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Short Sermons #104: THE HEAVENLY REALM [Christians are supernatural beings]

I receive Rick Joyner 's Word of the Week by email. I read each article and often make printouts to share with others. One morning, as I read the Week 37, 2018 article, I came across a remarkable inspirational Christian quote that I thought I should share. It might help you. You not only have to meditate on the quote but also strive to live it. Here is the quote: "We are not called to be human beings who have occasional spiritual experiences , but we are called to be spiritual beings who have occasional human experiences ." How profound! Is that your experience as a Christian? Does this speak to the way you live? Are you more spiritual than you are human in the various facets of your life? I sometimes think that Christians should learn, each day, to be more spiritual. One's progress in this regard should be evident to themselves initially, then to the rest of the community. I sometimes feel that there is too much " human-ness "  in the Church today. ...

Short Sermons #103: A CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE TO SUCCESS [Motivational teaching on success]

People look at life with different lenses, depending on what they believe. In the year 2003, a friend introduced me to the subject of success motivation and personal development . I then began to attend workshops on the subject but came out a bit confused. What confused me was the exclusive focus on wealth. I thought to myself, “Does success mean just wealth?” I believed that success was broader than just the possession of material things. I also believed that success was supposed to be based on a specific spiritual foundation . Thus began my quest for an answer, or an understanding of the matter. Then one day, as I read my Bible , I came across a verse that struck me. The verse reads as follows: “Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well” ( 3 John v2, NIV ). I almost jumped after reading this verse. “This is it! This is the definition of success!” I almost shouted to myself. If you are enjoying good...

Short Sermons #102: RAISING HOPE AND SURVIVING HARD TIMES [We are not without hope]

I have observed and have become convinced that there are just two kinds of people in this world. The lives of these two kinds of people are as different as day is to night. Only two kinds, not more, not less. That is the message of this textual sermon. There are various difficulties, challenges, trials, and tribulations in this world, but only two kinds of people. There are various levels of poverty, but only two kinds of people. There are various forms of sickness and disease, but only two kinds of people. You put the two groups under the same kind and level of difficulty or pressure, and they react differently. It's amazing. Whatever challenging situation you face today, you are either hopeful or hopeless about it. These are the two kinds of people that I have been referring to - one kind is of the hopeful,  the other is of the hopeless , regarding a specific challenge that they might be facing in their lives at any particular time.   You are either hopeful or hopeless ...

Short Sermons #101: YES, YOU CAN DO IT [Christian motivation for women, men, youth and senior citizens]

I remember the time when I was still a teenager. I kept grudges; real grudges, I mean. I did not know how to forgive ; neither did I have the willingness to do so. If somebody did me wrong, they were supposed to pay for it! I was a stranger to God back then - I had never experienced the transforming power of the Holy Spirit in my life. Any talk about God actually had a jarring effect to my ears; it still does to some folks. I also would tremble in anger, sometimes to the point of shedding tears - even against an elder! I recall a day I got so angry at an elder that he almost fell off the chair on which he was sitting. The elder was evidently wrong; I could not tolerate it anymore - but seething in anger did not make me right either - it's only that I did not know at the time and actually felt justified in my actions. But since then the Lord has re-molded me. Praise to His Holy Name!  If you see me now, you see a totally different person. Simple. I now can forgive and do forgive....

Short Sermons #100: TITHES AND OFFERINGS [Sunday service preaching]

I have, on a number of occasions, listened to preachers teach on tithes and offerings . In the process,  I have observed that some preachers encourage members of the congregation to give tithes and offerings in order for them to get something (called a blessing ) in return. It sometimes feels like getting a blessing is or should be the primary motivation for Christians to give to God. I find this disturbing. I believe that there is need for preachers to go deeper in their teaching on the subject. As far as I am concerned, focusing on "getting something in return" holds immense potential to lead some Christians astray. A number of Christians now consider the issue of tithing and offering as an economic principle . You put something in, you get more out; what a rate of return! This habit encourages the development of an entrepreneurial mindset , not a spiritual one. Because of such a mindset, some people have taken the Spirit of God out of their giving; and it...

Short Sermons #99: BAD HABITS; BREAK THEM NOW [The power of self-control]

Bad behavior remains bad behavior, however much one might try to put some gloss over it. On a number of occasions, I have heard people say, “It doesn't matter. It’s too minor a misdeed to worry about.”   Really? I believe that each of one's actions or omissions has a far-reaching impact on their character and reputation . Everything you do either has a positive or negative effect on your person. The same applies to each of your omissions - the actions that you avoid taking. So it's not a matter of “is it a minor misdeed or a major one?” If something destroys your reputation, why would you not worry about it? If something reflects positively on you, why would you not be eager to be associated with it, no matter it is ‘minor’ or ‘major’? Our country would certainly be a much better place to live in if only more people cared, or cared more. Often people think that it is the responsibility of some other people to put things right. They say, “They should do t...

Short Sermons #98: KEEP WALKING WITH GOD IN FAITH [Trusting Him one step at a time, even when the path ahead is hidden]

Since God 'arrested' me, I have sought to learn about Him and what He expects of me in this life. I have sought to understand the deeper things of God . It’s an endless process; I am still learning . Over the years, while querying certain things in my mind, I have come to believe that there are two kinds of  Christians;  just two. The first group comprises Christians who mean business ; Christians who are serious about worship and following the will of God exclusively; Christians who are  focused on the Kingdom life . Such Christians are always alert, always seeking deeper knowledge pertaining to this wonderful life. Above all, such Christians walk their talk . I am sure you have met Christians of this kind. Some people view such Christians as ' extremists ' because they are not used to seeing such devotion to God.  There are not many such 'extremists' in the world, by my estimation. On the other hand, there are Christians who appear absent-minded, regardles...