• You will finish your task and business in joy in Jesus name.
“But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, ….” (Act 20:24)
• Henceforth, you will rejoice with exceeding great joy
“When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.” (Mat 2:10)
Henceforth, whatever and as is received in joy, it shall not be taken from you.
“But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;” (Mat 13:20)
“And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:” (1Thess 1:6)
• Your life shall be filled with joy.
“And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.” (Act 13:52)
• Today your sorrow is turned to joy in Jesus name.
“…but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.” (John 16:20)
• No man or devil will take your joy anymore.
“… and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.” (John 16:22)
• You will see things that will give you joy.
“When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.” (Matt 2:10)
• You will daily hear news of joy
“But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;” (Mat 13:20)
• Because of your faithfulness to the things of God and His kingdom, you will enter the joy of the Lord
“His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: … enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” (Matt 25:21)
• People will hear you and leap for joy; your words will give joy to people in Jesus name.
“For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.” (Luk 1:44)
• You will not miss the joy of your life.
“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Heb 12:2)
• Your joy in this season shall be unspeakable
“Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:” (1Pet 1:8)
• Everywhere you go, you shall return with singing and joy shall be upon your head and not sorrow or mourning in Jesus name
“Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.” (Isa 51:11)
• You will have joy all the way in Jesus name.
• The Lord will make you to hear joy and have joy all the way in Jesus name.
“Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.” (Psa 51:8)
• In this season, your joy is restored in Jesus name
“Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.” (Psa 51:12)
• To every painful seed you have sown, you will reap in joy
“They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.” (Psa 126:5)
• Your joy henceforth is made full
“This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you.” (John 15:12)
• You will celebrate with unspeakable joy
“Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:” (1Pet 1:8)
• You shall go in your journey of life with joy
“Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, and Jehoshaphat in the forefront of them, to go again to Jerusalem with joy; for the LORD had made them to rejoice over their enemies.” (2Chro 20:27)
• Your celebration shall know no bound
“As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day: that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor.” (Est 9:22)
• Every mother/widow shall sing for joy
“…: and I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy.” (Job 29:13)
• This year you shall have joy
“The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honour. And in every province, and in every city, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a good day. And many of the people of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews fell upon them.” (Est 8:16-17)
• You are a son of God, therefore, you shall shout for joy
“When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?” (Job 38:7)
• Every sorrow is turned into joy
“In his neck remaineth strength, and sorrow is turned into joy before him.” (Job 41:22)
Apostle Lawrence Achudume
The General Overseer of Victory Life Bible Church Int'l
With branches spread across the globe
Can be reached on victory2life@yahoo.com
This message can be reproduced but must be duely credited.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Sunday, June 27, 2010
BENEFITS OF JOY
BENEFITS OF JOY
• Joy is an instrument of harvest
“Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.” (Isa 12:3)
• Joyfulness of heart makes Heaven to open the doors of abundance
“Because thou servedst not the LORD thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things;” (Deut 28:47)
• The spirit of joy conquers the spirit of mourning and heaviness
“To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; ….” (Isa 61:3)
• Everlasting joy is the inheritance of the righteous
“For your shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them.” (Isa 61:7)
• The joy of the Lord makes every other material thing to loose value and meaning for the excellency of His Glory.
“But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, …” (Act 20:24)
• Joy gives us strength to conquer weeping
“….For this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” (Neh 8:10)
• Your words will give joy to people in Jesus name
“For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.”(Luk 1:44)
• If we serve God with joy… we’ll enjoy the abundance of His blessings.
“Because thou servedst not the LORD thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things;” (Deu 28:47)
• If we do not serve the Lord with joy, we enter a life of struggle and poverty and serve our enemies.
“Because thou servedst not the LORD thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things; Therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies which the LORD shall send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all things: and he shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck, until he have destroyed thee.”(Deu 28:47-48)
• Joy is the driving force to achieve a fulfilled life.
“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Heb 12:2)
• You will serve God with joy not in pain.
“Obey them that have the rule over you, … for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: ….” (Heb 13:17)
• Joy is our inner strength to go through temptations.
“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;” (Jas 1:2)
• As partakers of Christ suffering, joy is our reward.
“But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” (1Pet 4:13)
• Joy shall be upon your head and sorrow and mourning shall flee from you and you will not fear.
“Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away…” (Isa 51:11-12)
• A joyful heart is a praiseful heart.
“In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, ….” (Luk 10:21)
Apostle Lawrence Achudume
The General Overseer of Victory Life Bible Church Int'l
With branches spread across the globe
Can be reached on victory2life@yahoo.com
This message can be reproduced but must be duely credited.
• Joy is an instrument of harvest
“Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.” (Isa 12:3)
• Joyfulness of heart makes Heaven to open the doors of abundance
“Because thou servedst not the LORD thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things;” (Deut 28:47)
• The spirit of joy conquers the spirit of mourning and heaviness
“To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; ….” (Isa 61:3)
• Everlasting joy is the inheritance of the righteous
“For your shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them.” (Isa 61:7)
• The joy of the Lord makes every other material thing to loose value and meaning for the excellency of His Glory.
“But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, …” (Act 20:24)
• Joy gives us strength to conquer weeping
“….For this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” (Neh 8:10)
• Your words will give joy to people in Jesus name
“For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.”(Luk 1:44)
• If we serve God with joy… we’ll enjoy the abundance of His blessings.
“Because thou servedst not the LORD thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things;” (Deu 28:47)
• If we do not serve the Lord with joy, we enter a life of struggle and poverty and serve our enemies.
“Because thou servedst not the LORD thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things; Therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies which the LORD shall send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all things: and he shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck, until he have destroyed thee.”(Deu 28:47-48)
• Joy is the driving force to achieve a fulfilled life.
“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Heb 12:2)
• You will serve God with joy not in pain.
“Obey them that have the rule over you, … for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: ….” (Heb 13:17)
• Joy is our inner strength to go through temptations.
“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;” (Jas 1:2)
• As partakers of Christ suffering, joy is our reward.
“But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” (1Pet 4:13)
• Joy shall be upon your head and sorrow and mourning shall flee from you and you will not fear.
“Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away…” (Isa 51:11-12)
• A joyful heart is a praiseful heart.
“In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, ….” (Luk 10:21)
Apostle Lawrence Achudume
The General Overseer of Victory Life Bible Church Int'l
With branches spread across the globe
Can be reached on victory2life@yahoo.com
This message can be reproduced but must be duely credited.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
JOY PART 5
“… For the joy of the LORD is your strength.” (Neh 8:10)
Joy is your strength to resist the wiles of the enemy in this season clothe yourself with the garment of joy. You will laugh the devil to shame. We are more than conquerors. Joy strengthens the inner man, a merry heart gives strength and health but a broken spirit dries the bones (Prov. 17:22). Nehemiah understood the place of joy in a man’s life which was why the only remedy he gave to the Jews in their weeping was joy.
“And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law. Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength. So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, Hold your peace, for the day is holy; neither be ye grieved. And all the people went their way to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and to make great mirth, because they had understood the words that were declared unto them.” (Neh 8:9-12)
Lack of joy in a man’s life tends to poverty, frustration and all the evils of life. A man of joy is a man of restful mind/heart, a great thinker and planner, he gets revelation and dreams big but a man of sorrow is sick from head to toe and sees nothing good but evil thinks evil and possesses evil too. In a way, our level of joy determines our successes in life. Nehemiah understood that weeping, mourning and feeling guilty and sorry will hinder their vision and dream of completing the vision – a mournful heart does not think well or see well.
“Be ye ashamed, O ye husbandmen; howl, O ye vinedressers, for the wheat and for the barley; because the harvest of the field is perished. The vine is dried up, and the fig tree languisheth; the pomegranate tree, the palm tree also, and the apple tree, even all the trees of the field, are withered: because joy is withered away from the sons of men.” (Joe 1:11-12)
Shame, reproach and troubles are outward manifestations of a joyless life. People who are never happy with others and their progress are never progressive neither are they happy. The result of our labour is a direct proportion of the joy of the Lord in our heart,
Our ability to do more or to continue to work is as a result of the joy in our hearts to continue no wonder the Bible says a liberal soul makes fat. The scriptures say, ‘the harvest of the field; ’ which means the product of your job, businesses and everything that represents your source of income in life – will be destroyed because joy is withered away from the son of men. No wonder poor people are often sad people; miserable people are always sad people, no wonder people of evil heart do not make it in life. You can stop destroying your investment with joy. Complaints and sadness destroy your seed. You are not smatter than God. If god says, sadness is not good for you, change and have joy. Try been joyful the next time you go for that job interview and that business deal; you will be surprised at the outcome.
As a student in the university, I had a friend; we play football together in school. This boy was not academically brilliant; he is not your type of intelligent person, the ‘A’ grade student type but this boy is always full of joy even when his test result is bad, others could be sad but not Johnson (not real name); he is always bubbling with joy. Years after his graduation on one night on National network news, I saw him on T.V with same joy all over him and now he is a member of the House of Representatives and heads one of the major committees. A joyful man is a great dreamer/thinker. He may not have made ‘A’s’ in school but he knows where he is going. Joy always make way and gives you strength for the race of life.
Lack of joy is bad, makes you sick and robs you of your harvest.
See what the Psalmist and Prophet Isaiah have to say,
“When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.” (Psa 42:4)
“Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.” (Isa 51:11)
Joy is an unstoppable weapon of triumph!
Apostle Lawrence Achudume
The General Overseer of Victory Life Bible Church Int'l
With branches spread across the globe
Can be reached on victory2life@yahoo.com
This message can be reproduced but must be duely credited.
Joy is your strength to resist the wiles of the enemy in this season clothe yourself with the garment of joy. You will laugh the devil to shame. We are more than conquerors. Joy strengthens the inner man, a merry heart gives strength and health but a broken spirit dries the bones (Prov. 17:22). Nehemiah understood the place of joy in a man’s life which was why the only remedy he gave to the Jews in their weeping was joy.
“And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law. Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength. So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, Hold your peace, for the day is holy; neither be ye grieved. And all the people went their way to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and to make great mirth, because they had understood the words that were declared unto them.” (Neh 8:9-12)
Lack of joy in a man’s life tends to poverty, frustration and all the evils of life. A man of joy is a man of restful mind/heart, a great thinker and planner, he gets revelation and dreams big but a man of sorrow is sick from head to toe and sees nothing good but evil thinks evil and possesses evil too. In a way, our level of joy determines our successes in life. Nehemiah understood that weeping, mourning and feeling guilty and sorry will hinder their vision and dream of completing the vision – a mournful heart does not think well or see well.
“Be ye ashamed, O ye husbandmen; howl, O ye vinedressers, for the wheat and for the barley; because the harvest of the field is perished. The vine is dried up, and the fig tree languisheth; the pomegranate tree, the palm tree also, and the apple tree, even all the trees of the field, are withered: because joy is withered away from the sons of men.” (Joe 1:11-12)
Shame, reproach and troubles are outward manifestations of a joyless life. People who are never happy with others and their progress are never progressive neither are they happy. The result of our labour is a direct proportion of the joy of the Lord in our heart,
Our ability to do more or to continue to work is as a result of the joy in our hearts to continue no wonder the Bible says a liberal soul makes fat. The scriptures say, ‘the harvest of the field; ’ which means the product of your job, businesses and everything that represents your source of income in life – will be destroyed because joy is withered away from the son of men. No wonder poor people are often sad people; miserable people are always sad people, no wonder people of evil heart do not make it in life. You can stop destroying your investment with joy. Complaints and sadness destroy your seed. You are not smatter than God. If god says, sadness is not good for you, change and have joy. Try been joyful the next time you go for that job interview and that business deal; you will be surprised at the outcome.
As a student in the university, I had a friend; we play football together in school. This boy was not academically brilliant; he is not your type of intelligent person, the ‘A’ grade student type but this boy is always full of joy even when his test result is bad, others could be sad but not Johnson (not real name); he is always bubbling with joy. Years after his graduation on one night on National network news, I saw him on T.V with same joy all over him and now he is a member of the House of Representatives and heads one of the major committees. A joyful man is a great dreamer/thinker. He may not have made ‘A’s’ in school but he knows where he is going. Joy always make way and gives you strength for the race of life.
Lack of joy is bad, makes you sick and robs you of your harvest.
See what the Psalmist and Prophet Isaiah have to say,
“When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.” (Psa 42:4)
“Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.” (Isa 51:11)
Joy is an unstoppable weapon of triumph!
Apostle Lawrence Achudume
The General Overseer of Victory Life Bible Church Int'l
With branches spread across the globe
Can be reached on victory2life@yahoo.com
This message can be reproduced but must be duely credited.
JOY PART 4
“Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.” (Philippians 4:4)
In the book of Philippians, Apostle Paul wrote so much about the believers’ character/conduct. He wrote about the Christian life, humility, pride of the Christian life, how we ought to live our lives and chapter 3:1a said,
“Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord…” (Philippians 3:1a)
this is to say having done all, rejoice, child of God, joy is it. It is our lifestyle and in verse 2 he said,
“Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers (that is those who have no joy), beware of the concision (those that cut down your joy).” (Philippians 3:2)
“For we are the circumcision (clean heart), which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus (in redemption), and have no confidence in the flesh.” (Philippians 3:3)
Satan does not find a place in a joyful heart. A joyful heart is unstoppable by the enemy.
“Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.” (Isa 12:3)
It takes joy to enjoy the full benefit of salvation. Joy is the instrument of harvest. It is the tool with which to tap into the riches of God. Note very well “Well of Salvation in Isaiah 12:3”, that is all blessings and miracles are attainable by the instrumentality of joy. To be healed, have joy; to prosper, have joy; to achieve excellence in life takes joy. The devil will fight to hinder your joy, create enemies around you, make you feel bad at the slightest opportunity, will try to use circumstances and even your loved one’s to oppose youyour joy – fight for your joy to stand. No matter how the enemy tries, you have the final say to be in joy or sadness.
“Neither gives place to the devil.” (Eph 4:27)
The devil will fight to kill your joy. There has been a long life battle between darkness and light, joy and sorrow, flesh and spirit – we have a choice.
“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.” (Gal 5:16-17)
You hold the ace either to the victory or defeat in your life. If you allow the devil to destroy your joy, you will have nothing with which to draw water (your blessings) from the well of abundance.
Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
(Eph 4:28)
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
(Eph 4:29)
And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
(Eph 4:30)
Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
(Eph 4:31)
And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
(Eph 4:32)
But you will not fail for the same joy with which you draw is also your strength to stand and to draw water from the well of salvation.
Apostle Lawrence Achudume
The General Overseer of Victory Life Bible Church Int'l
With branches spread across the globe
Can be reached on victory2life@yahoo.com
This message can be reproduced but must be duely credited.
In the book of Philippians, Apostle Paul wrote so much about the believers’ character/conduct. He wrote about the Christian life, humility, pride of the Christian life, how we ought to live our lives and chapter 3:1a said,
“Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord…” (Philippians 3:1a)
this is to say having done all, rejoice, child of God, joy is it. It is our lifestyle and in verse 2 he said,
“Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers (that is those who have no joy), beware of the concision (those that cut down your joy).” (Philippians 3:2)
“For we are the circumcision (clean heart), which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus (in redemption), and have no confidence in the flesh.” (Philippians 3:3)
Satan does not find a place in a joyful heart. A joyful heart is unstoppable by the enemy.
“Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.” (Isa 12:3)
It takes joy to enjoy the full benefit of salvation. Joy is the instrument of harvest. It is the tool with which to tap into the riches of God. Note very well “Well of Salvation in Isaiah 12:3”, that is all blessings and miracles are attainable by the instrumentality of joy. To be healed, have joy; to prosper, have joy; to achieve excellence in life takes joy. The devil will fight to hinder your joy, create enemies around you, make you feel bad at the slightest opportunity, will try to use circumstances and even your loved one’s to oppose youyour joy – fight for your joy to stand. No matter how the enemy tries, you have the final say to be in joy or sadness.
“Neither gives place to the devil.” (Eph 4:27)
The devil will fight to kill your joy. There has been a long life battle between darkness and light, joy and sorrow, flesh and spirit – we have a choice.
“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.” (Gal 5:16-17)
You hold the ace either to the victory or defeat in your life. If you allow the devil to destroy your joy, you will have nothing with which to draw water (your blessings) from the well of abundance.
Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
(Eph 4:28)
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
(Eph 4:29)
And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
(Eph 4:30)
Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
(Eph 4:31)
And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
(Eph 4:32)
But you will not fail for the same joy with which you draw is also your strength to stand and to draw water from the well of salvation.
Apostle Lawrence Achudume
The General Overseer of Victory Life Bible Church Int'l
With branches spread across the globe
Can be reached on victory2life@yahoo.com
This message can be reproduced but must be duely credited.
Friday, June 25, 2010
JOY PART 3
Beloved, joy is it; go for joy, seek joy for you are a kingdom’s citizen. It amazes me when I see Christians with heavy and sad faces – your face tells your heart. It was joy in the heart of Jesus as an act of gratitude that made Him to rejoice and burst into praise and say,
“All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him.” (Luk 10:22)
Some believers are too tense and sad for God to turn His face towards their direction, they look so sad that they discourage God’s presence. A sad heart is evil, think evil, and conclude evil and this keeps joy so far from such. You cannot be joyful except you are grateful. It is gratitude that provokes joy.
“Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.” (Jas 5:13)
Any heart that will be grateful will be thankful and if you are thankful, you will be joyful. To be joyful (Merry), is like medicine but a broken spirit is destructive (Prov. 17:22)
“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.” (Prov 17:22)
No matter what, have joy, avoid heavy countenance, a sad heart is destructive. Your heart can not be full of joy and you are down and depressed by the enemy. Godly joy carries such an unexplainable power against oppression, sickness etc. but apart from that, joy procures for the believer, God’s presence and in His presence all opposition bows, darkness disappear at His presence.
“Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” (Psa 16:11)
Lack of joy in a man’s life is Satan’s device to bring one out of God’s presence, so the enemy can effectively have upper hand. Many Christians are falling victim of Satan’s devices, they complain and murmur until they are separated from His presence. Let us pray like David, “Show me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy…”
If you want God’s best in your life, make up your mind to make joy your life style. If you do not want to be stranded in the journey of life, you need to seek the consistent flow of the oil of joy – until you are joyful, you don’t have a song of praise.
“To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.” (Isa 61:3)
Apostle Lawrence Achudume
The General Overseer of Victory Life Bible Church Int'l
With branches spread across the globe
Can be reached on victory2life@yahoo.com
This message can be reproduced but must be duely credited.
“All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him.” (Luk 10:22)
Some believers are too tense and sad for God to turn His face towards their direction, they look so sad that they discourage God’s presence. A sad heart is evil, think evil, and conclude evil and this keeps joy so far from such. You cannot be joyful except you are grateful. It is gratitude that provokes joy.
“Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.” (Jas 5:13)
Any heart that will be grateful will be thankful and if you are thankful, you will be joyful. To be joyful (Merry), is like medicine but a broken spirit is destructive (Prov. 17:22)
“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.” (Prov 17:22)
No matter what, have joy, avoid heavy countenance, a sad heart is destructive. Your heart can not be full of joy and you are down and depressed by the enemy. Godly joy carries such an unexplainable power against oppression, sickness etc. but apart from that, joy procures for the believer, God’s presence and in His presence all opposition bows, darkness disappear at His presence.
“Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” (Psa 16:11)
Lack of joy in a man’s life is Satan’s device to bring one out of God’s presence, so the enemy can effectively have upper hand. Many Christians are falling victim of Satan’s devices, they complain and murmur until they are separated from His presence. Let us pray like David, “Show me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy…”
If you want God’s best in your life, make up your mind to make joy your life style. If you do not want to be stranded in the journey of life, you need to seek the consistent flow of the oil of joy – until you are joyful, you don’t have a song of praise.
“To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.” (Isa 61:3)
Apostle Lawrence Achudume
The General Overseer of Victory Life Bible Church Int'l
With branches spread across the globe
Can be reached on victory2life@yahoo.com
This message can be reproduced but must be duely credited.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
JOY PART 2
Even God rejoices over us with joy.
“The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.” (Zeph 3:17)
Joy is the standard of living in heaven and as heaven’s citizens; joy is our inheritance and should be our style of living. It is a part of us, not tied to anything but the Holy Spirit.
“To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:” (Eph 3:10-11)
No wonder Apostle Paul says in I Thessalonians 5:16, “Rejoice evermore”
Here, we are instructed to rejoice (joy), regardless of our circumstance, situation or whatever challenges we are going through. The instruction is clear, “Rejoice evermore”. It did not say, ‘Try to rejoice’ or ‘consider rejoicing’ but “Rejoice evermore”. Do it when it seems all hope is lost, when you don’t feel like and don’t know what next will happen; when you can’t pay your bills, shout and rejoice. Heaven is full of joy and as children of the kingdom, we are to practice the heavenly life here on the earth; how difficult that can be sometimes but God has simply asked us to live out who we are against the wiles of the devil. If you analyze, evaluate and continually think of injustices done to you, your heart will become chaotic, your mind fragmented and your attitude will become critical.
“To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,” (Eph 3:10)
One of the weapons of God to show His wisdom on earth is the joy of the church.
We are the joyful ones, what the eye can see gives joy but our joy/rejoicing is beyond and much more than what eyes can see. Jesus saw beyond the present and rejoiced.
“In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth…” (Luke 10:21a)
The world did not give you joy, so, the world cannot take it from you. Step up and remain in the victory zone where the enemy cannot reach you.
‘And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:” (Eph 2:6)
God intends us to be up above principalities and powers. Even when you feel lowest, you are still on “top of the devil”, so, get excited about life.
Beloved, joy is it; go for joy, seek joy for you are a kingdom’s citizen.
Apostle Lawrence Achudume
The General Overseer of Victory Life Bible Church Int'l
With branches spread across the globe
Can be reached on victory2life@yahoo.com
This message can be reproduced but must be duely credited.
“The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.” (Zeph 3:17)
Joy is the standard of living in heaven and as heaven’s citizens; joy is our inheritance and should be our style of living. It is a part of us, not tied to anything but the Holy Spirit.
“To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:” (Eph 3:10-11)
No wonder Apostle Paul says in I Thessalonians 5:16, “Rejoice evermore”
Here, we are instructed to rejoice (joy), regardless of our circumstance, situation or whatever challenges we are going through. The instruction is clear, “Rejoice evermore”. It did not say, ‘Try to rejoice’ or ‘consider rejoicing’ but “Rejoice evermore”. Do it when it seems all hope is lost, when you don’t feel like and don’t know what next will happen; when you can’t pay your bills, shout and rejoice. Heaven is full of joy and as children of the kingdom, we are to practice the heavenly life here on the earth; how difficult that can be sometimes but God has simply asked us to live out who we are against the wiles of the devil. If you analyze, evaluate and continually think of injustices done to you, your heart will become chaotic, your mind fragmented and your attitude will become critical.
“To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,” (Eph 3:10)
One of the weapons of God to show His wisdom on earth is the joy of the church.
We are the joyful ones, what the eye can see gives joy but our joy/rejoicing is beyond and much more than what eyes can see. Jesus saw beyond the present and rejoiced.
“In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth…” (Luke 10:21a)
The world did not give you joy, so, the world cannot take it from you. Step up and remain in the victory zone where the enemy cannot reach you.
‘And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:” (Eph 2:6)
God intends us to be up above principalities and powers. Even when you feel lowest, you are still on “top of the devil”, so, get excited about life.
Beloved, joy is it; go for joy, seek joy for you are a kingdom’s citizen.
Apostle Lawrence Achudume
The General Overseer of Victory Life Bible Church Int'l
With branches spread across the globe
Can be reached on victory2life@yahoo.com
This message can be reproduced but must be duely credited.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
JOY PART 1
The compact oxford Dictionary defines joy as a feeling of great pleasure and happiness, a state of satisfaction.
Joy is redemption birthright of the saints, purchased at the cross of Calvary. Jesus did not die to make us sad or leave us in sadness but for our joy.
“When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.” (Mat 2:10)
When we also see or receive Him as our Lord and saviour, we should also rejoice.
…and they gave of their treasures in/with joy lavishly.
“And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.” (Mat 2:11)
They fell down in joy and in that excitement, they worshipped.
Like the song writer wrote, “… Joy to the world the Lord is come…”. He came for our joy not sadness even while still as a baby in the womb of Mary on a visit to Elizabeth, joy was the evidence of His presence.
“And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:” (Luk 1:41)
In the womb, baby John on seeing Jesus started leaping and jumping and was filled with excitement. Imagine such acrobatics in the womb, I guessed Elizabeth would have greatly felt the leap of John and screamed, “Boy, take it easy”
“For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.” (Luk 1:44)
I must say early here that the joy of believers is not that motivated by material things, though when material expectations are met, it gives us a level of joy as it is part of the package of our redemption right. These material things as good as they are should not move us.
“But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.” (Act 20:24)
There is more to our life and living than what we can see
The joy of the saints is that purchased by the death and resurrection of Christ. It is unspeakable, unexplainable and uncontrollable.
“For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” (Rom 14:17)
Apostle Lawrence Achudume
The General Overseer of Victory Life Bible Church Int'l
With branches spread across the globe
Can be reached on victory2life@yahoo.com
This message can be reproduced but must be duely credited.
Joy is redemption birthright of the saints, purchased at the cross of Calvary. Jesus did not die to make us sad or leave us in sadness but for our joy.
“When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.” (Mat 2:10)
When we also see or receive Him as our Lord and saviour, we should also rejoice.
…and they gave of their treasures in/with joy lavishly.
“And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.” (Mat 2:11)
They fell down in joy and in that excitement, they worshipped.
Like the song writer wrote, “… Joy to the world the Lord is come…”. He came for our joy not sadness even while still as a baby in the womb of Mary on a visit to Elizabeth, joy was the evidence of His presence.
“And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:” (Luk 1:41)
In the womb, baby John on seeing Jesus started leaping and jumping and was filled with excitement. Imagine such acrobatics in the womb, I guessed Elizabeth would have greatly felt the leap of John and screamed, “Boy, take it easy”
“For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.” (Luk 1:44)
I must say early here that the joy of believers is not that motivated by material things, though when material expectations are met, it gives us a level of joy as it is part of the package of our redemption right. These material things as good as they are should not move us.
“But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.” (Act 20:24)
There is more to our life and living than what we can see
The joy of the saints is that purchased by the death and resurrection of Christ. It is unspeakable, unexplainable and uncontrollable.
“For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” (Rom 14:17)
Apostle Lawrence Achudume
The General Overseer of Victory Life Bible Church Int'l
With branches spread across the globe
Can be reached on victory2life@yahoo.com
This message can be reproduced but must be duely credited.
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