WHAT IS SALVATION?
The First Step - Repentance!
But What Is Repentance?
Repentance is NOT a word of weakness but a word of power and action. Repentance is NOT joining church; attending church once a week or only during Easter and Christmas; it is not putting your name on the church books; being good to your neighbour; being generous in your giving; or shaking the preachers hand. Repentance is NOT penance, remorse or self-condemnation - We should hate our sins but not ourselves.
Referring to Acts 17:30, "And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:", Dr. Scofield stated, "Repentance means "to have another mind", to "change the mind"". It is used in the New Testament to indicate a change of mind in respect of sin, of God, and of oneself. The 'son' in the parable of the "two sons" in Matthew 21:28-32 illustrates "True" Repentance." This young man "REPENTED" for not having done his father's will, and then he went out and showed that he was sincere in his repentance by "bringing forth fruit meet for repentance." (Luke 3:8). Jesus said, "And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" (Luke 6:46).
One dictionary defines "repentance" as 'feeling such regret over one's sins so as to decide to change one's ways'. Another dictionary says, 'Repentance is sorrow for sin...and complete turning from sin.' Scripturally, repentance has three main elements...
Conviction: It is God's red flag warning us that we are going in the wrong direction. Being born in sin, we continue on in sin - doing that which is right in our own eyes without due regard for what God requires in His Word. Therefore, God, through the preaching of the Word, brings conviction that we need to change our ways to line up with His Word. Of course, many are so calloused in their spirits and spiritually blind, that they are are not able to experience Spiritual Conviction. Conviction is the first step toward the Kingdom of God - God is calling YOU to obedience to His Word.
Contrition:This is a sincere sorrow - a godly sorrow - brokenness for our sins (2nd Corinthians 7:10). The Bible says, "The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit." (Psalms 34:18). Contrition is NOT a shallow sentiment nor an empty emotion. It is a sincere regret over past sins and an earnest, humble desire to walk in a new path of righteousness, according to the instructions laid out in God's Word.
In Isaiah 57:15 God promised, "I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit; to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones." Repentance includes 'humbling' ourselves to God's ways. When we stand at the Cross of Calvary and see what our sins cost God, our hearts should be broken and contrite - humbled; and we should cry out like the Publican, "God, be merciful to be a sinner" (Luke 18:13). The Bible tells us that when Peter considered how he had ignored and denied the Lord, he went out and wept bitterly because of his sin (Matthew 26:75).
Desire To Be Changed: This is the third element of "Repentance"; the desire for God to change your thought pattern, change your attitude, change your ways, change your motives and objectives in life, to conform to His ways and will for you. In 2nd. Corinthians 7:10 the Bible says, "For godly sorrow worketh repentance to Salvation." "IF any man be in Christ (having truly repented), old things (old ways and thoughts) pass away and behold all things become new" (2nd Corinthians 5:17).
On the day of Pentecost the Apostle Peter preached the first Message of Salvation, pointing men and women to the Scriptures fulfilled in their day (Acts 2:1-36). That 'first' anointed message produced "conviction" in the hearts of the hearers.....
According to the Scriptures "ALL have sinned and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). Like David in Psalms 51:5, we were ALL "shapen in iniquity; and in sin did our mothers conceive us"; and because we are ALL sinners by virtue of our natural birth - ALL under the curse of death, we need a Saviour, born by a Virgin birth, bypassing the curse - a Redeemer, a Perfect One, a Just One to lay down His life as a Perfect Sacrifice (in our place) to satisfy God's righteous Law, justify us and Redeem us back to God again.
God's Grace - unmerited favor - provided that Sacrifice in the Person of our Lord Jesus Christ. In His Life He fulfilled every letter of the Law for us; then willingly laid His Life down as an offering for sin; but because He was not born in sin, neither knew no sin, death could not hold him. On that Resurrection morning Jesus rose from the dead to give us Eternal Life. John 17:2 says, "As thou (Father) hast given him (Jesus) power over all flesh, that he should 'give eternal life' to as many as thou hast given him."
BUT WE MUST FIRST REPENT! Turn around in our atitudes, motives and objectives of life, change our mind and accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour. Giving ourselves unreservedly to Him in obedience to do only His Will, according to His Word.
We do not take lightly what's written in the Scriptures - "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by EVERY WORD that proceedeth out of the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4). To the True Believer, the Bible is more than just 'the good book', it is a "Book of Life"; a Book of Doctrine, Reproof, Correction, and Instruction in Righteousness (2nd. Timothy 3:16). We will be judged according to what is written in the Book - the Bible. Therefore, we approach the Book with a "fervent" desire to know what God wants me to know about Himself, His plan, and His will for my life.
EVEN THE CHURCHES HAVE BEEN
COMMANDED TO REPENT:
"Unto the Angel (messenger/anointed) of THE CHURCH of Ephesus, write, ...
I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and REPENT, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove they candlestick out of his place, except thou REPENT."(Revelation 2:5)
In this Last Church Age - Laodicea - the Church was given this command:
"As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten; be zealous therefore, and REPENT!(Revelation 3:19)
God, in this Age, demanded "Zealous Repentance" - not a cold, formal, tearless repentance but sincere, genuine, zealous contrition, rending of the heart kind of repentance - nothing less will satisfy.
Having thoroughly REPENTED before a Holy God, the seeker now comes to the second step in Peter's Instructions - Water Baptism, by immersion in water, IN THE NAME of the Lord Jesus Christ. This step must also be taken voluntarily, of your own free will. It must also be entered into sincerely."WORK OUT YOUR SALVATION WITH FEAR AND TREMBLING".
Every sorry for this long message.
My humble request to All readers of this message is God gives the spirit of humbleness, patience and pours His Revelation upon each and everyone, to walk a TRUE CHRISTIAN LIFE.
Restoring and Recovering the Lost.
The reason why most christian don't see the move of God in their life is ,they have become Pride instead of proud.Thier words has loses it salt.They have become quick to answer instead of slow to speak. They have spoired thier maturity because of lust.They don't accept thier fault even if you tell them.They see you as enermy when you tell them the truth.How do you expert God to stay in this kind of vissel.
Most sons and daughters of God has spoired thier Holiness because of money,Oh God.As the lord begin to minister this word into my hearth I begin to cry.Lord mercy.listern to what Jesus said,
Matthew 9:16-17 KJV
No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse. [17] Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.
For you to experience the hand of God in your life.You need to empty your self.For God to filled him self in you.Now after empty your self,confess your sins to God.
1 John 1:8-10 KJV
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. [9] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Today,What are you waiting for,Are you making this great salvation passing you by,
Are you are ready,to receive answers to your prayers,then welcome Jesus once again into your life.listern to what Jesus said to the accuse woman.
John 8:4-11 KJV
They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. [5] Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? [6] This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not . [7] So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. [8] And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. [9] And they which heard it , being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. [10] When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? [11] She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
To keep your self under the grace of God,have this 2key.Humility and Patience.
James 4:7,10 KJV
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. [10] Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
Family go and sin no more because this a great opportunity in Jesus .Stay bless.
*CHORISTERS AND OFF KEY TRAPS*
*_Nella was an upcoming Alto singer. She could sing her part pretty well only that she could be shy a times. She always had that dream of leading the choir group one day but she had her fears... The off-key traps!!!_*
*On one fateful Sunday service, she was called impromptu to lead the choir in a short worship song which she was very familiar with except for the modulated part of the song. She was surprised and excited but at the same time a bit timid._*
*_She started very well on the key she was given to sing on. Just about the time she was to lead the choristers to modulate to the next key she lost track and all of a sudden went off-key. She felt bad and promised herself never to lead a song because she had lost the confidence in herself...awww, so sad☹_*
*_Some of us can relate to this. Many of us must have fallen into this trap one time or the other when we are singing. This is commonly called off-key traps!_*
*_When we say off-key traps we mean a general term used to denote a sudden deviation from the original or correct key (which is been played) when singing which makes the whole music messed up! It can also be called off-key singing. This can happen to a soloist, a group or sometimes a full choir band. I've experienced it many times!_*
*_Interestingly, off-key traps do happen to professionals as well (but on very rare occasions). In this case, it could occur in a way that may not be noticeable except for a well trained ear who can observe the flaws._*
*_For the case of amateurs you can almost fall to the ground in laughter or feel uncomfortable with the whole music turning to a noise._*
*_However, choristers can be so quick to shift blames to instrumentalists but which is not always the truth in most cases._*
*How Off-key traps occur*
1. *_At the beginning of a song._*
*_It can happen when the choir cannot remember the actual key of the song they are to sing on especially when the song demands that the choristers should start first which after the music band are to join. For example, a song to start on the key of A and then the choir starts on Eflat(Eb). This may cause a lot of confusion for instrumentalists._*
2. *When modulating_*
*_Like the above story, not all choristers are good with modulation. It's better you avoid it so as to avoid embarrassments. This can lead to "clash of keys"._*
3. *When the soloist is stressed out.*
*_Of course a key may be too high for the singer thus, leading to vocal strain. This may cause the singer to sound flat (i. e. a gradual drop in the key). In this case it is advisable for music band to help in dropping the key for the singer so as to make the key convenient for them._*
4. *Vocal Pitch*
*_This is where professionals are very careful. This is tricky when the part of that song demands a high vocal pitch. A singer must be careful in order not to go flat or sharp. It is wise you know your strength, weak areas and must have mastered the song to the core.*_
5. *Technical problems*
*_Of course there are cases where instruments May go out of tune (this is common with guitars). Other cases may include; poor arrangements of vocal parts, poor communication amongst members of the music band, dexterity problem from the instrumentalist(s)._*
*YOUR BEST ASSET*
*_In the case of overcoming off-key or off tune issues, one of the best asset you have is your ears. Your ear is a major part of your vocals as an instrument. Many off-key traps are as a result of poor aural skills (a talk for another day).*_
*_As a choir band, there is the need for every member to be trained in the art of listening to music sounds like notes, keys or chords as well as other basic elements of music. This is one the advantages of talented singers._*
*_As a singer, it takes a lot of personal training on the ears to be able to recognize music sounds. This ability vary among singers. Some singers are very good to the point they can tell the exact key a song is been played on. To some it could take almost forever to get it right but you can improve._*
*_In conclusion, you can escape off-key traps if you're ready to take your personal training on your ears with sounds very serious._*
*_One of the surest ways to train your ears is to play around musical instruments like piano, keyboards and guitars._*
*_As the day progresses, off-key traps becomes a thing of the past when you practice thoroughly before performing a song in front of the audience. This is why choir rehearsals should not be taken with levity because the more quality time we spend on Rehearsals the better the outcome of our ministration._*
*I hope this helps.*
A Wrist watch for
N500, 000?? Will it show me when the world will end?
• A Bathing soap for
N80, 000?? Will it wash away sins and sorrows?
• One Eye glasses for
N350, 000?? If I wear it, will I be able to see the future?
• An Italian shoe for N150,000?? Shebi I will be able to walk on water?
• A Plasma TV for N500,000?? Will it show me the Judgement day on the last day live?
• A Gold plated mobile phone for 3 million naira. Chai!!! Will I use it to answer heaven's call?
• A Hand Bag for 1.3Million naira?? Will I put my life inside it?
• 2 million naira for a table in comedy show. Which kind
laugh I never laugh before?
• 3 Million naira per year at a university. After graduation, will they make me the president?
Sometimes, I wonder why some people spend like craze, knowing fully well that there are hungry children in the streets roaming about naked.
1. The smallest act of kindness you show, can change someone's life.
2. Remember, money only brings happiness if you help people with it.
3. Let someone say to you, BECAUSE OF YOU I DIDN'T #GIVE UP !!!
When you are financially blessed, don't just raise your STANDARD OF LIVING, also raise your STANDARD OF GIVING.
*ANYTHING THAT ANNOYS YOU*
is teaching you patience and calmness.
*Anyone that abandons you* is teaching you how to stand up on your own feet.
*Anything that offends you* is teaching you forgiveness and compassion.
*Anything that has power over you* is teaching you to get greater power.
*Anything that you hate* is teaching you unconditional love.
*Anything that you fear* is teaching you courage to overcome your fears.
*Anything you can't control* is teaching you to let go.
*Any NO you get from humans* is teaching you to be independent.
*Any problem you have* is teaching you how to get solution to problems.
*Any attack you get* is teaching you the best form of defence.
*Anyone who looks down on you* is teaching you to look up to GOD.
Always look out for the lesson in every situation you face in every phase of life.
Stay lifted.
*THE JUDGEMENT SEAT OF CHRIST*
*For we must all stand before the JUDGEMENT seat of CHRIST that each may receive the things done in the body whilst in the world whether it is good or bad. 2Corinthians 5:10*. For we must all appear before the JUDGEMENT Seat of CHRIST. Everybody will appear before the JUDGEMENT seat. Men of God will appear, prophets will appear, apostles will appear, Reverend fathers will appear, bishops will appear, pastors will appear, evangelists will appear, deacons will appear, elders will appear, children will appear, kids or babies will also appear, everybody will appear before the JUDGEMENT seat of CHRIST. For we must all appear before the great *THRONE of JUDGEMENT* to give an account of the lives lived in the flesh whilst in the body whether good or bad. You and I will give an account of our lives to CHRIST. Nobody is exempted. Hmmm!!! High class people, chiefs and Kings will also appear before the JUDGEMENT THRONE, presidents, his excellencies, his lordships, his Royal Majesties, her Lordships, her Majesties, her, his, etc will all appear before the great JUDGEMENT THRONE to give an account. What life are you living?, you will give an account of it whether good or bad. Everybody will respond to this great call of accountability. There, no one has power again to do anything whatsoever that pleases him or her. There will be no bribery. For GOD is not a respecter of persons. Whatsoever a man does shall he reap. Beware and prepare for this day. It is the day of JUDGEMENT. HMMM!!!
