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Ceaseless Commission

  “ And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.” Acts 5 : 40 - 42 KJV The reason why the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ is ceasing from believers’ lifestyles has never been our confrontation with the challenges of life. Sometimes, challenges, oppression, persecution and oppositions even create the needed opportunities for a deeper encounter with the Commissioner, Jesus Christ. Commission ceases only from a lifestyle that ceases to sustain an encounter with the Commissioner. Little wonder why grown men and disciples of Jesus Christ here were elated by their shameful beating at the council of elders; and they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus...
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Bold Bands

  “ And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, by stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.” Acts 4 : 29 - 30 KJV In the advent of threats in life’s social system, there are only two response options. One can either believe the threat and get pranked or believe in a force greater than the threat and pray. Unfortunately, our world of insecurity, banditry, and intimidation operate on the mindset of getting unbelievers in the superiority and sovereignty of God into slavery and manipulation; and believers are not spared from the conspiracy. Despite the amazing demonstration of the wonders of God through Peter and John before a cloud of 5,000 people, who were convinced and converted from darkness to light, the religious system in their days and intimidators didn’t bow down their threats. But the bold band (comprising Peter, John, and other...
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Confused Commands

   “ And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” Acts 4 : 18 - 20 KJV When Peter and John were confronted with the religious people’s command not to speak and teach in the name of Jesus, it wasn’t difficult for them to designate the instruction as a confused command. Unfortunately, the religious and academic system of this world, the motive behind the concept of political correctness, and  the spate of economic instability remained the source of confused commands to today’s marketplace. And for the disciples, the confused command was aimed at pressuring them to disobey the clear commands from God. Therefore, it is no news that confused commands are becoming more popular; because all disobedient hearts do not really believe i...
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Kind Kindling

  “ And when all the kings that were servants to Hadarezer saw that they were smitten before Israel, they made peace with Israel, and served them. So the Syrians feared to help the children of Ammon any more .” 2 Samuel 10 : 19 KJV The act of kindness from the newly crowned king David teaches that the best instrument of service to humanity and the establishment of purpose in life is not the killing of enemies but kindness. Starting with the previous chapter, king David discovered Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan and showed kindness to him. And here, while prospecting the surrounding enemies of Israel, he could only see someone who merited his kindness for the past goodness of his Dad, i.e., Hanum the son of Nahash. It shows that there is always no need for the righteous to engage in the plot of killing the enemies and all agents of darkness. Kind kindling is a much more sufficient lightning for the exposure of the works of darkness for self-destruction and extermination. Of cour...
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Faith Fists

  “ Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Acts 2 : 36 - 37 KJV The response to the Pentecostal sermon by Peter has always been a generational mind shift on a significant life-changing decision that establishes the difference between force fist and faith fist. “ Men and brethren, what shall we do?” is not a mere request for guidance on job application, service assignments, and career placement. It is an absolute surrender of the human fist on the altar of an absolute faith in God, and making Jesus Christ the Lord and personal Saviour. Prior to this point in life, we all think we know exactly what to do with life and all its relationships. People would readily use their fists, forms, and formalities to manipulate facts about anything wit...
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Zion’s Zest

   “ For the LORD heareth the poor, And despiseth not his prisoners. Let the heaven and earth praise him, The seas, and every thing that moveth therein. For God will save Zion, and will build the cities of Judah: That they may dwell there, and have it in possession.” Psalm 69 : 33 - 35 KJV The promissory note “ For God will save Zion ” implies the reality of zest in zoo and possession in oppression for God’s people. For example, the psalmist’s wilderness experience took more than 11 years after he was anointed by God. Of course, his encounters with king Saul while running from caves to holes, and his relationship with the Philistines while exiling in Gath, look more like caging a lion in a zoo. Yet, the steadfastness and love of the Lord and His mercy in believers’ moments of trials and tribulations always demand the outpouring of Zion's zest. As long as Zion maintains his regalia of righteousness and dwell under the influence of the Spirit leadership, there is always a reason t...
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Practicing Power

 “ and, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judæa, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. ” Acts 1 : 4 , 8 KJV The abiding presence of the Lord brought not just the peace from God; there is the benefit of a practicing power for everyone who waits in the presence of the Lord.  The limits of power from material riches, position of authority, and political privileges include the manipulation of other people’s will and opinions by the power of darkness. And those who absolutely depend on these naked powers have always overstepped their boundaries against the superiority and sovereignty of the Almighty God. Even David knew this danger in most of his dealings as a king, especially while struggling w...
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