Believing is worship!

Believing is worship!

While He spoke these things to them, behold, a ruler came and worshipped Him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay Your hand on her and she will live.” 19 So Jesus arose and followed him, and so did His disciples.
20 And suddenly, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the hem of His garment. 21 For she said to herself, “If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well.” 22 But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said,“Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that hour.
23 When Jesus came into the ruler’s house, and saw the flute players and the noisy crowd wailing, 24 He said to them, “Make room, for the girl is not dead, but sleeping.” And they ridiculed Him. 25 But when the crowd was put outside, He went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. 26 And the report of this went out into all that land.

Matthew 9:18-26 (NKJV)

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I’m not sure why the Holy Spirit led me to this scripture this morning but He did and I thought to share some of the insights I received while I studied:

1.       Believing that God can turn a situation around in your favour, irrespective of how bad things look or seem, translates to Worship –

… While He spoke these things to them, behold, a ruler came and worshipped Him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay Your hand on her and she will live.”…  (Matthew 9:18)

Bible refers to the man as being a “certain ruler”. He wasn’t named. He was a ruler alright but not important enough to have his name mentioned. It wasn’t about who he was. It was more about what he represented. About the principle Christ was going to use him to teach His followers. It was about his attitude.

Anyway, this unnamed ruler had just lost his daughter. She had just died. She wasn’t in critical condition or in a coma in some hospital, she was dead. Scripture records that he left his dead daughter at home – he didn’t take her to the morgue. He didn’t bury her immediately. He went straight to Jesus and (wait for this), he worshipped!

 What do we do when we face dead or dying situations? What do we do when it looks as though our marriage is dying? Where do we place that organ that the doctors have certified dead? What is our attitude to the seemingly insurmountable problems that we encounter in our lives?

For this unnamed ruler, scripture records that he worshipped Jesus saying “My daughter has just died, but come and lay Your hand on her and she will live.” . You may ask how this was classified as worship. Afterall all he did was invite Jesus to come to his house and lay hands on his daughter abi?  There was no singing of slow songs or calling different high sounding titles of God.  The very act of believing that Jesus was able to re-open a chapter that was closed was attributed to him as worship!

Again, remember that if the girl was dying, it may not have been such a big deal. But she was dead. Pause and think about it. The ideal thing would have been to prepare for her funeral and tag her death as “God’s will” but this unnamed ruler believed that because Jesus was the Beginning and the End,  he had the final say and it was not over until it was over. The Bible called this attitude, WORSHIP!

2.       Worship brings God into situations

So Jesus arose and followed him, and so did His disciples (Matthew 9:19)

When Jesus came into the ruler’s house, and saw the flute players and the noisy

crowd wailing, (Matthew 9:23)

Scripture records that Jesus arose and followed the ruler to his house! I do not think there was anywhere in scripture where Jesus followed a person to his house and there wasn’t some kind of miracle.  Worship brings God into your house! Into the situations you are facing! Into your life! And when the Almighty steps in, things are bound to change!

Matthew 9:24, records that Jesus, immediately He got into the house, set right to work. The man had only asked that Jesus lay hands on his daughter but Jesus began to deal with other issues the man had in his life. Bible records that Christ put away the “noisy crowds”.  Those people and situations who never encourage you. Who are quick to “mourn” with you rather than believe with you. Who tell you to “be realistic” rather than believe God. Christ helped the unnamed ruler put them away. It was after this that Christ ministered to the ruler’s daughter.

When you worship, God comes in and deals with not only your pressing needs, but also less obvious situations that could have impeded you in one way or the other.

3.       Worship brings forth the supernatural

But when the crowd was put outside, He went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose.  And the report of this went out into all that land.

(Matthew 9:25-26)

Just by a touch from Jesus, she who was dead arose!  Why? Because her father worshipped! Worship brings forth the (super)natural! Because worship causes the Almighty to step into the life of the worshipper, things begin to turn around. Scripture is replete with illustrations of the power of worship – from the children of Judah (2 Chronicles 2:22) to Paul and Silas in jail (Acts 16:25), worship has always moved God to show up!

The bible records that the report of what Jesus had done for the ruler went out into all the land! Worship births the unprecedented!

I do not know what situation appears to be dead or dying in your life. Have you received a negative doctor’s report? Is it a child that seems to be lost to the spirit of addiction? Is it your marriage that appears to be falling apart? Has the world said you will never be married because of your past? Is it that secret issue that causes you to cry when you are alone? Dare to believe like the unnamed ruler, that Jesus can turn things around! Say to Jesus, come and lay hands on this and it will come alive! He will count it to you as worship and step in.

Pray with me

Father,

Thank you for our lives. Thank you for your word. Thank you for the Holy Spirit.

Lord, today we dare to believe you for that seemingly impossible situation. We thank you because we know that with You nothing shall be impossible. Like the ruler in the scripture, we call out to you Lord – Lay your hands on this dead situation and let it live.

Give us a heart of continuous worship that we may worship you all the days of our lives.

Thank you for the testimonies that you have already started working!

We love you Lord.

In Jesus name we have prayed, Amen.



Ps. If you have never confessed (with your mouth) Jesus as your Lord and personal savior, now may be a good time. Romans 10:9 is very clear - … if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved…

Think about it and make up your mind quickly! The time is short. You may say this prayer (please feel free to use your own words. God actually prefers your words :) )

Lord Jesus, I believe that you died for my sins, and God raised you from the dead. I am very grateful for your love. Today, I confess you as Lord over my life! Come into my heart today. I declare I am born again and I will serve you forever! Thank you Jesus!!!

Once you have prayed “the prayer” please find a church that believes in the bible and be planted there! You may e-mail me on ngozilee1325@yahoo.com and we could discuss. God bless you!!!!

Your Account in God's Bank

Very early this morning, I felt a leading to spend time in God's presence. As I worshipped, He spoke in his characteristic manner. He had actually spoken this to me a few years ago, so I knew the message was not just for me. My prayer is that this message will not be flawed by the flawed vessel who is now attempting to deliver it.

The Lord led me to Psalm 50. Powerful scripture. The entire psalm is loaded with so many truths and profound revelations but i will narrow this down to the portion God spoke about.

“Gather My saints together to Me, Those who have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice.”
Psalm 50:5 KJV

“Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High, and call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.”
Psalm 50:14-15 TNIV

"Let the giving of thanks be your sacrifice to God, and give the Almighty all that you promised. Call to me when trouble comes; I will save you, and you will praise me"
Psalm 50:14-15 GNT

"Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High: And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me."
Psalm 50:14-15 KJV

He said to me "Child, thanksgiving and praise are the currency of heaven". Each time you praise, worship or just simply thank me,you are depositing money into a Spiritual bank. In the day of trouble, all you need to do, is draw from this bank account. The more you praise, worship and thank me, the higher your balance is in the account."

Psalm 50:15(KJV, and TNIV)interestingly starts with the word "and". This is to show a connection between verse 14 and 15. Scripture is saying Thank God whenever you have the opportunity. Whether He has responded to that long term prayer request or not, thank Him anyway. Thank God at every opportunity you have. When people ask how you are doing, reply by blessing God. When people ask how an exam went, reply by blessing God. Thank God lavishly for little things.

For thanksgiving to become a sacrifice it should be done even at the most inconvenient times. Wake up at 3am and just sing, dance and thank Him. Thank Him even though you hurt from the death of your sister in that terrible air crash. Thank Him for that miscarriage. Thank Him even with the hurt of the divorce still stinging, Thank Him when it does not make sense to thank Him. Then, your thanksgiving will be a sacrifice.

Scripture records that after you have offered your sacrifice of thanksgiving to God, you can call on Him in the day of trouble. What does this scripture pre-suppose? That there surely will be a day when trouble will come knocking. It may be a sick loved one, it may be a failing marriage, it may be the need for children, it may be the need to pass an examination, it may be just about anything, but scripture is explicit. That day will come. Your success or failure, your joy or sorrow, your lifting or casting down in the day of trouble will depend on how much you have accumulated in your spiritual "praise and thanksgiving account".

My message is simple - Praise and Thank God at every opportunity you have. Praise God on facebook, praise God on Blackberry, praise God on twitter. Do not become too like the world. You are afterall not of this world. Stand out, dare to be different, dare to load your account in God's bank with enough to keep you in the day of trouble.

Let us pray.
Father, thank you for the generosity of your promise in Psalm 50:14 and 15
We give you praise for your word.
Give us the grace to thank you at every given opportunity.
Give us the grace to live lives of worship and thanksgiving.
Give us the grace continually load our Spiritual praise accounts.
Thank you because we are confident that on the day of trouble, you will deliver us.
Thank you for everything in the name of Jesus. Amen.

If you have read this message and you have not yet given your life to Jesus, please remember that Christ is the only way to eternal life. You may e-mail me on ngozilee1325@yahoo.com, I will be glad to discuss the Christian faith with you and eventually lead you Christ. God bless you!

Judge Not

This poem really blessed me. No matter how many times i get to read it, i get blessed all over again.
Be blessed.

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I was shocked, confused, bewildered
As I entered Heaven's door,
Not by the beauty of it all,
Nor the lights or its decor.

But it was the folks in Heaven
Who made me sputter and gasp--
The thieves, the liars, the sinners,
The alcoholics and the trash.

There stood the kid from seventh grade
Who swiped my lunch money twice.
Next to him was my old neighbor
Who never said anything nice.

Bob, who I always thought
Was rotting away in hell,
Was sitting pretty on cloud nine,
Looking incredibly well.

I nudged Jesus, 'What's the deal?
I would love to hear Your take.
How'd all these sinners get up here?
God must've made a mistake.

'And why is everyone so quiet,
So somber - give me a clue.'
'Hush, child,' He said,
'they're all in shock.
No one thought they'd be seeing you.'

JUDGE NOT!!

Remember...Just going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in your garage makes you a car.

Every saint has a PAST...
Every sinner has a FUTURE!
Now it's your turn... Please Share this poem if you feel it ok by you.

Word!

THE CENTURION AT THE FOOT OF THE CROSS
by Max Lucado

The day began as had a hundred others—dreadfully. It was bad enough to be in Judea, but it was hell to spend hot afternoons on a rocky hill supervising the death of pickpockets and rabble-rousers. Half the crowd taunted, half cried. The soldiers griped. The priests bossed. It was a thankless job in a strange land. He was ready for the day to be over before it began.

He was curious at the attention given to the flatfooted peasant. He smiled as he read the sign that would go on the cross. The condemned looked like anything but a king. His face was lumpy and bruised. His back arched slightly and his eyes faced downward. “Some harmless hick,” mused the centurion. “What could he have done?”

Then Jesus raised his head. He wasn’t angry. He wasn’t uneasy. His eyes were strangely calm as they stared from behind the bloody mask. He looked at those who knew him—moving deliberately from face to face as if he had a word for each.

For just a moment he looked at the centurion—for a second the Roman looked into the purest eyes he’d ever seen. He didn’t know what the look meant. But the look made him swallow and his stomach feel empty. As he watched the soldier grab the Nazarene and yank him to the ground, something told him this was not going to be a normal day.

As the hours wore on, the centurion found himself looking more and more at the one on the center cross. He didn’t know what to do with the Nazarene’s silence. He didn’t know what to do with his kindness.

But most of all, he was perplexed by the darkness. He didn’t know what to do with the black sky in midafternoon. No one could explain it.… No one even tried. One minute the sun, the next the darkness. One minute the heat, the next a chilly breeze. Even the priests were silenced.

For a long while the centurion sat on a rock and stared at the three silhouetted figures. Their heads were limp, occasionally rolling from side to side. The jeering was silent … eerily silent. Those who had wept, now waited.

Suddenly the center head ceased to bob. It yanked itself erect. Its eyes opened in a flash of white. A roar sliced the silence. “It is finished.” (John 19:30 NIV) It wasn’t a yell. It wasn’t a scream. It was a roar … a lion’s roar. From what world that roar came the centurion didn’t know, but he knew it wasn’t this one.

The centurion stood up from the rock and took a few paces toward the Nazarene. As he got closer, he could tell that Jesus was staring into the sky. There was something in his eyes that the soldier had to see. But after only a few steps, he fell. He stood and fell again. The ground was shaking, gently at first and now violently. He tried once more to walk and was able to take a few steps and then fall … at the foot of the cross.

He looked up into the face of this one near death. The King looked down at the crusty old centurion. Jesus’ hands were fastened; they couldn’t reach out. His feet were nailed to timber; they couldn’t walk toward him. His head was heavy with pain; he could scarcely move it. But his eyes … they were afire.

They were unquenchable. They were the eyes of God.

Perhaps that is what made the centurion say what he said. He saw the eyes of God. He saw the same eyes that had been seen by a near-naked adulteress in Jerusalem, a friendless divorcée in Samaria, and a four-day-dead Lazarus in a cemetery. The same eyes that didn’t close upon seeing man’s futility, didn’t turn away at man’s failure, and didn’t wince upon witnessing man’s death.

“It’s all right,” God’s eyes said. “I’ve seen the storms and it’s still all right.”

The centurion’s convictions began to flow together like rivers. “This was no carpenter,” he spoke under his breath. “This was no peasant. This was no normal man.”

He stood and looked around at the rocks that had fallen and the sky that had blackened. He turned and stared at the soldiers as they stared at Jesus with frozen faces. He turned and watched as the eyes of Jesus lifted and looked toward home. He listened as the parched lips parted and the swollen tongue spoke for the last time.

“Father, into your hands I entrust my spirit” (Luke 23:46 NIV).

Had the centurion not said it, the soldiers would have. Had the centurion not said it, the rocks would have—as would have the angels, the stars, even the demons. But he did say it. It fell to a nameless foreigner to state what they all knew.

“Surely this man was the Son of God.” (Matthew 27:54 NIV)

Such Love

I wasn’t going to do a post today.

I have not done any all year and I certainly did not think that the Holy Spirit would speak to anyone through this message He spoke to me a few weeks ago. But I feel led to share in the simplest of terms.

Today is valentine’s day. Like last year, I have had no special activity – work. Home. Worship. Clean my bathroom (ok, that’s a special activity) and now I am doing this post. I pray that at least one reader is as blessed as I have been since I discovered the secrets the Holy Spirit showed me in the following passage of scripture:

…And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight-- if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister….
Colosians 1:21-23 (NKJV)

The message is simple. To the one who has confessed Jesus as Lord and Saviour, he has reconciled you to God and has personally presented you to Him as HOLY, BLAMELESS and ABOVE REPROACH.

His voice to me was crystal clear – irrespective of what you have done. Of who you think you are. Of the mistakes of the past. The mistakes of the future. Of your evil thoughts. I, Jesus present you not only as Holy but blameless. Not only blameless but beyond reproach in God’s sight!

For me ,this revelation was profound! It meant that it didn’t matter how many times I fell. It didn’t matter how often satan brought my past sins to my mind. It didn’t matter whether I felt worthy or not – I was worthy in His sight!

I speak to someone today.

Someone living with the guilt of an abortion.

Someone living with the guilt of a murder.

Someone living with the guilt of a lie.

I speak to someone whose Spiritual life seems stunted as a result of a vicious circle of sin and repent. I speak to that one who loves God but finds that it is a struggle for Him to stay afloat in the sea of righteousness.

I speak to that man who when he raises up his hands to worship; the accuser shows up with his past. I speak to that one that seems unworthy to approach our worthy God.

My message to you is His message to me (and to you through the scripture): You are worthy. You are worthy to come boldy to the throne of the Master for he has presented you irrespective of your actions; blameless and holy in the sight of His father.

When you show up in God’s presence, all He sees is the blood of the lamb! The precious and spotless blood that was shed for you and for me!

God not only sees you as holy, He sees you as blameless. You are His child that can NEVER be blamed for any of your atrocities – I didn’t write it! Scripture has it!!
You are also above reproach. Above shame. Above disgrace. You are perfect in His sight!!!!

This takes faith to believe. Some real faith….

Shall we then continue to sin that grace may abound? God forbid!!! This perfect love that transcends human understanding is humbling. It makes even the toughest of persons melt when it is deeply understood. Study the scripture and ask God to speak to you through it. Then and only then can you harness the power in the perfect love of God!!!

Happy valentine’s day.

Pray with me. Especially if you want to partake of this love. Give your life to Jesus. Say from your heart:

Dear Jesus,

Thank you for today.

Thank you for your love.

Thank you for all you are to me.

I ask today, that you come into my heart.

I ask that you become my Lord and my personal savior.

I desire to enjoy and partake of your love. Come into my heart today.

I acknowledge you as LORD.

Thank you because I am born again!

Alleluia to your name Jesus.

If you said this prayer, please send me an e-mail on ngozilee1325@yahoo.com. I will give you information that will aid you in your new life with GOD!!! Take Charge!!!

Sure secret to victory

8 Now Amalek came and fought with Israel in Rephidim.
9 And Moses said to Joshua, "Choose us some men and go out, fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in my hand."
10 So Joshua did as Moses said to him, and fought with Amalek. And Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.
11 And so it was, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.
12 But Moses' hands became heavy; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. And Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.
13 So Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.
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The Lord prompted me to study the book of Exodus a few weeks back. He has been speaking since I started. I have decided to share one of the many things that He brought to my attention. I pray that this blesses you as much as it has blessed me!
As I read the portion of scripture reproduced above, a number of things concerning warfare jumped out at me.

1. Now Amalek came and fought with Israel in Rephidim - There is a constant battle in the realm of the spirits. This is irrespective of whether you believe in “such things” or not. At this point in scripture, it was the Amalekites. After this victory, there were series of other battles. The battles never ceased. They will not cease. The born again child of God is however guaranteed of something greater than victory in all battles - Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us (Romans 8:37)

2. And Moses said to Joshua, "Choose us some men and go out, fight with Amalek - In warfare, the choice of soldiers who will fight alongside with you is probably one of the most important decisions anyone can make. Scripture is replete with instances where only “the best” men were chosen to go to battle against enemies - When Joab saw that the battle line was against him before and behind, he chose some of Israel's best and put them in battle array against the Syrians (1 Chronicles 19:10). When the odds seem up against you. When it looks as though the marriage is over. When it seems as though the wayward child will never give his heart over to God. When it seems that the sickness may take the life of that loved one. When it looks as though that evil pattern is beginning to repeat itself in your life – who do you confide in? Who do you warfare side by side with? Who is your prayer partner? Years ago, the LORD taught me that it was better to warfare alone than to warfare with the wrong people! For effective warfare, you need the BEST people. People who love God and understand deep spiritual strategy!

3. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in my hand – For victory in warfare, we MUST stand on the hill. A hill signifies an ascent. There must be some form of upward mobility. Psalms 15:1, 24:3, 43:3, 99:9 and various others speak about the hill of the LORD. This hill represents a state of holiness! Holiness is a weapon. A very powerful weapon. There are various stages of warfare. The fiercer the battle gets, the more important it is for climb the ladder of holiness. Moses stood on the hill. His victory was certain! What prayer seems un answered in your life today? What battles have you been fighting over and over again for years? What problems seem to defy solutions? Ascend the hill of the Lord today. The Bible records in Psalm 24 that when you do ascend this hill, you will receive a vindication from God!

4. And so it was, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed - This is the key driver of the victory of any spiritual warfare. The Bible records that when Moses hand was held up, the Children of Israel prevailed. The HS enlightened the eyes of my mind to this scripture. When our hands are lifted up to God in praise, worship and adoration, the battle goes in our favour. When our hands are dropped in murmuring, complaints and whining, the battle goes against us. Simple but powerful principle! Has everything else failed? Try worship. Try praise. Try Adoration. Try Adulation. These can NOT fail! The fastest way to incur the displeasure of God is through murmuring and complaints. The LORD killed a good number of the Israelites because of these two. When next the situation looks bleak and gloomy, resist the urge to complain. Begin to praise and worship – this would be a sacrifice, A sacrifice of praise and I bet you, the situation will turn around – it is only a matter of time!

5. But Moses' hands became heavy; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. And Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun – Because we are but flesh, there may be times, depending on the ferocity of the attack launched out against you, that you might get tired and weary. At this point, it will matter who you have surrounded yourself with. Moses took Aaron and Hur, men he could trust. Men who feared God. Who have you surrounded yourself with? What counsel can they give you when you are weary? Aaron and Hur where a powerful support for Moses. Bible records that they not only put artificial supports in place for his tired arm, but also supported him on each side! Friends that cannot encourage you to praise. Friends that cannot provide spiritual support. Friends that cannot refresh you when you are weary are not friends you should rely on for warfare! Warfare is serious business! You must put aside sentiments! Only the best hands will do!
Say a prayer with me.

Dear Lord,

We come before you in the name of Jesus.
We thank you for who you are to us. We understand that there is a war raging. We also understand that the weapons of our warfare are not carnal.
We pray for the strength to engage the weapons of praise and worship when it matters most.
We pray for the grace to praise and bless your name at ALL times and in all situations.
We thank you for the guaranteed victory that we have in you!
Enlighten us! Strengthen us! Give us wisdom that the world cannot give!
Thank you Almighty God because we know that through our praise and worship, chains will be broken. Burdens will be lifted and captives will be set free.
Thank you dear Lord because in you, the victory is sure!
Thank you! Thank you!! Thank you!!!
In the name of Jesus!

September???

i am not entirely sure who this note is to.

it started on friday last week. i saw the man crushed to death.
a human life. squashed. like a fruit.
i don't think i saw life the same after that.

a few days later was the terrible accident on third mainland bridge.
i hear the headless body of a man in suit was pulled out of the wreckage.
he was going to work. the self same way i was.

now, i hear that Gabriel is dead.
cute gabriel. with a nice smile. the one who always admonished me and adviced me
not to respond to the annoying gimmicks of my landlady.
that gabriel. barely 30. is dead.

and for the first time in my life, i really asked God Why.
Why were all these things happening?
Why did Gabriel have to die?
Why did the mans death have to be so bloody
Why?

its barely one week into the month of septemeber....
and all these deaths.
Although i don't know most, i feel as though they were my friends.
my heart goes out to their family members....

as i prayed today, fearing that i may be next to mourn, i heard the word of the LORD:

No evil shall before you,
no plague shall come nigh your dwelling
The destroyer has been restrained,
becuase you have the blood on you!

Don't i just serve an awesome One?