The Idea Bank

Luke 19:1-10; Jeremiah 29:13; Proverbs 3:5-6

Watching the TV sometime ago, I saw a nice quote – “big men are not known for their big convoys but their big ideas. A poor man isn't the man without money but the man without ideas.” This had me thinking how many people are actually bold enough to conceive an idea and act on it to better their lives and circumstances?

Currently, men with money no longer rule the world but men with ideas. Ideas are what separate you from the crowd. They make you tap into possibilities you never could have imagined. Where we are today, as a people, is a result of ideas thought-out and acted upon.

The Idea Bank

How Zacchaeus came to know the Lord was simply birthed by an idea. We cannot overrule the impact of divine manifestation but what could have led him to consider climbing a tree that he may see Jesus who was at that time passing through Jericho for the last time?

Zacchaeus could have given up and say, “besides, I am small in stature and the crowd is just too much to overcome. I will see Jesus some other time if I don’t see Him today”; but he didn't succumb to such a feeble resolution. He was determined to know who Jesus was, that the Bible says, “And he sought to see Jesus who he was…” (Luke 19:3).

As humorous as it appeared, his idea to climb a nearby Sycamore tree so he may see Jesus eventually worked out. “And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and saw him, Zacchaeus make haste, and come down; for today I must abide at thy house” (Luke 19:5). He saw Jesus that day and found salvation for his household.

David’s idea to act as a mad man saved him from his adversary. He had initially fled from Saul to Achish the king of Gath for safety. When Achish’s servants saw him, they recognized him and wanted to expose him before their king so he could be captured and returned to Saul. But the Lord was with him. The Holy Spirit taught him – an idea - what to do and in yielding, he escaped (1 Samuel 21:10-15).

There are more of such events in the Bible where a Holy Spirit incited idea has brought about victory to Patriarchs and Matriarchs of old. You never know what a simple idea can do for you till you have one and carry it out. Though it is one thing to have an idea about something, it is another thing to act on it. However, the execution of an idea is as important as conceiving it.

Don’t limit yourself in anything. Commit your plans unto the Lord and they shall be established (Proverbs 16:3). The joy of being a Christian is that we have the power to do exceedingly and abundantly above all that we could ever think of in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 3:20). All it takes is faith!

Have faith in the Lord and believe that nothing is impossible. Mark 9:23 says, “All things are possible to them that believe.” Whatever idea you may have in life – to start a business, have a family, learn a course, etc – don’t let it die. Encourage yourself in the Lord and all you need to turn it into reality shall be available by His grace.

When you have God in your life, you can never run out of ideas for He is the idea bank. It doesn't take so much or so long to hear from God; all it takes is a heart that longs and searches for Him.

The Lord says when you come looking for me, you will find me. “Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I will make sure you are not disappointed” (Jeremiah 29:13). Get serious in finding the Lord, for in Him are all the ideas you will ever need.

*** Edited by Jacobs Adewale (Admin) ***

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Face Your Storm

Text: Ephesians 6:12-18; Isaiah 41:10

The phrase ‘face your storm’ shouldn't scare you as a believer. It will not take long for a Christian who has made the commitment to walk by faith to realize that there is a demonic host arrayed against the body of Christ. James 1:2, 3, specifically tells us that our faith will be tested by various trials hurled at us by the evil one.

There is a curse on the earth and our adversary the devil is a thief who comes to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). What should the born-again believer do when the storm clouds of life cast their dark shadows over their head? The answer is simple. Fear not!

One of the most important lessons Jesus taught His disciples was not to fear. Satan is a corrupted angel and fear is corrupted faith. It is the substance of things not desired. Faith is when you believe what God says and fear is when you believe what the devil says.

Face your storm

On one occasion, Jesus and His disciples were on a boat in the midst of a storm and to the dismay of all the others who were in fear, Jesus was sound asleep. This fact alone conveys the message that storms are not a cause for alarm with Jesus on board. Isaiah 54:14 says, “In righteousness you shall be established; you shall be far from oppression for you shall not fear, and from terror, for it shall not come near you.”

Storms are not a cause for fear or panic for the born-again believer, and with Jesus on board, you can have the bold confidence to stand up and face your storm. A cattle rancher in Montana made a discovery that taught him a lesson for living life. The winters in Montana are brutal and only the strong and hardy cattle can survive.

This rancher observed that the cattle who marched headfirst into the blizzard always survived while the cattle that turned their tails to the storm died. The rancher found this breed frozen against a barbed wire fence with their heads down whereas he found the other cattle who faced the storm alive and well, strong survivors! With Jesus on board, you can face your storm and fear not. Psalm 118:6 says, “The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man (or the devil) do to me?”

The storms of life come to prevent the forward progress of the work of God being done in and through the lives of all willing believers. If tests and trials are raging against you then this can be a joyful testimony that you are in the process of doing something good for the kingdom of God. Victory is assured and the winds will cease when you realize that storms are in reality your stamp of approval that you are indeed flowing in the will of God for your life.

Philippians 1:28 (AMP) says, “And do not for a moment be frightened or intimidated in anything by your opponents and adversaries, for such constancy and fearlessness will be a clear sign (proof and seal) to them of their impending destruction; but a sure token and evidence of your deliverance and salvation, and that from God.” There is never any forward motion without resistance and if you are to continue to be a vessel of honor for the Lord, you must never let a storm delay your plans and interfere with the calling on your life.

Matthew 14:25, records how Jesus in another storm walked out to the boat where His disciples were in spite of the horrific conditions around Him. The blowing wind and pounding rain did not interfere with what He set out to do. Did you ever wonder why Jesus did not calm the storm before He set out on His journey to walk across the lake? When you think about it, the question is not a hard one to answer.

Jesus always walked in faith and faith never looks at the circumstances. Peter, on the other hand, also stepped out in faith and walked on the water. He was operating successfully until he began to consider the natural circumstances that were round about him. He took his eyes off of Jesus and looked at that which was contrary to what he believed. He looked at the wind instead of the water beneath him which was by faith holding him up. It was at this moment when fear and doubt entered in and immediately the impulsive Peter began to sink. Moments later, after being rescued by Jesus, Peter’s faith returned and he walked back to the boat clinging desperately to his Lord.

Face your storm

Here in this story is the contrast between being a winner and a loser. Winners always look to where they are going “to”, whereas losers always look at what they’re going “through.” Jesus was looking at His destination on the other side of the lake while Peter looked at the stormy conditions which he thought was able to prevent him from accomplishing what he set out to do. Jesus faced His storm and Peter did not.

Peter can be commended, however, for his desire to be with the Lord and knowing where to turn for help when the need arose. If only more of us would learn this lesson. Even more importantly, to be sure, is the lesson Jesus wants us to learn from what He did. Jesus wants us to get out of the boat and walk in His plan for our lives while not considering the contrary circumstances that the storms of life are sure to bring. Remember, in the midst of the storm is where Jesus was and He is looking for followers who will step out of the security of their boat and follow Him.

Notice carefully that Jesus was not in the boat during the time of storm. No, He was on the water walking toward His ultimate destination. Today, He is still looking to and fro for those who are willing to face the storms of life by getting out of their boat and using their faith to hook up to the super-natural power of God. He is looking for believers who will “launch out into the deep” and stretch their faith so far that without Him they would sink.

Do not be terrified when the odds seem to be against you and don’t give up the first time a door is slammed in your face. Become like David who with bold confidence ran toward the giant Goliath. Be ready as a Christian to face your storm with faith and when the storms of life come your way, you need to get stirred up, get out of the boat, and use your faith. This only happens when you have the courage to rise up and face your storm. If a herd of cattle in Montana can do it, surely you can too!

*** Written by Randall J. Brewer ***

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Christian Poem: Saying Goodbye

Saying goodbye | The Truth Media

When my life as a pilgrim ends
I will say goodbye to my friends;
But though we must part for a while,
There is a reason for a smile.

Because our hope is in the Lord
And not what the world can afford,
The joys of heaven we will share
With the saints of all ages there.

We will walk upon streets of gold
Where there is beauty that's untold
And have a wondrous dwelling place
With Him Who saved us by His grace!

*** Written by: Perry Boardman ***

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Unlimited Blessings For Christ-Indwelt Believers

Text: Revelation 3:20; John 14:20,23; 15:5; 17:23

This article focuses on an aspect of the life of a believer. A believer is one who has the unconquerable Christ living inside him. Having accepted Christ into his heart as Lord and Saviour, Satan flees. As light and darkness cannot stay in the same room, Christ and Satan cannot live in the same heart. A heart that is occupied by Christ cannot accommodate Satan and evil spirits. It is a great privilege to have Christ, the God of mercy, love, and power living inside us. And because we have the Creator – the One who sustains and maintains the universe – inside us, all our needs are supplied.

Christ creates more hunger for godliness in everyone He indwells (Matthew 5:6). He makes us heirs of God. God accepts, possesses and loves us as His living temples (Romans 8:17). As joint-heirs with Christ, if we ask anything according to the will of His Father, He gives us. Christ, our Saviour has provided unlimited blessings for all heirs of God whom He indwells. So, Christ in us is our hope of glory (Colossians 1:27).

Here are 3 more points to help you understand the unlimited blessings for believers in Christ Jesus.

1.         THE MIRACLE OF CONVERSION AND CHRIST'S INCOMING

Text: Matthew 18:3

Our unlimited blessings and inheritance in Christ start with our conversion. Without conversion, no one is qualified to enter God's Kingdom. "Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven". But with the coming of the King of kings into our hearts, we are made ready for heaven. If Christ, the Lord must inhabit us, our hearts must be cleansed and converted; and sin must not reign in our lives. Without Christ, the Scripture teaches that no one can enter the spiritual, millennial and eternal Kingdom of God.

The miracle of conversion changes everything about us and our character. When Zacchaeus encountered the Saviour, his life was transformed and he made his restitution without any delay. Conversion should produce a change of heart in us like it did in Zacchaeus. With Christ in our hearts, we experience love, peace and joy. However, to be saved and converted, one must believe in the Lord Jesus Christ who died for our sins on the Cross at Calvary. After conversion, all our guilt and sin become a thing of the past. The Lord is calling everyone to receive the miracle of genuine conversion: a condition for Christ's

indwelling.

2.         THE MEASURE OF CONSECRATION AND CHRIST'S INDWELLING

Text: 2 Corinthians 6:16; Ephesians 3:17,20

The Lord has promised to dwell in everyone who is converted. "…For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people." When Christ indwells us, good health, wisdom, prosperity, success, peace of mind etc., become our possessions on earth. With Christ, the power of God in us, we need not be fearful, lonely and dejected; neither should we feel hopeless. Grounded and rooted in the love of God, we cannot be crushed by any enemy. As a result of Christ's indwelling, every believer has the power to overcome temptations and lead a victorious Christian life. And this is "the power that worketh in us".

3.         THE MINISTRY OF COMPASSION AND CHRIST'S INFILLING

Ephesians 3:19

Christ loves us and has provided for our infilling. He wants us to "be filled with all the fullness of God". In Christ there is joy; and being the Prince of Peace, He wants us to experience peace in our lives on daily basis. No believer who has the fullness of God can contemplate suicide. With Christ in us, we have a bright future. And with the fullness of God in us, we have the power to possess our possessions.

*** Culled from DCLM Bible Study Series | www.deeperlifeonline.org ***

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Let Not Thy Hands Be Slack

Text: Isaiah 35:4; 41:10; John 14:27

"Let not thy hands be slack,"

Live not in vain;

Out on life's lonely track,

Men toil in pain.

Play thou a brother's part,

Strength, love and hope impart,

Bid thou the fainting heart,

Look up again!

"Let not thy hands be slack,"

Grip thou thy sword!

Why should'st thou courage lack?

Think of thy Lord.

Did He not fight for thee?

Stronger than all is He,

And He thy strength will be,

Rest on His word.

"Let not thy hands be slack,"

Haste to the fray!

Dream not of turning back:

Life is not play!

Gird thou thy armour on,

Fight till the battle's won,

Then shall thy Lord's "Well done!"

More than repay!

"Let not thy hands be slack,

Fear not! Be strong!"

Cease not to make attack

On every wrong.

Press on for truth and right,

Hold high the Gospel light,

Expel the dirge of night,

With heaven's song!

"Let not thy hands be slack,"

The days fly fast.

Lost moments come not back,

From the dark past.

Then be not slack of hand!

Help thou the weak to stand!

To God and Fatherland,

Give all thou hast!

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Friendship With God

Text: Proverbs 18:24; John 15:13; James 4:8

Make no mistake about it, God wants to be your friend. Sad to say, there are not too many people who have this type of relationship with God but it’s available to all of us. To be friends with God one must first understand what friendship is.

Proverbs 18:24 says, “A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” The Living Bible says, “There are friends who pretend to be friends…” There are two different types of friends. There are “pretenders” and there are those “who stick closer than a brother.”

Most of the people we call friends are not friends at all. They’ll talk to you, laugh with you, work with you, and play with you. They appear to be friends with everybody but the Amplified Bible says, “A person who is a friend to everybody in the world is a bad friend.” They are there during the good times but are nowhere to be found when things get rough.

There is, however, a kind of friend who will stick by you through any problem, circumstance, and trial. They’re there for you during times of sickness, financial woes, marital problems, and any other type of need. David and Jonathan had a friendship like this. They laid their lives down for one another and their relationship went far beyond the bonds of blood kinship. This is the type of relationship God wants to have with you.

There are certain kinds of friendships that you can enter into and be involved in that when you get into a bad situation you’d rather get hold of your friend than your own brother or sister. This is the kind of friend that God would like to be with you, the kind of friend that won’t run away during times of trouble.

God wants to enter into this type of relationship with you and He wants you to enter into this type of relationship with Him. We need this “stick closer than a brother” attitude with our spouse, other believers, and especially with God. This type of relationship with God goes beyond the normal father/son relationship. It goes way beyond that. Yes, it encompasses that relationship but it encircles more than that.

You must, however, let God be your friend. If you don’t want this type of relationship with God He won’t force Himself off on you. When Jesus set free the mad man of Gadera the people asked Jesus to leave and go away from them. They didn't want to be friends with Him. So what did Jesus do? He left. He didn't argue with them and He didn't force Himself on them. Remember, God won’t force Himself on anybody.

Why did the people of Gadera (Mark 5) tell Jesus to leave their presence? Why did they do this? People come against what they don’t understand. Even today people reject Jesus and don’t accept Him with opened arms because they don’t understand Him. They think He’s standing over them with a baseball bat ready to clobber them on the head if they trip up and fail. They don’t understand that God is a loving God, that He is kind and merciful. The problem in marriages and most other relationships is some form of misunderstanding.

What people don’t understand, they will come against. Too many people don’t understand God and what He is like, who He is, and how He does things. Because of their lack of knowledge and understanding they’re against having a close relationship with Him. It takes time and effort to understand God and what He wants to do in your life. Also, most people don’t want to make the commitment to do this. The good news is that when you understand that God wants to become your friend then you won’t have any problem becoming His.

We read in Exodus 33:11a, “So the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to a friend.” A friend is a person you can talk to about anything and the Lord talked to Moses as a friend, face to face. Why did God do this with Moses? Because of the desire in the heart of Moses to know Him. Vs. 13 says, “Now therefore, I pray, if I have found grace in Your sight, show me Your way, that I may know You and that I may find grace in Your sight.”

Moses wanted to be friends with God. He wanted to know God in a personal way. When he said, “Show me Your way” he was saying he wanted to know God better and have an intimate knowledge of who He is. He wanted to know God! How did God respond to his request? “Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘I will also do this thing that you have spoken; for you have found grace in My sight, and I know you by name.’” The more you know God and understand Him the more His grace will be poured out into your life. The question to be asked is this: Does God know you by name? Do you know Him by name?

------ To be continued ------

*** Written by Randall Brewer ***

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Fixed Right

Text: Proverbs 3:5-6; Psalm 50:15; Romans 8:18

I once heard a story of a preacher who had a son disturbing him while he was preparing a Sunday sermon which was the next day. In order to distract the son so he could focus, he picked a magazine and tore a sheet. On the front page of the sheet was a world map while behind the page was a man’s figure. So he tore the world map into bits and said to his son: “fix the world map back.”

The father was happy as he felt it would take the son long hours to do so, giving him more time for his work. In ten minutes the son was back. “What else do you want again? The father asked. “I’m through”, the son replied. “How were you able to finish in ten minutes”, the father asked in astonishment.

“I figured out that if I fix the image of the man right at the other side, the world will also be fixed right on this side”, the son replied. The preacher made a deep sigh as he finally got a sermon – when a man is fixed right, his world will be right.

You can only be right by accepting Jesus’ righteousness and living it out. This is the only way for your world to be fixed well. So fix your world right by living right today.

*** Written by Onyezia C. Amanda | Malibet Digest ***

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Casting Down Reasonings

Text: Romans 12:2, 13:14; Ephesians 4:23; Isaiah 55:7

Key Verse: "Casting down imaginations [reasonings], and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5)

Many people’s minds have never been renewed with the Word of God. They may be saved, filled with the Holy Ghost, and members of a Full Gospel church, but their minds still need to be renewed with the Word of God.

Second Corinthians 10:4 and 5 says, “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.”

Many people are in a battle between their head and their heart. This is spiritual warfare, and these verses say that our weapons are not carnal, or natural. They’re not guns, swords, or even fists. But our weapons are mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds (2 Cor. 10:4).

Paul is referring to “casting down imaginations.” Imaginations can also be translated reasonings, which involve people’s minds.

As long as Satan can hold you in the arena of reason, he’ll defeat you in every battle. But if you hold Satan in the arena of faith, you’ll defeat him in every battle. How do you do that? The Scripture says to “cast down imaginations (reasonings).”

*** Written by Kenneth Hagin | www.hopefaithprayer.com ***

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Live Through You

Text: Galatians 2:20; Psalm 115:1; Ephesians 2:10

Key Verse: “But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work” (2 Timothy 2:20-21)

Sometimes in the past I would cry – Oh Lord, let me live for you. The more I tried, the more I struggled. But I thank God for knowledge now. You see, God is not asking us to live for Him; He is asking us to let Him live through us (Gal 2:20).

The Christian life is not a changed life but an exchanged life (Andrew Wommack). Christianity is allowing the Christ you have received live through you; it’s allowing the world read His life in you, that is, becoming a letter from Him to them, becoming so transparent that they can see the Jesus you carry. It is positioning yourself that the world may see Him and not you in all you do.

Allow the world see, feel and taste Christ through you. Give Christ an expression by your existence. You might be the only Jesus some people will ever see, your life might be the only Bible some people will ever read. Therefore, let your life be available for the Master so He can live through you.

He is not a ‘use and dump’ God rather, He is ‘use and make’ God. Allow God make you today by saying: “Here I am Lord, live through me.”

*** Written by Onyezia A. Cynthia | Malibet Digest ***

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In Spite Of Them

Text: John 15:18-27

Key Verse: But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, they hated me without a cause (John 15:25)

The service of God Almighty demands cross-bearing. And in this solemn address to His disciples, Jesus made it clear that temptations, trials and persecution would attend our sojourn on earth. He pointed out to them that they needed not the applause of men, stressing that since He was hated of the world, they would also be hated.

He made it clear that if they could so treat Him despitefully, the disciples must be prepared for more humiliation. Although He came to the world and rendered selfless service to humanity, the world still hated Him without a cause.

From the above text, being a Christian exposes one to attacks from haters of the Gospel. Believers who are not aware of the manipulations of the devil often misinterpret the source of their problems. God may allow a believer to pass through some trials in the hands of the evil men. It is not a sign of weakness or as though God cannot deliver His own. The believer ought to know that “we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God (Acts 14:22).”

Believers are to count the cost of their determination to serve the Lord. Following Christ is fraught with challenges, but with courage and determination, we shall make it to the end. Whatever trials we may be passing through; whatever afflictions and persecutions we may be experiencing, we must realize that our Redeemer and Captain also suffered.

Moreover, in times of adversity, we must not give in to self-pity and regret. We must commit all things to God who judges righteously. All we need to do is to keep praying, trusting and believing that He who keeps us never sleeps or slumbers.

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