THE FAST GOD ACCEPTS

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KEY SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 58:6 “Is not this the fast that I have chosen? To lose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?”

In the past few days, we have been looking at encountering the power of God to project God’s work. We saw that fasting and prayer can usher one into the great power of God.

The book of Isaiah chapter 58 (please read all the chapters) was solely devoted to the teaching of fasting having an acceptable fast. In that book, the prophet wrote in verse 3 the following “Wherefore have we fasted say they, and thou seest not?” Wherefore have we afflicted our soul and thou takest no knowledge? Behold in the day of your fast ye find pleasure and exact all your labours”. This was the complaint of God about the wrong ways they fasted

A close study of Isaiah 58 teaches that true fasting does not only involve forsaking your food and doing every other thing as you please. In that chapter, the Holy Spirit said, “People fast, yet they keep the strive and division that exist between them and their neighbours.” It is a big irony to see a husband and wife at longer heads, yet they are all fasting. Some fast yet would not show any kindness to neighbours who are in need. Isaiah 58:4 reads “Behold ye fast for strife and debate and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as you do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high”.

Fasting is not complete without a kind consideration of the second party. It must be done on God’s terms. Our key scripture shows us that our fast should not only be focused on ourselves but also consider the consideration of those who are in bondage. As we pray for our needs, we must consider those who are in various needs to pray and intercede for them also. True fasting is not a selfish venture. It always seeks the good and deliverance of others. When fasting is done this way, the Lord says in Isaiah 58:10 “And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted soul: then shall thy light rise in obscurity and thy darkness be as the noonday”.

Do good to others during the period of your fast. Do it in kind or through prayer.

PRAYER

Father, thank you for the revelation of your word. Help all Christians who fast to do it on your terms, not on our terms. This I pray in Jesus’ name.

FURTHER STUDIES.

Isaiah 58:7 “Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? When thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?”

Isaiah 58:8 ” Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rear reward

FASTING FOR DAYS WITHOUT EATING

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KEY SCRIPTURE: 2Co 11:27 KJV In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.

Fasting is an abstinence from food, so one can focus on God and His word. Some have fruit fast, that is they take fruit during the course of the fast. They may take it at certain intervals of the day or when they break their fast in the evening. Most people fast till evening and break at 6 pm or 5 pm. Note that fasting in itself is a prayer. It is normally a desire for something that drives people into fasting. Prayer is also an expression of your desire. Fasting is a way of strengthening your desire. The intensity of your fast influences the intensity of your desire that also lays hold on the answer.

One may decide to fast, or it may be inspired by the Holy Ghost. Joel 2:15 KJV Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, and call a solemn assembly:( Fasting does not change God, yet it changes us to relate well towards God to receive from Him.) There is group fasting which is mostly an act or decision from the Spirit or from the leader of the group. Note this, fasting overnight for days intensifies one’s desire for answers than daily fasts that are broken in the evenings. A fast is made useless if one fast for strife (Isaiah 58:4). This is the kind of fast one does in competition with another individual. It is not unto God, so it is a useless one. When abstaining from food becomes the project rather than the desire to see a change or transformation of some kind, then that fast is a fleshly pursuit that has no benefit. Fasting is a means to see a change, not an act, to justify one’s abilities.

In our previous study, we saw that most servants of God who were mightily used by God went through long fasting without eating for days.

Let’s consider the science of undergoing a longer fast to help us alleviate our fears of going on such a long fast.

When fasting for several days, understand you will be feeling weak in your body for the first four days. You may be feeling hungry. Please note that the feeling of hunger is not real hunger, but it is just a release of hunger hormones doing their usual job when you are eating. The moment the fast persists after four days, the body ceases to release those hormones because the body does not respond to eating. The weakness will also stop, and you may be feeling very energetic. As the fast progresses, the body’s weakness may come back yet do not yield to it. The body feeds on stored carbohydrates (glycogen) for the first 24 hours and resorts to feeding on the fat stored in the body. (It is this process of the consumption of body fat that makes fasting correct certain ailments like type 2 diabetes, hypertension, preventing stroke and other degenerative diseases), Real hunger comes after the body fat has been depleted, which normally occurs after so many days, depending on the amount of stored body fat. Most people’s body fat may be depleted after 40 days. This means several people can go on a long fast without food for many days, yet take water. It is most advisable to seek a doctor’s advice if you are underweight. ( people with kidney diseases may not go on a long fast) During your fast your urine colour will change to almost brown: please don’t be worried about it. The body at this stage is only giving out lots of toxins stored in it over a long period. You must not exert yourself during the period of the fast, although you can get engaged in your normal office activities, even teaching, if your work is to teach. It is not advisable to exert yourself by playing football or a high-energy-consuming task.

The important aspect of your fast as a Christian is to give attention to Bible reading, prayer, and meditation. Don’t get yourself involved in unscriptural activities, like watching certain films, chats, etc. You may listen to the preaching of God’s word. The next thing to consider is how to break your fast. Do not rush to break a long fast with strong or solid food. Don’t break your fast with processed products or foods. You may go for soft fruits like pawpaw, etc. Avoid soup with pepper on the first day of breaking the fast. You may continue this way on the second day, after which you can take some cooked stuff, but not so strong stuff. By the fourth day, you are ready to take most meals.

PRAYER

I pray heavenly Father and receive strength to fast for various changes to take place in the lives of others and my life as well. I have received strength to rule over my flesh to do as I want to God’s glory. Thank you, Father, for the great outpouring of your power to revive many lives. In Jesus’ name, I’ve prayed.

FURTHER STUDIES

Psalms 109:24 KJV My knees are weak through fasting, and my flesh faileth of fatness.

Matthew 4:2 KJV” And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterwards hungered”.

DEMONSTRATING THE POWER OF GOD 2

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KEY SCRIPTURE:2Co 11:2″7 KJV In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.”

In the above key scripture, apostle Paul reveals the difficulties, challenges and sacrifices that he had to go through or endure in order to be more effective in his service of the Lord or to maintain his faith against diverse oppositions.

He talked about hunger and fasting. Hunger is a moment when one wishes to eat, yet because there is no available food one stays hungry. fasting is rather the opposite. In fasting, food may be available yet one chooses not to eat in order to seek the face of God in prayer and the meditation on God’s word. Fasting is therefore a sacrifice in which one humbles his soul before God for a more effective service. We see throughout the scriptures that all the servants of God who were very effective in the hands of God fasted. Apostle Paul was greatly used by the Spirit of God in the demonstration of the power of GodAct 19:11 KJV “And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul:”
He said in our key scripture that he fasted often.

In our previous study, we said God uses vessels that are dead to themselves. Remember God’s fire would come only if there is blood of sacrifice on the mercy seat. Fasting is a form of sacrificing or slaying one’s life for the Lord.

Now let’s consider some men and women of God who were powerfully used by the Lord in their days.

Charles G Finney was an American Presbyterian minister ( 1792-1875) ŵas mightily used by God. This man would fast for three days without food and water before visiting a city to preach there. Even before reaching the city a wave of conviction of sin and subsequent repentance would fall on the people. There were instances when people would be slain under the power of the Spirit even before he met them.

Evangelist T L Osborne after his failed .mission to India came back home to America and started seeking the Lord in days and weeks of fasting. The Lord Jesus appeared physically to him and mandated him to go and manifest God’s healing grace to his generation. He started holding mass meetings with great signs and wonders in over seventy nations across the globe.

Kathryn Kuhlman, a woman who dedicated herself unto the Lord was powerfully used by the Lord in diverse healing of all kinds of diseases. She made a comment to Dr Myles Munroe that it is all about fasting and prayer. This woman of God would be ministering and she would just levitate and be suspended in the air after some moments.

Evangelist A A Allen who encountered the resurrected Jesus in a time of fasting and prayer was told by the Lord that a servant is not greater than the master, and that to experience the ways of the master, the servant must go the way of the master. This man of God fasted forty days on the water without food on a number of occasions and was powerfully used by the Lord to deliver men from all kinds of medically incurable cases.

Apostle Joseph Babalola of Christ Apostolic Church in Nigeria fasted forty days on water on a number of occasions. There was an occasion when he had to stop praying directly for the sick because there were too many. He found a river, prayed over it, and everyone who was sick just had to enter or fetch some to drink, and they were all healed. There was an occasion in which he felt thirsty but could find no water body to get some He had to hit a rock with his palm like Moses did and water gashed out for him to drink.

There are countless men and women who are living in our times manifesting God’s great miracle power because they fasted RIGHTLY.

Please remember that it is not just the act of fasting and prayer that ushers one into God’s power but a decision to honour God with your life.

THOUGHT: IF YOU WOULD SEEK THE LORD, YOU WOULD ENCOUNTER HIM.

FURTHER STUDIES

Luk 4:14 KJV” And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about.”

Mat 7:7 KJV Ask and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

DEMONSTRATING THE POWER OF GOD

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KEY SCRIPTURE: 1Co 2:4 KJV” And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:”

Apostle. Paul’s letter to the church of Corinth had lots of issues to correct about them. It seemed these brethren lacked lots of spiritual understanding. In chapter three of this same book he writes as follows 3:1 KJV” And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.” These brethren had to encounter the power of God, so their faith would be In the Lord and in His power, and not in enticing words of man’s wisdom. Corinth having two harbours was a commercial city with lots of activities going on there. These trends of affairs had a direct effect on the church. Our world with the current information advancement and technology has modelled a society that is very unbelieving. As the Lord Jesus said, it needs miracles to believe. Matt 12:39.

The church of God must brace itself up to meet the challenge of proving God’s power with signs and wonders so that the faith of men would not rest in philosophies and motivational teachings but in the power of God. The truth is that miracles signs and wonders advertise the gospel more easily than a thousand messages. Jesus fame went abroad because of the great miraculous signs and wonders that he did. In Matt 8:34, the bible says the whole city came to meet Jesus because of the miracle of setting the demoniac lunatic man free.

What ushers one into this miracle ministry? The miracle ministry is a demonstration that God’s fire is blazing upon a man. In the Old Testament, God’s fire always comes from the blood that is placed on the mercy seat. Ex 25:22 KJV” And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.” Whenever the high priest offers the blood of a slain animal God’s presence comes as fire over the mercy seat with the blood on it. He then speaks through that fire to the high priest.
The fire of God always comes on the life that is slain for Him.

Any man that would bear the fire of God must be given over to seeking glory in the name of God. This sense of being slain for God drives him to long periods of prayer and fasting. Please note: it is not just praying and fasting that brings this approval of God’s miracle power, but a desire to see the name of the Lord glorified and a subsequent dedication of your life to fasting and prayer that ushers you into this miracle ministry.

THOUGHT: A LIFE SACRIFICED UNTO THE LORD, WOULD SURELY RECEIVE GOD’S APPROVAL FOR THE MIRACULOUS

FURTHER STUDIES

Act 2:22 KJV” Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:”

John 12:24 KJV” Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.”

MINISTRATION OF LIFE VERSES THE MINISTRATION OF DEATH

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KEY SCRIPTURE: 2 Corinthians 3:9 ” For if the ministration of condemnation is glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.”

We continue with the comparison between the life and encounters in the New Testament and that of the Old.

The ministration of the Old Testament or the law is called the ministration of condemnation. Some Christians pray and wish we were in the times of Moses and Elijah. Those times, according to the revelation of the Holy Spirit given to Apostle Paul, are called the ministration of condemnation. Moses walked in the glory and power of God, yet that glory was described as a passing glory. (1st Corinthians 3:7)

If the Moses era that manifested so much of the glory of God was called the ministration of condemnation, how much more would the ministration of righteousness be more glorious? Romans 8:1 says,” There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit”. The statement ‘who walk not after the flesh ‘ simply means those who live by faith. Living by faith is living by the word of God. The period of condemnation was the period when men lived by their works. They lived according to their self-efforts or by the flesh.

Living by the flesh, living by sight or by human reasoning places you in condemnation. No one can be justified by living according to the senses. The just shall always live by faith. (Rom 1:17) Faith in God places a man in the ministration of the Spirit or ministration of righteousness. Righteousness is the same word as justification in the Greek language. The life of true glory and power is never by one’s effort but by purely relying on the word of God revealed about our Lord Jesus. The glory of the New Testament is the glory of our Lord Jesus, and we have received that glory by faith.

Now, please notice this; the word ministration also means service or servicing. It also means dispensing as a drug attendant dispenses his drugs. In the New Testament, we dispense, minister, or serve by the Spirit. Everything about us should never proceed from self-effort. Life under the New Testament is counting on the finished work of our Lord Jesus Christ to do all things. It means believing in the Lord Jesus, counting on what he is and has done to be ours. We live by His victory over sin. We live by his carrying away all our sicknesses to live in health. We live by his power to defeat the enemy. This is the glorious ministry of the New Testament.

Please note that, in the New Testament, we are one with Christ ( 1st Corinth 6:17) . If a witch doctor using divination should call the Spirit of a Christian to destroy or harm him, it is Jesus himself who would appear because that is our true personality. This is the difference between life under the old covenant and that of the new.

CONFESSION

I thank God for the new covenant. Now it is Christ living through me as I count on Him. This is a more glorious ministry because it’s Christ alive in me. I live by my faith in Him and He powerfully functions through me. Glory be to God.

FURTHER STUDIES.

Galatians 2:20 ” I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me”.

2 Corinthians 3:10 “For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth”.

GOD OUR SUFFICIENCY, AN AMAZING REVELATION

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KEY SCRIPTURE:2Co 3:5 KJV “Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;”

Christianity is the answer to the human failure. It is an initiation into a life of a superior influence. 2 Peter 1:4 KJV ” Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” This verse tells us that through our encounter with the truths of scripture, we become partakers of the divine nature, and as a result, we escape the corruption that is in the world. To know that God, the creator of the heavens and the earth is our sufficiency should put our minds to rest about anything that may appear to threaten, or look unsurmountable. With such a knowledge that Jesus is our sufficiency, we stop fighting any opposition or challenge by ourselves or might. We face every one of them knowing that it is actually God or Christ Himself handling these matters through us.

This was the insight David the anointed King, yet a shepherd boy knew and evidently acknowledged. He told the giant Goliath 1Sa 17:45 KJV” Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.” David knew the Lord was his sufficiency, and so the battle was a forgone conclusion. He was the victor even before the contest. David was so sure of victory that he ran to face that giant. He was never disappointed.
God would always honour His word whenever we approach any opposition, knowing that He is our sufficiency.

There are many Christians who are living under various forms of torment emanating from all kinds of worries. Many are tormented by fears of all kinds. The fear of shame, sicknesses that are afflicting them, debts of all levels and some non-existent ones. All these torments come to them because they have not acknowledged that God is their sufficiency.

Dear child of God the very moment you accept in truth that Jesus is your sufficiency, every tormenting fear will lose its grip over you. You would instantly be free, and the Lord will deal with the situation for you.

Apostle Babalola of blessed memory was praying in a bush when he saw a huge python approaching him. He continued praying even after the creature attempted coiling around him. This beast was stricken by the power of God and died. The man of God knew Jesus was his sufficiency and did not fear at all about the threat posed by the creature. Nothing can harm you when you trust the Lord.

CONFESSION

God the monarch of the universe is my sufficiency. I do not face life by my might or ability. His presence and power have now taken over everything about me. There is nothing dangerous that I fear. There is nothing too big for me to overcome. I live a life of perfect peace. Glory be to God.

THOUGHT: STOP FIGHTING AND ALLOW JESUS FIGHT THROUGH YOU.

FURTHER STUDIES

Exo 14:14 KJV” The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.”

1Sa 17:47 KJV” And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD’S, and he will give you into our hands.”

GOD, OUR SUFFICIENCY

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KEY SCRIPTURE: 2 Corinthians 3:6 ” Who also hath made us able ministers of the New Testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life”.

The writings of Apostle Paul keep revealing powerful truths about the Christian.

Our key scripture is a completion of the earlier verse, which says “Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; God is our sufficiency. It is He who makes us qualified for whatever he calls on us to do. We must not in any way think or suggest that we are sufficient of ourselves. God Himself is our ABILITY. This should take away every pride from our hearts. We must never feel incapable of handling any situation. This revelation should also challenge us to boldly accept to do whatever task our heavenly father asks us to do.

In the light of what he said in verse five, He says we have been made able ministers of the New Testament. He exposes that the New Testament is of the Spirit while the Old Testament is the letter. To say the Old Testament is of the letter means the Old Testament has no spiritual provisions that enable us to do what it says. In our verse above, the scripture says the letter kills. Why does the letter kill? The law or the letter gives us instructions, demands, and commands but provides no life or ability to fulfil them. Everyone under the law is helpless and in bondage. It is very frustrating to be asked to do a task without any provisions to accomplish it. This is what the law or letter does to us.

Romans 8:3a states the following “For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh…..”. Man, because of the fall, is helpless under sin, which makes him incapable of doing what the law says. Under the New Testament, we have the ministry of the Spirit and not the letter. Man under the New Testament is not left at the mercy of the law but has the support of the Spirit, which gives us life to do what it tells us.

In verse 7, the Bible calls the law the ministration of death. This ministration of death is what came on the face of Moses shining such that the children of Israel could not look on the face of Moses. (Exodus 34:29-30). The scripture added that this glory was done away with. The ministration of the Spirit is indeed more glorious. We have a more glorious ministry than Moses had.

Our study teaches that Christians have been specially endowed with Grace and made capable of living by the ability of the Spirit so we would be able to bring glory to our heavenly father.

CONFESSION

I thank God for this great life. I have received the ability of the Spirit to live a higher life, bringing the glory, power, and praise of my heavenly father into reality in the midst of men.

FURTHER STUDIES.

2 Corinthians 3:7″ But if the ministration of death, written and engraved in stones, was glorious so that the children of Israel could not steadfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away:”

2 Corinthians 3:9. For if the ministration of condemnation is glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.

GOD REWARDS HELPERS

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KEY SCRIPTURE: Hebrews 6:10 “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.”

God is faithful and would not forget the labour of every helper. The role of a helper always calls for sacrifices often without any physical rewards from the church. Many are tempted to give up.

There have been instances in which some helpers have been dishonoured, mistreated, or despised. This may cause a helper to become bitter and decide to stop his activities. Dear brother or sister who have been of help to the body of Christ, or a man of God under whom you have served yet you’ve been maligned, mistreated or despised. Understand you are not serving a man, but you are serving our Lord Jesus Christ. The church is the body of Christ (1st Corinthians 12:27). Anything you do for the church is done for the Lord Jesus.

Our key scripture says God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which you have shown towards his name, in that ye served the saints. God is a rewarder. Nobody does a kind deed for God that He (God) does not reward. When the Lord used Peter’s boat, He asked them to cast their net for a drought. Although they had failed to catch any fish earlier, Peter obeyed and caught so much that fishing partners had to come to help them draw the catch. This even caused their net to break.

In 1st Corinthians 15:58 apostle Paul exhorts as follows, “Therefore my beloved brethren be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, for as much as you know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord”. Dear helper in the house of God, your labour is never going to be in vain. God would reward your great sacrifices. Never lose sight of your rewards. Now note this: there are two phases of God’s rewards. There is the reward you receive here on this earth, and there is the reward you receive in heaven. In Mark 10:29-30 the Lord Jesus taught His disciples that anyone who sacrifices his life to serve him shall receive a hundredfold of all that, he or she has forsaken, including brothers and sisters with persecution. God does not wait till you get to heaven before you are rewarded. He will certainly “pay” you here in your lifetime and then in heaven.

CONFESSION

I would never give up on any good work I am doing for the Lord. God is a rewarder for all those who would diligently seek Him. I would certainly have my reward here in this life as well as in the world to come.

FURTHER STUDIES.

Hebrews 11:6 ”But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him”.

Mark 10:30 “But he shall receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life”.

THE MINISTRY OF HELPS 2

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KEY SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 12:28 ” And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues”.

“The ministry of helps” is an important aspect of the church of God. The Apostle Paul spoke about the household of Stephanus in 1st Corinthians 16:15 as follows: “I beseech you brethren (ye know the house of Stephanus, that it is the first fruits of Achaia and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints”. These brethren were given over to help the saints. They showed hospitality to the saints, providing for their needs, and they also attended and assisted the Apostles in their journeys. These brethren were simply helpers of the church.

A lot would be achieved in the body of Christ if there were many of the children of God who would addict themselves to serving the body of Christ as the household of Stephanus did. In Luke 8:3, the Bible spoke about certain women who used their substances or money to support the ministry of our Lord Jesus. The Lord had to take care of all the disciples, including their wives and children. He, therefore, needed to be supported by others. In the ministry of help, brethren who are financially blessed play a great part. In Acts 4:36, we learn about Joses, who was surnamed. Barnabas by the apostles. He was a great man who supported many. His name, Barnabas, meant the son of consolation. He was the one who stood by Apostle Paul in the early days and years of his conversion. Most brethren were afraid of him yet in Acts 9:27 the Bible said “But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way and that he had spoken to him…..” Indeed Barnabas was of great strength to him.

This ministry of help is an aspect in that many children of God can play a part in making the body of Christ stronger. Praying for one another, and looking out for needs in the life of fellow brethren and those outside the church are all part of this ministry of help. In Acts 9:25, some Jews waited at the city gate to attack and kill Paul. But some brethren put him in a basket and let him down over the city wall to save his life.

The brethren who helped Apostle Paul escape did not know they were saving the life of a man who would write about half of the New Testament message. You have no idea that the young boy or girl you are assisting today will become the next mighty evangelist in the future.

There are some who have been taken advantage of by certain individuals, including some pastors. Seek the leading of the Spirit before helping certain individuals. I believe that as you associate with people you would know the true nature of certain brethren. Just allow the Spirit of God to lead you.

CONFESSION

Father, I commit my life to lifting, i support all in various challenges and difficulties so they may fulfil their call mandate.

FURTHER STUDIES.

Acts 9:25.” Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket”.

Luke 8:3. ” And Joanna, the wife of Chuza Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.

THE MINISTRY OF HELPS

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KEY SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 12:28 ” And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues”.

There is another area of. Service in the body of Christ which is not normally talked about, yet it is very. Important. This is a kind of service or ministry not appointed by any man, but the Holy. Spirit stirs the hearts of certain individuals to play this role.
We now look at the ministry of helps. The New Testament is filled with many examples of the ministry of help. The word “helps” in Acts 27:17 speaks of the rope-like cable that sailors used to wrap around the ship during a storm. This is a supporting ministry. The ministry of help is what God wraps around us to hold us together in our stormy times.

The Bible mentioned seven people who ministered in this area of help. For example, there is Phebe, in Romans 16:1-2 Paul said “I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church, that ye receive her in the Lord, for she has been a securer (helper) of many and of myself also”. Phebe was a helper. She carried the book of Romans to Rome for Paul at his request. Though she was not a preacher, Phebe helped to spread the gospel.

Lydia was another helper who supported Paul. We find in Acts 16:14-15, “And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.

And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us”.

She provided lodging in her house in Philippi for Paul and his group.

In Exodus 17:8-12, Aaron and Hur held up Moses’ hands during a battle. The victory of the Israelites depended on whether Moses’ hands were up or not. These men supported his hands which were getting too tired to remain up. This made Israel win the battle.

Every man of God needs helpers to help him to succeed. Our Lord needed helpers who provided things like a place for his last supper, the Colt he rode on to Jerusalem, and even Joseph of Arimathea who gave him his tomb when he died.

These helpers normally make great sacrifices for most men of God. It may surprise some of us to know that in heaven some of these helpers would receive greater rewards than some of these men of God. Why would this happen? The truth is that a number of these helpers are so faithful and make more sacrifices than the man of God. It would therefore be just right that God who sees more than the human eye sees would definitely reward them more than the man under whom they served.

Let everyone play his role to the best of his or her abilities. What is most important is to do everything in sincere love for God. and his people.

PRAYER

Lord, I pray for all helpers who make various levels of sacrifices to help God’s work move on very well. May you strengthen them to fulfil their services on earth.

FURTHER STUDIES.

Exodus 17:12 But Moses’ hands were heavy, and they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat thereon, and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.

John 19:38 ” And after this Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore and took the body of Jesus”.

sharing simple truths