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Happy Father’s Day

Posted on Jun 20, 2020 by Abigail Agbeko | General | 206

One Father is more than a hundred schoolmasters – George Herbert

In his book – The 7 Habits of Highly Effective people – Stephen Covey encourages his readers to begin with the end in mind. He paints a vivid picture with the end of your life in mind. Imagine you’re dead in a casket in front of a pulpit. Your pastor is standing right at your shoulder about to give the eulogy. The room is full of people in tears there to wish you farewell. WHAT WOULD YOU WANT TO BE SAID ABOUT YOUR LIFE? Most importantly what would you want God to say about your life? Good and faithful servant? As a father, what would you want your children to say about their lives with you? With all this in mind, now live your life with that end in mind (emphasis mine)

Having the end in mind can be important in every aspect of our lives, in building our careers, in managing our health as well as in raising our children. As a father what end do you envision for your children and what are you doing to get them to that end. The life of a father parallels that of our Heavenly Father which makes it vital for the instructions and commendations of a father in the house. Many studies have shown the effect of absentee fathers on children and on a society as a whole. It all goes to show how important our fathers are to us and our societies. To create a better world we sure need our fathers who will help build the next generation.

“As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.” – Psalm 127:4

This verse describes our children as arrows. An arrow is of no use if not shot. But there are factors that affects the speed and distance with which an arrow travels. The most important factor is the weight of the arrow. The heavier the arrow, the greater the efficiency and the energy stored in the bow and the greater the speed the arrow can attain. What weight are you giving to your children? What value are we giving your children? Do we give our approval only when they bring good grades or we let them know they are perfect and loved anyway?

During the baptism of our Lord Jesus at the Jordan River, the Holy Spirit descended on him and the voice of the Father was heard saying “this is my beloved son in him I’m well pleased”. – Matthew 3:17. This was even before Jesus did any miracle on earth. I believe having the Father’s approval empowered him to do many miracles on Earth.

With that in mind, how far will you want to shoot your arrow ( children)? Put value in them. Encourage them. Speak words of approval over them and that will empower them to get to the expected end you would wish to take them. Bless your children and see them become a blessing.

Happy Father’s Day!

Photo credit – Gifty Ametewee

Edited by – Augustine Adonteng

In Crisis, Don’t Panic, Plan

Posted on Jun 3, 2020 by Neil Acheampong | General | 227

In these times it is very easy to focus on the problems we are faced with and forget that there are benefits to this and every crisis. A crisis may seem to be destructive but it can turn out to be constructive depending on how you manage the crisis. “In crisis, be aware of the danger, but recognize the opportunity” (John F Kennedy). If crisis can be beneficial no matter how destructive it may be, then it is important to find these benefits and maximize them.

Generally, crisis opens our eyes to what we have taken for granted. I believe that we are grateful for what we are grateful for but there are things we may have taken for granted and crises tends to reminds of what life is about. Secondly, crisis helps us to make needed changes in our priorities. For example, many churches have had to retool to fit the times and engage in what matters; taking care of those in need. Thirdly, crises reveal a lot about us and others. It shows how prepared we are for any unexpected occurrences. Truth be told it is during crisis, we see who loves and who is ready to sacrifice for you. Our healthcare and frontline workers have shown their love for people and country by putting their lives at risk to save many. The crisis has revealed to us beyond our politics who love us for real. I can go on and on and show that there are benefits to every bad thing that happens. Let me share with you, one most important thing which I think we need to focus on with the stay-at-Home order. And it is this; crises create opportunities for innovation and growth.

The key to finding opportunities or benefits in crisis centers on the way the crisis forces us to become innovative and creative. I believe that you have heard the old saying “necessity is the mother of invention”. It is time to think beyond the norm to new ways of dealing with the problems we are confronted with. I believe you can and we can. Jon Huntsman, a wealthy businessman and philanthropist, in his book, Winners Never Cheat: Even in difficult times reminds us of this truth, that “Humans seldom have created anything of lasting value unless they were tired or hurting.” So, may I ask you, what will you do differently after this crisis?

Going for God’s Heart

Posted on May 20, 2020 by Abigail Agbeko | General | 177

Have you ever thought of the times you spend with God? Do you wonder how we can talk with friends for hours but not with God? We often go to God to quickly throw our request down His feet and run off. We usually have a list of things we would want Him to do for us. Like bless our families, heal our bodies and protect us from evil. That is all good, but then we rush right back to our daily lives and wait to repeat the process. We hardly seek after the heart of God (who He really is) in such routines. Because we are just interested in His hand (strength and power) working on our behalf. We want the blessings but not really interested in the blesser.

Our relationship with God

Prayer should be a dialogue between us and God. Any enjoyable conversations are always a two way streak. On the other hand our prayers have become monologues. We talk continuously and only stop when we are tired without giving God the chance to respond. Do you remember times that you sit with friends and talk for hours nonstop? Do you talk without your friend’s input? You will agree with me that, that will not be a conversation at all. How come we cannot do that when we comes to God? I believe it is because of how we see God. Our perception of the Father has to align correctly with the word of God. We come to God feeling guilty or afraid to say something wrong.

In a relationship where there is fear, conversations are less frequent. Imagine you have a boss who is intimidating, would you frequent his/her office for a chat? The answer is No. Assuming that was a misinformation on your boss, would you have missed out on a good relationship with your boss? Yes, you would. Getting the correct information about a person helps us create our perceptions of people. It then helps us relate to different people in different ways. The perceptions we most often have of God are from our relationships with authority figures and earthly fathers. To truly know the Lord, you will have to read His word for yourself. Inaccurate perceptions of people can even cause a fearful relationship.

The Bible says in 1 John 4:18 that perfect love cast out fear. The only perfect love is the love of God for us. Many people still see God as this passionless/impersonal being. God’s children mainly knew Him for His hand (strength and power) in the Old Testament. So they always went to Him to ask for His power to work on their behalf. They also made sacrifices to Him as God to atone for their sins. In other words they knew the hand of God but hardly the heart of God. They knew Him as the God who split the Red Sea for His children. The God who fed them on the desert with manna but not as a person they could easily go to.

The heart of God

God asked the prophet Jonah to go and tell the people of Nineveh to repent from their sins – Jonah 1-4. But the prophet flee from the Lord because he knew the heart of God. Jonah knew that God will have compassion on the people and will not destroy them. The prophet wanted the people destroyed because of their sins but God wanted the people changed.He does not want any to perish – 2 Peter 3:9 because he loves us. knowing and believing this truth sets us free to be with him and enjoy him. The Bible describes God as rich in mercy and compassionate – Ephesians 2:4

Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.” – John 20:17

This good God is introduce to us by our Lord Jesus as our ABBA. The word ABBA “the Father” or “my Father” is a term of closeness. We are able to relate to the figure of a father than a God or a King much better. God is still God and King but for us His children, He is ABBA. A father is gracious, tender, compassionate, interested in the lives of His Children. Many earthly kings treated their subjects with contempt and no gods ever died for their worshippers. So we have translated that to the King and God the Father is. As a results we are always in a hurry to leave God’s presence lest we offend the King. Until we know the heart of our Father, we are selling ourselves short of a rich relationship with Him.

Our Prayers

We approach our Father not with natural fear and trembling. But with reverential fear and trembling knowing He is a God and King. For example, If my father happens to be the president of a nation, all people will address him as Mr. President. You will have to make an appointment in order to see him. But as his little girl, the only name I know is, father, daddy or Abba. I can call my father at any time of the day. I have a relationship with my father the president and I can tell him all about my day yet giving him reverence. In the same way, we do not need an appointment to be with the Father.

We have a Father who is God and King who loves us so much. Knowing this cause us to linger in His presence despite our imperfections. The Holy Spirit bears witness that we are sons of God – Romans 8:16. Unlike our earthly fathers, our Heavenly Father is good. In John 14:8-9, Phillip a disciple of Jesus asked Him to show them the Father and that will be enough. Jesus answered and said if you have seen me, you have seen the Father. Again, John 6:38 Jesus said “For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me”. In other words, if the LORD Jesus healed, then it is the Father’s will to heal. If Jesus showed love and kindness, that is the will and nature of the Father. Jesus in action was the Father will and nature in action. We are liberated to called the God of Israel our Father and to freely go to Him

The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, Abba, Father. Romans 8:15

Is your conversation with the Father a monologue? Is prayer mundane and a chore rather than an enjoyable conversations with the Father? What are you believing about the Father that has construed your perception of Him?Because the perception you have of the Father will determine the relationship you will have with Him.You want to know His heart, find out who he really is from his word. He is waiting for you to know His heart. The Father is patiently waiting for a time with you. He is waiting for a a dialogue and an enjoyable time with you. He is waiting for a time where prayers will be a moment by moment communication with Him. Have you talked to ABBA today? What are you waiting for?

Apr '20

Posted on Apr 17, 2020 by Abigail Agbeko | General | 304

Apr '20

Have you ever wondered how to get the attention of the King?

“A chick closer to the mother gets the best part of the grasshopper”- is an Akan proverb. Meaning the child that is on the heart or close to the parent gets the best share. Parents love their children but there are times when a child will bring a special joy to a parent and be rewarded. In the same manner, our Father loves us all but there are times when we do get his attention with the things we do.

Our Father the King rules in His kingdom and all things in the kingdom belongs to Him and are made for him. Therefore the gold, the diamond, the resources and the people are all His. He answers to no one.The only words that matter are the words of the King – the Bible. No one voted Him in and no one can vote Him out. He is King for ever and ever. Amen! The King’s rules and His decrees runs the kingdom. The King is all powerful so how then do you get the attention of such a King?

The world heard of Solomon, the son of king David and the richness of his kingdom. The queen of Sheba, came from the East to see king Solomon. She witnessed a kingdom where everyone was doing well including servants. If the world marveled at the richness and greatness of Solomon’s kingdom even more will they marvel at the kingdom of our God. For our King unlike Solomon is Holy and good.

But of all the things in the kingdom – the resources, the people and the many other things, what is the most precious to the King? Is it the stars? Maybe is the gold and diamond. The Bible describes the creation of the star in just five words – “He also made the stars”. But most note worthy, the Bible is full of stories on redemption. The stories of Noah and the ark, Abraham and Isaac to the great sacrifice of our Lord Jesus all confirm God’s interest in redemption. His delight is not in creation but redemption – the redemption of his children.

The King loves His people and as a Father, loves His children. His people are dear to His heart. So if you want to get the attention of the King, love what He loves. Love ALL His people. But who are God’s people? Are they the Israelites? – Yes. Are the broken hearted His people? – Yes. What about the sexually confused and the abused? Yes. The sick and poor? Yes! The elderly and the children? Yes, they are. All people are God’s people. Jesus died for all the world – John 3:16

So how do we love God’s people? There are many ways to love or show love. Jesus said the greatest among us should serve. You want to be the greatest? Serve God’s people. But what should I serve God’s people?. What is in your hands? Serve God’s people with what you have and see the King turns His attention to you. There are many ways to serve God’s people because there are many different gifts/talents available to us to serve.

We see healthcare professionals serving God’s people with their talents and skills especially in this season. If you are a teacher, you can teach God’s children. You are a counselor, many certainly need your talent. What about you pray for the sick and or even call a next door neighbor to offer a prayer and some encouraging words. Ask God to lead you in this season to serve His people. For such a time as this, you have been called in the Kingdom.

Living for God’s glory

Posted on Mar 25, 2020 by Abigail Agbeko | General | 319

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. – Matthew 5:16

The theme for our church this year is “Living for God’s Glory“. What a prophetic, timely and in season theme for the year. God knew what was ahead of the year and gave us this theme.

We have learned from the sermons on this theme that we are the light of the world and we cannot be hidden. We also learned that God’s glory cannot be hidden. Therefore, we cannot live for God glory hidden in this season because God gave us the theme for us to rise up especially in this season for his glory. Let ours lights shine before others because the glory of the Lord has been stamped upon us.

“Arise, shine, for your light has come and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. – Isaiah 60:1-2

In the verse above the Lord instructs His people to arise and shine. There was darkness covering the world and the Lord needed his children to rise and shine. Light shines brightest when there is darkness and you are the light of this world. As this COVD 19 looms around the world and darkness covers the earth, may you arise and shine as a child of God for his glory is on you.

Ask yourself what you can do in this season to exhibit the glory of the Lord on you? Below are a few ideas to shine for the Lord in this season

1. Be an encouragement

Despite social distancing, we can always encourage people going through difficult times in this season. We can reach out in various ways to many people via Facebook , WhatsApp or whatever means you have available to check on others. The smile and hope you can bring people by letting them you are thinking about them is just mind blowing.

2. Be a listener

Many are in panic not because of the disease but because they are thinking of the impending bills and what will happen to them during this season. Many are also going through depression because their businesses have to close down and yet again many cannot go to work and hence no income coming in. What a time to just hear someone out. Just being the person they can talk to in this season.

3. Be a giver

God loves a cheerful giver. What a great time to be a giver especially in a season where everyone is a taker. It is a perfect time to sow a seed in someone’s life.

“Those who are happiest are those who do the most for others” – Bookier T. Washington

It could be giving of your time to help others. It could your money, talent or service. Many people in this season are in need of money. If you can, please give monetary gifts. Our Father is a good father and we have the DNA of our father so be generous like never before. Share what you have that others are looking for. Share resources you are using to educate your children who are home, share your baby wipes, share whatever you have that you can share to be a blessing to others.

4. Share

There are many things being shared on social media. Jesu said take heed what you see and what you hear so let us be careful what we are sharing on social media. Don’t just forward things to others that will cause fear to start in their heart but take this time to share the word of God on social media. Give hope to people instead of doom. By all mean get the necessary information you need for the Coronavirus but don’t be a bearer of bad news. We are called to share The good news which is full of hope.

5. Serve others

I believe there are still ways to serve others regardless of what is going on. There might be an elderly who need their medication to be picked up for them. As our children remain at home, there might be parent who need the services of other parents to help with math, social studies and other subjects through video learning. They just might also be others who just need a prayer partner and a friend. Shine whichever way the Lord leads you for His glory.

6. Pray

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; ⁷and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus Phillipians 4:6-7.

Take time to pray for the world and the people in it. It is also a perfect season to pray that many will come to the saving knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Pray that the Lord will protect and keep us all.

If you have not done so, find a way to live for God’s glory this season. Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you to shine in this darkness.

The Prayer of protection!

Posted on Mar 11, 2020 by Abigail Agbeko | General | 156

What if you trusted Jesus more than you trusted your fears?

Psalm 91

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”

Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler And from the perilous pestilence.

He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.

You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day,

Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.

A thousand may fall at your side, And ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you.

Only with your eyes shall you look, And see the reward of the wicked.

Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place,

No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;

For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways.

In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.

You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.

“Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name.

He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him.

With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation.”

Psalm 91 also known as the psalm of protection was said to be repeated by the high priest of Israel and the people 7 times during prayers at times of hardship and fear. I believe 7 times because by the 7th time it will no longer be just words but faith will have taken over for them to believe in God’s protection. I believe as we continue to speak these words over our lives, the fear will dissipate and make way for faith. Pray the Psalm over your life, your family, church and your community believing that God will protect us as He has promised.

Also use wisdom and follow what health professionals are recommending in the face of the Coronavirus prevention.

Walking or wandering?

Posted on Feb 26, 2020 by Abigail Agbeko | General | 266

Have you realized how sometimes we say one thing but believe the other. Typical example is when we say we believe in God and yet worry about everything? I believe we all have been there before. I have always been very nervous when it comes to flying. The reason being because I am not in control. The same is true for most believers, we want to be in control of everything in our lives. But to give control to God will mean we trust him totally. That will mean to believe what we say – That He is our God.

Walking or Wandering?

In the sermon, Our wilderness experience, Pastor Neil Acheampong made a statement that made me pause and think. The question was “Are YOU walking or wandering?

What is walking? Walking as intentionally putting one foot in front of the other. Walking is done intentionally. In our journey through life, we can only make progressive strives when we do it intentionally with God. Not just lip saying but really trusting when we don’t see or know the way.

What is wandering? The dictionary defines it as aimlessly traveling from place to place; itinerant. Wandering is an aimless act. End result cannot be calculated and therefore no progress is made when you wander. Wandering is associated with no plan, no defined destination.Wandering does not leads anywhere.

What causes us to wander instead of walking. Unbelief

Unbelief kept the people of Israel in the wilderness for 40 years. A journey some believe takes about 10 days. God knowing their strength for war led them away from waring countries and they reached the borders of Canaan about 11 weeks from Kardish-Bernie. They sent 12 spies to the land of Canaan and upon the reports of 10 men, they believed they were unable or incapable.They saw themselves as grass hoppers compared to their enemies. We are the same today. There are days we see our problems and we feel like grass hoppers because in the moment we forget the greatness of our God.

What is God telling us to do that we have decided we are incapable of doing? It seems huge and we feel small. “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” – Jesus told the woman of Samaria at the well-John 4:10.He is telling us the same, if he is asking us to do something he will supply us the grace to do it.

It is also common to believe the popular report. The popular report kept them wandering for years. Who are you listening to? The world says we become weaker with the number of our days and we sing the chorus with them but the word of God says as our days so shall be our strength be – Deuteronomy 33:25. Meaning the older we get the stronger we should get. Whose report will you believe. The report you believe will cause you to either walk or wander. We cannot spend all our days on earth wandering. We will have to either believe God and walk or live our lives in unbelief and wander.

The land of Canaan had giants for a purpose.To build the city for God’s people. A land with large, flourishing cities you did not build, houses filled with all kinds of good things you did not provide, wells you did not dig, and vineyards and olive groves you did not plant – Deuteronomy 6:10-11 – this was the land God was bringing them to. The giant – so called because of their size were placed on the land before them to build bigger houses. Plant bigger vine yards. The machine they had will be bigger to accomplish their work. These were all done by the giants but in God’s purpose for the Israelites. The Israelites were going to inherit all these big good stuff but it took them years to get them because of unbelief.

The size of your giant determines the size of your inheritance. Caleb saw the giants as bread to be fed on – Numbers 14:10. The giants are in our lives to make us stronger. Very few believers will see them that way like Caleb and Joshua. Many like the other 10 spies who had also experienced God’s power at the Red Sea were not willing to placed their lives in God’s hands.The people were ready to stone the two who believed. It feels the same today, many will stone the one who believe and tell them to be realistic. Because Caleb and Joshua believed, they and their descendants inherited the land.What promises will your descendent miss because of your unbelief?

Don’t keep wandering and forfeit your inheritance in Christ Jesus. Decide to walk. Believe God. It might look scary to let go completely but your hands are too small to hold on to you life. His hands are much bigger.

Reference: Dictionary.com

What wavelength are you on?

Posted on Jan 30, 2020 by Abigail Agbeko | General | 386

I recently had a conversation with a young man who was not sure if the Holy Spirit speaks to him. Our conversation led to many other discussions on the Holy Spirit and I was made well aware of the spookiness people have attached to the Holy Spirit. My answer was very simple. The Holy Spirit is a person and He speaks.

Has He ever spoken to you he asked?

Yes, always, I answered emphatically. Now many believers wait for an external voice to speak to them. Even though that does happens sometimes that is not the norm. The Holy Spirit indwells us and as Jesus said He will teach us all things. If He is able to teach then He speaks.

The question then is how come some do not hear him?

It’s because they are not on the same wavelength as the Holy Spirit. They have switched to other wavelengths on their own. Why can’t the Holy Spirit switch them back was the next question I got. I remember my dad once said “oh how I wish the Holy Spirit could control me like a robot, how amazing that will be”. But unfortunately, the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God himself and who gives as the free will to choose. If we want to hear from Him, we would have to choose to switch to His wavelength because the Holy Spirit is gentle and will not force us.

But what wavelength is that? He asked.

Well, the Spirit of God operates on the wavelength of peace. Peace ? He asked again. Yes, peace! If you’re all agitated inside, you’re on a different wavelengths and you will not be able to hear Him. He is there speaking at all times but cannot reach you because you have switched wavelength. The Bible calls God – the God of peace – Romans 15:33.

How do I get the inward peace you’re talking about? He asked

The Bible says we should first and foremost guard our hearts. Many believers are guarding many other things. Our jobs, our families , our finances, our future but not our hearts. Guarding your heart is your responsibility as guarding all the other things is God’s. I believe as we guard our hearts, we will prevent worries and be on the same wavelength with the Holy Spirit. As much as possible, keep your hear from being troubled and you will have an inner peace from which you will hear the voice of the Spirit.

Secondly, many believers unfortunately are holding grudges. Some believers would just not forgive!

Unforgiveness is like taking poison yourself and waiting for the other person to dies – Marianne Williamson.We hold these grudges which worry our hearts and let us loose our peace. When we loose our peace we leave the wavelength of the Holy Spirit and causes us more headaches and heartaches.When we forgive, we save ourselves from the inside turmoils that steals our peace and most often our health.

Thirdly, the Holy Spirit is called the spirit of truth – John 15:26. He bears witness to the truth. What truth are you reading or hearing? The word of God is truth. May be you are paying attention to the many facts on the new and social media but the Holy Spirit cannot bear witness to that. His words of truth gives us peace and He bears witness to them. You hear the Holy Spirit louder when you are reading and hearing truth. For in His light, we see light – Psalm 36:9b

Last but not the least, could it be the Holy Spirit is speaking but He is on mute and you cannot hear? I asked. Maybe and just maybe you have just not paid attention and therefore unfamiliar with His voice. You might have your attention on all other things. As believers we should be able to hear Him always and not just in prayer. I agree we hear him most in prayer but it should be a usual thing to hear from the Holy Spirit all the time. He speaks all the time even after prayers. We just have to mute the world so we can hear Him.

John 14:26

But the Comforter, who is the Holy Ghost (Spirit) whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. – KJV (emphasis mine)

The Holy Spirit is able to teach us all things. He will teach us to manage our finances, our marriage, our careers, our children and all things.

How do I know when he speaks? he asked .

I remember when I had my first baby, after a little while when I speak across the room, he would move his head in my direction. Jesus said my sheep hear my voice – John 10:27. You would know! And there is nothing spooky about it.

What wavelength are you on? If you want to hear the Holy Spirit, switch your wavelength.

Judge God faithful!

Posted on Jan 7, 2020 by Abigail Agbeko | General | 374

Happy New year to you all!

And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise. – Hebrews 11:11

As we begin the year, I pray you Judge God faithful to take you through the year. Sarah, our mother bore a child even though she was bearing because she judged God faithful. If you’re reading this then you’re well and breathing. If you’re alive there is still hope in your future. The promises of God still stand in your life. The promise of good health, abundance, peace, long life and life more abundant still stand true in your life. The same God that kept you alive will also continue to keep his promises to you.

If you would recount the goodness of God in your life, it will motivate you to live fully this year. Maybe life is not where you would want it to be right now but God is not done with you yet. Don’t throw in the towel just yet. Keep believing that you’re alive for a reason. You have limitless opportunities. You have God himself as your safety net. How high will you jump? Trust God’s faithfulness.

Because he is faithful, we’re able to go out into the world with hope.We’re not like unbelievers who have no hope. Our hope is in the Lord. We are able to spread out our wings knowing He will be the wind under our wings. We are able to spread out our nets for a catch knowing He will command the fishes to our nets. If we should fail, he will still be there with us. That is our hope, our hope that even in our failure he will be there with us to help us find our way again.

Go on the memory trip with me. God is forever faithful and our situations do not change his faithfulness. He was faithful in the past and will forever remain faithful. The same God who made a way when there was no way – remember ? Will make a way again. The Lord who built bridges for you when you could not swim in the flooding waters of life – remember? Is able to make more bridges in your future. When the heat of life was too much for you to bear, he brought the cool breeze to cool you down. He healed you and provided for you. He protected you from evil and kept you when you slept.Whatever you’re enjoying now is because He was faithful to you and will remains faithful.

Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations, – Deuteronomy 7:9

God is faithful and will remain faithful to you because you are in Christ. He made a covenant with His son Jesus on our behalf. The Lord knows our weaknesses and unfaithfulness and made a covenant with Himself (Jesus our Lord). He will keep that covenant till the end of the age. Because of this covenant, as a believer you’re in Christ and God will remain faithful to you forever. Not because you will remain faithful nor because you will remain sinless but because of His love for you. The God who feeds the birds of the air which do not sow nor store in barns will feed you and keep you.

Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. – Isaiah 46:4

It doesn’t matter your age, you will always be a child in His eyes. As a father carries his little child on his shoulders proudly, so will God carry you in life proudly. He will support you and bear the weight if only you will let Him. He will keep you going in life if only you would have him. When you dare touch the cub of a lion, you would have the lion to deal with. Your Father will come to rescue you even from the mouth of a lion. Even in your old age God will continue to carry you, rescue you and sustain you. You are never left alone to fend for yourself. He is there in good times and bad times.

That should give us courage to go out into the world and conquer the world. He will be with us. He is faithful. Judge him faithful and step out to do what he created you to do. Do not be afraid of what confronts you for he will rescue you. Step out boldly this year, knowing that God is able to make all grace abound to you so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. – 2nd Corinthians 9:8

Purposeful chaos!

Posted on Dec 30, 2019 by Abigail Agbeko | General | 355

The end of the year is the perfect time to reflect on our actions, adventures and our thoughts. The minor details of each day might not be remembered but there are some moments that stay with us. So as we evaluate the year, we take note of our mistakes not to repeat them. But most importantly we take note of our successes so we make efforts to repeat them.

Yet there is also an important time in the year that we often forget to take inventory of – The Chaotic times. If there was chaos in the year then do review the year bringing it to light.

There is always a purpose in our chaos. We usually focus on just the effect of the chaos that we never think of it as having a purpose. Never go through the chaos without getting the purpose.

What purpose can be in chaos?

Bringing Us back to our senses – We usually find life very chaotic when we decide to do it alone. In that case we tend to do everything with our own strength and wisdom. We do so much but see little or no success. On the outside we look very busy and yet not productive. We were robbed of our peace because we did not have the strength and wisdom to do it all alone. Could it be the chaos was there to let us know something was wrong? Maybe it was a moment to pause. A moment to pay attention and noticed the quietness of the Holy Spirit. Could it be those chaotic moments were because the Holy Spirit was on mute whilst we did it all alone?

Helping Us pay attention – Plans are established by seeking advice; so if you wage war, obtain guidance – Proverbs 20:18 The Bible advises we seek advice in everything we do – Godly advice! It is unfortunate how abundant ungodly advice has become. Televisions, social media and many people give advice on different range of issues – from marriage to raising kids to finances. Many people give advice not according to the word of God but on personal experiences. Could it be the reason for the chaos this year was the many voices of influence. Take heed what you hear, the Bible says.There are many influencer out there so be careful who you listen to. Could the cause of the chaos be due to those subtle voices? How do you go into the new year knowing this?

Helping Us get back on our path – In our pursuit for personal success, we often see people who are successful and out of admiration want to do exactly the same thing they are doing. Learn what you can from them but don’t follow their path. This could cause a lot of chaos in our personal and emotional lives. Your path is different from mine. You have been equipped and given the grace for that path. Following the same path would mean to produce my own grace for the journey. This would cause me my peace. Could the chaos be because we’re trying to walk someone else’s path?

Trying to put a comma where God puts a full stop – There was a time of frustration in the year for me. God had closed a door that I was so desperately praying to open. I was so bent on having it my way, I refused to see it as a closed door. I tried ways to open the door myself causing more chaos and frustration as you might have guessed. This is mostly the case when our focus is on our personal desires, we tend to miss the places where God has put a full stop. Could this be the cause of the chaos?

Pausing to see God’s way – Could it also be that the chaos only existed because you never looked at things through the eyes of God? Maybe it was just an illusion. Maybe it was a perfect year but you only saw it chaotic. You only did not enjoy it because it did not unfold as you would have wished it. Perhaps you wanted the unfolding to go from A to Z but then you received it from Z to A. If you would take time to review the year, it would help you enjoy the coming year much more. You would learn to see things through God’s eyes as you go through the new year.

What purpose did you find in your chaos? How does that help you moving forward? Don’t miss the purpose!

Shaping 2020

Posted on Dec 18, 2019 by Abigail Agbeko | General | 386

“Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee: and the light shall shine upon thy ways.” – Job 22:28

In the beginning, God created the world we live in by His word. The Bible says the world was void and without form. Darkness covered the face of the earth. The Lord by his words created everything we now see. God who calls those things which are not as though they were – called those things to be. God by his grace lives in us by His Spirit. The Spirit that lives in us created the world so call things to be in the new year. Decree these in your 2020.

Wisdom

Wisdom is the principal thing – Proverbs . Call wisdom to be in your 2020. Wisdom to discern and manage what God gives you by his grace. To lead your home. To be a mother. In your career or ministry. In your finances and in every area concerning your life. It”s often not a “money issue” or “a child raising issue” but it’s usually a wisdom issue. We do not have wisdom for our problems.

Do not forsake wisdom and she will protect you; love her and she will watch over you. The beginning of wisdom is this; Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have; get understanding. Proverbs 4:6-7

Right happenings

Eliezer, Abraham good and faithful servant was asked by his master to go find a bride for Isaac. Eliezer prayed to the Lord to give him right happenings and the Lord answered him. Call for right happenings into your 2020. For God to put you at the right place at the right time so you will not miss the connections and opportunities God has planned for you. Things will happen to you at the appointed time.

There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven …..Ecclesiastes 3:1

Health

God wants you well so speak good health into 2020. Jesus said if you have seen me, you have seen the father who is in heaven and Jesus went about healing all. Pray for good health for health comes from God. So, with the Spirit of God let’s speak good health into the year ahead. Good health is our inheritance as children of God. Jesus redeemed us from sickness and poor health so speak good health into being.

For I will restore health to you and heal you of your wounds “says the Lord” – Jeremiah 30:17

Favor

Speak favor into your new year. In the book of Ruth, Ruth who was a moabite and did not belong to Israel and had no covenant with the God of Israel spoke favor and found favor. She professed that she will glean with whomever she finds favor with and she found Boaz. The story tells of how Boaz who was her kinsman redeemer even ended up marrying her. Speak favor into the new year and you will find it.

May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us – yes, establish the work of our hands – Psalm 90:17

Protection

Psalm 91. Only God can put us at the right place at the right time in these dangerous times. He knows the new strand of viruses and diseases that will emerge in the new year. He has been to 2020 and can protect you. His Spirit lives in you so speak protection for you and your loved ones. With all the new gadget and all the sophisticated machines, we cannot predict when there will be an accident or a gun shooting but God knows and he can protect you.

The Lord will keep you from all harm – he will watch over your life. The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore – Psalm 121:7-8

Abundance

The apostle John who walked with Jesus and knew him well says that – God wishes above all things that we prosper and be in health. Speak that whatever you touch in the year will prosper. Pray for new connections, opportunities and ideas. Declare that the work of your hand will be blessed . That God will cause increase in whatever you do.

And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need you will abound in every good work – 2 Corinthians 9:8

Discernment

The ability to discern the times and seasons and know what to do at what time. Also, to know when to let go and when to hold on. Speak that you will discern things that are not meant for you. You will be able to let go and rest when a door you so hoped for closes, knowing that God is able to make many new doors open. Discernment to be able to identify the little foxes that spoil the vine and makes us loose our peace.

Do not judge by appearances but judge with right judgement – John 7:24

Peace

Speak peace into the coming year. Jesus left us with his peace. The same peace that gave him a sound sleep whilst the disciple were afraid during a boisterous storm on the sea of Galilea. Speak that peace into 2020. Speak peace into every situation and into your mind. Be busy on the outside but peaceful inside. The Holy Spirit is able to lead us when we are peaceful.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid – John 14:27

As we get to the new year, speak and shape the year ahead of you.Take a verse regarding any of the above or what you want to see and speak it into the year 2020.

Yet, I will Rejoice….

Posted on Dec 10, 2019 by Abigail Agbeko | General | 507

Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! – Habakkuk 3:17-18

Though the job is stressful and I haven’t attained that position I seek …. yet I will rejoice in the God of my salvation

Though it is the end of year and I still haven’t met “that one” …..yet I will rejoice in the Lord of my salvation

Though life seems just mundane and I do not see where it’s headed …. yet I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.

Though I prayed for a baby and did not see the face of that baby this year — yet I will rejoice in the God of my salvation

Though I experienced the lost of a loved one and life seems meaningless at the moment ….yet I will rejoice in the Lord of my salvation

I am still unemployed and the money in the bank account is depleted….yet I will rejoice in the Lord of my salvation

Though the medical report does not look good and my body is in pain …. yet I will rejoice in the God of my salvation

Though the children are behaving like they have lost their minds …. yet I will rejoice in the God of my salvation

Though marriage seems not to be what I imagined… yet I will rejoice in the God of my salvation

Nothing on the 2019 list/resolution was accomplished ….yet I will rejoice in the God of my salvation

Though that business plan did not come to fruition …yet I will rejoice in the God of my salvation

For……The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights – Habakkuk 3:19

Since the Lord is our strength, we will be able to run again like a deer We have hope – the positive expectation of our future. With the strength of God we can do it all over again. Our future is bright and secured.We will recover what was lost and that’s why we rejoice

The Lord with His inexhaustible strength will recharge us to run the race all over again. Aren’t you glad we don’t have to do it again with our strength because our strength fades but God’s doesn’t.

The Ripple Effect – Giving Tuesday

Posted on Nov 30, 2019 by Abigail Agbeko | General | 327

* The first Tuesday after Thanksgiving Day has been designated as a day for giving. Also known as Giving Tuesday. It was created in 2012 as a day to encourage people to do good. Many will give their time, money and resources for a cause they believe in. https://www.givingtuesday.org

* It is so important to live for a cause bigger than ourselves that brings meaning to life. Life cannot just be working and paying bills but what we also stand for. If you find a purpose that you identify with, you support it wholeheartedly either by volunteering your time, your money or any resource you have for that purpose.

* Many on this day give monetary donations to research centers, homeless shelters, animal shelters, the Red Cross and many other places. It is a global movement that encourages people to give in any form they can.

* As a believer, I want many to come to the saving knowledge of our Lord and to hear the unadulterated gospel. But how can they hear without a preacher? For, Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? Romans 10:13-14

* I do believe that preaching the gospel can truly set people free from every bondage. ‘For it (the gospel) is THE POWER of God to our salvation” Paul said in Romans 1:16 . Salvation means preservation or deliverance from harm, ruin or loss and not only from hell to heaven.

* Jesus replied “ Go back and report to John what you hear and see. The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised and the good news (the gospel) is proclaimed to the poor”. – Mathew 11:1-5

* The solution to being deaf is you hear, the solution to blindness is you see and the solution to being poor is to hear the gospel. I believe Jesus gave us the solution to our problems and it’s through hearing the gospel of Jesus Christ. Preaching of the gospel is the answer to sickness and poverty that have stricken the world for years now.

* We are not all able to preach the gospel as we should. So I will urge you to support those who can preach the gospel . It could be through sharing the gospel they preach so many can hear it. It could be by volunteering your time and resources to spread the gospel and it could also be through your monetary donation which is mainly what is encourage on Giving Tuesday

* I call on believers this Tuesday, December 3rd, to give to the cause of preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. Maybe this is your first time hearing about Giving Tuesday or maybe you have done it many times before. But this donation on Giving Tuesday is neither a tithe nor an offering. Give as much or as little as you can. I will also urge you to support especially your local church. Our local communities need to hear the gospel as well. Charity begins at home – Sir Thomas Browne

* Jesus’ before he ascended to heaven commissioned us to send the gospel to the corners of the earth. I believe He saw social media when he said this. Let’s support the gospel to get to the ends of the earth. If you are a member of this church, I pray you consider giving to our church.

* Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work – 2 Corinthians 9:6-8

You’re loved!

Posted on Nov 22, 2019 by Abigail Agbeko | General | 366

It was graduation week and a cold winter in Washington DC. Traveling from Washington DC to Maryland, I asked the man sitting next to me what he thinks life holds next for me. I just graduated and as many I had my own fears about how the next stage of my life will turn out. Sensing my fear, he was quite for a while and I thought he did not hear me. He pulled over a cemetery by the roadside and asked me to get out of the car. I followed him as he walked closer to the cemetery .

“Many lying here will wish to have the opportunity you have again given the chance. It’s only a few who were courageous enough to live their lives. Many did not because of fear. Can you imagine the number of talents buried right here?” – he finally said. I will never forget that day because the cold itself shook the fear out of me after standing outside for that long 😄. It was one of those lessons you never forget.

I was told not to fear and step out boldly in the world as many students are told when they graduate, but was never told how to do it. I once knew someone who will not step outside his house because his fear has now matured to anxiety disorder. Fear is real. We need to learn how to deal with it in order to help our younger generation as well. One of my favorite questions to many people given the chance is how do you handle your fears. You are able to tell how far a man will go by the way they handle their fears. But what do you do when the fear is there

Talk about it

A couple of years ago, a neighbor lost their spouse and they had little children. I had lost my mother two years before that and I could just imagine what the kids were going through. On the other hand, it dawned on me that their mother could be going through much worse; the loss of a spouse and probably the bread winner of the house. Suddenly, the fear started creeping in on me. I was afraid that I will lose my spouse as well. It will show up in my dreams and torment me every time he travelled. I gathered the courage and told another believer about this fear. She helped me trace the fear back from when it started and asked me to talk to God about it. Whenever those thoughts came, I will take the time to acknowledge and speak the word of God concerning that fear. Isaiah 46:4 was one of my favorites. Talk about your fears with someone you trust. I believe the fear is no longer a fear when you talk about it. You have just allowed light to shine on it.

Pray about it

Talk to God about it. It is unfortunate, but most believers forget God when it comes to fears. The fear is only there because you forgot about God’s power in the first place. We develop our fears in areas where we have diminished God. When we take our eyes off God and focus on the problems, the problems become bigger and impossible. Fears of getting the same sicknesses of a relative, fear of losing a loved one….Have you asked yourself where God is, in all these. If only we will take our fears to God, we will see the fear dwindle.Ulcers like many autoimmune diseases have been associated with stress and fear. Fearing about the disease is bringing another kind. What I feared have come upon me – Job said in Job 3:25. Be careful what you’re afraid of that you’re not bringing to God. Talk to God about it and the fear will lose its power over you.

Discover its origin with the Holy Spirit

Studies show that we are born with only two fears – falling and loud noise. We learn all other fears. Many children are afraid of a dark room because they believe a monster could hide under the bed. But if you are able to convince a kid, there is no monster even with the dark, they gradually get out of that fear. Where do kids learn this from? Kids learn this fear from the movies they watch or from an older sibling who told them about a monster and a dark room. Similarly, it will surprise you what good it will do for you to know where the fear is coming from. Go on this journey with Holy Spirit and you will be surprised what you will discover. Some fears are from certain events and situations that have marked our minds and emotions for years but with the help of the Holy Spirit we can receive our peace.

Faith in the love of God

Fear is a spirit and cannot be wished away – 2 Timothy 1:7 . To defeat fear, you need faith. ” Feed your faith and watch your fear starve to death” – John Mason (You’re Born an original, Don’t die a Copy). Many sit in the hallways of their minds with canvases painting pictures of doom over and over again. They then embellish the dark canvas with yet darker sparkles. They repeat this over and over in their minds. But perfect love cast out fear – 1 John 4:18. Knowing and believing that God loves you will cast out the fear. Our circumstances does not determine the presence of God – Neil Acheampong. It is human nature to default to our fears. We need a constant reminder that we are perfectly loved by God from the word of God to counter that.

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love – 1 John 4:18 (NIV)

Helping the next generation of believers

Fear is debilitating. It cripples you and keeps you immovable.If we will be honest, we all have fears. Social media has not made it even easier on our youth.I have also noticed that we have different fears at different stages of our lives. A dark room was my greatest fear when I was a kid but not so much any more. My fears I will say have matured to adult fears, fearing the things in life itself. Our children and youth have their fears too. We have to encourage them to talk about their fears. That will start with us acknowledging that we are not super humans and we have fears too. Many issues in our youth are caused by fears. They have forgotten how much they are loved by God. It is not enough to just know of God’s love for you but to believe. If only we will be constant reminders to them of the love of God for them, the Bible says it will cast out the fears. It will liberate them to live fully with talents and abilities God has given them.

Breakfast is served!

Posted on Nov 16, 2019 by Abigail Agbeko | General | 460

In the teaching from the series – Sovereign test – Our Wilderness Experience, our senior pastor (Neil Acheampong) talks about the Israelites receiving their daily manna from God in the wilderness. We learnt that our lives as believers are exact mirror copies of the Israelites. We have been saved from slavery from a place called Egypt (Hell) and we are on our way to the promise land. Heaven is not the promised land for the believer in this case but it a place of abundance promise to us by God. Wells we did not dig, vineyards we did not plant, castles we did not build. Before we get to the promise land we would have to travel in the wilderness where there will be testings to grow our faith for the bigger and better things ahead of us.

Jesus, the bread of life

The manna as the Bible calls it, is angels food. Food provides nutrients for energy and good health.The right foods also boost happiness, increase mental functioning, help maintain the appropriate body weight and prevent specific illnesses. Food is also important for growth and tissue repairs in our bodies. Jesus declares In John 6:35 ” I am the bread of life, he who comes to me will never hunger”. Jesus is the bread that came down from heaven like the manna the Israelites ate for us believers. Like the Israelites we need that bread that came from heaven to function during the day. The apostle John in his gospel declares that the word became flesh and dwelt among us. Jesus is also the word of God which sustains us in our daily lives. The more we feed on the bread of life the healthier our lives become.

Why did the manna come in the mornings?

Have you ever wondered why the manna only came in the mornings and not anytime else? Because as breakfast, it was important for their daily energy hence work. It is important then to have our daily bread before we step up for the day. Scientist and nutritionist popularly say that the most important meal of the day is breakfast. The body has been starving through the night during sleep. Therefore the first food the body receives when we wake up will determine how the body will perform during the day. Most of us religiously follow the breakfast being important rule but we forget our spiritual breakfast. If a natural breakfast will determine how your body functions and therefore your efficiency during the day, how much more your spiritual breakfast.

“Meet divinity before humanity every morning” – Neil Acheampong

Spending time with Jesus every morning in the word can change your life. That is not a cliche’. Time is what most of us complain about. Not enough time to carter to everything calling our attention but if we can give the creator of time a bit of our time at the beginning of our day, we will see life differently.We all have 24 hours a day available to us but I’ve still found time to do the things I love when I spend the beginning of my day with Jesus. Because the Holy Spirit helps me subtract what is not necessary from my day. My whole day could be summed up to doing just that one thing the Holy Spirit directed me to do and the day just turns out right. So why don’t you just start some where. Just start with 5 minutes every morning and read just one verse and see how your day goes. Like a ruminant, bring that word back to memory and meditate on it during the day. Feed on the word, the served bread from heaven and get stronger every day.

Worried and Troubled about many things?

Jesus in the Book of Luke 10 was traveling and visited the home of two sisters, Mary and Martha. Mary sat at Jesus’ feet and listened to his message whilst Martha prepared something for Jesus to eat as the Middle Eastern culture encourages. Jesus did not scold Martha for cooking, so please don’t stop cooking when you have guest 😀. Martha was worried and troubled about many things as Jesus said in the chapter. Are you serving out of a worried and trouble heart? Is your job causing you sleepless night? Are you worried about that presentation? Worried about the day? Jesus said only one thing is needful. SIT at my feet and have breakfast and the worry and trouble will dissipate. You will also have a new energy to start your day.

Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty – John 6:35 NIV

So, Have you had your breakfast?

References:

Exodus 16:1-36

Deuteronomy 8:3

John 6:32-35

A New Season!

Posted on Nov 9, 2019 by Abigail Agbeko | General | 4710

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; – Ecclesiastes 3:1-2

It is fall and the leaves are turning brown and orange. Harvest time is here. The weather is changing , getting colder by the nights and early mornings. Some animals are getting ready for hibernation and others are getting ready for migration to warmer weathers. In the same manner, we prepare for the season by changing our clothing. We keep warm by wearing warmer clothing; We keeps our home and cars warm by turning on the heaters. Some even go to the extent of redecorating their homes to accentuate the season.

In the same vein as we have seasons in the natural, there are spiritual seasons too. What is in the natural is only a shadow of what is spiritual. The season you’re in will determine the clothes you wear: winter or summer clothing. It will determine if you will need the air condition or the heater on. As we will feel uncomfortable to dress inappropriately for the wrong weather; we will feel much worse in our spiritual seasons if we wear the wrong gears for the wrong season. As seasons will always be part of our lives, it makes it important to know the season we’re in, to know the right gear to wear.- Genesis 8:22.

Here are some seasons for the believer

Waiting

There are seasons in which we have to wait and like children, we do not like waiting. Our waiting times though, are the times where we get closer to God. During these periods we tend to depend on God for answers. These periods can also be times of discovery. If we are careful, we would find talents and abilities that God has placed in us that we never knew we had. If only we will enjoy in this season, our eyes would be opened to treasures hidden in us. Treasures needed for the next season. Waiting also teaches us patience which most of us suffers from. It takes patience to catch the right .- Psalm 123:2; Hosea 12:6: Psalm 37:7

Exercising of faith

There are also seasons where we need to exercise our faith as believers. Many believers have sat on many church pews for many years listening to stories of many who exercise their faith in the Bible. But unfortunately, many do not exercise their faith. The righteous shall live by faith – Romans 16:17. For a believer to live, he will have to use his faith at some point. The gear to wear in this season is faith. I personally listen to many sermons filled with messages of faith in this season. I look for God in his word. During times of sickness, I wrote Bible verses on healing and said them to myself continuously. When it come to faith, we have to convince ourselves and therefore we have to continuously hear the word of God. There will be seasons where you would have to curse that disease in the name of Jesus by yourself. There will be times where you would have to believe you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you even when you’re trembling with fear. A season is coming or have already come when you would have to trust God on your own. – James 2:26; Mark 9:23

Testing

There are seasons where we are tested for what we believe in. Testing times come in many forms. Testing is important for our growth. As a father, God wants us to grow. Our growth is gradual. Little by little God helps us in our growth. So even though it is hard to do (rejoice in our afflictions), we can still see growth even in our testings if we do. Our testings leads to character. These periods are also teachable times where allow the Holy Spirit to teach us. We are also able to help others when they are going through similar times in the future. I have found words and felt sympathy when I see someone grieving a loved one because I have been there. A person who has been through a miscarriage is able to give a word of comfort to another going through it by the grace given to her. We also receive grace as our gear/attire for this season. Grace can only be receive so in this period, you wake up and receive God’s grace everyday for these times. Thank God we go through our valleys but not stay there. I also found some lasting relationships during these periods. God never leaves us alone in that valley but if would open our eyes, he always brings help. I found a group of friends who will pray for me and even visit and encourage. – 1 Peter 1:7 ; James 1:2-4

Harvest

The gathering of things planted. A joyful time. A time of abundance, joy , peace, good relationship etc. The right gear/attire for harvest is to acknowledge the Lord’s part in harvest. A farmer must do his part first by planting. If we would dig our hands in the dirt wherever we find ourselves in life and plant, there will be harvest wherever we are. This is often seen in our offerings. I have had many financial breakthroughs which I believe I can attribute to the little I bring to God’s house. A farmer during harvest is also careful not to eat all his produce but to plant some. Whatever you have, sow and your season of harvest will come. – 2nd Corinthians 9:10; Exodus 23:16

Thanksgiving

This season for a believer should be a continual season; for what do we have that we did not receive. Thanksgiving should be our daily gear/attire. Whatever season we find ourselves we must believe it is for a reason. Jeremiah 17:7-8 We are like trees planted by rivers of waters. If planted, then we are intentionally situated in every season. We become thankful knowing that we are planted by rivers of water. Therefore we will be abundantly supplied as long as we keep trusting in the Lord for every season. Our attitude of gratitude is a determinant of our maturity in God. I believe it is a season of Thanksgiving. Be thankful for where you are. God is good and faithful!

Jeremiah 17:7-8

Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, And whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads outs its roots by the river. and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit – NKJV

Recasting the Vision Our Church (CFC)

Posted on Nov 1, 2019 by Abigail Agbeko | General | 4820