Christ Diplomat (Exhortations)

TEXT: Matthew 8:2‭-‬3 And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.  And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. MESAGE: Many times, we don't have trouble believing in the power of God. The Christian who is dying of a terminal disease believes strongly in the power of God to heal him instantly. The one that's suffering under the burden of lack and poverty believes that it doesn't take God a snap of the finger to turn around his fortune. The issue actually is that while most of us believe in the power of God, we don't believe in his willingness to use that power for us or in our case. We believe God CAN heal us but are not sure whether he WILL do so. That exactly is the case of this man in our text. But Jesus clears our doubt here. He says, "I will" Friend, the willingness of God is never in doubt. He is always willin...

TEXT: Luke 23:39-42   39  And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.  40  But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?  41  And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.  42  And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. MESSAGE The malefactor (as he is called in our text) is actually crucified and facing his last moments on earth, he seizes the moment. In one desperate cry he turned the course of his destiny. He is on the brink of everlasting torment in hell. But just before he falls into eternal doom, one sentence saves him. He calls to the Lord. He didn't have the time to weep over his sins and the consequence. He had an audacity of faith and dared to ask for life in paradise. Guess what? He g...

TEXT Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. MESSAGE How can we rejoice always? What about the times of pain and adversities? Rejoicing in the Lord is rejoicing in the revelation of the truth of God's Word. When the word of God enters your Spirit, no matter the situation you are facing, you will rejoice because the entrance of God's word will bring faith and rejoicing is a proof or manifeatation of your faith. Jesus says, "Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when  ye pray,  believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them." (Mark 11:24). Prayer makes the truth of God's word real to you. As you pray based on a provision of the scripture, declaring it to yourself and glorifying God for it, your heart will become aware of the truth then you can believe. If you have prayed and you really believe that you've got answers, you don't have to wait to see it manifesting. Your rejoicing is the proof that yo...