#steveezekiel

[steveezekiel]

Click the link to watch this video on the 4 different types of Faith we have!

Join me as I expantiate on the various types of faith found in the Bible and learn how to cultivate a strong, Bible-based faith in our lives.

[steveezekiel]

THE FERTILITY OF THE HEARTS AND THE WORD

1. On the same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the sea. 2. And great multitudes were gathered together to Him, so that He got into a boat and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore. 3. Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: “Behold, a sower went out to sow. 4. And as he sowed, SOME SEED FELL BY THE WAYSIDE; and the birds came and devoured them. 5. SOME FELL ON STONY PLACES, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. 6. But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away. 7. AND SOME FELL AMONG THORNS, and the thorns sprang up and choked them. 8. BUT OTHERS FELL ON GOOD GROUND and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 9. He who has ears to hear, let him hear! Matthew 13:1-9 (NKJV) READ: Matthew 13:18-23

• The goal of a farmer when seeds are sown is the harvest. - God is the farmer in the story and His Word is the seed being sown to the heart of the people. THE goal of the Farmer, God, is to harvest after a period of time. - The Word of God which you are hearing is meant to produce results in your life. GOD expects a bountiful harvest of good character!

• The seed that fell on the hard path—footpath or wayside (Matthew 13:4) - Those who hear the Good News, the Word of God about the Kingdom, but could not understand it. IT is not only they could not understand it, the evil or wicked one came and snatched the seed away from their hearts (Mathew 13:19). - If the Word of God has no place in your heart, you cannot grow and bear fruit. - You should treasure the Word of God. Do not treat it with triviality, rather let priority be given to it. Let it have a place in your heart, not the footpath or wayside of your heart: "I HAVE HIDDEN YOUR WORD IN MY HEART, that I might not sin against you" (Psalm 119:11 NLT). - Hard path, footpath or wayside of your heart could mean the condition of your heart and your attitude to the Word of God. The place you give to the Word of God in your Life. - Footpath also could mean, not giving consideration to the Word, being indifferent to the Word of God. - In most cases, those who are indifferent to the Word of God are the people who have their own plans, and they have purposed or determined to do whatever they wanted to do, thus they would not want God's involvement because they have rigidly planned what they wanted to do. - It may be difficult for such people to drop whatever they had planned to do, except they are dealt with by God [because God does resist the proud, due to the fact that being rigid and adamant is tantamount to pride]; when such meet resistance and opposition, they are made to be willing, and  submissive to whatever God may want them to do (1 Peter 5:5; James 4:6). - When the Word of God takes the last place in your Life, it means it is at the Footpath or wayside, the devil can easily come and pick it away because you do not value it—you do not treasure it in the first place. - You can easily be deceived by the loyalists of the evil one, the devil—false prophets, false teachers who peddle false DOCTRINE, because you do not give any place or credibility to the Word of God (Acts 20:29-31). - If you hid His Word in your heart, you will overcome temptations and escape traps of the devil, and his agents—the humans who are loyal to him.

1. But there were also false prophets among the people, EVEN AS THERE WILL BE FALSE TEACHERS AMONG YOU, WHO WILL SECRETLY BRING IN DESTRUCTIVE HERESIES, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. 2. AND MANY WILL FOLLOW THEIR DESTRUCTIVE WAYS, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3. BY COVETOUSNESS THEY WILL EXPLOIT YOU WITH DECEPTIVE WORDS; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber." Peter 2:1-3 (NKJV)

• The rocky soil or stony places (Matthew 13:5,20) - The rocky soil represents those who heard the message or the Word, received it with Joy and enthusiasm, but the fact that they are not rooted in God themselves, they easily fall away as soon as they are persecuted, or they experienced tribulations because of the Word (Matthew 13:20,21). - The plant on the shallow soil with underlying rock can not go deep—the root cannot go deeper because of the rock underneath, thus it cannot be strong. - If you make your heart Stony, you do not allow the Word, that is, you are not opened to the Word of God; you may not be established and grow in the knowledge of God. WHEN persecution arises because of the Word, you may not be able to resist and withstand it—because your heart is Stony, it does not accommodate the Word of God. IN Christian journey as you started learning about God and His Kingdom, and you want to put the Word to practice, you will definitely face opposition and tribulations (2 Timothy 3:12). - The Blessings of the Kingdom, as they were, are gotten through the practice of the Word of God (James 1:22,25). ALBEIT, when you attempt to practice the Word, or do it, you will be challenged by the devil (Revelation 12:17). - When you newly received the Word and you become a believer in Christ Jesus, you may not have to persevere much in prayer to receive whatever you ask from God, however, persecutions and tribulations will come as time goes on. AT the babyhood stage of your Christian life, you receive virtually whatever you ask from God in prayer because you are an infant, but with time, God will allow the Word which you have received to be tried and tested through challenges and persecutions (James 1:2-4). - The truth is, the Word of God that you received shall be tested or proved. PERSECUTION and tribulations will arise because of the Word: "YES, AND ALL WHO DESIRE TO LIVE GODLY IN CHRIST JESUS WILL SUFFER PERSECUTION" (2 Timothy 3:12). - The more you grow in the Word of God, and the higher you get in the things of the Spirit; the more the challenges and persecutions you face (Acts 6:8-13). - Knowledge provokes opposition, and the anointing attracts attacks (Acts 6:8-13). THE HIGHER the working knowledge of the Word you have, and the anointing of the Holy Spirit on your Life; the tougher the challenges from the kingdom of darkness (2 Corinthians 4:10,11). THE devil would want to fight against the Word and resist your progress in the things of God—the Kingdom.

• The thorny grounds, the seeds that fell among the thorns (Matthew 13:7) - Those who received the Word among the thorns allowed the cares of this world [the worries of this life], and lures of wealth [deceitfulness of riches] to choke the Word, and they become UNFRUITFUL (Matthew 13:22). - If you give priority to the things of the world than the spiritual things: the Word of God, prayer, and other spiritual exercises that will enhance your spiritual growth—you may not go far in the Kingdom. - The care of life and love of wealth have made many lose their salvation, or their places in God: "DEMAS HAS DESERTED ME [Paul] BECAUSE HE LOVES THE THINGS OF THIS LIFE AND HAS GONE TO THESSALONICA" (2 Timothy 4:10). READ: 1 Timothy 6:5; 1 John 2:15-17 - Salvation, that is, redemption of your soul, and the call of GOD on your Life are much more important than any worldly achievement or attainment (Philippians 3:7,8). - Whatever you achieve or get when you are not in God, OR when you go astray from Him can lead to destruction: "FOR WHAT PROFIT IS IT TO A MAN IF HE GAINS THE WHOLE WORLD, AND LOSES HIS OWN SOUL? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Matthew 16:26) NOTHING in the world is greater than the salvation of your soul, that is, your relationship with God, and the assignment given you by God. THE salvation of your soul is more than the whole world (Mark 8:36).

• The fertile soil, good ground (Matthew 13:8) - The fertile or good soil represents those who's hearts received the Word of God and allowed it to germinate, grow up and mature, and produced results, that is, the harvest (Matthew 13:23). THE Word of God in your heart is expected to produce huge harvest. - You are the one who determines the kind of heart with which you receive the Word. YOU can make your heart a footpath or wayside heart; Rocky and stony heart; thorny heart; or good and fertile heart. - Your heart, that is, your Life is expected to produce huge harvest of hundred, sixty, and thirty TIMES.

1. “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2. EVERY BRANCH IN ME THAT DOES NOT BEAR FRUIT HE TAKES AWAY; AND EVERY BRANCH THAT BEARS FRUIT HE PRUNES, THAT IT MAY BEAR MORE FRUIT." John 15:1,2 (NKJV) READ: John 15:16

• You will not fail in Jesus' name. Peace!

[steveezekiel]

CAN THE GIFT OF GOD BE BOUGHT WITH MONEY?

18. “And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money,

19. saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”

20. But Peter said to him, “Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money!

21. You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God.”

       Acts 8:18-21 (NKJV)

 • If the call of God and the baptism of the Holy Spirit were given by man, some would bribe their way to have them.

- Jesus is a gift to sinners, unbelievers; while the Holy Spirit is a gift to believers (John 3:16; 4:16,17; Acts 2:38).

- You have to be born of the Spirit before you can receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit (John 3:5,6; Acts 1:4,5; 8:14-17).

- Holy Spirit is not for the world, that is, baptism of the Holy Spirit is not for those who are not born-again (John 14:16,17).

 • Peter told the crowd who gathered to listen to his preaching on the Day of Pentecost to repent, that they might receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

“Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Acts 2:38 (NKJV)

- Repentance, genuine salvation, is needed for you to be whatever you desire to be in the Lord (Romans 10:9,10).

- It may not be bad outright if you desire to be used of the Lord, but the motive in your heart and how you go by it, matter to God (1Timothy 3:1).

- Simon the sorcerer who had claimed to be saved, offered money to the apostles to give him the power to lay hands on people, that whomever he lays hand on might receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:13,17-19).

 • There are some in the church of Christ today who are mixed multitude, foreign rabble, who have no genuine salvation; yet they are desperate to stand in the ministry offices: they want the call of God, they desire the gifts and the anointing of the Holy Spirit on their lives.

- God has not called them nor chosen them; yet they do not mind to offer money 💰 to get their hearts’ desire. They are ready to bribe their way through (Exodus 12:38; Matthew 7:20-23; Acts 8:13,17-19).

- The call of God is honourable, it is given by God, and God only– it cannot be bought with money.

“And no man takes this honor to himself, but he who is called by God, just as Aaron was.”

Hebrews 5:4 (NKJV)

 • Those whose hearts are not right in the church would want to bribe their way to be used by God.

-          If you have desire to be used by God, He probably did put the desire in you.

“for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.”

Philippians 2:13 (NKJV)

 “This is a faithful saying: IF A MAN DESIRES THE POSITION OF A BISHOP, HE DESIRES A GOOD WORK.”

1Timothy 3:1 (NKJV)

 - However the desire is not a thing to be pursued with an impure motive, it should not be a thing you want to get through a dubious means.

- When the desire to be used of God in a person got to the point that, he is ready or willing to do anything, even unrighteous thing, to get it accomplished– it means the desire might not be of God. The agitation might have ulterior motive, wrong motive that is not of God.

- Whoever has agitation to be used by God to the point of offering bribe: supplanting or defaming others, that he may be considered for a post in the church–then something is wrong (2 Samuel 15:1-6).

 • Anyone called genuinely by God would rather or a bit apprehensive about it.

- If you study the Scriptures carefully, most of the people used mightily by God were hesitant when they were called, they had feelings of unworthiness.

- They were not quick to receive the offer, the call, they had sense of inadequacies.                                        

- For example: Moses gave series of excuses why he would not be able to do the assignment given him by God (Exodus 3:10-14; 4:1-5,10-13).

- Gideon, Jeremiah, and some others were full of excuses when they were called–they had sense of inadequacies (Judges 6:11-16; Jeremiah 1:4-8).

 • In most cases, anyone who agitates to be used of God to the point of offering bribe: who wants to supplant or malign others to have his way, such might not be called by God.

- He may have other motives, motive of making money 💰– his motive may not be mainly about serving God or working to expand God’s Kingdom (1Timothy 6:5).

18. “For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, THAT THEY ARE THE ENEMIES OF THE CROSS OF CHRIST:

19. WHOSE END IS DESTRUCTION, WHOSE GOD IS THEIR BELLY, AND WHOSE GLORY IS IN THEIR SHAME—WHO SET THEIR MIND ON EARTHLY THINGS.”

Philippians 3:18,19 (NKJV)

 • If God has not called you into the work of ministry, do not force yourself to do it.

- However if you are called; be satisfied, content, with whatever God has called you to do.

- Do not intrude into the ministerial office you are not called to (1Timothy 6:6-11).

- If you are not called to be a prophet, do not try to be one. Every minister  must know the call of God on their lives: Am I an apostle, a prophet, an evangelist, a pastor, or a teacher?

 • Anointing for the office you are not called into would not be on your life. In other words, the anointing to operate in the ministry office you are not called into would not be on your life.

“And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets , some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers.”

Ephesians 4:11(NKJV)

- Every minster must know what God has called them to do!

- You must know the gift of God in your life and the anointing God has placed on your life.

- You need to know the spiritual equipments you are endowed with, to fulfill your vision.

- Simon the sorcerer wanted to buy the power to lay hand on people, that whoever he lays hand on may receive the Holy Spirit– but he received a rebuke and a curse instead (Acts 8:20-23).

- Let you motive be right!

 • You will not fail in Jesus’ name.

Peace!

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[steveezekiel]

ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD

“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.” Matthew 4:1(NKJV)

• You may be facing challenges where you are now, and you are wondering why you are passing through what you are passing through. - You may even have the conviction in your heart that you are led where you are by God, you are at the center of God’s will– ‘Why then the challenges and tribulations?’

• Truths: - The fact that you are led to a place by God does not mean everything would be smooth, and without any stress or challenge. - In the above Bible passage, it says, “Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.” Mathews 4:1(NKJV) - Jesus did not lead Himself to the wilderness, He was led by the Holy Spirit to be tempted by the devil – ‘Can the Holy Spirit lead one into problem?’ - The fact that you are at the center of God’s will does not mean the devil will not challenge you– you may be doing the right thing that was commanded by God, yet facing challenges and opposition (2Corinthians 4:8-10; 1Thessalonians 3:3; 2Timothy3:12). - You may be appointed by God to do a particular thing, still you suffer in a bid to do it. 11. “to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. 12. For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless, I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.” 2 Timothy 1:11,12(NKJV)

• Paul and his team were divinely led into the region of Macedonia, yet when they got there, Paul and Silas were arrested and imprisoned after an exploit in ministerial work (Acts 16:9-24). - You should not be despaired about what you are passing through at your place of assignment– God knows about it; He will make a way out of it. “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” 1Corinthians 10:13(NKJV)

• You believe you are led into a particular thing by God: a business, a relationship, a ministry, or an assignment; and yet in it, you are facing challenges– know that there is a purpose for it. - Jesus made it known to us that we will have tribulation in the world, but we should be cheerful, He has overcome the world (John 16:33). - Do not doubt whether God is with you, He is, since He led you there– He knows about what you are passing through. – All you need to do is: find a purpose in the problem you are facing; and know what God is calling your attention to do in that predicament.

• Cultivate the habit of praising God in all situation (Hebrews 13:15). - Of course, you are not praising God for what the devil is doing– you are praising God for the fact that He will prove Himself strong on your behalf i.e., in your situation (2Chronicles 16:9). -  When Paul and Silas were in that prison in Macedonia, where they were led by the Holy Spirit; they prayed and sang praises to God, they did not murmur – and God moved on their behalf, caused their release (Act 16:25,26).

• The purpose in Paul’s and Silas’ arrest was later known– the jailer and all his household were saved (Acts 16:27-34). -  We can deduce from the passage that, one out of other reasons why God led Paul and his team to the Region of Macedonia was the salvation of the jailer and his household (Acts 16:25-34).

• If you are led into a thing, and you are facing challenges in it, you do not need to opt out; cooperate with God and submit to His will– strive to know why you are led into it.

• Do not murmur or complain. “Nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer.” 1 Corinthians 10:10(NKJV)

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”          Romans 8:28(NKJV)

• Jesus knew His mission on earth will entail suffering, yet He obeyed God– He submitted to the will of God the Father (Philippians 2:5-8). -  His obedience gave Him the name that is above every other name, He was highly exalted. 9. “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10. that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11. and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”          Philippians 2:9-11(NKJV)

• Allow God’s will to be done in your life. - Stay put at the place where you are led, till you have fulfilled your assignment there; or you receive another command to move.

• You will not fail in Jesus’ name. Peace!

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