the watcher

1Corinthians 9:26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. We must not get carried away, even when it seems all is working smoothly and everything is falling into place. There is a war against purposeful use. Especially for us the younger ones. The enemy and his devices are still active prepared to take our minds away from God's purpose and will. The Lord brings a sister or brother to our attention with a prophesy or message of salvation. But if we have allowed lust, we could confuse the purpose of the attraction and allow sensuality to take its course. The Lord opens our eye to an idea that will bring in wealth and prosper the church. If we have allowed love of money or greed, we begin to think of negative ways to get that money. The mind could immediately travel to the personal things we want to spend the money on to satisfy ego or to impress people or the world. A revelation or vision comes to us instead of taking it do

John 12:26  "If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor. When we talk of serving the Lord, the first thing that comes to mind is a role or duty in church. The choir, the church cleaner, the church pastor etc. Truely one begins service at home. There is no way you forget home, no matter how much work you do outside you still have to return home to your family and be of use. So every believer must have his or her role in church. Being a part of that family. So our home is "the church" we are sent out to the world to work and profit, "that there might be food in my house" Malachi 3:10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and prove Me now in this," says the LORD of hosts, "If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it. This was t

Genesis 37:9 Then he dreamed still another dream and told it to his brothers, and said, "Look, I have dreamed another dream. And this time, the sun, the moon, and the eleven stars bowed down to me." Genesis 42:6 Now Joseph was governor over the land; and it was he who sold to all the people of the land. And Joseph's brothers came and bowed down before him with their faces to the earth. There is nothing like being led by God. It always begins with a vision. The Lord shows us where He wants us to go and it is always overwhelming. Habakkuk 2:3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, it will not tarry. A lot of distractions and delays may come along, but surely God will do what He promised. No one can stop Him. The distance is always TIME! Joseph teaches us to: * remain disciplined * stay focused * keep working * be deligent * stay in pra

2Chronicles 20:6 and said: "O LORD God of our fathers, are You not God in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations, and in Your hand is there not power and might, so that no one is able to withstand You? One thing is certain, that in all that man has done and will do, the focus will be on the Alpha and the Omega. Be they believers, non-believers and even atheists it is all around the fact that it all begins with and ends with God. The reference point is always God, that He is , or He is not. That He wants it this way or He wants it that way. That there is only one way or that there are many ways. No matter the stand it all circles around God. For those who have not believed, they will eventually believe, but at what time they finally do, will thus determine if we should rejoice over them or cry for them. If it is on this earth, that is in their lifetime, then we can rejoice, but if it is after here then it is tragic. Daniel 4:17  'This dec

Psalms 30:4 Sing praise to the LORD, You saints of His, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name. Singing is an activity that gives an atmosphere of joy to any person. It most times denotes happiness, that the mind is merry. Every believer ought to practice singing in praise to God. In it we confess who He is and what He has done. One of the first entry of singing praises to God was that which Moses, Miriam and the whole of Isreal sang, when the Lord used Moses to give Isreal victory from the hand of Pharoah. Exodus 15:1 & 21 Then Moses and the children of Israel sang this song to the LORD, and spoke, saying: "I will sing to the LORD, for He has triumphed gloriously! The horse and its rider He has thrown into the sea!  And Miriam answered them: "Sing to the LORD, for He has triumphed gloriously! The horse and its rider He has thrown into the sea!" Songs abound everywhere, different languages, various lyrics and different styles. For the believ

Hebrews 12:1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, From my little experience it seems that everyone has had that thing which had stood as a stumbling block to our release to the full measure of glory in Christ. It could be a sin, a habit, a desire, a weakness or a certain kind of doubt. It is that thing which could hold us back when we are about to take that major step forward or obey that instruction that will elevate us to a higher glory. Most times it says "You are not worthy" then everything becomes still or even return to a "no-zeal" mode. Titus 2:14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. It is time we drop that thing. We cannot hold on to it any longer, no matter how long

1Corinthians 13:8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. God is the all knowing, that is why He is Yaweh the Ominiscience. Psalm 139 talked about God's knowledge of all things, yet one great thing about it, is that this knowledge of all, was imbedded in the nature and person of God, Love. A proverb says " no one cares how much you know, until they know how much you care". What is that knowledge we have that makes us feel we are superior to others, or make us feel that we can look down on others. No, that is not what we are given knowledge for. The advantage of knowing should be to make others better and to bring them closer to fulfil their purpose in life. When knowledge is not backed with love, it profits nothing. 1Corinthians 13:2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have a

Ephesians 5:21 submitting to one another in the fear of God. It is difficult to live the way God wants us to live if we carry the mentality of always being the beneficiary. Do we * always want to win the argument? * always want to be the one to receive but never giving? * always want the other person/people to sacrifice, while we put in nothing? * only think of ourself and never the other person? * pray for ourself alone, interceeding for no one else? * always see the other as wrong and we always right? The list could go on and on. When we want all things to favour us at all times, then, where is sacrifice? Where is the prove of our love for others, where is God's nature in us? Ephesians 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. 1John 4:11  Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. (talking of relationship among believers - the brethre

WATCH AND PRAY Colossians 4:2 Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; One of the signs of not being in the spirit is when our prayers begin to cease. It is an evidence of not having the continual consciousness of God. When the bible mentions prayer it always ask us to do something along side: Matthew 26:41  "Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." Ephesians 6:18  praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints-- Colossians 4:2  Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; 1Peter 4:7  But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. The bible said we should be watchful! A prayerful christian is also a watcher. We must watch to see what God is showing us, to know what time and season it is and to know

We have talked about the hypocritical nature of the Pharisees. The question is, where did they get it wrong? The law! without Faith Mark 10:17, 19 - 22 Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?"  "You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery,' 'Do not murder,' 'Do not steal,' 'Do not bear false witness,' 'Do not defraud,' 'Honor your father and your mother.' "  And he answered and said to Him, "Teacher, all these I have observed from my youth."  Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, "One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me."  But he was sad at this word, and went away grieved, for he had great possessions. Of course the law was good, but t

What we understood from scriptures about the Pharisees, was their need to be in control. It was not for God to be in control but for them to reign. They believed they knew the law and that they were the enforcers." Jesus said to them : Mat 23:15, 23, 24, 25 & 28  "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.  "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the other undone  "Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!  "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self- indulgence.  "Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, bu

LITTLE TROUBLE Hebrews 12:15  looking diligently lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; The origin of most conflicts could very well have been avoided. To get annoyed, to get hurt and to seek revenge, does not really take much effort to act on. It flows easily with its emotion. If we let our id free, we could even surprise ourself on how far we could go. We feel the exhaustion and regret after we have taken the action. Proverbs 15:18 A wrathful man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger allays contention. We may not be able to control what we encounter day after day. We cannot control what people would want to do. What we can control is our responses and the atmosphere around us. Our great examples in scriptures, were people who took care of themselves and their atmosphere, they did not allow what people around them did or what the world was saying, distract them from bei

CAN YOU SEE IT? Habakkuk 2:3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, it will not tarry. It may have been eazy when we first believed to visualize the promises. We reach out with zeal, loving God seeking to do exploits. That was when we first believed, just as Jesus said: John 3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." When we became born again we see God's kingdom, our spirit man is reborn we count the flesh as nothing. Then time passes by we are in the world, all its distractions, temptations, responsibilities, challenges and so on, begin to reveal themselves. The question then is: * Can we still see heaven? John 3:3 * Are we still zealous? John 2:17 * Are we continuing in those things? Acts 2:42 * Are we walking in love? 1John 4:7 or Has the cares

WE HAVE VICTORY 1Corinthians 15:57  But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. We cannot over-emphasize the role of the soul of man. The battle has always been for the soul of man. The soul of man although belonging to God was ours because God made us in His image we had the right of choice. Who really is in control? Remember how it all started! Just like we have the right to do anything we want to do in our birth country. Yet still when you offend you face judgement either to imprisonment, death or both and sometimes fine. The sin of the first man sentenced all from his loins to death. Romans 3:23  for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Romans 6:23  For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. God who loved us so much sent redemption to us by coming in human form, His body, Jesus the Christ to pay our fine and receive our sentence of death, then arose setting us f

WHAT CAN THE ENEMY TAKE FROM YOU 1John 5:21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen. 1Corinthians 10:14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry. There is always something you consciously or unconsciously hold on to and if you are not careful could be used as a bargaining power against you. Never let anything be the idol. What will you sacrifice for your soul. Mark 8:37  "Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? Find out what it is, then unidolize it, nothing is so important, remember there was a time you didn't have it. We have seen ladies who gave their precious body up to get a blackberry phone which they would not collect from anyone now, even for free. We have seen people sacrifice parts of themselves for wealth now it tastes as gravel in their mouth, while some are either dead or a living dead. In all, the bargain had never been worthwhile. The bible says: 1John 2:16 For all that is in the world--the lust of the fles

NOT HIGHLY THAN . . . Romans 12:3  For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. We are privileged to be called God's own. That is if we have accepted Him. What we received and became at conversion is so great we really cannot take it lightly. Yet we grow everyday from the point of taking spiritual milk till when we attain maturity, then we begin to eat spiritual meat. 1Peter 2:2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, Hebrews 5:13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe.  But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. So believers grow in the knowledge of God, having revelations and doing exploits. In all these, w

ARE YOU LIKE YOUR FATHER John 20:17 b Jesus said to her, . . . but go to My brethren and say to them, 'I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.' " Children emulate the doings and workings of their father. Jesus said John 5:19  Then Jesus answered and said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. Matthew 5:45  "that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. Galatians 4:6  And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!" If we are God's children our actions and lifestyle must show of whom we are * spend time in the Spirit, your Father is Spirit therefore worship Him in the Spirit. * spend time in the Word, He has spo

THE ATMOSPHERE 2 Psalms 95:6  Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker. After the fall of man we see that there was the tendency of man doing his own things. Also there was free access of satan and other spirit beings to manipulate the mind of man. We also observe that the flesh of man which was dead to God also longed for things which were not of God. Yet through all these times we saw some special people who still sought after God they wanted to know their creator and desired to seek His atmosphere. One remarkable man was Enoch who the bible said He sought so much of God that He became literally transferred from this atmosphere to the heavenly atmosphere. Genesis 5:24 And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him We could begin to list the great men and women who stood out from their generation to seek God and lived for Him. Some heard of Him and wanted to know more, some decided that they would dedicate their life

THE ATMOSPHERE 1 Genesis 3:8   And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. There are times when we wonder if God was really there, if He is in charge of the situation. I have been asked time and again if God knows everything, and if He does, why does he allow somethings to happen? The answer to this question is answered if we understand who man really is, do we know who God really created. Genesis 1:26-28   And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.   So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.   And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruit

AS VICTORIOUS ONES 1John 5:19 We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one. Who we are as Christians is defined in Christ Jesus. The world we should know, is swayed by the wicked one. From politics, government, the economy and all that makes the world a society. If a God fearing leader tries to enforce morality, must times he meets with resistance. The degree differing from one country to another and also from one generation to the other. Yet in all these unbalanced situations, we are to shine as lights, bright enough to penetrate the darkness around us. We are not trying to save the world, NO!. However we are to save the soul of man, because we know that the world and its system will be destroyed. The soul of man however will live on, either with God in eternal rest or in torment. Luke 9:25  "For what advantage is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost? 2Peter 3:10  But the day of the Lor

TRUST IN THE LORD Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; Truely these are times when it doesn't look in vogue to be godly. One can merely talk about God but to live the life is something else. Ofcourse we know talk is cheap (there are exceptions though). So we have some of us who  identify ourselves as Christians but our likeness to Christ remains a mirage,  of this category the word of God says 2Timothy 2:19  Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. Yet still the prove of our trust in God is not when all seems to be well but when we face challenges, difficulties or seem not to have what we need. Our trust is shown in our patience, ability to listen (knowledge), then making the right choice, then our ability to show love to others even when it seems we have not received what we d

IN GOD'S HANDS 1Peter 5:7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. As we begin another week it is apt that we remind ourselves that it is God's grace that keeps us going on, as we go on with our work this week,  we believe God's caring hand, as a loving Father that He is, is there to carry us on. Halleluyah.  He promised and His promise will not fail, for those who put their trust in Him are never disappointed. Psalm 18:30 As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the LORD is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him. Two instructions are very important looking at our main text for this morning: * humility 1Peter 5:6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, * Be sober, be watchful 1Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Most times we get carried away with pride, carelessness or get drunk with

FELLOWSHIP IN LOVE Philippians 2:1 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, Yes it becomes difficult to live in love when carried away with the activities of this world. If you allow your mind to dwell too much on the not too interesting events of the past days. We should be conscious of God's love! We cannot boast of being 100% conscious. The Holy Spirit comes into play, He is our helper. He brings to rememberance those things Jesus taught us. John 14:26 "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. The word of God gives us the consciousness of God's will at all times. If Love is of God, then we always have to be in His presence to showcase this character. We are reminded that God's presence with us is His Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:22a But th

YOU HAVE THE SPIRIT When we were saved, God anointed us with His Holy Spirit and empowered us. Acts 10:38  "how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. 1John 2:27  But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him. The reason for the anointing is to serve, to do good. God directs us to make good impact. Every believer receives the measure of the Spirit to be relevant to the body of Christ and to reach out to the world. 2Corinthians 5:20a  Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: In essence, we are anointed so that wherever we are it is right to say God is there! Genesis 41:38  And Pharaoh said to hi

LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION Matthew 6:13  "And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. for Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Most time we could get carried away with satan or the devil the question is what role does he play? How exactly do we fall into temptation. James explained this to us: James 1:14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. That is what Jesus prayed about, He knew that as long as we are in this world temptations abound and since we have the power of choice, there is a probability to choose wrong. So Jesus then prayed for us that God would not allow us fall into temptation. John 17:15  "I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one God will speak through His Spirit and angels, yet the final decision is ours, remember He made us in His image, we have the power to choose. Look at these ver

CONSIDER OTHERS Galatians 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." We live in a world where people's  disposition keep changing from time to time,  influenced by either internal or external forces. *That I am happy, doesn't mean every one is happy. *That I am strong and healthy, doesn't mean every one else is *That I have enough to feed and meet my needs, doesn't mean that others have * That I am born again and living for Christ, knowing my eternity is secured, doesn't mean that others are too. Let us take time out to reflect. Considering that it is not only about us here on earth. We live among many. How do my living affect others, do I care, do I acknowledge others when taking some decisions or am I care free. James 2:8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you do well; Galatians 5:15 But

I AM HOLY 2Timothy 3:5   Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. (ERV)   They will go on pretending to be devoted to God, but they will refuse to let that "devotion" change the way they live. Stay away from these people! (GNB)   they will hold to the outward form of our religion, but reject its real power. Keep away from such people. I have experienced some who claim to have holiness or be holy but they actually think of the law. Now that is where they get it wrong. The law isn’t to help you to be holy but to let you know that you need to be helped to be holy, because this is what holiness entails.   The law isn’t evil just like the criminal code being used in a court of law, it doesn’t help you stay away from evil but let you know what is evil and the punishment for it. We as believers according to Jesus live in a realm higher than the law. That is, we don’t disobey the law but we live higher than the restriction

LIVING BY THE SPIRIT – THE FIRST VISION https://ikthewatcher.blogspot.com.ng/ 1Peter 5:6-9 Humble yourselves, then, under God's mighty hand, so that he will lift you up in his own good time. Leave all your worries with him, because he cares for you. Be alert, be on watch! Your enemy, the Devil, roams around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Be firm in your faith and resist him, because you know that other believers in all the world are going through the same kind of sufferings. The openness of the heart of man is what the Lord needs to dwell with or use him. Everyone has that prompting at the beginning of things to do great, to please God, to live a life of full commitment to God. Then the temptations, tests and other distractions set in, focus is lost. Other things   take over. What made people like, Joseph and Daniel stand out! They held on to the FIRST VISION! They had faith! Hebrews 11:33   who through faith subdued kin