THE PURPOSE OF COMING. TO. CHURCH.

THE PURPOSE OF COMING TO CHURCH. “Purpose “ -Is the reason or intention behind an action or something. It is what an action is meant to or supposed to achieve. It is an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides one’s planned actions. It could be an intention, objective or goal intended to be attained. It can simply be defined as “the reason behind what you are doing or what you intend to do. “Coming”-Moving by any means towards something or a place. In this context, you are moving towards the church. One can say you set out to get to the church and that is your destination. “Church”- In this context is referred to as a place of worship.Jn4:23. A house of prayer.Matt21:13. His (Jesus) Father’s house.Jn 2:16. GOD’s dwelling place.Ex25:8. A place where the word of GOD is taught.Lk13:10. It is a place where believers, the elect of GOD gather to meet, praise and worship Jesus Christ, the head of the church. It is the natural habitation of divine presence and as such you come in with awe and reverence. The purpose of coming to church is multidimensional. The scriptures say”Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is, but exhorting one another, and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”Heb10:25. Coming to the church should be a thing of joy as David mentioned “And I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.”Ps 23:1. “I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my GOD, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.”Ps84:10.”I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.”Ps122:1.” In thy presence is fullness of joy.”Ps16:11. Even from David’s writing, one can see that coming to the church is loaded with many reasons. Therefore we should come with expectations and with the belief that we won’t go back without being blessed. Let us consider some of the reasons behind our coming to church. To meet Jesus and offer praise and worship to him.Heb13:15. To encounter and glorify GOD together .Jn4:23, Ps95:6. To learn the word of GOD. Acts2:42,2 Tim3:16. For prayer.Matt21:13 To testify to the goodness of the LORD through testimonies.Rev12:11. To fellowship with others.Heb10:25. Let us consider the points listed above one by one. *To praise and worship the LORD. The Father expects us to worship him in the spirit and in truth and this is confirmed when Jesus said in Jn4:23-24. So he is worthy of worship and in humble awe we come to worship him. “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshippers will worship the Father in the spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks. God is spirit and his worshippers must worship in the spirit and in truth.” And the psalmist says Come,”let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.“ Ps95:6. We are coming to church to worship and as we sing, praise and worship, our praise goes up and GOD inhabits it and rain blessings upon us. Through praise and worship we receive blessings from above. *To learn the word. The word of GOD is our spiritual food that we feed on when we come to church and even when out of church just like the body needs food daily. Matt4:4, 1Peter2:2. It is our light, when life is dark and confusing , the word illuminates and lights up our path.Ps119:105. It is our mirror, whenever we hear or read it, it tells us the truth about ourselves.James 1:23-25. The word is for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. As we listen to the word, and apply it, it transforms and trains us in righteousness.2Tim 3:16-17. The word not only corrects, reproves, trains, it also helps our faith to wax stronger. And it is only by hearing it, that we can build up our faith. Rom 10:11. You can not buy or manufacture or transfer faith, so coming to church to hear the word enhances one’s faith and spiritual growth. The word you hear can not be taken away from you and a life built on the word will stand when storms of life come. The word carries life and power to heal. “They are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body.” Prov 4:22. When Jesus sent out the word to the centurion’s servant, he was healed. Matt8:8,16. As we hear the word, let us not harden our hearts but open them instead so that GOD can transform us into his righteousness. *To pray One of the reasons we come to church is to pray and through that we communicate with GOD . For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. Matt 18:20. When believers pray in unity, with the same heart and same word, GOD moves. He honours the prayer of agreement and there is power in it. When Peter was imprisoned, the ceaseless corporate prayer made by the church unto GOD availed much and He moved on behalf of Peter and set him free. Acts 12:5. As we pray and also intercedes for one another GOD moves in our midst and we experience him and see the manifestation. A consistent prayer life is essential to sustain a church and to keep the church members committed. Iron sharpens Iron, as you come together to pray, you sharpen one another and push each other further to pray more.Prov 27:17. *To share testimonies. Testimony is telling others about what the LORD has done for one; it is a form of witness and we learn from each other. Jesus encourages us to be testifying to the goodness of the LORD. He told the demon possessed that he healed, ”Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you. So the man went and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.”Mark5:19-20. When we share testimonies of what GOD has done, it is an evidence of victory and proof that GOD is working in the life of the testifier. Testimonies reassure believers of the faithfulness of GOD encourage them to put their confidence in him. When ever you come to church to testify or to listen, either way you are being blessed, you receive more of God’s goodness and mercy, and it helps building up faith. Apart from all the above listed, we also come to serve in the church and not only to be served. Not everyone can mount the pulpit to preach, but there are many other activities in the church that need hands. Activities such as ushering, cleaning, follow up, teaching in Sunday school classes evangelising and so on. In all these we rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to be able to function very well. As you get involved in such activities, your hidden gifts will begin to surface. Just like Stephen and the other six men who were appointed as deacons to serve the widows. Acts6:1-6. On this note, I admonish you serve in any of the departments in the church so that your hidden gift can be discovered and utilized and you will become a vessel unto honour in the household of GOD. It is through serving that your gift can be unmasked and begin to manifest. So don’t just come to be served - to hear the sermon, to pray and to depart. Let us join the team of workers and use the gifts GOD gave us to be a blessing to others , serving wholeheartedly and with love.”Jesus didn’t come to be served, but to serve”Mk10:45. We also come to church to give through our tithe and offering. The scriptures says “No one should appear before the LORD empty handed. “Each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way the LORD your God has blessed you.” Deu 16:16b-17. You give to meet the need of the church, support the projects and the programs of the church and also give to the needy in your midst. *To fellowship. Above all we come to fellowship with GOD and with one another for GOD created us for fellowship.1Cor1:9,1Jn1:3. We fellowship with GOD through praise and worship, communicating with him through prayer and thanksgiving, and we express the fellowship through dinning on the bread which is a symbol of Jesus’ body broken for us and drinking the wine which is also a symbol of his blood during the Holy communion. We get closer to GOD and grow spiritually when we fellowship with him. When we gather, we get stronger, grow together spiritually, we encourage each other and experience God’s presence. Gal 6:1a. As we fellowship together in love, our relationship is strengthened, we become our brother’s keeper, we see ourselves as members of the same family and relate as such with the love of Christ binding us together. Behold,how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.Ps 133:1. Brethren, coming to church is always a blessing, because no one leaves without being touched by GOD. Having said much about the purpose of coming to church, it is instructive to also know what coming to to church is Not for and should Not be for. Since the church is the habitation of divine presence, we must enter with humility and honour and come with awe before GOD whom we have come to meet. Brethren, *The church is not for gossip and backbiting. “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”Eph 4:29. Never sow discord among brethren and avoid saying or doing what will cause disunity . *The church is not a market where buying and selling takes place. “Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. He said to them, My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it ‘ a den of robbers’. “Matt21 :12-13. Jesus actually scattered the coins of the money changers at the temple courts and told those who sold doves to stop turning his Father’s house into a market. Jn2:16. This simply means that buying and selling should not be part of what we come to church for and should not be encouraged or entertained at all. *It is not a fashion house. “I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes.”1Tim2:9. Dress to cover your nakedness, but not to distract others. Distraction also comes from moving around, side discussions, scrolling on phones, and making calls during worship or the sermon. And be aware that “The LORD is in the holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him.”Hab 2:20. *Finally, you don’t come to church to sleep, doze off or jest but to listen with rapt attention to the sermon and participate actively in the church programs.” We shall not miss our day of visitation or our miracle in Jesus’ name. The church is the habitation of divine presence, the LORD is in his temple; let all the earth keep silence before him. Therefore come with awe and enter with humility and honour and be expectant. Prayer. Father, Help us to live out fully the purpose of coming to church. Enable us to worship you in spirit and in truth . Teach us to serve with love and willing hearts, to give with cheerful hearts, to walk in love and in true fellowship with one another. And above all, help us to seek you more and relate with you more. In Jesus’ name. Amen. PURPOSE OF COMING TO CHURCH. “Purpose “ -Is the reason or intention behind an action or something. It is what an action is meant to or supposed to achieve. It is an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides one’s planned actions. It could be an intention, objective or goal intended to be attained. It can simply be defined as “the reason behind what you are doing or what you intend to do. “Coming”-Moving by any means towards something or a place. In this context, you are moving towards the church. One can say you set out to get to the church and that is your destination. “Church”- In this context is referred to as a place of worship.Jn4:23. A house of prayer.Matt21:13. His (Jesus) Father’s house.Jn 2:16. GOD’s dwelling place.Ex25:8. A place where the word of GOD is taught.Lk13:10. It is a place where believers, the elect of GOD gather to meet, praise and worship Jesus Christ, the head of the church. It is the natural habitation of divine presence and as such you come in with awe and reverence. The purpose of coming to church is multidimensional. The scriptures say”Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is, but exhorting one another, and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”Heb10:25. Coming to the church should be a thing of joy as David mentioned “And I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.”Ps 23:1. “I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my GOD, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.”Ps84:10.”I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.”Ps122:1.” In thy presence is fullness of joy.”Ps16:11. Even from David’s writing, one can see that coming to the church is loaded with many reasons. Therefore we should come with expectations and with the belief that we won’t go back without being blessed. Let us consider some of the reasons behind our coming to church. To meet Jesus and offer praise and worship to him.Heb13:15. To encounter and glorify GOD together .Jn4:23, Ps95:6. To learn the word of GOD. Acts2:42,2 Tim3:16. For prayer.Matt21:13 To testify to the goodness of the LORD through testimonies.Rev12:11. To fellowship with others.Heb10:25. Let us consider the points listed above one by one. *To praise and worship the LORD. The Father expects us to worship him in the spirit and in truth and this is confirmed when Jesus said in Jn4:23-24. So he is worthy of worship and in humble awe we come to worship him. “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshippers will worship the Father in the spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks. God is spirit and his worshippers must worship in the spirit and in truth.” And the psalmist says Come,”let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.“ Ps95:6. We are coming to church to worship and as we sing, praise and worship, our praise goes up and GOD inhabits it and rain blessings upon us. Through praise and worship we receive blessings from above. *To learn the word. The word of GOD is our spiritual food that we feed on when we come to church and even when out of church just like the body needs food daily. Matt4:4, 1Peter2:2. It is our light, when life is dark and confusing , the word illuminates and lights up our path.Ps119:105. It is our mirror, whenever we hear or read it, it tells us the truth about ourselves.James 1:23-25. The word is for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. As we listen to the word, and apply it, it transforms and trains us in righteousness.2Tim 3:16-17. The word not only corrects, reproves, trains, it also helps our faith to wax stronger. And it is only by hearing it, that we can build up our faith. Rom 10:11. You can not buy or manufacture or transfer faith, so coming to church to hear the word enhances one’s faith and spiritual growth. The word you hear can not be taken away from you and a life built on the word will stand when storms of life come. The word carries life and power to heal. “They are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body.” Prov 4:22. When Jesus sent out the word to the centurion’s servant, he was healed. Matt8:8,16. As we hear the word, let us not harden our hearts but open them instead so that GOD can transform us into his righteousness. *To pray One of the reasons we come to church is to pray and through that we communicate with GOD . For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. Matt 18:20. When believers pray in unity, with the same heart and same word, GOD moves. He honours the prayer of agreement and there is power in it. When Peter was imprisoned, the ceaseless corporate prayer made by the church unto GOD availed much and He moved on behalf of Peter and set him free. Acts 12:5. As we pray and also intercedes for one another GOD moves in our midst and we experience him and see the manifestation. A consistent prayer life is essential to sustain a church and to keep the church members committed. Iron sharpens Iron, as you come together to pray, you sharpen one another and push each other further to pray more.Prov 27:17. *To share testimonies. Testimony is telling others about what the LORD has done for one; it is a form of witness and we learn from each other. Jesus encourages us to be testifying to the goodness of the LORD. He told the demon possessed that he healed, ”Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you. So the man went and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.”Mark5:19-20. When we share testimonies of what GOD has done, it is an evidence of victory and proof that GOD is working in the life of the testifier. Testimonies reassure believers of the faithfulness of GOD encourage them to put their confidence in him. When ever you come to church to testify or to listen, either way you are being blessed, you receive more of God’s goodness and mercy, and it helps building up faith. Apart from all the above listed, we also come to serve in the church and not only to be served. Not everyone can mount the pulpit to preach, but there are many other activities in the church that need hands. Activities such as ushering, cleaning, follow up, teaching in Sunday school classes evangelising and so on. In all these we rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to be able to function very well. As you get involved in such activities, your hidden gifts will begin to surface. Just like Stephen and the other six men who were appointed as deacons to serve the widows. Acts6:1-6. On this note, I admonish you serve in any of the departments in the church so that your hidden gift can be discovered and utilized and you will become a vessel unto honour in the household of GOD. It is through serving that your gift can be unmasked and begin to manifest. So don’t just come to be served - to hear the sermon, to pray and to depart. Let us join the team of workers and use the gifts GOD gave us to be a blessing to others , serving wholeheartedly and with love.”Jesus didn’t come to be served, but to serve”Mk10:45. We also come to church to give through our tithe and offering. The scriptures says “No one should appear before the LORD empty handed. “Each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way the LORD your God has blessed you.” Deu 16:16b-17. You give to meet the need of the church, support the projects and the programs of the church and also give to the needy in your midst. *To fellowship. Above all we come to fellowship with GOD and with one another for GOD created us for fellowship.1Cor1:9,1Jn1:3. We fellowship with GOD through praise and worship, communicating with him through prayer and thanksgiving, and we express the fellowship through dinning on the bread which is a symbol of Jesus’ body broken for us and drinking the wine which is also a symbol of his blood during the Holy communion. We get closer to GOD and grow spiritually when we fellowship with him. When we gather, we get stronger, grow together spiritually, we encourage each other and experience God’s presence. Gal 6:1a. As we fellowship together in love, our relationship is strengthened, we become our brother’s keeper, we see ourselves as members of the same family and relate as such with the love of Christ binding us together. Behold,how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.Ps 133:1. Brethren, coming to church is always a blessing, because no one leaves without being touched by GOD. Having said much about the purpose of coming to church, it is instructive to also know what coming to to church is Not for and should Not be for. Since the church is the habitation of divine presence, we must enter with humility and honour and come with awe before GOD whom we have come to meet. Brethren, *The church is not for gossip and backbiting. “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”Eph 4:29. Never sow discord among brethren and avoid saying or doing what will cause disunity . *The church is not a market where buying and selling takes place. “Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. He said to them, My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it ‘ a den of robbers’. “Matt21 :12-13. Jesus actually scattered the coins of the money changers at the temple courts and told those who sold doves to stop turning his Father’s house into a market. Jn2:16. This simply means that buying and selling should not be part of what we come to church for and should not be encouraged or entertained at all. *It is not a fashion house. “I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes.”1Tim2:9. Dress to cover your nakedness, but not to distract others. Distraction also comes from moving around, side discussions, scrolling on phones, and making calls during worship or the sermon. And be aware that “The LORD is in the holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him.”Hab 2:20. *Finally, you don’t come to church to sleep, doze off or jest but to listen with rapt attention to the sermon and participate actively in the church programs.” We shall not miss our day of visitation or our miracle in Jesus’ name. The church is the habitation of divine presence, the LORD is in his temple; let all the earth keep silence before him. Therefore come with awe and enter with humility and honour and be expectant. Prayer. Father, Help us to live out fully the purpose of coming to church. Enable us to worship you in spirit and in truth . Teach us to serve with love and willing hearts, to give with cheerful hearts, to walk in love and in true fellowship with one another. And above all, help us to seek you more and relate with you more. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

THE PURPOSE OF COMING TO CHURCH. “Purpose “ -Is the reason or intention behind an action or something. It is what an action is meant to or supposed to achieve. It is an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides one’s planned actions. It could be an intention, objective or goal intended to be attained. It can simply be defined as “the reason behind what you are doing or what you intend to do. “Coming”-Moving by any means towards something or a place. In this context, you are moving towards the church. One can say you set out to get to the church and that is your destination. “Church”- In this context is referred to as a place of worship.Jn4:23. A house of prayer.Matt21:13. His (Jesus) Father’s house.Jn 2:16. GOD’s dwelling place.Ex25:8. A place where the word of GOD is taught.Lk13:10. It is a place where believers, the elect of GOD gather to meet, praise and worship Jesus Christ, the head of the church. It is the natural habitation of divine presence and as such you come in with awe and reverence. The purpose of coming to church is multidimensional. The scriptures say”Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is, but exhorting one another, and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”Heb10:25. Coming to the church should be a thing of joy as David mentioned “And I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.”Ps 23:1. “I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my GOD, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.”Ps84:10.”I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.”Ps122:1.” In thy presence is fullness of joy.”Ps16:11. Even from David’s writing, one can see that coming to the church is loaded with many reasons. Therefore we should come with expectations and with the belief that we won’t go back without being blessed. Let us consider some of the reasons behind our coming to church. To meet Jesus and offer praise and worship to him.Heb13:15. To encounter and glorify GOD together .Jn4:23, Ps95:6. To learn the word of GOD. Acts2:42,2 Tim3:16. For prayer.Matt21:13 To testify to the goodness of the LORD through testimonies.Rev12:11. To fellowship with others.Heb10:25. Let us consider the points listed above one by one. *To praise and worship the LORD. The Father expects us to worship him in the spirit and in truth and this is confirmed when Jesus said in Jn4:23-24. So he is worthy of worship and in humble awe we come to worship him. “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshippers will worship the Father in the spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks. God is spirit and his worshippers must worship in the spirit and in truth.” And the psalmist says Come,”let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.“ Ps95:6. We are coming to church to worship and as we sing, praise and worship, our praise goes up and GOD inhabits it and rain blessings upon us. Through praise and worship we receive blessings from above. *To learn the word. The word of GOD is our spiritual food that we feed on when we come to church and even when out of church just like the body needs food daily. Matt4:4, 1Peter2:2. It is our light, when life is dark and confusing , the word illuminates and lights up our path.Ps119:105. It is our mirror, whenever we hear or read it, it tells us the truth about ourselves.James 1:23-25. The word is for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. As we listen to the word, and apply it, it transforms and trains us in righteousness.2Tim 3:16-17. The word not only corrects, reproves, trains, it also helps our faith to wax stronger. And it is only by hearing it, that we can build up our faith. Rom 10:11. You can not buy or manufacture or transfer faith, so coming to church to hear the word enhances one’s faith and spiritual growth. The word you hear can not be taken away from you and a life built on the word will stand when storms of life come. The word carries life and power to heal. “They are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body.” Prov 4:22. When Jesus sent out the word to the centurion’s servant, he was healed. Matt8:8,16. As we hear the word, let us not harden our hearts but open them instead so that GOD can transform us into his righteousness. *To pray One of the reasons we come to church is to pray and through that we communicate with GOD . For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. Matt 18:20. When believers pray in unity, with the same heart and same word, GOD moves. He honours the prayer of agreement and there is power in it. When Peter was imprisoned, the ceaseless corporate prayer made by the church unto GOD availed much and He moved on behalf of Peter and set him free. Acts 12:5. As we pray and also intercedes for one another GOD moves in our midst and we experience him and see the manifestation. A consistent prayer life is essential to sustain a church and to keep the church members committed. Iron sharpens Iron, as you come together to pray, you sharpen one another and push each other further to pray more.Prov 27:17. *To share testimonies. Testimony is telling others about what the LORD has done for one; it is a form of witness and we learn from each other. Jesus encourages us to be testifying to the goodness of the LORD. He told the demon possessed that he healed, ”Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you. So the man went and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.”Mark5:19-20. When we share testimonies of what GOD has done, it is an evidence of victory and proof that GOD is working in the life of the testifier. Testimonies reassure believers of the faithfulness of GOD encourage them to put their confidence in him. When ever you come to church to testify or to listen, either way you are being blessed, you receive more of God’s goodness and mercy, and it helps building up faith. Apart from all the above listed, we also come to serve in the church and not only to be served. Not everyone can mount the pulpit to preach, but there are many other activities in the church that need hands. Activities such as ushering, cleaning, follow up, teaching in Sunday school classes evangelising and so on. In all these we rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to be able to function very well. As you get involved in such activities, your hidden gifts will begin to surface. Just like Stephen and the other six men who were appointed as deacons to serve the widows. Acts6:1-6. On this note, I admonish you serve in any of the departments in the church so that your hidden gift can be discovered and utilized and you will become a vessel unto honour in the household of GOD. It is through serving that your gift can be unmasked and begin to manifest. So don’t just come to be served - to hear the sermon, to pray and to depart. Let us join the team of workers and use the gifts GOD gave us to be a blessing to others , serving wholeheartedly and with love.”Jesus didn’t come to be served, but to serve”Mk10:45. We also come to church to give through our tithe and offering. The scriptures says “No one should appear before the LORD empty handed. “Each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way the LORD your God has blessed you.” Deu 16:16b-17. You give to meet the need of the church, support the projects and the programs of the church and also give to the needy in your midst. *To fellowship. Above all we come to fellowship with GOD and with one another for GOD created us for fellowship.1Cor1:9,1Jn1:3. We fellowship with GOD through praise and worship, communicating with him through prayer and thanksgiving, and we express the fellowship through dinning on the bread which is a symbol of Jesus’ body broken for us and drinking the wine which is also a symbol of his blood during the Holy communion. We get closer to GOD and grow spiritually when we fellowship with him. When we gather, we get stronger, grow together spiritually, we encourage each other and experience God’s presence. Gal 6:1a. As we fellowship together in love, our relationship is strengthened, we become our brother’s keeper, we see ourselves as members of the same family and relate as such with the love of Christ binding us together. Behold,how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.Ps 133:1. Brethren, coming to church is always a blessing, because no one leaves without being touched by GOD. Having said much about the purpose of coming to church, it is instructive to also know what coming to to church is Not for and should Not be for. Since the church is the habitation of divine presence, we must enter with humility and honour and come with awe before GOD whom we have come to meet. Brethren, *The church is not for gossip and backbiting. “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”Eph 4:29. Never sow discord among brethren and avoid saying or doing what will cause disunity . *The church is not a market where buying and selling takes place. “Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. He said to them, My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it ‘ a den of robbers’. “Matt21 :12-13. Jesus actually scattered the coins of the money changers at the temple courts and told those who sold doves to stop turning his Father’s house into a market. Jn2:16. This simply means that buying and selling should not be part of what we come to church for and should not be encouraged or entertained at all. *It is not a fashion house. “I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes.”1Tim2:9. Dress to cover your nakedness, but not to distract others. Distraction also comes from moving around, side discussions, scrolling on phones, and making calls during worship or the sermon. And be aware that “The LORD is in the holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him.”Hab 2:20. *Finally, you don’t come to church to sleep, doze off or jest but to listen with rapt attention to the sermon and participate actively in the church programs.” We shall not miss our day of visitation or our miracle in Jesus’ name. The church is the habitation of divine presence, the LORD is in his temple; let all the earth keep silence before him. Therefore come with awe and enter with humility and honour and be expectant. Prayer. Father, Help us to live out fully the purpose of coming to church. Enable us to worship you in spirit and in truth . Teach us to serve with love and willing hearts, to give with cheerful hearts, to walk in love and in true fellowship with one another. And above all, help us to seek you more and relate with you more. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

HOW TO. MANAGE PROVOCATION

HOW TO MANAGE PROVOCATION. Managing Provocation :- Scriptural Perspectives The key words in this sentence are “manage” and “provocation”. “Manage”- Is to act on , to cope, to carry on, to function,to handle effectively, or an attempt to overcome difficulty or challenge. “Provocation”-Acts or words that trigger anger, hurt or calls for defense. It is an unfriendly behavior that causes anger or resentment. It is something said or done that is meant to annoy, or stir up a reaction in someone. It is to irritate or anger on purpose. Provocation can come inform of- Abuse. Being maligned. Being misconstrued. Cheating. Denial of privilege. False accusation. False witness. Insult. Lying against. Maltreatment. Mockery. If you are faced with any of the above or other similar means, how do you cope, resolve, handle or overcome the situation? This sermon focuses on how to handle such with relevance to the Scriptures. You are to respond in such a way that you will not sin against God no matter how grave the provocation may be. Psa 119:11 “ Thy word have I hid in my heart, That I might not sin against thee.” Since you are responsible for your own attitude, words and actions but you can not control the person provoking you, you have to maintain your own personal peace and control your emotions. And remember that the scriptures say ”If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with every one.”Rom 12:18. It depends on you to manage the situation with wisdom and respond with a milder or gentle answer. Pro 15: 1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” You are to be patient and not rush to respond as in Pro 15:18. “A hot- tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.” The person provoking you may be spoiling for a fight, the onus is on you as a believer to calm the situation and let peace reign. And also we are admonished to be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.James 1:19. And do not answer a fool according to his folly ,or you yourself will be just like him. Pro26:4. In other words, there must be a difference between you and a provoker. Your behavior must be christlike. More so the Scriptures say “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. Rom 12:19. Brethren, if GOD says, he will avenge for you, why not allow him to do so? Keeping quiet is not weakness but strength and remember that you are admonished to not repay anyone evil for evil.Rom 12:17. Provocation pushes one into an instant action but reaction is optional and application of self control can act as a pause button. Self control is part of the fruit of the spirit which a believer must exhibit at all times. Provocation exposes what is already in one but one must let the Holy Spirit produce patience and self control. One should never respond impulsively. Provocation can also be managed by praying quietly to GOD to set a guard over one’s mouth and keep watch over the door of one’s lips. Ps141:3. For someone living an active prayerful life, it won’t be difficult to ask GOD for grace to be able to respond with wisdom and love or to keep mute or even walk away from the scene and go on one’s way as if nothing had happened. Let us consider how provocation was managed by characters such as Hannah, Nehemiah, Stephen and Jesus Christ. Hannah: 1 Sam1:10-21. Hannah in her deep anguish was praying and weeping bitterly at Shiloh, and as she kept praying to the LORD, in her heart and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard, Eli the priest sitting by the doorpost of the LORD’s house noticed her and misconstrued her heartfelt prayer as drunkenness. And Eli said, “ How long are you going to stay drunk?”Put away your wine.” This is provocative enough for you to be praying with all your heart to the LORD, and for someone to assume you were drunk. But instead of getting provoked, she responded calmly and with humility. “Not so, my lord,” “ I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring my soul to the LORD. Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief.” 1 Sam1:15-16. Eli asked her to go in peace and prayed that God of Israel will grant her what she had asked for. Brethren, provocation can be managed by being calm, polite, respectful and humble when responding, as demonstrated by Hannah.1Sam1:15. One can learn from the way Hannah managed when provoked. Nehemiah: Neh 2-6. Nehemiah was a cupbearer to king Artaxerxes in Susa. When he had that the wall of Jerusalem was broken down and its gates have been burned with fire he was heartbroken and wore a sad face to the extent that the king noticed his countenance and had to ask him the reason why. Because of his love and concern for his people and Jerusalem he had to give up the cupbearer job with the permission and support of the king to come to Jerusalem to rebuild the wall. But on getting to Jerusalem, while rebuilding with some like minds that he gathered, he was despised, humiliated, insulted, mocked and ridiculed by Sanballat, Tobiah and Geshem. Despite all the provocations, through their actions , utterances and plots, Nehemiah was able to manage the situation very well. The provokers made statements like ” What are those Jews doing? Will they restore their wall? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they finish in a day? Can they bring the stones back to life from those heaps of rubble- burned as they are.? What are they building - even a fox climbing up on it would break down their walls of stones!”Neh2:2-3. When Sanballat and Tobiah heard what Nehemiah’s people said “Let us start rebuilding,” they mocked and ridiculed them and said “What is this you are doing?”Are you rebelling against the king?”Neh 2:18–19. Despite all these, Nehemiah neither dialogued nor traded insults with them, instead he prayed intermittently. He responded to each of their blasphemy with prayers as follows.”The God of heaven will give us success.”Neh2:20. Hear us, our God, for we are despised. Turn their insults back on their own heads. Give them over as plunder in a land of captivity. Do not cover up their guilt or blot out their sins from your sight, for they have thrown insults in the face of the builders.”Neh 4:4-5. Again the provokers and mockers planned to come and fight against Jerusalem but Nehemiah and his people prayed to their God.Neh 4:9. From Nehemiah’s response, one can conclude that he is a man of prayer, believes in the efficacy of prayer and he is a man of faith. He refused to be provoked to sin against God. He focused on what he was doing and he applied wisdom by posting guards to watch over the wall and ward off attackers. So the wall was completed in fifty -two days.Neh 6:15. Nehemiah was able to manage provocation by relying totally on God through prayer. He also applied wisdom and remained focused and strategic. Stephen: Acts 6:8-15, 72-60. Stephen, a deacon, was a man full of faith, the Holy Spirit and of God’s grace and power. GOD enabled him to perform great wonders and signs among the people. Because of this, opposition rose among members of the Synagogue against him. They argued with him and lied against him and secretly persuaded some men to say he blasphemed against Moses and God. They produced false witnesses who testified that Stephen kept speaking against the holy place and the law. He did not argue and did not trade words with them. But when the high priest asked him whether the charges against him were true, he did not defend anything , he only gave historical background of how the glory of God appeared to their father Abraham, and God’s promise to him through Isaac, and Jacob and how Moses and the Israelites moved through the wilderness. When he then said that they always resist the Holy Spirit and that they betrayed and murdered the Righteous One, members of the Sanhedrin became furious and gnashed their teeth at him. But He said” Look”, “ I see heaven open and the son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” Acts 7:56. This made them more furious and they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Instead of reacting he prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” He fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” Acts 7:60. Having said that , he fell asleep. Despite all that was done to Stephen, he refused to be provoked, he maintained his composure and prayed, “Lord Jesus,receive my spirit,” and “Lord,do not hold this sin against them.” What a godly and peaceful way to manage provocation. Stephen showed us the most peaceful way to manage provocation: like Jesus,he prayed for those who were killing him.Acts 7:59-60, Lk 23: 34. Jesus Christ: Lk 23:1 - 46. Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ epitomises the ultimate in response to provocation. He perfectly demonstrated how provocation should be managed. Despite the fact that he faced the worst kind of provocation severally, he never sinned with his lips.1Pet2:23. The whole assembly rose and led him off to Pilate and accused him by saying,” We have found this man subverting our nation. He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar and claims to be Messiah, a king.” Lk23:1-2. So Pilate asked Jesus, ”Are you the king of the Jews?”He simply replied “You have said so .” Then Pilate announced to the chief priest and the crowd, “ I find no basis for a charge against this man.” Instead of agreeing to what the Pilate said,they insisted ,”He stirs up the people all over Judea by his teaching. He started in Galilee and has come all the way here.” Pilate then sent Jesus to Herod. Based on what Herod had heard about him, he asked him many questions but Jesus gave him no answer. Lk 23:9. He was vehemently accused, ridiculed and mocked by the chief priests, teachers of the law, Herod and his soldiers. Despite Pilate’s appeal to the mockers to let him release Jesus, they kept shouting , Crucify him! Crucify him.Lk 23;20. Pilate granted their demand and Jesus was led away, and he was crucified along with the criminals- one on his right and one on the left. On the cross , Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”Lk23:34. He was still mocked further, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself. “And there was a written notice above him , which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. Worst still, one of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him ;”Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us! Again he did not respond. Despite the fact that Jesus was insulted, mocked, humiliated,sneered at, spit at, rejected and provoked immediately following his trial and condemnation by Pilate and even when crucified, he remained well composed and silent. But still prayed “Father, forgive them,for they do not know what they are doing?” Brethren, we can learn from Hannah,Nehemiah, Stephen and from our Lord Jesus Christ who epitomises the perfect way to handle and manage provocation. Prayer: Father, Grant me the grace to manage provocation in a godly and peaceful way and the grace to apply wisdom and self control when I am provoked. Amen. In Jesus’ name. . .

THE BIBLICAL COVENANT

                                                          

THE BIBLICAL  COVENANT 

The biblical Covenant is a sacred and binding agreement between GOD and humanity or specific groups or individuals,establishing a relational bond, spelling out  binding  promises, obligations , terms and signs. and it is often sealed in blood.

It often involves a supreme party (GOD)  establishing terms  with humanity, with specific blessings for obedience and consequences for disobedience. It reflects GOD’s unchanging love, faithfulness ,and purpose and it calls for trust and response from us. It is a divine promise backed by GOD’s own character. It can also be defined as a relationship between two  partners who make  binding promises to each  other and work together to reach a common goal. This can be readily illustrated by marriage , a covenantal relationship , which was instituted by GOD , when He said”A man shall leave his father and mother and be united to his wife and they shall become one flesh”Gen2:24.

There are many covenants made by GOD with reference to the Bible.

Let us examine  a few examples. 

Gen 9:8-11.-Then GOD said to Noah and to his sons with him :”I now establish my covenant with you and with your descendants after you and with every living creature that was with you -the birds, the livestock and all the wild animals, all those that came out  of the ark with you.- every living creature on earth .I establish my covenant with you: Never again will all life be cut off by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth.”

Gen12:2-3.-The LORD said to Abraham”I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and who ever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”

Exo19:5-6.-The LORD said to Moses” Now if you  obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.”

2Sam7:12-13- The  word of the LORD came to Nathan the prophet  for David”The LORD declares to you that the LORD himself will establish a house for you: When your days are over and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, who will come from your  own body, and I will establish his kingdom.” He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.”

Heb8:6-12- GOD established a new covenant through Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection, offering forgiveness of sins and eternal life.”But the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is a mediator  is superior to the old one, and it is founded on on better promises. The time is coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their GOD ,and they will be my people. For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”

Covenants reveal GOD’s commitment to restoring humanity moving from brokenness of the Old Testament to the fulfillment in the New Testament. They are keys to GOD’s  redemptive plan to restore humanity to its divine calling.

The covenants progressively build upon one another,forming a complete  redemptive storyline.He preserved the world through Noah, initiated redemption through Abraham, established the nation of Israel through Moses and promised an eternal shepherd king through David and then fulfilled all through Jesus. Jesus is the guarantor and mediator  of the new and better covenant. He has become the guarantee of a better covenant.Heb7:22.

When GOD makes a covenant ,it is a promise he confirms with a commitment .For example he made a covenant with Noah after the flood.”I establish my covenant with you: Never again will all life be destroyed by the waters of a flood ; never  again will there be a flood to destroy the earth.”Gen 9:11.

GOD said”I have made a covenant with my chosen,I have sworn to David my servant, I will establish your line forever, and  make your throne firm through all generations. I will maintain my love to him  forever and my covenant with him will never fail.  I will establish his line  forever, his throne as long as the heavens endure .”Ps 89:2-3,28-29.

Brethren, going through the scriptures, these covenants were fulfilled.  Jesus lineage was traced to David. Part of the evidence was when blind Bartimaeus cried out and said.”Jesus, Son of David,have mercy on me!”Mk10:47. Jesus confirmed his Davidic lineage when he said “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the  Offspring of David, and the bright Morning star.”Rev 22:16. The “Root of Jesse “points to the Messiah from David ‘s line -Jesus Christ.

God’s covenants are sacred,sure ,certain, definite, reliable, trustworthy,unchanging, and irrevocable. GOD is a covenant -keeper, he does not break  his covenant nor alter his word. Ps 89: 34. And in actual fact his word does not return unto him empty, but  will accomplish  what he desires, and achieve the

purpose for which it is sent. Isa 55:11. Whatever He promises  will surely be done.

Humans may break their side of the covenant  but GOD remains faithful ,making his promises everlasting and unbreakable. Breaking a covenant creates  a crack in one’s spiritual life and it can lead to a great fall. Example is the case of Eli and his family line that lost the promise of priesthood .The priesthood was revoked because Eli honoured  his sons more than GOD and he failed to  restrain them from the sins he knew about.ISam 2 :30-32.3:11.-14.

You are admonished to remain faithful and obedient so as to be able to keep your own part of the covenant. Be in alignment with GOD, honour him,and be totally obedient to his commands. 

The Bible tells us in Deu7:9”Know therefore  that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations  of those who love him and keep his commands.In other words our role  to play in the agreement is to love  him and keep his commands.To be his treasured possession we have to obey him fully, take care to follow his commands,decrees and laws.

We are reassured that the LORD is trustworthy in all his promises and faithful in all he does.

When his covenant is not being fulfilled in our lives, let us examine our selves and do the needful.

We see that the covenant he made with Abraham our forefather was kept. Abraham obeyed  when GOD 

asked him to  “Go from your country , your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.” Gen 12:1-2.At the old age of seventy -five years,he obeyed and he set out from Harran with his wife Sarah and his nephew Lot. GOD tested Abraham,and he passed the test by obeying his instructions. GOD said,”Take your son, your only son, whom you love -Isaac-and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you. Early the next morning Abraham got up and loaded his donkey.  He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac.When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering,he set out for the place GOD told him about.”GOD saw Abraham’s total obedience and willingness to sacrifice Isaac and then the LORD said, “I swear by myself declared the LORD, That because you have done this and not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore . Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.”Gen22:15-17.

Brethren, GOD expects us to play our own part through total obedience to his commands so that the covenants he made with us and for us can be fully actualised.  We can learn from father Abraham.

Prayer.

Father,

Thank you so much for the various covenants you made with us and for us.

Grant us the grace to walk in total obedience and the enablement to play our part as expected so that we will be able to fully enjoy the benefits of the covenants.

In Jesus’ name.

Amen.

COVENANT.docx

BIBLICAL COVENANT

                                                         

THE BIBLICAL  COVENANT 

The biblical Covenant is a sacred and binding agreement between GOD and humanity or specific groups or individuals,establishing a relational bond, spelling out  binding  promises, obligations , terms and signs. and it is often sealed in blood.

It often involves a supreme party (GOD)  establishing terms  with humanity, with specific blessings for obedience and consequences for disobedience. It reflects GOD’s unchanging love, faithfulness ,and purpose and it calls for trust and response from us. It is a divine promise backed by GOD’s own character. It can also be defined as a relationship between two  partners who make  binding promises to each  other and work together to reach a common goal. This can be readily illustrated by marriage , a covenantal relationship , which was instituted by GOD , when He said”A man shall leave his father and mother and be united to his wife and they shall become one flesh”Gen2:24.

There are many covenants made by GOD with reference to the Bible.

Let us examine  a few examples. 

Gen 9:8-11.-Then GOD said to Noah and to his sons with him :”I now establish my covenant with you and with your descendants after you and with every living creature that was with you -the birds, the livestock and all the wild animals, all those that came out  of the ark with you.- every living creature on earth .I establish my covenant with you: Never again will all life be cut off by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth.”

Gen12:2-3.-The LORD said to Abraham”I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and who ever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”

Exo19:5-6.-The LORD said to Moses” Now if you  obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.”

2Sam7:12-13- The  word of the LORD came to Nathan the prophet  for David”The LORD declares to you that the LORD himself will establish a house for you: When your days are over and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, who will come from your  own body, and I will establish his kingdom.” He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.”

Heb8:6-12- GOD established a new covenant through Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection, offering forgiveness of sins and eternal life.”But the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is a mediator  is superior to the old one, and it is founded on on better promises. The time is coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their GOD ,and they will be my people. For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”

Covenants reveal GOD’s commitment to restoring humanity moving from brokenness of the Old Testament to the fulfillment in the New Testament. They are keys to GOD’s  redemptive plan to restore humanity to its divine calling.

The covenants progressively build upon one another,forming a complete  redemptive storyline.He preserved the world through Noah, initiated redemption through Abraham, established the nation of Israel through Moses and promised an eternal shepherd king through David and then fulfilled all through Jesus. Jesus is the guarantor and mediator  of the new and better covenant. He has become the guarantee of a better covenant.Heb7:22.

When GOD makes a covenant ,it is a promise he confirms with a commitment .For example he made a covenant with Noah after the flood.”I establish my covenant with you: Never again will all life be destroyed by the waters of a flood ; never  again will there be a flood to destroy the earth.”Gen 9:11.

GOD said”I have made a covenant with my chosen,I have sworn to David my servant, I will establish your line forever, and  make your throne firm through all generations. I will maintain my love to him  forever and my covenant with him will never fail.  I will establish his line  forever, his throne as long as the heavens endure .”Ps 89:2-3,28-29.

Brethren, going through the scriptures, these covenants were fulfilled.  Jesus lineage was traced to David. Part of the evidence was when blind Bartimaeus cried out and said.”Jesus, Son of David,have mercy on me!”Mk10:47. Jesus confirmed his Davidic lineage when he said “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the  Offspring of David, and the bright Morning star.”Rev 22:16. The “Root of Jesse “points to the Messiah from David ‘s line -Jesus Christ.

God’s covenants are sacred,sure ,certain, definite, reliable, trustworthy,unchanging, and irrevocable. GOD is a covenant -keeper, he does not break  his covenant nor alter his word. Ps 89: 34. And in actual fact his word does not return unto him empty, but  will accomplish  what he desires, and achieve the

purpose for which it is sent. Isa 55:11. Whatever He promises  will surely be done.

Humans may break their side of the covenant  but GOD remains faithful ,making his promises everlasting and unbreakable. Breaking a covenant creates  a crack in one’s spiritual life and it can lead to a great fall. Example is the case of Eli and his family line that lost the promise of priesthood .The priesthood was revoked because Eli honoured  his sons more than GOD and he failed to  restrain them from the sins he knew about.ISam 2 :30-32.3:11.-14.

You are admonished to remain faithful and obedient so as to be able to keep your own part of the covenant. Be in alignment with GOD, honour him,and be totally obedient to his commands. 

The Bible tells us in Deu7:9”Know therefore  that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations  of those who love him and keep his commands.In other words our role  to play in the agreement is to love  him and keep his commands.To be his treasured possession we have to obey him fully, take care to follow his commands,decrees and laws.

We are reassured that the LORD is trustworthy in all his promises and faithful in all he does.

When his covenant is not being fulfilled in our lives, let us examine our selves and do the needful.

We see that the covenant he made with Abraham our forefather was kept. Abraham obeyed  when GOD 

asked him to  “Go from your country , your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.” Gen 12:1-2.At the old age of seventy -five years,he obeyed and he set out from Harran with his wife Sarah and his nephew Lot. GOD tested Abraham,and he passed the test by obeying his instructions. GOD said,”Take your son, your only son, whom you love -Isaac-and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you. Early the next morning Abraham got up and loaded his donkey.  He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac.When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering,he set out for the place GOD told him about.”GOD saw Abraham’s total obedience and willingness to sacrifice Isaac and then the LORD said, “I swear by myself declared the LORD, That because you have done this and not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore . Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.”Gen22:15-17.

Brethren, GOD expects us to play our own part through total obedience to his commands so that the covenants he made with us and for us can be fully actualised.  We can learn from father Abraham.

Prayer.

Father,

Thank you so much for the various covenants you made with us and for us.

Grant us the grace to walk in total obedience and the enablement to play our part as expected so that we will be able to fully enjoy the benefits of the covenants.

In Jesus’ name.

Amen.

COVENANT.docx

BIBLICAL COVENANT

BIBLICAL COVENANT

ENCOURAGING THE BROKENHEARTED

            ENCOURAGING  THE  BROKENHEARTED 

“Encouraging “ is giving someone confidence, hope or motivation to do something or face  a challenge.It can be a way of comforting someone by offering hope and support during tough times.

“Brokenhearted “ means feeling extremely sad, hurt or disappointed, often due to a painful  experience. It is like one’s heart is literally broken into pieces. It is a state of feeling extreme sadness or grief.

The brokenhearted are those struggling with emotional  pain ,grief or spiritual dryness. Such people need encouragement, comfort, hope and healing from such wounds.

The scripture encourages the brokenhearted and assures them of support, hope and ways to overcome brokenness of heart.

Let us consider some of the texts in the scripture with reference to the brokenhearted.

Ps34:18-“The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

Ps147:3 -“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”

Lk4:18b- Jesus said” He hath sent  me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives.”

Prophet Isaiah prophesied that GOD sent the Messiah/Jesus to bind up the brokenhearted in Isa 61:1 and Jesus confirmed it in Lk 4:18b, that GOD hath sent him to heal the brokenhearted.

Let us consider some of the causes of brokenheartedness.

.Loss of a loved one through death ,separation or divorce.

.Illness ,terminal disease or chronic pain.

. Emotional or physical abuse .

.Betrayal ,disappointment or broken trust.

. Job loss or financial struggles.

.Rejection,loneliness or abandonment.

. Unfulfilled expectations or dreams.

. Stagnation, failure and spiritual struggles.

Let us consider various ways such people can be encouraged.

By reminding them of God’s love and encouraging them to focus on his plans .For  the Bible says “I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.Jer 29:11. No matter what they may be passing through, GOD has  a future for them. Reassure them that GOD loves and cares for them.

By encouraging them to pray and also praying with them and assuring them with the word. GOD said”Then you will call upon me and come and pray  to me ,and I will listen to you.” He will be found  when such seek him.Jer29:12 .That they should not be anxious about anything, but in everything,by prayer and petition , with thanksgiving,they should present their requests to GOD.Phi 4:6. They should cast all their anxieties on GOD because he cares for them .1 Peter5:7. Come to me , all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.Matt11:28. As GOD spoke to Jeremiah “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do  not know.” Jer 33:3 when he was still confined in the courtyard of the guard, He is saying the same to the brokenhearted. Speaking or reading the portion above will encourage them and give them hope.

By visiting them, listening to them and showing compassion, empathising with them, giving aid, support or assistance in their areas of need.

By giving wise and godly counsel  and assuring them that GOD is greater than whatever challenges they may have or whatever they may be passing through.

Brethren, the brokenhearted need comfort, hope and healing. As believers, we should be able to support, assist and render help in any way we can and remind them always that God’s grace is sufficient for us all , for His power is made perfect in our weakness.The Bible admonishes us to carry each other’s burdens, and in this way we will fulfill the law of Christ.Gal 6:2. Also ,we should encourage the disheartened, help the weak, and be patient with everyone.1Thess5:14b.

Above all, encourage them to maintain a life of gratitude, keeping a thankful heart  in every situation. Help them recognise God’s presence and purpose, and remind them that His goodness transcends temporary hardships. And that in all things they should give thanks for this is the will of GOD in Christ Jesus concerning us all.1Thess5:18. 

Prayer:

The LORD will help us to be able to encourage and give succour to the brokenhearted and as many that are brokenhearted, the LORD will mend their hearts and heal their wounds . They will not die in their affliction in Jesus’ name.

Amen.

.