KEY SCRIPTURE:2Ti 2:8 KJV” Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel.”

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Christianity  without the resurrection of our Lord Jesus is just one of the many lifeless religions. The scripture says if Jesus did not resurrect, then we are yet in our sins. 1 Corinthians 15:17. The resurrection of Jesus  has so much significance  and answers lots of questions.

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The resurrection answers the question of life after death. Jesus’s resurrection assures us that there is life after death. He resurrected and never died again , but ascended to heaven. Anyone who thinks life is all that we see and have is only deceiving himself.

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The resurrection also assures us that all actions of men are to be  judged. This is established by the fact that if Jesus resurrected proving life after death then all would be judged  for whatever they did in their bodies here in this life.2Co 5:10 KJV” For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”

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The resurrection of Jesus means everyone who believes in Him will receive the life he brought to mankind. You can be born again because Jesus resurrected from the dead. Repent of your sins and believe in Jesus to be saved.

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His resurrection also means man’s sins have been washed away. His death meant the payment of our sins. The fact that He resurrected meant that the payment had been successful, and anyone who believes in Him would be forgiven. Gal 1:4 KJV “Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:”

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Now, what is the evidence of the resurrection of Jesus? I would give only one, although there are countless pieces of evidence.

This evidence is about the testimony and  boldness of Jesus disciples after His resurrection. The disciples were so fearful when Jesus was arrested and finally killed. They hid themselves  because of fear. After a short while, these fearful men came back boldly preaching about Jesus. Their claim was that Jesus had shown Himself alive unto them,

These men stood by their testimony and even died for their beliefs. What changed them from fearful, defeated men to bold, outspoken,  and even ready to die for their faith? This proved that Jesus was indeed resurrected. The claim of these men was that for a period of forty days, Jesus kept appearing to them by many infallible poofs. If you have not decided to be a Christian, then you are making a very big mistake.

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THOUGHT:JESUS RESURRECTION PROVES CHRISTIANITY IS THE ONLY TRUTH

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FURTHER STUDIES

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1Co 15:4 KJV” And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”

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1Co 15:6 KJV” After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.”

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KEY SCRIPTURE:2Ti 2:7 KJV” Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.”

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The Lord reveals to us in this verse how to receive insight or understanding. To understand is to know how a thing or a system functions. The Lord Jesus taught that those who do not understand what they hear easily lose it, or Ĺthe enemy comes for the word. A man with understanding becomes more effective because he knows why he has to do it as well as how to get it done. Pro 2:11 KJV” Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee” A man must  do everything possible to understànd

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Our key scripture shows us one way to gain understanding. It says consider the truths he’s been teaching. It also means pause and reflect on what you have read. The Holy Spirit likes to espound on certain truths to us , only if we would be quiet enough to listen to Him. He can not speak to the man who is not patient to wait on Him. Many of us would have been enlightened about so many truths of scripture if we had been disciplined enough to wait on Him.

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Meditating on the scripture would definitely bring us an understanding that would help us practice what we have learnt. 1Ti 4:15 KJV Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.’The end result of doing that which you have understood is to profit or make a positive headway in what you have committed to doing.

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Time is an extremely important resource that must be used very wisely. In the story of Daniel, King Nebuchadnezzar asked the wise men to tell him his dream and give him the explanation of it. All the wise men could not, and so he instructed that they be killed. Daniel came to the king and asked for some time to consult with God. The Lord brought him the answer. His only way out was a little time that was given to him. Never misuse time.

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THOUGHT:USE YOUR TIME TO IMPROVE YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING

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FURTHER STUDIES

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Eph 5:16 KJV Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

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Pro 3:13 KJV Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.

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KEY SCRIPTURE:2Ti 2:6 KJV “The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.”

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In 2 Timothy 2, Apostle Paul has been talking about acknowledging your position as a soldier who must selflessly endure every hardship and live solely to please the Lord who enlisted him. He must do everything lawfully or must be disciplined in his desire to achieve success for the Lord. This time, Paul tells Timothy that God rewards every work or every labourer partakes of the fruits of his labour. Joh 4:36 KJV “And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.” God is a good God. We always receive rewards for our labour here on earth and finally in the presence of the Father. Please note that there is a reward for your good works and wrath for evil works  ,here in this world and the ultimate in the presence of God.

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The Lord said  the husbandman is the partaker of the fruits of his labour. How does this work out? Does this mean that if he has won  some souls for the Lord,  he makes demands on them? No, this is not how it works. It is God who rewards. God would definitely reward you on the basis of the fruits of evangelism and follow-up. God has various ways to reward our labour. God can use the fruits you have obtained  to bless you directly. He can also  answer your prayer request. He does some of these things because He has promised to reward fruit bearers. John 15:16 KJV” Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.”

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Another aspect of God’s rewards is  giving us special angelic assistance and support. Luk 15:10 KJV” Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.”

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I listened to the testimony of a man who had a metallic hinge placed at his elbow to help him move it. After a time, this artificial hinge gave him an unbearable, excruciating pain. His pastor asked the church to go out to win souls. He joyfully went. He won about fourteen souls. That evening, the Holy Spirit assured him of a deliverance from that condition. That night, he saw in his dream two men in white, like doctors operating on his hand. He woke up to find the inserted hinge lying on his bed without any stitches or blood on the bed. The angels of God came to operate that hand because of his faithfulness in labouring for the Lord.

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THOUGHT: GOD ALWAYS REWARDS EVERY FRUITFUL LABOUR.

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FURTHER STUDIES

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Luk 10:7 KJV” And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.”

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1Ti 5:18 KJV” For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And the labourer is worthy of his reward.”

KEY SCRIPTURE:2Ti 2:5 KJV “And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully”.

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Every  system is governed by rules. You can not be rewarded  , crowned, or passed if you do not act according to the laid-down terms. Our key scripture says that as a soldier for your efforts would be rewarded  if you   act according to the laid down rules. Going by the rules is called discipline. It is the act of bringing yourself under established regulations. No one can be successful without going by the rules. Our key scripture iterated that it is only the disciplined who would be crowned or rewarded. 1Co 9:25 ISV” Everyone who enters an athletic contest practices self-control in everything. They do it to win a wreath that withers away, but we run to win a prize that never fades.”

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Now, what are some of the areas or aspects that every soldier of Jesus must be disciplined about?

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The very first point of discipline is the mind. The real battleground of every believer is his or her mind. Satan’s strategy has been to communicate lies that breed all kinds of untruth about God , yourself, others  and even the devil himself. Be disciplined about always applying the truth of God’s word.

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The next area of discipline is your body. The following is what apostle Paul says, “No, I keep on disciplining my body, making it serve me so that after I have preached to others, I myself will  somehow be disqualified.” 1 Cor 9:27 You must tell the body what to watch, when to sleep ,when and what to eat  and what to touch. The body or flesh craves to have its way always, but your ability to  be in charge  is your real victory over Satan.

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The next point of discipline is  your prayer and time to study the word of God.

If prayer is not consistent,  your impact loses its fervency . The evil one has placed his fallen angels over every system . We overthrow them and then make a great impact as we are consistent. The next is to keep a disciplined study life. This gives us the needed spiritual capacity to rightly deal with whatever may show up.

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Another area of discipline is the friends you keep. Wrong influences can easily derail you from reaching your goals in life. Stop meddling with the wrong friends and align with those who would help you fulfil your master’s assignment.

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In all these,  you only make any headway through a very disciplined life.

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THOUGHT:

IMPACT IS A FUNCTION OF DISCIPLINE

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FURTHER STUDIES

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1Ti 1:19 ISV with faith and a good conscience. By ignoring their consciences, some people have destroyed their faith like a wrecked ship.”

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Mar 1:35 KJV And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.

KEY SCRIPTURE:2Ti 2:4 KJV” No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.”

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Presently, as you read this material, American soldiers have been flown from their home country to the Gulf region to engage in warfare with Iran. Their president has named it Operation EPIC Fury. Every one of the soldiers has only one goal, winning the war, and that ultimately. goes to please the commander in chief president Donald Trump. None of the men in uniform would ever vacate the war front to go back to his family  for any reason, except as approved by his commanding officers.

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The Holy Spirit said in our key scripture that as  Christians, we are at a war front. The lives of multitudes are at stake. Joel 3:14 KJV” Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.”  Men and women are in a world of desperation, tormented, who are crying for deliverance, yet they have been plunged into a dungeon or valley of desperation, awaiting deliverance. You, the child of God, have been enlisted among those who have been given the ability and knowledge to bring these multitudes out of this valley of desperation. Many of them have na very little time, for their departure from this world is eminent so a little delay to reach them would spell their doom. How can you live as if nothing is at stake?

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Jesus, our master who called us into his harvest field, says Joh 4:35 KJV says, ” Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.” Dear brother, it is high time you cast away every fleshly dominance.Jud 1:23 KJV.” And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.” The word says to save them with fear, and also hate every garment spotted by the flesh. The phrase ” every garment spotted by the flesh” also means do not entangle yourself with the affairs of this life.

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Dear one, there is one thing you must never lose sight of. This is the question everyone must ALWAYS ask themselves. This is the question: “Are my ways pleasing the master?”To please Him, he says to hate every garment or lifestyle controlled by the flesh. Today, repent of any way that the Holy Spirit is convicting you to forsake

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THOUGHT  YOUR FIRST AND ONLY MISSION IN LIFE IS TO PLEASE THE LORD JESUS

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FURTHER STUDIES

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Joh 8:29 KJV” And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.”

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Phi 1:21 KJV “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

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KEY SCRIPTURE:2Ti 2:3 KJV” Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.”

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The call into Christianity is a call unto a mission. A mission to go into the nations and set men free from the bondage and  deception of Satan. Mat 28:19 KJV” Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:” He has been called to go and change men from the kind of  culture which is fully under Satan’s power. Act 26:18 KJV” To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.”

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The Christian, by virtue of this mission, is in a very hostile world. By the terms of the mission, he is here to rescue men. Dear child of God, you are a warrior or a soldier   . You cannot afford to let down  your guard. You must be tough if you would fulfil this high calling. Satan’s greatest means to distract the Christian from this great mission is to get him to be ruled by his flesh. Mat 16:23 KJV” But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.” Satan, speaking through Peter, tried to persuade Him from going the way of the cross,the only mission to save all humanity. Jesus  knew that enduring the shame, pain and reproach of the cross was His means of fulfilling His  life mission.

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The flesh likes leisure and pleasure and would not choose to  sacrifice  or lose anything . Without a life of sacrifice and abstinence from the rule of one’s flesh, he or she cannot be a disciple of Jesus. Luk 14:26 KJV” If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple”.

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The Lord said the servant is not greater than his master. The way he went is the path we must take. Joh 13:16 KJV “Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.”To fulfil your mission of rescuing men from satan’s power, you must endure hardness as a good soldier. You must not be afraid of the hostilities of men when preaching to them; you would intercede at other moments, fasting  as well . You would have to   sacrifice your money, comfort, and pleasure so you may effectively touch men by the power of the Holy Spirit.

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THOUGHT:IT IS WELL-SKILLED, TOUGHENED AND DEDICATED SOLDIERS WHO SUCCEED ON DIFFICULT TERRAIN

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FURTHER STUDIES

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1Co 9:27 KJV” But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.”

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2Ti 2:4 KJV “No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.”

KEY SCRIPTURE:2Ti 2:2 KJV” And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.”

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The above verse  shows us an exponential growth pattern. It says what Timothy has heard him say. Paul teaches; he must transfer it to faithful men who would likewise teach it to others. This is an exponential growth or expansion pattern. Let’s consider how it plays out. If Timothy presents four faithful men who likewise commit to four men, each of the faithful men. Then the message would have reached twenty  people, excluding Timothy. If this pattern should continue for the next three levels, then the message would reach : 4+ 16+64+256+1024 = 1364. If most churches were to operate by this system ,there would have been a great  influx of souls into the body of Christ.

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The scripture instructs that he commit the message to faithful men, who would also commit it to others, who would also do likewise. They would find faithful men and give it to them. Now the challenge is how he finds these faithful men. The whole teaching is about discipleship. The act of duplicating yourself in others. These faithful men are not to be found on the street, but people whom you have related to and shown by example how to live faithfully. Apostle Paul said to Timothy you have known me, and my manner of life.2Ti 3:10 KJV” But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,”

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The Lord Jesus raised his own faithful men. He did it by demonstrating the highest  standards of truthfulness. Joh 17:19 KJV “And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.” He demonstrated love, respect for all, fearlessness, and absolute purity in mind and actions. His disciples saw it, and they also did the same. It was no wonder that the people testified   they had been with Jesus.Acts 4:13

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What kind of person are you? You always produce men after your kind.

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THOUGHT: FAITHFUL MEN ARE NOT FOUND. THEY ARE MADE

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FURTHER STUDIES

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Act 4:13 KJV” Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.”

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2Ti 3:10 KJV “But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,”

ĶEY SCRIPTURE:2Ti 2:1 KJV “Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.”

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We continue with our study on being strong in the grace of our Lord Jesus. Every Christian is engulfed in the grace of our Lord Jesus. Rom 5:2 KJV” By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” The scripture also says in John 1:16 KJV.”And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.” There is an overwhelming grace that engulfs us. We are to be strong in it, or we must take full advantage of it. The grace of God gives us a clear advantage  in this life over the man without Christ. In light of this, the Child of God must never be a failure.

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God’s word has shown us various ways to strengthen the grace of God in our lives. We would consider the following:

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1. The first is to humble yourself  before God. Jas 4:6 KJV” But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” The humble man is he who trembles at  the word of God. God continually shows up in the affairs of the humble man. This strengthens his confidence in the grace of God.

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2  Secondly, grace is multiplied through the knowledge of our Lord Jesus. 2Pe 1:2 KJV Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord. Knowing the Lord involves yielding to the word in the practice of our faith  . Through practising God’s word, the Lord manifests His presence to honour that word. Joh 14:21 KJV He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.”

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3 Thirdly, as you make use of the gifts of God in your life, the Holy Spirit works alongside you. In this way, you experience the grace of God in operation. The more the particular gift of the spirit goes into operation, the more you grow in that particular grace. Note that every act of the Holy Spirit in your life is a manifestation of the grace of God.

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4 A heart of gratitude that keeps thanking God welcomes the Spirit and even angels of God into that  particular situation, bringing answers. In Acts

16: 25-31, Paul and Silas, irrespective of their chains and beatings, kept thanking the Lord. The Spirit and angel broke loose, resulting in an earthquake and a subsequent breaking of their chains. These men would definitely be strengthened in the grace of God.

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5 A consistent prayer life would also strengthen  one’s confidence in the grace of God. The prophet Elijah, as a result of his consistent prayer life, had grown so confident in the grace of God that he declared to King Ahab, By my word it shall not  rain n̈or dew in a period of three years and six months,   1 Kings 17:1. He used the phrase ‘ the Lord God’ before whom I stand.’ This is a phrase expressing his consistent prayer life.

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THOUGHT: ACKNOWLEDGE EVERY ACT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN YOUR LIFE AS A DIRECT WORK OF GOD’S GRACE

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FURTHER STUDIES

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1Co 15:10 KJV” But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.”

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2Co 6:1 KJV We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.

KEY SCRIPTURE:2Ti 2:1 KJV” Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.”

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This present age is the technological age, and it is mainly in the sphere of information. Tasks that could take days are executed in seconds. Artificial intelligence is a real wonder, having amazing potential to produce diverse activities so easily and very fast . For one to benefit from the AI, he or she must be well-versed in its use. There are people who might be advanced in its use . These people are extremely versatile. They would be described as being strong in the application of AI.

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The grace of God in Christ Jesus is the super ability of God that works in our hearts so that we are able to do that which is beyond our natural strength⁹. Our lord  Jesus  himself is the grace of God personified. The scripture said the Law came by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. The Lord Jesus, who is God in his capacity as the eternal Word of God, took on flesh and became a man. Whatever he went through from the day Judas betrayed Him till he resurrected was done in our name. He did it for us.

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In His stripes at Pilate’s whipping post was to bear every disease of all men. This is grace. He hung on the cross naked, a symbol  of abject poverty, so we might be rich( 2 Cor 8:9).His death was our death so we might live through Him. He defeated satan in His death, and that was our defeat of Satan. He ascended to heaven, and He is seated at the Father’s right hand. Since He represents us in all He did, we are also seated together in Him in the heavenly places. The authority vested in His name is now ours. Any command made in His name places a demand on the angels to honour that command. We have received His nature and life. We have the righteousness of God as our nature. The instruction in the key scripture says we must be strong in making every one of these blessings work to our advantage. Walking in any one of the above is experiencing His grace.

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The Spirit of the Lord also works in our hearts to do things far beyond  our own natural abilities. This is grace.

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To be strong in that grace is to believe that every blessing the Lord won for us in His passion is indeed ours. Act in line with what the scripture said. By grace, you are the righteousness of God, and so do not accept that you are a sinner. By your strong acknowledgement  of being the righteousness of God, you would experience in reality the  ability to live right because you have believed that you are righteous. For every one of what the Lord achieved for us, you can make it yours by believing and acting in line with what the word says. In this way, you would be strong in the grace of the Lord.

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THOUGHT:YOUR CONFIDENCE IN GOD’S POWER AT WORK IN YOU, MAKES YOU STRONG IN THE GRACE

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FURTHER STUDIES

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1Co 15:10 KJV” But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.”

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Gal 2:21 KJV” I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.”

KEY SCRIPTURE:2Ti 1:18 KJV” The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well.”

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In our previous study, we considered how faithful Onisepherus served. This meant he was a very committed brother in the Lord ,yet Apostle Paul prayed that God should show mercy on him to escape the wrath that would be coming on the world, and also to be counted worthy to stand before the Lord of glory, our Lord Jesus Christ. This state of affairs brings a whole lot of issues to consider critically.

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It establishes the fact that it is not automatic that once you are saved, you will make it to heaven. It therefore implies that the doctrine of one’s being saved is forever saved is  questionable. This doctrine says that so long as a sinner makes Jesus his Lord, then his eternal salvation is certain. From the statement our Lord made in Luke 21:36, Luk 21:36 KJV” Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.”

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The Lord said we must watch and pray always. These  two verbs are very significant. To watch means we must be aware of what we do and how we do it. We have to judge ourselves in the light of the truth of God’s word. The second verb is to always ask the Lord to count us worthy, or better still ,to have mercy on us, to be counted worthy to be acceptable before his presence. This means God’s standard for one’s acceptance is very high.

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One may ask what role grace plays here? Grace is very vital in all this. Without the grace of God, no one can be saved. The grace of God has dealt with every inherited nature of sin from our father Adam. We have received the very righteousness of God. The blood of the Lamb has blotted out every trace of sin. The Holy Spirit gives us that divine strength to please the Father. It would be a big error to live a defeated life.

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One thing we ought to know is that there are sins of commission and sins of omission. Sins of commission are deliberate actions that go against the word of God. There are also sins of omission, which are not wilful conscious acts , yet one may  commit them. An example is when you forget to attend to certain tasks, although you were supposed to do them. In your sincerest heart, you did not intend to forget, yet in the presence of God,it is a sin against you. The mercy of God is ready to wash it away if you would ask for it. There are certain actions that one may not be conscious of committing. These acts may be included in those  that we have to always ask the Lord for mercy for issues that we may not be conscious of committing before the Lord.

Dear child of God, be careful how you live. Allow the Spirit of God to rule your heart.

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THOUGHT:THE GRACE OF GOD TAKES AWAY EVERY HINDRANCE, YET TO MAKE IT, YOU MUST COOPERATE WITH HIS GRACE

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FURTHER STUDIES

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Gal 2:21 KJV” I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.”

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1Pe 4:18 KJV And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?