Something wonderful happens when you receive the Holy Spirit; He makes you bold and courageous! If you look through the Bible, you’ll find this trend in the lives of all those who had an encounter with Him. Even if they were timid and unstable at the beginning, the moment the Holy Spirit came into their lives, they became bold and courageous! To be courageous means to be willing to undertake or seek out new and daring enterprises. It means to step out of your “comfort zone” and do the things the Lord wants you to do.
After the Lord Jesus ascended to heaven, all the disciples were quietly assembled in an upper room in fear (Acts 1:13). But when the Holy Spirit came upon them, they threw the doors open. Peter, who had been calm and quiet, and out of fear denied Jesus before a young girl, preached boldly and led about 3000 souls to Christ in one meeting. From that point on, they became bold and adventurous with the gospel, healing the sick, casting out devils and shaking up the whole land with the power of God.
There’s one thing I know for sure: if you’ve received the Holy Spirit and you’re not bold, courageous and adventurous for Him, chances are you’re not listening to Him! He doesn’t come into your life to reside there quietly till you go to heaven; He makes you reach out and go beyond the limits! He makes you an agent of change; He makes you venture out to win for Jesus!
So reject timidity and fear in your life; step out boldly and trust Him to do something new and exciting with your life!
“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men” (1 Timothy 2:1)
Interceding for others is something you do regularly, not when it’s convenient; it’s a ministry. Intercession helps you become effective in changing the lives of others through prayer.
James 5:16 (AMP) says, ”…The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working]“. When you notice some believers around you, who’re not growing well in Christ, intercede for them. If you have relatives and friends who aren’t born again, you should be interceding for them very strongly; don’t take it lightly! Remember, the Bible says there’s joy in the presence of the angels of God in heaven over one sinner that repents (Luke 15:10).
Intercessory prayer isn’t something you’re casual about; it’s heartfelt; that means your emotions are involved; you keep at it until there’s a testimony. It could take days, weeks, months, but don’t stop; keep praying, because the value of the one you’re interceding for is the life of Jesus. So, when you take up a matter concerning another believer, and you’re praying, you’re not wasting time; you’re causing a change in the realm of the Spirit.
But we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word (Acts 6:4 KVJ)
It’s such a wonderful privilege to know that we can commune and fellowship with our heavenly Father through prayer, and that we have His full attention when we speak to Him (1 Peter 3:12). As emphasized, prayer isn’t just a way to get God to do something for you; it’s also a time to hear from the Lord and receive instructions on everything that concerns you.
Christians must strive at having effective prayer lives. Prayer is not only a fellowship, it’s also a labour. That’s why I think it’s ridiculous to think we should pray only when we feel like. Then again, because prayer doesn’t appeal to our minds and senses, our bodies and minds may not enjoy praying and can even rebel against it. Many times we put off praying till the end of the day but by the time we’re through with the activities of the day, we’re tired and drowsy and our thoughts start wondering while we’re praying. This is where the labour comes into prayer, this is where the fight is, but it’s not a fight with devils or men, neither is it a fight with God. It’s a fight to keep yourself on track against the dictates of the flesh. Romans 8:26-27 says “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groaning which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what the mind of the Spirit is because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God”
This takes training and so you must be resolved to stick with your personal prayer schedule. Some Christians find it almost impossible to do this simple because they’ve not been able to discipline their flesh. They go to work everyday of the week without ever considering getting to work late, much less not going at all. If you can train your mind and body to do this then you can train yourself to pray regularly and on time too. The problem is that too many aren’t willing to make such a sacrifice for their prayer lives, and that’s because they don’t know the important of prayer. But when trouble comes, they’re the first to cry, “Please, pray for me!” Don’t depend on ‘emergency prayers,’ consistency is the key. Make a fresh commitment to your personal prayer life today. There are so many things that will compete with your prayer time, but there’s so much you can achieve on your knees. So, stays connected to God, and maintain a disciplined prayer life.
Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it (Proverbs 22:6).
It’s the responsibility of parents to train up their kids in the way of the Lord. That’s what the Word says: “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old,
he will not depart from it.”
Some parents would say, “We try not to impose anything on our children; we just let them make their decisions themselves.” What an error! The Bible says, “Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him” (Proverbs 22:15). Children aren’t allowed to make their own decisions; they need to be trained and guided. Parents have a responsibility to know through the Spirit of God, what their children should be, and raise them in that direction.
Some parents act as though God said, “Leave the children to me, and I’ll determine how they’ll grow up”; He didn’t say that. Rather, He said parents should train up the child in the way he should go. If you already have children, let the Holy Spirit guide you in bringing them up in righteousness. Keep training them in the Word. Even when it looks as though they’re not imbibing the culture of the Word, keep at it, and don’t despair. Give some time; the results of
the training will be evident. Soon enough, they’ll come into the right place, and be all that God destined for them to be.
PRAYER
Dear Father, I thank you, for your Word has in it, the ability to make me what it talks about, and Train Them With The Word produce in me, and in those you’ve placed in my care, an unalloyed commitment to you. We’re yielded to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, and to the guidance, and tutelage of the Spirit, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Moses implemented God’s instruction. He rallied the children of Israel, to bring all the necessary offerings, and they built a beautiful sanctuary in accordance with the pattern and plan that God gave to Moses. However, that wasn’t good enough. God wanted a new sanctuary and showed David a vision of the new sanctuary; He gave him every detail of what it should be like.
David was excited, and laid down a lot of gold and silver for the building of the temple. Nevertheless, it was Solomon, David’s son, who was approved of God to build the temple, and he built for God a magnificent temple. The Bible says, “Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet” (Acts 7:48).
Then Jesus came on the scene and said, “…I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). The word translated “Church” means “Assembly or Congregation of the called out ones.” It’s therefore not a physical building, but a living tabernacle of human beings.
Let’s read Ephesians 2:19-22 NIV. It says, “Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.” We’re God’s habitation through the Spirit! His vision to dwell in the midst of His people has been realized in us, the Church.
Each one of us is a temple of the Holy Spirit. He lives and walks in us (2 Corinthians 6:16). You’re God’s holy temple (1 Corinthians 3:16); this, the Bible says, is the mystery that was hidden from ages and generations, which has now been made manifest. The mystery is, Christ in you, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:26-27). Hallelujah!
PRAYER
Precious Father, I worship and adore you; thank you for making me your dwelling place. I acknowledge your Spirit living in me, protecting, guiding, and leading me in your perfect will.
Thank you for beautifying my life with the glory of your presence, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established (Romans 1:11).
Hosea 12:13 tells us that “…by a prophet the LORD brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he preserved.” Notice, He didn’t say, “…by an angel,” but “…by a prophet.” God preserves or establishes His people through His servants; His chosen and anointed ministers. He
equips them and sends them to those He wants to bless. Ephesians 4:11-12 says, “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.”
This lets us know why Paul could affirm boldly in his letter to the believers in Rome, “…I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift to the end ye may be
established” (Romans 1:11). He knew he was a custodian of divine verities; he knew he had something to give.
One of the reasons there’re weak Christians today is that they never received any spiritual impartation. Read again,the reason Paul said he wanted to impart some spiritual gifts
to the brethren in Rome; it was so they might be established. Through the ministry of the Word, and impartation of the Spirit, God’s people are strengthened and established on the truth.
1 Corinthians 4:20 says, “For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.” The Gospel is more than mere words; its power must be demonstrated. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 2:4, “And my speech and my preaching was not Equipped For The Mandate with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.” So, as Christians, and as ministers
of the Gospel, we have something with which to bless and transform our world. We’re dispensers of God’s blessings.
God has endowed you with grace and special abilities according to His own will, and according to His calling on your life. He’s equipped you for what He called you to do. You have what it takes. Therefore, do something with what you have. 2 Corinthians 4:7 says, “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels….” Do something with the anointing; in ministering to others, do so in the power of the Holy Ghost!
PRAYER
Dear Father, I thank you for giving me a perfect heart that responds to your Word. As I receive your Word, my heart is imparted with spiritual gifts and I’m duly equipped to do great exploits through the Gospel of Christ, to your praise and glory, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
