Tuesday, September 4, 2012
My commandment
“This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this,
than to lay down one’s life for his friends. You are my friends if you do whatever I command you.
No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends,
for all things that I heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me, but I chose you, & appointed you that you should go & bear fruit,
that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. These things I command you, that you love one another.
If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own.
Yet because you are not of the world, therefore the world hates you.” (John 15:12-19).
Sunday, September 2, 2012
PRESENTATIONS
PRESENTATIONS / APPEARANCES TO HIS APOSTLES FROM HIS RESURRECTION UNTIL HIS ASCENSION
From Jesus’ Resurrection until His Ascension, Jesus “presented Himself alive [to His apostles] after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.” Luke wrote his gospel and then Acts in which he says that he has written everything “until the day in which Jesus was taken up…[how] He had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depar t from Jerusalem…[and] while they watched, He was taken up…” per Acts 1:1-11. Amongst Jesus’ presenting “Himself alive [to His apostles] after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God”, on the third of His appearances to them He asked Apostle Peter three times “Do you love me?” per John 21:14,15 etc. On the last of Jesus’ presenting “Himself alive [to His apostles] after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God” He blessed them and then left this earth (ascended) from His assembled apostles per Acts 1:1-11, Luke 24:50,51 etc.
From Jesus’ Resurrection until His Ascension, Jesus “presented Himself alive [to His apostles] after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.” Luke wrote his gospel and then Acts in which he says that he has written everything “until the day in which Jesus was taken up…[how] He had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depar t from Jerusalem…[and] while they watched, He was taken up…” per Acts 1:1-11. Amongst Jesus’ presenting “Himself alive [to His apostles] after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God”, on the third of His appearances to them He asked Apostle Peter three times “Do you love me?” per John 21:14,15 etc. On the last of Jesus’ presenting “Himself alive [to His apostles] after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God” He blessed them and then left this earth (ascended) from His assembled apostles per Acts 1:1-11, Luke 24:50,51 etc.
HOW WILL THE DEVIL ATTACK YOU
HOW WILL THE DEVIL ATTACK YOU?
At Confirmation,we say an Oath to follow God until our end,then a blessing is bestowed on us and Certificates given us. Did you ever ask why we receive certificates?Is there a congregation-in our church-anywhere in the world where Ministers/Administration brothers asked for certificates from the members?I know the answer is a big NO!But why receiving Certificates?Have you ever asked why?Is it a way the Chief Apostle and the circle of the Apostles have set to to lure us in following them continuously by making us feel loved through the sending of a personal letter to each one of us? Like i earlier indicated,the Apostles are not up to adding up numbers of their followers but to execute the role assigned to them by their Master and Lord Jesus Christ.It is why they allow all of us to choose on our own if we need to follow them or not,hence the provision of Confirmation class for all those who were baptized in infant stage.Therefore,even the Certificates issued to graduate Confirmands are not in anyway an enticement to make them follow on. Nothing has been mentioned on the Certificates anywhere in the books,but allow me to put it open to you the use of the Confirmation Certificates. Confirmation being an Act of blessings,carries with it spiritual elements to make one a true initiate of Christ.Otherwise,it will be a mere Act and of no benefit to undergo the process.If then embed with spiritual elements just like the elements in Baptism,and the Act being executed by the rightly commissioned of the Lord,then Confirmation is a HOLY ACT!Therefore,Certification is holy too! Let us look at the Certificate we receive.Like the Baptism,it a two-faced document carrying the physical (paper) and spiritual the Text/Message in it.The physical we see with our eyes,but the spiritual can only live it.The Confirmation Confirmation Certificate should therefore be considered a TREASURE one is given which is susceptible to theft.If one was given a mere paper and another a bank note/money,it is possible the thief would attack one carrying money and leave out one having a mere paper.Therefore,Confirmation,if really an Act of Blessing,and blessings being spiritual wealth that are susceptible to theft by the devil,then there is need for each graduate Confirmand to guard that so jealously because the devil may just steal that away. But what is there to guard?The paper which is the Certificate?No!It is the message/word that the Lord,through His high most servant,the Chief Apostle gives to each one of the Confirmands.That message,like the message given to the boys and girls at their initiation,is what shapes the graduate Confirmand's spiritual life.Confirmation being a holy Act and a stage of initiation for New Adult Christians in the New Apostolic Church,opens one's spiritual eyes to see the path of faith clearly.Now with that wealth on you-which you may not be aware of if not spiritually connected to God- and your indignant rejection of the devil,the devil now comes your way to steal it away and in the end,steal you as well. Many Confirmation Certificates we have received say great wonders of the Lord.But what has happened?The Text in the Certificate happens to have faded away in our spiritual life.The devil has stolen that away from us. DO YOU WANT TO PROVE THIS? DID YOU KNOW YOU ARE WHAT YOU TODAY BECAUSE OF THE TEXT IN YOUR CONFIRMATION CERTIFICATE? TAKE A LOOK AT IT AGAIN,NOW LOOK AT YOUR SPIRITUAL LIFE TODAY.IS IT IN CONFORMITY OR TOTALLY AGAINST? One Text given to Confirmands read;"One thing have i desired of the Lord,that i may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life." If that is the word in your Confirmation Certificate,check your spiritual position?Are you still in the house of the Lord? Another Text given to Confirmand read;... That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God." Is that the word in your Confirmation Certificate?Check your spiritual life today. Is Christ still in your heart?Are you really deeply rooted and grounded in love?Do you Comprehend what is the Breadth,and Length, and Depth, and Height? Have you known the love of Christ that passeth knowledge? What is the Text in your Confirmation Certificate?Are you still living by it? Brethrean,the Apostles do not pick fairy-tales to give to their followers.What they give is the word coming straight from God,the message He intends to give to His children.Take nothing from them for philosophical statements,you will just end the gates of heaven where you will be shown the right place where you belong. Let us go back to back to our Confirmation Certificate,the Map to our destination-our heavenly home-and realign ourselves with the word given. Amen! Beloved brethren,i would like us to share our current spiritual state based on the Text in our Confirmation Certificate. My love you all! King James Version of the Bible was 400 years old last year - 1611 to 2011 - out of which came the New King James Version in 1981 In 1604 fifty-four of England's foremost scholars and linguists were formed into six panels to translate particular groups of Old Testament and New Testament books into English. The King James Bible was published in 1611 in England, the result of a rift between the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of England. King James gave strict instructions that the Bible was to conform to the Church of England’s doctrine. Shakespeare was very much alive when it was being written and that is the reason why the King James Version seems to be using Shakespearean English. That is the way English was spoken during that time. The exact Anniversary date of the King James Bible and thus the exact 400th birthday of the King James Bible is 2 May 2011. Love and best wishes Alan Woodman The King James Version Story 1603 James V1 of Scotland acceded to the throne of England (as James I of England). At the 1604 Hampton Court Conference James 1 was persuaded (by moderate Puritans) that a new translation was needed and ordered work to begin. The Puritans, a strongly religious group in the 17th century England, believed that the Bible was inspired by God. Feeling persecuted by the established Church, a group, known as the Pilgrim Fathers, decided to leave England and start a new life overseas. The Pilgrim Fathers set sail for America in the Mayflower, taking the English Bible with them. They landed at Plymouth, now in Massachusetts. The ship is a symbol of early colonisation. British sailors took the Bible on voyages around the globe; Through the work of the East India Company it was taken to India and to the colonies in Africa, Australia and New Zealand. This is one reason why English is now a world language. The Bible is read in countries around the World; art, literature and music have been based on language and stories from the Bible. It has arguably far more influence on the English language than Shakespeare or any other author. The Bible is read by people of all ages and backgrounds; "To read it is to feel simultaneously at home, a citizen of the world, and a traveller through eternity" - Andrew Motion, Poet Laureate 1999-2009 Lancelot Andrewes, Dean of Westminster 1601-1605, was Director of the first Westminster Company responsible for translating part of the Old Testament. It is believed that the translators met in the Jerusalem Chamber; a room used by subsequent translators. A celebratory service was held at the Abbey in November 2011. "There is no doubt in my mind that the King James Bible not Shakespeare set this language on its path to become a universal language on a scale unprecedented before or since." - Melvyn Bragg "The King James Bible is a cornerstone of our culture and our language. Whatever our faith, whatever we believe, we have to recognise that the rhetorical power of this book, and in particular its power to fuse history with poetry, connects at the most fundamental level with our own history and poetry." - Andrew Motion, Poet Laureate 1999-2009 A hero who loved the King James Version of the Bible was Helen Keller. Helen Keller, the deaf, dumb, and blind scholar was struck by the verse in Leviticus 19:14, “Thou shalt not curse the deaf, nor put a stumbling block before the blind, but shalt fear thy God: I am the LORD." She spoke up for those that were deaf and dumb and became an international figure.
At Confirmation,we say an Oath to follow God until our end,then a blessing is bestowed on us and Certificates given us. Did you ever ask why we receive certificates?Is there a congregation-in our church-anywhere in the world where Ministers/Administration brothers asked for certificates from the members?I know the answer is a big NO!But why receiving Certificates?Have you ever asked why?Is it a way the Chief Apostle and the circle of the Apostles have set to to lure us in following them continuously by making us feel loved through the sending of a personal letter to each one of us? Like i earlier indicated,the Apostles are not up to adding up numbers of their followers but to execute the role assigned to them by their Master and Lord Jesus Christ.It is why they allow all of us to choose on our own if we need to follow them or not,hence the provision of Confirmation class for all those who were baptized in infant stage.Therefore,even the Certificates issued to graduate Confirmands are not in anyway an enticement to make them follow on. Nothing has been mentioned on the Certificates anywhere in the books,but allow me to put it open to you the use of the Confirmation Certificates. Confirmation being an Act of blessings,carries with it spiritual elements to make one a true initiate of Christ.Otherwise,it will be a mere Act and of no benefit to undergo the process.If then embed with spiritual elements just like the elements in Baptism,and the Act being executed by the rightly commissioned of the Lord,then Confirmation is a HOLY ACT!Therefore,Certification is holy too! Let us look at the Certificate we receive.Like the Baptism,it a two-faced document carrying the physical (paper) and spiritual the Text/Message in it.The physical we see with our eyes,but the spiritual can only live it.The Confirmation Confirmation Certificate should therefore be considered a TREASURE one is given which is susceptible to theft.If one was given a mere paper and another a bank note/money,it is possible the thief would attack one carrying money and leave out one having a mere paper.Therefore,Confirmation,if really an Act of Blessing,and blessings being spiritual wealth that are susceptible to theft by the devil,then there is need for each graduate Confirmand to guard that so jealously because the devil may just steal that away. But what is there to guard?The paper which is the Certificate?No!It is the message/word that the Lord,through His high most servant,the Chief Apostle gives to each one of the Confirmands.That message,like the message given to the boys and girls at their initiation,is what shapes the graduate Confirmand's spiritual life.Confirmation being a holy Act and a stage of initiation for New Adult Christians in the New Apostolic Church,opens one's spiritual eyes to see the path of faith clearly.Now with that wealth on you-which you may not be aware of if not spiritually connected to God- and your indignant rejection of the devil,the devil now comes your way to steal it away and in the end,steal you as well. Many Confirmation Certificates we have received say great wonders of the Lord.But what has happened?The Text in the Certificate happens to have faded away in our spiritual life.The devil has stolen that away from us. DO YOU WANT TO PROVE THIS? DID YOU KNOW YOU ARE WHAT YOU TODAY BECAUSE OF THE TEXT IN YOUR CONFIRMATION CERTIFICATE? TAKE A LOOK AT IT AGAIN,NOW LOOK AT YOUR SPIRITUAL LIFE TODAY.IS IT IN CONFORMITY OR TOTALLY AGAINST? One Text given to Confirmands read;"One thing have i desired of the Lord,that i may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life." If that is the word in your Confirmation Certificate,check your spiritual position?Are you still in the house of the Lord? Another Text given to Confirmand read;... That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God." Is that the word in your Confirmation Certificate?Check your spiritual life today. Is Christ still in your heart?Are you really deeply rooted and grounded in love?Do you Comprehend what is the Breadth,and Length, and Depth, and Height? Have you known the love of Christ that passeth knowledge? What is the Text in your Confirmation Certificate?Are you still living by it? Brethrean,the Apostles do not pick fairy-tales to give to their followers.What they give is the word coming straight from God,the message He intends to give to His children.Take nothing from them for philosophical statements,you will just end the gates of heaven where you will be shown the right place where you belong. Let us go back to back to our Confirmation Certificate,the Map to our destination-our heavenly home-and realign ourselves with the word given. Amen! Beloved brethren,i would like us to share our current spiritual state based on the Text in our Confirmation Certificate. My love you all! King James Version of the Bible was 400 years old last year - 1611 to 2011 - out of which came the New King James Version in 1981 In 1604 fifty-four of England's foremost scholars and linguists were formed into six panels to translate particular groups of Old Testament and New Testament books into English. The King James Bible was published in 1611 in England, the result of a rift between the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of England. King James gave strict instructions that the Bible was to conform to the Church of England’s doctrine. Shakespeare was very much alive when it was being written and that is the reason why the King James Version seems to be using Shakespearean English. That is the way English was spoken during that time. The exact Anniversary date of the King James Bible and thus the exact 400th birthday of the King James Bible is 2 May 2011. Love and best wishes Alan Woodman The King James Version Story 1603 James V1 of Scotland acceded to the throne of England (as James I of England). At the 1604 Hampton Court Conference James 1 was persuaded (by moderate Puritans) that a new translation was needed and ordered work to begin. The Puritans, a strongly religious group in the 17th century England, believed that the Bible was inspired by God. Feeling persecuted by the established Church, a group, known as the Pilgrim Fathers, decided to leave England and start a new life overseas. The Pilgrim Fathers set sail for America in the Mayflower, taking the English Bible with them. They landed at Plymouth, now in Massachusetts. The ship is a symbol of early colonisation. British sailors took the Bible on voyages around the globe; Through the work of the East India Company it was taken to India and to the colonies in Africa, Australia and New Zealand. This is one reason why English is now a world language. The Bible is read in countries around the World; art, literature and music have been based on language and stories from the Bible. It has arguably far more influence on the English language than Shakespeare or any other author. The Bible is read by people of all ages and backgrounds; "To read it is to feel simultaneously at home, a citizen of the world, and a traveller through eternity" - Andrew Motion, Poet Laureate 1999-2009 Lancelot Andrewes, Dean of Westminster 1601-1605, was Director of the first Westminster Company responsible for translating part of the Old Testament. It is believed that the translators met in the Jerusalem Chamber; a room used by subsequent translators. A celebratory service was held at the Abbey in November 2011. "There is no doubt in my mind that the King James Bible not Shakespeare set this language on its path to become a universal language on a scale unprecedented before or since." - Melvyn Bragg "The King James Bible is a cornerstone of our culture and our language. Whatever our faith, whatever we believe, we have to recognise that the rhetorical power of this book, and in particular its power to fuse history with poetry, connects at the most fundamental level with our own history and poetry." - Andrew Motion, Poet Laureate 1999-2009 A hero who loved the King James Version of the Bible was Helen Keller. Helen Keller, the deaf, dumb, and blind scholar was struck by the verse in Leviticus 19:14, “Thou shalt not curse the deaf, nor put a stumbling block before the blind, but shalt fear thy God: I am the LORD." She spoke up for those that were deaf and dumb and became an international figure.
Matthew 21:18-19
Matthew 21:18-19 (18) Now in the morning, as He returned to the city, He was hungry. (19) And seeing a fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it but leaves, and said to it, 'Let no fruit grow on you ever again.' Immediately the fig tree withered away. Mark 11:12-14 (12) Now the next day, when they had come out from Bethany, He was hungry. (13) And seeing from afar a fig tree having leaves, He went to see if perhaps He would find something on it. When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. (14) In response Jesus said to it, 'Let no one eat fruit from you ever again.' And His disciples heard it.
CONFIRMATION
WHAT IS CONFIRMATION?
Most of us have gone through Confirmation class,where we learned parts of the doctrine from of the Apostles and at the close of that class received our Confirmation blessing. Confirmation is define as an Act of Blessing in which the Confirmands take upon themselves the obligations which their parents undertook on their behalf at their Baptism and Sealing. I guess most of us have known that definition.Let's now walk together into the details of this Confirmation Text.
Firstly,we shall deal with the TERMS in the Confirmation Text. There are words worth noting in the Confirmation Text that, unknowingly,many of us have treated so light,turning this Text into a mere Poem. Let us look at those words now. "Confirmation is that Act of Blessing,in which the Confirmand TAKE UPON THEMSELVES THE OBLIGATIONS which THEIR PARENTS UNDERTOOK ON THEIR BEHALF AT THEIR BAPTISM AND SEALING.FROM THEN ON,THEY ARE FULLY RESPONSIBLE TO GOD FOR EVERYTHING THEY DO." The Confirmation Text confirms to us that it really wasn't us but our parents/fosters/guardians that consented to our Baptism and Sealing.But the Apostles being not up to increasing numbers of their followers,allow all members whose baptism was out of the consent of their parents/fosters/guardians,to know that it really was so done but it is time they made a choice of their own,to follow the Apostles or any other church.At this point,lessons are taught to all those.Those that choose to remain with the Apostles do and they that choose to follow others also to just as they choose without fear or favor.All those that remain receive a blessing. I know i have aroused questions in your heart on baptism and so on but that can be dealt with in the next topic where we shall deal with Baptism. When you look at your Baptism and Sealing done on you when you were just a baby,it is something you never knew happened on you.But at Confirmation,you are made aware of these Sacraments and the path you are on.If therefore you choose to continue on this path,then you have consented to everything that has been done on you.You have knowingly accepted the Baptism and Sealing of your soul in Jesus Christ.You have accepted to be His follower.And to confirm that CONSENT,you undertake an OATH to God; I RENOUNCE SATAN and all his WORKS and WAYS,and SURRENDER MYSELF TO THEE,O TRIUNE God,Father,Son and Holy Spirit,in BELIEF,OBEDIENCE and the EARNEST RESOLUTION TO REMAIN FAITHFUL TO THEE UNTIL MY END,AMEN!!! It is after this Oath that the Minister bestows a blessing on you,which blessing now reveals you to the spiritual circles.It is at this point the Confirmation Text comes into effect;you immediately take UPON YOURSELF THE OBLIGATIONS UNDERTOOK ON YOUR BEHALF by your parents AT YOUR BAPTISM AND SEALING. You have just proved to God through an Oath that you will follow Him until your end.Now it is time to prove to the devil you have really decided for God.
I WILL PRAISE YOU IN THIS STORM
And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hind part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are you so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, what manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him? (Mark 4:37-41)
Each of us is dealing with, or has dealt with stormy weather in our lives. Our storms are different, but nevertheless tumultuous and painful. Some are dealing with financial storms, while others are dealing with storms of sickness, emotional storms, relationship storms, spiritual storms, and the list could go on and on. However, no matter what the storm is in your life, listen for the still small voice of God to say, Peace, be still. The storms do not always cease immediately, but know that God is in control. If He brought you to it, He will bring you through it. Praise your way through your storm. May the Lord bless you abundantly, today and every day!
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