All posts filed under: Mid-week Boost

Divine Healing Is Provided in the Atonement

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The ministry of the priests under the Law foreshadowed the ministry of the great High Priest, Jesus Christ, who is able “to sympathize with our weaknesses (astheneia, weakness, sickness, disease, timidity, infirmity)” (Hebrews 4:14,15). The Old Testament priests, through the sprinkling of the blood of the sacrifices, made atonement for the sins of the people. An examination of the concept of atonement in the Bible shows that in most cases it refers to a ransom price paid for redemption and restoration, which points to the redemption through Christ accomplished by the shedding of His blood in our behalf. The apostle Paul described it this way: “God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood” (Romans 3:25). The phrase, “sacrifice of atonement,” translates the Greek hilastērion, which can be also translated expiation, propitiation, atonement, or mercy seat. Leviticus 16 records God’s expectations for Israel’s Day of Atonement and the ministry of the high priest sprinkling the blood of a sin offering on the atonement cover (the solid gold lid on top of …

The Right Way to Overcome Temptation

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Temptation is common to all men The Bible tell us that temptation is common to all men. We should never thing it strange when tempted. We should never think that  our struggle to resist temptation is unique to us alone. Jesus urged his disciples when He walked the face of the earth to develop a life of watching and praying so that they wouldn’t fall into temptation. In other places in the Bible, it says, that sin is constantly knocking at our door, and Satan is like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. We must do everything to resist temptation and sin by drawing near to God. How does one overcome temptation? James give us a strategy in his book chapter 1. Let’s take a look at what he teaches. “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Let no one say when tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be …

It is Illegal!

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In Alabama it’s illegal to drive a vehicle while you’re blindfolded. In Alaska it’s illegal to push a live moose out of a moving airplane. In Connecticut it’s illegal to walk across a street on your hands. In Indiana it’s illegal to bathe during the winter. In Vermont you must take at least one bath a week—on Saturday night. In Kentucky it’s illegal to transport ice cream in your pocket. In Massachusetts mourners at a wake may not eat more than three sandwiches. In the State of Grace it is illegal to gather your friends and throw a pity party

Holy Spirit: Hover over me – Rest upon me

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Genesis 1:2 The Spirit of the God was hovering over the waters Have you ever wondered what your church or your life would look like if there was a genuine and authentic move of the Spirit of God. I long again for the day when we would embrace His fullness in everything we do. I don’t mind all the new and creative things we are doing in our churches and the efforts individual believers are exerting to please God. But I am longing again for a move of God through His Spirit, because I’m convinced that where he is there is freedom, power and the ability to do greater things for God. He makes everything easy when He shows up. It is like the working of His mighty power within. When He is there, we do not only preach and teach than let  people go home without experiencing what we talked about in our sermons – we do it like Jesus did it: teaching, preaching, healing, and delivering those oppressed by the devil by the power of …

How do I get to the post office?

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In the book, The Leadership secrets of Billy Graham, W. Clement Stone writes a story about Billy Graham trying to find his way to the post office in a small town. Upon asking a boy how to get to the post office in this small town and upon getting directions he needed, Billy invited the boy to come to his meeting that evening, saying, “you will hear me telling everyone how to get to heaven.” The boy’s response was hilarious – he said, “I don’t think I will be there, you don’t even know your way to the post office.” Myra, Harold and Shelley, Marshall. The Leadership Secrets of Billy Graham. (Zondervan, 2005), page 49.

3 Things to remember in times of crisis

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Sometimes it is very easy to forget how near God is to us in times of crisis. When we get blindsided by a crisis, we sometimes think that we will be completely crushed by our enemies and God is just going to sit back and watch. That fear alone can completely paralyze trust, hope and faith. In those times it becomes especially important to remind ourselves that our God is faithful and has promised to be there for us in our times of need. I would like to use Isaiah 33 as an example to show us what God does in times of crisis. Assyria, Israel’s enemy had come against them with apparent impunity. But God will visit his people with his saving presence. I believe He will do the same for you in your time of crisis. Here are a few things to remember: The Lord defends his people You spoke in thunder and everyone ran. You showed up and nations scattered. Your people, for a change, got in on the loot, Picking the field clean of the enemy spoils. God …

Name above every name

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Three years after my native land (Liberia) was engulfed in a brutal civil war, I found myself in a foreign land trying to pick up the pieces of tragic loss. My father was dead, rebel soldiers were living in our home and the rest of the family lived in La Côte d’Ivoire among a people of strange tongue. Fortunately for me and my family, Jesus Christ had become not only a Savior but also a very close friend and we were enjoying a time of revival through the ministry of my spiritual father (Forrest Beiser) who was an American missionary to La Côte d’Ivoire. One evening as I walk home from church, I lived about a mile from church in the Riviera, residential area, I noticed a man walking toward me. The stench of liquor and rotten flesh went before him. I was kind of afraid at first, but when I realized he was limping I grew confident that I could him on if attacked. Just as he passed me by, he stopped and said …

It’s not about things but it’s all about Him!

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He is all I’ll Ever Need Sometimes all we want from God is a quick fix, a blessing, an answer to our questions or at least an explanation for our pain, sufferings and tragedies. So we cry out, fast and pray, seek, chase and pursue Him as if He is playing hide and go seek – until it dawns on us – that it is not about things but about Him. It’s about finding Him, being with Him, getting lost in Him, becoming crazy about Him, loving Him.  When you come to that place – than you will understand that this is all you want – all you will ever need – all you will ever live for. So today, let Him capture your heart again, let Him bring you to a place of depth in Him, a place you have never been before. A place where you are completely lost in the wonder of His love. Only than will you understand that it is not about things but it’s all about Him!

Ignite

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Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. NIV Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord. KJV Romans 12:11 The word Slothful/Lazy means to hesitate, to be slow. Slow and “poky” as in Matthew 25:26… “you wicked lazy slave… A lazy Christian is a contradiction of terms. Having been saved from the guilt and ravages of sin, the Christian is man at the zenith of his best powers. Strength, zeal, enthusiasm, vigor, and the full thrust of his total energy should distinguish the Christian’s performance in business, trade, profession, study, artistic creation, or in anything else that he pursues as a vocation; and, above everything, such qualities should characterize his devotion and service in the church. The opposite of what Paul commanded here is lukewarmness, a negative condition represented as disgusting to God himself (Revelation 3:16). Coffman’s Commentary I believe what God desires and applauds  in a believer is his or her passion and zeal not only for the things of God but for God himself. Here are four …

Come On my soul

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Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise Him, my salvation and my God. Psalm 43:5 Do you ever struggle with Sullenness? “the sinking discouragement, moodiness, hopelessness, unresponsiveness, withdrawn deadness of emotion”(John Piper). If you do, trust me, it is a very funky place that is very hard to snap out of. As long as your head in sunk deep in that discouraging deadness your song will be – “nobody knows the trouble I see.” But try learning and singing this song; allow the Holy Spirit’s power and a desperate cry to the Lord help snap you out of that funky place. Prayer: Lord, as the deer pants for flowing streams, so my soul for you… my soul thirst for you. I pour out my soul as I lift my prayers and praise to you. At the roar of your waterfalls, let all your breakers and waves come over me. Check out the entire album… just came out: Here is …