2013
171113 – Apostle Williams
God’s Presence
“The presence of God represents different things in our lives”
“The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross”. (Colossians 1:14-20)
When you go out you must carry the presence of God with you always. The presence of God represents different things in our lives for example the presence of God stood for these things in the lives of the Israelite God’s presence was evident in their time in the “Ark of Covenant” — that is where He dwelt to be close to His people.
This represented to them:
1) Guidance
2) Victory
3) Prosperity
The covered ark with golden staves carried by the priests, and seven priests with rams’ horns, at the siege of Jericho, in an eighteenth-century artist’s depiction.
When they are lost they ask for God’s guidance and direction and God spoke to them wherever the tabernacle of the Ark rested. “I Am The Lord your God…who directs you in the way you should go” (Isaiah 48:17)
He stood for them in victory over their enemies and he prospered them wherever it dwelt like in the case of Obed-Edom (2 Sam: 6:10-12) and His directions are always right.
Today the presence of God is within us, the “Ark of God” resides in our heart making us even better than the Isrealites for wherever we are God is. Do you need more victory, guidance and prosperity? Then you need to spend more time in HIS presence, and carry HIM with you wherever you go.
Prayer: God let Your fullness dwell in me richly and make me an instrument of your presence so that victory, power and Your divine direction will be my lot in Jesus name I pray.
The Holy Spirit
The Bible says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son…..”
Once we accepted this love and Gift of God (Jesus Christ) — the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in us (John 7:37-38) and takes His place. Thus, the Bible says, our bodies are the temple of the Lord (1 Cor 6:19-20) and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit helps to manifest in the various gifts that God gave to us (1 Cor 12:1-7).
About the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed:
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service but the same Lord, There are different kinds of working but in all of them and in everyone is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Holt spirit is given for the common good — to one is given a message of wisdom — to another a message of knowledge, faith, healing, miraculous powers, prophecy — distinguishing to another Spirit — speaking in tongues — interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of the same Spirit, and He distributes them to each, just as He determines.
To experience these gifts, we must present our bodies daily, as a living sacrifice, Holy and acceptable to Him.
The gifts of the Holy Spirit are given for the common good of others, i.e. to serve others, therefore, for anyone to have a continuous manifestation of the Holy Spirit he must be available to serve, beginning from the household of faith.
Are you for noble or ignoble purposes?
Daily or weekly church attendance does not make one a Christian — Christians who want to go to heaven must attend church regularly but must also do within their strength (spiritual, physical, mental and financial effort) to the advancement of the Kingdom of God. Remember you receive the Holy Spirit when you get converted into Christianity, so to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8, Acts 2:1-4) which culminates with the various gifts in th 1 Corinthians 12 you must :
1) Have faith that God is willing and able to give His Holy Spirit to you.
2) Earnestly desire these gifts or a specific gift.
3) Pray fervently (James 5:16)
Finally having received the Holy Spirit and HIS gifts, read 1Cor: 13 thoroughly and this will help to appropriate the gifts of the Holy Spirit in you.
Prayer; Lord help me to daily activate Your Holy Spirit to be strengthened in my inner man so that it will activate the gifting of the Holy Spirit you have given for the enhancement of the Kingdom of God within me. Holy Spirit thank you for teaching me your ways in Jesus name.
CFT
310513 – Miracles & Faith – (Overcomers)
Whom Shall I Send?
1) He said to me, “Son of man, stand up on your feet and I will speak to you.”
2) As he spoke, the Spirit came into me and raised me to my feet, and I heard him speaking to me.
3) He said: “Son of man, I am sending you to the Israelites, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against me; they and their ancestors have been in revolt against me to this very day.
4) The people to whom I am sending you are obstinate and stubborn. Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says.’
5) And whether they listen or fail to listen—for they are a rebellious people—they will know that a prophet has been among them.
6) And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words. Do not be afraid, though briers and thorns are all around you and you live among scorpions. Do not be afraid of what they say or be terrified by them, though they are a rebellious people.
7) You must speak my words to them, whether they listen or fail to listen, for they are rebellious.
8) But you, son of man, listen to what I say to you. Do not rebel like that rebellious people; open your mouth and eat what I give you.”
9) Then I looked, and I saw a hand stretched out to me. In it was a scroll,
10) which he unrolled before me. On both sides of it were written words of lament and mourning and woe.
The Lord gas called us all to go out and make disciples of men. It is God that converts and convicts — all you have to do is just go out and spread the “Good News”, He has promised to be with us all ways. (Ezekiel 2:1-8)
Prayer: As I obey Your command Lord, fill me with Your Spirit power to function in Your power and might fearlessly delivering the Good News to the lost generation.Let Your Words that I speak be seasoned with life and signs following my track each day I pray. Amen.
Are You an Eagle or a Turkey?
When the storms in our personal lives arrive not with the purpose of defeating us, or forcing us to take shelter, but to do the exact opposite?
What if the purpose of the storm is to lift us up; to give us the opportunity to bravely spread our wings, to push us in a new direction, to new heights? What opportunities would we be able to see if we could rise above negative thoughts, judgements or limiting beliefs about what we can be, do, or have in this life?
I don’t know about you but I think I am going to follow the eagles lead.
Did you know that the eagle is the only bird which flies directly into a storm? It is the turbulence of the winds that the other birds avoid, that the eagle seeks. A turkey would has scampered for shelter in the face of a storm but not an eagle. You see the eagle knows a little something that the other birds do not, turbulence pushes the eagle higher. So when a storm moves in eagles don’t seek shelter, they fly into it, embracing it. Eagles use the bad weather to gain entry into a space that they could never have reached in good weather, and their reward for this act of boldness? The eagles are given a broader view of their surroundings. This bird’s eye view also comes with the added benefit that once they rises above the storm they are clear of the rough winds and their flight becomes smoother, requires less effort!
Now that got me thinking…
So when storms of life arise I get down on my knees with prayer and supplication while waiting for an answer because I am a HEIR of SALVATION.
Prayer: I thank you for you never leave nor forsake me, open my eyes to see the right direction you have ordained for me in this situation. Help me Lord to soar as an eagle over all turbulences and challenges that the storms of live brings in Jesus name.
Amen.
Your Enemy Is A Liar
“The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons” (1 Timothy 4:1).
Satan diabolically uses lies to deceive God’s people. He appeals to our emotions and directs his attacks to a point of contention in our lives. For instance the saying “Half of all Christian marriages end in divorce”, but this does not have to be true of yours. You have to stand firm in your faith. If you are struggling, there is help. When you seek Him, God will provide a solution to your broken life.
“A new job is on the way and another contract will set you debt free”
Remember, God’s Truth that there is never a time when adultery is acceptable. Most often Satan attacks our weakness and makes it feel that we are undergoing attacks from our family members or friends so we personalize failure and attach faces to them. For instance, to those unhappy in their marriages, he will say: “You are having problems in your marriage, right? God wants you to be happy. The person you are with does not understand you. In fact, she doesn’t love you, she is not God’s choice for you, but your co-worker—the one who sits and listens to your every word and laughs at all your jokes—loves you. She will make you happy. This is a lie from “the pit of hell”
Stop accepting the lies of the enemy. If you feel that you have drifted from God in any area of your life, then you have to turn back to Him right now. Tell Him that you need His help. He is the “God of Wonder” There is hope for your future because Jesus lives.
Prayer: Lord, help me to stay focused on Your Truth. Fortify my heart with Your Word of life. Please forgive me for believing the lies of the enemy rather than seeking You to meet my needs. Help me to stand focussed on You alone this I pray in the name of Jesus.
Amen.
APOSTLE ATB WILLIAMS 