Antioch Baptist Church - Area 43

Antioch Baptist Church - Area 43 Antioch Baptist Church is loving church based in Area 43, Lilongwe, Malawi. The Resident Pastor : Pastor Emmanuel Chinkwita-Phiri

06/11/2024

Today's Prayer
Good morning, here is today's prayer...
Dear Lord Jesus,

I join with Apostle Thomas and declare that You are my Lord and my God. John 20:28

Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
John 20:29

Thank you Lord for blessing me throughout my life and for the days ahead.

I worship You and thank You for giving up the glories of Heaven to come to earth to rescue all people from their sins.

I accept and receive You even though others reject You.

I crown You as the King of my life, please sit on the throne of my heart.

Thank You for becoming God manifested in the flesh, for me and for all the world to see.

Jesus, I proclaim that You are God.

I worship You with all of my heart.

I give You all that I am.

In Your holy name I pray,

Amen.

05/11/2024

Today's Prayer
Good morning, here is today's prayer...
Today is the INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER FOR PERSECUTED CHRISTIANS. Let's join together with Christians around the world to pray for our persecuted brothers and sisters...

Dear Father God,

I ask for you to protection for all of your children who are persecuted around the world. Please encourage each of my persecuted brothers and sisters and let each of them know that You are with them and that You will never leave them nor forsake them. Hebrews 13:5

Lord, I desire a deeper relationship with You.

I want to hear Your voice, to know Your presence, to walk with You each and every day.

Help me to put You first in my life, as Jesus taught us...

But seek first the kingdom of God
and His righteousness,
and all these things shall be added to you.
Matthew 6:33

Please help me to be in one accord with my brothers and sisters in Christ...
..fulfill my joy by being like-minded,
having the same love,
being of one accord,
of one mind.
Philippians 2:2

Thank You for hearing my prayer and for working Your will in my life.

In the loving name of Jesus I pray,

Amen.

24/10/2024

Personally Created
By Touching Lives With Dr. James Merritt
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you…”
Jeremiah 1:5 (NIV)

Jeremiah 1:5 makes it clear that it is God who creates life. “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you…” God said to Jeremiah what He also says to you every moment of the day and night: You were intentionally formed by me, your God.

The word “formed” here means, “to weave,” like you would weave a blanket or tapestry. In this context it refers to how conception and the birth process takes place. It is not by accident. It means that God has purposefully designed you.

King David put it this way in Psalm 139:13: “For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb.” That phrase, “knit me together,” is the same Hebrew root word as the word “formed” used in today’s passage. The Bible says that God, not primarily your parents, formed you.

Then David continues in verse 16, “Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be.” The word for “unformed body” is the only use of the Hebrew word for “embryo” found in Scripture. David is referring here to the very beginning of conception. Long before you were born, God knew you and designed you for the plan He has for your life.

When you believe this truth, you will experience new freedom and unshakeable confidence. You can say, like David in Psalm 139:16, “I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”

When you “know that full well,” you can stop questioning your appearance or abilities. You can enjoy your uniqueness and praise God for His creativity. Instead of insecurity or self-criticism, you can celebrate how God has formed you.

Take time to read the words of today’s passage and pray. Ask the Holy Spirit to drive this revelation deep into your heart so you can know this “full well.” When thoughts enter your mind that are contrary to this truth, ask God to help you remember that He knows you and has formed you.

Prayer: Father, Thank You that You have known me long before I was born. Forgive me for the times I have betrayed You by showing contempt for Your design. Help me believe that You designed my body and personality with great care. May I celebrate how You have formed me and trust Your plan. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. I praise You, Lord, for the way You have made me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

22/10/2024

Why Should I Pray For My Leaders?
By Touching Lives With Dr. James Merritt
“This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people.”
1 Timothy 2:3-5 (NIV)

Have you ever struggled to pray for someone? Maybe you weren’t sure what to say because the situation was so complex. Or it could be that someone said something that hurt you or you just plain don’t like someone. When the Bible encourages us to pray for elected leaders, you might be wondering how you can do that if you don’t agree with their politics.

In today’s verse, the Apostle Paul shows you the answer. Prayer pleases God and helps bring about His purpose for all people to be saved and know Him. When you pray for your leaders, you help release God’s good plans for all people. Here are four reasons why you need to pray for our leaders:

1. Prayer is Commanded by God’s Word: The Word of God makes it abundantly clear that God expects you to pray for your leaders. “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority” (1 Timothy 2:1-2). God’s word also teaches you what to pray. Consider these specific prayer points for your leaders:

Pray for God to turn the hearts of your leaders toward righteousness and holiness. (Proverbs 21:1)
Pray that your political leaders would seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. (Matthew 6:33)
Pray that your leaders would live exemplary lives. (Proverbs 31:4-5)
Pray that your leaders would faithfully promote what is just, right, and fair in the sight of God. (Proverbs 30:8-9)
2. Prayer Pleases God: In the two verses preceding today’s passage found in 1 Timothy 2:3-5, Paul instructs the church to pray for kings and all those in authority, for it “pleases God our Savior.” When you pray for your leaders, you demonstrate that what is important to God, is important to you. And your heart pleases Him.

3. Prayer Honors God’s Authority: You’ll notice in these verses, “For there is one God.” Not every ruler is anointed by God, but every ruler is appointed by God. When you pray to God on behalf of your leaders, you recognize His authority over all. See what the Word of God says:

“Do not lift your horns against heaven; do not speak so defiantly. No one from the east or the west or from the desert can exalt themselves. It is God who judges: He brings one down, he exalts another.” (Psalm 75:5-7, NIV)
“He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.” (Daniel 2:21, NIV)
“The decision is announced by messengers, the holy ones declare the verdict, so that the living may know that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes and sets over them the lowliest of people.” (Daniel 4:17, NIV)
4. Prayer Changes Things: What difference do your prayers make? You can influence the nation more through supplication than Congress can by legislation. Laws and lawmakers come and go. But your God remains the same, ready to act on your prayers. Listen to what the Bible says:

“if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (1 Chronicles 7:14)

God promises to hear your prayers and act upon them. You will not answer for the decisions any political leader makes, but you will answer to God as to whether you prayed for them. Why not pray for them now?

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for the leaders of my city. Thank You for their unique gifts and abilities. Thank You for the calling You have on their lives. Father, I pray that each one will turn their hearts to You, living in holiness and integrity. May they seek first Your kingdom and Your righteousness. Grace each one to live a life of example, leading in thought, speech and action. Give them wisdom and understanding, that each decision would faithfully promote what is just, right and fair in Your eyes.

I pray this in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

19/10/2024

Today's Prayer
Good morning, here is today's prayer...

Dear Lord Jesus,
Please help me to focus on what is truly important today.
I want to know You more.
I long to know the power of Your Resurrection as I pray now with the Apostle Paul.....that I may know Him
and the power of His resurrection,
and the fellowship of His sufferings,
being conformed to His death...
Philippians 3:10
Please, give me more of You, as the African-American spiritual Give Me Jesus proclaims...
In the morning, when I rise,
in the morning, when I rise,
in the morning, when I rise,
Give me Jesus.

Give me Jesus,
give me Jesus,
you may have all this world,
give me Jesus.
Let my life be a shining light and a testimony of You to all others.
I bless You, Lord Jesus, and I will always belong to You.
Thank you for never letting me go.
In the beautiful name of Jesus I pray.
Amen.

18/10/2024

OUR DAILY BREAD MINISTRIES
Scraped Butter

I have had enough, Lord . . . . Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors. 1 Kings 19:4

In J. R. R. Tolkien’s book The Fellowship of the Ring, Bilbo Baggins starts showing the effects of carrying, for six decades, a magical ring with dark powers. Weighed down by its slowly corrosive nature, he says to the wizard Gandalf, “Why, I feel all thin, sort of stretched, if you know what I mean: like butter that has been scraped over too much bread.” He decides to leave his home in search of rest, somewhere “in peace and quiet, without a lot of relatives prying around.”
This aspect of Tolkien’s story reminds me of an Old Testament prophet’s experience. On the run from Jezebel and wrung out after his battle with false prophets, Elijah badly needed some rest. Feeling depleted, he asked God to let him die, saying, “I have had enough, Lord” (1 Kings 19:4). After he fell asleep, God’s angel woke him so he could eat and drink. He slept again, and then ate more of the food provided by the angel. Revitalized, he had enough energy for the forty-day walk to the mountain of God.
When we feel scraped thin, we too can look to God for true refreshment. We might need to care for our bodies while we also ask Him to fill us with His hope, peace, and rest. Even as the angel tended to Elijah, we can trust that God will impart His refreshing presence on us (see Matthew 11:28).
By Amy Boucher Pye
REFLECT & PRAY
When you’re wrung out and exhausted, what actions tempt you? How can you put your trust in God when you’re tired and overwhelmed?
Strengthening God, I look to You for true rest. Please help me put my hope in You and fill me with Your presence.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Elijah’s plea for God to take his life (1 Kings 19:4) may give us some insight into his condition. His wish for death wasn’t just because he feared Jezebel’s death threat, but because he felt he was “no better than [his] ancestors” (v. 4). It’s possible that his depression was rooted in the reality that though he’d trusted God to do the impossible when He consumed the burnt offering (18:38-39) and witnessed His power when He sent rain (vv. 41-46), he’d immediately fled in fear of Jezebel. Perhaps he felt that his own faith, like that of his ancestors, was weak and fickle. Or he may have been discouraged because he’d failed to rid Israel of Baal worship and idolatry.
J.R. Hudberg

16/10/2024

Today's Scripture
For you, God, tested us; you refined us like silver.
Psalm 66:10, NIV

Spoken Faith
Emmanuel, before you see the promises of God fulfilled in your life, there will always be tests. Before you go into your promised land, there will be giants and fortified cities, things that look impossible. One way your faith is released is through what you’re saying in times of testing. Your mind will tell you all the reasons it’s not going to happen, and the temptation is to start speaking negatively. That gives life to the doubts and limits what God will do. Don’t let that happen.

Speak what God says in His Word about you. Let your words of faith override the doubts. Speak faith when every thought is telling you, “It’s never going to work out. I don’t have what it takes.” You can talk about how bad it’s been, or you can say, “Father, thank You that You have beauty for these ashes. What was meant for harm, You’re turning to my advantage. I’m excited about my future.” That’s what causes God to go to work. That’s when you’ll defeat giants, beat the illness, and the right people will suddenly show up.

A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You that my faith and trust are anchored to You and Your power at work in my life. Thank You that I don’t have to be moved by the tests and troubles I face because I am fully persuaded You will do what You promised. I declare that my hope is in You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

15/10/2024

Choose the Right Place, Time, and Words
By Rick Warren
“There is a time for everything . . . a time to be silent and a time to speak.”
Ecclesiastes 3:1, 7 (NIV)

Sooner or later, we all have to have hard conversations. Maybe a boss has asked you to do something that goes against your conscience. Or perhaps your perspective isn’t lining up with your parents’ point of view. When you need to have a difficult conversation, it’s important to approach the situation thoughtfully. You need to choose the right place, time, and words.

First, choose the right place. Always have these conversations in private. If you bring up the issue in a group setting, you may put the other person on the defensive.

A private setting allows for an open discussion without the pressure of an audience. Try humbly and privately asking, “Can we work this out?” With that approach, you’re more likely to succeed.

Second, choose the right time. There’s a right and wrong time to bring up an issue with anyone, whether it’s your boss, your teacher, your parents, or someone else. Timing is key. Don’t start a conversation when you or the person you want to talk with is tired, frustrated, or hungry. Wait until they’re more content and more likely to be receptive.

The Bible says, “There is a time for everything . . . a time to be silent and a time to speak” (Ecclesiastes 3:1, 7 NIV). Before you begin a hard conversation, ask yourself, “Is the timing right?”

Third, choose the right words. The way you phrase your request is important. Choose your words carefully. And, when all else fails, just be polite!

The Bible teaches, “A wise, mature person is known for his understanding. The more pleasant his words, the more persuasive he is” (Proverbs 16:21 GNT). I like to remind myself, “I’m never persuasive when I’m abrasive.” If you’ve got an arrow to shoot, dip it in honey first.

The next time you’re facing a tough conversation, set yourself up for success. Make sure you choose the right place, the right time, and the right words. That will make it more likely that you express yourself clearly—and that the other person is receptive to your message.

Talk It Over

Have you ever tried to convince someone of something at the wrong time? How did that go?
Why do you think being pleasant in your words makes you more persuasive?
Can you think of a situation where you were persuasive because you weren’t abrasive? What happened?

15/10/2024

What to Do When Work Conflicts with Your Values
By Rick Warren

“In all the work you are doing, work the best you can. Work as if you were doing it for the Lord, not for people.”
Colossians 3:23 (NCV)

When the prophet Daniel was in captivity, he was trained for service to King Nebuchadnezzar. As part of the program, he was ordered to eat food from the king’s table. But Daniel believed the rich food would defile him and his friends. So he respectfully appealed the order by suggesting an alternative.

Daniel humbly approached the guard who’d been assigned as a steward over them and said, “Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see” (Daniel 1:12-13 NIV).

The guard agreed to Daniel’s proposal. Here’s what happened: “At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead” (Daniel 1:15–16 NIV).

Daniel and his friends impressed King Nebuchadnezzar more than any of the other students, and they all were chosen to serve the king.

When you, like Daniel, are asked to do something that conflicts with your values, you have a choice. You can react with defiance and disrespect—or you can respond with a humble, respectful appeal.

To make a successful appeal, you need to have a good reputation already. People in authority need to see you as someone who’s responsible, consistent, and loyal, with a good attitude. That was true of Daniel, which is why the guard trusted him enough to grant his appeal.

The Bible says, “In all the work you are doing, work the best you can. Work as if you were doing it for the Lord, not for people” (Colossians 3:23 NCV).

As Christians, we should strive to have the best reputation in the marketplace. We should be known as the most responsible employees, the best citizens, the hardest workers, and the most trustworthy and consistent people.

If you slack off at work but then—when you’re asked to do something that violates your values—say, “I can’t do this because I’m a Christian,” that’s the wrong message. No one will take you seriously.

Daniel’s story shows that being consistent, responsible, and faithful earns the respect of others. And when you have that respect, you’ll have an open door to make an appeal—to suggest an alternative—when you’re asked to do something that conflicts with your convictions.

Talk It Over

When you face something—or someone—that conflicts with your values, do you most often react with defiance or respond with respect?
Consider the work you do—whether paid work at your job or unpaid work in your community or home. Are you doing that work “as if for the Lord”? If not, what changes do you need to make to how you’re working?
Think about the Christians you know of who have the best reputations with people in authority. What characteristics do they have that you’d like to develop?

12/10/2024

Hiding God's Word in Your Heart
Doug Porter
Are you hiding God's Word in your heart?
Are you spending time reading, listening to, soaking in His Word?
Are you drawing near to God, spiritually feeding your mind, filling your heart with hope, preparing to share the Word with others, arming yourself against the enemy…preparing for the days ahead?
For God's Word to be a lamp for your feet and a light on your path (Psalm 119:105), you need to know God's Word.
If you want to go beyond reading and meditating on God's Word and hearing it preached, and really hiding it in your heart (Psalm 119:11), you might want to consider memorizing Scripture…at least key passages that speak to you and verses that will reach others for Christ.
For many people, the idea of Scripture memory is intimidating.
They look at the 1,189 chapters of the Bible and become overwhelmed with the idea of memorizing anything so large. But taking that approach to Scripture memory is like presenting an unabridged Oxford Dictionary to a child as he or she begins learning the English language.
When we learned to speak, we began learning what we needed to know first, and then we learned other aspects of our mother language when we were better able. Likewise, when we memorize Scripture, it is best to be selective in the verses we learn. Later we can add other verses to our storehouse of knowledge (Proverbs 10:14) and we become increasingly proficient in our use of Scripture.
Some people believe they are unable to memorize Scripture because they lack certain memory skills.
While those who have a “photographic memory” will find it easier to remember what they read, it is also true that anyone who knows his or her own name is also able to memorize the Scriptures. How did you learn the name given you by your parents? People kept repeating and reviewing your name with you until you remembered it and identified with it. How will you memorize verses from the Bible? The same way – repetition and review.
The first step in memorizing a verse is to repeat it.
Repeat the verse reference before and after repeating the verse itself. Advocates of Scripture memory suggest that you repeat each new verse from five to fifty times – until you know it. Then you need to constantly review the verse until you can recall it without effort.
You may wish to purchase blank cards and write out each new verse on a card as you learn it. Then carry the verse cards with you and review them during free moments throughout your day.
Another option is to add your memory Scriptures as notes on your phone for easy access wherever you go.

Is there a best time to work on Scripture memory?

There are four times during your typical day when you are most likely to find it easiest to memorize Scripture. Parents were told to instruct their children from scriptures...
When you sit in your house,
When you walk (or drive),
When you lie down (end of day prayers),
When you rise up (morning devotions) (Deuteronomy 6:7)
These are the four times of the day during which we all have time to think, and God wants us to think about His Word during these times. Carry your verse cards with you throughout the day so you can review them several times each day.
Is there a best Bible translation to use when memorizing Scripture?

Many people have a favorite translation of the Bible which they use in personal study and Scripture memory. Christians can engage in meaningful Scripture memory using a wide variety of translations of the Bible. If English is your second language, you may find it easier to memorize from a Bible translation in your mother language. In contrast, missionaries sometimes elect to memorize the Bible in the language in which they minister, rather than in their mother language.
As you begin memorizing Scripture, use a translation with which you feel most comfortable.
The objective of Scripture memory is to equip yourself with a better grasp of God's Word, for a more effective ministry and to guide you in daily living.

11/10/2024

Supernatural
By Touching Lives With Dr. James Merritt
​​“And Jesus answered him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.”
Matthew 16:17 (NIV)

How can you know God and understand His Word better?

Getting to know someone takes time, curiosity, and self-disclosure. You cannot know a person unless they’re willing to share themselves with you. The Lord gives you two supernatural gifts to help you know Him more and understand His Word better:

First, He gives you His very own Spirit and reveals His truths through the Spirit’s presence.

In Matthew 16, Jesus asked His disciples about who they believed Him to be. Peter declared, “You are the Christ, the son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:16) Jesus then told Peter the words of today’s verse: it was God who had revealed that truth to him. Your Heavenly Father wants to reveal His truth to you.

The word used in this verse for “reveal” means to uncover or bring to light. The Holy Spirit of God illuminates truth in your life. When you come to Him, He uncovers the revelation you are looking for.

Second, you can experience His supernatural revelation every day by opening His Word. Let the Holy Spirit open the eyes of your heart. And your Heavenly Father will give you the power to see Jesus for who He is. When you see Jesus for who He is, He will tell you who you are.

What truth would encourage you today? Do you need to hear the promises of God in your heart? Take this moment to recognize the miracle of your relationship with Jesus, and the supernatural presence of the Holy Spirit in your life. Recover the awe of what God has done and what He is doing now.

And you will see everything else with a supernatural perspective.

Prayer: God, thank You for opening the eyes of my heart to believe You. Thank You for giving me Your very own Spirit. Continue to show me Your truth through Your Word. Help me to follow the leading of Your Spirit as I share with others who You are, and what You have done for me. In Jesus' Name, Amen

Address

Area 43
Lilongwe

Telephone

0999928138

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