Now that You Are Born Again ( by Fenny West)

Now That You Are Born Again

Contents

Introduction and prayer of salvation PP1-3
1. What has happened? Pp4-8

You are a child of God – born again, Heaven is now your home, you are a new Creation, you have eternal life, you are complete in Christ, God has remitted your sins, you are righteous before God, your name is written in the Book of Life, there is a party in heaven as a result of the decision you made,  you are now a saint and you now have eternal life– the God-kind of life.


2. Importance of Church attendance
3. The Vitality of the Word
4. Prayer Is the Air You should Breathe
5.  Baptism in the Spirit Is Essential
6. Witnessing Grounds Your Faith
7. Baptism in water Affirms is commanded

  • Conclusion

Introduction

This is to help those who have just given their lives to the Lord Jesus Christ; those who have just being born again, received salvation, received a New Life. They grow in grace in the knowledge of the Lord, because they are like babies who need essential nourishment so that they can grow strong in the faith.

If you know of anyone who has recently surrendered to the Lord, please send them this to help them grow in grace.

If you have recently given your life to the Lord, then use this article to help you.
It’s Relationship- not religion that matters. You can be a in religion and still be a million, miles away from God. True Christianity is not a religion but the life of God in humanity; simply put: Divinity in Humanity.

Many pride themselves of their religion or their good works or the fact that they attend a place of worship. But this does not save anyone. Going to a church or mosque or any religious centre does not confer a relationship with God on any one.

I am assuming that you have realised your need to have a relationship with God. Christianity is not a religion but a relationship with the living God. We were separated from God because of the sinful nature we inherited from our parents and because of the fall of man. But God in His mercy sent Jesus to reconcile us. This is the provision that is essential for our reconciliation. Jesus took our place on the cross when He died. Without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin. John the Baptist saw Jesus and proclaimed,” Behold the Lamb that takes away the sin of this world.” God made the provision or gave the remedy or solution for the sin-sickness. But it is only those who accept it that can benefit from it.  It is just like you given a present wrapped up at Christmas or your birthday or any other occasion. Unless you unwrap the present, you cannot enjoy whatever was wrapped up for you. So it is with salvation. You must personally invite Christ to take His rightful place in your heart after asking Him to forgive you of your sins. All have sinned and come short of His glory. Everyone is separated, alienated and far from God, no matter how good they may be externally, until they invite Him to take His place. If our good deeds could save us then He died in vain.

23         for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

24         being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, Rom3:23-24

23           For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Rom6:23

6              All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

Isa53:6

Jesus told not just religious man but teacher of religion, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John3:3

“So how do you get born again?” Good question.

…that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10        For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession 9            

is made unto salvation. Rom10:9-10

13         For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”

No one will find themselves in heaven by accident. It must be a deliberate decision you make at a point in time in your life when you accepted the finished work on Calvary as sufficient to save you or reconcile you to the Father and not your morality or lack of it.

8            For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,

9            not of works, lest anyone should boast. Eph2:8-9

So if you are not sure you have been saved, pray this prayer and make sure you mean it from your heart.

Prayer of Salvation

Heavenly Father, I thank you for the opportunity to come to you as I am. I realise and accept that I cannot save my self by my morality. Jesus was my sacrificial Lamb and today I accept what He did on the cross as sufficient to save me.

Forgive me my sins and cleanse me from every unrighteousness.

Today I make Jesus, Lord of my life and my Saviour. Thank You for this New Life, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Chapter 1 Know What Happened

You are now a child of God.

You now have God’s DNA. You are a God-kind. Your human life was supplanted by that of God. Have been born from above.

3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the [a]corruption that is in the world through lust. 2Pet1:3-4

3 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.1 John3:1

(12         But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: John1:12 

Everything that God owns belong to you.

16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. Rom8:16-17)

2. You are born again, born of the Spirit and born of the Word, born from above. ( John 3:3,5,8,

23         having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever, 1Pet1:23)

3. Heaven is now your home.

20         For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, Phil3:20

 This means if you die today you will be present with the Lord in heaven.

And if you remain alive until the rapture, you will be taken up in the rapture to be with Him.

16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

 1 Thess4:16-18

4. You are Now a New Creation and old things have passed away and all things have become new.

Your past does not exist before God. You are brand new. You may remember what wrongs you did before but God does not. They have been blotted out Col2:14.

(17       Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2Cor5:17)

 You are akin to a butterfly that bears no resemblance to the lava and pupa. This is how you should see yourself, because it is the way God sees you.

5. You now have Eternal Life, Zoe- God’s kind of life. You are incorruptible and indestructible. (16   For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

(John3:16, 1John5:11-13)

6. You Are Complete In Christ.

10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power. Colossians 2:10)

God has given you all you need for life and godliness through your knowledge of Him. All things are yours. 1Cor3:21. He has paid the price completely. And all good and perfect gift from God are yours. You need to find out what you have in Him and what you are in Him and start enjoying the New Creation Realities.

7. God Has Washed Your Sins Away and looks at you as someone who has never sinned.

When He looks at you, He sees Jesus.

This is what justification means. You are “Just As If” you have not sinned.

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, (Rom5:1)

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

2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

 Rom8:1-2

8. You Are Righteous Before God.

God inputs His righteousness to you. You are accepted in the beloved. You are an object of God’s love. When God looks at you, He sees Jesus because He took your place on the cross. You are acquitted. It is like being guilty for an offence and you are taken to court and the judge himself taking the punishment that you deserved.  What a good news! When He died you died with Him and were buried with Him and raised from the dead with ‘’him. All things are yours. You are an heir of God and joint-heir with Christ. (30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— 1Cor1:30,

21 For our sake He made Christ [virtually] to be sin Who knew no sin, so that in and through Him we might become [[a]endued with, viewed as being in, and examples of] the righteousness of God [what we ought to be, approved and acceptable and in right relationship with Him, by His goodness].  2Cor5:21

17 And if we are [His] children, then we are [His] heirs also: heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ [sharing His inheritance with Him]; only we must share His suffering if we are to share His glory. Roman 8:17)

21 For our sake He made Christ [virtually] to be sin Who knew no sin, so that in and through Him we might become [[a]endued with, viewed as being in, and examples of] the righteousness of God [what we ought to be, approved and acceptable and in right relationship with Him, by His goodness] 2Cor5:21 AMPC

9. Your Name Is Written In The Book Of Life.

12 I [also] saw the dead, great and small; they stood before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is [the Book] of Life. And the dead were judged (sentenced) by what they had done their whole way of feeling and acting, [their aims and endeavors] in accordance with what was recorded in the books. Rev20:12

10. There Is A Party In Heaven As A Result Of The Decision You Have Made.

10         Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Luke15:10

11. You are now a saint of God.

If you do not know who you are in Christ, the enemy will short-change you and you will not be able to enjoy your inheritance in Christ. Paul of addressed his letters to the “Saints in …” He was addressing believers and disciples. Therefore, if you are a disciple of Jesus Christ, you are a saint.

Paul often addressed his letters “ To the saints”… He was talking to you too.

1            Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus:

2            Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Eph1:1-2

12. You Now Have Eternal Life

11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

1John5:11-13

Chapter 2 Church Attendance Is Very Important

After being born again, you need to know the importance of fellowship. Church attendance enables you to have fellowship or communion or relationship with other believers.

25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. Heb.10:25

Some people will tell you they do not need to go to church after salvation. This is an error and a deception of the devil. Such people remain babes in Christ- still wearing nappies after a long time after salvation. They cannot help themselves or other believers. They will remain worldly, wayward, worn, weak, anaemic and unfulfilled.

And this is essential for spiritual growth. We are enjoined not to forsake the assembling of saints. When you are born you were immersed or baptised into the Body of Christ.

As Children of God, we are baptised into the world-wide body of Christ and need to grow together with other believers, each one supplying their nourishment to the whole body. You are not an island but part of a vibrant ever growth Spiritual Body of Christ made up of all of those who are born again, regardless of the Church they attend. And we need each other.

16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.  Eph.4:16

Imagine one part of your body rebelling, there will be a malfunction, disequilibrium, weakness, and even sickness. Also assuming you have a burning coal fire that warms the house. If you take a coal out of it and put it aside, what happens? It will gradually become cold and the flame will be out after a while. That is what happens to a believer who is not meeting with other members of the Body of Christ. But God has called us to be burning and shining light, and the way to be and remain that way is to have regular fellowship with the saints- your brothers and sisters in Christ.

4              There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; Eph4:4

You are part of the World Wider Church of Jesus Christ.

Unity and Diversity in One Body

12         For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. 1Cor12:12

13         For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body — whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free — and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.

So make up your mind to attend Church regularly. There you will get to know other believers who would encourage you in your walk of faith. You will also feed on the word of God and be under a pastor who will look after you and ensure that you grow in grace. You will also learn many foundational truths including the essence of the Word of God, baptism in water, Baptism in the Spirit, faith towards God, laying on of hands and Baptism in the Spirit amongst other doctrines.

 Chapter 3. The Word-wiseness

The importance of the Word of God in the life of a believer cannot be overemphasized. Every living organism has its environment or habitat where it grows. You were born of the word of God and therefore need the word of God to sustain you. Take a fish out of a river and leave on the land and it soon dies. So it is with a Christian who does not feed on the word of God regularly.  Just as you have three square meals or need food regularly, so you need the Word of God.

Jesus said: “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’

The Word of God is Powerful, dynamic, living, sharper than any two-edged sword. (Heb4:12)

There are many benefits that come from studying and meditating on the Word of God. You get stronger. You get to know who you are in Christ. It gives your direction and counsel in the face of uncertainties. You get to know your inheritance and claim them in Jesus Name.
God said,” 6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge…”

When you are unaware of your inheritance in Christ you cannot enjoy it and you will live beggarly and malnourished, so to speak.

The Word Builds Up An Reveals Your Inheritance In Christ

This was why Paul encouraged the believers: 32             “So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. Acts20:32

The Word Make You Fruitful and Gives You Prosperity or Success

The psalmist also said: 1             Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;

2            But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night.

3            He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.

Ps1:1-3

8              This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Josh1:8

Do you want to be a successful, fruitful, healthy, strong and vibrant Christian? If so, do not joke with the Word of God. Cherish it, love it, meditate on it day and night. Delight in it. Memorise it. Pray it back to God. It shows you the will of God and shows you who you are in Christ.

You cannot know God more than you know His Word. His word is His will for you. His word is the compass with which you navigate life. It is a treasury of the goodies He has for you. It is a vault of divine dainties and gold and silver of what God has in store for you. If you do not know the Word of God, you will be short-changed and defeated in life.

The Word Is Spiritual Food, Even More Important Than Natural Food

12 Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food. Job23:12

The Word Promotes Growth

2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: 1Pet.2:2

The knowledge of God come through the Knowledge of His Word. God reveals Himself through His word. His word renews your mind. Washes away all impurities of the world. It makes you think the way God thinks. And this is essential to spiritual growth.

Your Knowledge About What God Has Freely Given To You Is Essential To Benefit From It

3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 2Pet1:3-4

3 Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established:

4 And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.Prov.24:3-4

You are God’s house and just like the strength and durability of a house depends on the material it was built with so is your house. God’s word gives you the spiritual bricks and mortar and what have you.

God said, “My People Are Destroyed for lack of knowledge.”

6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children. Hosea 4:6

The disciples after their salvation, met in houses to study the word so that they could grow.

42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. Acts2:42

It is important that you Pray this before your read the word of God so that the Holy Spirit will breathe life on what you read:

18            Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your law. Ps119:18

Expect light, instruction, direction and illumination to come out of it as your read it.

Someone said “when you pray, you are speaking to God. But when you read the Word prayerfully, God is speaking to you.” Another person said that the word of God has 66 books and these are the 66 broadcast channels of God. Any wise child of God will tune into God’s channel to hear from Him daily.

 However, God speaks in other ways as you will discover as you grow in grace. Besides, prayer should not be a monologue but a dialogue. As you grow in Christ, you will be able to discern God speaking to you even as you listen to a pastor preaching on a Sunday or when you listen to other messages in other formats including books, videos etc. God is interested in every aspect of our lives and would address them if we will let Him.

Find time and read through Ps119

It is all about the word of God. Notice how the psalmist applies the Word of God in prayer and enumerates the benefits of God’s Word. Make a note of the benefits as you come across them.

47           And I will delight myself in Your commandments, Which I love. Ps119:47

Notice his resolve to meditate on the word of God.

48           My hands also I will lift up to Your commandments, Which I love, And I will meditate on Your statutes.

You must have the same attitude to grow strong in Him.

Note a few benefits he discovered:

It brings Light.

130         The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple.

Direct comes from the Word of God.

133         Direct my steps by Your word, And let no iniquity have dominion over me.

Great peace comes from the Word of God.

165       Great peace have those who love Your law, And nothing causes them to stumble.

See how he applies the Word of God in prayer:

154         Plead my cause and redeem me; Revive me according to Your word.

Unless you know that the word of God brings revival, rejuvenation, energy, you cannot pray like that.

31           But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. Isa40:31

The Word of God gives you wisdom

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. Col3:16

The word of God gives you the boldness to witness to others

15           Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2Tim2:15

The Word of God is profitable and Inspirational And It Equips You

16         All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,

17           that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work 2Tim3:15-16

The Word of God brings progress and Protection

15         Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all.

16         Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

1Tim4:15-16

When you are studying the word of God, be diligent. Have a notebook and note key words and phrases. Look up their meanings.  Underline passages that address issues in your life. That is God’s voice to you.

The Word of God is the Voice of God

20           Bless the LORD, you His angels, Who excel in strength, who do His word, Heeding the voice of His word. Ps103:20

Chapter 4. Prayer Must Be A Priority

Prayer is very important for every Christian, especially if you are a new believer. You need to know how to pray and assured that God is hearing you.

Prayer is simply talking with God. It is not just talking to Him. It is communicating with God. And communication to be effective must be a dialogue and not a monologue. When you speak to Him, expect to hear from Him. This is what makes your relationship with God exciting. This is one major difference between religion and having a relationship with God. No one teaches you to hear from God in religion. 

6            Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;

7            and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Phil4:6-7

There Are Different Types Of Prayer

There are different kinds of prayers requiring different rules and you must not only know the different kinds of prayers but the rules required for each of them if you want to get results.

18         praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints — Eph6:18

Prayer Must Be In Line With the Word of God

God answers prayers that are according to His word and His word is His will and His will is His word. You can see how important the word of God is. Without knowledge of the word of God you will not have the confidence required in prayer. 

14         Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.

15         And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.

1John5:14-15

There is a prayer of faith which you pray once and expect result. There other prayers like intercession which involves other where you may be required to pray again and again until the answer comes or you get a positive result or assurance.

I developed a pneumonic to remember the different kinds of prayer and it is

“ACTSIT”:

Adoration- praise and worship

Confession- here you affirm the Word of God after mediating on it.

Supplication- where you ask other to pray with you

Intercession – where you pray for others.  It is good to remember others in prayer.

Thanksgiving-We often forget to thank God for answers to prayer. It is important to thank God when we receive our answers. When you thank God for answered prayer, you open the door for more answers. Besides, it shows that you are noting what God is doing in your life. And that will encourage you to pray more. This is why it is important to know the things you have prayed about so that you can remember to thank God for the answers. Imagine a child who comes to ask something from their dad but does not thank him when he answers. How rude!

Chapter 5.  Baptism in the Spirit

Baptism in the Spirit means being immersed in the Spirit of God. Baptism is from the Greek word “Baptizo”, which means immersion. On the day of Pentecost as the believers waited in the upper room they were baptised in the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues. Baptism in the Spirit is an essential experience for everyone that is born again.

4              And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts2:4

When you are baptised in the Spirit, there will be an initial evidence of speaking in tongues as the Holy Spirit gives you the utterance.  It is a heavenly language.

Usually someone prays for you or you can pray for yourself to receive this baptism.

Why do we need to be baptised in the Spirit?

Without the baptism in the Spirit, you be weak as a Christian and you will not live a victorious Christian life. Before the disciple received the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, they were timid and ineffective. However, after the baptism of the Holy Spirit, they became bold, vibrant and unstoppable.

The Name of Jesus Forbidden

13         Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.Acts4:13

After the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, they had a prayer prowess and when they prayed the place where they prayed shook.

31         And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. Acts4:31

Is the Baptism in the Spirit for some special people?

Definitely no; it is for all believers.

38         Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

39         For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” Acts2:38-39

So, if you have not received this gift, ask for it in prayer or tell someone to pray for you.

There are many benefits of receiving the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit moved people to write the Word of God. Without Him you cannot get much from reading the word of God. It will just be like reading a novel. But with the baptism of the Spirit, illumination revelation, instruction and revelation come. 

Ignorance can keep people from receiving the Holy Spirit.

Paul went to Ephesus and asked the believers if they had received the Holy Spirit. They told him they knew nothing about it. He then prayed for them and they received the baptism of the Spirit.

He said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” So they said to him, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.”

3            And he said to them, “Into what then were you baptized?” So they said, “Into John’s baptism.”

4            Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.”

5            When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

6            And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. Acts19:2-6

The Holy Spirit helps us when we are weak and do not know how to pray as we ought. He gives us divine direction. He teaches us the scriptures-  breathes life into them. 

He empowers us to witness. He gives us boldness.  He comforts us in times of distress. He helps us to pray as indicated above.

26         Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

27         Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. Rom8:26-27

He gives us advantage in life.

7              Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. John16:7

He Empowers Us

8              But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts1:8

He is the Helper and we can avail of His help in any situation.  He is like a standby Generator that kicks in when we lack power.

He Reminds Us the Scripture When We Witness To Other.

26           But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. (John14:26)

12 For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.” Luke12:12

He gives us guidance.

13         However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.

14         He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and

declare it to you.  John16:13-14

 Listen to Paul’s Prayer

“that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him,

18         the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,

 19        and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power Eph1:16-19

18         And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,

19         speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,

Eph5:17-19

Chapter 6. Witnessing

With the baptism of the Holy Spirit, be expectant of the move of God in your life as never before. You will be energised, vitalised, propelled and divinely directed and used by God to do new things, now that you are Born Again.

 Keep a diary of testimonies that will be evident in your life and you need to tell others of what God has done for you. Don’t be ashamed of the Gospel. It is the power of God that brings about salvation and deliverance and wholeness. The more you testify about your new found love, the stronger you will be and more you will be filled with joy unspeakable and full of glory.

A witness tells others of their experience. And all you need to do is to tell people how you came to know the Lord in a personal way. You need to be able to share it in a few minutes: what you were, when you met Him and what he has done for you since.

“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.

19         Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

20         teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

 Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15-18

There are different ways you can witness. There is street evangelism where you go out on the streets and witness as a group with members of your church or other believers. You can also do it one-to-one as you go about your business.

It can also be done two by two.

7 Calling the Twelve to him, he began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits. Mark6:7

Chapter 7. Baptism in water

Baptism in water is essential for the new Christian. It should be done as soon as the opportunity presents itself. You will be following in the footsteps of Jesus when you get baptised. Jesus was baptised and his word enjoins us to be baptised. Baptism is symbolic- an outward demonstration of what has happened within you. This will make a lasting impact on you as you identify with the burial (being immersed in water) and resurrection (being raised up with Christ).

The word of God commands that we be baptised. It should be by immersion and not sprinkling of water.

We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. Rom6:4

37         Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”

38         So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him.

39         Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing.

40 But Philip was found at Azotus. And passing through, he preached in all the cities till he came to Caesarea. Acts8:37-40

Notice that they went down the river for the baptism after which they came up. This is how baptism should be. Sprinkling of water on children who do not understand what they are doing is a religious relic and meaningless and of no consequence. Baptism by immersion is powerful and symbolic of your identification with the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.

In conclusion, we have looked at seven knowledge keystones that every new believer needs to embed as soon as they become born again. You must understand what salvation implies or bestows to you. Otherwise, you can be easily deceived or denied what rightfully belongs to you. It gives you stability and durability.

You must start attending Church to meet with other believers to encourage you. In your new found faith.

You need to study the word of God to know what God has in store for you as a believer.

You also need to be able to share your faith with others without fear, thereby boosting your faith and being grounded more and more.

You need to know how to communicate with your heavenly Father.

Prayer is simply communication with God. We pray to the Father in the name of Jesus. We pray in line with the word of God. We pray, believing that God will answer. Our life should be a life of prayer. And after praying we wait to receive the answer whilst we act in faith as if God has answered.

Baptism in the Sprit and in water are essential for every believer who wants to be strong in their faith. With baptism in water, we identified with the death burial and resurrection of Christ which is essential as Jesus Christ Himself was baptised as an example to us. And as for baptism in the Spirit, we can see what happened to the early believers after they were baptised in the Spirit. They became bold, passionate and unstoppable.

Congratulation for taking this bold step to be born again. You are in for an exciting spiritual journey. God has a great plan for you which you will discover as you seek His face. You need to have friends of like precious faith to encourage you to grow in grace.

9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. 1Pet:2:9-10

10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Eph.2:10

Believers Are Salt and Light

13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.

14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.

Send me an email to let me know and I will be glad to send you further material that will help you to grow or point you in the right direction.

Speaking Mysteries In the Spirit ( by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome)

SPEAKING MYSTERIES IN THE SPIRIT

But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory (1 Corinthians 2:7). 

Life is full of mysteries, unanswered questions, events and activities beyond human understanding. As Christians, our way of dealing with these mysteries is by speaking mysteries. Rather than wonder about negative circumstances, we cancel them by speaking spiritual mysteries.

The Bible says, “For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries” (1 Corinthians 14:2). When we pray in tongues, we’re uttering divine mysteries inspired by the Holy Spirit.

At such times, your spirit reaches into the realm of the spirit, just as the Bible says, “Deep calleth unto deep…” (Psalm 42:7). Then 1 Corinthians 2:10-11 says, “…for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.”

These mysteries of the Spirit that are unknown to men are unveiled to us by the Holy Spirit: “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth…” (1 Corinthians 2:12-13).

Notice that it says, “…Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth….” Cultivate the habit of speaking in tongues often. As you do, you speak things into your future. You settle matters and take care of things in the realm of the spirit so that when the time of crisis comes, you just laugh your way through. 

This is why God wants us to pray all the time in the spirit: “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints” (Ephesians 6:18).

PRAYER / CONFESSION

Dear Father, thank you for the privilege and blessing of speaking in other tongues and speaking forth mysteries about my life and the work you’ve committed to me. Thank you also for the gift of interpretation of tongues. As I interpret those mysteries, answers flood my mind, and I walk in your perfect will, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY
The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him,
And He will show them His covenant
Psalm 25:14;
10 And He said, “To you it has been given to know the [a]mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is given in parables, that

‘Seeing they may not see,
And hearing they may not understand.’
Luke 8:10;

Spiritual Wisdom

6 However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God [a]ordained before the ages for our glory,
1 Corinthians 2:6-7

Praying In the Spirit Makes You Glow ( by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome)

Rhapsody Of Realities 9th May 2024 By Pastor Chris Oyakhilome
TOPIC:Praying In The Spirit Makes You Glow

Keep your eyes on the LORD! You will shine like the sun and never blush with shame (Psalm 34:5 CEV).

MESSAGE:

Have you ever come out in the night time to look up at the stars? It’s such a beautiful sight to behold. But did you know that in the spirit, when you look down on the earth, the same way you see those stars up in the sky, that’s how you see stars of light in the earth? The difference is that these stars you see in the Spirit are us—God’s children.

The Bible says, “That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world” (Philippians 2:15). Even though we’re all stars, we glow differently. Some of us glow strongly, while others may not shine as brightly.

In Luke 9:29, the Bible says about Jesus, “And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.” There’s something about prayer that affects your spirit and causes it to glow.

Others may not see the glory all over you; their eyes may not be opened to see it on your face, but as you pray in the spirit, you’re constantly transfigured from glory to glory. It’s one of the reasons we emphasize praying in tongues.

When you pray in tongues often, the glory of God is revealed in your life as you charge yourself up in the spirit and stir up the power of God inside you.

The Lord Jesus said, “Let your light so shine…” (Matthew 5:16). This means you’re responsible for making your light glow more and more. The more you pray in the spirit, the stronger your light. That’s what enables you to do the work of God effectively, and keeps you healthy and strong. Hallelujah!

PRAYER

Dear Father, thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit and for giving me the ability to pray in tongues. As I pray in tongues today, I light up everywhere, glowing ever so brightly, radiating your goodness, kindness and graciousness to my world, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:

Romans 12:11 AMPC – Never lag in zeal and in earnest endeavor; be aglow and burning with the Spirit, serving the Lord.

Luke 9:28-29 AMPC – Now about eight days after these teachings, Jesus took with Him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. And as He was praying, the appearance of His countenance became altered (different), and His raiment became dazzling white [flashing with the brilliance of lightning].

Matthew 17:1-3; And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, 2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. 3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.

There’s a Fountain In You ( by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome)

Teevo

Thursday 09 May 2024
There’s A Fountain In You

TO THE BIBLE: John 7:38 TLB
“…The Scriptures declare that rivers of living water shall flow from the inmost being of anyone who believes in me.”

LET’S TALK
Stan and his little brother, Zack, were riding home after school hours when, all of a sudden, Zack crashed his bike into a tree, rendering it unusable.
“Look at what you’ve done, Zack! You’re just so… urgh!” And Zack angrily went off with some expletives.

His words made Zack cry so much, and Daphne, Stan’s older friend from church, watched the whole incident.

Later that day, she walked over to Stan and calmly instructed him, “Hey Stan, mind the kind of words you use when correcting others; in you is a fountain of living water, and you ought to use words that’ll bless and edify them rather than condemn them.”

The Lord Jesus, in the opening verse of Scripture, said that out of your innermost being would flow gushers of living water. This living water comes out in words to bless your world and is inspired by the Holy Spirit who lives within you. This is so remarkable!

When you read Jeremiah 2:13, it talks about broken cisterns that can’t hold water: “For My people have committed two evils: they have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, and hewn themselves cisterns—broken cisterns that can hold no water.”

But that’s not you! The Holy Spirit in you is a fountain of living water, pouring forth from you in words of life.

Two things characterise the words we speak: righteousness and salvation. Thus, we speak words of righteousness and words of salvation. Our words lead men into righteousness and salvation.
So, we’re those who turn many to righteousness and bring them into salvation. Hallelujah.

Your words aren’t ordinary. Through your words, righteousness is unveiled, and many are convicted in their hearts for salvation.

The Bible says, “Drip down, heavens, from above, and let the clouds pour down righteousness; let the earth open up and salvation bear fruit, and righteousness sprout with it. I, the Lord, have created it” (Isaiah 45:8 NASB).

Go Deeper
11 The mouth of the [uncompromisingly] righteous man is a well of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

Proverbs 10:11 AMPC;
The words of a [discreet and wise] man’s mouth are like deep waters [plenteous and difficult to fathom], and the fountain of skillful and godly Wisdom is like a gushing stream [sparkling, fresh, pure, and life-giving
Proverbs 18:4 AMPC

Pray:
Dear Father, from the depth of my heart flow gushers of living water to give life and sustenance to everything in my world and in my environment. My words are impregnated with divine power, producing righteousness and salvation in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Act:
Study and meditate on Psalm 40:10 and Psalm 71:15.

Run To Win ( by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome)

Teevo: Run To Win

There’s A Prize To Be Obtained In The End)

TO THE BIBLE: 1 Corinthians 9:24-25 MSG
“You’ve all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You’re after one that’s gold eternally.”

LET’S TALK
What we read in our opening verse lets us know that, in Christianity, we run to win and obtain the prize.

We’re likened to sportsmen: “Now every athlete who goes into training conducts himself temperately and restricts himself in all things. They do it to win a wreath that will soon wither, but we [do it to receive a crown of eternal blessedness] that cannot wither. Therefore I do not run uncertainly (without definite aim). I do not box like one beating the air and striking without an adversary” (1 Corinthians 9:25–26 AMPC).

The Bible shows you what to do to be at the top of your game: become temperate in all things; exercise self-control.

Like an athlete, there’re things you should do and there’re things you shouldn’t, just so you can keep in form. Those athletes do it to obtain a corruptible crown, but we do ours for an incorruptible crown. Hallelujah.

Notice what He says in the twenty-seventh verse: “But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified” (1 Corinthians 9:27).

He instructs us to do everything to win, but according to the rules, so you’re not disqualified. Don’t run to miss the prize; run to win it!

And as you run your race, and fulfil your ministry in the Gospel, lay aside every weight (Hebrews 12:1-2).

Don’t let sin be an encumbrance in your life. Refuse to allow anything to take your focus off the Master.

Remain steadfast, unmovable, and always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as you know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:58).

Go Deeper

2 Not that I have already attained,[ c] or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have [ d]apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12-14;

12 Therefore then, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who have borne testimony to the Truth], let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us,

2 Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:1-2 AMPC


Speak:
I’m a spiritual sportsman, disciplined to do the Word, and fully yielded to the leading of the Spirit. I run straight toward the goal in order to win the prize and fulfil God’s call and destiny for me. I remain steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord. Hallelujah!

Daily Bible Reading
ONE YEAR
John 4:1-26, 1 Kings 1
TWO YEAR
Mark 8:34-9:1, Numbers 11

Act:
Study and meditate on 1 Corinthians 9:25-26.

You’re The Tabernacle of His Presence ( Pastor Chris Oyakhilome)

Rhapsody Of Realities 8 May 2024 By Pastor Chris Oyakhilome
TOPIC: You’re The Tabernacle Of His Presence

What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? (1 Corinthians 6:19).

MESSAGE:

In the Old Testament, the children of Israel transported the presence of God from place to place every time they carried the Tabernacle of Witness, which contained the Ark of the Covenant.

In 1 Kings 8:9, the Bible tells us specifically that,“There was nothing in the ark save the two tables of stone, which Moses put there at Horeb, when the LORD made a covenant with the children of Israel, when they came out of the land of Egypt.” The only thing in the ark was God’s commandments.

Today, your heart is the ark of God; that’s where the Word is. Remember what the Lord said in Jeremiah 31:33: “But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.” This was fulfilled in us when we were born again.

We were born again by the Word of God and have become one with the Word; we’re living epistles, “…written, not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone but in fleshy tables of the heart” (2 Corinthians 3:3). Blessed be God!

You’re now the living ark of testimony and the tabernacle of His presence, “…for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people” (2 Corinthians 6:16). He dwells in you now. His hands are in your hands, and His legs are in your legs. He walks in you and talks through you.

Where you go, God goes. You’re in Him and He’s in you! Not only are you now in the presence of God, you carry the presence of God. Every time you show up, you come with the presence of God. No wonder the Bible says in Colossians 1:27, “…Christ in you, the hope of glory!”

CONFESSION

My life is for the glory of God, because the Holy Spirit lives in and operates from the quarters of my heart. Therefore, Satan and anything associated with darkness have no place in me, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:

Colossians 1:26-27 – [Even] the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: 27 To whom God would make known what [is] the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

Romans 8:10 – And if Christ [be] in you, the body [is] dead because of sin; but the Spirit [is] life because of righteousness.

John 14:16-17; And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 [Even] the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

Follow God’s Divine Path For Your Life by Pastor Chris

TEEVO Tuesday May 7th 2024

(Follow God’s Divine Path For Your Life)

TOTHEBIBLE:Ephesians2:10AMPC
“For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].”

LET’STALK
“Where would I have been if I wasn’t born again?” Valerie thought to herself as she cried, tears of joy streaming down her cheeks.


“What’s wrong, Val?” Tobi asked her. “Did you get some bad news or something?”

She shook her head, a radiant smile spreading across her face. “Nothing’s wrong, Tobi. I’m just overwhelmed with joy, realising how blessed I am that Jesus saved me and guided me onto the right path.”

The Bible teaches that there are two paths for every person. There’s a natural path, and then there’s a divine path. The natural path is subject to causes and effects.

For example, if you were born in a certain neighbourhood or attended a certain school, it would be easy to predict how you’d turn out. This is why it’s easy for Satan to toy with the natural paths or natural destinies of people.

The divine path, however, is different. It begins when you’re born again, and this path is like a mystery (John 3:8 ESV).

The world can’t figure you out or predict your life because, being born again, God has made you a limitless wonder (Isaiah 8:18, Psalm 71:7). Your life is one of infinite possibilities because of His divine ability at work in you.

Choose the divine path. The divine path makes your life worth living. You’ll keep making remarkable progress on every side because you’re piloted by the Holy Spirit.

While people are still wondering about your progress, you’ll hear the Spirit’s voice saying, “Look up; I’m taking you higher.” You’ll just keep pushing forward and making progress. Hallelujah!

Go Deeper
Romans 8:29-30; Romans 12:2; Ephesians 1:11

Pray:
Thank you, Father, for leading me by your Spirit in the divine paths that you’ve prearranged for me. You’ve granted me everything I’ll ever require to fulfil all you’ve called me to do. Thank you for leading me in the paths of glory and greatness, as I live in your perfect will, pleasing you in all things, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Daily Bible Reading
ONE YEAR
John 3:22-36, 2 Samuel 23-24
TWO YEAR
Mark 8:22-33, Numbers 10

Act: