FAITH: By Nafisat Ibrahim

SPEAK: FAITH is a strong conviction of the potency of the promise of God against all odds. And by speaking what we believe, we are releasing potent spiritual substance into the atmosphere to accomplish the spiritual things you have settled in your heart. Faith is the solid rock on which we face the fiery darts of the devil. When we believe, our obstacles are spiritually removed; they are physically manifested when we SPEAK IT OUT.

Jeremiah 5:14  “...i will make my word in thy mouth like fire, and this people wood, and it shall devour them…” in other words, whatever we open our mouth to say according to the word of God shall devour every hindrance to our obstacles in life.

ACT: (demonstrating Faith) Faith without practice is mere religious act. Hannah acted by faith after speaking to the Lord....and her countenance was no more sad....1samual 1:18. That is a demonstration. She has decided to act like a mother even when she hasn't taken in. Therefore faith is translated as BELIEVE- SPEAK-ACT.

BE RELAXED: God is a God of patience. Faith needs to be tried to enable it grow, that trial is through patience. Psalms 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world. Hebrew 10:36 God saying..... For ye have need of patience that after ye have done the will of God, ye may receive the promise. God determines our attitude of patience in faith. Are we patiently waiting in smile and thanksgiving or in anxiety and worry? Look at what happened to Saul in 1samuel 13:13. Patience is a virtue that gets us to know God by personal experience. May GOD in His infinite mercy grant us the spirit of patience that we may show forth His glory in Jesus Name!

Blog written by Nafisat Ibrahim

You can be assured that God NEVER FAILS Hebrew 13:5 “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” It is just a phase and you shall overcome by the power of GOD.

THE CENTURION FAITH: PRINCIPLES FOR RIGHT BELIEVING

Mathew 8:5-13

                We can afford to become and be Christians, but we can’t afford to be ignorant of the Faith or get stuck up at a level. We need to keep growing in the Faith; building our knowledge of God and His methods of operation. As 2 Peter 3:18 says to …Grow in Grace, and recognition and knowledge and understanding of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. We need to GROW in the knowledge of Him who gave us salvation and the benefit-packages that comes with it.

I wish biblical principles were written in italics so that as we come across them in the scriptures we can highlight them or have them printed and then perhaps the Christian walk will be smoother. But since that’s not the case, we ought to labor in the Word. 2 Timothy 2:15 admonished to “study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial) a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing (rightly handling and skillfully teaching) the Word of Truth” It is as we do our utmost to labor that the texts in this book are opened to us in another light as Revelation to see the principles that underlies as we read and study. With that said, there is a lot we can learn from this account of the healing of the centurion’s servant.

If there is anything that gets the attention of God, it’s our faith. He never takes it for granted or gets familiar with it. It always makes Him wonder. Hebrews 11:6 ^“But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him.”. If it is impossible to please God and “the just shall live by Faith” then whatever Faith is, that is exactly what we should live by. Isn’t it a wonder that the

Creator of Heavens and earth, the omniscience could be taken by surprise at the Faith of the centurion. After careful study of this account the Holy Spirit opened my eyes to see these lessons I am about to share with you.

PRINCIPLES LEARNT

1.       Understand Authority: This seem normal, when the centurion used the knowledge of his own position and power in the Army to understand Jesus’ universal and sovereign Authority and Power. Convinced, that His Position and Word are potent to alter circumstance regardless of location or proximity. You must understand how authority operates in the Kingdom. Jesus wondered at the Faith of this unbeliever to have understood such deep things that only covenant Christians should have known. But we need to understand our position and His position in the hierarchy of Authority in Heaven. Ephesians 1:20-21 “ which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,  far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.”  Ephesians 2:6 also revealed that we are “… raised up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus” Interesting to know that we are Heirs with Christ in Authority and Power and Blessings.  These are scriptures you may have known before today, but how much have you meditated on them before today. Spiritual truths are slippery and we must be put on reminder until they are fully manifested in our lives.

2.       Be Subject to Authority: Mathew 8:9. He understood he is subject to Authority and so other authorities are subject to him. Could this be the very position of somewhat Christians who desire to wield authority when they are not first subject to it? Before we desire to take on the world and cast demons out and mountains into sea, heal the sick and operate like God operates. James 4:7 ^“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you” This is an all-time principle.  We need to be totally surrendered and yielded to God in our minds, actions and for circumstance to scamper before us.

3.       Humility: From our text it is clear that the centurion is not a Jew, possibly he is a Roman centurion assigned to or seconded to Herod’s army. A centurion is in charge of hundred men, and probably similar in the Roman hierarchy to the position of an army captain in our own time. To have put such faith in Jesus shows he has a clear sense of who Jesus is and his Humility is shown to be grounded in a profound respect for Jesus’ position and what His Level of authority is.  In His entire ministry on the face of the earth before this time, He had not seen such simple and humble yet powerful display of “so great Faith” by a high ranking official. A Faith found, not even among the covenant people. If we have no humility of heart, then we have no business being Christians. Jesus Himself as powerful as He is has modeled such Humility before God and obtained a Name higher than every other.   Philippians 2:7-9

4.       Be Passionate: What lead to the move of this Great Faith was the compassion this top official had for his servant, whose name was not even mentioned. This man was so passionate about his servant’s condition so much that of all the issues he had to deal with in Leadership; he was more concerned about the illness of his servant in his house than any other thing bothering him at work. He is in the army I am so sure there were other important things he had to care about, his promotion or even to have more influence in the region. The one issue he brought before the most Powerful Man that ever walked on the surface of the earth was for the healing of his servant. Little wonder did Jesus wonder at him.

5.       Speak: Faith is not Faith until Spoken. Speak of the Authority you have in Christ, in any circumstance you find yourself whether in contradictory or good circumstances. Neither knowledge nor assumption of what you claim to believe will produce result if not spoken. Knowledge without corresponding action will end in frustration. An example of this, is the woman with the issue of blood Mark 5:28 “For she kept saying, if I only touch His garments, I shall be restored to health” She consistently told herself.  If you believe it will dominate your thoughts and out of the abundance, the mouth will speak. Abraham consistently believed but in Praise to God. Romans 4:20-21 “…he grew strong and was empowered by Faith as he gave Praise and Glory’’ his conviction was in the assurance that “…God was able and mighty to keep His word and to do what He had Promised”. The centurion somewhat interrupted Jesus and told Him to “only speak the word” and verse 8 and 9 was centered on this. He understood the power of the spoken word. This is the Foundation of our Christianity. The next verse Jesus marveled when He heard that, and turned to the crowd and affirmed to them that he has not seen anything like it, not even in Israel. 2 Corinthians 4:13 “Yet we have the same spirit of Faith… We too believe, and therefore we speak”

It is not the matter of whether God can or cannot do it. It is if you Believe that He can. Because God is Able and Mighty to do. Above all you could ever ask, imagine, or think. Whatever issues you’re dealing with, I believe this account will provide you with the ingredients you’ll need to counteract the enemy and bring about your desired result. The Lord is Your Strength.

16 COMMANDMENTS OF LOVE

It hasn’t been the smoothest ride trying to keep the 10 commandments, now this “16 commandments” may seem even more burdensome. This is a precise and a concise description of what Love is and what love is not, what Love does and Love does not do. These “commandments” are the commandments of the greatest Commandment and its definitions according to 2 John 6 and 1 Corinthians 13.

1.      Love is Patient and full of Grace and adjusts to each other’s uniqueness that it takes no pleasure in finding faults and flaws.

#PatientLove

2.      Love is kind; so active, gentle and tender yet firm and tough when necessary. It goes way beyond just thoughtfulness but it deliberately engages in the pursuit of the welfare of another.

#KindLove

3.      Love rests so secure, comfortable and content in itself and its relationships so much that the fangs of envy and jealousy are pulled out.

#Loveenvynot

4.      Love reveals itself by its actions, finds it fulfillment and purpose not in the praise and recognition of men, but in the opportunity to serve the needs of others. And so it is always too busy doing good to brag or seek fanfare.

#Loveboastnot

5.      Love is the exact opposite of arrogance, ego, and vain self-confidence, reliant on its own powers, talents and knowledge. Love is humble, gentle and never forceful. Love is so filling that  there is no room for pride.

#Lovepridesnot

6.      Love shows and maintains proper honor and respect due to everybody, regardless of status, age, and pedigree giving no room to act unbecomingly or rude.

#Loveisnotrude

7.      Love is “roleless” without conditions or expectations. Love seeks the welfare of others even at the cost of self-denial and personal sacrifice; it gives no room to be self-seeking.

#Loveisnotselfseeking

8.      Love takes a lot to be provoked and so does not rise to the bait and let anger overcome it.

#Loveisnoteasilyangered

9.      Love is so busy imputing the purest and highest motives to the actions of others. This does not mean being gullible, but it does mean looking for and thinking the best about every person, and so does not “keep inventory” of wrongs, hurts, insults or offenses.

#Lovekeepsnowrongrecords

10.  Love finds no pleasure in sin, either our own or anyone else’s. It refuses to associate itself with wickedness and evil.

#Lovedelightsnotinevil

11.  Love is active rejoicing, which gets personally involved in serving and working for the Truth, the Truth  of God’s Word and so will read, study, discuss, share and teach it.

#Loverejoiceswithtruth

12.  Love is always careful to hide the faults and failings of others, shielding them from the harsh onslaught of life rather than broadcasting them.

#Loveprotects

13.  Love trusts the Lord for and in all things… and have Faith in people; believing in the best of them.

#Lovetrusts

14.  Love is grounded in the accomplished fact and promises of God having seen the bright side of things. Not denial of the reality, but the emphasis of Faith over reality and so do not despair having the confidence and assured expectancy that things will turn out well.

#LoveHopes

15.  Love hangs on to the end when all else fails and never gives up.

#Loveperseveres

16.  Love is so eternal it knows nothing of failing. #Loveneverfails

            A long list you may say, but you’ll be glad as I am to know that if we can get one thing right, we will grasp everything there is to know about Love.

            Modern society offers different options, counsel and advice about Love, but no one understand love the way God does, what the society has successfully done is to pervert it. If we want to understand Love we need to go to the source. To know this Love is to be filled with all the Fullness of God and the best that God has to offer-Ephesians 3:19. We know God because of His Love and we Love Him because He first loved us. 1 John 4:7-16 tells us that God is Love. I wouldn’t say “Love is God” because of what society has painted it to be. But I can confidently say that True Love is of God and if we want to grow, be successful and Live life full throttle then it’s time we ditch what we feel love is and consult the manufacturer.

IDENTITY CRISIS: WHO ARE YOU, REALLY?

1. The Cheat: Gen 32:24-27- this is the account of Jacob's wrestle with God. When asked of his name, he answered "Jacob" it simply means a Trickster or a Cheat. His long and consistent record proved it to be true. And by saying I am "Jacob” he agreed he was a "Trickster". Here's the most amazing thing that I feel happened. God said “Your name shall NO LONGER be called Jacob, but Israel...”   Back up lil bit! I thought he just said "I am a cheat", and that puts him in the position to be punished, and God goes ahead to say "NO LONGER”. INSTANTLY he was "Transformed" from being a Cheat to become God's own Prince. In other words, he was given a New Identity one different from what circumstance and people put him and knew him by. And from that moment on till now, even though he had a scar from the Past, He was one man that was granted instant Transformation and was divinely set up for Greatness by just that encounter.

2. The Prodigal: Luke 15:22-24- this is the account of the Lost Son. If I were to choose a side I probably will be on his brother's side. Because his found brother did not deserve the reception by their father, which he rebelled against. But what did the Father say "Bring QUICKLY the BEST robe...For this MY SON...was lost, and is found" and again, a son who has just wasted his resources, given his family a bad name, now returns and all of a sudden he seems to be the most "Preferred" that's not fair, But it’s Amazing. He INSTANTLY was reinstated to his Son-ship with all Benefits accrued. Even though he lived a wasted Life, which was not enough evidence to know who he really was. The Father still called him "MY SON". If anyone has a problem with that... It’s totally irrelevant!

3. The Thief: Luke 23:39-43- This account is that of the two robbers at the Cross with Jesus. The first thief is whom I call the realist, the critic. And he was being "real". But my focus is on the other guy. It’s really amazing how that a guy who probably never heard about Jesus or who did but ignored Him, received an Eternal pardon. Think about it, this thief from the day he was born, up on till that time must have committed serious crimes. And just at the brink of him getting his well deserved punishment in hell, he INSTANTLY is forgiven of all crimes, by Jesus, saying "...today you will be with me in Paradise." 

When there are Christians who loved God all their Life misses heaven at the brink of time, without Pardon. This Thief was rewarded with a full believer's reward. Just because he believed few seconds to execution.  That's not fair. But it is Amazing! His Life before was not enough evidence to prove who he really is.

4. The “caught-in-the-act’’: John 8:1-11. This is the account of the Woman caught in the very act of adultery, brought before our lord Jesus. Now, for some reason they didn’t stone her to death right away, to feel more justified by their action, brought her before Jesus so they could affirm their self-righteousness and self-right to condemn. But tables turned, instead they left with guilt on their conscience and the one who deserved so much terrible punishment and death received pardon and Life. There is so much I can draw from here, but I’ll keep this writing to context. Jesus didn’t give a heck about her past, He didn’t ask her what other sins she committed and how often she did them… that was why He came. We receive mercy from Him for our past sins and grace to Live the sin free life Heb. 4:16. You see, whatever it is we did before we meet Jesus has no effect after we Meet Jesus. 1 Corinthians 5:17. The law and the somewhat Christians condemned her but she received redemption the Judge of all. She was free to walk on the street again with her head held high and with no one trying to lift a stone at her again.

5. Jesus: Mathew 3:16-17 lastly this account is of Jesus: This "guy" here was ridiculed called a carpenter's son; he was tagged as the one who "grew-up-from-around-here" from the least city and so was accorded little or no respect. He was betrayed by a trusted ally, He was treated like a common criminal, His birth was nothing of a Noble one, He had a rag-tag-bunch of "Misfits" as family generation and He suffered rejection, was misunderstood, misinterpreted and abused. Among all these that happened before, and after this event during His time on earth, were not enough evidence to prove who He really is. He, Jesus, literally got Heaven's endorsement. With God saying "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased." And INSTANTLY He began His spiritual journey to Purpose.

In conclusion, a common denominator in all these account is that they all met God. And it’s in Him we know who we are not even the people who are close to us can tell except revealed by God. Not even His Disciples who spent so much time with Him knew him until God revealed it to one.

Secondly, the transformation was INSTANT. The Manifestation of this Instant Transformation may take a Process of time. But the Work is done. We only walk into it, believing. 

It is irrelevant what happened in your Generations Past, what you have even experienced. The question you ought to ask is "Have I met God?" And secondly do you believe the work of the Father, and the Goodness of His Mercy and Grace wherein you now stand.

It is never without Significance or Relevance the Words you have been hearing. It takes only a "Crown" to attract such attention of Counsel and Gospel. Nothing and no one around you except who God sends and what God has commanded can tell you who you really are. That moment you sincerely open your Heart to God, is where Your True Identity is Revealed and Discovered.  Before any man makes you feel Loved and Special, remember God who did, who do, and is still doing more than any man could ever Love you. in the journey to discovering who we are, we must first know that circumstance and people do not define us.

He translates us from what should have, would have, could have, and must have been, into what OUGHT to be. That's the work of Grace. You my dear Friend are making a Difference... Do you believe?

Your Virtue as a Woman makes you Priceless and your faith in God makes you a man after God’s own Heart.

I Celebrate and Praise You.