Morning with Ebenezer

KEEP THE FAITH

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

    neither are your ways my ways,”

declares the Lord.

“As the heavens are higher than the earth,

    so are my ways higher than your ways

    and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV

Many times life comes opposite of what we expected, it is not that easy to put all of your dreams in reality like the way you once thought. I know most us had dreams, plans, goals and targets in life when we were still growing up.

Some girls during that time planned that they will get married when they reach 25, and when they are in their 30's they will have kids with a happy family. Many boys dreamed to finish their education before a certain age mostly 25 and having a good position and established life when they are in their 30's.

As years go by these dreams and goals seem to be less than the reality. Many found themselves reaching those years and points in life without having what they dreamed to have. Many ministers when entered in the ministry, had visions which they wanted to be fulfilled in their own schedule or interval of time. When their set time passed without reaching their goals, they became tired and discouraged. 

This morning, God wants you to continue keeping the faith knowing that His thoughts are not your thoughts neither your ways His ways. There is a purpose why things did not happen in your own schedule, there is a reason why things are like the way they are now.

God is preparing you for a higher calling in Christ Jesus. He don't want to give you good education and decent job just yet because He may loose you in the middle of prosperity. He wants to teach you to be humble to handle that kind of prosperity which you have been asking.

We have seen many who left churches because they got good husbands; they got so busy to please their husbands and forgot God who gave them. Many started despising everyone including their elders simply because they got a higher positions in their jobs. Be patient let God finish a good work that He has started in you, and the end will be awesome!

****Morning Prayer****

Pray this prayer with me by faith and God is going to answer your prayer....

Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You for your Word. Lord I'm asking that You may help me to humble myself in your will, that You may finish all the good work which You have started in me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Morning with Ebenezer

RIGHT STANDING WITH GOD

The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,

And His ears are open to their cry.

The face of the Lord is against those who do evil,

To cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.

Psalm 34:15-16 NKJV

The Bible says that the righteous are as bold as a lion, it then says the earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of righteous man makes tremendous power available (dynamic in its working). Then it says that the Lord will bless the [uncompromisingly] righteous [him who is upright and in right standing with You]; as with a shield You will surround him with goodwill (pleasure and favor). [Proverbs 28:1, James 5:16, Psalm 5:12]

Many Christians ask themselves why their lives are so empty, they walk in fear and debts. In the morning they say the Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want; and in the evening they cry why Lord have forsaken me. With the same tongues they bring forth the words of faith and fear. They bless with their mouth and curse in their hearts.

Many wants to be blessed by God, but they don't want to be fully committed in His ways. They like people to talk good about them while they are the kings and the queens of gossips in the Church (Drama kings and queens). Many we are spiritual in Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights but we compromise the rest of the week. We need God to take us seriously and hear our petitions instant; but we don't take Him serious and go to Him only if we have lists of needs but nothing more.

This morning, God wants you to know that righteousness is the key to unfold His favor in your life. If you will live upright life, look into Him as the author and finisher of your faith. Commit your ways to Him and trust Him with your life. He will show Himself faithful to you, and He will give you the desire of your heart.

If we will stand right with God, we will see Him openly in our lives. We will have new testimony in each new day, we not walk and hear yesterday testimonies any more. He will answer our prayers and many will take us as examples of righteous lives in Christ Jesus. God is waiting for you to stand in the right direction with Him, that He may reveal things which He prepared for you since the foundation of this world.

****Morning Prayer****

Pray this prayer with me by faith and God is going to answer your prayer....

Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You for your Word. Lord please forgive where I have gone astray from your law. Help me today to start a new relationship with You Lord. Help me to live a holy life before You and my fellow brethren. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Morning with Ebenezer

UNCHAINED GOSPEL

for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.

2 Timothy 2:9-10 NIV

Jesus was revealed that He may destroy the works of the devil. The Gospel of Jesus throughout the history has been the main tool to reveal, destroy and stop the works of the darkness. The devil was always giving a fight, He persecuted the people of God, put many in prison and killed all who was in the front line of proclaiming the truth of God.

The devil did not stop this fight in public, he went to the family level. Many were rejected for accepting the truth of the Gospel. Family members accused these brethren that they had betrayed their tradition, values and even gods for those who were idol worshipers. We all face battles from our family and who used to be our friends for the sake of this glorious Gospel even to this day.

Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy while languished in a cold dungeon chained like a common criminal under Emperor Nero c. 66-67. Devil thought if he will put Paul to prison, the word of God will be chained, but he was wrong and Paul continued his ministry behind bars and it brought out much effects like never before until this day.

This morning, God wants you to know like the way the devil failed to chain His word throughout the history, he will not prevent it to come to you and heal your life. If there is anything which prevents you from reaching the best of God in Christ Jesus; it will not continue to be an obstacle anymore if you will submit your whole heart to Jesus by faith.

No devil, no witchcraft, no curses, no sin, no man or even kingdom can prevent the word of God to do its total work in you. The Gospel is unchained, it can reach anyway through any media. God is at work even to this hour, He is at work while you are reading this message. Open your heart and receive all that God has for you and remember He will never leave you alone nor forsake you.

****Morning Prayer****

Pray this prayer with me by faith and God is going to answer your prayer....

Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You for your Word. Lord I totally submit my heart to You, do into me what should be done so that I can walk in the total victory and the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Morning with Ebenezer

THE EMPTINESS OF THIS LIFE

The words of the Teacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem:

 “Meaningless! Meaningless!”

    says the Teacher.

“Utterly meaningless!

    Everything is meaningless.”

Ecclesiastes 1:1-2 NIV

You thought the time you will finish your education, you will be the happiest person ever lived. The time came and it was just like other normal days. You thought if you will get a woman or man of your dreams nothing else will matter, you will be having all what you ever wanted in life. That woman or man came into the picture but still things seem to be the same.

You prayed and worked hard to get a job of your dreams, and a position which you always wanted to have but when you got there still it seems not that special as you once thought. There are those who got to live their dreams, having dream house, car, job, and life but yet there is huge emptiness inside of them.

King Solomon got all that the man would ever dream, wisdom, great riches, authority, fame,700 wives and 300 concubines yet at the end all of those things were meaningless to Him. He came to realize that materials things and the fame of this world will never satisfy the within emptiness of human soul. There have to be something more than this world can offer, there should be something supernatural than that the carnal mind can perceive.

This morning, God wants you to know that nothing can fill the emptiness of your soul but Jesus alone. I have met people who did not know the taste of joy for years, their lives were full of sorrow. They thought that nothing good will ever happen for them. They gave up and waited to die though some of them were still young, but the devil made them to feel like there is nothing left for them in this life.

But Jesus! Jesus came into the picture. They heard about this Nazarene man who came to change the history of this world. Their lives changed, the got the meaning of life. Their emptiness were filled by the presence of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Their lives as never been so good! Their songs of sorrow became songs of praise. Jesus for them is the meaning of life, Jesus for me is the meaning of life.

Start your day with joy, refuse to be excluded from the blessing which is found in the house of the Lord today. Go to His house with expectation, praise Him as never before. Remember is the only one who can give us the proper meaning of life, reason to live and positive attitude no matter what the life will bring forth.

****Morning Prayer****

Pray this prayer with me by faith and God is going to answer your prayer....

Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You for your Word. Lord I'm asking that You may fill the emptiness in me. Help me to experience the full joy of your salvation while am still alive. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Morning with Ebenezer

TAKE A LOOK BACK

Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

James 5:10-11 NIV

You are not the first person to undergo difficulties, there are people who had the same situation like yours and yet they prevailed against it. Normally the attitude of self pity arise in us when we find ourselves in a situation which seems to take forever. We start comparing ourselves with others and feel sorry for ourselves and give in to our problems.

The Bible is full of people who lived in the same kind of environment which we are living, faced the same challenges which we face and yet prevailed. These people had what is called stubborn faith, no matter what came in their way; they continued to trust God and God alone until He showed for their rescue.

If these people prevailed, and the word of God was written for you and me, it was intended also that you may prevail against the destroying winds of this life. When Jesus died there on the cross, He died in weakness that you may be made strong. He was punished that you may have peace, wounded that you may be healed, He was poor that you may be rich. He died in sorrow that you may rejoice in Him always. 

This morning, God wants you to know that He has allowed your situation to last this far in order that when He comes to deliver you out of it, all the people may say its nothing but God. He has allowed your problems to be displayed to all people, that one day when He will come for your deliverance they may not doubt that it was Him who has delivered you.

No man could help Job and deliver him from all the troubles which came upon his life. God allowed the troubles which Job had to be seen with all people; even his own wife despised him. But finally God came into the picture,  and no one had a doubt that it was the Lord who delivered Job. Be strong, our God is faithful.

****Morning Prayer****

Pray this prayer with me by faith and God is going to answer your prayer....

Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You for your Word. Lord I'm asking that You may help me to keep a good attitude during my trials knowing You will soon come for my rescue. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Morning with Ebenezer

THE LAMB OF GOD WHO WAS SLAIN

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

John 1:29 NIV

Jesus is the lamb of God who sacrificed Himself to be slaughtered. He died that He may take the sins of the whole world. He bought the freedom of all the people ever lived and the generation not yet born. Some estimate that, since the days of Adam, approximately one hundred billion human beings have been born. Over seven billion are alive today. (THE END, chapter 20, pg 253, Mark Hitchcock)

Jesus died for all these human beings and those who are not yet born. He did not die in vain, He died that He may take away sins to as many as who will receive Him. There are those who lived in His days but chose to reject Him, they saw all the miracles, signs and wonders which He did but still they did not believe in Him.

We have people in the body of Christ, who have been forgiven from sins which they once committed in ignorance. These people have been walking with the Lord for years, proclaiming His name to unbelievers and living the godly lives. But they are still being hunted by ghost of guilty.

This morning, God wants you to know to that when Jesus took away your sins it was once and for all. The devil will always find ways to prevent you from rejoicing what the Lord did for your life. He will always come with the certificate of indictment (A formal charge or accusation of a serious crime).

He will continue to accuse you for the bad things you did before you knew the Lord. He will pin point every wrong doing in your life that you may lack confidence approaching the Lord in prayers. You need to rebuke that ghost of guilty, tell your soul that your sins have been taken away by Jesus the lamb of God who was slain for that purpose.

****Morning Prayer****

Pray this prayer with me by faith and God is going to answer your prayer....

Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You for your Word. Lord I'm asking that You may teach me the whole truth that I may enjoy my liberty in Christ Jesus. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Morning with Ebenezer

HAPPY ENDING

I saw a wicked and cruel man

    who looked strong like a healthy tree in good soil.

But he died and was gone;

    I looked for him, but he couldn't be found.

 Think of the innocent person,

    and watch the honest one.

The man who has peace

    will have children to live after him.

Psalm 37:35-37 NCV

We know that most of the happy endings are found in Hollywood movies. In real life there are few of such called perfect families, perfect couples, perfect leaders and perfect people too. There are those who commit evil in the secret where no one sees but God. 

There are people who chose to be wicked while there are others who chose to live the upright life. Whatever will be in our latter days depend on the choices that we make now. The Bible talks about two men who you will find them in all sphere of this life. There is a wicked man and the upright man.

This wicked rose in his days, he was strong like a healthy tree in good soil. But one day he died and was gone, and when the writer looked for him, he couldn't find him. Then he thought about the innocent person, and he watched the honest one. This man lived a life of peace and they will be the happy end for this man.

This morning, God wants you to know that there is a happy ending for those who will put their trust in Him. Someone can rise and say why most of so called believers ended in poverty and some killed in cold blood for their faith. But one thing that you may not understand, this men and women went to be with the Lord. They will not face eternal punishment like the rest of those who lived wicked lives in this world.

I want to encourage you this morning to continue being innocent and honest person. I know that there many times you has fallen in many things but we serve the merciful God. The God who shows mercy to thousands, to those who love Him and keep His commandments, Deuteronomy 5:10.

****Morning Prayer****

Pray this prayer with me by faith and God is going to answer your prayer....

Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You for your Word. Lord I'm asking that You may help me to live a blameless and honest life. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Morning with Ebenezer

HE KNEW YOU

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,

    before you were born I set you apart;

    I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

Jeremiah 1:5 NIV

God had a plan for you from the foundation of this world. He had prepared the good works in advance for you to do in this life. He had a purpose for your life, you were not born just to live and die without doing anything to expand His kingdom on this earth.

In the mean time Satan had a plan to make sure that plan of God for you will not prevail. God had a plan for Moses to be the one who will take out the children of Israel from the bondage of slavery in Egypt. Satan planned to kill him even before he could be able to understand good and bad. But God prepared his table before his enemies, and Moses was raised with those who wanted to kill him when he was a child.(Exodus 2, Psalm 23:5)

The daughter of Pharaoh raised Moses as her own child and he learnt all the wisdom of Egypt and he was powerful in speech and action, Acts 7:22. Then Satan wanted to ruin the main plan of salvation, he wanted to kill baby Jesus; God intervened and the angel of the LORD spoke with Joseph through dream that he should take baby Jesus down to Egypt.(Matthew 2:13-18)

This morning, God wants you to know that He knew you before He formed you in your mother's womb and His plan for you is still in action. There are different attempts from the devil to destroy the seed of purpose in you but they will not prevail. The enemy will continue to fight day and night that He may misdirect you from your purpose, but God will never let that happen.

He did not succeed to Moses, he total failed to Jesus and he will never ruin what God had in store since the foundation of this world for you. Keep being faithful, you may be falling every now and then but don't continue staying down when you fall. Stand up, wash yourself and continue with the journey.

In this journey of salvation the Lord will not take you to the climax of His plan in your life if you will not cooperate. He needs you to be obedient to what He will instruct you through His word and Spirit in order you can reach there. Don't give up, the Lord will strengthen you until the end.   

****Morning Prayer****

Pray this prayer with me by faith and God is going to answer your prayer....

Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You for your Word. I'm asking that You may help me to stick to your plan in my life no matter what happens. Help me to say no to sin and all the pleasures of this world that I may live for you in all the days of my life.

7

Morning with Ebenezer

 THE DISCIPLINE OF GOD

 In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.  And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says,

“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline,

    and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,

 because the Lord disciplines the one he loves,

    and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”

Hebrews 12:4-6 NIV

We have those we call martyr of faith, these were the men and women who fought against sin till the point of death. They refused to compromise to the status quo of their day. Many were martyred because they refused to worship idols, kings and leave their precious faith in Christ Jesus our Lord.

They shed their blood in the struggle against sin, they were counted worth because they remained faithful until the end. We will see them some day in the Kingdom of our Father, and what they did will be rewarded and remembered before the God of all heaven and earth.

Paul says that the struggle which we face with sin is due to the sinful nature in us. We desire to do but we can not carry it out. We continue doing evil which we don't want, so if we do want we don't want to do, it is no longer we who do it, but it is the sin living in us that does it.( Romans 7:14-25)

This morning, God wants you to know that He disciplines you, because He loves you. Do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the ones he loves. You may be seeing yourself as a weak person full of faults, unable to do anything good for God. Every time you have tried to please Him you just end up to the same sins again and again.

God may be disciplining you and this may make you to feel bad and thinking about giving up the faith. We had our human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best, but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness.(ve. 9)

You need to continue with your fight with sin, no discipline seems good at the time, but painful. But later on, it produces harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have trained by it. Accept all the Lord's corrections, they is a day coming you will be a perfect child before Him and He will crown you the crown of life when the day comes.(ve. 11)

****Morning Prayer****

Pray this prayer with me by faith and God is going to answer your prayer....

Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You for your Word. Lord I will accept your discipline, I will obey all that You will instruct me to do in order I can walk in your will. Give me strength to continue fighting the nature of sin in me. I know I'm an overcomer through the cross of Calvary, and I will win this war against sin. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Morning with Ebenezer

OUR STORIES

I was young and now I am old,

    yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken

    or their children begging bread.

They are always generous and lend freely;

    their children will be a blessing.

Psalm 37:25-26 NIV

Each one of us in the body of Christ have our stories in the work with the Lord. Personally I have known the Lord through the power and the working of Holy Spirit in me. If you will be given a chance to explain your experience with the Lord you will have many wonderful stories to explain how wonderful He has been to you.

For me Holy Spirit is God,personal friend,comforter,helper,healer,deliverer, intercessor, great teacher, counselor, revelator, and all that in my life. I may try to describe Him in words but I may not have enough words to describe Him for the all good things which He has done and still doing in my life.

These stories of what God has done in our lives are the ones which give us strength to trust God for tomorrow. To have that hope that if God did for me yesterday, He has helped me today and He will be there for me tomorrow too! 

This morning, I want you to know that the same God who walked with you in the past will continue to walk with you until the end. He has been faithful to you in the past, helping you and guarding you in the way which you should go. He will continue being faithful to you if you will totally commit your heart to Him.

There is a good story of love between you and the Lord not yet written. The Lord is going to do a new thing in your life which will change the total course of your life. I have faith that there is a story of victory ahead of your, there is a story of peace and total joy in the Holy Spirit. God still has many things in store for you, continue being faithful and He will never let you down.

****Morning Prayer****

Pray this prayer with me by faith and God is going to answer your prayer....

Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You for your Word. Lord I'm asking that You may help me to continue to be faithful in my work with You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Morning with Ebenezer

LAY DOWN OUR LIVES

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

1 John 3:16-18 NIV

In nature there is a part of us which desire to share with others what we have in life. We have different people in the society which have different talents and ways of solving problems in life. There are those people that are most seen and known because of what they do for others. In the mean time they are those who make everything happen, but they are not seen or known by anyone.

In the Church of Christ we have intercessors, this group of men and women of God does all unknown spiritual warfare for the sake of the Church and the ministries of the Gospel. No one knows them, but they are there in the background making things happen yet the ministries will be known and recognized because of the nature of their work.

The Apostle John, the revelator remind us to lay our lives to our brothers like the way Jesus laid His for us. He says if anyone has material possessions and seas a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Then he continues by saying,''Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.''

This morning, God wants you to learn to lay down your life for your brothers and sisters. It is easy to do the work of the ministry where you will be seen and recognized than where know one will see you or even notice that you are there. It is easy to give where your contribution will be seen and appreciated than giving as anonymous.

If we will learn to love with actions and in truth and not with the words or speech. Our love will penetrate where no one has ever reached, God will be seen in our lives and people will praise His name. You have something to give to your brother and sister it may be not in form of material but just a simple smile and good attitude of listening on what he or she says.

****Morning Prayer****

Pray this prayer with me by faith and God is going to answer your prayer....

Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You for your Word. Lord I'm asking that You may help me to lay down my life for my brothers and sisters. Help me to love my brethren in deeds and truth for your glory. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Morning with Ebenezer

 GOD OF ALL COMFORT

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.

2 Corinthians 1:3-5 ESV

In the times of pain or grief we all need to be comforted by someone. If you asked people who suffer in one way or another in life, they will tell you that during their sufferings, even one word of comfort helped them to finish the day.

We all face problems in life, and during these times of trials we tend to seek for the sense of relief or consolation through friends and the people who surround us. Lou Holtz one day said, ''Don't tell your problems to people: eighty percent don't care; and the other twenty percent are glad you have them."'  

If telling people my problems will not bring me the solution which I need and the comfort which I'm expecting, so who should I tell? Who is going to comfort me in the hour of my affliction? Who can I trust with the secrets and the problems which surround me? These questions my keep you awake all night and continue rolling in your mind the whole day.

This morning, God wants you to know He is able to give you all the comfort you need. He is the husband to the widow and the Father to the fatherless. He is a friend of the rejected, a friend who stick closer than a brother. He is the healer of the sick, the provider of the need and deliver of the oppressed.

He is the one you need to tell your problems, He will not ignore your cry. He will comfort you according to your need, He will not go out and talk to people about your things and take advantage of your weakness. We have God who can comfort us, do not be afraid just go before Him and pour your heart in His presence.

****Morning Prayer****

Pray this prayer with me by faith and God is going to answer your prayer....

Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You for your Word. Lord I'm asking that You may come and comfort me this day. I surrender all my problems and trials before your throne. Comfort my heart and give me your peace. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Morning with Ebenezer

THE GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD

Jesus is

“‘the stone you builders rejected,

    which has become the cornerstone.’

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

Acts 4:11-12 NIV

This story when was first told by the Apostle Peter at the day of Pentecost. Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day,(Acts 2:41). When this story was told again in the place called Solomon’s Colonnad five thousand men where added to the church.

This story brought forth permanent changes to the people whenever it was told. It changes lives, it set people free from the bondage of sins, people received their healings, some where resurrected from dead, demonic possessed were set free, miracles, signs and wonders were done in-front of millions and millions of people through out the history.

This is the story of love which God had for a fallen man. That He sent His only begotten Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. This story is about the man Jesus who had committed no crime but love. It is the story of love, hope and faith. It gives hope and comfort to whoever listen to it and insure that there is a happy ending at the end of the day.

This morning, God wants you to know that it is your responsibility to continue telling this story to those who have not heard it. There are people who are perishing in their sins, living in their misery, lack the hope for tomorrow, seeking for love and true joy in life. These are people who need to hear this story!

There are people who are in their dying bed, those who are behind bars in the prison having no hope of getting out. They have the right to hear this story too, there are those who are lost in their sins, living under the bondage of guilty and shame for what they have done in the past. Unable to forgive themselves, isolated by the community and cursed by the nobles, these are the ones that need to hear this story.

Whenever it will be told, it will be the best seller story in the ears of the hearers. It will indeed bring impact to the listeners, use any means to make sure this story is being told to people out there. God will guide you through His Holy Spirit, you will be fine and the devil won't touch you by any means. Start telling it today, God bless you.

****Morning Prayer****

Pray this prayer with me by faith and God is going to answer your prayer....

Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You for your Word. Lord I'm asking that You may use me to tell the story of your wonderful Son who came to save a sinner like me. Give me boldness and strength to tell it with all clarity for the glory of your Name, Amen.

Morning with Ebenezer

CHOICES 

Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.

Galatians 6:7-8 ESV

One once said we are our choices. You are what you are now because of the choices you made somewhere in the past. Those who made wise choices in life, they end up in peace. In the other side those who made wrong choices at the end face the consequences of their choices.

From the days of Moses, God gave a man to choice between life and death, blessing and cursing; but He also told him to choice life that he and his children may live. In other words the future destiny of your children depend with the choices which you will make as a parent.( Deuteronomy 30:19)

I have made some wrong choices in the past, which later brought forth effects. When I traced back I found that they were my own choices which brought me in trouble. Many times I went before God asking for his mercy and grace to take me out from the trouble I created. Then I learnt that in everything I need to choice with Jesus, else at the end I may fall in the trap of the enemy.

This morning, God wants to encourage you to start involving Jesus in your choices. They are some choices which you made while knowing are out of the will of God in your life. These choices will bring you much trouble in the future if you will not turn back, repent and asking God to take control over your situation.

It is never to late to God, He sends his word to heal us and when the word comes it will never go back without fulfilling its purpose in which it was sent. If you feel like the Holy Ghost is pointing something in you which you need to decide otherwise; go back and change immediately. When we make choices we sow seeds, be sure that one day we will reap what we once sowed.

****Morning Prayer****

Pray this prayer with me by faith and God is going to answer your prayer....

Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You for your Word. Lord thank You for loving me, help me to do right choices in a right time. Help me to be bold enough to go and undo all the wrong choices which I made in the past. Help me to learn from my mistakes that I may get wisdom to help me in this life. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Morning with Ebenezer

WAIT A MINUTE

Jesus went on from there and walked beside the Sea of Galilee. And he went up on the mountain and sat down there. And great crowds came to him, bringing with them the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute, and many others, and they put them at his feet, and he healed them, so that the crowd wondered, when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled healthy, the lame walking, and the blind seeing. And they glorified the God of Israel.

Matthew 15:29-31 ESV

Life can be very stressful, things may be very difficult to most of the people of God. The feeling that God has left me to fight alone in this life may keep on coming and going. The need to find immediate solution to our problems and answers may be increasing everyday.

The devil will make sure that you focus on your present problems and hardships. He will give you every reason to give up and chose a short cut which may be not God's. Many wonderful men and women of God due to the hardships of this life were tempted to leave this precious like faith in Christ Jesus and serve the purpose of the enemy. It is difficult for most of us to continue keeping our good characters and attitudes in the time of difficulties.

When we go out to seek some advice from our confidants, most of what they will offer, will be according to their experience and their scope of seeing things. Their advice may not guarantee a safe haven for us and hence it may cause problems if will take them without doing discernment.

This morning, I just want to remind you that Jesus is able to do everything which are now beyond your control. You need to tell the devil, wait a minute! I have Jesus, He is the king of kings and the Lord of Lords. This Jesus made the lame to walk, mute spoke, crippled got their health and the blind saw.

I don't know how much you are tired with your journey and you can't move forward anymore, but what I know Jesus will heal your spiritual lameness and you will walk again. Maybe you thought your children are out of control and you can't speak any sense to them; Jesus will open your mouth and you will speak words which will bring life back to them.

Maybe you lack the vision in life, you don't know what you will do and you get confused when it comes a time to choose something to do. The good news is this Jesus will take away that spiritual blindness and make you to see again what He has in store for you.

****Morning Prayer****

Pray this prayer with me by faith and God is going to answer your prayer....

Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You for your Word. Lord I surrender everything in your hands, come and help me in everything including managing my own personal life because without You I can not do anything. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Morning with Ebenezer

HE WILL NOT FORGET YOUR WORK

God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.

Hebrews 6:10 NIV

We were created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. God had plan for our lives even before we came to existence. God knew everything which we will do in this life, and He sent His Son Jesus Christ to insure we walk according to His designed plan and purpose.

The love of Christ which was bestowed in us by the Holy Spirit, helps to enable us to do these good works. When we do anything for those who are in need and pain, we do those works for Christ. When we feed the hungry and cloth the naked, we do all to the Lord Jesus.

There are many times these works may seem to have low motivation of continue doing them. Most of the time what we give out does not directly come back to us and hence it takes only faith to God to keep doing these works of the Lord. Those who preach the Gospel in remote areas where there is no one who sees or promotes them; these men and women sometimes may think that their work is not also seen by God.

This morning, God wants you to know that He sees everything which you are doing for His Kingdom. He is not unjust and therefore He will not forget your work and the love you have shown him by caring for other believers, as you still do.

There is a day you will stand before His throne and He will show you the record of all good works which you have ever done. Then He will tell you, well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'(Matthew 25:23)

****Morning Prayer****

Pray this prayer with me by faith and God is going to answer your prayer....

Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You for your Word. Lord help me to continue doing good especially for those who believe in each new day. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Morning with Ebenezer

YOU JUST NEED THE WORD

But the officer said, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come into my home. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed.

Matthew 8:8 NLT

In my personal life, there are those times which I had no idea on what to do or decide for some matters which came to my knowledge. There are times I found myself running to and fro seeking for answers of some questions in my life. There are also times which I was kept in the dark not understanding what happened especially in the spiritual realm; and these were times which I needed a word from the Lord.

In most situations, I would come forward with my own view and views of other people in whom I trusted to share with them whatsoever was bothering me. But in all seasons I have learnt that God's view was the best one. Most of the time it will not take the whole Bible to understand His will on something, but one word from the Bible can change everything.

We see the faith of Roman Officer who had a sick servant, he went to Jesus for help. When Jesus wanted to go to his house, he forbade Him and ask Him to just say the word. This act amazed the Lord, and He said, I haven’t seen faith like this in all Israel! 

This morning, God wants you to know that there is the word which changes everything. Jesus told the Roman Officer, "Because you believed, it has happened''. He has the same message for you this morning, that because you believed Him to meet your needs, it has happened.

What is your need this morning? I just want to remind you that the Bible says, You are healed, you are restored, you are saved from sin, you are precious, you are rich in Christ Jesus, you are a child of God. You are a victor not a victim, you are loved, you are being set apart for a purpose, you are heir together with Christ. You will inherit the kingdom of God.

Grab what is yours, receive it by faith. Walk in it, know that the word which you heard from the Lord has ability to change your life. It has ability to make everything new in you. For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart, Hebrews 4:12.

****Morning Prayer****

Pray this prayer with me by faith and God is going to answer your prayer....

Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You for your Word. Lord I need a word from You, I need to hear from You. Give me a word which will come and change everything in my life. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Morning with Ebenezer

GIVE HIM A WORD

Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me, and keep me in this way that I am going, and give me bread to eat and clothing to put on, so that I come back to my father’s house in peace, then the Lord shall be my God. And this stone which I have set as a pillar shall be God’s house, and of all that You give me I will surely give a tenth to You.”

Genesis 28:20-22 NKJV

Jacob made a vow to God when he was fleeing from his father's house to go to Laban his uncle in Haran. Rebekah his mother sent Jacob to his brother to prevent him from being killed by his brother Esau. Jacob stole the blessing of his brother Esau, and Esau planned to kill him when their father die.

Jacob knew that he will be alone in the journey and if he will not get help from God, he will not make it back home. God appeared to Him at Bethel and introduced Himself as the God of Abraham and God of Isaac his fathers, He told him that the land in which Jacob laid during that time, God will give it to his descendants.

After God appeared to him in a dream, when Jacob rose up he also gave God a word. He made a vow to God that if He will give him everything which pattern to life and return him safely in his father's house. He would build Him a house of prayer and give Him a tenth of every increase.

This morning, God wants you to know He has already given all the promises and blessings of life in His Word. If God gave you everything which you ever needed in life, the question what are you going to give Him in return? What are you going to do for Him while you are still living?

If you need to see God in your life, you better start giving Him your word. Telling Him if he is going to do this for you, you will go and do that for Him. Make sure after He has done what you asked of Him, to come back and fulfill all that you vowed to do for Him. It worked for Jacob, it will work for you if you will be faithful on what you said to Him. Shalom

****Morning Prayer****

Pray this prayer with me by faith and God is going to answer your prayer....

Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You for your Word. Lord I give myself away to you that You may use me. My life is not my own, to you I belong ooh Lord. Use me and everything within me for your glory. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Morning with Ebenezer

EVERYTHING HAS ITS TIME

He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 NKJV

The third chapter of Ecclesiastes start by these words,"To everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven.'' Here the writer who introduced himself as a Preacher, the son of David, King in Jerusalem tried to tell us that everything has its own time in this life.(Ecclesiastes 3:1, 1:1)

There is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven, each season is unique, each season is needed to complete the full circle of life. Each season has a purpose in it, each season comes with its own beauty. God is making everything beautiful in its time. 

There is a season of being single before you get your life partner, this season is as important as marriage. In singleness is where God gives each one of us a purpose for life, here is a period we get to understand ourselves and make choices about which kind of future we want. Marriage is the other side of the coin which completes the full circle of one's life. A man gets favor from the Lord after they get a virtuous wife; while a woman will called blessed by her children and praised by her husband.

This morning, God wants you to know that He has made everything beautiful in its time. He wants you to embrace the time which you are in right now: knowing you are there for a purpose. It may be a lower stage in life but put in mind that even the Solomon's Temple started with a single brick!

I just want to encourage you to continue waiting for your season of favor, season of blessing, season of total victory over the forces of the devil. If you are passing in the darkest hours of your life, never give up your morning is coming. God will come for your help and everything will be alright!

****Morning Prayer****

Pray this prayer with me by faith and God is going to answer your prayer....

Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You for your Word. Lord I'm asking that You may help me to take one season at a time. Help me to rejoice in each season knowing that I was destined to reign with You Lord in this life and in the life to come. In Jesus' Name, Amen.