"HOW CAN I TAKE CONTROL OF MY THOUGHTS?"

Monday January 19, 2015

"HOW CAN I TAKE CONTROL OF MY THOUGHTS?"
Proverbs 4:23 Pr 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it [are] the issues of life.

Many Christians struggle with this issue, especially in our highly technological world, but taking control of our thoughts is essential. The “heart” includes the mind and all that proceeds from it. Someone said that every sin we commit, we commit twice, once in our thoughts and again when we act upon those thoughts. It is easier to rid our lives of sin if we attack it at this fundamental thought level rather than waiting for it to become rooted in our lives by our actions and then try to pull it out.

There is also a difference between being tempted (a thought entering into the mind) and sinning (dwelling upon an evil thought and wallowing in it). It is important to understand that when a thought enters our mind, we examine it based upon God's Word and determine if we should continue down that path or reject the thought and replace it with another thought. If we have already allowed a habit to form in our thought lives, it becomes more difficult to change the path of our thoughts. Here are some biblical suggestions for taking control of our thoughts and getting rid of wrong thoughts: 

1. Be knowledgeable in God's Word so that when a sinful thought enters our mind (a temptation), we will be able to recognize it for what it is and know what course to take. Jesus in the wilderness (Matthew 4) responded to each of Satan's temptations with Scripture that applied to the direction He knew His mind should take instead of beginning down the path of the sinful thought. 

2. Live in dependence upon the Holy Spirit, chiefly through seeking His strength through prayer. If you rely upon your own strength, you will fail 3. Do not to feed your mind with that which will promote sinful thoughts. Romans 13:14 states, "But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts." Thus, we are to avoid periodicals, videos, websites, conversations and situations that will set us up for a fall. We should also avoid spending time with those who would encourage us down these wrong paths.

Meditation Point

Matthew 5:28 but I say unto you, that every one that looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

Prayer Point

Almighty and ever-living God, Let your fatherly hand guide me and Your Holy Spirit be with me to direct my thoughts in the knowledge and obedience of Your Word that we may abstain from every negative and evil thoughts.

 - Dr. Halidu Abraham(MBBS, FWACS)


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CHRISTIANS CALLED SALT

Sunday January 18, 2015

CHRISTIANS CALLED SALT

Matthew 5:13. Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

Jesus used the concepts of salt and light a number of different times to refer to the role of His followers in the world. One example is found in Matthew 5:13: “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.” Salt had two purposes in the Middle East of the first century. Because of the lack of refrigeration, salt was used to preserve food, especially meat which would quickly spoil in the desert environment. Believers in Christ are preservatives to the world, preserving it from the evil inherent in the society of ungodly men whose unredeemed natures are corrupted by sin (Psalm 14:3; Romans 8:8).

 
Second, salt was used then, as now, as a flavor enhancer. In the same way that salt enhances the flavor of the food it seasons; the followers of Christ stand out as those who “enhance” the flavor of life in this world. Christians, living under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and in obedience to Christ, will inevitably influence the world for good, as salt has a positive influence on the flavor of the food it seasons. Where there is strife, we are to be peacemakers; where there is sorrow, we are to be the ministers of Christ, binding up wounds, and where there is hatred, we are to exemplify the love of God in Christ, returning good for evil (Luke 6:35).

In the analogy of light to the world, the good works of Christ’s followers are to shine for all to see. The following verses in Matthew 5 highlight this truth: “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16, NASB). The idea here is similar—the presence of light in darkness is something which is unmistakable. The presence of Christians in the world must be like a light in the darkness, not only in the sense that the truth of God’s Word brings light to the darkened hearts of sinful man (John 1:1-10), but also in the sense that our good deeds must be evident for all to see.

In view of these verses, what sorts of things can hinder or prevent you from fulfilling your role as salt and light in the world this year? Make a choice to live for Christ, any choice on your part which blurs the distinction between you and the rest of the world is a step in the wrong direction.

Meditation Point

The losses of saltiness occur in the failure of the Christian to daily take up the cross and follow Christ wholeheartedly. Only by remaining focused on Christ and being obedient to Him can we expect to remain salt and light in the world.

Prayer Point

Almighty God, give me grace that I cast away the works of darkness and put on the armor of light, that throughout this year I shall in glorious majesty shine for Christ
 - Dr. Halidu Abraham(MBBS, FWACS)


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PRAISE BRINGS BREAKTHROUGH

Saturday January 17, 2015

FASTING AND PRAYER - DAY FOURTEEN

PRAISE BRINGS BREAKTHROUGH

Matthew 1:3 And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram;

Our passage for the day says this: Judah the father of Perez.  Now that may not mean anything to you yet, but hopefully you will be as excited as I am in just a few minutes!

Judah means PRAISE. Perez means Breakthrough!

Judah the father of Perez means Praise unto the Lord is the father of Breakthrough!

In 1st Chronicles 13:1-14 God moved mightily in Battle, so much so the place the arc of the covenant was kept was called Perez Uzza or “Exploded” Uzza.  When God is present in our lives there is BREAKTHROUGH, our circumstances are EXPLODED! What brings us into the presence of God? Praise! He inhabits the Praise of His people.

Psalms 111:10 Amplified says The reverent fear and worship of the Lord is the beginning of [a]Wisdom and skill [the preceding and the first essential, the prerequisite and the alphabet]; a good understanding, wisdom, and meaning have all those who do [the will of the Lord]. Their praise of Him endures forever.

We are supposed to shout out His praises as we end our fast and march onward to victory in 2015. Shouts of our praises to God, goes ahead of us. They alert the world around us spiritually and physically that something is happening!

I believe that as we shout with a voice of triumph in our praises to God we declare in the spirit realms that God has arrived in the camp!

Jericho didn’t just come down because of the marching, no, those walls fell because the sound waves of the praise of God collided with the wall, and the wall COULD NOT STAND! Sound that becomes praise is like supersonic spiritual bomb.  It blows up your circumstances, it breaks down those walls, and it tells the enemy that God is bigger than anything he can throw at us!

Today We shall praise him in spirit and in truth; we shall praise him with our voices, with our instruments, with our bodies, with groaning, with spiritual songs. All of these scriptural praises usher in the presence of God for 2015. GOD IS HERE! Satan has no power anymore! Out of this PRAISE comes Breakthrough! Strongholds shall be broken, chains fall off our lives, and real joy takes root in us and brings a peace that nothing in the world compares to. We shall live glory to glory. Breakthrough to breakthrough. Blessing to blessing.  JUDAH was the father of PEREZ! Excited yet?

- Dr. Halidu Abraham(MBBS, FWACS)



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PRAYERS FOR FINANCIAL BREAKTHROUGH

Friday January 16, 2015

FASTING AND PRAYER - DAY TWELVE

PRAYERS FOR FINANCIAL BREAKTHROUGH

Deuteronomy 5:33

Stay on the path that the Lord your God has commanded you to follow. Then you will live long and prosperous lives in the land you are about to enter and occupy.

God wants His children to be prosperous. He tells us in His word that He wants us to prosper.

Ezekiel 36:11

I will increase not only the people, but also your animals. O mountains of Israel, I will bring people to live on you once again. I will make you even more prosperous than you were before. Then you will know that I am the Lord.

Matthew 6:33

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

Our heavenly Father does not object to His children having money; it is the love of money that is the problem. When having money becomes more important than Him, when becoming rich and successful becomes our God, this is when having more than enough is sinful.

Being prosperous is not about buying the most expensive items the world tells us we cannot live without. Being prosperous, having an abundance of resources, having more than enough is about helping and providing for God's children.

Prayers for Financial Breakthrough

1. Because I have made Your cause my cause, and because I have made Your House my house, I thank You that the windows of heaven are being opened to me in 2015, and that You are protecting me from every assault of the enemy (Malachi 3:8-12).
2. In 2015 give me the ability, health and strength to create wealth (Deut 8:18),
3. No beneficial thing will You withhold from me (Psalm 84:11). In my house will be wealth and riches (Psalm 112:3), and in that day of prosperity I will rejoice and remember your goodness (Eccles 7:14).
4. You are El-Shaddai, God Almighty, the All-Sufficient One, the God of plenty. You are the Source of “more than enough” (Genesis17:1). Father, you always exceed the needs I have. You are my Shepherd; I shall not want (Psalm 23:1). You are Jehovah-Jireh, the One who goes before and You will make a way when there is no way, and in the midst of every need I will find provision this year (Genesis 22:14).
5. I am blessed going in and going out. I’m blessed with faithful Abraham. I have the favor of God. Money comes to me right now. My prosperity is paid for. Money comes to me right now.

- Dr. Halidu Abraham(MBBS, FWACS)



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