathers pay special attention to the needs of their children, God also pays special attention to those who are His children. John 3:3-8, John 1:12, Romans 8:31-32.

2. Discover God's will for your petition: His will is contained in His Word. Plead your case in the courts of Heaven like attorneys will plead the cases of their clients before earthly judges. Search the scriptures and get 2 or more authorities (of the scriptures) to back up your claim before the Judge of the whole earth. Isaiah 43:26, Isaiah 41:21.

3. Employ the divine equation: Prayer + Believing = Receiving. Many want to believe when they see the results of their prayers. True Biblical faith is the reverse. The moment you pray and believe is when things that shifting in your favor in the spiritual. Mark 11:22-24, John 20:29.

4. Engage the spirtual force of patience - Patience is the ability to wait actively for the manifestation of your prayers. It is staying power, and also a prerequisite to getting results after praying. Many Christians goof at this point! Remember Daniel had to wait for 21 days after his prayers were heard and responded to by Heaven. James 5:7, Hebrews 6:12,15.

5. Act as though you have the results: Hannah left Prophet Eli's presence with a smile, and also a word. To her, the word from Eli was as good as the baby she earnestly desired. Abram started bearing Abraham, the father of nations when he had no child. He gave genuine thanks to God for his desired result before manifestation day came. It is time for someone to go buy a cot before pregnancy kicks in. Romans 4:17-22, 1 Samuel 1:12-18.

6. Resist sin and every evil work: Satan will tempt you hard when he realises you are doing it right and birthing something in the spiritual. His aim is to stop the process.If you fail, quickly repent and get back into the flow. Keep your sight on the prize and pay the price. Receive grace to walk away from temptations and habitual, willful sin. Hebrews 12:1-2, Psa 66:18-19.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Tips to having a fulfilling year

1. Have written down goals: Some Christians refuse to have goals because they are waiting for "God's grandiose vision" for the year. The Bible says - we can make plans but the final outcome is in God's hands (Proverbs 16:1-3,9). The Bible enjoins us to also write down our goals (Habakkuk 2:1-4).

2. Seek Godly Wisdom: Wisdom is the principal thing (Proverbs 4:7). Operating Godly wisdom is the way out of the crossroads you will encounter in 2009. The principal ways of accessing divine wisdom are strong desire, openness to God and willingness to obey His instructions. Proverbs 4:7-13, James 1:5-8.

3. Attempt something new: Someone once said, " The best thing that can happen to a man is to try something new and succeed. The next best thing is to try something new and fail. The worst thing is to try nothing new at all." Don't put your life on cruise control this year. James 2:18-26

4. Shake off the beast: The beast is an ally of your fallen human nature that has potential to devour your future. Apostle Paul shook off the beast that fastened itself around his hand (Acts 28:1-7). Shake off the beast of indolence, indiscretionary use of time, youthful lusts, procrastination, worldly pleasures, etc.2 Corinthians 12:7-10

5. Maintain regular contact with God - Times of devotion such as personal Bible study and meditation, private prayer and worship, etc are moments God builds spiritual capacity in us. Take in the life of God regularly and you will maintain your cutting edge throughout 2009. John 15:1-8

6. Be fulfilled: Material and financial successes, accomplishments, attaining set goals, etc are very good and desirable. But things don't satisfy the void in man, it is the person of Jesus Christ that does. Receive Him as your Lord and Savior and you will experience genuine satisfaction. John 4:13-14

7. Be fulfilled still: The Bible says it is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35). Givers are rivers and channels of God's blessings. Proverbs 11:24-25