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Letting Things Go, Reaching the Goal
Forgetting those things which are behind Philippians 3:13 Everyone has a past. Some have glorious pasts of achievement, victory and gain. Some have pasts of failures, loss and shame. It is never GOD’s intention for His people to dwell in the past. Being bound by time and space, life’s situations and events that happened to us now happens to us in the here and now. When it is over, the event is left in that time space that GOD intended it to be. The event itself is never to be brought forward. If it is, it will be out of place, and become a mismatch with the next programme. Like a play with many…
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One Mind
Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Romans 12:16 Living together in the local church requires each member of the body of Christ to have interpersonal relationships with one another. As the brain interconnects with different parts of the body so that it operates efficiently and as a whole, the local church is no different. Every member ought to have the same ends, the same goal and aspiration within and for the body of Christ, and that is to ensure its growth, its continuous obedience to Christ, its fulfillment of the Great Commission and the discipling of…
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One Joy, One Tear
Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Romans 12:15 Be glad with them that are happy and sob with them that are weeping. The principle that Paul encourages for the christians is that they are to be same-hearted, and same-minded towards one another, that each of us ought to feel the joys and sorrows of each of their Christian friends. Many when they are elated, would want to tell another person of their joy and gladness, and those who are sad , will need a shoulder to cry on, a hand to hold, a word of encouragement or just a silent listener. But Paul admonishes us to go further, to…
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Caring
Distributing to the necessity of saints, given to hospitality Romans 12:13 Brotherly love is a principle every Christian need in their hearts. When the Lord Jesus saved us, He placed in all His children the ability to love one another , because we are all bought by the blood of Christ and are thus in the same family of GOD. Worldly philosophy and fleshly ambitions and ways may hinder such love, yet it is a commandment of the Lord. And the way to overcome such prejudice and to be more Christ like is to obey the clear teachings of Scripture. How are we to have brotherly love? Paul teaches us the practice principles of care.…
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Called to Follow
I am the LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go. Isaiah 48:17 From the time of Egypt until today, the Lord God of Heaven and Earth has been leading the nation of Israel. The nation, although under constant threat of war, has always been saved from seemingly the most impossible of situations. Yet, it is not surprising because the Lord Jesus has always been their protector and preserver. The theme of the anniversary, on a spiritual level, reflects God’s consistent and unbiased leadership of His children at Ambassador Baptist Church. We have been called to follow Christ and to…
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Counseling for Growth
2 Thessalonians 3:15 Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. When a Christian falls away from God, or sins against the Lord, it is the duty of a Christian who loves the Lord to prayerfully guide, encourage, plead and, if need be, rebuke or chide them with the expressed goal of bringing them back to the Lord. However, some may say it is none of their business but will continue to “fellowship” with them as if there was no offence against the Lord. The apostolic instruction with regards to this area is threefold: avoid them, admonish them and count them not as enemies but…
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Fathers, Who Is Your God?
Exodus 3:15 The LORD God of your fathers, In a research paper done by the US Office on Child Abuse and Neglect entitled “The Importance of Fathers in the Healthy Development of Children”, it was found that children with fathers who were present, involved and engaged in their lives generally had higher IQs, better educational outcomes, more appropriate social behaviour, displayed more security in exploring and interacting with their surroundings, and demonstrated marked psychological stability. God, in His infinite wisdom, had ordained that there was to be a mother and a father. The absence of a father can affect the future of a child and his development significantly. The research…
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Comforting Words
1 Thessalonians 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words. Christians are not exempted from the trials and tribulations of this world. Sin has troubled every activity and every work in this life. It has messed up relationships and every social interaction. Sin has its final consequence in death. The Thessalonian Christians were deeply troubled by the demise of their loved ones, not knowing if they would see them again. God has words of comfort in every situation, what a blessed thought! God says, When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire,…
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Are we Aware of the Coming of the Lord Jesus?
1 Thessalonians 5:2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. The Thessalonians were well-aware that the time of the Lord’s advent to earth was secret and sudden, as a thief coming without warning. However, the Thessalonian church was not in the dark about this occasion that may happen any time. They were very aware of the suddenness of the coming of Christ. Paul wrote to admonish them on three counts, lessons which will do modern believers good if they take heed. We are not in the dark about this coming But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that…
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Resting in Trials
2 Thessalonians 1:7 to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven The book of 2 Thessalonians records for us the intense persecution and troubles the saints were going through. It is also Paul’s encouragement to the believers as they go through the hard times. The believers had to endure beatings and physical harm for the name of Christ: something that we will not need to go through, at least in the near future. Yet, the source of trouble is the same: satanic and worldly opposition to the truths of GOD and the gospel. All believers are called to trouble for the…