Sunday 24 July 2016
PASTOR'S REFLECTION
When God choose to be silent (Part IV)
Beloved, you are welcome to another week that the Lord has made, and we shall all rejoice and be glad in it in Jesus name. for three weeks now, God has been helping us to identify and discuss those things that could make Him hide His face or keep silent at a person, church and/or nation when they call on Him. We listed fourteen things, and it could be more, but today we shall concentrate on what we can do to re-establish communication with God.
Every child of God who experiences a long silence from God, must begin a thorough examination of self (2 Cor 13:5), to see if there is anywhere his/her 'ALTAR' has been broken down, with a view to repairing it through complete repentance and pleading the mercy of God. A complete rededication of life to God and determination never to go back to past vomit must also be the next action. Very importantly, great attention must be paid on Heart Preparation. Prayer has its roots in the heart as it is what God gives the most concern.
“For the Lord seeth not as man seeth; For man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart” – 1 Sam 16:7
The heart is the altar upon which sacrifices of praise and the incense of prayers are offered. In fact what guarantees God's response to you is what goes in your heart.
“Now Hannah, she spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard” – 1 Sam 1:13
It is required that your heart must be set for an encounter with God when you pray. God responds to your thoughts as much as He does to your speech. That means your words and thoughts weigh the same in His sight (Eph 3:20; Matt 9:3-4)
If a communication link with God must be established, the heart must be prepared in purity (Ps 24:3-4; Isa 59:1-3; Ps 66:18) – The truth is that if your heart is impure, God would hide from you. Thorough consecration is the key that attracts answers from heaven (2 Tim 2:19).
Again and very importantly, be offence-free. As you prepare your heart to approach God in prayer, guard against offences, murmur, complaints and grudges against God and man. God will not answer you when your prayers are full of complaints and offences against Him.
“Woe unto him that striveth with his maker” – Isa 45:9; Job 9:4
Apostle Paul guarded against this: “And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence towards God, and towards man” – Acts 24:16
To get God's attention, make forgiveness your lifestyle. Until you free that man or woman, God will not forgive you or hear your own cry for mercy, oppression or affliction.
“And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors” – Matt 6:12
“If any man say I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar….” – 1 Jn 4:20
We shall conclude by next week by recommending some prayer boosters that can help facilitate effective prayer that can attract God's speedy response. God bless you!
Pastor Kelechi Nzeh.
Beloved, you are welcome to another week that the Lord has made, and we shall all rejoice and be glad in it in Jesus name. for three weeks now, God has been helping us to identify and discuss those things that could make Him hide His face or keep silent at a person, church and/or nation when they call on Him. We listed fourteen things, and it could be more, but today we shall concentrate on what we can do to re-establish communication with God.
Every child of God who experiences a long silence from God, must begin a thorough examination of self (2 Cor 13:5), to see if there is anywhere his/her 'ALTAR' has been broken down, with a view to repairing it through complete repentance and pleading the mercy of God. A complete rededication of life to God and determination never to go back to past vomit must also be the next action. Very importantly, great attention must be paid on Heart Preparation. Prayer has its roots in the heart as it is what God gives the most concern.
“For the Lord seeth not as man seeth; For man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart” – 1 Sam 16:7
The heart is the altar upon which sacrifices of praise and the incense of prayers are offered. In fact what guarantees God's response to you is what goes in your heart.
“Now Hannah, she spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard” – 1 Sam 1:13
It is required that your heart must be set for an encounter with God when you pray. God responds to your thoughts as much as He does to your speech. That means your words and thoughts weigh the same in His sight (Eph 3:20; Matt 9:3-4)
If a communication link with God must be established, the heart must be prepared in purity (Ps 24:3-4; Isa 59:1-3; Ps 66:18) – The truth is that if your heart is impure, God would hide from you. Thorough consecration is the key that attracts answers from heaven (2 Tim 2:19).
Again and very importantly, be offence-free. As you prepare your heart to approach God in prayer, guard against offences, murmur, complaints and grudges against God and man. God will not answer you when your prayers are full of complaints and offences against Him.
“Woe unto him that striveth with his maker” – Isa 45:9; Job 9:4
Apostle Paul guarded against this: “And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence towards God, and towards man” – Acts 24:16
To get God's attention, make forgiveness your lifestyle. Until you free that man or woman, God will not forgive you or hear your own cry for mercy, oppression or affliction.
“And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors” – Matt 6:12
“If any man say I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar….” – 1 Jn 4:20
We shall conclude by next week by recommending some prayer boosters that can help facilitate effective prayer that can attract God's speedy response. God bless you!
Pastor Kelechi Nzeh.
HYMN
BLESSED SAVIOUR WHAT SHALL WE BRING?
Chorus:
Blessed Saviour, what shall we bring?
Blessed Saviour, what shall we bring?
Blessed Saviour, what shall we bring?
To offer to the King
The wise may bring their learning,
the rich may bring their wealth,
And some may bring their greatness,
and some bring strength and health;
We, too, would bring our treasures
to offer to the King;
We have no wealth or learning;
what shall we children bring?
We'll bring Him hearts that love Him;
we'll bring Him thankful praise,
And young souls meekly striving
to walk in holy ways;
And these shall be the treasures
we offer to the King,
And these are gifts that even
the poorest child may bring.
We'll bring the little duties
we have to do each day;
We'll try our best to please Him,
at home, at school, at play;
And better are these treasures
to offer to our King;
Than richest gifts without them
yet these a child may bring
Chorus:
Blessed Saviour, what shall we bring?
Blessed Saviour, what shall we bring?
Blessed Saviour, what shall we bring?
To offer to the King
The wise may bring their learning,
the rich may bring their wealth,
And some may bring their greatness,
and some bring strength and health;
We, too, would bring our treasures
to offer to the King;
We have no wealth or learning;
what shall we children bring?
We'll bring Him hearts that love Him;
we'll bring Him thankful praise,
And young souls meekly striving
to walk in holy ways;
And these shall be the treasures
we offer to the King,
And these are gifts that even
the poorest child may bring.
We'll bring the little duties
we have to do each day;
We'll try our best to please Him,
at home, at school, at play;
And better are these treasures
to offer to our King;
Than richest gifts without them
yet these a child may bring
SUNDAY SCHOOL
TOPIC: Building with Passion
TEXT: Nehemiah 1 - 6
FOCUS: Attitude, Availability, Caring, Commitment, Influence, Zealousness.
Memory Verse: Nehemiah 4:14
LESSON OUTLINE
1. THE PASSION OF A BUILDER
2. THE PREPARATION OF A BUILDER
3. THE PARTNERS OF A BUILDER
4. OPPOSITION AND OBSTACLES
5. THE SUCCESS OF THE BUILDER
TEXT: Nehemiah 1 - 6
FOCUS: Attitude, Availability, Caring, Commitment, Influence, Zealousness.
Memory Verse: Nehemiah 4:14
LESSON OUTLINE
1. THE PASSION OF A BUILDER
2. THE PREPARATION OF A BUILDER
3. THE PARTNERS OF A BUILDER
4. OPPOSITION AND OBSTACLES
5. THE SUCCESS OF THE BUILDER
MORNING MANNA
THEME: The True Perception of the Church
TOPIC: The Called Out People
TEXT: 1 Pt 2:9-10; Eph 2:19; Col 1:13
TOPIC: The Called Out People
TEXT: 1 Pt 2:9-10; Eph 2:19; Col 1:13
ANNOUNCEMENT
1. Next Sunday: Special Sunday/Anointing service
2. House fellowship holds at our various centres by 5pm
3. Bible study holds by 6pm on Wednesdays, don’t miss it.
4. The 4th night of our 14-nights vigil holds this Friday, 29th July, 2016 by 11pm prompt.
5. Evangelism business meeting holds immediately after Friday vigil.
2. House fellowship holds at our various centres by 5pm
3. Bible study holds by 6pm on Wednesdays, don’t miss it.
4. The 4th night of our 14-nights vigil holds this Friday, 29th July, 2016 by 11pm prompt.
5. Evangelism business meeting holds immediately after Friday vigil.
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