POWER PROJECT | KNOWING JESUS; PARABLE OF THE ALERT SERVANTS MARK 13:33-37

PARABLE OF THE ALERT SERVANTS MARK 13:33-37

Nathaniel Bassey: Going back to verse 31, it says heaven and earth shall pass away but my words shall never pass away. Jesus places more value on his words than his possessions. Reading this is convicting. As I’m reminded of how we just speak and talk, without keeping our words. If we were bound by the words we spoke, we would be slow to speak. Oh Father, help me. We would never be a people of character and substance until we become a people of integrity; men and women whose words have value and validity. What value do you place on your words? Do you value money above your words?

Lord please help me. I want to be like you. Following through on every promise made.

In fact one thing that makes God, GOD; is the premium he places on His words. If His words had no value, there won't be a reason to believe and trust him.

Bukilicious: I have learnt so much just between yesterday and this morning. God I need your help! I can't do all these by myself. Keeping my words (integrity) like you did, obeying instantly and completely? I need you LORD JESUS! Help me

God bless everyone who has contributed and have blessed me this morning.

King Norny: Where you said, if we were bound by the words we spoke, we would be slow to speak; we would never be a people of character and substance until we become a people of integrity. Men and women whose words have value and validity. Truly inspiring. I remember that verse where Jesus turned to his disciples and asked, who do people say I am? Some said he was the prophet, others said he was the son of a carpenter. But peter spoke up and said "thou at the son of the living God" and Jesus said blessed are thou Simon, that flesh and blood did not reveal this to you. I said that to say this, it only takes a revelation to know who Jesus really is, it takes the power of the spirit of God to know. The question we should ask ourselves now is who is Jesus to me? It takes a revelation to know. Peter could not figure that out in his head. A revelation is that information given to us without any material medium, it's a knowledge impacted to our spirit by the Holy Ghost. To know Jesus is a revelation and that is the greatest revelation mankind could ever know

Dear Lord, I thank you for the wonderful privilege of having the Holy Spirit live in me, enabling the eyes of my understanding to be opened and unveiling deep secrets and mysteries of the Kingdom through your word, in Jesus' Name.

Ziva: @King Norny: that's right! And it's upon the solid rock of that revelation Christ builds His Church (us) and the gate of hell cannot prevail against us. Which means upon the revelation of who Christ is, we are overcomers, light-givers! That why this particular discuss (Jesus at the centre) is cardinal to our spiritual growth. So that we will grow to the point that we are no longer ashamed of the gospel of CHRIST, for it is the power of God unto salvation (for deliverance from eternal death) to everyone who believes with a personal trust and a confident surrender and firm reliance. 

Ikechi Ugwoeje: Shalom saints! Thank God for the atmosphere of the Spirit being stirred up by our focus on JESUS! Glory to God! Halleluyah! @Norny & @Ziva, thanks for pointing out the importance of this journey. Based on Matt 16:13-19, Our foundation and strength lies in the revelation of who Jesus is. I am translating from one level of glory to another, halleluyah!

Nathaniel Bassey: The whole of mark 13 speaks about the days we are entering in, if not in already. If the happenings in our nation are anything to go by, then this word by our Lord deserves the utmost attention. But in 33 he shows us a strategy to cope and survive these trying times.

WAP! WATCH AND PRAY

Can we spend some moments studying this? WAP! Any takers?

Benard: Bro Nath, "pray" is a clear instruction. What is the Lord telling you about "watching”?

Nathaniel Bassey: Well, even the pray deserves some attention. Other versions say, be on guard, be alert, keep awake, take heed, watch out etc. With the distractions in the world these days, we must do the things stated above. Looking up those two words in my concordance, “Watch” is agrupneo in the Greek; meaning....to be sleepless, keep awake.

Bernard: The warning appears in verse 23 just after the DISTRACTION stated in verse 22. It also appears in verse 33, reminding us to be on the watch out for the coming of Jesus so we won't be found sleeping. Emphasis was on two things: The end time and His second coming. The End time warning comes so we don't get misled by confusing claims or speculative interpretations and distractions which are already on display in our present world. While that of the "second coming" is to remind us to constantly place importance on His coming without postponement as no one know the day. This involves studying God's word and living by the instructions therein. One more thing saints, you can't be on the lookout without having a target. Jesus is our target....Hebrews 12:2 – looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. He is our gaze, our target, our goal. He is the one we are on the lookout for, not the distractions. Reminds me of Numbers 21:9 where Moses raised the brazen serpent and as many as looked up to it lived.

What we put in front of us determines what we do and become. Watch!!!! Are we to watch out for the news headlines? Nation rising against nation, famine, pestilence? They are already happening...God didn't promise us a world without trouble but He promised to be with us through it all. Saints I dare say, we must Watch for Jesus, and thank God for a timely theme where we study His life and person.

Ikechi Ugwoeje: My attention is drawn to the command to 'Watch and Pray'. Checked through several versions and the 'Watching' always comes before the 'Praying'. Just like Daniel, by 'watching' he understood by the books the times and the season, it was clear to him that the time had come for Israel to return. By this understanding he could then do the 'praying' accurately. As we study the word, as we observe JESUS, we become like Him. Something else happens, the mysteries of times and seasons begin to unfold and then we can pray prophetic prayers that will alter the course of events in the right direction.

Ziva: @Ben: 2 Corinthians 3:18

Bernard: @Ziva: Hallelujah

Ikechi Ugwoeje: @Ziva, same with 1 John 3:2

Bernard: Saints, this is powerful. So there is a transformation/translation that comes with Watching...As 2nd Corinthians 3:18 says....." ....ARE CHANGED INTO the same image..." Is this why the Bible says "as a man thinketh in His heart so is he"? Because what you put before you and meditate upon is what you get. Philippians 4:8 tells us the kinds of things to put before us. Jesus is an embodiment of everything true, honest, just, pure, lovely and of good report.

Ziva: @Bernard: "pray" is a clear instruction. While it seems so, it's complex o. I read an article that said prayer and watching are two acts done concomitantly. Maybe that's why Ephesians 6:18 said - Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication. But there is more to prayer than just mumbling to God and placing our petition. So we have to understand what prayer is and how to pray. I am very interested in this "pray" because I was planning this morning to plead with the group to allow a discussion on the Lord's prayer because I wanted more light before we taught some new converts the prayer. And now, opportunity presents itself. So I will really appreciate if everyone contributes and shares…

In Matt. 26:38 - 46; especially verse 41, Christ said - WATCH and PRAY that ye enter not into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Thus, to be able to defeat the flesh and walk in the newness of the Spirit, you need to WATCH and PRAY.

Thanks @ Bro.  Benard & Ikechi for dealing with "WATCH"

In Matt. 6, Jesus taught us how to pray. He said - it's not for show off, avoid vain repetitions because it really isn't about what you say, forgive and believe, etc. Then He went on to give the manner to pray.

1. Our Father: - It's a privilege to be able to call God - Abba Father. And this is made possible by the price paid by His son Jesus. - Romans 8:15. Mk. 14:36. So you pray to the Father and not to any other. That's why Jesus said in Jn. 16:23 - In that day, ye shall ask Me nothing. Verily verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, He will give it you.

Before crucifixion, Jesus usually referred to God as HIS Father. But after crucifixion, He said in John. 20:17b - I ascend unto MY Father and YOUR Father, and to MY God and YOUR God. So He is now OUR Father. And no son asks his father for bread and receives stone or serpent for fish.

It is also necessary we remember He is OUR father, so we do not make selfish prayers. He is father to all and loves us all, not just you. The same God is rich unto all those who call Him. - Romans 10:12; Acts 10:34-35.

Being our Father means that we have to be subject to Him and obey Him. We, as the children should have the seed and nature of the Father and yield fruits showing forth the nature of His father because offspring are created in the image and likeness of the parent. Being our Father means He can take care of us, His household. It means He is "older" and wiser and to be given utmost respect and reverence. And so the next line says –

2. WHO ART IN HEAVEN: higher than us, almighty, ruler! Set apart and above us. Yet humbles Himself to interact with us because of His unconditional love. The heavens is His habitation, the earth His footstool. What a great God. He sees everything, even the depth of my heart, yet He loves me the same! Exalted and existing by Himself. Higher than the highest! He is indeed Elyon - the Most High God!

3. HALLOWED BE THY NAME: a name describes a thing. It shows the character of a thing. In Igbo language, we sometimes name things according to the sound it makes or things it exhibits. For instance, we call motorcycle - ogba tumtum (meaning makes a tum-tum sound). We call tin cans kom-kom because of the sound it makes when dropped on the floor. So the name of God attempts to describe Him. To me, He is always Elyon-Elohim (the Most High sovereign Creator). He has been Jehovah Shalom in those troubled times when storms rose but He gave me peace all round. He has been Roi and Jireh to my family, and we have no want. Every need met. Nothing broken, nothing missing, the strength upon our right hand and to PP group, He has been Jehovah-Overdo; Exceeding our greatest expectations. 

Nathaniel Bassey: @benard, ikechi, Ziva, God bless you all. What great insights. Thank you Jesus for the gift of your word. This is what I think; We would study Jesus for as long as possible. And we won't be tired. WHEN YOU STUDY JESUS, YOU HAVE STUDIED EVERYTHING; because He is everything.

Utibe Okuk: Good morning people of God. I must say that this Group is like the church that backed Peter up in prayers and caused his prison doors to be opened. I was reading through the words spoken here and I discovered that to know Jesus we too must have a plan! Just like Pst. Nathaniel said, the widow woman was asked to gather vessels for the plan to be executed. I figured here that the blessing is in the execution of the plan meaning that if the plan is not followed through, the goal is missed - and the plans really are always simple!...Gather many vessels, walk round the wall of Jericho, fill the vessels with water… My God, like I have never read these scriptures before! Very simple processes ooo but the world has made us think if it's not a 100 paged plan it won't work! Studying Jesus, you discover that even his miracles were done in the simplest form!

For Lazarus, he said roll away the stone and he called out “Lazarus, come forth, when he came he told them unbind him and give him food.

For the blind man he spat on mud, rubbed his eyes and asked him to go wash his eyes.

For the multitude he asked them to sit down and he told his disciples to share the loaves and fishes…

Is it just me or I'm not seeing right? Or was it more than that?

Nathaniel Bassey: Hmmm... Utibe...Instructions, then obedience. IF YOU FOLLOW DIVINE INSTRUCTIONS, SIGNS AND WONDERS WILL FOLLOW YOU BACK. I call this heavenly twitter.

Utibe Okuk: Sometimes, because of how simple the instructions are we feel from our battered minds that it's too simple to be God. This study is revealing some things people of God. Abasi mbok!  Pardon my vernacular. Sometimes, it's just say hi to that person. Sometimes it's take an early morning walk or an evening stroll. This Jesus!!! He should be an everlasting course of study!!!... There is absolutely no single one like JESUS!

Akinlolu Akinpelumi: Hmmm very true. Two years ago, my pastor said he wanted to bless me and after praying he asked me to go and fast for three days and pray Psalms 23 alone. I said Psalms 23? He said “Yes”. After the fasting, on the fourth day hired assassins came to attack me in the office I was seconded to but praying Psalms 23 saved me…7 months after my wedding.

Nathaniel Bassey: Wow!

Peace: Observing the life of Jesus, each time he had encounters against the  devil, he simply spoke. When He had to pray for the sick or cast out devils, it wasn't a 'fight' or struggle. Sometimes, they even confessed before He said anything. Father, help us to understand the Authority we have; For the Word says ‘I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome "ALL" the power of the enemy and NOTHING shall by any means harm you’...as many as received Him, to them He gave the power (The right, The Privilege) to be called sons of God.

Sen. Jaida Attah: Good morning Family, Amen to all the prayers. @ Benard He is our gaze, our target, our goal. He is the one we are on the lookout for, not the distractions. We’re too distracted with the headlines indeed, happenings around us, negative confessions (too much out there) and what have you.

Blazyn: @Sen. The ransomed of the Lord shall go out and they shall return. The roads and every form of adversary are cleared for our sake.

Sen. Jaida Attah: Reminds me of Peter when He came out to Jesus on the waters, as long as his eyes were fixed on the master he kept walking but once his gaze shifted to his environment and his senses took up the frequency of the natural...poof...he started sinking…

Yesterday, Ziva re-schooled me on "the power of the mind", it is amazing how much we can change once we change our thought pattern.

Blessing: @ Ben, Ike and Ziva, God bless you. I watch the news a lot. Sometimes I like to have all the info at my fingertips, but I'm seeing that we don't just watch the headlines and big captions, our main focus should be Jesus.

Julie: I totally agree, the atmosphere is being polluted by pessimistic utterances, but we chose LIFE over death. Therefore, we speak life into the atmosphere and dispel every pollution in Jesus name.

LovelyNkem: Good morning family! Thanks to everyone for an insightful discussion. It's really very easy to be distracted by the happenings around us and the negative comments we hear every day. But then we always have to make a choice to keep our eyes focused on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.

Sen. Jaida Attah: Exactly @ Nkem…every word in the Bible is filled with power; sad how we take advantage of it most times. It’s surprising how fellow Christians call you an extremist because you negate every form of negativity and embrace the promises of God wholly. At the cross of Calvary, He said "It is finished", pretty much says it all. Done deal! What I’ve found out with #WAPPING is that it not only keeps us focused on God but we yield to His command and invariably have dominion over sin and every form of it.

It is surprising to note that Psalm 23 is one of the chapters in the Bible Muslims term as "powerful". In fact some use it a lot. They don't joke with the psalms at all. They believe it more than we do and it works for them.

The Word transforms your whole being, Prayers as well. The way we relate with people and situations around us. I am one of those people that literally hold on to first impressions a lot. Once you get it wrong the first time, I hardly give you the benefit of doubt …but it literally changed yesterday (Thanks Ziva). Jesus had a combination of different characters with Him and wasn't judgmental towards any. How on earth was Jesus able to tolerate doubting Thomas, Judas Iscariot (two-faced and a thief), etc... I’ve realized the power of #WAPPING even in that area. I remember when I was serving, I was in a department where the Director was "he who should be feared", I prayed about him and got a different treatment from him. Most times it’s our hearts that need changing not the other person...#BLISS

POWER PROJECT | KNOWING JESUS; THE HEALING OF THE OFFICER'S SON

THE HEALING OF THE OFFICER'S SON: JOHN 4:46-55 

Nathaniel Bassey: Jesus came AGAIN into cana of Galilee. Reading verse 45, it says the Galileans received him.....

Remember he had to leave another city – Nazareth because of their dishonour and unbelief. Creating an atmosphere of honour and faith for the Lord and those he has sent, prepares the ground for miracles. He also came to the same place that He turned water to wine. Jesus delights in solving problems. Never tire of bringing them to him. If he did it before he'll do it again. 

The officer asked him to come down to the house but Jesus preferred to speak the word. Most of us would have gone down there being an OFFICER. Oh may we be so led by the Spirit that we would know exactly what to do regardless of the character of those involved.

Any 'wonder' always succeeded. “Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe". Signs and wonders are meant to draw men to God, and to give Him glory.

Verse 50, Jesus said: “…Thy son liveth” and not “thy son will live”. Sometimes in administering healing, we call those things that are not as though they were. In this case we see an instant healing. At other times folks were healed as they went their way. The officer on inspection confirmed from his servants that the healing took place the very moment Jesus gave the word. One thing you find from Jesus is that HE had different ways of ministering to folks. This typifies the life of a Spirit led person. The wind bloweth where it listeth, you cannot tell where it comes and where it comes or goes…(John 3:8)

Amaka Serita: …Lord Jesus, I believe. Help my unbelief. Help my inability. Help my not conforming to your image. Help my laxity and preference to walk in my natural senses rather than trusting you all the way. Help my reluctance to take steps of faith based On your words. Help my quick resolve to reasoning anytime you speak. Help my fear of the unknown. Help me Lord. I don't want to continue sinking Lord! Help! It's so obvious now that I know little or nothing of you. I need You Lord.

HOW DO I MAINTAIN A TEACHABLE ATTITUDE? | JOHN C. MAXWELL

It’s what you learn after you know it all that counts. - John Wooden

Teachability is not so much about competence and mental capacity as it is about attitude. It is the desire to listen, learn, and apply. It is the hunger to discover and grow. It is the willingness to learn, unlearn, and relearn.  When I teach and mentor leaders, I remind them that if they stop learning, they stop leading.  Talented individuals with teachable attitudes become talent-plus people.

TEACHABILITY TRUTHS

To make the most of your talent and remain teachable, consider the following truths about teaching:

1. NOTHING IS INTERESTING IF YOU ARE NOT INTERESTED

Teachable people are fully engaged in life. They get excited about things. They are interested in discovery, discussion, application, and growth. There is a definite relationship between passion and potential.

German philosopher Goethe advised, “Never let a day pass without looking at some perfect work of art, hearing some great piece of music and reading, in part, some great book.” The more engaged you are, the more interesting life will be. The more interested you are in exploring and learning, the greater your potential for growth.

2. SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE VIEW LEARNING DIFFERENTLY FROM THOSE WHO ARE UNSUCCESSFUL

Teachable people are always open to new ideas and are willing to learn from anyone who has something to offer. American journalist Sydney J. Harris wrote, “A winner knows how much he still has to learn, even when he is considered an expert by others. A loser wants to be considered an expert by others, before he has learned enough to know how little he knows.” It’s all a matter of attitude. The world is vast, and we are so limited. There is much for us to learn—as long as we remain teachable.

3. LEARNING IS MEANT TO BE A LIFELONG PURSUIT

It’s said that the Roman scholar Cato started to study Greek when he was more than eighty years old. When asked why he was tackling such a difficult task at his age, he replied, “It is the earliest age I have left.” Unlike Cato, too many people regard learning as an event instead of a process. Someone told me that only one-third of all adults read an entire book after their last graduation. Why would that be? Because they view education as a period of life, not a way of life! Learning is an activity that is not restricted by age. Every stage of life presents lessons to be learned. We can choose to be teachable and continue to learn them, or we can be closed-minded and stop growing. The decision is ours.

4. PRIDE IS THE NUMBER ONE HINDRANCE TO TEACHABILITY

While envy is the deadly sin that comes from feelings of inferiority, the deadly sin of pride comes from feelings of superiority. It creates an arrogance of success, an inflated sense of self-worth accompanied by a distorted perspective of reality. Such an attitude leads to a loss of desire to learn and an unwillingness to change. It makes a person unteachable.

HOW TO TAKE YOUR TALENT TO THE NEXT LEVEL

Futurist and author John Naisbitt believes that “the most important skill to acquire is learning how to learn.” Here is what I suggest as you pursue teachability and become a talent-plus person:

1. LEARN TO LISTEN

The first step in teachability is learning to listen. American writer and philosopher Henry David Thoreau wrote, “It takes two to speak the truth—one to speak and one to hear.” Being a good listener helps us to know people better, to learn what they have learned, and to show them that we value them as individuals.

As you go through each day, remember that you can’t learn if you’re always talking. As the old saying goes, “There’s a reason you have one mouth but two ears.” Listen to others, remain humble, and you will begin to learn things every day that can help you expand your talent.

2. UNDERSTAND THE LEARNING PROCESS

Here’s how the learning typically works:

STEP 1: Act.

STEP 2: Look for your mistakes and evaluate.

STEP 3: Search for a way to do it better.

STEP 4: Go back to step 1.

Remember, the greatest enemy of learning is knowing, and the goal of all learning is action, not knowledge. If what you are doing does not in some way contribute to what you or others are doing in life, then question its value and be prepared to make changes.

3. LOOK FOR AND PLAN TEACHABLE MOMENTS

If you look for opportunities to learn in every situation, you will become a talent-plus person and expand your talent to its potential. But you can also take another step beyond that and actively seek out and plan teachable moments. You can do that by reading books, visiting places that will inspire you, attending events that will prompt you to pursue change, listening to lessons, and spending time with people who will stretch you and expose you to new experiences.

“Make your friends your teachers and mingle the pleasures of conversation with the advantages of instruction.” -  Baltasar Gracian; Spanish philosopher and writer.

Cultivate friendships with people who challenge and add value to you, and try to do the same for them. It will change your life.

4. MAKE YOUR TEACHABLE MOMENTS COUNT

I’ve found that many people walk away from an event and do very little with what they heard after closing their notebooks. It would be like a jewelry designer going to a gem merchant to buy fine gems, placing them carefully into a case, and then putting that case on the shelf to collect dust. What’s the value of acquiring the gems if they’re never going to be used?

We tend to focus on learning events instead of the learning process. Because of this, I try to help people take action steps that will help them implement what they learn. I suggest that in their notes, they use a code to mark things that jump out at them:

T - indicates you need to some time thinking on that point.

C - indicates something you need to change.

J - A smiley face means you are doing that thing particularly well.

A - indicates something you need to apply.

S - means you need to share that information with someone else.

After the conference I recommend that they create to-do lists based on what they marked, then schedule time to follow through.

5. ASK YOURSELF, “AM I REALLY TEACHABLE?”

I’ve said it before, but it bears repeating: all the good advice in the world won’t help if you don’t have a teachable spirit. To know whether you are really open to new ideas and new ways of doing things, answer the following questions:

1. Am I open to other people’s ideas?

2. Do I listen more than I talk?

3. Am I open to changing my opinion based on new information?

4. Do I readily admit when I am wrong?

5. Do I observe before acting on a situation?

6. Do I ask questions?

7. Am I willing to ask a question that will expose my ignorance?

8. Am I open to doing things in a way I haven’t done before?

9. Am I willing to ask for directions?

10. Do I act defensive when criticized, or do I listen openly for the truth?

If you answered no to one or more of these questions, then you have room to grow in the area of teachability. You need to soften your attitude and learn humility, and remember the words of John Wooden: “Everything we know we learned from someone else!”

Thomas Edison was the guest of the governor of North Carolina when the politician complimented him on his creative genius.

“I am not a great inventor,” countered Edison.

“But you have more than a thousand patents to your credit,” the governor stated.

“Yes, but about the only invention I can really claim as absolutely original is the phonograph,” Edison replied.

“I’m afraid I don’t understand what you mean,” the governor remarked.

“Well,” explained Edison, “I guess I’m an awfully good sponge. I absorb ideas from every course I can, and put them to practical use. Then I improve them until they become of some value. The ideas which I use are mostly the ideas of other people who don’t develop them themselves.”

What a remarkable description of someone who used teachability to expand his talent! That is what a talent-plus person does. That is what all of us should strive to do.

 Culled from Self Improvement 101: What Every Leader Needs to Know by JOHN C. MAXWELL

Other chapters include: 

HOW CAN I GROW IN MY CAREER?

WHAT WILL IT TAKE FOR ME TO IMPROVE?

JOHN C. MAXWELL is an internationally recognized leadership expert, speaker, and author who has sold over 16 million books. EQUIP, the organization he founded in 1996 has trained more than 2 million leaders worldwide. Every year he speaks to Fortune 500 companies, international government leaders, and audiences as diverse as the United States Military Academy at West Point, the National Football League, and ambassadors at the United Nations. A New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Business Week best-selling author, Maxwell was named the World’s Top Leadership Guru by Leadershipgurus.net. He was also one of only 25 authors and artists named to Amazon.com’s 10th Anniversary Hall of Fame. Three of his books, The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, Developing the Leader Within You, and The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader have each sold over a million copies.

GOD is NOT deaf | J.U.N.E 2014

¹ Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear. ² But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.

-         Isaiah 59:1-2 (NKJV)

GOD is NOT deaf!

When we pray, He hears…

¹⁴ if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

-         2^nd Chronicles 7:14 (NKJV)

Prayerlessness is a sign of pride; 

a feeling of being able to undertake a task without divine help.

The posture of prayer is a posture of humility; 

an acknowledging of one’s need for divine assistance.

² O You who hear prayer, to You all flesh will come.

-         Psalm 65:2  (NKJV)

GOD does not store prayers; He (hears and) answers them…

⁶ Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:  “May they prosper who love you.

-         Psalm 122:6 (NKJV)

⁴ He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; the Lord shall hold them in derision.

-         Psalm 2:4 (NKJV)

This J.U.N.E, as we continue in prayers for Nigeria,  may our TRANSFORMATION, CHANGE and NEW BEGINNING commence as Jehovah Unseats Nigeria's Enemies.

God Bless You!

/bayormartins 

2862A114

@bayormartins

POWER PROJECT | KNOWING JESUS; TURNING WATER INTO WINE

TURNING WATER INTO WINE: John 2: 1- 11

Nathaniel Bassey: There was a marriage feast in Canaan of Galilee. Mary the mother of Jesus was invited, the disciples, as well as Jesus…

Who are your friends? Who are those you keep company with? I believe the celebrants had some sort of relationship or connection with Jesus and co. The quality of association you keep can sometimes determine the kind of help you get. SELAH.

It was the mother of Jesus that said to them, “they have no wine”. Not even the host. They had a miracle worker in their midst but were stranded. But thank God for good association. Mary knew Jesus was able. Or perhaps they didn't think such a situation required the supernatural. Just like us sometimes, there are things we go through and just conclude they don’t require the supernatural and we short-change ourselves. But the word says, trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in ALL OF YOUR WAYS acknowledge him...How many ways? A few? Some? Only the big things? ALL... when we begin to acknowledge Jesus in every area of our lives, we will see his hand in everything.

Juzzy Production: I looked at it from another point though; I looked at the point before the miracles... What he did before…He was baptized. After which he started his mission by choosing his disciples; those that will carry out the faith when he's gone!!! Being born again is good but baptism is very important. Like my Sunday school teacher will say "an outward expression of an inward reality" -

Showing what has taken place in our spirit at salvation…

Nathaniel Bassey: Whatever He says to you do, DO. I dare say that our problem as believers is not a lack of rhema, but a lack of implementation of rhema. And until we begin to DO what we see and hear, our Christianity would only remain a form without substance. Mary knew her Son a bit to know He was also The Son of God. A lot of times, to see miracles, one has to follow some seemingly foolish, silly and unreasonable instructions (from and by God). Sometimes you have to do the ridiculous to see the miraculous

 Still on water to wine, I have discovered something about miracles and the supernatural. God always partners with man to bring about the supernatural. In verse 7 of John 2, Jesus said to them, “fill the water pots with water”. Jesus had the power to command wine to appear in those water pots. Just the same way Elijah could have commanded oil to fill up the barrel of oil. But Jesus asked THEM to fill it with water.

B.A.Y.O.R | Martins: Sounds to me like "do YOUR part, then I (God) will do mine"; it's a covenant walk/work...

Nathaniel Bassey: Heaven will always work with man to bring about a change in the earth. Perhaps the reason this is so would be known as we study. As if Mary knew, she told them whatever He says to you, do. Saints of God, our miracles are hidden in His instructions. You give him water and he'll give you wine. I keep hearing this word. “DOERS” “DOERS”

Juzzy Production: That's like giving something to get something in return.

Nathaniel Bassey: Blessed are they who not only hear but also do. A lot of us have heard so much; the backlog on the “to do list” is preventing us from receiving further instructions. It's time to do. Let's also note that this was Jesus' first miracle, and it began with a wedding - marriage. I hereby prophesy, to every dry marriage. I decree a restoration of wine as you apply the water (Word of God) into that situation. And by applying, I mean acting and obeying the word in any area of your marriage, what will be the outflow shall be joy. The Word shall accomplish that for which it is sent. It shall not return void. When you sow the Word, it must come back with miracles. Sometimes the instruction is simple, "forgive", “apologise”, “give”, “obey”, etc

Edidiong Eno: I've been thinking: What exactly makes people hear and not do??? Any help please?

Nathaniel Bassey: Unbelief

Lovely Nkem: Doubt

Nathaniel Bassey: Also we must always yield to the Spirit for help. For he works in us both to will and do. But will never force us to do.

Ziva: Some things re-echoed; DO! Like Pst. Nat said, we need to obey the last instruction. We need to be doers.

 Romans 2:13 said - For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.

Luke 6:49 - But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.

James 1:21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

 22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:

 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

 25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

 We have heard so much rhema; what do we do with it? Faith without works is dead! So our rhema and belief is nothing if we do not do. Hmmm, Write the vision, make it plain! That he that reads it may run! - Hab 2:2

The essence of making the vision plain is for action to be taken. Let us not deceive our own selves. Self-deceit is worse than any deceit. God looks not at our profession of faith, but actions taken in consonance. Reminds me of the parable of the judgment; some came and said - Lord, we preached in your name! Signs and wonders were wrought by us. But our Master, I know ye not. Why? When I was hungry, you gave me not food to eat (works of love; action gotten from His teachings). Thirsty, you gave me not drink…

 Also, the parable of the two sons. The first son was asked to go to the farm. He refused. The second son was asked to go. He said - Yes father, but didn't do. The first later DID. - Matt. 21:28-32

 When we do, it's called - OBEDIENCE. Which is better than sacrifice. Disobedience is worse than witchcraft, says the Bible. What you Do determines WHOSE you are. The fruit a tree bears determines its seed.

 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom you obey - Romans 6:16

 I also learnt from Pastor Nat’s discuss that God partners with man! Wow! So we are in a partnership with Him!!!

 Deut. 10:14 says - The heavens, indeed the highest heavens, belong to the LORD your God, as does the earth and everything in it.

 But then, the earth He gave to man (Ps. 115:16) to have dominion, subdue and bring in alignment with the will of God. So it will be in earth, as it is in heaven.

 And because we are mere mortals, we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. So we need to partner with Him for us to overcome and subdue and dominate this earth. (earth means the world, but also means our flesh, which is but dust)

Ezekiel 22:30 - And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me... (Partnership)

 FINALLY, there is something else in the parable. Your miracle is at the other end of obedience; Jesus asked them to fill the water pots to the brim. And then says - Draw some out now and take it to the governor of the feast. (vs 8). No abracadabra. No prayers even. Just fill and draw and give. And remember, this was His first miracle. They had not seen Him do anything like that before, yet they OBEYED!

 LASTLY, No matter how bad the situation, when Jesus steps in, it changes to sweetness. And all things will work together for good. A man calls all for a wedding feast and doesn't make enough wine provision; imagine the embarrassment! Yet Jesus came, and not only gave them wine, but gave them sweeter wine than the one they had and also gave them honour. That even the governor turned to the couple and said - wow! You kept the best wine till the end. No one has ever been able to do this! Wow!

 Always involve God in your affairs. He is interested in the tiny-est hair on your head. He cares, really and can turn any test into a testimony and any mess into a message.

Nathaniel Bassey: In verse 4, I found something interesting. Jesus said to his mum, my hour has not yet come. I checked that word “hour” out.  It is “horah” in the Greek. Meaning day, instant, season, high time. I like the word season. It's interesting that one moment Jesus said my hour has not come and shortly after he helped solve the problem, suggesting his hour had come.

 Something powerful to learn; sometimes the difference in SEASONS is just a few moments; years, months, weeks, days, hours, minutes.... Etc

 Thank God Mary and the host didn't seek another option after Jesus gave that answer. Sometimes we give up almost at the turn of our season. And opt for a plan B, opting for the flesh. Remember Abraham who took the “Ishmael route” before Isaac came. And believe it or not, that decision haunts us even today. That is the cause of boko haram, alqueda, alshabab, etc

Genesis 16:12 "he (Ishmael) will be a wild man, his hand will be against every man, and every man's hand will be against him....."

Does this sound like a terrorist to you? It does to me.

Lanre KUNNUJI Olaminrewaju: I saw that scripture in Genesis 16 some days ago and that was what came to my mind also.

Nathaniel Bassey: May we be sensitive to know when our hour, SEASON, comes in Jesus name. And have the grace to wait as well. “This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory…” (John 2:11). Miracles are meant to show forth God's glory.

Romans 8:19; For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the MANIFESTATION of the sons of God

 Saints, they are waiting; among other things, to see the miraculous power of God displayed. This will happen through us this season in Jesus' name.

Tonia: Indeed the whole creation is waiting earnestly for the manifestation of the Saints of God and this brings us back to the discussion on partnering with God through obedience. An interesting scripture came to mind here; Mk 16:20 "And they went forth and preached everywhere, the Lord WORKING WITH THEM, and confirming the Word with signs following. Amen."

 So, the key emphasis I've picked up from this great study of ours is partnering with God for the Supernatural. If God will work with man continually, then obedience must be in place which is the trigger for further and continuous partnership. A man of God once said to me that so often we query God for not speaking to us, but what have we done with what He said to us in the past? It is our continuous obedience that commits Him to work with us the more.

Lord I yield my spirit, soul and body to you in total submission. Work with me Lord and bring to pass the desires of your heart in this generation!!!

He has made us the Light of the world and if we must shine in our season, we must partner with Him who knows the exact trigger for our Shinning for the whole world lieth in darkness. Saints, I think God has just begun a deeper walk with us in this group, believe it; He has begun a good work with us!!...

Joshua: I also believe Jesus honored Mary by not picking a fight when she informed him about the wine. Could it be that Mary knew His hour had come or close by and requested a miracle of him? We need to honor and obey our parents so it will be well with us. I believe it lends weight to Ephesians 6:1-3. Sometimes parents know when it's time for God's glory to be manifested in our lives and they intercede for us in prayers. Being in good terms with them just makes us live long.

 Edidiong: Woooooow!!! Just read through all the post from last night and its so inspiring and eye-opening...Thanks to everyone that shared...Good morning saints

Fergie: God bless y'all and may we know Jesus more in-depth that we will become like him.  I love y'all.

Mr Inspiration: All I can say is "Take me deeper, dear Lord"! Very obviously, there is more.I am learning the art of desperation these days...desperate people do desperate things! I want to desperately press into God this season...to soak! I won't stop pursuing...until I'm captured, by What I'm after! Hmmmm...God bless everyone who has shared!

Eferoghene Feludu: Just finished reading all the posts am so blessed...God bless you all indeed. Just a little contribution. You know, every single thing Christ did on earth was deliberate. To fulfil the scriptures...e.g none of His bones were broken when He was beaten to death and crucified. Then we could say that the first miracle He performed was also deliberate. This was supposed to be like His announcement into the scene...I bet if we were the ones with that much power, we would have picked resurrection of Lazarus as the first miracle so people would be wowed more. Turning water to wine almost seems like an unspiritual miracle. Imagine how the religious folks would have felt about this miracle about someone who claims to be the Son of God. But I bet you by reason of this miracle, all the sinners became even more at ease around Him and didn't feel He was too Holy to be talked to. Just because He made everyone happy by creating more wine.

Mr Inspiration: I love this insight, Efe! Very key for our reputation-conscious generation of brethren!

Eferoghene Feludu: Jesus was deliberate in that He made the people at ease that surrounded Him...that’s quite the opposite in today's religion...rather we make the people who we need to help feel condemned already that they can't even tell us what is wrong in their lives.

Mr Inspiration: Very true Efe. This point resonates deeply with me. I have seen plenty incidents to validate what you're saying as very important.

Oluwatoyosi:  Good morning family. Wow it’s been an awesome morning.  Just started my study this morning and I’ve been so blessed.  Eyes opening to things have never noticed in the bible. Thanks to Pst. Nath, Ziva and Tonia.  May God give us the grace to do as he says.  I noticed from the 1st study that total obedience is where our complete miracle lies. I read John 2 in the NLT version. There were 6 stone water jars each could hold 30 gallons of water, 1 gallon equals about 3.8L. 6 stone jars can take 684L. A modern day bottle of wine is about 0.75l. Jesus gave them over extra 900 bottles of sweet new wine. If they didn't obey the wedding would have ended in a disaster. But their obedience led to extra 912 bottles of wine. I pray that henceforth I will totally obey without questioning. Even the seemingly foolish things are obeyed in faith.…God give me the grace to rely on your instructions and not on my understanding.

Blazyn: Just reading through the whole epistle from yesterday. Kai! Its been explosive in here. @Pst Nath and everyone that shared, thank you. Something from the first miracle again was Mary walking up to Jesus to tell him of the need for wine. She was 100% certain of his potency to work the miracle. She placed a demand. There are capabilities in us that we might never know and lie latent until a demand is placed on them. May God direct us to people, situations, events that will cause the miracle in us to be stirred up, to find expression. One of those is the PP. It just brings power out of you!

Ziva: Before I contribute, Bro Ikechi (a berean Christian) pointed out that in the last discuss about water to wine, specifically at the DO part of the discussion where I referred to the parable of the judgement, the parable in Matt. 7:22 and the one in Matt. 25:31 are two different parables pointing to same talk about judgement and should not have been joined together. Please take note. Sincere apologies. 

‘Lanre KUNNUJI: Hello Saints, on starting to read John 2, I came across the phrase "on the third day..." This made me go back to the last few verses of the previous chapter to see what happened three days before and guess what I saw?

John 1:50 - Jesus said "you believe because I told you I saw you under the fig-tree. You shall see greater things than that. What has happened to you that has strengthened your faith? Jesus says it is the overture, you shall see greater things than that.

That miracle that has dazed you for which you have come to know God better and believe God the more is just the beginning. There is much more in God for you.

It is so sad how Christians run into the street cow of one small gift God has given them, and they become uncontrollable. The Pastor says something and you "yinmu", after all, God speaks to you too. Bro, Sis, what you have seen thus far is only the tip of the iceberg and it takes patience and humility to see more of God's glory

With the experience Paul had, he could have jumped into the street and forget about his source but what was his prayer? "That I may know him"

Today, many Christians jump out of the "incubator"

God is still brooding on us and we feel we're ripe for the "stage".

The Holy Spirit has been hammering one thing to me lately; watch out against Pride. That voice that quickly wants to disagree. That part of us that wants to talk all the time without listening much. That part of us that makes us feel we're better than others. It needs to give way for a greater glory to be revealed. The Holy Spirit wants to do more. God wants to perform greater miracles through us. But we need to forget the former things for the new ones to emerge. We need to submit to the full process of incubation. Nathaniel believed because Jesus told him he saw him under the fig tree. That was fine, but he would never have thought that Jesus was about to do much more. And if he had not been patient to follow, if he had run off with that experience he had, he would not have seen the "much more" that Jesus did afterwards. I pray that God will grant us the patience and humility to be able to wait on Him until we enter into the fullness of His glory in Jesus' name, Amen.