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Articles, Get Born Again, Our Monthly News Letter, Salvation

WHAT YOU WILL GAIN WHEN YOU LOSE YOUR LIFE FOR CHRIST

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Continued from last edition: of “YOUR MONEY OR YOUR LIFE”

Kindly click below to read the previous edition👉🏼 “YOUR MONEY OR YOUR LIFE”?

WHAT  YOU WILL GAIN WHEN YOU LOSE YOUR LIFE FOR CHRIST!

Let me start by making it clear that no one who comes to Christ actually loses his/her life, but they submit their lives to save it through Christ. There’s no loss in Christ.  What we consider as loss is the submission of one’s entire life to pass through the physical and spiritual process that aligns with the divine laws and principles of God that guarantees eternal salvation and rewards.
To the planet earth, this is a loss. But to heaven it is a process and a principle. And it is gain (Philippians 1:21).

Your Money or your Life

LABOUR AND REWARDS

Without a reward of some-kind, no human being will get down to work or get involved in any activity that will require expenditure of energy, time, talent and treasure. It is natural.
This is exactly what Proverbs say, “The appetite of labourers  works for them; their hunger drives them on.” Proverbs 16:26
And the Lord said , ‘I search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according his conduct, and to what their deeds deserve’ Jeremiah 17:10.
You can see that God Himself is fully behind the principle of labour and reward.

LOSING ALL FOR CHRIST

Peter and other Jesus’ Apostles, upon encountering Christ lose their lives for Him by placing Him above everything they were and had.
They left their businesses, work, families, wives, children, friends, enemies, social activities, nightclub, adultery, fornication, cheating, lying, injustice, just to name a few, to follow Christ. They left EVERYTHING to follow Christ! Did you take note of that statement by Peter? “We have left everything to follow you.”

However, confusion ensued among the apostles after Jesus answered a certain rich ruler who inquired of Him what he (the ruler) must do to inherit eternal life (Matthew 19:16-30). As a result of Jesus’ response to the man’s question, Peter reacted!

PETER’S REACTION

Peter answered him, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us? Matthew 19:27

Like Peter, many followers of Christ when life hit them hard, are forced to question the Lord, what will be my reward for all these sacrifices I’m making for the sake of the kingdom? “I have lost my job, I have lost my friends, I have lost my family, I have lost my …….
What becomes of me?

AND JESUS SAID

And Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his throne, you, who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribe of Israel. And everyone who has left his houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake, will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. Matthew 19:28-29.

Jesus also answered similar question in the gospel of Mark 8:35. And He said, “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me (valuing Him above all else)and for the gospel will save it.

In the last edition I explained what it actually means to lose one’s life for Christ. Among all,  remember it also includes losing one’s physical life when the situation necessarily requires that, like in the case of Brother Stephen in Acts of Apostles chapter eight (8)and the Twelve Apostles of Christ except John the Beloved who later died a natural death after losing his life for Christ.

WHAT HAVE YOU LOST FOR CHRIST AND FOR THE GOSPEL?

Apostle Paul exclaimed, “But whatever were gains to me, I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ….”
Philippians 3:7-11

Every faithful soldier of Christ must have an injury.
If you are a true follower of Christ, there must be something you so much loved and engrossed to which you must have given up for the sake of following the Lord Jesus Christ, except you are a ‘fair-weather follower’(following Christ when it is convenient).

The assurance from the Lord for you that follows Him in season and out of season is that you will be rewarded far beyond how much you had given up or left for Christ’s sake and for the gospel. It can never go unrewarded.

Let’s list and analyze what Jesus said we will gain when we lose our lives for Him and for the gospel.

​First reward;
Jesus addresses His apostles directly and specifically for them at that moment He said, “I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things , when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, ( when the new heaven and new earth will come to be. Revelation 21) you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel” (Mt 19:29)

The word “Judging” in this context simply means ruling, presiding, and governing. So the Apostles, for forsaking their lives for Christ and for the gospel, in addition to so many other rewards, will receive, and rule over the twelve tribes of Israel forever. This reward is specifically spelt out for “the twelve apostles”

​​Second reward
Jesus addresses everyone including the apostles, his disciples, you, myself and all who will later believe in Him and follow Him.   Whatever we left or lost to follow him -whatsoever it is, we will receive a hundred times as much. Mt 19:29

What have you lost for the sake of Christ and for the gospel? Jesus says to you, ‘You will receive it back a hundred times here on earth.’ This reward is going to be received here on earth as we journey from earth to heaven. Note: it will be given to those who have not given up their faith in Christ, who are still in the Lord Jesus Christ and are in active service of the Master.

​Third reward;
“And will inherit eternal life” (Mt 19:29)
For losing your life for Christ and for the gospel, you will inherit eternal life.

You will be counted among those that will hear this word from the triumphant King of kings, Master of the universe, Jesus Christ, “Come you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.” (Mt. 25:34)

​Fourth reward;
“For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it”(Mk 8:35)

Take this again, “WHOEVER LOSES HIS LIFE FOR ME AND FOR THE GOSPEL WILL SAVE IT”

The word “SAVE” in this context is all encompassing. It covers a wide range of benefits which we are going to be explored line by line.

By valuing Christ above your life and everything else in your life, you would have saved your life.

What is the meaning of the word “SAVE?”

(Greek word ‘sozo’ which has been translated in the New Testament  as follows :
​•​Save
​•​saved
​•​Whole
​•​Healed
​•​Preserve
​•​Well
In other words Jesus is saying, as you lose your life for me and for the gospel, you have SAVED your life, you have made yourself WHOLE (restored), you have HEALED yourself of every illness and disease, you have PRESERVED your life for eternal reward and you have made everything to go WELL with you in this life and in the life after. You have become God’s number 1 property. God’s eyes are always on you to favour you.

CONCLUSION
There’s a statement that Jesus dropped in the last verse of Matthew 19, and He said, “But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.”

Don’t give up your heavenly race! We are closer to the finishing line than when we set out.
What we just described as our rewards from the Lord is the little that the Lord enables our mind to comprehend.
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. 1 Corinthians 2:9

Our eternal rewards are indescribable,  words can not express them. The only qualification is to remain faithful till the end.
Shalom.

By Romanus O. Obiekosi
•Author •Evang. •Singer/Music Coach.

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Get Born Again, Salvation

DO YOU KNOW THAT JESUS TRULY LOVES YOU?

Do you know that Jesus really and truly loves you? It was His love for you that made Him to take the painful way of the cross. So that by dying and shedding His own holy and precious blood on the cross, you would be reconciled to God your Father and obtain forgiveness for your sins and be saved. (Colossians 1:19-23; 2:13-15)

What a love! What a true love!

YOUR NEW LIFE NOW!

Please, give your life to Jesus today and experience a newness of life. You will be a different person. According to 2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”

Your old life with its condemnation and punishment has truly passed away. While your sanctified new life, set apart for godly purposes has begun with its enviable testimonies as soon as you receive Jesus as your personal Lord and Saviour.

For practical guide on how to give your life to Jesus, kindly click this link Soul Winner News Letter

I have prayed for you. Watch out for God’s miracles in your life, business and family as you give your life to Jesus today. Shalom!

Articles, Get Born Again, Our Monthly News Letter, Salvation

HOW PREPARED ARE YOU TO MEET YOUR GOD?

From our monthly News Letter Sep-Oct 2018.

This is a critical question that demands an in-depth and meticulous thought.
For every endeavor one embarks upon, there is always preparation.
The parable of the ten virgins in Matthew’s gospel chapter 25:1-13 will help us.

Also read“YOUR MONEY OR YOUR LIFE”?

Ten vurgins prepared to meet the bride groom. Five of them were wise -sincere Christians while the other five were foolish -hypocrites.
The foolish ones did not take extra oil, posses grace – meaning inadequate preparation and hence were disqualified. Do you have extra oil for your lamp? Is your light on or off? Please, check.

In Matthew 22:1-14, Jesus illustrated the kingdom if heaven with parable of wedding feast. Many are called to the wedding feast, that is to salvation but few have the wedding garment, the righteousness of Christ, the sanctification of the Spirit. We are all called to prepare for the scrutiny and those who put on the Lord Jesus, who have a Christian temper of
mind; who lives by faith in Christ and to whom He is all and all, have the wedding garment.

How prepared are you to meet your God? Are you putting on a wedding garment? You need to be very sure and absolutely convinced because that is the only ticket or criteria for your entry.
For one to meet God, one must conform to His standard, fulfil His conditions and principles. For instance:
Holiness: God is holy and can never compromise His standard. In Exodus 19:10-15 God gives Israelites two days to prepare themselves, wash their clothes before coming to meet Him at Mount Sinai.
The journey of the Israelites with God that supposed to last for 40 days was extended to 40 years because of their unfaithfulness and ungodliness. God is holy and want His people to be holy too.
Jesus died on the cross to destroy the nature of sin, that which separates man from God. By His resurrection He restored man the nature of God.

Holiness is our nature as believers and followers of Jesus Christ. it flows from within us. It is part of us because we posses the gene/seed of God through Jesus. Whoever that is prepared to meet God must be clothed with garment of holiness (Hebrews). Check yourself! Which garment are you putting on as you walk towards meeting your God? IS it garment of sin – sexual immorality, lying, unforgiveness, idolatry, worldliness, greediness? You must put them off for God can never behold iniquity. 2 Timothy 2:19 tells us about the standard of God – whoever that call the name of God must depart from iniquity. You must die to sin, get rid of your sinful nature and put on the new nature, the nature of holiness (Ephesians 4:23-24).
Your preparation should not be based on your own standard. A life that is prepared to meet God must be absolutely sure, very convinced, not quessing or based on assumption but confirmed that he/she. has the new nature..

Jesus in John 3:3 emphasized it when He was addressing Nicodemus. Unless a man is born again he cannot enter the kingdom of God. Unless a man possess the Spirit of God, absolutely and consciously yields and control or led by the Spirit of God, he/she cannot meet God.
A life that possess the Spirit of God should display in action, in words, in thoughts and even in appearance, Infact in all things the most prominent attribute and evidence of the Holy Spirit which is holiness. You need to check your life once again brother/sister- How prepared are you to meet your God?

A LIFE THAT IS PREPARED TO MEET GOD

Romans 12:1-2 says, “Offer your body as living sacrifice. A life or one that is prepared to meet God must continuously and delibrately. laydown his/her life as a living sacrifice on the altar of God. God does not accept any-how sacrifice. It cannot be of a dead animal. It must be living and healthy before it can be accepted. Leviticus 1:1-4

In our days, the sacrifice God looks for is not of bull, ram, and birds but the sacrifice of a life that has been redeemed from sin and the flesh; a life that is totally laid ob the altar of sacrifice.

Beloved, pause and check again. What kind of life are you placing on your altar of sacrifice? Is it a double standard life -hypocrisy/compromise? Is it a decay and disintegrated life of fornication, adultery, lesbianism, gay, homosexual, masturbation, abortion, cultism, stealing, cheating etc.; No! It can’t be, for sacrifice such as this is not a reasonable and acceptable sacrifice. Your life is already on fire on the altar of sacrifice. Always remain burnt. A burnt sacrifice does not turn back to its original form. For instance – Ice block melts to water, vis-versa but burnt paper turns to ashes and cannot return to its original form. So remain burnt so that your aroma will always be pleasant and acceptable by God.

A life that is prepared to meet God must settle the case of unforgiveness.
Forgiveness is the ability to remember the wrongs done by others without feeling the pain.

Love and understanding play role in forgiveness. We must cry to God for a heart filled with love so as to always put on love as a basic clothe. With an understanding of what Jesus did for us on the cross, nothing should be too big to let go. We should learn to give excuses for offences committed; carry the bowels of mercy; forgive in advance; look beyond the person and see in her/him Mr. Flesh at work.
Jesus our role model. understood this. He differed all odds, went to the cross just to crush Mr. Flesh (Chief producer of unforgiveness). He put him to death on the cross so that we shall be free and our eyes open to follow and act/be like Him. God through Jesus forgives us even while we yet sinners. Jesus prayed for His killers. Stephen also prayed the same to demonstrate to us the possibility of frgiveness.

Note: God has forgiven us of our sins, but each time we sin by refusing to forgive others, those sins are recalled. Matthew 18-23-25. It is life for life and forgiveness for forgiveness Romans 12:17-19.

A life that is prepared to meet God must fulfil the condition Jesus gives in Luke 9:23-26
· Deny yourself
· Carry your cross daily
· Follow Him
· Loose yourself for Him
· Suffer shame for Him
· Cleave steadfastly in Him
· Loose the world

Unless one meet up these conditons, he/she will not be qualified to meet his/her God. Self denial means to forget self, disown yourself, loose sight of yourself and interest, refuse or give up yourself, renounce or leave yourself behind.

Carrying our cross daily entails yielding for the burden of Jesus deliberately, voluntarily and consciously. The burden of Jesus is seeking for lost souls and touching lives. It involves enduring shame, suffering and pain momentarily. They come in different forms, at different levels and time. So we must not choose altarnatives, cut corners. dodge them or jump out of them but patiently accept and endure tnem so that your mind will be renewed and you will be able to achieve your supreme objective of becoming like your master Jesus and meeting your God..

A life that is prepared to meet God must look up and not down as written Colossians 3:1-4 Seek the things that are above, were Christ is, where God you desire to meet is. Set your mind on things that are above not on things that are on earth. Earth is full of distractions, worldliness and evils. You are a child of the kingdom -focus on things above, desire, pursue and occupy your mind with with business of the kingdom. Do not be of the world. The world and itd pleasures are perishing. If you want to enjoy the world and also enjoy heaven, you will end up loosing all and suffer the lost of your soul Luke 9:23. Distinguish yourself from the world in all things. Check your type of business/job, dressing, friendship, association (club) and wherever you spend your leisure time, God is interested in all. In your journey to meet your God, you must be confronted wirh so many conflicts and battles.

You will battle with satan -the tempter and his agents, you will battle with Mr. Flesh who yields and co-operate with the devil to produce sin in you, and battle with the world system.  Remember the only sort of spiritual conflict that’s ever successfully won is the one God fights for you. He does not expect you to win the battle, only to surrender to Him and let Him win it for you. So you are not supposed to fight, yours is to fight the good fight of faith 1Timothy 6:12. Yours isn’t a battle of exhusting effort, it’s the battle of believing God for victory.
Trust your God – Jehovah Nissi to prevail for you because the battle is not yours but God’s Exodus 14:14..

Jesus says, “The world will make you suffer but be of good cheer because I have overcome the world John 16:33.

Note also that holiness and righteousness are wonderful shield, defensive coverage and powerful weapons of warfare. Bro Paul says, “Put on the full armour of God, so…. you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes” Eph. 6:11. You are to wear God’s armour not -yours. You are to stand -not fight. “The weapons of our warfare are not canal but God’s powerful weapon…. 2 Corinthians 10:4. So act wisely.

There is no one that was created empty. We are all embedded witg great potenials each one according to his ability. A life that is prepared to meet God must discover his own potentials, God’s divine purpose for his life and make effort to accomplish it. Matthew 25:14-30.  Ephessians 2:10 says, “God has made us what we are, and in our union with Christ He has created us for a life of good deeds which He has already prepared for us to do”. You are to meet your God with your own score card of good works and receive reward accordingly.

Preparation if meeting God is a conscious, continuous process and should be done minute by minute, all through the day and our lifetime. You should have the understanding that God is in you, He dwells in you -your body is His temple and be conscious how you live your life. You should work on your mind to be ever ready to cmmune with Him in your mind all the time. When your mind is correct/ready in His presence, in your place of prayer, in your quiet time, at the table of His word and in His kingdom at the end. Make conscious effort to renew your mind because it is only a renewed mind that can commune with God..

DANGERS OF INADEQUATE PREPARATION

– Consequence of endless death in hell awaits anyone who did not prepare adequately, and one who neglect his own work.
– All your efforts so far and sacrifices wilk be in vain.
– You will live a miserable and defeated Christian life.

Jesus continued, “Be on your guard then because you do not know what day your Lord will come”.  Daily appropriate preparation is very neccessary because a lot of people have gone unprepared -be warned!
Any new day we see is an opportunity given to us to work on ourselves towards drawing close to Him on daily basis. Use the opportunity given to you to repent sincerely

The axe is ready to cut down the trees at the root. Luke 3:9. May you never be cut down. May you never be wasted. God and His angels are ready. In love, He opens His arms to receive you – BE WISE!

Many Christians today take God’s mercy and goodness for granted. They continue to toy with sin loiter in the enemy’s territory, thinking that the absence of immediate consequences is a license to continue to indulge in sin. Romans 2:4-11. To what arear of your life is God pointing His flashlight right now? Notice what the Philistines did to Samson immediately he was captured. Judges 16:21. His eyes were plucked out with sharp object. Why do you think they did this? Be warned! 2 Corinthians 13:5 says, “Put yourselves to the test and find out whether you are living in faith”.

Lamentation 3:40 says, ” Let us examine ourselves and turn back to the Lord. The ball is in your court. May God in His mercy encounter our hearts and make us ever ready to meet Him in Jesus name. Amen.

By Sister Theresa Uzondu
A teacher of God’s word

Articles, Get Born Again, Our Monthly News Letter, Salvation

“YOUR MONEY OR YOUR LIFE”?

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From our monthly news letter Sep-Oct. 2018

A gang of robbers broke into a multi millionair’s house, and at gun point fiercely demanded, “Your money or your life.” Within a space of 3 secondes, the man quickly responded with great fear of losing his life and his family, “Please, my life! My life! My life!” He said with a vibrating but flinchy tone.
He went straight to his inner chamber and drew out a box filled up with thousands of naira, a few pounds and dollars and willingly and respectfully handed it over to the robbers who zoomed off with immediate effect. The man knelt down with his entire family and thanked God for their life.

WHY DID HE CHOOSE HIS LIFE OVER HIS MONEY?

It could be for the follwing reasons;

1) Life is most valuable than wealth
2) When life is lost, it can’t be earned back here on earth
3) With life, more money could earned and much wealth could be created
4) He realized that losing his life and probably his entire family means losing everything out of foolishness
5 He also may have come to realize that earthly wealth does not last and not worth dying for

Also read👉🏼JESUS LONGS TO MEET YOU

He was wise enough to make a wise and positive decision at that critical moment of his life. I have heard of a few cases of some other persons who found themselves in a similar situation, but made a foolish and terrible negative decision of holding to their valuables and eventually lost their lives. They gambled with their only one earthly life and lost it. Their foolish greed cost them their very promising lives. they lost  it all.

King Solomon wrote: “Anyone who is among the living has hope -even a live dog is better off than a dead lion!” (Ecclesiastes 9:4 NIV)

In other words, a living outcast is far better off than a dead king. That places a high value on life than anything else among men. No one in a real sense naturally wants to die, even you and I..

WHAT CAN YOU LOSE YOUR LIFE TO GET?

Money? Brings pleasure and comfort but fizzles out

Fame? Gratifies the body, feels good but Fizzles out

Wealth? Gratifies the body, brings pleasure, comfort but dwindles away

Power? Makes proud, respected. revered but degenerates and transfers

Women? Pleasurable, but gets old and dies

Alchol? Sweet, pleasurable, intoxicates and kills

Drugs? Hypnotizes, fake boost, Intoxicates and kills

Christ? Gives life, saves life and gives every good thing + everlasting life.

Everybody is naturally careful of not losing their lives because life is sweet and beautiful. But you will be amazed to realize how fast we are losing our precious and promising lives to so many worthless things. Many have willingly lost their lives to this world, to money, fame, drugs, women, power, etc. And not for Christ..
Did you read that? “AND NOT FOR CHRIST!” WHY? We will look at this in a few paragraphs ahead.

The robbers who stand at the highway or break into peoples’ houses have actually lost their lives to the money they go after. They could be apprehended, imprisoned or executed. A cultist loses his/her life to possible danger of sudden death resulting from show of might and supremacy over rivals. A fighter loses his/her life to unpredictable injuries. A quarrelsome person loses her/his life to shame and disrespect. A gossip loses her/his life to unfriendliness and lonliness. A thief loses his/her life to disgrace and indefinite restrictions. The list goes on. And finally here is the ultimate loss. HEAVEN!
Don’t lose heaven because you lost your life to earthly treasures.

What are you losing your life to right now? Does it really worth it?
Money
Wealth
Fame
Power
Women
Alchol
Drugs
Etc.

Nothing on earth is worth losing your life to, no matter what are, or what they are meant for,  except Christ, Him crucified for your redemption, and what add values to human life and brings glory God. Outside of this, nothing absolutely worths it. You too think about..

GETTING IT AT ALL COST

When you choose to get anything out of this life AT ALL COST, not minding the possible adverse effect it will have on people around you, yourself and how displeasing it is to God your Maker, you have lost your soul to this life and to hell.  Getting something at all cost simply means you don’t bloody care about how it gets into your hands, or what or who is affected.

Don’t lose your promising life to gain this world’s wealth, fame and power that dissapears and is no more like a vapor. But lose your life to get that which lasts for eternity.

And Jesus queried, “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
(Mark 8:36-37 KJV)
What you can you give to replace your soul? Nothing!

CHOOSE TO LOSE YOUR LIFE FOR CHRIST!

Don’t you ever make the mistake of losing your life for earthly things. It is foolishness in the highest order and it will cost you your real life (eternal life). Lose your life to gain Christ, and for the sake of the gospel. That will give you real life (eternal life) in return.

Here lies the irony, we are everly ready to lose our money to keep our physical life going, like the man we disccussed about at the beginning of this article, but we are not ready to lose our money or our earthly life to gain Christ and  eternal life.
And Jesus said in Mark gospel 8:34-37 “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. 36 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? 37 Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO LOSE YOUR LIFE FOR CHRIST 

Losing your life for Christ means choosing Him over anything in your life. It means to seek Him first before any other thing. It means your life being patterned and modeled by Him and molded in Him. It means saying goodby to worldly life. To lose your life for Christ means doing everything for His sake and glory. To lose your life Christ means to deny yourself, pick up your cross (cares and responsibility) and follow Him. To lose your life for Christ means doing everything for His own sake and reverence.

When you choose to lose your life for Christ, you will have no room to accommodate ungodly activities and immoral lifestyles.

WHAT YOU WILL GAIN WHEN YOU LOSE YOUR LIFE FOR CHRIST?
To continue in next edition.

By Romanus O. Obiekosi 

 

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Get Born Again, Salvation

JESUS LONGS TO MEET YOU

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(What an honour to dine with the King of kings)

With yearly Bible reading plan.

A book by:

Romanus O.Obiekosi

Soft copy

……………………………………
DEDICATION
To the Chief Shepherd of our souls, the Chief soul Winner, our Saviour Jesus Christ.
And to those being saved by His grace.

NOTE:
This book is purely born out of the spirit of evangelism and soul- winning. It is not to be sold.
So that it could get into the hands of everyone truly in need of it.

INTRODUCTION

Jesus is going around looking for someone to dine with! He wants to visit your home today.
Can you host Him tonight?
He wants to be your guest.

Since the day He made you and brought you to this world, may be you haven’t seen Him nor known Him. Or even eaten with Him.

He wants to make Himself known to you. He wants to show Himself to you personally.
He has so many things to discuss with you. May be till now you still don’t really know what problem He created you to solve. He will tell you why He made you. There is only one of your kind in the whole world. And no one can fit properly in your place than yourself. He comes to show you the way to life and successful living.

When He visited Peter, his toil of the whole night was rewarded in a few minutes. And he was suddenly commissioned as a fisher of men.
What an encounter!
(Luke 5:1-11)

On another visit to Peter’s house, his mother in-law was instantly healed of a fever (Matthew 8:14-15).

When He (Jesus) visited Lazarus, and made Himself known to him. Lazarus established a personal relationship with him. When sudden death took Lazarus away, Jesus raised him back to life (John 11:1-44)

When Zacchaeus hosted Him as his special guest in his house, after he repented from his bad business and submitted to Jesus’ authority, Jesus brought instant salvation to his household
(Luke 19:1-10).

When Cornelius welcomed Him through Apostle Peter to his house, he, his household and all who gathered in his house that received the word suddenly received the Holy Spirit, praised God in tongues, and were baptized. (Acts 10:44-48)

Space will not permit me to talk about many others like,
Abraham
Isaac
Jacob
The prophets
The rest of the Apostles and other believers.

All these people became transformed, fulfilled, happy, prominent, and great because they were offered an opportunity to dine with the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY, and they accepted the offer and did dine with Him, and He in turn dined with them.

You’ve got the same offer and opportunity now to dine with the Master of the universe- JESUS CHRIST THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD.
The ball is in your court.
The Lord is waiting!
Meet Him in the next page.

Chapter One

JESUS LONGS TO MEET YOU
He wants to dine with you!
Hear what He says,

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.
Revelation 3:20

It is hard to figure this out. Isn’t it? When you’re supposed to be the one running to Him. He is the one looking for you.
Jesus who has everything we will ever need in time and eternity, comes looking for us? I mean the one who owns the whole universe, including me and you.
I’m talking about Jesus, the Saviour of the world, who gives us the life we live, and the breath we breathe; the one who owns all the wealth of the nations- coming personally to knock on your door. It’s amazing! But it’s just true.

But why is this so?
You are supposed to be the one going after Him, knocking on His door day and night, as the author and owner of your life who has exactly what you need.
But, it is the other way round.

THIS IS TRUE LOVE

That’s how much personal love He has for you. He loves you personally. He loves you just the way He fearfully and wonderfully made you.(Psalm 139:14). He loves you more than you can understand or explain. You are the thoughts that fills His heart daily. In fact, He’s in real love with you.
You are the most beautiful and handsome in His eyes.
He’s overflowing with love for you. You may not have realized this before now, but it’s just true. Believe it! It is that way.

His love for you brings Him knocking on your door.
Despite your unworthiness and disregard to His ways, He comes knocking on your door. He wants to dine with you! Irrespective of how many times you have rejected Him, He keeps coming to you. What a love!

HE IS KNOCKING ON YOUR DOOR

It is not a lie or just a story. It is true. It’s real. Jesus is truly standing beside you, knocking on the door of your heart. He has a package for you.

Even as you read this good news, He’s right here with you. He feels your heartbeat. He equally knows the thoughts that fills your heart now. If you desire Him now, you will feel His presence around you.
He knows you very well, He even knows your name, He knows where you live. He knows your joy, your afflictions and all that concerns you.
No one is a stranger to Him. He vividly remembers the day He made each one of us to be with Him, to serve and worship Him forever.

Everyday, He sticks beside those who have gone far away from Him, to bring them back to the Father’s heart. He is in the daily business of bringing the strayed home. That’s why He said in John’s gospel 10:16 “I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and shepherd.”
Mark the word
“I must bring them also”
And also in Luke 19:10 He says, “For the Son of Man came to seek and save the lost.”

That’s why He has come knocking on your own door today. He really wants you home to dine with Him. It doesn’t matter where you are, He comes there to look for you. It is His business to find you.

NOTE:

• He knows how many of His children who are yet to know Him, and love Him
• to Him, it’s a must to look for you
• It’s your choice to open the door to Him
• It’s your choice to listen to His voice
• It’s your choice to accept Him.
• When you listen to His voice, and accept Him, you will become one with Him in life and in eternity.

RECEIVE HIM IN

John brought this report about this same Jesus knocking on your door.
“He came to that which was His own, but His own did not receive Him. Yet to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God-children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God”(John 1:11-13).
What a joy and a blessing to be a member of God’s own family.

Jesus said,
“If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person.”
He’s not actually coming alone, but with the Father and Holy Spirit.
Regarding this, He says,
“If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.” (John 14:23) The Trinity indwelling the human.

What a blessed privilege to host the King of kings in the this little house of your heart.
Is it not a mystery for this tiny heart of yours and mine to accommodate the Almighty God-Blessed trinity. The One who sits in heaven and uses the earth as His footstool. (Isaiah 63:1)
The Potter coming to live in the clay He molded. (Isaiah 45:9; 64:8)

In Isaiah 57:15 He declares, For this is what the high and lofty One says- He who lives forever, whose name is holy: “I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.

God lives in a high and holy place, but also with those who listen to His voice, and opens their heart for Him to dwell in.

He refuses to live in a mansion built by human hands, (Acts 17: 24) -25) but chooses to live in those who hear His voice, and open their doors for Him to come in. It doesn’t matter whether you are rich or poor, literate or illiterate. It doesn’t matter whether you are physically fit or disabled.

Whether you are loved or hated by men makes no difference at all. No matter how you look in appearance or where you are coming from, all that really matters is that He (JESUS) want to dine with you, and reside in your heart.

THE BEST TIME IS NOW

Don’t you think it’s time to say “yes”? There’s no better time like now to say yes to Jesus. This is the best time to open the door to Jesus. The next hours or days ahead might not be as conducive as this time to say yes to Jesus.

Many would always postpone God’s invitation to them, don’t be part a of that company. The time should be now for you. Later might be late. There is no time to waste further time.
‘Now’ is guaranteed, not ‘Later.’
The Word says in 2 Corinthians 6:2
‘In time of favour I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.
I tell you, now is the time of God’s favour, now is the day of salvation.’

And in Hebrews 3:15 …. ‘Today if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts ….

Chapter Two

WHAT DOES HE MEAN WHEN HE SAYS, “I WILL EAT WITH THAT PERSON?”

Jesus is not referring to physical food here. He said to His disciples in John’s Gospel 4:34 “My food is to do the will of Him who sent me and to finish His work.
You see, it’s beyond stomach satisfaction.
It is the food of the soul and spirit. It is eternal satisfaction of the soul

I take you to Luke 10:38-42 38            As Jesus and His disciples were on their way, He came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to Him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to Him and asked, ‘Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me! 41’Martha, Martha,’ the Lord answered, ‘you are worried and upset about many things. 42 But few things are needed.

We struggle and get busy with so many things in life, but Jesus is saying, that few things are actually needed. Few things like, withdrawing from a daily normal life to spend a little time to listen to God.

When they heard His voice and His knock on the door, they opened to Him. He went in to eat with them, and they with Him. As Martha was running up and down in the kitchen trying to serve Jesus a meal, Mary had already started eating with the Master. And Martha complained to Jesus that her sister Mary did not come to assist her in preparing a meal for Him. She got the greatest surprise and unexpected reply from the Master, who said to her,
“Martha, you are worried and upset about so many things, but few things are needed-or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Nothing you receive from the Lord can ever be taken from you.

Mary is blessed by making the right choice. It is wise and blessed to choose what is needed at the moment. What an honour to dine with the King of the universe.

Only one thing is needed from you right now, to dine with the King.

To eat the food of your soul- the food that brings you to everlasting life.

What He Really Means by Eating with you is;

1) TO TEACH YOU HIS WORD WHICH IS THE MANUAL OF YOUR LIFE

2) TO LEAD YOU TO CARRY OUT YOUR DIVINE ASSIGNMENT

3) TO PREPARE YOU FOR ETERNAL LIFE

4) TO CARRY AWAY YOUR BURDENS

5) TO SURPLY ALL YOUR NEEDS ACCORDING TO HIS RICHES IN GLORY

LETS ANALYZE THEM ONE BY ONE

1) TO TEACH YOU HIS WORD

When you don’t know your Maker’s plan and purpose for making you, you will continue to make wrong choices and unhelpful decisions about life.
When you are ignorant of what is written concerning you in God’s word, you will remain ignorant of identifying the part to your destiny. Your destiny is hidden in the word of God-The Bible; the manual of your life. There’s no argument about that.

Jesus comes to show you your destiny. And what is written in God’s word concerning you.

2) TO LEAD YOU TO CARRY OUT YOUR DIVINE ASSIGNMENT

God does nothing without a purpose, even creating you. You are a reality to God’s desire for the planet earth. He made the universe because of you.
Before He brought you forth, he Had already designated a portion of work for you. He has created you as a solution agent with problems to solve.

In order to to know exactly what God created you for, not resorting to mere speculations, you need to dine with Him, and He dines with you. It is at the dining time with the King that great discoveries are made possible, and hidden secrets are revealed.

The Psalmist declares, “Who, then, is the man that fears the LORD? He will instruct him in the way chosen for him. (Psalm 25:12)

There’s a way chosen for every one of us by our Maker. And it is the way of prosperity and fulfillment. You are about to discover yours. You may have been tilling some else’s field all the while. It’s time to mind your own business.

3) TO PREPARE YOU FOR ETERNAL LIFE

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

“The Son of man came to seek and save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10

This is the ultimate purpose why God made man. To be with Him forever. It wasn’t part of God’s plan and purpose to have man evicted from His presence. Hell fire was created for satan and his angels. (Mt 25:41)

Everlasting life is what God prepared for us. He never created death or everlasting death for man. But man’s disobedience, rebellion and sin paved way for everlasting death and hell. (Genesis 2:16-17).
When man chooses to ignore God’s voice and hears the devil out, he has chosen to end up with the devil. And that place is everlasting hell fire. (Revelation 20:10)

The very reason Jesus came to die for the world is this one thing, to restore us back to His Father’s everlasting Kingdom prepared for us since the creation of the world. Mt 25:34

That’s the ultimate and the number one reason Jesus comes knocking on your door, and seeking after you day and night. So that He will take you to be with Him forever. And so you would escape the everyday endless torment of everlasting hell fire.

Jesus says this about those in hell, “the worms that eat them do not die. And the fire is not quenched (Mark gospel 9:48). And Isaiah cried out , “Who of us can dwell with the consuming fire? Who of us can dwell with the everlasting burning?”
Isaiah 33:11
This confirms that the fire of hell burns every second, minute, hour, day, week, month, year, decade, century, forever and ever.

No demon, no spirit, no one born of flesh and blood can endure the torment of the fire of hell and its worms.

Read what Jesus shared about a certain rich man who died and went to hell, and a beggar who also died and went to heaven.

“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury everyday. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even dogs came and licked his sores.

The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called him Father “Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire”
‘But Abraham replied, “Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.”
He answered, “Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.”
Abraham replied, “a They have Moses and the prophets; let them listen to them.”
‘”No, Father Abraham,” he said, “but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.”
‘He said to him, “If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, they will not be convinced if someone rises from the dead.”‘ (Luke 16:19-31).

I know you won’t choose to end up in that place of torment like that rich but in heaven like Lazarus by opening your heart to Jesus today. Jesus is waiting to receive you.

The preparation towards eternity can only be possible while we are still living on earth. After departure from the earth, what follows is judgment.
(Hebrews 9:27)

4) TO CARRY AWAY YOUR BURDENS, DISEASES AND INFIRMITIES

Jesus is a healer and a burden bearer. He’s the only one that can carry your burden and sickness away.

Hear what He says,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28

After Healing many people, Hear what Apostle Matthew says about Jesus,
“This was to fulfil what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:
‘He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases.”
Matthew 8:17

Jesus remains the greatest physician and healer till this moment and for endless ages.

There’s no manner of disease He does not cure. He takes delight in making one whole. But this will not take place in us until he comes to us, and we accept Him and submit to His Lordship

When he says,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
He’s simply saying in order words, ‘Here I am. Accept me into your life, submit yourself wholly to me and I will put things at peace.’

He doesn’t leave where He has been welcomed without a miracle. He doesn’t leave without establishing peace and salvation.
When Peter welcomed Him to his house, hear what happened.
“When Jesus came into Peter’s house, He saw that Peter’s mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she began to wait on Him.” (Matthew 8:14-15)
He was still in Peter’s house till evening of that same day, read what He did further.
“When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to Him, and He drove out the spirits with a word and healed all who were ill.”(Matthew 8:16)
The same miracle is waiting for you. But receiving Him is the prerequisite to receiving His miracles.

When Zacchaeus the tax collector welcomed Jesus, see what he received. Matthew reports!
Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; He was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore- fig tree to see Him, since Jesus was coming that way.

When Jesus reached the spot, He looked up and said to him, Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.’ So he came down at once and welcomed Him gladly. All the people saw this and began to mutter, ‘He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.’

But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, ‘Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possession to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.
Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation has come to this house, because this man too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost. (Luke 19:1-10)

The point I want to drive home here is this, when you welcome Jesus in into your heart, and submit totally to Him like these persons mentioned above;
your life will never remain as it was before His arrival. The difference has no choice than to manifest and be seen. You will definitely know without iota of doubt that something great has taken place in you.
But it still boils down to saying that three letter words, ‘YES’ to JESUS right now.

5) TO SUPPLY ALL YOUR NEEDS ACCORDING TO HIS RICHES IN GLORY

Our God is a great provider. Those who worship Him stays satisfied. They never go hungry those who seek His face.
He has everything we may ever be in need of. All the wealths of the nations are His. He shares His wealth with the nations of the earth. All the wealth of the nations of the world put together is not up to a little bit of what He had shared with them.
The LORD declares through prophet Haggai, “The silver is mine and the gold is mine.” (Haggai 2:8)
The LORD went further to declare through prophet Isaiah, “Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?”
(Isaiah 66:2)
In the same vein, the Psalmist proclaims,
“The earth is the LORD’s and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.”
We have only what He gives to us.

As one born of flesh and blood, it is natural to be in need of one thing or the other. So long as we exist in this planet earth, and live in this perishable house called body, we can never be out of needs. It is the natural tendency of humankind to be in needs. To this effect, Apostle Paul having received supplies to his needs from the Philippine believers, prays for them thus, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)

Jesus comes to meet your needs. Remember, He doesn’t leave you the same way He met you. He must make you shine. He must leave you in a state that people will come to ask you how it all happened. He will so change you that people will be confused as they try to figure out if you are still the same person they used to know or someone of your resemblance. That’s what only God can do.

What is it that has been a thorn on your flesh? What keeps you awake in the night why others are enjoying their night rest?

With Jesus nothing is impossible. No matter what it is, or what you imagine it is, Jesus is able, and more than able, and greater than all manner of needs and challenges.

The only thing He needs from you right away as He knocks on your door is to open to Him and submit your life to Him. Forget the rest. It is not your responsibility, but His.

OPEN YOUR HEART TO RECEIVE HIM

This is a decision moment.
Here you are going to draw a conclusion on all you have read so far.
Here lies the application of your human volition. At this point you are on your own. The Holy Spirit who is beside you now is not compelling you to give your life to Jesus. Rather He is gently ministering to your spirit, persuasively convincing you of the need and importance of surrendering your life to Christ. This is a delicate moment that you should allow wisdom to rule and guide you.

I’m also very much sensitive of the second voice yelling into your ears- the voice of the ancient serpent who manifested in the Garden of Eden.
Now, at this point that you are about to break his shackles and chains over your life and be free, he’s going to so paint some ugly and fearful false pictures on your mind to make sure you don’t give your life to Jesus and escape his (satan’s) perpetual bondage.

Don’t give in to satan! He is a deceiver and a liar. And the father of lies. No truth ever proceeds from his lips. John 8:44

Hear what Jesus said to the unbelieving Jews and the Pharisees as they were deceived by the devil. “You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Yet because I tell the truth you do not believe me.
(John 8:44-45)

His mission is to steal from you, kill and destroy you (John 10:10).

But Jesus’ mission is to protect you, save you, and give you eternal life.
It was because of a time like this that He went to the cross, and shed His blood, so that whoever is willing will be saved.

Jesus states clearly about His first coming into the world, He says, “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him”
(John 3:17)

But some people stand condemned already. Why?
Jesus answers this question.
“Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.”
By the above statement of Jesus, anyone can easily place himself/ herself where he or she belongs, even you.

I know you must have started analyzing your placement. And your conscience cannot deceive you.

Do you want to be saved?
You need JESUS.

GIVE YOUR LIFE TO JESUS RIGHT AWAY

Lord Jesus, I (mention your name) have heard your word. I believe and accept your word.
I now realize I’m a sinner in need of your salvation.
I am sorry for all the sins I have committed against you, myself and my fellows. Here and now, I renounce and reject satan and all his ways and works of darkness.
I now accept you Jesus, as my personal lord and only Saviour. I open the door of my heart to you, come into my heart and dine with me. Give me your Holy Spirit to be with me, to guide me into all truth, and fill me with your grace, power and anointing from above, to declare the marvelous works of your salvation to the ends of the earth, to the glory of your Holy name. In Jesus saving name I have prayed. Amen!

If you said the above prayer, you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Saviour into life. Welcome to God’s family.

You have just taken the very first steps necessary to salvation which are;
•hearing God’s word
• believing the word of God
• confessing the word
• accepting Christ into your life
(Romans 10:8-10)

Next is baptism of water and the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 28:16-20
Acts 2:37-39
Acts 10:44-48

Your new life begins from here. There are more to know and more to do regarding your new life in Christ.

Join a true church of God around you to get baptized and nurtured in Christ.

Call in for inquiries and further guidance. Spiritually matured and anointed brothers and sisters are ready to assist you grow in your faith

Tel; +23481975074

This book is purely born out of the spirit of evangelism and soul winning. It is not be sold so that it could get into the hands of everyone who is truly in need of it.

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NOW OUT! CHRISTIAN ENCOURAGER MAGAZINE
……………………………………
(BACK COVER)
About the author: 
Romanus Onyekachukwu Obiekosi

Is a humble servant of God with the ministry of music, the Word, Soul-winning, and Revival.

He is an active member of Catholic Charismatic Renewal (CCRN)

He holds
Masters Degree in Theological studies

He is the editor in chief of ‘The Encourager Magazine,’
Director Thine the Glory group

He’s happily married to Theresa Chiamaka Obiekosi.
They are blessed with Munachimso Daniella &
Somtochukwu Daniel
……………………………………

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