Category: Milk and Meat

Neuroplasticity: Why You Really Need To Renew Your Mind. 

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​         Ever heard the saying “you are what you eat?” well its a true statement! Even as it relates to what we take into our system through all our receptive organs, what we eat through our mouths can ultimately affect our entire physical body systems. If you eat healthy and clean foods your body in all will be healthy and clean!  

If you eat unhealthy and harmful foods it will in turn show in the general function of your body, you start to get sick, feel gassy or uncomfortable and what not.

 In the same way, what we take in through our ears and eyes, words, sounds and frequencies affect our emotional, psychological and all round mental health. If you listen to discouraging and abusive words long enough you will find that you will start to change based on what you are constantly feeding on, same thing goes for when we fill our minds with what is good and noble and clean and pure and right, we will be healthy in our minds and this will eventually lead to evident changes in our body system. 

This is a known fact that people have understood from way back in time and this is why Paul in

 Romans 12: 2 said,

“Dont copy the behaviour and customs of this world but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think! ( or renewing your mind) Then you will know what God wants you to do and you will know how good and pleasing His Will really is.”

So basically because we are not of this world we cannot keep relics of the world around us or close to our Heart space. These relics of the world mess with our minds, actions and behaviour by altering our brain science leading to what the scriptures call “Conformity to the world”.  

So do not subject your mind to the toxic  thought patterns of myopic men who do not know your construct or have any idea of what plans God has for you rather fix your thoughts on the Ominiscient Living Word of God who made you, who knew you from the womb and has good intricately woven plans for you. 

Now I’m sure you might be wondering “what does Neuroplasticity have to do with this?” well apart from the fact that it’s a really big and smart sounding word, 😅 it is actually a very important phenomenon of the mind to look into properly. However I want us to focus on the things we keep around us as people who have been washed by the blood of Jesus Christ. 

Because of Neuroplasticity, we are often inclined to go back to or relive a moment or have nostalgic feelings from the past because of something we see around us that reminds us of where we were before. 

Now because these feeling come up does not mean that you are still a sinner or you have fallen out of righteousness no. We are made righteous by the finished work of Jesus Christ , if you are born again you have the nature of God in you and this is Righteousness so you are righteous. As a matter of fact if you did not have this nature in you, you would be comfortable in sinful and perverse thoughts. Besides Jesus knew this could happen and that’s why in

 John 17:15 He prayed for us saying,

” …I’m not asking that you take them out of the world but that you keep them safe from the evil one” 

So though we are in the world that is still very much full of all the nasties and “seeming goodies” (that destroy us). 

We have left the old life behind in true repentance because it is very possible to still live set apart and holy lives in the world even though we are not of it. 

So what do you do? proverbs 4:23 tells us this,

“above all else! Guard your heart because everything you do flows from it”

It’s simple. As much as you can, get rid of all those symbols and things that try to bring you back into that life of sin! 

If its a person of the opposite sex causing you to fall into fornication or sexting, cut the person off, if its pornography, desist from looking at profane content and try not to spend so many hours on the internet, if it’s a sugar addiction, stop taking sugary things. But don’t just stop there, replace those voids with the word of God, fastings and prayers. Allow the Holy spirit discipline you! (common you know you need that. Plus the end rewards are peace and joy! No doubt! )

Also occupy yourself with healthy things like , a hobby, take a walk, have an accountability partner.

 If its suggestive music that’s your weakness, start listening to Music that teaches you about Jesus and reinforces the understanding of the Truth of the gospel in your mind. 

One of my favourite ministers of the gospel puts it this way, 

“your brain has molded itself around your history with these objects, creating Neural networks through repetitive conditioning/ exposure to a certain outcome. Your brain snaps into these states out of habit and needs a chance to create new neural networks and be reprogrammed” 

– Steven Bancarz 

   

     It’s a deliberate thing guys. We consciously decide what to feed our minds with and the things we allow around us like music, pictures, books we read, people we listen to, they are all food to our soul and one way or the other we are either conforming to the dictates of the world or being transformed by the renewing of our minds.  

The adornments of purity and holiness of every believer can only be a reality if we choose to feed on Gods Word and allow His Holy Spirit in us not only be Righteousness in us but do righteousness through us. 

 And this involves cleaning out the trash in our cupboards and filling in our store house with the good stuff. 😊

Grace and Peace Family. 

©Msray

UNCONDITIONAL LOVE.

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​ FIRST OF, THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER.

Unconditional Love does not eliminate the consequences of Living according to the Dictates of the World. We must tell ourselves the truth. No matter how I claim Gods love for me is unconditional, not once have I escaped the consequences of my wrong doing. I have always had to make restitution for damages I caused in one way or the other, where I have hurt people I have had to apologise, where I have lied I have had to tell the truth, where I have been wrong I have always had to realise either through scolding or lashing out or whatever means correction came, I have had to accept my wrong and repent. ( not just feel or say sorry but actually turn away from doing the damage anymore).
By the virtue of the gifts of Will and Choice God has made us with, we are responsible for every action, word and move we make.

UNCONDITIONAL LOVE IS DISCIPLINE.

    Unconditional Love does not connote lawlessness or the elimination of necessary chastisement and correction. It is in Hebrews 12 that we are taught very emphatically:  

My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline,and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,
because the Lord disciplines the one he loves,and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.

“Instead, what should we do?!”

Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father?

“hmmmmm, Good question…”

 If you are not disciplined and everyone undergoes discipline then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all.

“..no kidding!!!”

Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. 

“True true, true that…”

How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live!

They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. 

“Gbam!!!”

Its all there honestly, I don’t need to stress it more than already stated. Unconditional Love will discipline you and prove you and wash you and refine you until you come out as gold.

By the way any one who claims to love you but doesn’t tell you the Truth, correct you when you go wrong, pets you when you’re treading the paths of unrighteousness, hugs you when your attitude is filthy, hmm please run, that person does not Love you. And vice versa, if you Love yourself as God loves you, Unconditionally, You will tell yourself the Truth and walk in righteousness as you were Born Again to do. 

BORN OF UNCONDITIONAL LOVE. 

For God so loved the world, that He made a WAY. And for ALL who will believe… They will be born Anew, possessed by Unending Life.

– It all began with Unconditional Love.


 “Beloved let us love one another, for love is of God and anyone who Loves is born of God and knows God, He that does not Love, Does not know God For God is Love…”
1John 4:7&8. 

   You are not of this world!!! I am not of this world!!!! ( say it). So we can’t afford to entangle ourselves with the yoke of bondage that obeying the Lusts of this world brings, rather we should stand fast in the liberty which Christ has given us in His kingdom. What is the Kingdom of God? 

  1. Righteousness (The New Nature of Christ in you that you are enabled by the Holy Spirit to express Freely in the earth)

  2. Peace (The nature of God in us that enables us Rest in His promises and Trust in His Word with the whole heart)
    and

  3. Joy in the Holy Spirit (Not being moved by circumstances but constantly drawing Hope and strength from the Living Water of Gods Love that Flows from within you by The spirit of God.).

Understand that the gospel of Jesus Christ should not only be heard from your lips and known in your head but should be seen in your life. 


      See, in this place there is no law or fear of punishment and people will hate you, people will hate you for Living a set apart life, people will call you names, people will lash out at you, tell you you’re overdoing the righteousness, but you don’t need to fight them , In 2corinthians 4: 3 – 4, you have been given an  insight as to what the problem is, you know 

But if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case, the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ,
So what do you do? You do the needful and pray for people. Pray that the eyes of their understanding will be open” so that  they can see the free gift we all Have in God through Christ Jesus. This is how to Live in Love.

Your life cannot be guided by this and someone will come and threaten you with fear of punishment. This is where love is perfect and Unconditional and far reaching Only in the confines of The Kingdom of God.
There is Freedom in Christ… Literally, I cant stress this enough.

If you dupe somebody and get billions of naira out of the deal or you break a covenant you have with someone nastily or you swindle your way out of speaking the Truth just to save yourself it is not the favour of God, it is unrighteousness and there is an end for all unrighteousness its called death. Death is the end product of everything that is gotten from The kingdom of darkness. 

THE KINGDOM INBETWEEN

I’m glad to break it to you, there is NO Kingdom in between. 

   There is no place for lukewarm, no place of mixing both Kingdoms. To reject light is to accept darkness, to accept light is to reject darkness (I know thats deep church but stay with me :/). 

Okay on a more serious note now,  It was in a bid to clarify this that Paul in his 2nd letter to the Corinthians said, 

“Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?”

This is a legit question I ask myself all the time, because there is wisdom in it.  In the place of mixture, the line of holy fire that clearly divides Light and Darkness can be easily ignored. 
God has redeemed us through His dear son Christ Jesus to Birth His kingdom in the earth. 

There is no middle ground or comfort zone. We all must choose to walk in Righteousness because we have this new nature, His kingdom within us!
You must be proud of who you are in Christ, gingered to Love, gingered to make peace with God in your day to day concerns and interactions ( not tolerate the world ooo but reconcile others to the father in love), gingered to share, gingered in kindness. 

A believer in Christ Jesus who understands, “I am A new Creature, I am not of the fallen world, I am not of the kingdom of darkness, I have been born into The marvelous light of Jesus Christ!” Will be excited to live in righteousness, refusing to make excuses for Unrighteous desires especially when they rise up in you, this transformation is spiritual being made manifest in the earth! It was Paul in his letter to the Galatians 5 who said, 
  

  “The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions…..”

This is just the fact. Darkness and light don’t see eye to eye at all! This is why your Choice is important,
So verse 6 says, 

“But if you are Led by the spirit, you are not under the law”.. 

You need to allow the Holy spirit Lead you. its a conscious thing. You’re not a robot, you have a will, the Holy spirit is not evil, he will not manipulate you to do the will of God. 
You will Choose to mortify the desires of the flesh so that righteousness can be made manifest in the earth through your life. 

May God keep us even as we continue to yield to His lead and may our lives continue to be a testimony that indeed Christ came in the flesh and we are overcomers in Him.

#GraceAndPeaceFamily

©Msray.

Blessed Is He Who Comes In “THE NAME” 

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THE GENESIS 1 OF ALL CREATION. 

    In the beginning was the WORD and the WORD was with God and The Word was God. John 1:1

All things were made by Him; and without Him was not anything made that was made. John 1:3

In Him was Life and the Life was the LIGHT of men. John 1:4

And the LIGHT shines in the darkness and the darkness does not understand it! John 1:5 

LETS ESTABLISH THE NEED AND SOLUTION FIRST. 

“For all men have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”.  -Romans 3:23

By this we know that of ourselves we only deserve death. Like death unto the grave, then whatever is below the grave. ( that would be hell by the way. :Eternal Darkness)

This is the verdict for the soul/person who is born in the Sin nature and remains in it. 

                   BUT

Light has come into the world to redeem that man who will BELIEVE, not just hear the story and say ” oh yes that talk about Jesus, I believe it”, 

But a person will have BELIEF so strong, however small, he will be transformed in his very nature. These ones will become what Paul Called the NEW CREATION! That’s a Creation that never existed prior to when they BELIEVE. 

This Belief  will not be of them but of God. 

For God is Faithful and Just to forgive us our sins (Old Nature) and cleanse us from all Unrighteousness (its fruit)

 -1 John1:9 

By receiving this good report of LIGHTS  arrival in the earth they will have FAITH.

Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. Romans 10:17

The Word Is God! The LIGHT Who came into the world in the person of Christ Jesus to Redeem man from the Curse of Darkness i.e Sin and death. 
So Faith comes from the very PERSON of God, Faith Is His Nature. And we have faith only by Hearing and Hearing Christ Jesus.

So the more we Hear and hear, the more we BELIEVE, the more we are Transformed in our soul and body.  

N.B: The word Hear is translated from the Hebrew text SHEMA which means: Listen and obey, Listen closely, Hear and respond, Pay attention to or Focus On. See SHEMA graphic illustration word study.

Now Notice those who believe receive The New Life of the Kingdom in the spirit (Heavens). This is why Jesus taught His disciples not to look up or out there for the kingdom of God but within themselves for they have received Him and now Believe. Jesus also taught His disciples to pray thus To Our Father In Heaven,

“….. Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

-Matthew 6:10

So next time you pray the Lords prayer, make it a little more personal…

“…. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done in this earth (beat your chest) as it is done in the heavens”

For the flesh is of the earth and can only be Transformed by the Finished work of Christ as in the Heavens, let it be so here. Amen. 

Now! Back To THE NAME. 

When I think about Uchechukwu Nwachukwu, I do not simply imagine words spelt out on a blank surface,

 A person comes to my mind. 

A living, breathing, walking, talking person in this earth, comes to my mind. 

Uchechukwu Nwachukwu is my Friend, Uchechukwu Nwachukwu is His Name and His Name is His person. This is Who He Is. 

Jesus told His disciples that they will do all manner of great and wonderful things in His Name! And only in His Name did they have authority to do all He sent them out to do, All Glory to God. (Seriously its so cool check it out in Matthew 10)

But there is one peculiar thing that we can notice about all of Christ’s called, abandoned all to follow, taught and sent ones, They Believed, Rejoicing even unto the point of Physical Death. 

Now before you get all gingered Up, Know This…

This was not Normal Guys, No one just wakes up to a story of How Light came into the world to destroy darkness and suddenly decides that His Life ambition is to be a Martyr. 

So what was it?! What made these ordinary men so different? And why is death so Inevitable? Jesus said

” verily I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and DIES it abides alone, But if it Dies, it produces many seeds” – John 12:24

Imagine if we eat all the seeds, and eliminate all the eggs in the world, (its a tall order but just imagine it) For a time, it will seem as though there is life but as time goes by there will be silence in the earth. Death Without New life is extinction. 

So basically for New life/much fruit to be produced, a seed must first go into the Earth. Be it the ground or a female. This is the principle of Death and Resurrection. 

But instead of just Death unto the grave and Hell, This Time its a Death unto New Life. 

So the earth (man) ceases to be a grave because in Christ it (his heart) becomes good soil. 

At this point, if you’re  still nursing ideas of martyrdom I suggest you keep reading, This isn’t over yet. 

Now Paul made a disturbing statement in Galatians 2:20

“I am crucified with Christ, ” he said

“Nevertheless I Live,” hmmmm

“Yet not I!”  Say what now?!

“But Christ Liveth in me” owkayy…

” and the life I now live in the flesh, I live by THE FAITH OF THE SON OF GOD”  🙂

“Who loved me and gave himself for me”  wow! 

Paul was a dead man even before he finally exited this World physically. Or as Christ will say “went to sleep” for God is not the God of the dead but of the living. 

Stay with me people

That would explain why Isaiah though he was cut in two with a wooden saw, peter was crucified upside down ‘on request by the way’, Paul died many times by stoning, wild beasts and what not, John was soaked in boiling oil, didn’t die and was later banished to Patmos because “annoying” and many other records of ordinary men unafraid, unashamed and unmoved will not recant in the face of persecution. 

For they came not In Their Individual names, But in  THE NAME of the One Who Lives Forever! 

{Praise Break!}

So by the FAITH OF GOD in them, they were made testimonies of Eternal Life even in the World destined for destruction.

 (It was not just a new testament thing, God has shown Himself Graceful, Merciful, Mighty, Strong and Awesome in and Through His people right from the beginning of Time God did not just start this 2000yrs ago, He has always been and will always be Loving and Faithful to His People)

Now,

 “Arise! Shine! For your Light is come and the glory of the Lord is Risen Upon You! ” 

This is where you and I come in…

“… Thy kingdom come, thy will be done in the earth, in me, my soul and body as its already done in the heavens”,

where is heaven? The spirit of God, The kingdom of God, His Reign as Lord and King in You first, then in the earth as a whole. Get it? It starts from within you! 

 Doesn’t stop there, Transforms the whole World until Darkness is driven out by LIGHT. 

“… Revelation 11:15

15And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdom of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. 

Quick Question, where is your name in the scripture? 🙂

I’d show you,

Living as Those Made Alive in Christ

1Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.3For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is youra life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

5Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry….. Colossians 3.

Want to be a martyr? Here’s a good place to start, Understand that you have Died To Your Flesh in Christ! 

Now before you get any bright ideas and start cutting off arms and legs let’s get this straight. 

Jesus when He Rose from the Grave! Glory to God!, Told His Disciples

And I paraphrase simply 

“If I don’t go and send my Spirit to you, you’d Never Be Me! And I Know you’d miss me but Don’t worry  My Spirit only Speaks of Me, He will Guide you into all of Me! (Truth) I have testified of my father and you must do same, Testify of me because You have been with me from the beginning, through Death and Resurrection” – John 15:26, 16: 5-8

To Testify is To Be and To Live As Christ Did in the Earth as it is in Heaven, Just as His Disciples did! -Living Testimonies. 

So to Die on your own, thats suicide. 

We are only able to Mortify this flesh and its deeds being sanctified ,our lives laid down as a sacrifice by the Help of the Holy Spirit of Truth sent From the father Himself. 

God is with us to see us through it all.

His promise to never leave or forsake us is True!

“So walk in the spirit therefore and of the spirit you will bear good fruit of The Spirit” Gal 5. 

Talk about being good soil. 😀

Now In Christ you have right to ascend unto Eternal Life You are destined to Die, But in Christ Unto Life, You Cease to Live Now He Lives In You Through You, You Live In the Flesh Now But By His Faith Unto Transformation its Galatians 2:20 all over again!

Your Pass into the Life of God Is THE NAME CHRIST! JESUS! His NAMe is HIS PERSON!

Not just words you say with your mouth, but your BEING.

“You also must testify of me….” Jesus said, He meant your Life, Now His own and No longer yours! Glory to God. 

Remember FAITH is of God, Faith does not Fail. So this is why we do not lean on Strength that is born of a nature destined to die instead we SHEMA and SHEMA The WORD.

 no more gloomy defeated Living now, Arise and shine .

“…. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of Righteousness, Peace and Joy in The Holy Spirit!”

Therefore I cease to be __________________ (insert name here.) Because Christ Is and

BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN CHRIST JESUS. 

 

M&M- Gifts pt 3

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We would now go to the other 3 gifts that say something.I would like us to go through the scriptures, check out these gifts and then if you have any question as pertains the study, you can just ask and get a reply.

The gifts that say something

*Prophesy

*Divers kinds of tongues

*Interpretation of tongues

PROPHESY

The simple gift of prophesy have been mistaken to be FORE TELLING. That is not a right way to think else you would run into the cofusion of trying to differentiate between the gift of prophesy and the word of wisdom.

Prophesy is FORTH TELLLING. It is not to predict some certain events in the future, but just speaking out by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in a language we understand. Paul said in 1Corinthians 14:3 but he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exortation and comfort.

That is exactly what the simple gift of prophesy is, when you speak with an unknown tongue no one is edified, but if you interpret in a known language, you have prophesied.

In Acts 21:9-10 a distinction was made between some daughters that prophesied and then a man named Agabus who was a prophet. And being a prophet or any of the other ministerial gifts is not a portfolio, they are all jobs. I think we would get into that pretty soon because everyone has been called to ministry and it is full time too for everyone.

I hope I was clear on the gift of prophesy? Now I would show an example of prophesy from a place in the bible to show there can be no single fore telling and it would be prophesy. How many of us have manifested these gifts but we do not know because we have been ignorant of spiritual things, Paul doesn’t want that for the Corinthian church anymore than God wants it for us. Lets look at it Luke 1:67-79

Verse 67 says “and his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying

Now if you read through you won’t see any specifics on fore telling, but he spoke forth divine things as the Spirit enabled him. Am sure if anyone had listened, they would be very edified. That is an example.

Lets take the last two gifts together

DIVERSE KINDS OF TONGUES AND INTERPRETATION OF TONGUES

These two gifts are the only gifts exclusive to the church, the gifts exclusive to the new testament.

It is as simple as it sounds, the gifts of tongues. If you notice divers in the King James Version was italicized it means it was added when translating to make up for laguage barriers, so these gift of tongues manifests in one way, the person speaking does not have any idea what is been said.

Unless interpretation comes in.

You might speak in tongues and it would be the language of another person as inspired by the Spirit, the person would understand you.

Paul made an interesting disctinction on two kinds of tongues 1Corinthians 13:1 tongues of men and tongues of angels.

Tongues of men is simply speaking a known language that you didn’t learn but men know it while tongues of angels is speaking mysteries that no man knows. The knowledge is not fruitful without an interpretation.

Now interpretation of tongues is not one heavy duty too, Paul said you should pray to interpret too as much as you speak 1Cor 14:13. If you ask God, if you desire, if you are willing to give it expression, you would see them happen.

In prayers, it is best to speak with tongues because it would be praying from our spirit Romans 8:26

At times we have the urge or burden to pray and we don’t know why we are praying, who we are praying for or what to even pray for: at this point pray in other tongues and you would be praying God’s divine will you can never pray amiss when praying this way.

As you pray at times, you get to narrow down to a person or a place, in your spirit, or you might receive a word that directs you and then you would know exactly why you have prayed or you are praying, however if this doesn’t happen, pray and leave it alone. Just pray!!!

When this prayer is done in tongues it happens at times that you begin to know some words in your spirit that you would speak out, just speak them out. At times you would pray in tongues for a long time and have just two words to say in your understanding, at other times you have prayed for a little while and by inspiration you are speaking for minutes. There is no formula to this, just follow the Spirit,

He does the leading and you do the yielding.

Glory to God.
Any questions as regards this teaching or the former teachings is welcome, just drop it on the comment box and someone would get back to you, if you want to be reached via email or any other platform, we would work something out
Always remember

YOU ARE SAVED

YOUR SALVATION IS SURE

IT IS A REALITY

STAY IN GRACE.

Till next time, I love you.

Njoku Uchechi
Official Christapoet Team Poet

M&M- Gifts pt 2

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THE GIFTS OF HEALING

This gift was seen many times in the new testament and it is one gift I would not spend much time on because we have seen it in operations too in our days. Many people are very conversant with this particular gift.

But one thing I would love to call to our notice is the fact that it is the GIFTS and not GIFT of healings and I believe the reason for this is simply because of the fact that different people can be afflicted differently. However it doesn’t take more power of God to cure a cancer than it takes to end a headache. It is the self same sweet Holy Spirit at work, that same power that resurrected Christ from the grave. We are the ones that have a huge picture of sicknesses painted in our minds, God is able to heal any of them at any time if we would dare to stand in our authority and pray in the name of Jesus.

You would see this gift manifested through you as you exercise your authority today in Jesus name, amen.

THE WORKING OF MIRACLES

This gift is similar and different from the gifts of healings. Did I just say that? Okay to avoid confusion, let me differentiate them now.

Where the gifts of healings is someone having a tumor on the leg and by laying of hands tumor disappears, the working of miracles is when someone doesn’t have any leg at all and a new leg grows out. 

You get?

Like I have had a stomach ache twice already in the course of this study, I just laid hands and commanded the stomach to be well, and the last one just went. I wonder why these little imps won’t just go and rest.

…..that wasn’t an example of working of miracles please.

The working of miracles also goes beyond the human body as does healings, like when we saw Christ feed the 5,000 people in John 6:10-13, it was working of miracle. In verse 14 it says that when they have seen the MIRACLE that Jesus did……

When you make an axe head to float or go get money from the mouth of a fish, those are miracles at work.

THE GIFT OF FAITH

People call this the gift of special faith, I call it the gift of faith. You need faith for anything to work in your walk with God. Your very salvation is by faith and this is where many believers have missed it.

They don’t know how to be in faith, they are spiritual(faith) beings that operate by their feelings(flesh) how would that produce any results?

This gift of faith however helps to receive. It seems passive in a way, but as I said ALL these gifts are resident in every believer because we do not carry the gifts, we carry the Spirit that gives the gifts, He is the only anointing Christ got to do all He did on this earth and when He was going He promised us that we would do greater as He sends the Spirit to us John 14:12.

Someone would ask, but how can I do more than Christ Jesus? It is a reality you had better believed it, Jesus said it HIMSELF.

These gifts intertwine too as you might manifest the gift of faith and gifts of healing at the same time and the result is someone getting free from sickness, it glorifies God.

This discussion continues next Friday, be a part, drop your questions in the comment section or send a mail to christapoet@gmail.com and get set to enter into a magnificient era of your christian life.
Grace and Peace.
Njoku Uchechi

Official Christapoet Spoken Word Poet

M&M- Gifts

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Good day everyoneMilk and Meat has returned, though it was not meant to go anywhere in the first place.

I want to first apologize for the absence for many Fridays, which led to this break. It was due to a lot of constraints which I have been able to handle to a point. I hope I am forgiven.

That been said, let us conclude the study we started on the gifts of the Spirit.

We have looked at 3 of the gifts present in our new nature. We divided these 9 gifts into 3 categories and looked at only one. From today we would take a look at the other 6 so buckle up as we see the gifts made available for our use and as we go into this, I pray that an enablement would be quickened in us and these gifts would begin to find continual expression in us. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Our text is still from the book of 1Corinthians 12:8-10

8 for to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;

9 to another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;

10 to another the working of miracles; to another prophesy; to another discerning of Spirits; to another diverse kinds of tongues; to another interpretation of tongues.

Last time I made a statement that one believer can operate in all of the 9 gifts. The phrases “for to one is given” and “to another” doesn’t infere that the gifts are specific to certain individuals.

If this were to be so, then it should be ONE gift per individual and if you had more than one because it says “and to one is given” and then a particular gift is mentioned. Another thing wrong with thinking like this would be that it is a work done by the individual, NO! it is a work done by the Spirit resident in the individual, it is a single, self same Spirit resident in ALL believers at ALL times.

The last thing wrong about this thinking is this, in 1Corinthians 12:31 Paul said “but covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet I shew you a more excellent way”. I am yet to see a coveteous man that takes count of how many things he has coveted. So how would Paul say we can only have some gifts and then ask us to covet the best gifts?

What happens is us giving expressions to these gifts, and our desires is how we covet them. The Spirit is ever more than willing to operate in these gifts, He wants us to heal people, to use our faiths, He doesn’t want us in the dark when a contrary spirit is in operation, HE WANTS TO LEAD US, lets desire these gifts and have faith mixed with boldness to speak with what the Spirit lays in our hearts from today forward.

Let us look at the gifts that do something, and that would be;

*The gifts of healing

*The workingof miracles

 *The gift of faith.
This discussion continues next Friday, be a part, drop your questions in the comment section or send a mail to christapoet@gmail.com and get set to enter into a magnificient era of your christian life.
Grace and Peace.
Njoku Uchechi

Official Christapoet Spoken Word Poet

‘ME’….

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When last did you sit and consider, ‘Maybe the problem is really me’?

No, really! Forget the cliché and think of the reality that maybe that ghost you keep running away from is ‘me’….

Your shadow distorted by the dim light of deception, a darkness that so easily besets you…

No, really! I need you to think and remember that time someone pointed out that flaw and you said ‘No! no that’s not what I do’…..

You remember ‘I don’t wanna hear about this any longer you’re making me sick with this argument’ and all the while you’re the only one talking or well you and yourself because the words around you can’t be louder than the voices in your head so instead you tell every one else to shut up knowing fully well that the real person to be hushed is you….

Make no mistake ‘me’ does not just affect the heathen so don’t confuse the call to come out from among them as a message of isolation from just people, it was a call to slowly, painfully but eventually break free from ‘me’…

Don’t do that! Don’t you dare go back on that deluded lane, can’t you see it has left you in doubt and utter denial for so long? Who told you that the issue is the devil…

Oh yeah right I figured it was ‘me’ giving you all the power you needed to push the blame on the very accuser you empowered by your fears and insecurities.

Well the good news is that the victory is in the consciousness, faith does not deny the problem but it enables a recreation. ‘Yes I was convicted but by his blood I am acquitted no longer bound to ‘me’ because you are raised in and with Him

By Abokhai Osione

Milk & Meat: #5_THE HOLY SPIRIT: Gifts 1.

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Another Good Friday, how are you all doing?

I am excited and cold. Covered from head to feet (not totally though, wish I could share a picture).

It is good to have us here again, today we would be talking about something that we must have heard before. However, since I promised to make these teachings a discipleship series, meaning that if you follow from beginning to whenever it ends, you would not only know Christ as a new born, you would also grow to maturity and be well equipped to train others who would be young in the Faith.

This been said, we would be looking at Spiritual gifts today.

I would divide them into 3 different sections and take them in a space of 3weeks, so it would be easy to digest, and also we would have time to put to practise and recognize when a gift is in operation through someone else.

Are we ready? I believe we are, let us get straight into the study.

A prayer, as you go through this study, it would become clear to your eyes, understanding would flood your eyes and your gifts that might not have been used to the best of its potential would find expression, in Jesus name, amen.

Our text today would be 1 Corinthians 12:8-10

8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;

9 to another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;

10 to another the working of miracles; to another prophesy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues.

I would be making some statements in the course of this study that I would want us to pause and think on before we make conclusions on them. Conclusions being to accept them or not.

We have a total of 9 gifts here let me divide them into three groups:

*those that REVEAL something

Word of wisdom,

Word of knowledge and

Discerning of spirits

*those that DO something

Faith,

Gifts of healing and

Working of miracles

*those that SAY something

Prophesy,

Divers kinds of tongues and

Interpretation of tongues.

 

For this study, we would treat just the first group, the REVELATIONAL GIFTS.

Now I want us to do a quick run through from verse one of this 1 Corinthians chapter 12 because I want to explain some things that would help us grasp the teachings on the gifts mentioned from verse 8 to 10. Let’s do it quickly

1 Corinthians 12:1 now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.

Look at a King James Version, you would notice that the word gifts was italicized, this simply means that it was added to make grammatical sense.

So reading the sentence without it would give a slightly different meaning, it means that in those days, it was necessary for believers to know about spiritual things. If it was important in those days, it is still important now.

Now Paul goes ahead to explain their former state

  1. ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.

Now that was just speaking of their former nature, who they used to be, they were led by dumb idols

Now their new nature is what Paul would talk about in the next verse, they are now Spirit led.

This is what Romans 8:1 spoke about

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

It doesn’t mean that there are some in Christ who walk after the Spirit and those ones are the people that have no condemnation, NO

It is saying that the people found in Christ have a new nature, they are the same people who are Spirit led, and they are the same people with no condemnation.

How do you now know those who are not condemned? THEY ARE THOSE WHO HAVE BELIEVED IN JESUS. (John 3:16-18)

So when Paul says this in the next verse

3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is Lord, but by the Holy Ghost

He spoke of their new nature; before explaining Spiritual things to them, he is giving them the assurance that what they would be doing is because they now have the Sweet Holy Spirit.

So when I hear people say that someone has a diabolic power, they accept Christ and then they get filled with the Sweet Holy Spirit, and then they still use the powers of their fathers, I just assume that they don’t understand this portion of the scriptures.

Paul was telling them that they don’t call Jesus accursed because they have the Holy Spirit, and He is the one present in them to enable them call Jesus Lord. Then he went ahead to explain how this new nature operates.

From verse 4 to 7 he is just telling them that no matter how the Spirit works through you, or how the manifestation happens, do not be scared, it is the same Spirit that is doing the works. It is not another strange spirit.

Let us jump to verse 11

11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

Let me quickly answer some questions and give reasons briefly

# Which gift is the most important?

It is the gift needed at the very moment

#Can one believer operate in all the 9 gifts?

YES. Because a believer have the same Spirit that the other believer has.

The reason given by people to say that a believer is cannot operate in all 9 gifts is the statements made in verse 8 to 10 “to one is given……..” but they refuse to reason that they themselves or others have and operate in more than ONE of these gifts. This means when that place says “to one is given,…” it is not a restriction but a differentiation of one gift from the other.

A believer however has gifts in constant operation in their lives, but the Spirit would use us based on our availability to work any of the gifts. It is hardly about us, it is about ministering to people.

So when you meet someone who is sick, don’t go saying, I don’t have the gifts of healing, lay your hand and pray in Faith or when a word of knowledge comes to you, you say well, my gift is healings.

One last thing before we get into these gifts for today, please your ability to sing well or dance well is not a spiritual gift spoken here. Focus on the subject and you would find out that the spiritual gifts are spiritual and as we trust the Sweet Spirit, we would give expressions to these gifts already resident in the Spirit we carry whenever they need to be used to help someone and in the preaching of the gospel.

I have said many things in one place that I didn’t plan for… let us get into the 3 gifts we are treating today. I would define them, try to say what they are not and give scriptural examples, we would also see that these gifts intertwine or work together at times too.

*REVELATIONAL GIFTS

#Word of Wisdom

This gift has nothing to do with the wisdom that comes from the knowledge of the scriptures through study. It doesn’t mean the kind of wisdom that Daniel and his friends (the Hebrew boys) had.

It is a supernatural knowing of God’s plan and purpose as revealed to a man. It might be in form of a vision or a quick flash, but it doesn’t always also come like that. It might just be an inside witness.

Just bear in mind that it foretells something in God’s mind. It deals with the future events that would happen, and God reveals this to His children in parts, when necessary.

For example in Acts 9:15-16 after Saul’s conversion the Lord speaking to Ananias said this

15 but the Lord said unto him, go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and the kings and the children of Israel
16 for I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.

Ananias already knew that Paul would suffer for the gospel and that he would have a ministry to the Gentiles, this ministry was set up in Acts 13:2, but Ananias had a word of wisdom about it long before Paul received the Holy Spirit.

This is all the example I would give here. Also note that these gifts are not special to a certain people, because Ananias was just a certain disciple, and he operated in the gift of the word of wisdom. Take time to go through the scriptures and discover the places that these gifts were in operation. Even in the Old Testament.

#Word of Knowledge

This gift is similar to the word of wisdom in that it is also a word from the Spirit and it can come in visions or in sounds. I like to call it the sights and sounds of the Spirit.

However, this word is a knowledge on things in the past or in the present.

I would give the same example to explain and to also show how these gifts work together. In the same Acts 9 verse 11-12

11 and the Lord said unto him, arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,

12 and hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.

So Ananias knew for certain where Saul was, and what he was doing, he even also knew that Saul was having a word of knowledge that Ananias would come and how the event would play out.

GLORY!!!

Imagine how many people would be helped as we allow these gifts to be in operation through us, if we allow for their expression, we would learn as we go. More often than not, Spiritual things require Faith and boldness, Kenneth Erwin Hagin in a book wrote of how his wife got someone in her family filled with the Holy Spirit with the evidence of tongues, she just knew it would happen and she acted on what she knew inside in her spirit.

If you know the situation in place, you would understand why Faith and boldness was needed, the person she was to lay hands on didn’t believe in praying in tongues, and she was still a young lady.

She could have imagined, what if it didn’t work?, what if, what if, what if…. Always in the negative, if we can learn to bring our ‘what ifs’ to be positive, we would achieve a lot as we are led by the Spirit.

We would see people get healed, get delivered, get saved, and you would speak things no one ever told you, by obeying promptings in your spirit, and as you walk with Him, accuracy would increase, as we exercise in the Spirit, we grow in it.

In the Old Testament also, this gift was operational, the story of Elisha and Gehazi his servant in 2 Kings 5:26 shows this: Elisha the prophet narrated an event that he clearly wasn’t present when it took place. He had a word of knowledge as it went on.

#DISCERNING OF SPIRITS

Notice that this gift is a discerning of SPIRITS, it is not the discerning of evil spirits.

It is a supernatural ability to be able to see into the spirit realm.

You can see both good and bad spirits.

I was in a meeting when these gifts were discussed and a well-meaning older woman got up and explained discerning of spirits to be having direction on how to go and what to do in our daily dealings. But she was in error

It is not a gift of discerning from the Spirit, or discernment from the Spirit, where trusting the Spirit can help in decision makings, that is not discerning of spirits.

There are no spirits to discern in deciding what course I should study or in finding the right route to a place.

I have found a group of friends who left me by praying in tongues and following promptings in my spirit, it was not a loud or even still small voice, I just prayed in tongues under my breathe and looked for them, I never took a single wrong turn till I found them, no spirit was discerned. It is not discerning of spirits

In discerning of spirits, you do not just know that a different spirit is in operation that is just word of knowledge at operation, you do have to see into the spirit realm.

I hope that was clear.

It is also for good and bad spirits. At times the physical senses would be suspended, at other times, it would not be.

This is where I would end the teaching for today, I look forward to seeing us next week as we look at the 3 gifts that DO something.

I would close with these words, all the gifts of the Spirit was in operation throughout the old testament except two that is specific for this dispensation.

Remember that these things are things that come with your new nature, in the Corinthian church, they had too much expression of these gifts that they had to get order to make them all be blessed. I look forward to a church with many expressions also in this our time and days because we need it now as much as they did back then.

Till next time,

 YOU ARE A SPIRIT BEING,

YOU ARE SPIRIT LED,

YOU ARE SAVED

YOUR SALVATION IS SURE.