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LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
BBUC -BISHOP BARHAM UNIVERSITY
C.O.U -CHURCH OF UGANDA
KJV -KING JAMES VERSION
NLT -NEW LIVING TRANSLATION
NIV -NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION
UCU -UGANDA CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY
DOP -DEVELOPMENT OF PERSONALITY
UN OT -UNDERSTANDING OLD TESTAMENT
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
John Dunne was right that no one is an island. Neither does an author write
alone, but instead reflects in some way the insight of others in the fields that
write, teach and engage in the practice.
My Redeemer Lives enjoys the input of many people. As the author of this
book, I’ll take personal responsibility for any errors or omissions, but I’m
confident these are fewer because of the advice and guidance of my God in
prayer, friends and many knowledgeable people who helped me to put this
book together. Collectively, my fellow believers have been major
contributors to this book. It is in the fellowship that I have tested and refined
the ideas contained herein.
My special thanks go to Mr. Twinomujuni Reuben and Mr. Cedric Kanana,
my mentors. My prayer partners (Mercy O, Shallotte , Sarah, Isaac, Bright,
Amon, Angellah, Nancy, Barbra, Caleb, Praise, Isabella, Titus, Dan, Emily,
Phionah, Benya, Ambrose, Evelyn, Vaster, Sekkitoreko, Eclid, among
others) have been gentle editors, allowing me the freedom to say what I
believe needs to be said, while guiding me to use language clearly and
effectively.
If you find this book to be articulate and unconfused, much of the credit
belongs to God the author of all things.
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PERSONAL DEDICATION
Like the entirety of my life, this book is dedicated to all people who are in
the journey of salvation.
To my parents and entire family of Mr. Katungi Fred & Mrs. Sarah Katungi,
though they don’t realize it, they have been an inspiration as I worked on
this book.
To my brothers and sisters; Patrick M, Julius kk and Hildah, Alex T and
Ronah T, Perfect T, Grace N, Brian A, and Lydia A, and to all my brothers
and sisters in the lord.
Out of my heart, I dedicate this book to Rev. Henry Nzana who preached
the day Jesus met me in 2007.
More so, I dedicate this book to Kabale Trinity College and Bishop Barham
University where I have been shaped from both spiritually and
academically.
My greatest appreciation goes to the Almighty God. During the evolution
of this book, indeed during my entire life, God has been my sounding board.
Himself has lent his ear as I prayed to get what to write and tested ideas.
God has really been on my side during writing this book.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS...................................................................4
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.........................................................................5
PERSONAL DEDICATION ....................................................................6
FOREWORD...........................................................................................14
Before You Begin....................................................................................14
FROM MY HEART................................................................................14
CHAPTER ONE
GOD THE MASTER PLANNER...........................................................18
It all begins and ends with God...............................................................18
The lord will perfect that which concerns me (psalm 138.8) .................18
Tests into testimonies, messes into messages.........................................19
Truth beyond reasonable doubt...............................................................19
Think about this.......................................................................................20
A STORY IS TOLD................................................................................21
FOOD FOR THOUGHT.........................................................................23
MEMORY VERSE .................................................................................23
WORD OF ADVICE ..............................................................................23
CHAPTER TWO
GOD THE RECORD BREAKER ..........................................................23
A total Change-Inside-out.......................................................................23
Prove me wrong... ...................................................................................25
Bicycling with Jesus................................................................................26
Before I met Him.....................................................................................27
Jesus took over... .....................................................................................27
Where I am now... ...................................................................................27
When was yours... ...................................................................................28
Simple disciplines that strengthen me to keep pedalling in the journey of
salvation...................................................................................................28
Reading and obeying the word of God ...................................................28
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Prayer.......................................................................................................28
Fellowship ...............................................................................................29
GRASS ON YOUR PATH .....................................................................29
Accountability .........................................................................................30
Fear of the lord ........................................................................................30
Avoiding the source of temptation..........................................................31
Transformation of mind ..........................................................................31
Testimony................................................................................................33
CHANGE FIRST... .................................................................................33
FOOD FOR THOUGHT.........................................................................34
MEMORY VERSE .................................................................................34
WORD OF WISDOM.............................................................................34
CHAPTER THREE
GOD THE LIFE EDITOR ......................................................................34
“We were saved, we are saved and we shall be saved”..........................34
Think through..........................................................................................35
GOD’S EDITING PROCESS.................................................................36
CYCLE OF SIN/EDITING PROCESS ..................................................37
SHARPEN YOU AXE............................................................................38
FOOD FOR THOUGHT.........................................................................40
MEMORY VERSE .................................................................................40
WORD OF WISDOM.............................................................................40
CHAPTER FOUR
GOD THE FIGHTER..............................................................................41
Introduction .............................................................................................41
SPIRITUAL WARFARE........................................................................41
Spiritual warfare involves three key elements:.......................................42
TEMPTATION: ......................................................................................42
Random thoughts that Satan darts at people (us)....................................42
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Satan is a tempter who tempts us to sin. .................................................42
DECEPTION...........................................................................................43
ACCUSATIONS:....................................................................................44
A.Offensive spiritual warfare..................................................................45
B.Defensive spiritual warfare- ................................................................45
DEFECTING SATAN AND HIS DEMONS.........................................45
How do Christians stand firm against satanic attack? ............................45
THE ARMOUR OF GOD (Eph.6:10-20)...............................................47
Keys to succeed in spiritual warfare .......................................................47
BE AWARE OF CULTS!!......................................................................48
SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF CULTS ............................................49
Theological characteristics......................................................................49
Symptoms of demonic attack, oppression, and possession ....................50
DEMONIC DREAMS AND THEIR MEANING..................................50
GIFT IN A BIBLE ..................................................................................52
FOOD FOR THOUGHT.........................................................................53
MEMORY VERSE .................................................................................53
WORD OF WISDOM.............................................................................53
CHAPTER FIVE
GOD THE HEALER...............................................................................54
Introduction .............................................................................................54
HEALING AND DELIVERANCE ........................................................55
The power to heal....................................................................................55
Forms of illness .......................................................................................56
AUTHOR’S TESTIMONY ....................................................................56
SOME PRINCIPLES REGARDING HEALING...................................58
Healthy tip ...............................................................................................59
Spiritual tip..............................................................................................59
DON’T BLAME GOD............................................................................59
FOOD FOR THOUGHT.........................................................................60
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MEMORY VERSE.................................................................................60
WORD OF WISDOM.............................................................................60
CHAPTER SIX
GOD THE AUTHOR OF LOVE (God is love)......................................61
What is love?...........................................................................................61
CHRISTIAN/AGAPE LOVE .................................................................62
Christ's Commandment ...........................................................................62
Not a Feeling, a Lifestyle........................................................................62
Selfless & Giving Love...........................................................................63
LOVE RELATIONSHIPS ......................................................................64
What are relationships?...........................................................................64
STAGES OF A LOVE RELATIONSHIP/DATING..............................65
Single never in a relationship..................................................................65
Author’s experience ................................................................................65
Single ever in a relationship....................................................................66
People falling in love...............................................................................66
People in love giving up..........................................................................67
Building relations that are healthy, happy and satisfying.......................67
Commitment............................................................................................67
Passion.....................................................................................................68
Intimacy...................................................................................................68
Traits/qualities of Health, happy and satisfying relationships (1Cor.13,
Gal.5:22)..................................................................................................69
Stages of a relationship up to marriage...................................................69
1.Leaving.................................................................................................69
2.Cleaving................................................................................................70
3.One flesh...............................................................................................70
Traits of unhealthy (un-Godly) relationship (Gal.5:19)..........................70
Dangers of unhealthy relationships.........................................................70
MEDITATION........................................................................................71
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Psalms 127...............................................................................................71
TYPES OF RELATIONSHIPS ..............................................................71
Survival relationships..............................................................................71
Validation relationships...........................................................................71
Scripted relationships..............................................................................72
Acceptance relationships.........................................................................72
Individuation-assertion relationship........................................................72
Healing relationships...............................................................................72
Experimental/Pastime relationships........................................................72
Transitional relationships........................................................................73
Avoidance relationships..........................................................................73
Transference relationships ......................................................................73
Mature relationships................................................................................73
WEALTH, SUCCESS, LOVE................................................................74
FOOD FOR THOUGHT.........................................................................75
THE GOLDEN RULE ............................................................................75
WORD OF WISDOM.............................................................................75
CHAPTER SEVEN
GOD THE JUDGE..................................................................................76
UNPOPULAR PROMISES OF GOD ....................................................76
Unpopular promise of sins’ consequences..............................................77
An “Unpopular” prophetic promise of apostasy.....................................78
Unpopular promises of God regarding pride and humility.....................79
Unpopular promises regarding sowing and reaping ...............................80
An unpopular promise regarding persecution.........................................81
A HOT DISCUSSION ............................................................................83
Before Jesus came where did souls go after death?................................83
What happens to people who die before hearing about Jesus/gospel? ...85
JUSTIFICATION....................................................................................86
What is justification?...............................................................................86
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Are works/deeds important in salvation?................................................87
PRAYER .................................................................................................89
LET GO OF YOUR STRESSES!...........................................................89
FOOD FOR THOUGHT.........................................................................90
MEMORY VERSE .................................................................................91
WORD OF WISDOM.............................................................................91
PART TWO
LOVE IS THE ONLY SOLUTION TO UGANDA’S PROBLEMS.....92
SECERTS OF A SUCCESSFULL YOUTH ..........................................94
Take a 100% responsibility of your life..................................................95
Discover yourself. Who I am I? ..............................................................95
Unrelenting Effort ...................................................................................95
Put first things first..................................................................................97
Patience and perseverance.......................................................................97
THE MANGO TREE (Parents’ care and love).......................................98
YOU ARE VALUABLE.......................................................................100
Man O Man!..........................................................................................101
A LETTER FROM GOD TO YOU!.....................................................103
PRINCIPLES OF HOW A TRUE CHRISTIAN LIFE ........................105
GOD LOOKS AT A GREATER YOU ................................................106
POEM....................................................................................................106
DO IT ANY WAY ................................................................................107
THE OBSTACLE IN OUR PATH!......................................................108
THE BUTTERFLY...............................................................................109
TEMPER CONTROL ...........................................................................109
A SHORT STORY ON SELF CONFIDENCE....................................110
SETTLING ACCOUNTS .....................................................................111
THE ELEPHANT ROPE ......................................................................112
POTATOES, EGGS, AND COFFEE BEANS.....................................112
THE ROCK...........................................................................................113
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THE TROUBLE TREE.........................................................................114
AUTHOR’S TESTIMONY ..................................................................116
Before Jesus Christ met me...................................................................116
The day Jesus met me............................................................................117
A walk with Jesus..................................................................................118
Today with Jesus ...................................................................................118
Author’s motivation ..............................................................................119
AUTHOR’S MISSION STATEMENT ................................................119
APPENDIX ...........................................................................................120
RECOMMENDED LITERATURE TO BOAST YOUR FAITH........120
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FOREWORD
Before You Begin...
We all desire to live happily in life. We all plan to see good things happen
in our lives. No one wants to fail or to go through hard times. But where is
the source of all these? How can we connect to it? We all know that God is
the creator of all things but accepting and obediently living according to his
word is a challenge to all of us. We wish to control all things that happen
to us by planning, living carefully, working hard, protecting our lives,
among others but many are the things that happen to us without our consent.
In the world many are Heroes because they fight/fought for the freedom of
their countries or contributed a lot to the political, social, economic, and
academic development of their people. Each of them contributes and goes,
but there is a Hero of Heroes who fought and fights spiritual battles where
the great battle is, this is the one who did great things then, now and days
to come. Our redeemer who cannot change or either gives up. “Heb. 13:8
Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever”
In every person’s life there is time to laugh and time for sorrow according
to Ecc.3, but how these things happen no one can prove to us evidently to
make us believe that things happen by nature. Who is behind all that
happens is well demonstrated in this book.
This book offers you a new way to deepen your understanding of God
and will strengthen you in the journey to heaven. It provides an in-
depth approach to having faith in God, more comprehensive than can be
found anywhere else. It is built on a step-by-step unfolding of the process of
change with explanations and examples that combine to you toward a
contemporary understanding of God.
The approach used in this book is rooted in the author’s belief and
observation that people learn best through a three-fold pattern of being
exposed to an idea, seeing it in use, and then applying it themselves. This
is the rhythm of this book.
FROM MY HEART
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This is not a book written by an expert. Rather, it is written by a young man
in progress-a man on a pilgrimage to know God. At the age of 10, I began
to wonder how things come to existence, seeing the mountains, trees, lakes,
sun and the moon, animals and people, I imagined a lot of things in my
mind. I wondered how things change. How things happen, how a man grows
from height to height, and then how crops grow to the extent of watching
carefully a maize plant to see how to it makes a corn. A lot amazes and
makes one wonder if you carefully think about all the creation and how
things change, you will be impressed by how God planned everything.
Before you read on take a moment and imagine how you came into
existence...to those parents...in that family...at that time...with that skin
color...with that uniqueness in the whole world...see all you have gone
through...see where you are now...imagine of what tomorrow holds!!
All these demonstrate the smartest planner of all things. My first time to
hear about God, it was in 1995 at St. Johns Bugongi C.O.U in Kabale-
Uganda. It was my first time to be taken to Sunday school by my elder
brother Julius Katungi. Our Sunday school teacher Mr. Bigirimana asked a
question that challenged my understanding.
Qn: Where is God? Ans: “In heaven, in church, in our hearts, in space, with
the Revelands and Bishops, at the altar...etc.” After our guesses, Mr.
Bigirimana taught us that God is in all places at all times. “This is beyond,
how?” I asked myself. Have you ever asked yourself how many people are
praying to God at the same time, asking different things? To my surprise He
handles all of them the way they are. “Who can be like God...ANI?” by
Wilson Bugembe (Gospel artist in Uganda) in his confusion like mine,
Wilson shows how God can’t be compared to any man no matter what. In
addition to being in all places; no man can understand God’s ways. I thought
that Revelands, Bishops, Pastors and all believers atleast know God well
like you can know a close friend, but to my surprise no one can understand
even 0.01 percent of who God is. Oh who is this God? I have a strong desire
to see him face to face.
Opening the Bible from Genesis to Revelations trying to do research about
this God, I got challenged, afraid, directed, promised, strengthened and day
by day the word of this God transforms me.
On 8th
August, 2007 in my senior, when Rev. Henry Nzana preached about
this God and His son who came to look for the lost, I had my name being
called, “THIS IS YOUR TIME, JUST BELIEVE”. I heard this word so well.
Mathew 11:28 “...Come unto me, all that labor and are heavy laden, and I
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will give you rest...” since that day, my journey to know this God began, it
has not been easy but He gives me the strength to carry on. So why not call
Him my Redeemer? Who would have changed my mess in to a message?
Who would wash away my sins? Who would have stood to take my shame?
Who would have managed my appetite for sin? I know you also have your
story and a lot to talk about God. I wrote this book to inspire you to leave
evidence to the next generation of who this God was and is.
“Behind a powerful man/woman, there is a powerful God”
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CHAPTER ONE
GOD THE MASTER PLANNER
It all begins and ends with God
Once upon time, things were disorganized. God couldn’t stand it any longer.
Gen 1:1-3, “in the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the
earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the
deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
And God said, Let there be light: and there was light...” Truth be told, it all
began with God many years ago. Ever since I was born all that happens good
or bad, wrong or right you hear a common saying “It was the plan of God”.
On funerals of people who committed suicide or were killed; “plan of God”,
is it true?
This statement for many years has remained a hot debate among believers
and non-believers. Whose plan is it when bad things happen? Whose plan is
it when good things happen? My friend where there is God, Satan is not so
far, he draws near to manipulate things of God. But God in all situations is
available to bring out the good. God makes all things work together for the
good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28).
This truth is noticed only by those who know God. Satan is a creature and
God is a creator, so all that Satan does, God has power to change them but
Satan can’t change what God has done no matter how he fights or
manipulates them, things of God remain perfect and timely.
The lord will perfect that which concerns me (psalm 138.8)
Joseph a mere day dreamer turns into a great man. From bed dreaming, to
his jealousy brothers...He must die...He ends up in the pit...later
sold...Potiphar’s house...Prison...Prime minister. (Genesis 37-50) This truth
shows you that God is in control of all we go through if we remain faithful
and trust him in thick and thin.
Joseph gives a final speech, “Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God that I can
punish you? You intended to harm me but God intended it all for good. He
brought me in this position to save the lives of many people” Genesis 50:19-
21. Don’t give up, keep on keeping on. The journey of my life has not been
easy but God has been faithful. I know you also have a story to tell, all we
can say is, “EBENEZER”-thus the far the lord has brought us.
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Tests into testimonies, messes into messages
Considering the story of Joseph we realize that God begins and ends in all
ways. You cannot realize the real value of your life if you have not compared
it to something. God sends us trials so that we could understand the deepness
of His goodwill and love. The Bible has such words: "God withdrew from
him, in order to test him that He might know all that was in his heart"
(Chronicles 32:31 NKJ). So, you see that even in His withdrawal, God is
always with us. Sending us trials and challenges, He wants to demonstrate
us the real power we have inside, the real power he gave us.
Often we fail to use it properly, because we don't know how strong we are.
In order to help us see our values He assigned us to, He sends us trials. There
is no sense in crying over the trouble - "the best way out is always through",
as Robert Frost claimed. So, you should not concentrate on your problems,
but rather on the way how to solve them. Look forward, because life is
beautiful, and God created it for us. "That which does not kill us makes us
stronger" - these words of the famous philosopher demonstrate that we are
the instruments in the hands of God. Remember, how many times you
thought that this was the hardest thing you've ever done.
Then you experience something even harder, and you understand that you
became stronger. Now you can endure even more. This is the eternal process
of human development. I have met a lot of people who overcame the storms
of life with dignity and faith. They all admit that these challenges made their
lives brighter. They understood the real value of life - it is invaluable.
And there is more sense in suffering, accept it and overcome. This is life. It
does not consist of dreams and happy days, but of alternation of days and
nights - both happy and miserable. Thus, another sense of adversity comes
to the foreground - it makes us closer to our destiny. Japanese proverb says
“fall seven times, stand up eight” - and this eighth may be lucky chance
which will bring you to your happiness.
For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises up again; But the wicked
are overthrown by calamity. (Prov. 24:16) May be not, but then you'll have
to believe, fight and stand up as much as it will be needed. Storms of life
are temporary; no matter how hard they are someday you will definitely
reach your desired peaceful shore.
Truth beyond reasonable doubt...
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Just listen to the words written in the Holy Bible: "Blessed is the man who
endures temptation; for when he has been proved, he will receive the crown
of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him" (JAMES 1:12-
13, 16-17 NKJ). Temptation to yield, overcome it! Temptation to blame
God, fate and everybody around you in all your troubles - overcome it! All
your life is the sequence of choices. When a person makes his choice in
favor of faith - he wins! Overcoming adversities and demonstrating strong
will and belief, a human will obtain the "crown" - for he has shown his love
to God, by accepting all challenges as needed and coping with them with
the name of God on the lips. And God loves us, helps us and support us, and
this is the main truth a person should remember when fighting with
difficulties in life. Joseph acts as a good example to all of us.
Don't be alone in your struggle, accept it and entrust to your God. “…When
you pass through the waters I will be with you; when you pass through
rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you
will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I Am the
Lord…your Saviour” (Isaiah 43:2, NIV) All our everyday difficulties may
seem crucial and catastrophic to us, but in fact they are only the episodes in
the history of the humanity. Each life is saint and important in the eyes of
God, so don't think your faith and sacrifice are inessential. They mean a lot,
especially when they are heartfelt and sincere
When God opens a door no one can shut it and when He shuts the door no
one can open it (Rev:3.7-8). But don’t think that Satan will let you walk free
in that opened door, it tries to close it. “If one door closes, God opens
another door, but we keep our eyes on a closed door” Why? Spiritual
blindness! God was, is and will forever be in control of all things. He only
needs us to co-operate with Him so that things happen on earth. Satan is
Gods’ worker, because He created it, what it does is to show up, it can start
it but God ends. When it comes to going to heaven, this is ones choice; we
choose where to go after death by choosing who to be our master between
God and Satan.
Think about this...
A farmer had a dog that used to sit by the roadside waiting for vehicles to
come around. As soon as one came he would run down the road, barking
and trying to overtake it. One day a neighbour asked the farmer "Do you
think your dog is ever going to catch a car?" The farmer replied, "That is
not what bothers me. What bothers me is what he would do if he ever caught
one." (Gean Gordon)
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Satan behaves like that dog who is pursuing things he cannot change; all he
does is to create fear in your heart so that you lose direction. Keep in the
car, God is the driver He knows where He is taking you. Stop doubting, have
faith, trust God in all situations. If it barks and you get afraid, you will lose
direction and it will bite you. Numbers 21:4-9, (NVT) then the lord told
Moses, “make a replica of a poisonous snake and attach it to a pole. All who
are bitten will live if they simply look at it!” what to make us fall will come,
but always lets again look at the cross, the blood of Jesus will set us from
Satanic poison of bitterness, lust, fornication, corruption, hatred, envy
among other poisons that Satan puts in us if we accept his lies. “Give Satan
a centimeter, it will take a mile”, “Give it a lift, it will drive you”
A STORY IS TOLD...
A university professor asked his students a question:
– Does everything that exists created by God?
One student answered bravely:
– Yes, created by God.
– Did God create everything? – asked the professor.
– Yes, Sir, – the student answered.
Professor said:
– If God created everything, that means that God created evil, because it
exists. And according to this principal, the things we do determine who we
are, that means – God is evil.
The student got quiet after hearing that answer. Professor was very happy
with himself. He boasted to the students, that he proved once again that God
is a myth.
Another student raised his hand and said:
– Can I ask you a question, professor?
– Of course, – professor answered.
The student got up and asked:
– Professor, does cold exist?
– Of course it exists. Didn’t you ever get cold?
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Students laughed at the question of the young man. The young man
answered:
– Actually, Sir, cold doesn’t exist. According to the laws of physics, what we
consider to be cold truthfully is the absence of heat. You can study a person
or a thing according to its ability to transfer energy. An absolute zero (-460
degrees according to Fahrenheit) is a complete absence of heat. The whole
substance becomes inert and unable to react in that temperature. Cold
doesn’t exist. We created that word to describe what we feel at the absence
of heat.
The student continued:
– Professor, does the darkness exist?
– Of course it exists.
– You are wrong again, Sir. The darkness also doesn’t exist. Darkness is
actually the absence of light. We can study the light, but not the darkness.
We can use the prism of Newton to expand the white light into many colours
and study the different lengths of the waves of each colour. You can’t
measure the darkness. A simple ray of light can burst into the world of
darkness and light it up. How can you find out, how dark is some kind of a
space? You measure the quantity of light submitted. Isn’t it? Darkness is an
understanding which people use to describe something that happens in the
absence of light.
Finally, the young man asked the professor:
– Sir, does evil exist?
The professor timidly answered:
– Of course, as I have already said. We see it every day. Cruelty among the
people, lots of crimes and violence around the world. These examples are
nothing other than the manifestations of evil.
The student answered to this:
– Evil doesn’t exist, Sir, at least, it doesn’t exist for itself. Evil – is just an
absence of God. It is similar to darkness and cold, created by people, to
describe the absence of God. God didn’t create evil. Evil is not the faith or
love, which exists like light and heat. Evil – is the result of absence of Godly
love in a human heart.
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It’s like the cold, which comes when there is no heat, or like the darkness,
which comes when there is no light. These words left the professor
speechless. If God is not at the centre of your life all things fall apart. Let
God remain at the centre and evil will be dealt with. Remember, “Evil is the
result of absence of God in your life”.
John.15:4 “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of
itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me”
(KJV).
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
After preaching a powerful sermon, many people gave their lives to Christ.
Before all was done, a girl put up her hand in tears, walks in front, picks the
microphone and asks, “I have heard you say that God is always there for us
in all situations. I want you to explain to me, where was God the day I was
raped?” what would you tell this young innocent girl?
Do you also ask God where He was when bad things happen to you or your
friend or your family?
MEMORY VERSE
Jeremiah 1:5 “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb.
Before you were born I set you apart” 29:11 “for I know the plans I have for
you, says the Lord. They are plans for good not disaster, to give you hope
and future” (NLT)
WORD OF ADVICE
“IF A PROBLEM CAN BE SOLVED, NO NEED TO WORRY
ABOUT IT. IF A PROBLEM CANNOT BE SOLVED, WHAT IS
THE USE OF WORRYING?” (DOP)
CHAPTER TWO
GOD THE RECORD BREAKER
A total Change-Inside-out
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The lord works from the inside out. The world works from the outside in.
The world would take people out of slums. Christ takes the slums out of
people, and then they take themselves out of the slums. The world would
mould men by changing their environment. Christ changes men, who then
change their environment. The world would shape human behaviour, but
Christ can change human nature. (Ezra Taft Benson)
Once upon time, a boy was born in a poor family, to poor parents and in a
poor slum (Bugongi Kabale-UG) in 1989. This boy too was born poor,
sickly, and shy with low self-esteem. His parents, being the third born out
of seven children, they tried to educate him. Just before making it to Primary
three, his relative bewitched him to punish the family because of land
conflicts. The innocent young man spent three solid years suffering without
studying to the extent of villagers predicting his death saying, “Today will
not end, He might die before Sunday, He is already dead, He is mentally
disturbed, He will never make it in life, He is a misfit...” A lot was said those
days.
One Sunday in 2004, a message came to him, “TOMORROW GO TO
SCHOOL”. He told his parents but they knew it was impossible. Monday
morning, he puts on uniform of his former school (Kigezi High School
Primary) after three years home, walks to his uncle Richard and tells him,
“Uncle Dad sent me here, I want to go to school”, Are you sure?, Uncle
asked. Yes I am. Uncle takes the boy to a new school (Kabale Parents
School), buys books, and due to age, the boy fears to go to P.3, but requests
to go to P.5 and it was second term. Later the boy becomes the Head boy of
school and leads almost all clubs as chairman. At PLE-Primary Leaving
Examination, out of five pupils who made it first grade, he was among with
12 aggregates.
He went to Kabale Trinity college thereafter for six years where he lead in
different positions; Class councilor, chairman school council, chairperson
straight talk, chairperson Life Changing ministry, Publicity Secretary
Scripture Union, school speaker to mention but a few. The rest is history.
The author holds a degree of mass communication majoring in Public
Relations from UCU-Bishop Barham University.
“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to
what lies within us” Oliver Wendell Holmes. God dealt with me beginning
from within. Romans 12:2 “And be not fashioned according to this world:
but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what
is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God”
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Once God enters a man, watch that man, he cannot remain an ordinary man.
Can you imagine you are reading a book of such boy who had died? This is
what God does. 1Cor 1:27 (KJV) “But God has chosen the foolish things of
the world to confound the wise; and God has chosen the weak things of the
world to confound the things which are mighty” Amazing grace how sweet
the sound that saved a wretch likes me. I once was lost but now I’m found
was blind but now I see… It doesn’t matter what the devil does to make you
feel like you’re losing the game, we are more than conquerors.
Prove me wrong...
“Every successful person has a painful story. Every painful story has a
successful ending. Accept the pain and get ready for success” unknown
I am always challenged by the life of the former Archbishop of the Church
of Uganda-The Most Rev. Henry Luke Orombi-From a class room teacher-
to a church teacher-to the Reveland-to the Archbishop. From a humble
background, at the age of 20, who knew Orombi would at one time be the
Archbishop of Uganda? But the record breaker did it for him to show His
power. What about me? One can ask. You also have where you belong and
God has a great deal for you. Keep obeying and trusting him.
The former Bishop Kigezi the late RT. Rev. Festo Kivengere most referred
to as the Billy Graham of Africa was not born preaching. He had a humble
beginning. In 1941, he thought of committing suicide due to challenges of
life. He was a non-believer and mocker of revival with his uncle Karegyera.
When God met up with him, his life changed beyond change!
In his book Revolutionary Love, he wrote, “I got up off my knees, still crying
but now with joy. No more guilt, no more shame, God was no longer a threat;
Christ was no longer an embarrassment. Jesus loves me this I know” In
another book that is popular “I love Idi Amin” he wrote, “God spends his
whole day mending broken things” He preached forgiveness and forgave. I
feel convicted to sing at this point. “How deep the fathers love for us, how
vast beyond all measure. That he should give his only son. To make a wretch
His treasure...”
Cedric Kanana from Rwanda, a Muslim, a fighter and a worldly music artist,
fell sick and died almost because people had gathered to bury him. His spirit
met up with Jesus as people were crying, God healed him and told him to
go back to the world. Today, Kanana is a great evangelist and a Reveland in
the Anglican faith.
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He changed from a worldly music artist to a Gospel artist. 2Cor. 5:17
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are
passed away; behold all things are become new”. He has been used by God
to transform many and shape them into men and women of unshakeable
faith.
Peninnah had declared Hannah a barren woman to the extent of making fun
of her. Hannah knew that God is a record breaker, she devoted to prayer in
faith. One day Peninnah must have got a shock of her life to see Hannah
with a bouncing baby boy. (1 Sam 1 & 2)
Daniel would have been crushed by lions; Fire would have burnt Shadrach,
Meshach, and Abednego. (Daniel 3) Israelites would have been slaughtered
like goats at red sea. (Exodus 14:15)
Jesus would have rotten from the grave, (John 20:1-9) Saul the persecutor
of Gods’ people finally meets with Jesus on his way to Damascus. (Acts
9:3f) “Saul why are you persecuting me?” on return, he began to witness for
Christ as an apostle.
Who would have changed a man like Saul the persecutor to Paul the
preacher? Who would have changed a man like me into a preacher of the
good news?
Where would we be if God was not a record breaker? Psalm.124:2 “If it had
not been the Lord who was on our side, when men rose up against us: Then
they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us:
Then the waters had overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul:
Then the proud waters had gone over our soul.
Blessed be the Lord, who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth. Our soul
is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and
we are escaped. Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and
earth”.
All these prove to us the power of God. If you closely look in your life,
don’t you recall a similar situation where God has broken the order of nature
and science? Why give up yet God has not given up on you?
BICYCLING WITH JESUS
“I am confident that the good work God began in you He will continue until
the day you meet Jesus Christ”. Philippians 1:6
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Before I met Him...
At first, I saw God as my observer and judge. I felt He specialized in keeping
track of the things I did wrong, so as to know whether I merited heaven or
hell. I saw Him as some sort of stern boss. I recognized His picture when I
saw it, but I really didn’t know Him.
But later on when I really came to know Christ, it seemed as though life was
rather like a bike ride, but it was a racing bike. I noticed that Christ was in
the back helping me to pedal. I was in the front and He was in the back. I
don’t know just when it was that He suggested we change places, but when
we did, life has not been the same since.
Jesus took over...
When I had control, I knew the way (I thought I did). Life was rather boring,
but predictable...it was the shortest distance between two points. But when
He took the lead, my! WHAT A CHANGE: He knew delightful long cuts,
up mountains and though rocky places at breakneck speeds, it was all I could
do to hang on!
Even though it looked like madness, He said, “Pedal!!” I worried and was
anxious and asked; “where are you taking me?” He smiled and didn’t
answer. At other times when I would say “I am scared” He would lean back
and touch my hand and say, “keep pedaling”.
Then I started to learn to trust Him and do what He said. It was hard at first
but as I did so, I forgot my boring life and entered into the adventure of
bicycling with Jesus.
He took me to people with gifts that I needed; gifts of healing, acceptance
and joy. They gave me gifts to take on my journey. And we were off again,
[bicycling. Then He said, “Give the gifts away; they are extra baggage, too
much weight” so I gave to the people we met. I found that in giving I
received and still our burden was light.
Where I am now...
I was concerned about the control of my life. At first, I thought He would
wreck it, but I discovered Jesus knows how to jump to clear high roves,
knows how to fly to shorten scary passages. All I can say is that, My Lord
is quite a bicycler
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When I am sure I just can’t do anymore, He just smiles and says “Pedal”.
And I am learning to shut up and pedal in the strongest places. I am
beginning to enjoy the view and the cool breeze on my face with my
delightful constant companion, Jesus Christ. (Source: William McConnell,
Pastor Falmouth Christian Church)
When was yours...
Jesus met me in 2007 when I was almost giving up in life. He held my hand
and took control of my life. He only told me to “keep following”. Let me
share with you my personal displines/things that have kept me pedaling in
this Journey of salvation as a youth.
Simple disciplines that strengthen me to keep pedalling in the journey
of salvation
1. Reading and obeying the word of God
The Bible gives me all I need to gain strength of pedaling. Every time I open
the Bible, my life changes. I enjoy quiet time and devotion. Psalm 119:9
“How can a young man live a pure life? By obeying the word of God” Read,
understand, and do then teach. This was Ezra’s formula. Ezra 7:10 “For
Ezra had set his heart to seek the law of the lord, and to do it, and to teach
in Israel statutes and ordinances” It is one thing to read and study the word
of God but it is another thing to live it. Those who read the word and don’t
obey it, build their faith on sand but those who read and obey the word and
live it, build their faith on a rock that can’t be shaken. (Mathew 7:25-26)
The word of God gives power to defeat Satan. Ephesians 6:17 “...take the
sword of the spirit which is the word of God”. Jesus in the wilderness
defeated Satan using the word of God. (Luke 4:1-8). My friend Satan is
aware of this, so it discourages and disrupts you when you begin to seriously
read the word and live it. But keep on pressing on because, if you don’t read
the word of God and obey it, you will be a witness without power. You
either read the Bible daily or read the Bible daily!
2. Prayer
Prayer is a greatest weapon that sorts us with God. In prayer, we thank God,
repent, forgive and ask for our needs. Prayer is the business for Christians.
Prayer has no option, you must pray. It is through prayer that we receive
from God. Prayer helps us to overcome temptations. Mathew 26:41 “Keep
watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptations. For the spirit is
willing but the body is weak”. Jesus prayed more than He preached yet He
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was a son of God. What about mere human beings, we must exercise prayer
in season and out of season, when we feel like and when we feel like not.
Keep on asking, keep on knocking and keep on seeking. (Mathew 7:7).
Prayer breaks evil chains and sets us free. To be stronger, I have a team of
prayer partners who pray with me. Pray in quality and quantity.
3. Fellowship
We are all in a struggle; we need to stand as one in order to defeat the enemy.
Fellowship means that we are in the same boat of life.
Eccl.4:9 “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for
their labor. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him
that is alone when he falls, and has not another to lift him up” I need you,
you need me. Hebrews 10:24-25 “Let us think of ways to motivate one
another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting
together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that
the day of His return is drawing near”
True fellowship today is dying out, because we have failed to love one
another in truth. It’s for God and me mentality. Provided I am moving on
well, I don’t mind about my brother or sister who is losing direction.
How many people are you praying for to accept Jesus as their master? How
are you touched when a brother or a sister falls from the grace? And what
are you doing about it?
I pray that true fellowship be restored in our Christian circles in order to
have effective and fruitful fellowships. Fellowships have challenged me and
nurtured me. Prov. 27:17 “Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens the
countenance of his friend”
Find a family of true believers to belong to and be your brother’s/sister’s
keeper because days are evil.
GRASS ON YOUR PATH
James 5:16 “Confess your faults to one another and pray for one another,
that you may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man
avails much”
In one region of Africa, the first converts to Christianity were very diligent
about praying. In fact the believers each had their own special place outside
the village where they want to pray in solitude. The villagers reached these
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prayer rooms by using their own private foot paths through the bush. When
grass began to grow over one of these trails, it was evident that the person
to whom it belonged was not praying very much. Because these new
Christians were concerned for each other’s spiritual welfare, a unique
custom sprang up. Whenever anyone noticed an over grown path, he/she
would go to the person and lovingly warn “Friend there is grass on your
path” (source: Our daily bread November 18, 1996)
True fellowship is being responsible of others. Don’t let that sister/brother
go to hell; let’s keep our hands held together. “United we defeat Satan,
divided, Satan will continue to steal many from us” (Ezekiel 37)
4. Accountability
The day I stood and publically confessed Jesus Christ as my lord and
saviour, since then believers began to look after me, advising me of how to
go about salvation. This has for the last nine years made me to live carefully
bearing in mind that I am accountable to them and above all there is a day
to give accountability to God of all I do. There is a song that challenges me
so much always. “...They are watching you, making all you do, let them see
the saviour as He shines in you...” It makes me watch and evaluate my
actions. Rom.14:12 “So then every one of us shall give account of himself
to God”. Let us not forget that at the end of all these, we shall stand in front
of God o be judged. It’s better to make it to heaven than to win earthly glory.
Since we don’t know when we are to die, I pray that we keep our record
books clean.
5. Fear of the lord
Today people fear sins that expose them than fearing God who hates sin but
loves sinners. Girls might say, “I better acquire AIDS than being pregnant”.
Many in church are fornicating, aborting and doing other sorts of evil in
hiding since people will not discover. Prov. 8:13 (KJV) “The fear of the
Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogance, and the evil way, and the forward
mouth, do I hate”.
I thought I needed to do right when I am in public so as to keep my respect.
Little did I know that we work for Heaven and all we do God is watching. I
repent day by day to God to keep a good record with Him. This has helped
me to say no to sin even where there is an opportunity to enjoy or gain.
Prov. 28:13-14 “He that covers his sins shall not prosper: but whoso
confesses and forsakes them shall find mercy. Happy is the man that fears
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always: but he that hardens his heart shall fall into mischief”. Let us
develop close personal relationship with God who has power over the body
and the spirit. Watch your spiritual life by the fruits you bear in ministry.
(Gal. 5:19)
6. Avoiding the source of temptation
Sin begins from the inside of us but there are things or people that activate
it. Remember our body is sinful by nature. Mk.7:21-23 “For from within,
out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications,
murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil
eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within,
and defile the man”.
The spirit of God that we receive when we accept Jesus to take over our
lives keeps calming down the appetite to sin. 2Tim.1:7 “For God hath not
given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind”.
This is the difference we have from those who are not re-generated. But the
choice is ours, either to sow in the spirit and reap eternal life or we sow in
flesh and reap death.
All you read, watch, hear, and think more often will determine who you are
to be. As human beings we have a lot that lead us into temptations, but we
have power to reject giving in to these temptations. The problem we keep
harbouring and nursing them. Many have ended up being destroyed by the
evil one in fear and compromise to let go of sin and hold onto Jesus alone.
Prov. 4:14-15 “Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way
of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away”. It doesn’t
mean the path majority are leading is right, discern and choose the right path
bearing in mind that right is the narrow path and few find it.
Mt. 7:13-14 “Enter in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is
the way, that leads to destruction, and many there be which go in it: Because
strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leads unto life, and few there
be that find it”
7. Transformation of mind
It’s not easy to train the human mind to think rightly but it is possible.
Personally I daily work on my mind to think rightly. The devil tries as much
as possible to play on your mind if you’re not prayerful and careful. It all
begins from your mind so guard it well. Eph.4:22-24 “That you put off
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concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according
to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye
put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true
holiness”. Train your mind to think in a Godly way. This is possible only
by filling your mind with the word of God.
I have devoted to reading the word of God on a daily basis to keep my mind
smart to overcome the enemy. You will not stop evil thoughts from coming
but your response matters. “You may not stop birds from playing above your
head but you can stop them from building nests in your hair”. Thoughts you
allow to take over your mind will determine how you live. Prov. 23:7 “For
as a man thinks in his heart, so is he”. We are the product of our thoughts.
So I mind about what I watch, read, hear and discuss. Mind how you think.
I refer you to read the book-“The Power of Positive Thinking”.
I most of the times wake up in the morning and recite psalm 23, when I am
walking, on bodaboda or in a car, I go speaking from the inside of me;
I am a victor not a victim,
I am a winner,
Jesus loves me,
I am loved,
This is a good day,
No weapon fashioned against me can prosper,
I am forgiven,
Ronald, you’re heaven’s ambassador on earth,
I am the salt of the earth,
I am the light of the world,
I am the righteousness of God,
I am a head not a tail,
Failure is not my portion,
I will not forget that God owns my days etc.”
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These are simple words but they have changed me. And they are good at
stress management! What is in your mind? Change your thinking.
8. Testimony
I have discovered a secret in testifying. It gives you power to overcome the
enemy. Testimony gives you confidence in salvation. It makes you
accountable. Lastly it encourages others to carry on. Guard your testimony,
if Satan takes your testimony it will cost you a lot to get it back. What you
testify avoid it and work hard not to fall into the same sin again. Again, if
God does for you something encourage others by testifying.
Rev.12:11 “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the
word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death” And
we witness for Jesus by testifying, John 4:39 (NLT) “Many Samaritans from
the village believed in Jesus because the woman had said, He told me
everything I ever did!” My friend, share with others the good news of the
lord Jesus. This will take you to another level spiritually.
Note: “common sense is not common practice”.
These are simple and common principles in our Christian circles but they
are practiced by few who have committed themselves. We need to sacrifice
our lives to doing such in order to have a meaningful and fruitful Christian
lives.
CHANGE FIRST...
Once upon time there was a young man, who wanted to change the world.
He found it was difficult to change the world, so he tried to change his
nation. When he found he could not change the nation, he began to focus on
his town. He could not change the town and as an older man, he tried to
change his family.
Now, as an old man, he realized the only thing he can change was himself
and suddenly he realized that if long ago he had changed himself, he could
have made an impact on his family. His family could have made an impact
on their town. Their town would have impact the nation. The nation would
impact the continent which in turn could change the whole world.
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“Changing the face” can change nothing: But “facing the change” can
change everything. Face the cross and be changed. Don’t complain about
others; change yourself if you want peace.
The world will change if you first change, change now; stop complaining
why others are not good as you want.
Ever since I accepted Jesus to be at the centre my life, he has used me to be
an instrument of change but He first deals with me. For us we speak, and
then God changes people.
One day I had a preacher boasting that he has saved many, “if on your way
you see a tortoise in a tree, who do you think is behind this?” we don’t save,
salvation is a gift we don’t deserve that comes from God by grace.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
“My friend, I have done my best to do as God wants, I have prayed and
fasted over this situation but nothing has changed. By the way, the situation
worsens everyday”, He/she says. Which response can best satisfy this
person?
MEMORY VERSE
Hab. 2:2-3 “Then the lord said to me, write my answer plainly on tablets, so
that a runner can carry the correct message to others. This vision is for a
future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in
coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed”.
(NLT)
WORD OF WISDOM
“DON’T COMPARE YOURSELF WITH ANY ONE IN THIS
WORLD: IF YOU COMPARE, YOU ARE INSULTING
YOURSELF” (DOP)
CHAPTER THREE
GOD THE LIFE EDITOR
“We were saved, we are saved and we shall be saved”
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“What sorrow awaits those who try to hide their plans from the lord, who
do evil deeds in the dark! “He doesn’t see us,” they say. “He doesn’t know
what’s going on!” How foolish can you be? He is the potter, and He is
certainly greater than you, the clay! Should the created thing say of the one
who made it, “He didn’t make me?” Does a jar ever say, “The potter who
made me is stupid?” Isaiah 29:15-16 (NLT)
As a communicator and a writer, I understand that editing is a process of
adding and removing of words, punctuating, correcting spellings, etc.
intended to qualify a piece of work to meet standards. Whoever edits has a
target in mind to be accomplished by the piece of work. God is all knowing.
He knows the past, present and the future to come. God is the potter, we are
just clay.
Before I met the lord Jesus Christ, it was ok to do anything my heart desired
provided it was possible for me, no matter how. But ever since, Jesus took
over, “I write as He edits”, how? “The sinful nature wants to do evil, which
is just the opposite of what the spirit wants...the two are forces constantly
fighting each other...” Gal.5:16-18 (NLT).
When Jesus died the whole world no matter the religion was saved but to be
born again or be re-generated we must believe and confess that Jesus is our
lord and saviour. John. 3:16“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”. (KJV) This is where real “editing” begins from.
Think through...
In one of the African churches under the care of missionary James King,
there was a lady who came by herself to every service. Accompanying her
was an old, ugly dog.
He would enter with the lady and sit beside her during the service. She sat
on an outside seat next to the passageway, and at the conclusion of the
service, when the invitation was given by the pastor for people to come for
prayer, the dog would come along and take his place beside her. The lady’s
husband was a cruel man and he abused her. In fact, he beat her so severely
that she died. After her death, it was only he and the dog left. But he noticed
that the dog disappeared on Wednesday evening about 7:00PM and didn’t
appear for two hours. It happened again on Sunday morning at about
9:00AM. The same thing happened Sunday evening.
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The following Sunday morning, the man’s curiosity was so aroused that he
decided to follow and see what the dog was up to. He followed the dog to
the humble church and the dog went in and took his seat on the passageway
while the service went on. At the close of the service, the dog came forward
and took his place by the altar.
The man sat in the back of the church, and he was so impressed and touched
in his spirit, that he too, went forward and gave his life to Christ. And now
the dog comes to church with a new master. (Source: Robert J. Morgan)
You should have said a big “AMEN”, God knows how to shape His people
using different ways. Even when the woman died trying to change the life
of her husband like many women do, God knew how He would edit it well
using the dog. There are characters I knew would not change, but God dealt
with them.
Bring all that you feel should change, God will edit them out of your life.
The day I gave my life to Christ, I thought all things would change there and
then. But that was not the case, they changed gradually even today it’s not
over. The journey continues. All we need to do is to deny ourselves from
former sinful nature and keep our eyes on Jesus. Luke. 9:23 “And he said to
them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up
his cross daily, and follow me”. (KJV) The first step is to let Jesus in then
carry all life struggles and demands then follow daily.
GOD’S EDITING PROCESS
ACCEPT SUBMIT/DENY FOLLOW KEEP FOLLOWING
EDURANCE REPENTENCE RESTORATION PRESS ON
The above process shows the first Phase before God begins to edit your life.
Accept-believe Jesus as your personal saviour, Reject Satan and his evil
ways, deny yourself from sin, carry your cross and follow Jesus, keep on
following. This phase is for us all because there are times to deny the world
and follow Jesus. The day I made this decision 8th
Aug.2007, I couldn’t hold
it any longer but only to sing this song ; “I have decided to follow Jesus, no
turning back, no more turning back...the world behind me the cross before
me no turning back, no more turning back” I am humbled to be still singing
this revival song. Don’t give up, keep on keeping on.
“There are people that God touches, and there are people who need to touch
on Jesus”. Mk. 5:25-27 “And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood
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twelve years, and had suffered many things of many physicians, and had
spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse,
When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his
garment. For she said, if I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole”
(KJV).
After attaining salvation/healing, all we need is to keep following Jesus
Christ. For the years I have been in this journey to heaven, there are times
when I lose my focus on Jesus like Peter Mt.14.30-31 “But when Peter saw
the strong wind and waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “SAVE ME,
LORD!” he shouted. Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You
have so little faith”, Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”
Truth be told, as a young man, there are many winds that I face that
sometimes make me like Peter but I don’t allow them to blow me away, I
cry out to Jesus, “Lord save me”. Strong winds come and they will still come
but how you respond matters a lot. I better lose all things and I stay with
Jesus. He restores us if we admit our sins, repent and reject the sinful nature
by being slaves of righteousness not slaves of sin.
CYCLE OF SIN/EDITING PROCESS
Figure 1 SOURCE: UN OT NOTES-BBUC
The above figure shows what all of us go through in this journey of
salvation. It was developed after studying the life Israelites lived, they
would sin, God abandons/punish them, cry out for mercy-God redeems
SIN
SUFFERING
REPENTENCEBORN AGAIN
REGENERATED
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them-live as Godly people-they would forget and sin again. So the cycle
would repeat itself.
We are spiritual being living in human flesh, so we fall but let’s not remain
down. If you sin don’t stay in sin repent and after repenting deny yourself
from sin by sowing in spirit. Gal. 6:8 “For he that sows to his flesh shall of
the flesh reap corruption; but he that sows to the Spirit shall of the Spirit
reaps life everlasting” (KJV).
If you fall always in the same sin, you are a slave of sin which means you
need to let God edit your life much more. Sin-suffer-repent-Restored-Born
again, regenerated then the cycle goes again to sin if we don’t submit fully
to Jesus’ lordship.
2Pet 2:9 “The Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and
to reserve the unjust unto the Day of Judgment to be punished” (KJV) So to
those who have fully committed their lives to God, what they face are trials
and temptations to make them stronger like those Jesus faced.
But if you give in, please cry out and repent. Mt.24:13 “But he that shall
endure unto the end, the same shall be saved” (KJV).
Many Christians today pretend that all is well, yet they are rotting from
within, fearing to be ashamed and finally the devil exposes them publically.
Come out and run for your life whenever you realize you are sinking like
Peter.
All these stages are by the grace of God. In our humanness we cannot save
ourselves but only by the grace of God we are saved.
Note: There is where we have been, there is where we are today. And there
is where we are going. Where we were is past and we don’t have power over
it.
We have power over today, and what we do today will determine how
tomorrow will look like.
Let God take over fully and your life will never be the same again.
SHARPEN YOU AXE
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God said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made
perfect in weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)
Once upon a time a very strong woodcutter asked for a job from a timber
merchant, and he got it. The pay was really good and so were the work
conditions. For that reason, the woodcutter was determined to do his best.
His boss gave him an axe and showed him the area where he was supposed
to work. The first day, the woodcutter brought 18 trees, “congratulations”,
the boss said. “Go on that way!” very motivated by his boss’ words, the
woodcutter tried harder the next day, but only cut down ten.
Day after day he was bringing less and less trees. “I must be losing my
strength”, the woodcutter thought. He went to the boss and apologized,
saying that he could not understand what was going on.
“When was the last time you sharpened your axe”, the boss asked. “Sharpen
my axe”, I had no time to sharpen my axe. I have been very busy trying to
cut trees...” (Source: Stephen Covey-7 habits of highly effective people
Book)
“This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you
when I laid hands on you” 2Tim.1:6 (NLT)
The more you don’t sit down to let God edit/sharpen your life, the more you
become fruitless. Many people spend all their time preaching or doing
ministry, which is good but they forget themselves.
After a year, you will not find them, if you do, they are still preaching the
same message and no fruit is in their life. Apostle Paul knew this secret, “I
discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should.
Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be
disqualified” 1Cor.9:27 (NLT)
The process of God’s editing needs us to co-operate by sharpening our
spiritual lives through daily devotion, obeying and living according to the
word of God, fasting, studying the Bible, fellowships, seeking for advice,
Repentance, mentorship, being preached to, among others.
You don’t give what you don’t have. “To those who use well what they are
given, even more will be given, and they will have abundance. But from
those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away. Now
throw this useless servant into darkness, where there will be weeping and
gnashing of teeth” Mt.25.29-30 (NLT).
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Every week I have time to evaluate my life to see if I am really fruitful. This
has helped me to sharpen my talents and to discover more gifts God has put
in the inside of me. Therefore, work on your life as you can, what you can’t,
submit it to God; He will edit it out if you let Him take over.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
“It’s my character, that’s my nature; we cannot be the same. By the way in
our family that’s how we are. It’s my character. I have tried to change this
habit (Masturbation, fornication, lusting, cohabiting, cheating, anger, lies,
alcoholic, gossiping, prayerlessness, etc.) but I have given up”, He said.
Do you believe you can change? I asked. “Yes but now if something fails,
what do you do? You also have your weaknesses; we all have so give me
time, I will change If God planned it. Let the will of God be done”, He
added.
How would you help such person?
MEMORY VERSE
James 4:7 (NLT) “So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and
he will flee from you”.
WORD OF WISDOM
“WE CAN CHART OUR FUTURE CLEARLY AND WISELY
ONLY WHEN WE KNOW THE PATH WHICH HAS LED TO
THE PRESENT” (ADLAI STEVENSON)
CHAPTER FOUR
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GOD THE FIGHTER
Introduction
2Chr 20:17 “You shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand
you still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and
Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them: for
the LORD will be with you”.
It took me good four years to fully submit to God all my life. My total
transformation came on 31ST
Dec.2010. That night as we crossed over to a
new year (2011) God showed me my pretence as I was in Match and Mix
dancing. The following day, I went to church and recommitted my life to
Christ.
Since then I walked with God closely in thick and thin. He rises me up and
gives me more strength to carry on when I am almost giving up. He keeps
reminding me that I am a sinner who needs His mercy and I have seen Him
use me mightily the way I am.
You cannot fight Satan and win unless you are wholly in the lord because
He is the source of power in this battle. After accepting Jesus to take over
my life, all my battles became His.
As a human being with my weaknesses, I have no power to fight back evil
spirits and demons Satan sends to me using his agents. Before one is in
Christ, Satan can fight him/her and he/she can easily be attacked and
possessed by demons.
To those who have accepted the lord as their saviour, Satan keeps firing
bullets to them and wins Christians who are living in spiritual ignorance
(Hosea 4:6).
Dan.11:32 “...but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do
exploits”. Spiritual battles require us to know who our God is. You cannot
fight a battle without knowing who the commander in chief is and who you
are fighting with. Eph. 6:11-12 “Put on the whole armor of God that you
may be able to stand against the tricks of the devil. For we wrestle not
against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against
the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high
places”
SPIRITUAL WARFARE
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Spiritual warfare is resisting, overcoming and defeating the enemy’s lies (in
the form of deception, temptation and accusations) that he sends our way.
Physical warfare involves sending fiery darts or bullets, bombs, etc. towards
your opponent, and they also fire bullets back your way in defence.
The same is true with spiritual warfare, the devil throws fiery darts or bullets
and bombs your way in the form of temptation, accusations and deception.
And you fire back in defence by tearing down his strongholds.
Spiritual warfare involves three key elements:
A. TEMPTATION:
The greatest weapon of Satan is tempting us to do foolish or crazy things.
This is when one is enticed or encouraged to sin in one way or the other. It
can also mean, despair test, testing, proving or trail.
It is normal for a believer to be tempted to sin. James 4:6-10 shows us how
to deal with temptation and it’s by resisting the devil and drawing near to
God. As you do that, the power of temptation will seize.
Random thoughts that Satan darts at people (us)
a) You don’t need to go to church in order to be saved. All church people
are hypocrites any way.
b) You’re not a good Christian, look at all of the evil thoughts you have?
You might as well give up on your faith, thinking that God will never
save a person like you.
c) To the youth, Satan plants these thoughts;
I. It’s alright to drink alcohol and do drugs, everyone else is doing
it. It won’t harm you.
II. Go ahead and have sex before marriage. God doesn’t care. He
wants you to have fun.
Note: Satan hurls all kinds of misleading thoughts in our minds. He is after
our souls. He wants us to commit sin after sin so that we separate ourselves
from God.
Satan is a tempter who tempts us to sin.
i. Satan will come at us with every weapon he has. He doesn’t care who
we are or how much power or influence we have. He goes after every
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man, woman and child. We are his enemies and he is after our souls;
he will not stop until Jesus comes again.
ii. Satan is bold and brave that he tempted Jesus Christ himself, the son
of God. If Satan will come after Jesus, he will certainly come after us.
So be prepared.
iii. Satan entices us to commit unwise or immoral acts. Usually the
temptation that is thrown our way is something very pleasurable,
something we want, but yet are against God’s will.
iv. He and his troops know our weak points. They know exactly what to
tempt us with;
a. If lust is what you struggle with, then Satan will tempt you to
look at pornography and related videos or anything that will
arouse your sexual desire.
b. If gossip is your downfall, then Satan will entice you to talk
about others. He will convince you that it is alright to gossip.
c. If addiction is what you struggle with, then Satan will bombard
you with opportunities to indulge in alcohol and drugs
v. Until we are willing to say “NO” to those temptations, then Satan and
his troop will not stop. They will bombard us with tempting desires.
Every day they will tempt us hoping that we will stumble.
TRUTH: Satan and his demons cannot possess us or over power us (born
again). However, they will harass us, do everything they can to cause us
stumble.
B. DECEPTION
Satan is always trying to get us to believe his lies. To deceive somebody
means to make another person believe a lie or something that is not true.
Strong holds are built through deception. It began in the Garden of Eden.
Gen.3:4“And the serpent said unto the woman, you shall not surely die: For
God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened,
and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil”.
My friend Satan’s lies are hard to scan if you’re not devoted to God fully.
Take cover in the lord, least you will be deceived. Jesus defeated Satan by
using scriptures.
Satan is the mighty deceiver. He is good at what he does. He can plant
thoughts in our minds so be aware and do not get taken by his deceitful
ways. Don’t follow his misleading thoughts.
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Stand strong in God’s ways and your knowledge. 1Pet.5:8 “Be sober, be
vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about,
and seeking whom he may devour”. Prayer and fasting have always helped
me to discover lies of Satan. We need God before making decisions.
Sometimes I regret my decision that I make without consulting God in
Prayer or due to impatience. I have learnt to involve God before, during and
forever in choice making. When I discover through conviction that I am in
a wrong choice, I decline it, repent and ask God for a new choice.
C. ACCUSATIONS:
After accepting Satan’s lies and you give in to temptations, he celebrates by
accusing/laughing/exposing you. This is where the enemy tries to
continually badger us with our past or even things that aren’t even true.
Satan will bring the past sins and continue to rub it in your face and beat
you down with guilt and condemnation over your past. The enemy tries to
drive us into the ground spiritually via means of guilt and shame. If you
struggle with guilt from past sins then wake up and stand strong.
Php.3:13 “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one
thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto
those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the
high calling of God in Christ Jesus”.
My friend I know how you feel now, you might be wondering, “may be this
man lives and behaves like an angel”. I am writing all not because I have
not made, but these are some things that I feel have helped me stand in this
journey of salvation. I forget the past and press on. Yesterday is gone, today
has come and tomorrow, God knows.
One day, I met a lady who had mind torture due to her past failed
relationships and all the sins she committed. She felt she was the most evil
lady on earth. After opening her mind, she realized that in fact she was better
than many. Isaiah 43.18-19 “Remember not the former things; neither
consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring
forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness and
rivers in the desert”. This scripture worked for her and she re-focused her
eyes onto Jesus Christ no matter what had happened in her past. Ask God to
forgive you, forgive yourself and those who have hurt you in the past and
press on.
NOTE: There are two forms of spiritual warfare;
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A. Offensive spiritual warfare-is tearing down the strongholds
Satan has formed in your mind or life through deception,
accusation and temptations. (Firing back) After realizing any signs
of satanic bondage in your life, rise up and report the case to
Heaven, ask for the army and weapons then go to war (Prayer).
Drive back satanic intruders in your life by force. Throw them
back where they belong.
B. Defensive spiritual warfare- means guarding yourself against the
tactics or schemes of the devil. (Attacking) To keep safe, we need
to keep in prayer so as to build a strong wall spiritually. Prevention
is better than cure. Devote to daily devotion and prayer seeking
the lord in season and out of season.
(Eph.6:12 “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against
principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of
this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places”).
CHECK POINT: Satan attacks and fights those who are truly living for
God and are rejecting sin. (Job.1 & 2, Psalm 73) Satan has no problem with
people who are doing what he wants.
DEFECTING SATAN AND HIS DEMONS
How do Christians stand firm against satanic attack?
First of all, we need to depend on God for spiritual strength against Satan
and his demons. Personally, I have experienced bullets of Satan but I stand
still and unshakable because I know the one in me is greater than the one in
the world. 2Cor.10:4-5“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but
mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; Casting down
imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge
of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of
Christ...”
Oh! When God the fighter takes over, Satan begins to ask for please. I have
seen Satan scream in many gatherings during healing and deliverance. My
friend you have been given power to chase demons and any evil powers,
don’t think it’s so and so, we are all in the battle, so we need weapons.
Only that we respect those who are gifted by God in this field. But don’t
fear Satan because you don’t have the gift of healing, you have authority.
Lk.9:1“Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power
and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases”.
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We don’t fight God fights. Our obligation is to put on the full armour of God
(positioning ourselves in the lord). 2Chr.20:17 “You shall not need to fight
in this battle: set yourselves, standstill, and see the salvation of the Lord
with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; tomorrow go
out against them: for the Lord will be with you”.
Secondly, we need to make the characteristics of Christ part of our lives.
Eph.6:10 “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of
his might. Put on the whole armour of God that you may be able to stand
against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood,
but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness
of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take
unto you the whole armour of God that you may be able to withstand in the
evil day, and having done all, to stand”.
This is what is making many of us fail to win spiritual warfare. We fight in
our strength using experience or what we hear and our knowledge about
fighting the devil. When we are impure, we have Satan’s property (sin) in
our lives, so we are weak. How do you fight someone you defending and
hiding? That’s fooling ourselves that we are fighting.
It’s like a witch chasing his demon. Choose either Jesus or Satan. The best
way to win Satan is being well armed with Gods armour. Repent and seek
God first before entering any spiritual warfare.
Thirdly, depend on God for spiritual strength against Satan and his demons.
No matter what you say or do in warfare, victory belongs to the strong.
Diplomacy is great before the war begins but once it begins, only strength
matters. And in a war with Satan and his demons diplomacy means nothing
only strength matters.
My friend Satan has no characteristic in him that would cause him to show
the slightest mercy or grace. He only knows rebellion against God and only
destruction and he desires to recruit as many as he can in his campaign
against God no matter what the consequence for people.
WARNING: If you are not right with God don’t enter spiritual
warfare.
Acts 19:13-16 “Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon
them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus,
saying, we adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preaches. And there were seven
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sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. And the evil
spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?”
Acts 19:16 “And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and
overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that
house naked and wounded”
Satan cannot be persuaded to change he can only be forced to flee from us.
“You Satan get behind me” Jesus said. Not “Satan I beg you get behind me,
can’t you go NIWE”.
It does not mean to “make yourself strong and powerful”, as human beings,
we don’t have the strength in ourselves to stand against supernatural powers
evil angels like Satan and his demons. But the lord does have the power to
defeat Satan and that’s whom we receive power from.
“God has unlimited power”.
“Satan has limited power”.
THE ARMOUR OF GOD (Eph.6:10-20)
1) Belt of truth-living according to the truth of God as revealed in the
scriptures. If you know the truth, it will set you free.
2) Breastplate of righteousness-living according to God’s way, in
obedience and total submission to His word
3) Shoes of preparation of the gospel of peace-living with assurance
that you have peace with God. Clear with God through repentance.
4) Shield of faith-living by faith
5) Helmet of salvation-living with assurance that we are eternally saved
and nothing can take our salvation away.
6) Sword of the spirit which is the word of God-living according to
the word of God.
Keys to succeed in spiritual warfare
a) Rely on God’s power, not your own.
b) Rebuke in Jesus of Nazareth’s name not your own or other names.
c) Protect yourself with the full armour of God
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d) Wage warfare with the sword of the spirit-the word of God
e) Remember that while we wage spiritual warfare against Satan and his
demons, not every sin or problem is a demon that needs to be rebuked.
Rom. 5:1-6 “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God
through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into
this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And
not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation works
patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope makes
not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the
Holy Ghost which is given unto us. For when we were yet without strength,
in due time Christ died for the ungodly”. Some situations are natural and
normal. All we need is God’s wisdom and guidance always.
BE AWARE OF CULTS!!
Mk.13:22 “For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall show
signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. But take ye
heed: behold, I have foretold you all things”.
In 2013, I got an opportunity to attend a seminar in Kenya led by Rev.
Callisto Odede who opened our eyes about cults and occults. According to
Odede, a cult is any religion movement that is organizational distinct that
claims to be Christian but if has doctrine that deviates from orthodox
(approved) belief. These churches are many today; I have felt I should let
you know briefly the battle we are in. Satan discovered that we love miracles
and good things.
In the whole world the word “Miracle” is no longer strange but a usual word.
All that Satan gives has strings attached. God gives freely with no strings
attached.
1John.4:1 “Beloved, don’t believe every spirit, but try the spirits whether
they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus
Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesses not that
Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of
antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already
is it in the world. You are of God, little children, and have overcome them:
because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world”.
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Elijah challenged the Baal prophets who thought their god was powerful
(1kings 18:21-40). The days we are in are too evil, Satan has planted agents
everywhere so that he wins majority to hell.
We need to be like Elijah and stand strong to challenge Satan and his
demons.
Mt.10:16 “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye
therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves”. First of all, we need to
be wise and knowledgeable, if we are to win. Hosea 4:6 “My people are
destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge...”
SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF CULTS
Mt. 7:15-17 “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's
clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. You shall know them by
their fruits”.
Sociological characteristics
a) Cults have a powerful leader whom they believe to be a messiah
b) Rational thinking is discouraged
c) No asking questions
d) Deceptive recruitment technique
e) Cults manipulate miracles
f) They believe that they are the only true church
g) They don’t mind speaking half-truth to members or outsiders
Theological characteristics
a. They stress on personality rather than Jesus Christ
b. They claim monopoly to truth
c. They are always involved in abuse of other church practices or other
religions.
d. Miss use of anointing oil
e. Brain washing and mind control of their followers
f. They are money minded
g. They draw people mainly from other churches
h. Direct Satan worship
i. Duplication of the Holy Spirit’s works
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(Mt.7:21 “Not everyone that says unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the
kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in
heaven”)
Symptoms of demonic attack, oppression, and possession
1. Persistent demon attitude (wicked person)
2. Painful menstruation periods
3. Persistent headache which cannot respond to medication
4. Strange satanic dreams (See below)
5. Extreme fear
6. Waking up only to realize you’re sleeping upside down or on the floor
7. Extreme forgetfulness
8. Extreme hatred-un forgiveness
9. Extreme moods –moody (temperamental)
10. Enslaving habits-Masturbation, fornication, co-habiting
11. Extreme anger and bitterness
12. Blasphemy
13. Violation/opposition of scriptures
14. Unstability
15. Aggressive eyes (or abnormal shyness)
16. Talking while dreaming (some even walk out while dreaming)
17. Constant sexual harassments in dreams (Daily sexual related
dreams)
DEMONIC DREAMS AND THEIR MEANING
1. Eating and drinking in the dream---it is a dream of spiritual poison,
plantation of diseases and unconscious initiation/covenant.
2. Eating meat---this is an attack from witchcraft and what you are eating
is human flesh. Most of the times someone dies in your family or close
person.
3. Climbing with difficulty in the dream until you wake up sweating---
this is a dream of obstruction, difficulty, barriers or backwardness.
4. Wearing of rags and seeing of rats---this represents poverty and lack.
5. Appearing naked in the dream---this means shame and disgrace.
6. Travelling and the road become longer than necessary---the devil is
delaying your goodness and blessing, thereby preventing you from
getting to your place of fulfillment.
7. Carrying a heavy load---this is an indicator that the enemy wants to
introduce a serious problem into your life that will paralyze or make
your life stagnant.
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8. Seeing yourself in your old houses, school--- this means
backwardness
9. If you found yourself in a house with all doors locked and every
attempt to get out is unsuccessful-serious bondage, limitation and
frustration
10. Wedding, giving birth or breastfeeding in the dream---this
signifies marriage to spirit spouse which causes marital delay and also
future childlessness.
11. If you are being pressed down while sleeping---this signifies
witchcraft oppression
12. Seeing mad people chasing you in the dream----a strange mad
spirit is after your life to cause disaster
13. Spending recklessly in the dream, paying fine, hospital bills,
etc. ---this indicates the spirit of poverty is fast approaching.
14. Dreaming of a hot pursuit and wake up sweating---stubborn evil
powers are after your life and destiny
15. When a pregnant woman dreams of being pursued by a cow,
lion, dog or a mad man, etc.---witchcraft attack against her life and
the unborn baby
16. When a pregnant woman dreams seeing the dead or even talking
or eating with dead relatives---the spirit of the dead wants to attack
and kill the baby and the mother.
17. A child dies in your hands in the dream---it signifies that your
establishment or project will crumble.
18. When you receive coins in the dream---this means financial
failure and poverty.
19. Having sex in the dream with someone you know or not---this
means spiritual husbands/wives are after you to marry you or make
you lustful and sexually immoral.
(Source: Understanding your dreams by Ben Nebechukwu)
All these dreams need strong prayers to rebuke and break strongholds of
Satan. Satan uses dreams so much today to accomplish his missions since
many people take them for granted.
I advise you to always pray and seek for a hand in prayer whenever you
dream.
Note: there are three sources of dreams; dreams from God, Satan and
dreams of daily activities and thoughts.
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GIFT IN A BIBLE
A young man was getting ready to graduate from college. For many months,
he had admired a beautiful sports car in a dealer’s show room and knowing
his father could well afford it, he told him that was all he wanted. As
graduation day approached, the young man awaited signs that his father had
purchased the car.
Finally, on the morning of his graduation his father called into his private
study. His father told him how proud he was to have such a fine son, and
told him how much he loved him. He handed his son a beautiful wrapped
gift box.
Curious, but somehow disappointed, the young man opened the box and
found a lovely, leather-bound Bible, with the young man’s name engraved
in gold. Angrily, he raised his voice to his father and said, “With all your
money, you give me a bible?” and stormed out of the house, leaving the
Bible.
Many years passed and the young man was very successful in business. He
had a beautiful and wonderful family, but realized his father was very old
and thought perhaps he should go to him. He had not seen him since that
graduation day. Before he could make arrangements, he received a telegram
telling him his father had passed away, and willed all his possessions to his
son. He needed to come home immediately and take care of things.
When he arrived at his fathers, house, sudden sadness and regret filled his
head. He began to search through his father’s important papers and saw the
still new Bible, just as he had left it years ago.
With tears, he opened the Bible and began to turn the pages. His father had
carefully underlined a verse; Mt.7:11 “If you then, being evil, know how to
give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which
is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?” As he read those words,
a car key dropped from the back of the Bible. It had a tag with the dealer’s
name, the same dealer who had the sports car he had desired. On the tag was
the date of his graduation and the words, “PAID IN FULL”.
What a shock!! What a sad moment!! What a flood of tears on his cheeks!!
Heb. 4:12 “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than
any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and
