The Truth About The Church

The church generally is commonly described by many as a structure built and located specially for the purpose of christian worship.
To many however, it is just an hideout for different kind of people not necessarily christian many a time to perpetrate evil act without being suspected based on their membership to an assembly of christian i.e. the church.

But, none of these really described the church as it were. The church is not that physical structure where christian normally gather to carry out their joint fellowship with the Father neither is it an hideout for anybody to perpetrate evil act without being suspected based on their membership to a local assembly.

Well, that can be easily referred to as a structure, a building, an heavenly embassy on earth and an official headquarter of the Kingdom of God on earth where we only report as a member of the true church.

What Exactly Is Referred To As Church?
According to Ephesians 2:4-6, the church is described as the spiritual body of Jesus Christ (not the physical body or structure) which is presently located at the right hand of the Father in the heavenly places and the bible says in 1 Corinthians 12:27 and Ephesians 5:30 that we are the members of this body.

Now you can understand, the church is not a physical thing but as many that are members of this body have the witness in themselves that they are members of this church. Romans 8:16 says, " The spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God"

Even as you are going through this post, if you have been attending christian assembly without being a member, i believe by now you understand what this discussion is all about.
As a christian here on earth, our membership is not of this world. Although we walk the surface of this earth physically as human being, we have eternal life (God-kind of life) in us for we are the partakers of His divine nature. 2 Peter 1:4

Our citizenship is not of this world but the heavenly kingdom of God.
We only report to God in that structure, that building  and that official headquarter commonly referred to as church here on earth.

Therefore, as a non-member of the body of Christ, you could have become a worker, a minister, a pastor, even a General Overseer or a founder. There is only one thing applicable to you, and that is to study the action of Nicodemus (John 3:1-10) and thereby work out your own salvation accordingly.

In a quest and hunger to fellowship with brethren one day, since we have no service in my own local assembly, i attended a bible study service in a local assembly different from my own denomination.
 While the service was going on, one of the ushers noticed i was a first-timer, she walked to me in a warm reception into the church.  Then, she asked if i have being a member to that denomination probably in a different location and i said no because I'm not a member to that denomination, i mean that is not the official headquarter where i report.

But, the spirit quickly reminded me that to the body of Christ, i am a full member but as per that local assembly, i am not a member for that is only identified by the structure and not the true picture of the church.

Jesus Is Identified As A Man And As A Spirit

Text: Matthew 16:13-17

According to the text written above, Jesus was both identified as a man and also as a spirit. This however was determined by two different groups of people.

When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?
And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

First, the world who only recognized Him as a man and second, the disciples who were able to identify Him as Christ, the son of the Living God.

Is Jesus truly a man, a spirit or is He both? During His earthly ministry, many people refused to identify Him as the true Christ, the son of the Living God despite all that was written and prophesied about His birth. Having heard and revealed His birth through a Virgin Mary, yet they refused to believe and He was thereby identified as Jesus of Nazareth by the unbelievers.
However, He has never denied identifying Himself as Jesus of Nazareth even as He continued in Acts 22:8 while He was being revealed to Paul on his way to Damascus.
In like manner, the angels Mark 16:5-6, the unbelievers Matthew 26:7, the demons Mark 1:24, and believers as well, identified Him as Jesus of Nazareth. The fact remains that Jesus came to the world in form and sinful nature of man through birth by a woman. Therefore, without any reservation, Jesus was generally recognized and truly identified as a man while on earth.

While asking the disciples, Jesus said whom do the men say that I am? Which of course the answer was that they called Him John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah or one of the prophets in agreement with the world identification of Him.

But, He went further and asked them^__His chosen, His followers and disciples in whom at that time the church was represented. It may indeed be surprising to hear the response of Peter that Jesus is the Christ, the son of the Living God. But how did he know this? With reference to the following scriptures; Matthew 7:21, 10:32-33, 11:27, 12:50; Jesus was seen in these passages identifying Himself as one that have a Father in heaven.

Well, Peter has been with Jesus for quite some time and I believe he was there with the other disciples when Jesus was making these speeches prior to the questioning in Matthew 16:13-17. However, even when they heard Jesus telling them about His father in heaven Jesus said, flesh and blood has not revealed this, the human wisdom, knowledge, understanding, art, science and technology have not revealed this to any man but His Father which is in heaven. It is just a knowing and belief in the spirit according to the expositions of the truth that is in the Word of God.

Furthermore, Jesus explained that Peter is a rock (meaning a solid foundation) and upon the rock, the church of Christ will be built. In agreement with this statement, Peter being the first man to become born again assumed the body of Christ (the church) via a reckoning, knowing and confession that Jesus is the Christ, the son of the Living God.

The world recognized Him and He was identified as a man, Jesus of Nazareth but the church sees beyond man’s point of view, Jesus the Christ the son of the Living God.

It is therefore mandatory for everyone that would be translated from this worldly realm to the spiritual kingdom of Jesus Christ to have the same reckoning, knowing and confession that Jesus is the Christ, the son of the Living God since there is no other way to gain access rather than this simple strategy. John 14:6.

Perhaps you have not known and confessed that Jesus is the Christ, the son of the Living God, the truth is revealed to you today and that body of Christ is still in the building, waiting for you to be added. So what are you waiting for? It is time for you to take the bold step of faith, believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died and rose up the third day. Therefore confess with your mouth that He is your Lord and your savior. This is all it takes to be added in the building. It does not matter how big a sinner you are, the most unfortunate thing is that you cannot help yourself until you have come unto Him. Matthew 11:28.

In agreement with the fact that he is a man, God told Abraham in Genesis 22:18, “And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou has obeyed my voice”. Therefore, Jesus was referred to in this passage as the seed of Abraham. Note: He didn’t say seeds as in many but a seed which is Jesus Christ through whom all the nations of the earth are blessed today. Jesus however as a seed of Abraham is identified as a man. Galatians 3:16.

While the angel revealed the plan of God regarding the birth of the Messiah to Mary in Luke 1:34-35, Mary said unto the angel, how shall this be, seeing I know not a man? But the angel told her the Holy Ghost shall come upon thee and that holy thing that will be born of thee shall be called the son of God. Jesus in this passage was seen as being conceived of the Holy Spirit in the womb of a Virgin Mary. This miraculous conception however with the intervention of the Holy Spirit is a proof that Jesus is identified as a spirit, conceived of the Holy Ghost.

According to all we have discussed so far, it is pertinent to conclude that Jesus is 100% identified as a man and as a spirit. It is only a man that can go to the cross of Calvary and die to pay for the sins of the world but as a spirit, He lives forever more.

PERFECT WORDS TO EXPRESS YOUR LOVE ON VALENTINE’S DAY

 You would probably survive intact if you passed on celebrating Valentine’s Day in its purely commercial form. Red balloons deflate, chocolate unfortunately goes to the hips, and choosing the right Valentine’s Day card can be a struggle. But there is certainly value on celebrating marital love every year. Why not use Valentine’s Day as a scheduled marriage booster?

 I’m a wife and believe me I would like a box of chocolates and a nice dinner out as much as the next woman. But this year, I’m going to suggest something different. Something a little out of the gift box. 

 It all begins with reading some carefully chosen words. Do you remember the words you spoke, the vow you made on your wedding day? I’ll be honest. I don’t remember the exact words I said on my wedding day 14 years ago. I do know they were traditional vows, but I would have to dig up the VHS tape to really get it word for word.

 On Valentine’s Day, why don’t you get alone with your spouse and promise each other once again to have and to hold until death do you part? These words could be exchanged over a candlelight dinner, standing face to face in the park, or cuddling on your sofa at home.

 Tell each other:

 I promise you (name of spouse) to have and to hold you from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, til death do us part, according to God’s holy law, and this is my solemn vow.

 You can vary it by personalizing it with more:

 I promise you (name of spouse) that I am totally committed to you and our marriage. I believe in you and am proud to be your spouse. In good times and bad times, I will always be here for you. I will honor your goals and dreams and support you in every way possible. I will be open and honest in our relationship. I am sorry for the times I have been selfish. I will seek in the future to consider your needs above my own. I will pray for you regularly and believe that God is working in our marriage.

 You can use these words as a template and create your own unique declarations. Don’t underestimate the power of looking your spouse in the eyes and saying words of commitment. Then on the flip side, to hear your spouse say these kinds of words to you is beautiful music to the ears.

 My husband James and I attended a marriage conference a few years ago. At the end of the weekend, a room packed full of men and women renewed their vows to each other. Each couple faced each other and repeated vows that the leader read. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house. I was surprised by how moving that experience was. James and I are natural born talkers so we exchange words all the time. But not like that. Facing my husband and saying those words was extremely special and sacred. It took less than five minutes but it transported us to that holy moment when we first committed ourselves in marriage before God and man.

We cannot afford to forget the power of commitment in marriage. But when sacred words of commitment are seldom spoken, it’s easier to drift apart. In Deuteronomy 6:1-9  we’re given a formula of success for the family. You must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children (Deuteronomy 6:6-7, NLT). 

 Repetition. Repetition. Repetition. Marriage vows and commitments made to God and each other are not to be said once and then erased over time and neglect. Tell your spouse once more, again and again, that you are committed to him or her until death do you part. You can even repeat the conversation again and purposefully allow your children to eavesdrop, so they too hear the strength of your commitment.

 You can’t wrap up your words and put them in a gift box on Valentine’s Day. Or on second thought, maybe you can. You could write down your vows and commitments on a sheet of paper. When your spouse opens the box, you can read your promises to him or her face to face.

 Perhaps you can start a new tradition of repeating your vows every Valentine’s Day. Those would be the perfect words to express your love this holiday. Cue the romantic music; it’s going to be a Valentine’s Day to remember!

This is a guest post by Arlene Pellicane.

Arlene Pellicane is a speaker and author of 31 Days to a Happy Husband and 31 Days to a Younger You.  She has been a guest on Family Life Today, The 700 Club, Turning Point with David Jeremiah, and The Hour of Power.  Arlene and her husband James live in San Diego with their three children.  Visit Arlene’s website at www.TheHappyHusband.com.

UNDERSTANDING THE WORD 'LOVE'

It is so unfortunate, many of us have invested so much time, money and energy on what seems to look like love but nothing more than selfish interests.

What are the qualities that attract you to your spouse in the first place; beauty, intelligence, smartness, joke cracking, good dress sense, writing skill, oratory skill, singing skill, trading skill, acting skill, soccer skill e.t.c.
The world have generally attached selfish interests to the word 'love' while in the real sense, love never comes with selfishness but patience, good mannerism, truth, generosity, endurance, long suffering, kindness, hope, believe, humility and tolerance; all in the absence of the aforementioned outward qualities listed above. if the reason you love is defined in the outward qualities listed above then, you do not love; you only operate what seems to look like love but nothing more than selfish interests.

Love Comes From Within

Love is an action carried out from within, without any outward attraction between one another.
Love is God's dominant nature. God is not faith, vision nor power; God is love. I John 4:16.
Understand that each time we talk about God, we are talking about love and each time we talk about love, we are talking about God.
Love is not a worldly affair. in fact, the word 'love'  is not understood by the world, for love is a sacred and holy act of the children of God. "He that dwells in love dwells in God and God in him" I John 4:16.
If the love as described in the inward qualities is found in you then you dwell in love, you dwell in God and God dwells in you; and you are thereby made an indestructible child of God.

For us to really understand love, there is a need for us to learn how love is defined from the divine act of God. According to John 3:16, "For God so love the world that He gave His only begotten son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life".

 Gods kind of love is a giving love, not a taking love. He loved the world so much and He gave the world His only begotten son. It is not a collecting love, but a distributing love.

God's kind of love is not a choosy love but a general love to the world at large.
God's love is not the type that can only be reciprocated, it is a generous love irrespective of the actions at the receiving ends.

The reason you might not have seen much of Him in your life is because you have refused to receive His divine gift of love. But, until you believed and received His wonderful gift of Jesus Christ, He will not force it on you. The gift is always available to you, for His love has the ability to endure, tolerate, long suffer, be patient and persuade you to receive the gift as long as you are still alive.

Practice God's Kind Of Love

With the given example of God's love as a giving love, if we are to operate in true love just like God, we must learn how to;
1.    Tolerate one another
2.    Endure one another
3.    Long suffer for one another
4.    Be patient with one another
5.    Say the truth all the time
6.    Be kind one to another
7.    Be of good behavior to one another 
8.    Be generous to all man kind without reciprocating evil for evil
9.    Believe in one another
10.  Have hope and humility towards one another.

Yes your spouse could have deserted you probably for another partner not withstanding, true love as we have discussed is a giving love, do not hesitate to give that gift you bought to him/her.
Remember God's love does not count on your many mistakes; it is an enduring, tolerating, long suffering, meek and patience filled love.

Provoke And Be Provoked Into Love

However, the bible encourages us to provoke one another into love, the world is so sick and the word love is not given its appropriate meaning hence, there is so much love relating issues in the world today.
But with this understanding, the only solution to every love relating issues is by provoking one another into love as suggested by Apostle Paul in Hebrew 10:24.  

Less i forget, who actually is referred to as your Val on every Valentine day? Is he/she your spouse or another date? If i fail to tell you this, i do not love you and the truth is not in me. I John 2:15 admonishes us,
"Love not the world neither the things that are in the world. I f any man loves the world , the love of the Father is not in him".
Relationship involving sexual intercourse between people of opposite sex is only allowed in the platform of marriage while that of same sex is absolutely demonic. Anything of this nature is worldly and we are enjoined not to love the world, neither the things that are in the world.

If you are already in a relationship outside marriage, please make an adjustment today and ask God for mercy, He will surely forgive you.
Your true Val is your husband or your wife as the case may be, hold on to each other; endure, tolerate, long suffer, be patient, generous, kind, good,believe, have hope and humility towards one another; and watch your relationship becoming the cynosure of all eyes.

THE KINGDOM MILITARY ACADEMY AND STEWARDSHIP

TEXT: MATTHEW 25:14-30

It is quite understandable that every military personnel have gone through the military academy, graduated and appear to look like every other man until they have put on their military attire.

It is also not strange, seeing them behaving like any civilian when not in uniform, but the moment they put on their uniforms, they became fully armed with soldier’s mentality i.e. Obedience to the last command.

However, every child of God enrolled in the Kingdom Military Academy the day we gave our life to Christ. Many of us have already graduated from this academy and we are already wearing our uniform fully armed with the kingdom stewardship and mentality. But many of us are still in the academy knowingly and unknowingly. 

Many just started not too long ago, but many have been there for years and there is even no sign that they will graduate very soon. Well, the day you gave your life to Christ, you became a worker whether you know it or not because you are no more singled out in His command “Go ye into the world and preach the gospel”, you are fully involved.

Hence, when you enroll as a worker in your local church, this means you have graduated from the academy where shame and fear are being sharpened out of your body and you have received boldness and sound mind as your certificate. Now you have been made ready for the gospel of Christ and an invisible uniform as a soldier is now wore on you which also keeps you in tune with the kingdom mentality as well as a sense of stewardship in the kingdom of God. 

But when one is not yet a worker, one is regarded as still being in the academy and not yet fit to pass the test of fear and shame that is required for one to be called into the service. Galatians 4:1-2.

However, the uniform is not given to such individual and this make them to lack the kingdom mentality and a sense of stewardship.

Having given our life to Christ without any sense of stewardship we are likened to a man on a journey of a lifetime. He went visiting a popular rich man in another country. He went with all that he had. On getting there, he met this old man very wealthy, rich and accomplished. He was welcomed into the man’s house with joy and so much love. He continued to stay with this man enjoying everything this man had the first day through all the year and he never made himself available to even join this man in his enterprise. As a result of the loving nature of the rich man, He has never ceased to give him his daily bread. 

Now there is another man who also came just like the first man did. But, the moment he came, he joined this rich man in his enterprise, started working for him and already started earning salary for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Luke 10:7. Of these two individuals however, one stands a greater chance of benefit than the other.

 These two individuals are referred to as believers. The first man is just a member of the congregation while the second man is a worker in God’s vineyard. The rich man however is referred to as God.

Looking at the case of these two individuals, we understand that the second man actually has bigger advantage over the other. 
Apart from the salary he earns, he is gaining experience of the enterprise through learning from the master. Matthew 11:28-30.  
He sees more of the rich man than the other man because the rich man is always at work for He never sleep nor slumber. Psalm 121:4. 
He has a closer relationship with the rich man than the other man.  
He can be sent by the rich man to go and establish the enterprise in another place in the name of the rich man, thereby becoming a branch manager in God’s enterprise. Matthew 28:18-20.  
He could be given the mandate of training other people in the enterprise therefore becoming a resource person in the things of God. Hebrews 5:12-14. 

Dear friend, all it takes for us to become a Christian, a believer and a child of God is just to come unto Jesus and acknowledge Him as our Lord and our savior. Once this is done with sincerity, you have been enrolled in the Kingdom Military Academy. The earlier you understand and accept this truth and walk in its consciousness, the better for you.

According to the parable of the ten talents, all the servants were entrusted with at least one talent which means whoever you may be as a Christian there is a gift already entrusted in your hand and God expect nothing less but to profit. Nobody is without a gift with which you must serve God as a believer, search within yourself and discover your talent with which you can enlarge the kingdom of God and bless the world.

You are not a Christian only that you can be regarded as one. You are not a Christian only that you can make heaven at the appearance of Jesus Christ. Neither are you a Christian because your parents are. But you are Christian because Jesus died and paid for your sins on the cross of Calvary and you are expected to show this kind of love to the world by serving the kingdom you represent on earth with all the gifts that has been entrusted into your hand.

Remember, these gifts are not useful in heaven, they are meant to be used here on earth. So use it now only to the glory of God for your days are numbered.

The Name of Jesus, The Gift of God

Acts 3:1-10

 Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.
And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; 
Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.
And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.
And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.
Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.
And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.
And all the people saw him walking and praising God:
And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.

 The Name Of Jesus, What A Gift!

As far as this world is concerned, both believers and unbelievers enjoy several things in common irrespective of their belief or unbelief. God made these available to all. For instance rain, sun, air and many other natural elements are direct gifts from God to humanity and God gives these liberally to all created beings.

But there is a particular gift of God that is limited only to the believers today and that is the name of Jesus. Peter told the beggar by the Beautiful Gate, silver or gold have I none, but such as I have, give I thee. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk. However, the man stood up and walk.

Salvation confers on us the right to become the heirs of God even a joint-heir with Christ. Hence, all that belong to Jesus both here on earth and in heaven including His kind of power and authority belong to us. 1 Corinthians 3:21.

But we remain as powerless, impotent and  ineffective as ever without the knowledge of this gift of God.

As an heir, all things belong to us but among many other things that was given to us as a gift of God is the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. It is our present day possession. It is no more a promise. It is our heritage in the now.

The Name Of Jesus Was A Promise In The Old Testament

The people of the Old Testament never had the opportunity of coming in contact with this name, they actually heard about Him but they never had the opportunity of taking advantage of that name. Isaiah 7:14, 9:6.

For their sins to be forgiven and for them to escape the wrath of God, they had to go through a rigorous exercise of killing bulls and rams in sacrifice to God and in obedience to the Law of Moses. They did this everyday of their life until the appearance of Jesus Christ. 

Powerful Effect Of The Name Of Jesus

What a privilege the Father conferred on us. The name of Jesus paid for all sins I have ever committed, such as I have is my divine identity in Him. When he died paying the price for the sins of the whole world, I was identified in Him and the sinful nature in me died together with Him. When he was buried, the sinful nature in me was buried together with Him and when He resurrected, He rose up a spiritual body in immortality. So also I resurrected with Him in a newness of life, pure, holy and acceptable to God the Father. Romans 6:3-4. 

The name of Jesus is not just a solution out of many but the only solution to all problems in the world today both physically and spiritually.

In the early days of men on earth, men with physical strength were placed in a high esteem as solution to man’s problems in those days. Later on with the invention of science and technology, men with mental strength emerged as the world power and solution to the world problems. But today both physical and mental strength of men have failed, the solution is left only in the men that bear the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

Take Advantage Of The Name Of Jesus

Therefore, if you are already a born again Christian, you are a solution to this generation. The world is actually waiting for your manifestation. You are the light of the world, until you shine the world remains in darkness. The church i.e. the body of Christ is the only solution to the world’s problems today. May you never fail in discharging your responsibilities in the name of Jesus.

The Revelation Of The Name Of Jesus

In Exodus 6:3, God was revealed to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob as God Almighty but to Moses was He revealed as Jehovah and to the people during the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ, He was foretold and revealed to them as Emmanuel which means “God with us”. Today God is not only revealed as being with us but also in us. Colossians 1:27 says, Christ in you, the hope of glory. This means, Christ is no more just with us, He has finally taken His abode in us through the power of the Holy Spirit giving us the ability and right to stand before the Father without any sense of guilt or inferiority complex in His name. Hence, such as I have today is Jesus Christ who abides in me and give me the hope of glory.

When we pray to God the Father, for the prayer to be effective, it has to be done in the name of Jesus which means we are indeed the one praying to the Father but God is not responding to us based on our own righteousness but through the righteousness of His own son Jesus Christ who have redeemed us with His own blood. John 15:16. 

Significance Of The Name Of Jesus

 

But what does a name stands for? Unlike the dictionary definition of name, the name of Jesus is actually more than a word or group of words used to identify something or someone. The name of Jesus depicts His identity as a man and as a spirit, His personality as the King of kings, His authority both in heaven and earth and His character as the Savior of the whole world.

Today, the whole world is already saved from the hand of the ark enemy who happened to be the devil. The name of Jesus is a sure gift to be used as a weapon against the enemy. But it may not work for you if you are yet to become born again. If you are ready to accept Him as your Lord and savior, Confess the following words and believe every beat of what you say. Lord Jesus, I believe in my heart that You died and rose up the third day, therefore i confess with my mouth that You are my Lord and my savior from today onward. Thank You Father, in Jesus name I prayed (Amen).