LIFE LINES FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH (Courtesy of Bishop Sam Amaga)

Favor is the invisible finger of God that gives a meaning to your labor.

What you keep hearing is what you will have faith in so why not repeatedly hear the word of God?

Our Word level determines our growth. When you grow in the word, there cannot be spiritual stagnation around you.

If you don’t like failure, you will not slack as a Christian.

You cannot have a future greater than the picture you have in your mind.

God gives you a picture so that you can lay hold of a future.

Maturity is not necessarily a matter of age but a matter of taking responsibility.

Your reward in life is equivalent to your responsibility.

If you make your best available to God, He will make His best accessible to you.

Worry is an advance payment for trouble.

Faith is not an emergency product, it is a developed lifestyle.

When a man is dwarf of ideas, he will end up dwarf in life.

Recognize God as a plus factor in your life.

Have a blessed week!!!!

Shalom


Angela

ARE YOU STRUGGLING WITH WEIGHT LOSS OR STAYING HEALTHY?

God designed man to survive on food and food supplements. Scientist tells us we will be healthier than we are today as a society if we ate right, exercised and took the right food supplements. They have a lot of evidence supporting this and I agree with them but they are only partially right because their formula works only for our physical body and man is a tripartite being. So how about the soul and the spirit? What use is it to be physically healthy and emotionally bankrupt? Jesus puts it this way – what shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and loose his soul? (Mark 8:36). (The soul of man comprises of his mind, will and emotions). Some people think loosing your soul only applies to dying and going to hell that is not the case because you can loose your mind while on earth.

God’s plan for man is to live an abundant life and this consists of having health in our spirit soul and body. How can this be? It begins by accepting Jesus as our Savior and Lord but it by no means ends there. We have to eat and exercise right. The main food given by God to sustain man, is not ‘bread’ like we know rather it is His word (Jn 6:48-55, 63). In the same way, the main exercise recommended for our sustenance is not the exercise of our body but that of our faith.

Let’s do the math – we are created as tripartite beings meaning we are a spirit possessing a soul and living in a body. Physical food and exercise, caters to a third of our being which is our flesh but spiritual exercise caters to two thirds of our being! This goes to say that about 66% of the food and exercise we need to stay healthy in a world plagued with all kinds of sickness and disease has nothing to do with the grocery shop or the gym! This will be good news to some people because they immediately think, I don’t have to exercise or eat right. That is not the case at all, because if you take care of your spirit and soul, you are less likely to throw caution to the winds when it comes to taking care of your body. The reason being that your soul and spirit know they need your body to stay on this side of life so they will motivate your body to do what it has to do to stay healthy.

Some people seek external motivation to loose weight. The best motivator resides inside of us – our soul and spirit. If you’re struggling with weight loss or staying physically healthy, don’t put the cart before the horse, get spiritually healthy first and you will gain the motivation you need to tackle the physical part of you. If you have clutter on the inside, you are most likely to struggle with clutter on the outside and in your physical space. Staying healthy starts from the inside and God works inside out. Give God’s word its rightful place in your life; it will clean you inside out. Read, listen and meditate on the word and do all three daily. Increase your dosage of all three practices as you go, don’t stay at the same level for too long, least you become stagnant, stagnation produces stink and it’s poisonous. If you’re not progressing, you’re regressing; stagnation is the first step to regression.

Consider everything you buy from the grocery store and your physical exercise routine as food supplements. Supplements are great, but no one can survive on them alone. You need real food. You need to return to taking communion and to the daily reading of the word of God and I mean DAILY READING not once a week. If we become hearers and doers of the word, we can be guaranteed to live the abundant life that God has made available and obtainable. Consider the scriptures below:


My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; For they are life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh (Prov 4:20-22 NKJV)

The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life (John 6:63 NIV)

If you heed to the instruction above, you will gain victory over your struggle.


Shalom!

Angela

HIS YOKE IS NECESSARY

There is no phase of life absolutely free of ‘yokes’ or burdens. The difference lies in whose ‘burden or ‘yoke’ you’re carrying. There is the burden and yoke of the world offered by Satan and there is that of the Lord, which unlike that of Satan is light and easy (Matthew 11:29-30).

You may ask – what is the ministry of the yoke? Why would the Lord yoke the people He says He loves so much? The reason can be seen in the farm lands where oxen are yoked. The yoke on oxen gives them direction and help them accomplish their purpose. Jesus yokes us to Himself to help give us direction, maintain balance in our lives and accomplish the purpose for which we were created. His yoke is for our overall well being. The good thing about being yoked with Jesus is that His yoke brings us freedom, unlike the yoke of this world that takes people captive. Just as it is written, it is for freedom that Christ set us free (Galatians 5:1)

Satan’s yoke, which is the yoke of this world, is a yoke of slavery and sin. It takes you farther than you ever want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay and cost you more than you are able or willing to pay. Among Satan’s yokes are habits you know very well are draining you rather than adding to you yet, you can’t seem to break away from them. They are those inner fears that keep you from being all that you were created to be, the fear of rejection, fear of failure, fear of loss of security and the fear of being taken advantage of. How does Satan put this yoke on people? Mainly through their ignorance of who God is and who we are in Him. Those who are ignorant of their rights and privileges in Christ will fall prey to the enemy. There is good news though, because the bible says even the lawful captive shall be set free (Isaiah 49:24-25). If you feel yoked to the enemy, call out to Jesus, and His anointing will destroy the yoke.


And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing (Isaiah 10:27 KJV)

For as long as you are yoked to Jesus, you can’t be yoked to Satan. Therefore once you get off Satan’s yoke, plug into Jesus for your safety, liberty and security.

Jesus’ yoke creates in you an inner restraint from sin and a delight and hunger for righteousness. I hope you now understand why His yoke is necessary? Why the burden? The ‘burden’ stands for responsibility. It includes taking responsibility for our failures, mistakes, rebellion and proactively educating and informing ourselves about the ways of God. Responsibility is necessary in life because it is the basis on which authority is released to us. When Adam received the responsibility to subdue the earth, along with that came the authority to rule over creation (Genesis 1:26). God never gives authority without responsibility or vice versa. Without the exercise of authority change cannot happen. But we must first take responsibility for where we are in order to receive the authority to change for the better. There is always a ‘better’ no mater where we are currently in life.

Why not pause now and give God thanks for His yoke which is easy and burden that is light? Just in case you’re bearing a yoke or burden which is not the Lord’s, I pray for you right now, that the anointing of the Holy Spirit be released upon you, to destroy that yoke and remove the burden, in Jesus Name! Amen!

Shalom!


With Warmth

Angela

I AM GOD’S PURPOSE (A DECLARATORY PRAYER- by Angela Lougee)

I am God’s purpose (Genesis 1:26)
He knew me before I was conceived and appointed me before I was born (Jeremiah 1:5)
I am God’s purpose, therefore I will not be terminated or dismayed (Jeremiah 30:10)
I am God’s purpose, as a result, I am highly favored (Luke 1:28).
I am God’s purpose, authorized to dominate creation, therefore the earth responds to me as its boss (Genesis 1:28).
I am God’s purpose; consequently money comes to serve me (Matthew 6:33).
I am God’s purpose, every limitation on my life is broken (Isaiah 45:2)
I am God’s purpose therefore I am the head not the tail, the lender not the borrower (Deuteronomy 15:6)
No matter what happens in this life, or which way the wind blows, after all is been said and done, I will still be standing because I am God’s purpose!

Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please (Isaiah 46:9-10 NIV)


Shalom!

Angela

A GENERATIONAL OPPOSITION IS NOT NECESSARILY A GENERATION CURSE

God had promised Israelites through a prophetic word from Isaiah that He would raise a Cyrus who would decree the freedom of the exiles and the rebuilding of God’s temple in Jerusalem. This happened several hundred years before King Cyrus was born.

"This is what the LORD says—I your Redeemer, who formed you in the womb:I am the LORD, who has made all things, who alone stretched out the heavens, who spread out the earth by myself, who says of Cyrus, 'He is my shepherd and will accomplish all that I please;he will say of Jerusalem, "Let it be rebuilt,"and of the temple, "Let its foundations be laid."' Isaiah 44:24, 28 (NIV)

I will raise up Cyrus in my righteousness:I will make all his ways straight. He will rebuild my city and set my exiles free, but not for a price or reward, says the LORD Almighty." (Isaiah 45:13 NIV)

Satan heard this promise and immediately went to work to see that it does not come to pass. He began a generational opposition against Israel. Despite Satan’s opposition, at the fullness of time, Cyrus was born became King and issued the decree just as God said it would happen. The Israelites were released to return to Jerusalem to rebuild God’s temple.

When God gave Isaiah that prophetic word, I’m sure he had no idea it was going to take a couple of generations for the manifestation to begin. It is possible Satan also thought God had forgotten about that promise having taken so long to be fulfilled until it came to pass, a Cyrus was born who became king. I bet the day Cyrus was crowned king, Satan became very worried. What was his issue? He surely did not want the temple rebuilt. He did not want the people of God to have a place of worship, where the glory of God may descend again like it did in the days of Moses and Solomon. Satan cannot stand the glory of God, so whatever reminds him of that glory or anything that could attract the glory of God to descend is something is opposed with all his might.

Satan could neither stop the Israelites from being released nor could he stop the laying of the foundation for rebuilding God’s temple. That is not to stay he stopped working behind the scenes, for as soon as the foundation was laid, hell was let loosed, he launched an opposition to the completion of that building which lasted several generations (Ezra 3, 4:1-5) Eventually the temple was rebuilt just as God had purposed, but I’m sure no one in the days of Isaiah or Cyrus imagined it was going to take several generations to fulfill that purpose.

What challenge are you going through? Is it a sickness that runs in your family that no one has been able to beat though God has promised to deliver your family from it? That condition may have taken out your grandparent, and parent, you don’t have to give up or give in to it. Hold on to God’s promise, you may be the generation God chooses to bring an end to that plague, because the purpose and promise of God will always stand. He promised Israel deliverance, it did not happen in the generation that heard the promise, not even the next generation saw the fulfillment of that promise. Though it took several generations, but God’s promise still came to pass. Who is to say, you are not the turning point for your family? If you give up, you may never know. You must continue in faith.


I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please. (Isaiah 46:10 NIV)

Could it be there is a God given call on your family to do something great for the kingdom, something that will bring glory to His name but it seems nobody ever seems to breakthrough? Could your family be facing a generational opposition as a result of a promise God made several generations ago? Could it be that what you perceive as a generational curse is not at all a curse but a generational opposition from hell because of what God decreed concerning you and your family several generations before you were born?

If that be the case, do not give in to despair, what Isaiah prophesied, Cyrus decreed, Ezra started however, the fullness of that prophecy did not manifest till the time of Nehemiah. All through these, the Israelites never gave up. Do not give up. If God promised anything to your family you can be sure His promises will come to pass. When you pray, remind God of His promises. Don’t stop asking, never give up seeking, don’t stop knocking. They who ask and keep asking receive. Those who seek without ceasing finds. Those who knock and keep knocking, have the door open unto them (Luke 18:1-8)

God’s word always outlives Satan’s opposition.


Keep standing on the promises of God, He has a reputation of being faithful to His word.


With Warmth,

Angela

WHAT IS IT WITH DOGS?

I have nothing against dogs. God made dogs and they do have a purpose on this earth. In Genesis 1:26-28, God commanded us to have dominion over the earth. One area where we as mankind have been very successful exercising our dominion is the taming and training of dogs.

Dogs have been very useful in the military, hunting and with helping the blind move around. They make good pets too.

The question is have we taken our affection for dogs too far? We live in a society where it’s OK to murder innocent babies in the womb, but will be jailed for “cruelty” to dogs.

Dogs seem to have more rights than a lot of humans.

Have we idolized dogs?

The bible says a righteous man takes care of the needs of his animals (Proverbs 12:10). So it is commendable to take care of our animals. The question is - where do we draw the line between taking care of our animals and having inordinate affection for them?

What is this about some Christians sharing their beds with dogs and kissing them on the mouth or allowing them to run their tongues over their lips? Would Jesus do that?

Read your bible – from Genesis to revelation, apart from once, every other time dogs were mentioned in the bible, it was always in a negative sense. They were always associated with detestable or immoral things. God calls them unclean animals. Below are a few examples:

Thou shalt not bring the hire of a whore, or the price of a dog, into the house of the LORD thy God for any vow: for even both these are abomination unto the LORD thy God (Deut 23:18 KJV)

As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly (Prov 26:11 (KJV)


For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. 22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire (2 Peter 2:21-22 KJV)


Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces (Matt 7:6 NKJV)

Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation! (Phil 3:2 NKJV)

But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, 21 desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores (Luke 16:20-21 NKJV)

But Jesus said to her, "Let the children be filled first, for it is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the little dogs." (Mark 7:27 NKJV)

For dogs have surrounded Me; The congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me. They pierced My hands and My feet; (Psalms 22:16 NKJV)


Anything God says is unclean should not be sleeping with you on the same bed – it does not matter how many times you give it a bath, God created it and called it unclean, you can’t make clean what God has designated unclean.

Did you know that when Jesus talked about the people who will not make it into heaven, dogs were the only animals mentioned alongside certain kinds of people!


Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie (Rev 22:14-15 NKJV)

You may say that in the bible passages above, ‘dogs’ was used figuratively. Hey, whether is figurative or not, it tells you that God does not place dogs where we have placed them in our society today. The choice is yours whether you want to see things from God’s perspective or men.

Are dogs to blame for the ‘worship’ they receive? Absolutely not! Just as you cannot blame the gold from which the children of Israel made the golden calf. All through history, the world has always elevated the wrong things. Believers ought to be careful not to be caught in the snares of the enemy.

Moreover, it is not hygienic to kiss any animal. Basic hygiene teaches that you wash your hands after contact with animals how much more kiss them.

Conclusively, be careful of your relationship with anything God designate as unclean for man. You are not wiser than God.

Shalom!

With Warmth

Angela

LIFE WITHOUT A CROSS

What will life on earth be like without a ‘cross’?

Wouldn’t it be fun to live a life free of pain, sacrifices and longsuffering? How about a life void of uncertainties and full of significance? That’s exactly what life on earth without a cross will be like. Fun don’t you think? Yea, for a day or two thereafter boredom sets in and you begin to wonder why life is so boring!

Life on earth is designed to be at its best when there is balance. Too much of anything, even seemingly good things becomes bad once out of balance. As sweet as honey is to taste, the bible warns that too much of it will make you sick!

Eat honey, my son, for it is good; honey from the comb is sweet to your taste (Prov 24:13 NIV)
If you find honey, eat just enough-too much of it, and you will vomit. Seldom set foot in your neighbor's house-too much of you, and he will hate you (Prov 25:16-17 NIV)

Without a cross we cannot become followers of Jesus Christ (Luke 9:23). Does that make Jesus a sadist to have made the cross a prerequisite to being His disciples? Not at all! We need the cross.

There are six basic human needs, people will violate their values to have those needs met.

Certainty/ Variety
Significance/ Love and connection
Growth/ Contribution


The first four are survival needs. Certainty is good but too much of it results in boredom no wonder God gives life to us one day at a time! Variety balances certainty but too much of it results in overwhelm. Reminds me of “Jack of all trades, master of none”

It is great to feel significant, because we all are in our unique ways but too much of significance sets you apart from love and connection. E.g. I love to give hugs, it’s one way I connect with people but if I became the queen of England, people can’t hug me without making headlines! Too much love and connection breeds co-dependency, which is not good.

It all boils down to balance. Just as variety acts as a balance for certainty, love and connection for significance so does the cross acts as a balance for our life in general.

For a two year old, life is fun when it’s all about them and everything falls into ‘me’, ‘mine’ and ‘myself’ category. However childhood is only a phase, God designed us to come into maturity, letting go of childishness while maintaining a childlike heart. What makes childish attitudes things we must let go off? They are selfish! Man was designed to be selfless, not selfish. It’s in selflessness that we gain true fulfillment in life.

One way to live a selfless life is by picking up our cross and following Jesus. How is that selfless? First, picking up your cross is an act of obedience to God. Every act of obedience to God’s word is a demonstration of love to God (John 14:15). Secondly every cross carried results in dying to self.

Did you know your cross is really not all about you? It’s about others as well. Jesus did not carry His cross for Himself, He did it for you and I to benefit from the grace of salvation. When you and I pick up our cross, it qualifies us to receive God’s grace and comfort, so that we’d have grace and comfort to give to others who are going through all kinds of trials. You can’t give what you don’t have!

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ (2 Cor 1:3-5 NLT)

Why all the tears pain or sorrow just to receive comfort? If nothing else, it shows how ‘expensive’ God’s comfort is. I say to people, whoever thinks heaven is cheap has never been to the cross. But how can anyone ever imagine heaven to be cheap when its streets are paved with gold? Have you checked the price of gold recently? Sometimes it’s good to check these things just to remind yourself how priceless the gift of heaven is to all heading in that direction.

It has been said “no pain, no gain”. Pain has a way of making us appreciate the gain. Did Adam and Eve appreciate Eden before they sinned? I guess they did to some extent but the appreciation for what they lost must have quadrupled after the pain of the curse took effect.

Is life on earth without the cross really worth it? No! Don’t run from the cross, there is a power that comes from familiarity with the cross. Without your cross, you will have no power to impact the people in your sphere of influence. The cross may not be attractive but therein lays the power to change lives. No matter the weight of your cross, do not quit, keep pressing forward, God will send you a ‘Simon of Cyrene’ like He did for Jesus (Matt.27:32) to help you out so you can stay the course.

By all means, run the race to the finish line because at the end there is in store for you a reward that eyes have not seen, ears have not heard neither can the natural human mind comprehend it.

But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him."[ (1 Cor 2:9 NKJV)


Stay the course!!

With warmth


Angela