AFD JUNE 2014 THEME
Shalom & Kingdom greetings! I welcome you into this month of JUNE in the name of our Redeemer, the King of kings and Lord of lords, Jesus Christ, our Saviour. I pray that His grace, peace, love and mercy might be with you and take hold of you, bringing all things under your feet and control; and that you might lay hold to your redemptive rights, privileges and position in Christ Jesus to enable you accomplished your divine given, purposes and pursuit.
I welcome all visitors and existing browsers into this month AFD JUNE 2014 EDITION, which is Entitled: DARE TO BELIEVE & BECOME! “The Achievers Tenacity to Dream, Believe & Become”
Further Scriptural Reading To This Theme:
I do know that a man’s ignorance is his own mountain and the knowledge of the truth will set him free. Hence I am leaving you with the undermentioned scriptures to read, to give you a line of food for thought as a way to indicate how the theme of the month will be approach. I therefore commend you to take time to ponder and meditate on them in prayers (Acts 20:32).
Genesis 12:1-3 “Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: 2 and I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: 3 and I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.“
Matthew 9:27-29 “And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou Son of David, have mercy on us. 28 And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord. 29 Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you. 30 And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See that no man know it. 31 But they, when they were departed, spread abroad his fame in all that country.“
Genesis 26:1-6, 12-14 “And there was a famine in the land, beside the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went unto Abimelech king of the Philistines unto Gerar. 2 And the Lord appeared unto him, and said, Go not down into Egypt; dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of: 3 sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father; 4 and I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; 5 because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws. 6 And Isaac dwelt in Gerar: . . . Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the Lord blessed him. 13 And the man waxed great, and went forward, and grew until he became very great: 14 for he had possession of flocks, and possession of herds, and great store of servants: and the Philistines envied him.“
Romans 4:17-25 “(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. 18 Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations; according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. 19 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara’s womb: 20 he staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21 and being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. 22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. 23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; 24 but for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; 25 who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.“
However, this month theme will be expanded in course of the SERVICES & TIMES in all meetings through the year in “Scripture Pasture” Study and “Pastoral Messages & Ministrations”.
I gladly welcome you, your friends and family to be with us in Fellowship and Worship. I promise you that you can never be the same again as you ponder over the truth of these unadulterated, inspiring, revealing and empowering living word of God. I pray that God revitalize and rejuvenates you and all that is about you, so that you may become the very best of which God has created you to be in your daily journey of Destiny Molding, Life Transformation, Dignity Restoration and Kingdom Faith Establishment, Community Social Enrichment and Development and Readily Prepared, Awaiting The Lord’s Return.
Until then, have an amazing, majestic and awesome Month of “DARE TO BELIEVE & BECOME” in JUNE 2014.
In Christ Love,
Revd. Chukie.
Knowing And Feeding On The WORD
TOPIC: KNOWING & FEEDING ON THE WORD OF GOD
TEXT: I John 5:7, 11; John 1:1-5; 17:3; Psalm 119: 1-22; Deut. 17:14-20; Revelation 5:9-10; 1:5-6; 1Peter 2:5, 9.
INTRODUCTION: The BIBLE, Which is the Word, the Will, the Testimony, the Covenant, The Testament of God, has been describe as the “Blessed Information Bringing Life Eternal”. The Christian life is a race, a journey in which there are difficulties, trials, temptations and dangers on the way. The psalmist said, “Blessed are the undefiled in the way, which walk in the law of the Lord” (Ps. 119:1). The knowledge of the Word of God helps to keep us from all defilement’s, for it is “the lamp unto our feet and the light unto our path” (Ps. 119:105). It is a mirror and it is the food that gives energy for the race (1 Pet. 1:23). Ignorance of the word leads to starvation, to bondage, fear and careless living. Through the word, we come to know God and obtain our salvation. It is necessary for our daily living, for through it the quality of our life is improved.
This Word study calls us to know, learn and keep the word of God for our blessings, prosperity and success (Rev. 1:3, Joshua 1:8.) Lets arise in our hearts and graze on this scripture for our now, today and tomorrow.
ASPECTS OF THE WORD: The WORD has three parts to it:
- The LOGOS words, which is written word, i.e. the objective will of God – (Matthew. 4:4.)
- The RHEMA word, which is the revelation or living word, (i.e. the subjective will of God that creates – Gen. 1:3.) Sometimes called the prophetic or spoken word. The Spirit Word of God. (John. 6:63)
- The INCARNATE Word, which is the word made flesh – JESUS – (John 1:14.)
In this study however, we shall concentrate on the Logos, the written or objective will of God. However all the three parts are very important in order of operations: LOGOS – RHEMA – INCARNATE WORD.
DISCUSSION (Study Analysis):
A. What says the Scripture about the Word of God:
- Food – 1 Pet. 2:2, Deut. 8:3; Ps. 119:103; Jer. 15:16-
- Light – Ps. 119.105, 130; Prov. 6:23; Ps. 19:8
- Seed for Sowing – Ps. 126:6; Mk. 4:14-20; 2 Cor. 9:10
- Purifier – Ps. 119:9; Jn. 15:3; Jn. 17:17; 1Pt. 1:22
- It is perfect, convert’s soul, sure, right, rejoicing the heart, pure, enlighten the eyes, sweeter than honey, something to be desired more, it warns us, and great reward lies in keeping it. It makes the simple hearted wise (Wisdom) – Ps. 19:7-11.
- Reveals all errors and cleanses all secret faults – Ps. 19:12
- It is an instructor, reproves, etc – Proverbs 6:23; 2 Timothy 3: 16-17.
- Perfect – Ps 19:7, Matthew 5:48; Psalm 37:37, Genesis. 17:1
- Loved by the saints of old – Ps. 119:47, Job 23:12, Jer. 15:16 Psalm 119:72, 82, 97, 140, 163.
- It is eternal and authentic; it can authenticate for itself – Psalms 119:89, Matthew 5:18; 24:35; Isaiah 40:8; 1Peter. 1:25
B. What makes the Written Word Different from other written materials:
- 2Tim. 3:16; Jer. 36:2; 2Pet. 1:21 – (Divinely inspired materials)
- Deut. 4:2; Prov. 30:6; Rev. 22:19; -(It is sacred and not to be altered)
- Psalm 19:7-8 –(Perfect, sure, right and pure)
- Mark 13:31 – Cannot be out-dated – (1Pet. 1:24-25; Isa. 40:6-8,) for it has sustained every generation that looked up to it for life.
- 2Tim. 2:9-10 – God’s word is not bound or limited.
- Jn. 6:63 – It is spirit and life giving
- Psalm 107:20 – Quick to obtain result (i.e. able to deliver)
- Heb. 4:12 Powerful and effective.
C. The tremendous power in the Word of God as revealed in the following Scriptures:
- Jeremiah 5:14 – Devouring flame.
- Jeremiah 23:29 – A crushing hammer/fire
- Ezekiel 37:7 – Life giving force to the dry bones. (Jn. 6:63, Psalm 119:93)
- 1 John 5:3 – A burden and grieve lifter
- Romans 1:16 – A saving power.
- Ephesians 6:17 – A defensive weapon
- Hebrews 4:12 – A probing instrument.
D. Why was the word written for and to us: (Rom. 15:4; 1Cor. 10:11)
- To authenticate the Messiahship and divinity of Christ – John 20:31.
- For our learning, it gives hope to men – Romans 15:4.
- For admonition – 1Corinthians 10:11.
- To give knowledge of eternal life – 1 John 5:13.
- For our righteousness and unto every good works – 1Timothy 3:16-17
- Profitable for teaching – Deut. 4:10, 11:9, 2Chron. 17:9, Neh. 9:13; 1saiah. 2:3; Acts 8:28
- To testify of Christ – Jn. 5:39.
E. In what mood do we study the Word
- As a command – 2Timothy. 2:15; Deuteronomy 17:19; Joshua. 1:8; Isaiah 34:16; John 5:39; Acts 17:11; Romans 15:4)
- With great reverence – (Deuteronomy 4:2, 12:32; Proverbs 30:6, Revelation 22:19; 2Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter. 1:21)
- In love and not fear or grieve or sorrow – (1John 5:3; Psalm 119:47, 82, 97, 140, 163, Job 23:12)
- With a readiness to allow the word in the heart – (Deuteronomy 6:6, 11:18, 30:14, Psalm 119:11; Romans 10:8; Colossians 3:16.)
- Readiness to do the word as written or implied – (James 1:22-25)
F. How we can study the Word
- Doctrinal or topical study
- Book by Book or chapter by chapter
- Character study
- The use of study aids etc.
G. Study aids (Material to study the Word)
- A Holy Bible (Preferably with reference)
- Notebook/Booklet (not sheet or loose piece of paper)
- Concordance, Dictionary, Commentary.
- Biro, highlighter etc.
- Internet Access – WORD search; E-sword; Bible gateway etc.
H. What encouragement do we get in studying the word of God:
- Nobleness – John 5:39; Act 17:10, 11; 2 Timothy. 2:15.
- Success and Blessing – Joshua 1:8; Revelation 1:3 Luke. 11:28.
- Freedom and deliverance – John 8:31 – 32; 15:7; Matthew 7:24.
- It is trustworthy – Matt. 5:18; Luke. 21:33; Isaiah 55:8-13, 1Peter 1:24-25; 1Kings. 8:56; Ps. 93:5, Psalm 111:7; Ezekiel 12:25 Deuteronomy 12:9.
I. Consequences of failure to read and know the word of God
- Be in darkness, searching for the living among the dead – John 20:9; Proverbs 21:16.
- Destruction, despised and rejected by God – Hosea 4:6; Isaiah 5:13-15; 2 Chronicles 36:16; Isaiah 30:9; Jeremiah 6:19; 9:13.
- Hindrance to your prayer – 1 John 3:22.
- A victim due to erring on the scriptures – Matt. 22:29; Matt. 12:3, 19:4.
- Makes one walk in Ignorance – Jn. 20:9; Acts 13:27; 2Cor. 3:15.
CONCLUSION: Many Christians are living a beggarly life today because of their ignorance of the word. They have failed to go into the scriptures to claim and enrich their life with the blessings of God. Another great sin committed by believers today is their inability to believe completely the whole counsel of God as it is in the scriptures. Do not interpret it to suit your selfishness but allow the word of God to speak to you and then only, you will reap God’s blessings in it. For the Bible is a fortress often attacked but never failing. Its wisdom is commanding and its logic convincing. Salvation is its watchword; Eternal life it’s goal; It punctures all pretense. Trust it, love it, obey it and eternal life will be yours.
Food for thought: “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that heareth the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the times is at hand”. –Rev. 1:3 (Jam. 1:22-25, Jos. 1:8, Ps.1:1-3, Deut. 6:4-9; 11:8).
MEMORY VERSE: Psalm 119:11 “Thy Word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee”
Compiled by Revd Chukie MORSI