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Spirit Sprinting

   “ Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing. But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Cæsarea.” Acts 8 : 29 , 39 - 40 KJV Evangelism and soul-winning according to Phillip represents a unique lifestyle of spirit sprinting. Yet, it is the expected normal lifestyle of children of God: “ For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God (Romans 8 : 14 )”. Unfortunately, we live in a digital world of high-speed 5G internet connectivity with huge data sharing and artificial intelligence; and then think worthless about the capabilities of the lifestyle of spirit sprinting. Little wonder that why we now live, dine, and wine with our world without ever going near them with the gospel message. Whereas, with the spirit sprin...
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Lively Look

  “ But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, and said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God .” Acts 7 : 55 - 56 KJV By living in the digital age and being surrounded by the destructive aggressiveness of the people in our days, there are so many negative determinants shaping the look of common man. It is understandable why those who have been directly affected by the activities of bandits and kidnappers, terrorists and ritual killers, etc, do not blink on advancing lawful looks, with revenge, retaliation, and retribution in mind. Whereas, Stephen had a lively look on the activities of heaven and the glory of God, while his earth was dominated by fierce-looking and teeth-latching motivations to steal, kill and destroy. Apart from the earlier and the standing testimony of God about Jesus during His earthly ministry, Stephen is the fi...
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Wonder Wand

   “ Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, Who only doeth wondrous things. And blessed be his glorious name for ever: And let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen .” Psalm 72 : 18 - 19 KJV While magic wands represent appealing ‘quick and easy solutions’ to a complex and challenging life problem, real life situations and circumstances often present a strange peel to everyone. And for the psalmist, who seemed to be a perfect example of a ring marrow from wilderness to sabotage, he rather saw himself as a model of a wonder wand rather than a magic wand. Truly, anyone who sees himself as a wonder wand in the hands of the Almighty God will live to appreciate the magnificence of God and His sovereignty over the challenges of life. Rather than falling into the temptation to wail before our challenging situations and circumstances, we can choose to praise the might of our only Potentate. Therefore, “ Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, Who only doeth w...
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Restful Resistance

   “ And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people. And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.” Acts 6 : 8 , 10 KJV Only those who are in the spirit can appreciate the sweet last lane, in support of the scriptural affirmation “ And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake ”. Since the recalcitrant resistance and conspiracy of the certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen, finally led to the martyrdom of Stephen, sometimes it does appears that troubles do have the final say. But no, “ And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake” because Stephen got a standing ovation from Jesus Christ and the host of heaven for a job well done before his transition to glory. Also, Jesus had to personally appear to one of arch persecuto...
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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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