Morning with Ebenezer

PRAY

And in the morning, a long time before daylight, he got up and went out to a quiet place, and there he gave himself up to prayer.  And Simon and those who were with him came after him. And when they came up with him, they said to him, everyone is looking for you.

Mark 1:35-37 BBE

I remember those days before I gave my life to the Lord. Praying was like a punishment, most of the time when we went to our religious services I ended up sleeping during those sessions of reading prayers. I was not the only one, who slept, but most of the people in those services used to sleep and many are sleeping up to this day.

I couldn’t understand why we slept a lot, the day I surrendered my life to the Lord and went to believers’ fellowship. I couldn’t pray and catch up with the way those precious people of God prayed. They were on fire and I got tired within two minutes; but I continue to stand without having anything to say before the Lord.

It is amazing how the Lord took me from that stage; and started teaching me how to pray through the power of His Holy Spirit. Every time I look back, I just thank Him for His amazing grace in my life. Jesus was a man of prayers, He prayed before doing anything and God was with Him. God listened to Jesus prayers and manifests Himself through the ministry of Jesus in this world.

This morning, I want to encourage you my friend to pray.  Apostle James says we don’t get what we desire in life because we do not pray; and if we pray we do not receive because we pray wrongly. So we can spend it on our passions, James 4:2-3. If you will pray according to the will of the Lord, surely the Lord will come and give you the desire of your heart.

Maybe you have been praying for husband or wife for a while now. All people who come in your way seem like they don’t have the characters you want. Sit down and start reconsidering the way you pray. This time let the will of God be fulfilled first before anything else in your priorities. God is faithful; He will not give you someone who is far out of your league. He will give your heart desire, and you will be happy for the rest of your days.

****Morning Prayer****

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

Dear Heavenly Father, teach me to pray through the power of Holy Spirit. I want to be able to pray according to your will. Help me that I may pray according to your will and purpose over my life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Morning with Ebenezer

COME HOME

That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.

1 Timothy 4:10 NIV

You may be asking yourself why people of God work hard and struggle to build the kingdom of God. If you haven't given the same burden inside of you, you won't be able to understand why they work hard and continue to struggle for the sake of lost souls.

Paul and the Apostles put their hope in the living God. They preached the Gospel till the day they all went back to the Father. The Gospel has been passed down generation to generation until it reached our generation. The same fire that was in the first Church among the believers it is still burning inside of us; we have the same mission of filling the heaven with souls and emptying the hell.

God keep on encouraging us inside that we may preach even if we will be ignored and mocked. There is someone who will hear our message and eventually give his/her life totally to the Lord. Sometimes the pleasures of this life may trick us to think that we will live forever. It may give us false hope that we will still have time to repent and make things right with God.

This morning, I want you to know that God is calling you to come home. Maybe you have been far away busy with the things of this world. Maybe you forgot totally about God and concentrated on your life; but still God remembers your name and He wants you back to His kingdom.

You are precious in the sight of the Lord. He died for you, and He will continue to call your name until you come back to Him. Don't waste your life with the things of this world that won't last. Put your trust in the living God that you may live forever with Him in the kingdom of the Son of His love.

****Morning Prayer****

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

Dear Heavenly Father, I surrender my life before You. Help me to live the holy life in Christ Jesus. Give me wisdom to please You in the rest of my days that I may inherit the kingdom of Son of your love. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Morning with Ebenezer

LET GOD

The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord,

And He delights in his way.

Psalm 37:23 NKJV

Sometimes we ask God so hard for some things in life; but at the end of the day we don't get them. We may complain and think like God is not fair on us; but in the reality He withholds some of the things for our own good.

When He refuses to give us some of the things that we mostly desire; He always has better things for us. There are some people who forced to be married by certain people; but ended up having troubles in their marriages. There are some people who didn't get what they want; but they ended up getting more what they even thought or imagine.

God has His own way of leading us in the right direction. He has His own way of allowing some people to come in our lives and other to leave our lives. If some people have left you then don't force them to stay. It may be their time has expired and they have served the purpose that God gave them for your life. There is no more grace to keep you together so if you force them to stay; you may end up breaking even the sweet relationship that you have built.

This morning, I want to encourage you to let God order your steps. Don't force yourself to do things that God don't want you to do. If He wants you to have something that thing will come in its time. If He wants you to get a certain promotion then in His time He will give you.

Don’t use illegal ways that you may get a certain life style, you may end up in trouble with authority if you will force that life come before its time. If God wants you to be rich then He will bring those riches when the time is right. In the mean time what you are needed to do is to work hard, follow His leading on how you are supposed to invest yourself and prepare yourself for the future.

****Morning Prayer****

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

Dear Father, forgive me for where I have tried to do things in my own way. Help me to start doing your will and follow your lead through the power of your Holy Spirit. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Morning with Ebenezer

TAKE ME BACK

Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lamp-stand from its place—unless you repent.

Revelation 2:4-5 NKJV

Andrea Crouch once sang, "Take me back, take me back dear Lord; to the place where I first received you. Take me back; take me back dear Lord where I First believed." Then he counted by this verse, "I feel that I'm so far from you Lord. But still I hear you calling me. Those simple things that I once knew, their memories keep drawing me. (Andrea Crouch, Take Me Back)

Some of us have been far from the Lord. We were once so busy with the things of the Lord; but as years went by we came to a point that we are no longer interested to know God as we once did. We used to pray, fast and reading the word of God in daily basis. We gave ourselves to the Lord and surrendered everything completely to Him; but later the cares, riches and pleasures of this life choked us and we didn't continue in His way.

There were times in my life that I didn't commit myself to Him as I once did. One thing I have learned is that the Lord will keep calling you until you obey His call. He won't rest until you turn back to Him. He will continue to remind you and ask you to come back to Him. Many of us hear this call daily; but we tend to ignore and think we have more time to repent and hence we go on with our lives.

This morning, I want to encourage you to ask our precious Master, to take you back to the place where you first received Him. Ask our good Lord to renew your faith, restore your joy and dry your weeping eyes. You can't make it all alone; you need the help of the Lord that you may go back to Him.

Our Lord Jesus Christ talks to us in the Book of Revelation that we have lost our first love. He says we need to remember therefore from where you have fallen; this means which kind of sin pulled you back from your way. Then repent and do the first works, this involves forsaking the life of sin and start seeking the Lord of life. If we won't do that, the Lord will come quickly and remove our lamp-stand from its place. He will take away our position and dominion in the spiritual realm; and the enemy will have the chance to attack us and make us his slaves. 

****Morning Prayer****

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

Dear Father, I thank You for your word. I must confess, Lord I've been blessed, but yet my soul's not satisfied. Renew my faith, restore my joy, and dry my weeping eyes. I tried so hard to make it all alone. I need your help just to make it home. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Morning with Ebenezer

FAITH IN THE NAME OF JESUS

By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see.

Acts 3:16 NIV

Jesus is the name above every name. Jesus is the name above every hero, tyrant, king, emperor; wise man ever lived in this world. 

This name is above every sickness, diseases, plague, and natural calamity ever occurred in this world. Many people tried to stop people spreading the message of Jesus Christ. They did their best to kill and frighten those who dedicate their lives for the sake of the name.

Thanks are to God who didn't let the devil have the final say. He encouraged people of God and left a remnant in each generation who will stand by faith in the name of Jesus; and proclaimed the message of hope to that particular generation. 

This morning, I want to encourage you to put your faith in the name of Jesus. I don't know what you have been going through for the past few months or even the beginning of this year. But I’m here to encourage you, remind you and dare you to put your faith in the name of Jesus.

If you are facing financial problems, put your faith in the name. If you are having marital problems put your faith in the name. If you are uncertain about your future, put your faith in the name. If you are facing demonic attacks put your faith in the name and God will show up in your situation and make all things work for your own good.

****Morning Prayer****

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

Dear Heavenly Father, help me to put my faith in the name of your Son Jesus Christ. I know that through the name of Jesus my life will change and I will live according to your will. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Morning with Ebenezer

RESPECT EVERYONE

Rich and poor have this in common: The LORD is the Maker of them all.

Proverbs 22:2 NIV

In this world people look each other by their status, titles and positions in life. We tend to respect rich people more than the way we respect poor ones. People who have monetary power tend to make all decisions even if they don't have expertise in some field of life.

In the church we fail in the same trap of respecting some people more and despising others. The Bible teaches us that God is no respecter of persons. Our God looks us equally; He has given us Jesus that He may come to save us all. (Acts 10:34)

The writer of the book of Proverbs says rich and poor have this in common. The LORD is the Maker of them all. God created all of us, whether you are rich or poor; He made us and one day all of us will meet together before Him. He is going to judge us according to what we did in the flesh whether good or bad.

This morning, I want to encourage you to respect all people in your life. For young women who are waiting for husbands to marry them; they need to stop focusing on money and start asking for God fearing men. Likewise men should stop focusing on the outward appearances but asking for God fearing women. 

We need to learn to respect each other and love each other in Christ Jesus. We need to learn to be kind to people in life because everyone is having a tough in this life. Don't rush and judge people but ask the Lord to give you wisdom to understand all people who come in your life every day.

****Morning Prayer****

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

Dear Father, help me to respect all people who come in my life knowing that we are equal before You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Morning with Ebenezer

GOOD NAME

A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.

Proverbs 22:1 NIV

I have learned that who you are is more important than what you have. Sometimes we focus on what we have in life and forget that we need to maintain who we are in life. People are willing to do whatever and walk extra miles to get wealth even if it will cost their characters.

We build good characters by doing many good things; but we can break them by only doing one mistake. The Bible teaches us that a good name is more desirable than great riches; this means that we need to focus on building the good name in the society instead of accumulating riches in unrighteous ways.

If we have a good name, we will get favor before the Lord. God will come to bless us beyond measures and give us the desire of our hearts. The Bible says, “True humility and respect for the Lord lead a man to riches, honor, and long life, Proverbs 22:4.” If we walk in the fear of the Lord; God will give all what we need according to His riches of His glory in Christ Jesus.

This morning, I want to encourage you to seek building a good name. If you want to people to trust you then you need to be trustworthy. Don't tell other people things which other told you in confidence. Make sure you pay all of your debts in time, and fulfill all the promises you made to people.

Give respect where respect is due and don't be the one who will start conflicts in the society. Make sure you walk in the ways of the Lord and being a living testimony before the eyes of unbelievers. Maintain your integrity, make sure you are not abusing your position in your work place by taking corruption; and you are not abusing your position in the Church by accepting shameful ways to make money.

****Morning Prayer****

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

Dear Heavenly Father, I'm asking that You may help me to build a good name among your people and those who are outside. In Jesus' Name, Amen.  

Morning with Ebenezer

ABUSE

He heals the brokenhearted

and binds up their wounds.

Psalm 147:3 ESV

We have members in the Church of Jesus Christ who suffered abuse when they were young. There are those who were physically abused, some were mentally and psychologically abused and we have those who were sexually abused.

Many problems that come to manifest in these people when they grow up most of the time are the results of those abuses. These people found themselves abused by the people who they once trusted and respected. Many of people have abused by relatives, friends and sometimes even immediate family members.

Many feel shy to confess these experiences as the result the devil keep on suppressing them day and night. Abuse causes these people to have a low self esteem and a lot of trust issues. Those women, who were abused by men, struggle to trust men and fail to trust even their husbands when they get married. It is the same for those men who were abused by women or even women who were abused by women all of those tend to struggles in trusting those figures that abused them.

This morning, I want you to know that Jesus can deliver you from all the chains of abuse. Maybe you are having problems in your marriage because you have concluded that all men are the same. You may be struggling to trust your husband because someone close to you once betrayed your trust and took advantage of you.

Maybe you are struggling to trust male or female figure because of the experience you had in the past. I'm here to encourage you to go to Jesus and ask Him to deliver you from the pain of abuse; and set you free from all the bitterness that you are feeling every time you remember about the abuse. I pray that the Lord may touch you and deliver you completely from anything that was the result of abuse in your life.

****Morning Prayer****

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

Dear Heavenly Father, I'm asking that You may deliver me from anything that was brought by any form of abuse in my life. Help me to forgive and pray for those who abused me; letting them go that I may move forward with the life that You have prepared for me in Christ Jesus my Lord. In Jesus' Name, Amen. 

Morning with Ebenezer

PRAY FOR THEM

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

Ephesians 6:18 NIV

It is easy to judge other people because we don't understand their situations. There are some people who look sad everyday; and we may jump to judge them without having any idea what they are going through in life.

There is a tendency of Christians to false encourage their fellow brethren that they are praying for them but in the reality they don't do that. Sometimes we seek to understand what other people are going through not because we want to carry their burdens in prayers; but only to get something to gossip.

We need to pray for each other, we need to have the hearts of encouraging each other. Apostle John says, "Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth, 1 John 3:18."Our love should be genuine and we need to show it by our actions and attitude towards others.

This morning, I want to encourage you to pray for people who God has given you in your life. I believe there are people who are in your life and they mean a world to you. These are people who are in the circle of influence. Maybe some of these people know the Lord and some they don't know the Lord. We are called to pray for all of them that they may one day inherit the kingdom of God.

Pray for their perfect health, pray for their sound mind and that they may obey the Lord in their lives. Pray that they may walk right before the Lord and that they may learn to treat all people in their lives equally. Pray that the will of God may be fulfilled in their lives and that they may walk in the purpose of the Lord.

****Morning Prayer****

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

Dear Heavenly Father, I pray for all people who You have given me. Lord I'm asking that You may give them perfect health and provide for all of their needs according to your riches of your glory in Christ Jesus. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Morning with Ebenezer

WORK OF GOD

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

People of God pass through different temptations. They face different challenges in this life. They struggle in many things and fight against sin every day.

Being with God doesn't guarantee that you will have a wealth life. There are many ministers who promise people that if they will give to their ministries and churches God will bless them and give them wealth. As much as this can be true but not all of them are from God.

The Bible says God said He will never leave you nor forsake you. This means that you may not live a lavish life and have everything in this life; but God will take care of you always. He will not put you into shame and He will fight for you in every stage of your life.

This morning, I want to encourage you to continue doing the work of God. Whatever God has given you to do in His kingdom continue doing it. You are not doing it for people but God. Even if no one knows you or even appreciate your efforts just keep doing it. 

God is up there looking on each one of us. One day He is going to reward your work and rest you from your labor. The world needs people who will not give up on God that they may used as the tool o heal this suffering world. God needs people like you who will spread His message throughout the earth that all the flesh may know that salvation is obtained in Christ Jesus our Lord.

****Morning Prayer****

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

Dear Heavenly Father, I give myself before You. Lor, I'm asking that You may help me endure all hardships in this present life; knowing that better life is waiting for me in the afterlife. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Morning with Ebenezer

IF YOU BELIEVE

In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.

Hebrews 1:1-2 NIV

God spoke to our fathers in the past through the prophets at many times and in various ways. In these last days, God has spoken to us by His Son, Jesus Christ. He has spoken the message of salvation and invited us to His eternal kingdom.

He started His ministry in Galilean by saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” He started speaking about the kingdom of God, and inviting people to repent their sins and come back to God. (Mark 1:14-15)

He is still speaking to us today through the mouths of His servants. He is still calling us to repent and believe in the Gospel. He is inviting everyone to go to Him that they may receive the forgiveness of sins. He gives healing for free and delivers all who put their trust in Him.

This morning, I want to encourage you to believe the message of our Lord Jesus Christ. The message that is preached with the ministers of Jesus Christ, that salvation is obtained in Christ Jesus. If you will believe in the name of Jesus, your sins will be forgiven; your name will be changed and you will experience the new life in the Holy Spirit.

You will receive the healing you need if you will believe that Jesus can heal. You will receive the deliverance that you are desperately desire; if you will believe that by the mention of the name of Jesus you will be delivered. You will receive all things you need in this life, if you will believe that all prayers that you pray through the name of Jesus by faith will answered.

 ****Morning Prayer****

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

Dear Father, help me to hear and obey your message. In Jesus' Name, Amen.