Messages

Text: 1 Samuel 16:1-23; Genesis 26:1-25

…grace is truly a special blessing everyone must pray to receive in their life endeavors. Tutus 2:11 makes it clear that the grace appeared unto all men and that it teaches us to deny ungodliness but to uphold holiness. Grace has a condition of obedience to the giver of grace for us to be able to positioned for the blessings. Isaac had to obey the voice of God for him to enjoy the covenanted blessings of Abraham (Genesis 26:1-7). We cannot continue in sin and say that grace abound, Paul said “…God forbid” (Romans 6:1-2).

Text: 1 Samuel 16:1-23; Genesis 26:1-25

Grace is undeserved favor, something not worked for but was given. The bible made it clear that grace is the basis for our salvation and not of our works (Ephesians 2:8). When a man carries the grace of God, he can’t be suppressed. Such can not be hidden, the grace will speak out. David was not even at home when Samuel came looking for the man to be anointed as king over Israel. Yet, he was located without delay because he carried the grace of God. Joseph carried a perfect grace, even in the prison, he was favored. Grace lifted him from slavery to the position of prime minister in a foreign land…

Text: Genesis 28:10 – 22.

God has always desired fellowship with mankind, and as the bible recorded, He will seldom come down to fellowship with Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden. He loved mankind to the point that He wouldn’t let man just go away from His presence after sinning. He made a plan for redemption. When Jacob and Esau were in their mother’s womb, they struggled with one another. Their mother consulted a prophet and she was informed the younger shall be greater than the older. After their birth, series of events led to Jacob leaving his father’s house. He went to Laban’s house. But on the way, he had a dream while sleeping. The heavens opened and he saw angels ascending and descending through a ladder and God was at the top of the ladder. He called Luz, where he had the dream Bethel when he woke. He said God is there, and it is the house of God, the gate of heaven (Genesis 28:17). Jesus also affirmed to Nathanael in the first chapter of John (John 1:51) that angels will ascend and descend upon the son of man. Jesus is that ladder and the church is that gate of heaven.

Life in Christ is a life expected to be free of pain, troubles and challenges. But the reality after giving our life to Him is that we experience these challenges, if not much more than before. And it gets to a time, we ask the question, BUT WHY?

Mathew 25:1-13. All the virgins were invited, they all got ready for the day; they all had the preliminary qualification which is they are all virgins; they all wanted to meet the husbandman, and they all made efforts. The only thing that made a difference was the level of preparation, how did they prepare? Paul said he did not run like him that beats against the air – 1Corinthians 9:23-27. Fleshly desires can’t continue to run your affairs and think you have a place to go with Him…Colossians 3:5 We need to be disciplined if we will sit with Him in glory. Jesus Himself sanctified Himself for our sake Paul said we should know what we use in building – 1 Corinthians 3:11-13 But he actually told Timothy that in a great house, there are different types of vessels. Stop wishing, Stop hoping, DO IT, MAKE IT HAPPEN. Direct your efforts in the right direction. Stop wasting energy on self…use it for God. Run to win, don’t beat against the air. It will cost you though, but it’s worth it because it can not be compared to the glory to be revealed in you soon. It is truly the Greatest of all Hopes.

John 14:1-2 – Jesus consoled, pacified and encouraged the disciples that even though He is leaving, they will be separated, there will be a moment when they won’t see Him, but His purpose of going is much more beneficial. He assured them He is going to prepare a place for them. Not just prepare, but that wherever He will be, the disciples will also be. Do you want to be there? Hebrews 4:14 stated that our priest is gone ahead there. Are you ready? Do you think you can go with him? Peter said what manner of man ought we to be (2 Peter 3:11) The writer of Hebrews said the patriarchs of faith desire a better city – Hebrews 11:16. Consider Rev 3:12 that says only an overcomer can get in there. We have so many witnesses around us, God cannot be mocked. We will have to work hard to get there according to Hebrews 12:1-5. Strive against sin, do your best to speak to others. Don’t be distracted by the things around here, it is only temporary.