People of the covenant

07/01/2018

Finding God in the Midst of War
God is using technology for His glory

Written by GodLife on 02/01/2018
Series: Weekly Devotional
Tags: Jesus, Salvation, Faith, Life Change, Life
Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,

Ephesians 1:4-5
Due to the presence of ISIS and a seemingly unending war, Iraq has become an almost impossible place to live. While some things have improved since the United States’ invasion in 2003, many Iraqis are still forced to stay locked inside their homes due to fear of persecution from ISIS fighters.

Constant bombing still rings daily throughout the capital city of Baghdad, even though the height of war has passed. Also, Christians are being targeted for their beliefs and have even had their homes marked with symbols indicating that they are believers in Jesus, the Son of God.

While many – Christians and non-Christians alike – have escaped this difficult living situation, millions still live in the city, trying to find a way to protect themselves and their families.

One of these people is an Iraqi man named Zaid. During all of these years of unrest, Zaid was doubting his Muslim faith. Finally, he decided that he couldn’t believe in a God that would make people commit such violent acts against their own countrymen.

Zaid’s dissatisfaction with Islam led him to supernaturally be receptive to GodLife.com ad he saw while browsing the Internet. Through this ad, God was able to speak to Zaid’s heart and soothe the dissatisfaction of his soul.

A new, gracious God
Amid su***de bombers and foreign militia, Zaid experienced a peace he had never experienced before: an everlasting one. The Holy Spirit entered his heart as he accepted the free gift of salvation from Jesus Christ. What an amazing work God did through a simple website!

As God continued to soften his heart with the Gospel message of grace and hope, Zaid couldn’t wait to share this Good News with his wife and children. By God’s providence, each member of his family also accepted Jesus as their savior.

“My family and I want to live all our life in God for the rest of all our lives,” Zaid told Craig, his Online Missionary. “Pray for us for spiritual faith, spiritual guidance, and wisdom of GOD to understand what I really should do to strengthen my faith. God help me and my family, these are my prayers in JESUS'S MIGHTY NAME, AMEN.”

Surrounded by fear, but filled with hope
As Zaid knows, being a Christian in Iraq is becoming harder with every passing day. ISIS still has a presence in much of Iraq, stoking fear in the hearts of everyone who lives in the country, especially Christians, who are being forced out of the region in complete fear of persecution and death.

Through these difficult times, Zaid’s hope remains in the Lord.

“I am not afraid because I find peace in our Lord Jesus Christ and I believe that the one who is in me is greater than the one in this earth.”

Zaid’s story is one that could not have been possible without technology. As safety concerns grow rapidly in the Middle East, the Internet is God’s best strategy for reaching the lost in a region that desperately needs the hope of Jesus Christ.

Pray this week:
Lord, please take ownership of my life. I no longer want to live in fear, but in your everlasting hope.

20/07/2017

If God brought you to it, what makes you think he won't bring you through it?
Your circumstance won't last. The tough times must past.

17/04/2017

Happy Easter Pals..... Remeber..... Jesus is the reason for this season....... For death could not hold Him captive, even in the grave, Jesus is Lord!!!!!!!!!!!

25/03/2017

Why Won’t God Heal Me?
Lessons about God’s healing through the Life of Paul
But He replied, ‘My kindness is all you need. My power is strongest when you are weak.’ So if Christ keeps giving me his power, I will gladly brag about how weak I am. Yes, I am glad to be weak or insulted or mistreated or to have troubles and sufferings, if it is for Christ. Because when I am weak, I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
There are many wonderful stories of healing in the Bible. Jesus healed many people of leprosy, blindness, lameness and other ailments. He even raised Lazarus from the dead!
No doubt you have also heard of God healing people today. God still hears our prayers for healing and has the power to heal and do all kinds of miracles.
So you may be wondering, “What about ME?” I, or someone I love, have been struggling with (name the disease) all these years. And I have prayed for healing, fasted, had people lay hands on me. So why have I not been cured?
I’m afraid that there is no simple, easy answer. But there are some principles we can learn from the Apostle Paul’s example. We hope you will find them encouraging.
1. God Has a Purpose
Earlier in this same chapter, we read: “Of course, I am now referring to the wonderful things I saw. One of Satan’s angels was sent to make me suffer terribly, so that I would not feel too proud.” (2 Corinthians 12:7).
It’s interesting that though Paul’s affliction is never specifically named, the PURPOSE for the affliction is given twice — at the beginning and at the end of verse 7: “so that I would not feel too proud.”
In the beginning of the chapter, we see that Paul had some amazing revelations — he was “caught up into the third heaven” and also “caught up into paradise” (2 Corinthians 12:2-3). These experiences were so spectacular that he would have been tempted to boast about them, or to feel superior to those who had not had these experiences.
So God chose to humble Paul with a “thorn in the flesh.” It was not random, nor a whimsical act on God’s part. It had a very specific purpose.
2. God Can Use Anything
That same verse tells us that Paul’s thorn in the flesh was “a messenger of Satan.” How can that be? Was it from God or from Satan? The answer is it was both! Satan, of course, is set against God and His purposes and His people. Satan probably enjoyed tormenting Paul. But, just as at the cross, Satan’s evil plans were turned around 180 degrees to serve God’s purposes. Satan succeeded in harassing Paul, but the result was that God used it to bring humility in Paul’s life.
3. God’s Strength is Displayed
This principle is stated three times in these two verses, in different ways:
“But he (Christ) replied, ‘My kindness is all you need. My power is strongest when you are weak.’ So if Christ keeps giving me his power, I will gladly brag about how weak I am. Yes, I am glad to be weak or insulted or mistreated or to have troubles and sufferings, if it is for Christ. Because when I am weak, I am strong.”
God wants us to develop our gifts and talents and use them for His glory. But when weak, afflicted people achieve great things, it is clear that GOD is the one who did it and He receives the glory.
Our purpose in life is to glorify God — to show His power and His greatness. And even though our circumstances may be painful or uncomfortable for us, God wants to remind us that it’s the eternal things that matter. “Things that are seen don’t last forever, but things that are not seen are eternal. That’s why we keep our minds on the things that cannot be seen.” (2 Corinthians 4:18).
4. We Can be Content
“Yes, I am glad to be weak or insulted or mistreated or to have troubles and sufferings, if it is for Christ. Because when I am weak, I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:10).
Look at that list — a lot more things than just sickness! And yet in all those things, Paul was content for the sake of Christ, because his ultimate goal in life was God’s glory.
So when you or those you love are battling sickness, by all means, pray. But if God chooses to let an affliction persist, look for what He wants to do IN you and THROUGH you – to be humbled yourself; to show God’s great strength in you; and ultimately to give glory to God.

23/03/2017

Dear Follower of Jesus:

In James 3:13 (CEV) we are asked to ponder the question whether we “are wise or sensible? Then show it by living right and by being humble and wise in everything you do.”

Is there peace in your home? Are you at peace with those in your church? If not, check out what kind of seeds you are sowing. How are you living an honorable life?

13/09/2016

THE IDOLATRY OF PEOPLE-PLEASING

What if I'm more afraid to displease important people than God?

So now run away to your place. I said I would give you much honor, but the Lord has kept you from honor.

Numbers 24:11
A story in the Bible's book of Numbers shows how dangerous the desire to “please men” can be (Colossians 3:22). This story is mentioned a lot in the Bible. Each mention comes with a warning.

God wants us to take note: what can this story teach us about ourselves?

1. It is Dangerous To Look For God’s Permission And Not His Approval
Fearing Israel, King Balak sent for the prophet Balaam. God told Balaam not to go. King Balak persisted, so Balaam asked God again.

God seemed persuaded: he gave Balaam permission to go. On his journey, the donkey he was riding was blocked by an angel with a drawn sword. The donkey refused to keep going, angering Balaam so much that he beat the animal. Before he could kill her, God allowed the donkey to speak, warning him of the danger. God then opened Balaam’s eyes to see the angel standing ready to kill him!

Just as the donkey’s actions went against Balaam’s plan for her, Balaam himself had nearly been killed for resisting God. But Balaam presses again, and finds the permission, (not the approval), of God.

2. There is Danger in Getting Around God’s Purposes
Accompanying the messengers back to Midian, Balaam at first blesses Israel instead of cursing them. God had warned him to do only as he was told. (Numbers 22:20) Balak is furious. Later we’re told (Numbers 31:16) that Balaam taught the Midianite women to seduce the Israelite men into idolatry. (Numbers 25:1-3) Terrified by Balak, Balaam cunningly thought of a way to curse the Israelites without speaking the curse himself, still a violation of God's instructions.

3. The Outcome of the Fear of Man
Balaam’s conduct shows perversion in a believer's walk:

The “way of Balaam” (2 Peter 2:15) — “against” God. (Numbers 22:32) If it was to his advantage, Balaam didn’t fear taking God's mercy for granted. In his heart, he said, “God has said ‘no’ to this--maybe there's a way I can do it anyway.”
The “error of Balaam” (Jude 11) — failing to learn the lesson of the encounter. Balaam was physically stopped and even threatened.
The “doctrine of Balaam” (Revelation 2:14) — passing this attitude along. Balaam was willing to try to spoil the purpose of God.

Presumption leads to the error of trying to get around God’s will. This means we manipulate, teach or become a bad example, leading others down the same corrupt path. Balaam may have said the Lord was his God. But he had idolatry in his life all along: respect of human favor over God’s. How much will God allow if we presume upon His grace? Balaam’s idolatry led him to serve God’s enemies, curse himself (Numbers 23:9) and demonstrate God’s denial of his prayers (Numbers 23:10) in the manner of his death. (Numbers 31:8)

06/09/2016

JESUS DELIVERS US
The meaning of Jesus’ name, (“Yeshua” in Hebrew,) is to deliver or rescue. Jesus is our Savior.
________________________________________
My eyes are always on the Lord, he rescues me from the traps of my enemies.
Psalm 25:15
Recently, a Bible teacher asked…
“do you want Jesus to deliver you out of the place that brings you suffering?” Sometimes a broken heart, financial trouble or addiction keeps us away from God. Only the grace of Jesus can make us whole in every situation and carries us through it.
When King David cried out to God in Psalm 25:16-18, he said, “Turn to me and have mercy, for I am alone and in deep distress. My problems go from bad to worse. Oh, save me from them all! Feel my pain and see my trouble. Forgive all my sins.”
With King David’s prayer in mind, let’s explore how God has the power to set us free from from our troubles and how to look to Jesus to deliver us:

FIRST, HOW CAN YOU BE DELIVERED?
Listen to the words of Jesus, “I tell you the truth; those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life.” (John 5:24)
In this world, suffering is unavoidable. But the next world will be free from it. Getting to know the Son of God personally and accepting His gift of eternal life is the way to gain Heaven: His deliverance from all worldly suffering.

KNOW THAT FAITH IS WHAT BRINGS DELIVERANCE.
Have faith that the Son of God, Yeshua, can set you free. Hebrews 11:6 tells us, “… it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to Him must believe that God exists and that He rewards those who sincerely seek Him.” Believe in Him in your heart.

KNOW JESUS’ DESIRE FOR YOU TO BE DELIVERED AND WHOLE.
True faith asks, believing Jesus is willing, but understanding He may have better plans.
The l***r in Matthew 8:1-3 believed in Christ's ability but humbly asked for healing: “Large crowds followed Jesus as he came down the mountainside. Suddenly, a man with leprosy approached him and knelt before him. “Lord,” the man said, “if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean.” Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” And instantly the leprosy disappeared.”
The Apostle Paul also asked for healing, but discovered that it was more important for him to trust in Christ's sufficiency than to experience physical healing. (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)

ASK YOURSELF … HOW GREAT IS YOUR BURDEN?
Do you feel like you’ve done too much or have gone through too much in your life to be delivered? You’re not alone.
With Christ, there is peace that supasses all of our temporary troubles here on earth. This peace comes from knowing that we can only find victory in Jesus. So, “Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts.” (Hebrews 3:7) Because he has overcome the world, bringing us everlasting hope, no struggle can keep us from it. “For God says, “At just the right time, I hear you. On the day of Salvation, I helped you.”( 2 Corinthians 6:2).
It doesn’t matter how great the burden you carry.
Jesus is greater.

22/08/2016

GOD IS OMNIPOTENT

O Sovereign Lord! You made the heavens and
earth by your strong hand and powerful arm.
Nothing is too hard for you!
— Jeremiah 32:17
Don’t be scared when you see a big word like
‘Omnipotent.’ It simply means that God has all
(‘omni’) power (‘potent’).
God’s power is all around us! His power is shown in
many ways, but here are just three that the Bible tells
us...
1. God’s Power in Creation
The ancient prophets praised God for creating “the
heavens and earth” (Jeremiah 32:17). King David
wrote, “The heavens proclaim the glory of God.
The skies display his craftsmanship” (Psalm 19:1).
Our understanding of the “heavens” has changed
over time. Now we know that there are many galaxies
with many stars, separated by great distances. The
more we know about the universe and everything in
it, the more we can praise God for His mighty power.
2.God’s Power in Resurrection and Redemption
“I want to know Christ and experience the mighty
power that raised him from the
dead” ( Philippians 3:10).
Jesus was tortured and killed by the Roman and
Jewish leaders. But the grave could not hold Him; the
Roman seal over the stone could not keep Him back.
Just as He had predicted, God’s mighty power raised
Jesus to life. We who follow Christ should not fear,
because God has the last word – even over death. “O
death, where is your victory? O death, where is
your sting?" ( 1 Corinthians 15:55).
3.God’s Power at His Return
“Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming
on the clouds with great power and glory” ( Mark
13:26). Many people today don't want to accept God.
The day is coming when He will no longer be hidden.
What is the result? “That at the name of Jesus
every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth
and under the earth, and every tongue
acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the
glory of God the Father” ( Philippians 2:10-11).
If you know Christ as your Savior, take comfort and
rejoice in the knowledge that you are protected by
the same power that created the heavens and raised
Jesus from the dead. If you have not made that
decision, don’t wait. Every person will bow in
worship; will you bow with shouts of joy or tears of
regret?

19/08/2016

Is Hell Real, and Is There A Way Out?

No one can live forever, all will die. No one can
escape the power of the grave.
— Psalm 89:48
Is Hell real? The Bible tells us about two places,
Heaven and Hell. Spending eternity in Heaven or Hell
is our choice. (Revelation 22:17) Hell does not have
an exit door, and is the destiny of everyone who is
without God (2 Thessalonians 1:8-10).
Only Jesus can save us from that destiny. “For God
so loved the world that He gave His only begotten
Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not
perish, but have eternal life” ( John 3:16).
So what is Hell? Here are the three things that you
need to know about what the Bible says about Hell...
1. What’s the reason that God made Hell?
Did you know that once there was war in Heaven led
by a former angel? Revelation 12:7-9 says, “Michael
and his angels fought against the dragon and his
angels. And the dragon lost the battle, and he
and his angels were forced out of heaven. This
great dragon—the ancient serpent called the
devil, or Satan, the one deceiving the whole
world—was thrown down to the earth with all his
angels.” Jesus later warns that the wicked who forget
God (Ps. 9:17) and His people will go to “eternal fire
prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew
25:41).�
2. Does Hell Really Exist?
In Luke, we read about two men. One spends eternity
in Hell and the other spends it in Heaven. The
unnamed man in the story put his faith in money and
went to hell. Lazarus, put his faith in Jesus and went
to Heaven. “The poor man died and was carried by
the angels to sit beside Abraham at the heavenly
banquet. The rich man also died and was buried,
and he went to the place of the dead. There, in
torment, he saw Abraham in the far distance
with Lazarus at his side” ( Luke 16:22-23).
3. God’s Mercy Saves Us From Hell
The Lord does not want us to suffer in Hell. “For God
chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ,
not to pour out his anger on us”( 1 Thessalonians
5:9). Instead, he offers the gift of salvation. Giving us
the chance to be with him forever. “And they speak
of how you are looking forward to the coming of
God’s Son from heaven—Jesus, whom God raised
from the dead. He is the one who has rescued us
from the terrors of the coming judgment” ( 1
Thessalonians 1:10)

29/06/2016

Why Does God Allow
Suffering and Sin?

Lessons from the life of Joseph

As for you, you meant evil against me, but
God meant it for good, to bring it about
that many people should be kept alive, as
they are today.
— Genesis 50:20

Every day, we read or hear about a terrible
crime committed against innocent people.
Shootings, bombings, attacks, and more. We
often wonder, “Why does God allow suffering
and sin?” — especially when the victim is
someone we know and love.
The Bible story of Joseph in the book of Genesis
(starting in Chapter 37) can help to answer this
question. Here are three things to understand
and remember...

1. Know that God is in Control
Joseph was the favorite son of Jacob (the
founder of the nation of Israel). As a young man,
he was sold into slavery in far away Egypt by his
jealous brothers.
He became a servant to a powerful Egyptian, but
then he was falsely accused of a crime and was
put in prison.
Eventually, Joseph was given a chance to
interpret the dreams of the king – the Pharaoh.
This led to his release, and he was given to the
highest position in Egypt, next to the Pharaoh
himself.
Joseph used his authority to command the
Egyptians to store up food to protect against the
coming famine. Jacob and his family traveled to
Egypt, were reunited with Joseph, and the nation
of Israel was saved.

2. Remember that God Uses the
Actions of Sinful People for Good
Years later, when Jacob died, the brothers
worried that Joseph would now take revenge on
them. But then Joseph said these famous words:
“As for you, you meant evil against me, but
God meant it for good, to bring it about that
many people should be kept alive, as they
are today.”
Joseph’s brothers had committed an evil, sinful
act. And though God hates sin, he used their
actions to save the nation of Israel.

3. Understand that God Always has
a Purpose
Some 1,700 years later, one of Jacob’s
descendants was born in Bethlehem; His name
was Jesus. He came to show us what God is like,
but also to give His life for us.
So when the greatest evil action of all time
happened, it was also part of God’s plan:
"...Jesus, delivered up according to the
definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you
crucified and killed by the hands of lawless
men."
We can rejoice in knowing that this same God
can and will use every circumstance – even
people’s evil actions – to accomplish His
purposes.

Pray this week:
Ask God to give you the faith to believe
that He is in control, no matter what you
are going through.

23/05/2016

ETERNAL HEALING
One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-
eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and
learned that he had been in this condition for a long
time, he asked him, ‘Do you want to get well?'
— John 5:5
In Bible times, leprosy was a dreaded, incurable skin
condition. It caused physical deformity. It meant
victims couldn’t come to worship meetings. They had
to live by themselves. It made a good picture of what
sin does to us. Sin is a disease that affects young and
old, great and small. It cuts us off from God and from
others.
Sometimes We’re Reluctant
The Old Testament book of 2 Kings tells about a man
named Naaman. He was a great army captain in the
time of the prophet Elisha. Naaman had been told the
prophet could heal him of his leprosy, and paid him a
visit. Instead of meeting him, Elisha sent a messenger
instructing Naaman to wash himself in the Jordan
River.
Naaman was insulted, saying, “I thought he would
certainly come out to meet me!…Aren’t the rivers of
Damascus (his home country)…better than any of the
rivers of Israel?” ( 2 Kings 5:12 )
Humility is Part of the Cure
At first, Naaman he was too proud to accept Elisha’s
“prescription.” In the same way, many people today
let their pride stand in the way of accepting God’s
plan of salvation.
It was a good thing that Naaman’s officers had better
advice. They convinced him to take the treatment:
“So Naaman went down to the Jordan River and
dipped himself seven times, as the man of God had
instructed him. And his skin became as healthy as the
skin of a young child, and he was healed!” ( 2 Kings
5:14 )
When You Hear His voice, Don't Harden Your Hearts
(Hebrews 3:15 )
From birth, we’re all “infected” with something worse
than leprosy. It’s sin. It is our very nature, not just
our actions, that offends God’s holiness.
“You are not a God Who is pleased with what is bad.
The sinful cannot be with You.” ( Psalm 5:4 )
What is the result of sin? “When sin completes its
work, it brings death.” ( James 1:15 ) -- not just
physical death, but eternal separation from God.
When heaven is described in the Bible’s final book, it
says, “No one who is sinful-minded or tells lies can
go in.” ( Revelation 21:27 ) Fortunately, this verse
continues: “Only those whose names are written in
the Lamb’s book of life can go in.”
God’s way is not just the best way: it is the only way.
Naaman’s leprosy was washed away when he
humbled himself and submitted. Jesus, the Lamb of
God, is willing to wash away your sin. Are you willing
to trust Him today?
Pray this week:
Father, help me to be as concerned about my
spiritual condition as my physical health, and also to
tell others how their souls can be healed by Jesus.

18/05/2016