Morning with Ebenezer

PRESSING ON TOWARD THE GOAL

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:12-14 NIV

We have seen God using mere man just like you and me throughout the history. The Bible gives account of men of God who once where sinners; but when the time came God saved them from their evil ways. One example of them was Paul the Apostle who persecuted the church of Jesus Christ.

One of the things I learnt from these wonderful men of God is that they didn't let their past compromise what God had prepared for them in the future. They knew no matter how they messed up in their past; God was able to restore what the enemy had stole. Then bless them with many blessings that He had prepared for them before the foundation of the world.

Paul had a goal to fulfill in his life; he knew that there was a race he had to run and at the end of the day to receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling all of us. There is a heavenly prize for you too in God; you need to finish your race that you may reach the goal that you may be worth to receive the prize.

This morning, I want to encourage you to keep pressing toward the goal. Keep doing what God has placed in your heart to do in the body of Christ. Keep serving in the area where God has called you to serve in the Church of Jesus Christ. Don't let your past destructs you and cause you to stop doing the work of God in your life.

You need to know that there are many people who served God faithful and now they are heaven with Jesus. This is your time, serve the Lord with all of your heart, mind and soul; use every second for His glory. God will never leave or forsake you so no matter what comes in your way; don't lose heart knowing He is right there with you always.

****Morning Prayer****

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

Dear Father, I'm asking for strength to keep moving towards my goal in Christ Jesus my Lord. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Morning with Ebenezer

PARENTS

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.  “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.

                  

Ephesians 6:1-3 NIV

"Honor your father and mother"-is the first commandment with a promise. The promise is that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long on the earth. We have people in the body of Christ who followed this commandment accordingly; but we have others who didn't.

You will never understand the sacrifices that a parent make to a child until you one day become one. We sometimes took for granted things which our parents did for us; but later when we get opportunity to be parents too we start appreciating them. There are people who had troubled teen years; they end up breaking the good relationship they had with their parents when they were children.

This came to affect their relationships with their parents even in their adulthood; and hence some parents died while they are still in discord with their children. If your parents are still alive and there is a tension between you; this is a time for you to reconcile with them and make peace. If your parents died while you’re still in misunderstandings then you need to forgive them, forgive yourself; and ask God for his total forgiveness and healing.

This morning, take a moment to thank God your parents. Maybe you didn't know one of your parents or all of them. Maybe they treated you unfairly and denied many things during your childhood. It may be possible you are illegitimate child or you were a result of parental accident but still thank God for your parents.

Even if one of your parents denied you and he/she had nothing do with you but thank God for them. It took two people for you to be born; and God had a plan for you even if your parents didn't know what to do with you. God is with you, and He will make sure you reach where He has planned you to be in life.

****Morning Prayer****

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

Dear Father, I thank You for my parents. Lord forgive me for where I have done wrong to my parents; and I forgive my parents for where they have hurt me. Thank you for the gift of life, may your name be blessed. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Morning with Ebenezer

BE THANKFUL

Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!

For His mercy endures forever.

Psalm 107:1 NKJV

In life we have many things to be thankful for. God has given a lot of blessings that we can't even count them all. He has given us people in our lives that are such a blessing in every way. He has given us opportunities that made us who we are today.

Maybe you were not raised with your biological parents or you didn't have a good relationship with one of your parents; but still God provided you a way to live and be successful in life. You need to be thankful that you are still alive up to this day because many have died who wanted to be here today.

If God has given you spouse then you need to be thankful for him or her knowing that many dreams to have one; but they are still single until today. If God has given you kids then thank Him for that; because not all people who desired to have kids got them at the end of the day.

This morning, I want to encourage you to take a moment and thank God for everything in your life. Thank Him for all things that happened in your past because they shaped you become who you are today. Thank Him for your present life and thank Him in advance for your prosperous future ahead of you.

I want to encourage you to have a thankful kind of attitude in your life. Learn to thank God for all people who have contributed in one way or another on your present success in life. Don't take people for granted, I believe that there is a purpose for each person who is in your life right now. I believe that each person in your life is there for a reason so treat all of them equally; knowing God had good intentions to allow them to be part of your life.

****Morning Prayer****

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

Dear Father, I thank You for the gift of life. I thank You for all people who are in my life right now; may you bless them with abundant blessings according to your riches and glory in Christ Jesus. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Morning with Ebenezer

LEARN TO CARE

When you do things, do not let selfishness or pride be your guide. Instead, be humble and give more honors to others than to yourselves.

Philippians 2:3 NCV

If you want to know man's character take a look how he treats others who are not important in his life. We have members in the body of Christ who think they are so far in the Lord; in such a way they don't want to deal with others people who are not the same level as them.

Many people out there especially who don't know the Lord seek to know the things of the Lord. They get to encounter many obstacles in their search for the truth but one of the obstacles they get are those Pharisees like Christians. There are those Christians who tend to pass judgments on everyone and condemn everyone who comes to them for help.

We have people who do things in order to be known and others who things for their own interests. If you have been given a gift or a certain talent in your life; you need to know you have been given it that you may serve others. You were not given that to build your own name or kingdom; but building the kingdom of God by helping others to live the way God wanted them to live.

This morning, I want to encourage you to care for the inferior in your circle of influence. Stop looking on yourself and thinking about yourself all the time; learn to look on others and think about others more than you think about yourself.

There are some prayers which are not answered yet in your life; because God wants you first to kill that spirit of selfishness in you. He knows that if He will give those things to you; you may use all of them alone and don't even bother to share with others who are in need. Learn to be humble and give more honors to others than to yourselves.

****Morning Prayer****

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

Dear Heavenly Father, forgive me for being selfish. Lord I'm asking that You may help me to share whatever you have blessed me in my life with others. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Morning with Ebenezer

PRAY FOR YOUR COUNTRY

Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.

1 Timothy 2:1-2 NIV

The first of these, "supplications", signifies such petitions for things that are wanted by men, either by themselves or others; and that either for their bodies or souls, as food and clothing. Second word, "prayers", signifies good wishes and desires, directed and expressed to God for things that are in themselves to be wished for, and desired of God, either for ourselves or others.

The next word, "intercessions", intends either complaints expressed in prayer against others that have done wrong; or prayers put up for others, either for the turn away of evil from them, or for the bestowing some good thing on them: and the last word, "thanksgivings", with which requests should always be made known to God, designs that branch of prayer in which thanks are given to God for mercies received, whether temporal or spiritual: and these are to all men.

These have to be made not only for all people of God, the Church of Jesus Christ, and servants of God; but also to all people who live in our countries and for presidents and leaders who are in authority, that may we live a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and holiness. 

This morning, I want to ask you if you pray for your country. Do you pray for your leaders, have you been praying for all important organs of the government where you are right now? Do you complain like people who don't know God and being hopeless like everyone else? What are you doing to change the spiritual situation of your country?

Do you know being a Christian is more than going to church and having a Christian name? Do you know your heartfelt and continued prayer can make a tremendous power available and it will dynamic in its working? God has deposit this message in my heart for you; because He wants you to wake up and start praying for your country. God wants you to be a prayer warrior that you may build broken walls in the spiritual realm that the princes of darkness in your country have broken.

****Morning Prayer****

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

Dear Heavenly Father, I'm that You may build in me the desire to pray for my country. Help me to stand in my position and push until something good happens in my country which will give you glory. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Morning with Ebenezer

IN HIS PRESENCE

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High

    will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,

    my God, in whom I trust.”

Psalm 91:1-2 NIV              

We are required to live in the Spirit of God after we receive Jesus as the Lord and Savior of our lives. We are required to dwell in the presence of the Lord every day that we may experience the joy of the Lord in the fullest. 

David knew the importance of dwelling in the presence of the Lord. He prayed that He may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of his life. He then testified that in the presence of the Lord there is a fullness of joy, Psalm 27:4, 16:11 respectively. 

He said whoever live in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. He didn't say whoever visits in the shelter of the Most High; but who dwell in it. In other words the favor and protection of God comes to those who stay and live in His presence. The power of God is manifested by those who continue staying in His presence all the time regardless what they are facing outside in the body.

This morning, I want to encourage you to seek being in His presence. You may be asking yourself why your prayers are not being answered and why you; don't overcome certain sins in your life. The answer is because you don't dwell in His presence enough to receive the answers you desire from God.

Many Christians like to visit in the presence of the Lord and then immediately return on the flesh. Later they complain why God is not answering their prayers or attending to their needs. The prayer which is prayed in the presence of the Lord brings forth great impact in the life of believer. It brings all those answers which ones heart may desire to get from God. I want to challenge you to start walk in the Spirit that you may dwell in the presence of the Lord in all the days of your life.

****Morning Prayer****

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

Dear Father, help me to start dwelling in your presence. I want to dwell in your house all the days of my life, that I may gaze upon the beauty of You Lord and seek You in your temple. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Morning with Ebenezer

FEAR GOD

“I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.

Luke 12:4-5 NIV

The Bible teaches us that our soul will live forever, but not all souls will be grouped at the same place. After the death of this body, God in the last day will raise those who have done good to live and raise those who have done evil will to be condemned.

Jesus said that we should not be afraid with those who kill the body and after that can do no more. In other words, we should not be afraid with a mortal man who can threaten to ruin your life or kill you if you will not follow what he wants. There are our fellows Christians in different parts of the globe who face persecution and their lives are being threaten because of their faith. Some lost their properties and good name in the society because they converted to Christianity; and many are living in fear because they are being hunted like animals.

There are those who are being persecuted by family members or abused by their spouse; because they chose to follow the Lord. There are those who have been excluded by their friends; because they simply chose to be right with God. There are those who are being laughed because of their faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. I don't know which pressure you are experiencing right now but I have a word for you.

This morning, I want to encourage you to continue fearing God.  Solomon says, "My child, if sinners try to lead you into sin, do not follow them. They will say, “Come with us. Let’s ambush and kill someone; let’s attack some innocent people just for fun. My child, do not go along with them; do not do what they do. (Proverbs 1:10-11, 15, NCV)

There are people who may try to lead you into sin in your work area, family or group of friends. The Bible teaches us to stay away from people who may cause us to sin regardless their positions in this life. Fear God and stay away from sin, know that everything you do has consequences. If you will live the life of sin you will face shame and everlasting confusion; but if you live according to the word of God you will live forever with the Lord.

****Morning Prayer****

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

Dear Father, I'm asking that You may give me boldness to live for You. Help me to do your will and stand for the truth in all the days of my life. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Morning with Ebenezer

DON'T STOP READING IT

I have thought much about your words and stored them in my heart so that they would hold me back from sin.

Psalm 119:11 TLB

The Bible refers the word of God as the sword of the Spirit; the word of God changes the lives of people. It brings new life where there is death and hope where discouragement has done its work. No one read the word of God seriously, put it into practices and his life remained the same.

Vance Havner one day said, "Let it never be forgotten that, although we may do nothing about the Word we hear, the Word will do something to us. The same sun melts ice and hardens clay, and the Word humbles or hardens the human heart." Bill Graham called Harver, "The most quoted preacher of the twentieth century."Through reading his books, thousands were lead to experience God in a new and exciting way.

There is something taking place every time we read the word of God. Even if we don't see it on the outside; but our inside man is being renewed every day to become more like Christ. The word of God teaches us to humble before God; and at the same time teaches us to be strong in the hour of temptation. I'm always asking myself what I would do without the word of God. I have seen many things changed in my life because the word did its work inside of me; and without it I wouldn’t be where I am today!

This morning, I want to encourage you to continue reading the word of God daily. The Psalmist David says; "I have thought much about your words and stored them in my heart so that they would hold me back from sin." David knew the only way to protect himself from going back to the life of sin would be reading the word of God. If you don't have enough deposit of the word inside of you; you will find yourself committing the same sins over and over again.

I want to encourage you to read the word of God; I believe God has placed this message inside of me that I may remind you to do so. If you want to see victory in your walk with the Lord; then you need to read the word of God. If you want to know and walk in the promises of God; then make the word of God to be your daily spiritual bread and you will see great transformation in your life.

****Morning Prayer****

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

Father God, I'm coming before you this morning. Lord I'm asking that You may increase the desire of reading the word of God inside of me. Help me to understand and put it into practices. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Morning with Ebenezer

TALENTS

Each of you has received a gift to use to serve others. Be good servants of God’s various gifts of grace.

1 Peter 4:10 NCV

There is no one born talentless, each one of us have been given something by God. Those talents may differ from one person to another; but bottom line each one has something unique from God.

We have seen many artists who don't have hands or legs but draw very good pictures that people who have hands and legs can't. We have seen blind men and women who can sing and write music which touches the lives of many. This shows that none of us have excuse when comes to inborn talents.

The ignorance of talent doesn't cancel the talent; if you don't understand your talent it doesn't mean you don't have one. Many people say they don't have talent or any gift in life; but it is because they didn't invest enough time to discover their inborn potentials. 

This morning, I want you to know that God has given you something. If you don't know your talent in this life then you need to ask God to show you. I believe there is something that you are good at in life. It may be something like cooking, there are people who cook dishes that are so delicious which other people can't cook.

God can use anything in you for your glory; He can use food to bring peace, harmony and love to the people of God. Ask the Lord to help you use whatever talent you have in you to bring glory to Him. If you don't know your talent, ask God to show you and He will surely reveal it to you.

****Morning Prayer****

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

Dear Father, help me to use my talent to serve others in my life. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Morning with Ebenezer

HE PRAYS FOR US 

For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time.

1 Timothy 2:5-6 NIV

There are many doctrines in religious systems of this world which doubt if Jesus is the only way to the Father. They say there have to be many way ways to the Father; and God cannot be too selfish to choose only Jesus to be the way to Him.

There is another doctrine that teaches that some people who were believed to be saints; i.e. they lived a holy life according to their religious standard, can pray for them before the Father after they die. So they have a long list of names of the people who they believe they were saints; and they daily ask them to pray for them before the God of heaven and earth.

All these claims don't have any Scriptural evidences to prove that they are true; and hence they remain as beliefs which are against the word of God. The Bible teaches us that there is only one God and only one intercessor between God and mankind; the man Christ Jesus who gave His life for all mankind.

This morning, I want you to know that Jesus is the only one who prays for us before the Father. He prays that we may keep away from sin; He prays that we may progress in holiness and He pray that one day we may inherit the kingdom of God. (John 17:15, 17, 24)

I want to ask you to stop concentrating listening to many false doctrines which are against the word of God. Stop asking saints to pray for you, and celebrating the dead; because that is not in the Bible. Learn to do things which are in the Bible. That's why you need to read your Bible that you may understand how you supposed to live; and which things are true according to the Scriptures.

****Morning Prayer****

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

Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You for giving us Jesus. Lord I will continue worshipping you and serving You. I will lift your name and praise You for who You are ooh Lord knowing Jesus is praying for me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

 

Morning with Ebenezer

LIVE LIKE JESUS

Whoever says he abides in Him ought [as personal debt] to walk and conduct himself in the same way in which He walked and conducted Himself.

1 John 2:6 AMP

We are living in a period where the enemy tries to force his agenda in every aspect of our lives. He uses the media and the internet to teach our younger generation things which are not according to the word of life. We have generation of young Christians who don't read the Bible or spend time in prayers.

Those who supposed to be elder and mature Christians and ministries have been disappointing the church by desiring the money of shame. Many use the Bible and the calling which God placed in their lives to accumulate wealth from faithful Christians. 

They use every trick and manipulative doctrine that they can create to make sure they get what they want from Christians. As the result the church is concentrating in seeking material blessings rather seeking the giver of blessings. This gives a chance for the enemy to attack our families, marriages, relationships and destroy whatever development we had in Christ Jesus.

This morning, I want to ask you to wake up and start living according to the word of God. One thing you need to know that you won't be effective in your Christian life if you don't personally read the word of God. It doesn't matter if your Pastor is so anointed or an accurate prophet who knows everything; if you want to mature in God then you need to read the word.

If you want to see real blessings of the Lord in your life; then you need to learn to obey the word of God. This include following all principles of the word of God and waiting for the promises of God in your life. Satan has declared war over our families, finances, marriages and relationships; make sure you are not giving him a chance to ruin what you have worked so hard to accomplish in life.

****Morning Prayer****

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

Dear Father, help me to start firm in You. I want to live according to your word, give me strength to accomplish that ooh Lord. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Morning with Ebenezer

PRAY IN THE SPIRIT

However, as it is written:

“What no eye has seen,

    what no ear has heard,

and what no human mind has conceived”—

    the things God has prepared for those who love him—

 these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit.

The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.

1 Corinthians 2:9-10 NIV

There are things that God prepared for each one of us. There are some things which God had in store for you in your future that you will not believe if someone will tell you that they will happen. These things are being revealed to us by the Spirit, He is the one who tells us things which are yet to come in our lives.

The Bible teaches us that we receive our answers from God by faith. Jude says, "But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, Jude 1:20." When we pray in the Spirit, this including speaking in tongues; we increase our faith and prepare our hearts to receive what God had in store for us.

There are many wonderful things that God has prepared for each one of us. There are many spiritual blessings and material blessings; that are awaiting us if we will continue believing in our Lord Jesus Christ. God is going to bless our children and our children's children if we will put our trust completely to Him; and invest our time in serving Him with all of our hearts.

This morning, I want to encourage you to continue praying in the Holy Spirit, If you have been a given a gift of speaking in new language famously known as speaking in tongues; make sure you are using that gift to increase your faith in Christ Jesus our Lord. If you haven’t received yet, then continue praying while asking the Spirit of God to lead you in your prayers; and God will reveal Himself in your life.

In order to receive what God has in store for you, you need to have faith that will enable you to receive whatever God has prepared. God will reveal His plan for you through His Holy Spirit; and you need to be prepared to receive by faith. I want to encourage you to walk by faith and not by sight knowing God will reward your faith in Christ Jesus my Lord.

****Morning Prayer****

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

Dear Father, I receive all things that You have prepared for me in Christ Jesus my Lord by faith; I believe I have them right now in Jesus Name. In Jesus' Name, Amen.