LOVE COVENANT

Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. Matthew 22:36-40.

The word of God is divided into Moses, the law and the prophets before Christ. While Moses is the covenant books, the law is the Jewish lifestyle and the prophets spoke of Christ in advance. As the discourse rages in some quarters that the law is fulfilled and abolished, many are unaware that Jesus practiced and preached the law & the prophets. Jesus practiced fully the law before becoming the fulfilment of the law. He also established a new order based on love & mercy, not on judgement.

The blood that was shed on the cross was the bridge to the new covenant. The new covenant in his blood is the love covenant; that was how salvation came to all. He made it so clear that God was interested in saving the world, not just the Jews. God was unwilling for any to perish, he made a love sacrifice to save all.

“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:14-16.

On the cross was the sacrifice of Jesus as the gift of love for the world to be saved. There is no one that cannot be saved, healed or delivered. If Saul the persecutor of the church became Paul an Apostle, all can be saved. Apart from the natural Jews, there is a generation of spiritual Jews in Christ. Everyone that believes in Jesus experiences the power of love in his blood. The cross of Christ is the only ritual that saves man from sin and death. His love has made a way for us to connect to God by his death.

Salvation is freely available but neither cheap nor diminished in value. The blood is the price of redemption, his death is the cost of our salvation. The love covenant sets us free from the hold of sin and death. No one is permitted to perish, he died hat we might live eternally.

“But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.”Hebrews 9:11-12.

Prayer: Dear Father, the blood of Jesus is the token for sin and death, the price for redemption of man. Thank you for not willing that any should perish but that all be saved. Thank you for the love covenant in Jesus name.

THE HEART OF THE MATTER

My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. Pro 4:20-22.

Through the resurrection of Christ, we know that there is God and a devil, heaven and hell, eternal life and death. Access to these places are granted by the life lived while on earth. The heart controls the man, whatever or whoever is in control of the mind is in control of the man.

The heart has doors and windows that give or deny access to the man. These are called five physical senses; sight, smell, touch, hearing and taste. They give or deny access to God or good and the devil or evil. The desire or will of God is for our heart to be totally connected to him. A heart that is fully connected by paying attention his word through all the five senses. When his word gains access to your heart, good rewards come to pass. They give eternal life and wellbeing to those that are so connected.

The heart is the centre of worship of God or idols; whatever gains control of it. The heart cannot worship both God and Mammon; it chooses one and despises the other.

“No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Mat 6:24.

The heart has a default setting when giving the choice of two competing interests. It chooses one and despises the other so as to have passion and pursuit. Mammon is the god of gold or greed; so many serve mammon instead of the true God. God is worshipped, served or loved totally, fully or not at all; this is heart of the matter.

The heart must be connected to the word of God through all available channels to maximize the benefit of worship. One man puts it succinctly, the word of God becomes your television and radio; your delight and desire. Mammon is an alternative or man-made god; it shuts down divine connection. Money is neither good nor evil, the heart determines the use. Worship or service to God is the first and great commandment; the heart of the matter.

The heart cannot be shared, neither in love, worship, or service to God. Serve and love the lord, with all your heart, soul, mind and substance; no idol will have a place.

“Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. Mat 22:36-38

Prayer: My Father, your commandment places me in command of life and destiny. What you command, I obey! May I continually serve you with all my heart, soul, mind and substance in the name of Jesus.

ALTERNATIVES: Man-made gods

And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him. And Aaron said unto them, Break off the golden earrings, which are in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring them unto me. Exodus 32:1-2.

It hurts whenever shame exchange glory; this is in the form of worthless worship of things instead of God. Moses was delayed, and the people became impatient; Up make us gods! A self help project led by some persons of influence and affluence to create something affordable, tangible which was cut to budget; a god of gold. Imagine someone going to shop for a god to worship and expect life fulfilment.

One of the products of man’s impatience is a life of cheap alternatives. Idolatry in all it’s ramifications is a mockery and imitation of the true God. How cheap is your god? Watch out that you do not worship an affordable god. The commandment not to worship another God is not heeded by some.

“For thou shalt worship no other god:for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God: Lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and they go a whoring after their gods, and do sacrifice unto their gods, and one call thee, and thou eat of his sacrifice;”Exodus 34:14-15.

It’s so easy to serve an idol or cheap alternatives; it is usually affordable. A spare tire to life, a rear view mirror, a reverse gear from true worship. Many come to church with cheap alternatives and expect God’s endorsement. These man-made gods deprives the will of God for life and destiny. The best deserves a wait, your best alternative cannot compare to God’s original intent. Many endure alternatives, even when the best is within reach for enjoyment. Alternatives have torn the hearts of some apart from God. Man made gods provoke God to jealousy instead of love and mercy. Put away the toys and the gods of gold or cheap affordable alternatives; that is why Jesus died on the cross.

Whenever worship is not Christ-centered, a man made god is worshipped. Worshipping God is either with all your heart, or not at all. Jesus is either lord of all, or not lord at all; brethren, save yourselves from idols.

“No man can serve two masters:for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”Matthew 6:24.

Prayer: Father, you sent Jesus to deliver my soul from the grasp of idols. Grace receive to destroy and put away alternatives or man-made gods in Jesus name.

THIS KIND OF LOVE

 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.John 3:14-16

Love is the most misunderstood word in contemporary times in my opinion. Everyone loves, everything is loved, and there is love everywhere. Many have become victims, others emancipated and some propagates by love. Love always has an objective, process and product. There are several types of love, their objectives, it’s specific target and rewards are different. Love is not a saying, it’s in deeds and in truth.

Many have been loved in words but deeds are the hallmark or definition of love. God loved the world, the target of his love that he gave, the process of his love, eternal life is the product of his love. Love is still the greatest force at work on the earth; one may wonder, what kind of love? From eros to philia and agape;! Love is at work, the hearts of men are moved.

“But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:”Ephesians 2:4-6.

How far can the love of God for the world go? Or how great is his love to man? The love of God gave Jesus to the world as a token of eternal life. The proof of the love of God is that Jesus died for sinners. He died for love, not as a martyr or a hero but as a sacrifice for sin. He died that we might live for him that died for us.

There is no greater love, no better gift than what Christ has done. His death was of no benefit to himself but to those for whom he died. Every kind of love has limit and boundaries but his love is without measure. He gave everything for those who knew not him, expecting the salvation of their souls in return; the great gift of love. From the cross, the love of God has been on hold, waiting for you to believe.

“For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.”2 Corinthians 5:14-15.

Prayer: Father, I am alive because he died, raised by his resurrection. Thank you for the power of love made manifest by Christ Jesus. I am the reason he came, may I continually live for him that died and rose again in Jesus name.

CITIZENS & AMBASSADORS

The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me:for he was before me. John 1:29-30.

There are many reasons for a man to die. Some have died for what they believe and are called martyrs. Those that die for a country or cause are hailed as heroes and celebrated. War is not fair, collateral damage is the norm and lots of innocent people are victims. These soldiers are celebrated in elaborate ceremonies and remembered. Jesus was neither a soldier, a martyr nor a hero. He died, not by mistake nor in error but as a sacrifice for the sins of the world.

What a way to introduce a man, John the baptist called him ” the lamb of God” It’s very obvious that the death, burial and resurrection was not an afterthought but a definite plan and purpose proclaimed by prophecy. Every prophecy of scripture is either about his coming, death, burial or his resurrection.

“Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death:because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:”Acts 2:23-25.

Man did not land on the moon by chance, neither do aircrafts fly in error. Determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God was his coming, life, death, burial, resurrection and ascension according to scriptures. Every step by the way was the fulfillment of God’s plans and purposes. The new man is also the end product of his plan for redemption of man. Becoming a spirit, having a soul and living In a body is Gods plan for you. As many countries celebrate their independence and nationhood, I am also delighted to celebrate my redemption and citizenship of heaven.

Redemption is not a reduction of destiny but a completion and accomplishment of the plan of God for your life. We are citizens of heaven by redemption and ambassadors of Christ on the earth. I so declare, do you?

“Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us:we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”2 Corinthians 5:20-21.

Prayer: Father I thank you for the gift of redemption; citizenship of heaven and an ambassador on the earth. It’s a total package from the death resurrection and life of Christ. Thank you for these redemption packages and much more in Jesus name.

CHEAP GODS

Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:1 Peter 1:18-19.

We went for outreach to a neighborhood not too far away from the church. In our characteristic manner, we share fliers or invite & announce the gospel. We walked into a compound with curious works of art and sculptures. We were confronted by a woman dressed in a white gown & cowrie beads. She was wroth with our presence, we apologized and gave her an invitation. As we were about to leave, we wondered why she was livid at us. We brought peace and a gift to your home yet you are not receptive. We told her that our God is generous and that’s why we were giving out things. A stingy God waits for gifts of cheap things like chicken goats and the like. She gave heed to the words we spoke and we parted at a friendly note after inviting her to church.

How cheap is your God, how stingy is your tradition; redemption delivers from traditional lifestyles and stereotypes.

“Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:”Colossians 1:12-15.

One of the emblems of idolatry is wickedness which is terminated by righteousness. God is not in need of tokens, he needs your heart for a change of story. Many are under the influence of wickedness and celebrate them as the norm. Youths dying in their prime, unexplained pattern of evil occurrences, breakdowns, shame and reproach; curses at work. One sacrifice is enough! The death of Jesus is sufficient to save & deliver. Those that subscribe to his death are translated from the domain of curses to blessing. They are raised above principalities, powers, wickedness and rulers of darkness. The blood of chickens and goats are too cheap, the blood of Jesus is sufficient.

The blood of Jesus is the seal for man’s exemption from curses.

“How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?”Hebrews 9:14.

 Prayer: Father God, thank you for the price of redemption and the cost of my salvation. The precious blood of Jesus is the seal of my salvation and redemption from idols and my sure access to righteousness. I can now serve the living God freely with all my heart, mind and might in Jesus name.

OFFSPRING OF GOD

Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device. And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Acts 17:29-30.

Heaven, hell and the afterlife were a guess before Christ, everyone has his version and they had several names. After the death and resurrection, Christ revealed them as geographic locations and him their administrator. The resurrection of Christ also reveals the true nature of man: a spirit, having a soul but living in a body.

Religion is the platform for guesswork & assumptions; Christ gives life, reality and certainty. Christ breaks the cycle of religion and brings certainty and reality to life. Idols are byproducts of human guesswork, no wonder they differ from one location to the other. God is not a guess, worshipping him is not a farce but a fact.

“But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth:for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit:and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”John 4:23-24.

Everyman looks like who he worships” the words of a wise man with details. The offsprings of God are like him; God is a Spirit, he made them spirits. Christ is the picture or image of God; the first born of the father. The curse of idolatry on Africa is terminated & we are translated in Christ. A stone, plastic beads, woodwork, sculpture, brassware, gold or silver cannot represent God. Those that worship him are changed into his image and nature.

A change of heart is the first step to worshipping God; repentance gives access to worship in spirt and truth.

“Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:” Colossians 1:12-15.

 Prayer: Father, thank you for making a way for me to become your offspring. God is a Spirit, I am a spirit in his image and likeness. My worship is in spirit and truth! Thank you lord Jesus.

CHARM OFFENSIVE

And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him:but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word. 1 Kings 18:21.

An altar call during the church conference was made to retrieve charms worn by some attendees. A heap of charms, amulets, contraptions was the product; and a bonfire was the end. This may come as a surprise to many; not everyone in church is in touch. The church is at its multitude era in Nigeria, it’s a hospital for the soul and everyone comes. The numbers are swelling, however the members are few; multitude ministries. Halting between two opinions is the norm until conviction comes.

The era of rejecting people from coming into congregations until conviction has passed. Without salvation, there is not spiritual connection. Many have given their life more than once, yet the connection has not been established, so they try other means until then and still come to church in hope. Giving your life to Christ does not bring magical rewards, it’s the beginning of redemption journey.

“But ye shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves: For thou shalt worship no other god:for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:”Exodus 34:13-14.

Many have provoked God to jealousy by idolatry. It’s one thing to have charms and amulets as an unbeliever, it’s another to come to church with one as a pseudo believer. Their lot have become worse because they have provoked the father of Spirits. Their charms fail, yet God is not working for them. The worst position is to sit on the fence, halting between two opinions. The worst charm offensive is sin; a carnal believer, importing the world into the church.

Sin short circuits the flow of the power of resurrection in church for miracles and turnarounds. One Achan is all it takes! When God becomes your enemy, who will help you? Stop it, before it stops you! God is seeking for worshippers, he saves, purges and changes their story. May you be found worthy of his call.

“And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.”1 John 5:20-21.

Prayer: My father, I know you’re the only true God and that the gods of men are idols. Redemption is my disconnection from idolatry to serve the true God. I receive more grace today dear lord to keep myself from the sin of idolatry in Jesus name.

REDEMPTION HOUR

That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth:so is every one that is born of the Spirit. John 3:6-8.

One of the turning points in my life was an understanding of the nature of the new man. I am not a spirit soul, and body but I am a spirit, having a soul and living in a body; does that sound familiar? I am a spirit, a human spirit. I like the song that says “I know who I am” it’s for those that have this nature. Understanding your identity is the key to living better than a nonentity. Every partaker of this nature connects and collects the riches of redemption. Everyone is born with a natural identity called flesh, supernatural birth is key to true worship. Resurrection gives birth to a new identity, a new man, a spirit man. Every one that died in Adam is quickened or made alive in Christ.

The resurrection of Christ brought to us the hour of redemption and the dead are raised or brand new men are born. Birds of the same feather flock together; Flesh to flesh, Spirit to spirit.

“But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth:for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit:and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”John 4:23-24.

True worship begins with a change of status from flesh to spirit. He is God of all, but father of them that have the same spiritual DNA; Spirits. Many seek to worship God, no flesh can worship him for lack of connection. Being born of the Spirit is the beginning of true worship; connection restored. Flesh cannot connect with the spirit nor can the spirit the flesh; only the cross connects. The power of resurrection changes flesh to spirit. Worship is the connection of the human spirit to the Holy Spirit of God. Worship makes God your father and you are sons of God. Those that worship the father of Spirits become more and more like him. Worship is not achieved, his presence does not come down, we go up!

Worship is the reason for redemption and a must for spirits of just men. I worship the father of spirits; I am a spirit, having a souls but living in a body. Redemption connects divinity and humanity in unique ways, I am an example. Redemption hour has just begun! The wind of change is blowing on the earth.

“But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,”Hebrews 12:22-23.

Prayer: My father, your desire for worshippers is one of the reasons Jesus died. The cross crucifies the flesh and a new spirit is released by the resurrection power. Now I cam worship God as my father being born again by the Spirit; thank you for my redemption. Now serve I the living God in Jesus name.