Hello sir, it has been a pleasure having you visit our church. “My pleasure.” Sir could I ask you a question? Do you have any thing against evangelism? You seemed to frown when the matter was brought up. “Well I certainly want you to express your faith, carry on, however I would not wish to upset a number of my friends by claiming they were on the road to hell!”
Do you believe in Jesus Christ? “I wonder at the question; of course I do. I admire his teachings and wish every one would emulate his exemplary life. I have respected the teachings of the faith from my youth.” That’s great sir, but may I say that respect is not the same as conviction. You may pay to watch a man walk on a rope between two buildings but may never permit him to carry you on such a journey. “And why may I ask did you use that analogy on me?” Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Jn 14:6(ISV) I think if you are truly convinced Jesus is the only way to eternal life you would risk upsetting your friends that they may be saved like you would risk offending an alchoholic, or a smoker, by suggesting it is killing. You may respect Jesus but unless you are fully convinced about his claims you cannot be saved. That is why I told you that you will die in your sins. For unless you believe that I am he, you will die in your sins." Jn 8:24 (ISV)
“Are you suggesting the Christian life is a tight rope walk?” Ah, the way to eternal life can be compared favorably to it sir. "Go in through the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the road is spacious that leads to destruction, and many people are entering by it. How narrow is the gate and how constricted is the road that leads to life, and few are the people who find it!" Mat 7:13, 14(ISV) Only Jesus who has gone through successfully guarantees you a safe passage. We have this confidence as a sure and strong anchor for our lives. This confidence goes into the holy place behind the curtain where Jesus went before us on our behalf. Heb 6:19, 20(GW)
“Well I know quite a number of adherents of other faiths who live even better and more upright lives than so called Christians; and I hate religious bigotry.” You may be right sir, but it is not the many so called Christians I want you to examine but the substance of your own convictions or lack of it. “Well that will be for another day.” Thank you for your time sir. “Thank you.”
Wednesday, 5 May 2010
Saturday, 24 April 2010
AFTER THE BLESSING… WEEK 17, 2010
“How could they be so wicked, always stepping on the clothes I wash? This is injustice! And they want me to help their children prepare for exams. These neighbours; they just keep picking on me.” Eewo I sympathise with you, because God is always at work in you to make you willing and able to obey his own purpose do everything without complaining or arguing so that you may be innocent and pure as God's perfect children Php 2:13-15(GNB).
Have you prayed about it? “I have but it hasn’t stopped. On top of it it’s tough at home lately. They don’t appreciate me and speak harshly when I make mistakes. Have Christians forgotten we should correct others in the spirit of gentleness? I want to serve Jesus but see now. I just feel like crying.”
No, rejoice. “Rejoice? Why? People are hammering me and you say rejoice!” It was you who asked God to make you part of His temple and fill you with His glory; He is answering. “How? By allowing unbelievers to harass me?” For the temple both believers and unbelievers worked to fashion the stones: they cut fine large stones for the foundation of the Temple. Solomon's and Hiram's workers and men from the city of Byblos prepared the stones and the timber to build the Temple1Kgs 5:17, 18 (GNB). God uses others to hammer His children into shape outside before He puts them in position; He is making you fit for use. The stones with which the Temple was built had been prepared at the quarry, so that there was no noise made by hammers, axes, or any other iron tools as the Temple was being built 1Kgs 6:7(GNB).
“What are you trying to say? I haven’t been taught that.” Jesus wants to use you as a vessel of honour in His hands; having blessed you He must now break you before sending you forth. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and blessed them. Then he broke the loaves in pieces and gave them to his disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds Mat 14:19(ISV).
“How long is this going to last, I can hardly bear it.” Not long beloved, though I can’t tell how short. And after you have undergone pain for a little time, the God of all grace who has given you a part in his eternal glory through Christ Jesus, will himself give you strength and support, and make you complete in every good thing 1Pt 5:10(BBE).
“Ah so this will keep going on and God will leave me here. It’s not funny o.” No my dear, Jesus never uses you to dump you. After He broke the bread they were multiplied, and you know what? He never left the broken pieces when leaving (Mat 14:20). Those broken by Jesus are gathered up and carried at the end of their service. And when they were filled, he saith unto his disciples, Gather up the broken pieces which remain over, that nothing be lost Jn 6:12(ASV).
Have you prayed about it? “I have but it hasn’t stopped. On top of it it’s tough at home lately. They don’t appreciate me and speak harshly when I make mistakes. Have Christians forgotten we should correct others in the spirit of gentleness? I want to serve Jesus but see now. I just feel like crying.”
No, rejoice. “Rejoice? Why? People are hammering me and you say rejoice!” It was you who asked God to make you part of His temple and fill you with His glory; He is answering. “How? By allowing unbelievers to harass me?” For the temple both believers and unbelievers worked to fashion the stones: they cut fine large stones for the foundation of the Temple. Solomon's and Hiram's workers and men from the city of Byblos prepared the stones and the timber to build the Temple1Kgs 5:17, 18 (GNB). God uses others to hammer His children into shape outside before He puts them in position; He is making you fit for use. The stones with which the Temple was built had been prepared at the quarry, so that there was no noise made by hammers, axes, or any other iron tools as the Temple was being built 1Kgs 6:7(GNB).
“What are you trying to say? I haven’t been taught that.” Jesus wants to use you as a vessel of honour in His hands; having blessed you He must now break you before sending you forth. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and blessed them. Then he broke the loaves in pieces and gave them to his disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds Mat 14:19(ISV).
“How long is this going to last, I can hardly bear it.” Not long beloved, though I can’t tell how short. And after you have undergone pain for a little time, the God of all grace who has given you a part in his eternal glory through Christ Jesus, will himself give you strength and support, and make you complete in every good thing 1Pt 5:10(BBE).
“Ah so this will keep going on and God will leave me here. It’s not funny o.” No my dear, Jesus never uses you to dump you. After He broke the bread they were multiplied, and you know what? He never left the broken pieces when leaving (Mat 14:20). Those broken by Jesus are gathered up and carried at the end of their service. And when they were filled, he saith unto his disciples, Gather up the broken pieces which remain over, that nothing be lost Jn 6:12(ASV).
Saturday, 17 April 2010
THE ROAD TO PENIEL WEEK 16, 2010
“I desire to have the blessing of Jacob, I want it.” Very good: are you willing to take the steps he took? but he stayed behind, alone. Then a man came and wrestled with him until just before daybreak Gen 32:24(GNB). “Yes, I am willing to pray all night until I breakthrough; I know we have started night vigils in church.” Praise God, but the blessing at Peniel came when he came one on one with God, alone in honest unpretended prayer. What is happening to your private devotion, what of your closet? “I see what you mean. I will start paying close attention to it. I will pour out my heart to Him.”
This man also knew God’s word o, though he confessed his fears his prayers were based on the word: Remember that you promised to make everything go well for me and to give me more descendants than anyone could count, as many as the grains of sand along the seashore." Gen 32:12(GNB) “Thanks a lot. I am ready to start now.”
With him it did not just start like that. “Oh? How then?” Will you wait on God like Jacob? Even before that day he learned to wait on God. “How?” Things were rough at work (Gen 31:1-7, 38-42). Laban cheated him, gave him impossible working conditions such that sleep was sometimes a luxury, changed his wages ten times, yet he stayed on until God said go. And the LORD said unto Jacob, Return unto the land of thy fathers, and to thy kindred; and I will be with thee. And Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah Gen 31:3-4(RV) Even though the water dried from the earth Noah still waited to hear from God before leaving the ark, and God blessed him (Gen8:14-9:1).
“His wives must have helped...” When did Jacob marry? Abraham married before 75, Isaac and Esau his brother married at 40. He had 3 wives by the time Jacob was courting Rachel. Jacob was over 75 when he left to get married; he waited until his father said Go instead to Mesopotamia, to the home of your grandfather Bethuel, and marry one of the young women there, one of your uncle Laban's daughters Gen 28:2(CEV). Will you wait for a word from your Father even though other Christians and unbelievers have gone ahead?
“How will I know his word? It is difficult but God help me.” Live by scripture first dear, and even if God has to call you 3 times like Samuel He will help you.
“Thanks.”One more thing: The blessing of God was everything to him. He risked his life for it. “Was his method right? Should I turn deceiver like him?” Of course not! But when the Angel wounded him that hurt his expectations from God. He asked God not to allow any harm come his way as part of his covenant to serve God: if I return safely to my father's home, then you will be my God Gen 28:21(GNB). He still insists on being blessed instead of leaving God. Are you ready for Peniel?
This man also knew God’s word o, though he confessed his fears his prayers were based on the word: Remember that you promised to make everything go well for me and to give me more descendants than anyone could count, as many as the grains of sand along the seashore." Gen 32:12(GNB) “Thanks a lot. I am ready to start now.”
With him it did not just start like that. “Oh? How then?” Will you wait on God like Jacob? Even before that day he learned to wait on God. “How?” Things were rough at work (Gen 31:1-7, 38-42). Laban cheated him, gave him impossible working conditions such that sleep was sometimes a luxury, changed his wages ten times, yet he stayed on until God said go. And the LORD said unto Jacob, Return unto the land of thy fathers, and to thy kindred; and I will be with thee. And Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah Gen 31:3-4(RV) Even though the water dried from the earth Noah still waited to hear from God before leaving the ark, and God blessed him (Gen8:14-9:1).
“His wives must have helped...” When did Jacob marry? Abraham married before 75, Isaac and Esau his brother married at 40. He had 3 wives by the time Jacob was courting Rachel. Jacob was over 75 when he left to get married; he waited until his father said Go instead to Mesopotamia, to the home of your grandfather Bethuel, and marry one of the young women there, one of your uncle Laban's daughters Gen 28:2(CEV). Will you wait for a word from your Father even though other Christians and unbelievers have gone ahead?
“How will I know his word? It is difficult but God help me.” Live by scripture first dear, and even if God has to call you 3 times like Samuel He will help you.
“Thanks.”One more thing: The blessing of God was everything to him. He risked his life for it. “Was his method right? Should I turn deceiver like him?” Of course not! But when the Angel wounded him that hurt his expectations from God. He asked God not to allow any harm come his way as part of his covenant to serve God: if I return safely to my father's home, then you will be my God Gen 28:21(GNB). He still insists on being blessed instead of leaving God. Are you ready for Peniel?
Saturday, 10 April 2010
THE SECOND BLESSING WEEK 15, 2010
Ah my brother, how are you? “Fine sir. But do you remember me?” Were you not the one who followed me and asked me to bless you? “Yes sir, you do remember!” Good, have you got the second blessing? “It was the first apostolic blessing you asked before: first, God, having raised up His Servant Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities Acts 3:26 (EMTV). I have confessed my sins…” Yes, but there is the second blessing. When Jacob was wrestling he said to the Angel “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”Gen 32:26(KJV). “What’s so special about it?” You don’t know? Had he not been blessed before? In 20 years he had 2 wives, 2 concubines, 11 sons and a daughter. In 6 years the wealth of Laban had been transferred to him despite Laban’s deceit, and Laban’s sons were now envious of him (Gen 30, 31), why is he asking for a blessing? “I don’t know sir, I wonder what blessing again he wanted.”
Eh, bro did you read it well? Jacob didn’t say “bless me again”, or “bless me some more”. “I don’t understand, is that important?”
Did you notice that in spite of his material blessings he was a deceiver? He deceived Esau, deceived their father Isaac, and deceived Laban too. “Is that so?” Yes, and his sexual life was not what he wanted: he had yearned for only one woman, Rachel, but now had four. He needed a different type of blessing not more of the same. Bro are you like that? Materially blessed but a deceiver with a messed up sexual life?
“Sir, your words make me afraid.” I hope you know Jacob was also afraid, afraid of armed robbers coming and taking away life and material blessings. I am afraid---afraid that he is coming to attack us and destroy us all, even the women and children Gen 32:11(GNB). Today people live in fear of kidnappers and robbers. Jacob’s fear led him to seek a different blessing. Where do your fears drive you? “Did God tell you about me? It was Jacob we were analyzing man of God”. Oh ho! You run; Jacob was running away too: ran from Esau, ran from Laban…
“Please sir, what was the new blessing?” And he said “Thy name shall be no more called Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince thou hast power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.” Gen 32:28(KJV) The blessing after the Angel met him was to change him from a deceiver to a prince of God. After that day Jacob never deceived anyone again. Seek to be changed, transformed into His image, or your nature might cost you what blessings you now have.
“Thank you so much sir, can you now bless me?” Are you slow to learn? Who blessed Jacob the first time? “It was his father sir.” Such a blessing you seek comes from a personal encounter with God not the laying on of any man’s hands. Do not labor for the food that perishes, but for that food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you Jn 6:27(MKJV) .
Eh, bro did you read it well? Jacob didn’t say “bless me again”, or “bless me some more”. “I don’t understand, is that important?”
Did you notice that in spite of his material blessings he was a deceiver? He deceived Esau, deceived their father Isaac, and deceived Laban too. “Is that so?” Yes, and his sexual life was not what he wanted: he had yearned for only one woman, Rachel, but now had four. He needed a different type of blessing not more of the same. Bro are you like that? Materially blessed but a deceiver with a messed up sexual life?
“Sir, your words make me afraid.” I hope you know Jacob was also afraid, afraid of armed robbers coming and taking away life and material blessings. I am afraid---afraid that he is coming to attack us and destroy us all, even the women and children Gen 32:11(GNB). Today people live in fear of kidnappers and robbers. Jacob’s fear led him to seek a different blessing. Where do your fears drive you? “Did God tell you about me? It was Jacob we were analyzing man of God”. Oh ho! You run; Jacob was running away too: ran from Esau, ran from Laban…
“Please sir, what was the new blessing?” And he said “Thy name shall be no more called Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince thou hast power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.” Gen 32:28(KJV) The blessing after the Angel met him was to change him from a deceiver to a prince of God. After that day Jacob never deceived anyone again. Seek to be changed, transformed into His image, or your nature might cost you what blessings you now have.
“Thank you so much sir, can you now bless me?” Are you slow to learn? Who blessed Jacob the first time? “It was his father sir.” Such a blessing you seek comes from a personal encounter with God not the laying on of any man’s hands. Do not labor for the food that perishes, but for that food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you Jn 6:27(MKJV) .
Jesus did rise from the dead
“Daddy what’s the difference between Christianity and other faiths? Is it really the only way? I just wonder sometimes…” Well, I used to wonder occasionally too. It is a good practice to critically examine what you believe; you are not being devilish by asking. One thing I want you to know is that the Bible stories about Jesus really happened: they are true, and eyewitnesses recorded them for us. Many people have tried to tell the story of what God has done among us. They wrote what we had been told by the ones who were there in the beginning and saw what happened Lk 1:1-2(CEV). We do not pay attention to made-up stories no matter where they come from (1Tm1:4; Tit 1:14).
“But didn’t other prophets like Mohammed really live?” They did, but there are lots of differences between Jesus Christ and the founders of religion as Buddha and Mohammed. They died and are gone; Jesus died, rose again and remains alive today; there is no other person who did that. He’s the only way eternal life.
“But some people say he didn’t actually die, just fainted.” Is that so? Look at the facts my dear; the cross is an efficient killing machine: But when they came to Jesus, they saw that he was already dead, and they did not break his legs. One of the soldiers stuck his spear into Jesus' side, and blood and water came out Jn 19:33, 34(CEV). Blood and water come out like that when a man is dead. John was no doctor to have known that. Besides the soldiers made sure He was dead before bringing Him down (Mk 15:44-45).
“Did he rise again physically, was it not a vision or something the disciples saw?” If it was just one person that saw Him, or if people saw Him one at a time someone might argue that, but apart from the apostles He was seen by more than five hundred brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, but some are sleeping 1Cor 15:6(CEV). Something seen by up to that number is a historical fact. Besides for several years the believers preached in Jerusalem. If Jesus had not risen from the dead the easiest thing was for the authorities who persecuted them to do would be to produce the body (Acts 5: 27-33).
“If all this is true then why do people not come to the right way?” If people are not willing to accept the truth, a lie becomes desirable and every attempt to prove a lie follows. We have not depended on made-up stories in making known to you the mighty coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. With our own eyes we saw his greatness. We were there when the voice came to him from the Supreme Glory, saying, "This is my own dear Son, with whom I am pleased!" So we are even more confident of the message…2Pe 1:16-19 (GNB).
The message is true; stick out your neck for it.
“But didn’t other prophets like Mohammed really live?” They did, but there are lots of differences between Jesus Christ and the founders of religion as Buddha and Mohammed. They died and are gone; Jesus died, rose again and remains alive today; there is no other person who did that. He’s the only way eternal life.
“But some people say he didn’t actually die, just fainted.” Is that so? Look at the facts my dear; the cross is an efficient killing machine: But when they came to Jesus, they saw that he was already dead, and they did not break his legs. One of the soldiers stuck his spear into Jesus' side, and blood and water came out Jn 19:33, 34(CEV). Blood and water come out like that when a man is dead. John was no doctor to have known that. Besides the soldiers made sure He was dead before bringing Him down (Mk 15:44-45).
“Did he rise again physically, was it not a vision or something the disciples saw?” If it was just one person that saw Him, or if people saw Him one at a time someone might argue that, but apart from the apostles He was seen by more than five hundred brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, but some are sleeping 1Cor 15:6(CEV). Something seen by up to that number is a historical fact. Besides for several years the believers preached in Jerusalem. If Jesus had not risen from the dead the easiest thing was for the authorities who persecuted them to do would be to produce the body (Acts 5: 27-33).
“If all this is true then why do people not come to the right way?” If people are not willing to accept the truth, a lie becomes desirable and every attempt to prove a lie follows. We have not depended on made-up stories in making known to you the mighty coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. With our own eyes we saw his greatness. We were there when the voice came to him from the Supreme Glory, saying, "This is my own dear Son, with whom I am pleased!" So we are even more confident of the message…2Pe 1:16-19 (GNB).
The message is true; stick out your neck for it.
THE DONKEY’S DILEMMA
Don’t be surprised I’m speaking; I’m not the first donkey to do so. Balaam’s donkey did it several years before me. A lot of people heard him, and still hear him. I hope you will listen to me. It all started when Jesus Christ came to the Mount of Olives after leaving Jericho for Jerusalem. He said, "Go into the village ahead of you. As you enter it, you will find a young donkey tied there. No one has ever sat on it. Untie it, and bring it. Mk 11:2(GW). I had been a nice donkey all along, and my master knew it well. Before now I guess I was undecided about many things. So undecided I never had any man ride on me. No sir! I wasn’t going to be any one’s fool. I was at the crossroads in life; tied to indecision sort of. How do you know? Well I was tied up outside in a place where two roads met. And they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door without in a place where two ways met; and they loose him. Mk 11:4(KJV). Are you like that: waiting for the right person, undecided generally, but at His word you were loosed from indecision?
I must have taken the right decision to let Jesus ride on me that day. Other donkeys tell me people just sit on them and ride, but for me it was different. They brought the donkey to Jesus, put their coats on it, and He sat on it.Mk 11:7(KJV). What a wonderful experience it was: I could feel Jesus right up close to me with each step I took! I was confident I had done the right thing. As if I needed more confirmation, when Jesus began to move many spread their coats on the road. Others cut leafy branches in the fields and spread them on the road. Mk 11:8(GW). No one let my feet touch the bare ground. What a joy to hear them saying, Hosanna; Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest Mk 11:9, 10(KJV). No doubt about it now: I am in the centre of God’s will for my life. I have found the true purpose for being a donkey!
But my dilemma occurred when evening came, Jesus and his disciples left the city Mk 11:19(GNB) and Jesus sent me back to fulfil the promise to my keepers: And if anyone says to you, Why are you doing this? say, The Lord has need of him and will send him back straight away Mk 11:3(BBE). On the way back, the clothes were off my back and I looked down feeling awkward, and guess what? No coats or branches lined my way either. Worse still: I could no longer feel Jesus near me! Was I still in the will of God? Was it all a mistake? No signs now to assure me. My struggles with indecision came threateningly close.
Then I realised it: the applause was not for me, nor the coats and branches. Feeling Him close was not a surer guarantee. You don’t have to have signs when His word is so clear. I was doing what He clearly commanded. I am in His will.
“Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets”. And they enclosed a large number of fish Lk 5:5-6(ESV).
I must have taken the right decision to let Jesus ride on me that day. Other donkeys tell me people just sit on them and ride, but for me it was different. They brought the donkey to Jesus, put their coats on it, and He sat on it.Mk 11:7(KJV). What a wonderful experience it was: I could feel Jesus right up close to me with each step I took! I was confident I had done the right thing. As if I needed more confirmation, when Jesus began to move many spread their coats on the road. Others cut leafy branches in the fields and spread them on the road. Mk 11:8(GW). No one let my feet touch the bare ground. What a joy to hear them saying, Hosanna; Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest Mk 11:9, 10(KJV). No doubt about it now: I am in the centre of God’s will for my life. I have found the true purpose for being a donkey!
But my dilemma occurred when evening came, Jesus and his disciples left the city Mk 11:19(GNB) and Jesus sent me back to fulfil the promise to my keepers: And if anyone says to you, Why are you doing this? say, The Lord has need of him and will send him back straight away Mk 11:3(BBE). On the way back, the clothes were off my back and I looked down feeling awkward, and guess what? No coats or branches lined my way either. Worse still: I could no longer feel Jesus near me! Was I still in the will of God? Was it all a mistake? No signs now to assure me. My struggles with indecision came threateningly close.
Then I realised it: the applause was not for me, nor the coats and branches. Feeling Him close was not a surer guarantee. You don’t have to have signs when His word is so clear. I was doing what He clearly commanded. I am in His will.
“Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets”. And they enclosed a large number of fish Lk 5:5-6(ESV).
HE HAS NOT CHANGED
“So if I follow your arguement God doesn’t care whether you live or die just so far you have a living relationship with him. I can’t relate with a God like that”. Neither can I, neither can I. God isn’t like that at all. Satan and God are not two equal but opposite personalities you know. “What are you driving at? I know God is supposed to be more powerful.”
It’s not just that, Dear friend, I pray that you are doing well in every way and that you are healthy, just as your soul is healthy 3Jn 1:2(ISV) . He really wants the best for everybody whether they know and obey Him or not. In this way you show that you are children of your Father in heaven. He makes his sun rise on people whether they are good or evil. He lets rain fall on them whether they are just or unjust Mat 5:45(GW).
“Was it not you who said wealth or poverty, life or death, none matters except your relationship with God.” Is that how you understood it? Ah please I want you to know God wants to heal you, bless you, and is surprised when we accept anything less. “What! I can’t believe it is you teaching such things: God is surprised when we accept anything less?” You better believe it my friend, better believe it. Unbelief in Nazareth amazed Him. He couldn't perform a miracle there except to lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. He was utterly amazed at their unbelief. Then he went around to the villages and continued teaching Mar 6:5-6(ISV). In fact when a leper was uncertain Jesus wanted him healed see what happened. A man with a serious skin disease came and bowed down in front of him. The man said to Jesus, "Sir, if you're willing, you can make me clean." Jesus reached out, touched him, and said, "I'm willing. So be clean!" Immediately, his skin disease went away, and he was clean Mat 8:2-3(GW).
If so what exactly were you trying to teach? Priority my friend, and sustained blessings. God has always wished to heal and protect his people: But I did command them to obey me, so that I would be their God and they would be my people. And I told them to live the way I had commanded them, so that things would go well for them Jer 7:23(GNB). You know I wish we lived in those days, with such healings from the Bible times. You know Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever Heb 13:8
It’s not just that, Dear friend, I pray that you are doing well in every way and that you are healthy, just as your soul is healthy 3Jn 1:2(ISV) . He really wants the best for everybody whether they know and obey Him or not. In this way you show that you are children of your Father in heaven. He makes his sun rise on people whether they are good or evil. He lets rain fall on them whether they are just or unjust Mat 5:45(GW).
“Was it not you who said wealth or poverty, life or death, none matters except your relationship with God.” Is that how you understood it? Ah please I want you to know God wants to heal you, bless you, and is surprised when we accept anything less. “What! I can’t believe it is you teaching such things: God is surprised when we accept anything less?” You better believe it my friend, better believe it. Unbelief in Nazareth amazed Him. He couldn't perform a miracle there except to lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. He was utterly amazed at their unbelief. Then he went around to the villages and continued teaching Mar 6:5-6(ISV). In fact when a leper was uncertain Jesus wanted him healed see what happened. A man with a serious skin disease came and bowed down in front of him. The man said to Jesus, "Sir, if you're willing, you can make me clean." Jesus reached out, touched him, and said, "I'm willing. So be clean!" Immediately, his skin disease went away, and he was clean Mat 8:2-3(GW).
If so what exactly were you trying to teach? Priority my friend, and sustained blessings. God has always wished to heal and protect his people: But I did command them to obey me, so that I would be their God and they would be my people. And I told them to live the way I had commanded them, so that things would go well for them Jer 7:23(GNB). You know I wish we lived in those days, with such healings from the Bible times. You know Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever Heb 13:8
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