the watcher

1 Corinthians 3:21 Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours; One of the stumbling blocks of salvation and fulfilment of purpose is the very channel by which we receive the gospel. "man". A singer wrote: "Christ is the only way to the Father but we are not the only way to Christ". Some have made themselves the doorway to heaven, taking the place of God and even the place of judgment, which is reserved for Christ alone. John 5:22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: Jesus told the lawyers of His day, the teachers of religious laws: Luke 11:52  Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered. Luke 11:52 “What sorrow awaits you experts in religious law! For you remove the key to knowledge from the people. You don’t enter the Kingdom yourselves, and you prevent others from entering.” We were never to b

Psalm 23:5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. We cannot but face challenges while we continue our journey here on earth. Those who came before us went through same, no one is excluded. 1 Corinthians 3:13  Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. Christ said that if he was tried, we as His disciples should expect same too. We need to go through them that we may also be able to comfort others. 2 Corinthians 1:4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. Peter counselled that trials should not look strange to us 1 Peter 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happe

1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. When God was preparing Joseph for leadership in Egypt, the enemies knew nothing about it. What could they see?: * the dreamer had been thrown into a pit, yes the wild animals will eat him up * the dreamer has been sold into slavery, to a people who did not value human life, he will work to death in the hands of his slave masters * the dreamer has been thrown into prison in a foreign land with no hope of contacting his people, yes no hope for him. This is how the enemies see when the plot and plan for the believers downfall. However what was Joseph's testimony: Genesis 50:20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; [but] God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as [it is] this day, to save much people alive. He ruled in that same strange land, even his master could not get food without h

And Christ declared Himself thus: Revelation 22:13  I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. If any sect or group of people could be so sure, so convinced or even so fanatic. It should be those who have returned to God through His Son, the Messiah, Yeshua, Jesus the Christ. For none can boldly claim: John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. The truth so certain, so sure, non contended: John 3:13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, [even] the Son of man which is in heaven. John 3:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. John 3:35 The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. John 3:36  He tha

 1 Corinthians 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. Our salvation was by God's own plan, not ours. Man's problem began when the enemy convinced him(her) that he could live without God. That by his effort he could sustain himself. Genesis 3:5&6 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. And when the woman saw that the tree [was] good for food, and that it [was] pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make [one] wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. The salvation of God is not man reaching out to God, but God reaching out to man. So it is not "Lord, will you accept man?", but "Man, will you accept God?" John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever bel

Psalm 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. When we gather with the brethren, we gather to worship God, to edify one another and to pray. The heart that comes matters, for one obstacle to the Heavenly Father's release on our gathering is lack of oneness. John 17:21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, [art] in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. How do a new member join in, if there is division, if we forget the central focus:, the Messiah - Jesus the Christ. Acts 2:46  And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, "singleness of heart" This is why intercession must be made for all leaders, for if they don't get it right the church derails. And you, are you in unity or working f

Psalm 67:1 God be merciful unto us, and bless us; [and] cause his face to shine upon us; This prayer is fulfilled in us who have believed, for Jeremiah prophesied: Lamentations 3:22&23 [It is of] the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. [They are] new every morning: great [is] thy faithfulness. When the Messiah talked about no one ever seeing the Father He meant what He said: for the people who were the people of God at that time, "the Jews", seemed to have no idea who He was. John 1:18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared [him]. The disciples who of course at that particular time, were yet to be christians, had no clue of the nature of God, thus they did not know how God's Spirit operates. Luke 9:54-56 And when his disciples James and John saw [this], they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume

1John 2:17  And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. Philippians 2:5  Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, With what scale do we measure? * the world * our flesh * man * or the Heavenly Father We should understand that the battle has always been for "our soul" that is the real us. To get our soul the enemy attacks our mind. This is why Paul prayed and then instructed: Philippians 4:7&8 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things. All becomes struggle and chasing after wind when our measuring scale is the flesh. Let us say

Romans 12:3  For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think [of himself] more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. One of the biggest fails people who have come to God have experienced is as a result of pride. The glory they receive from men. "Ah what will they say, how will they look at me now, oh this will belittle me" etc. However anyone who walks with God must put down personal prestige and allow the Heavenly Father Himself to display them. John 2:24&25  But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all [men], And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man. For the very lips that said Hosanna: John 12:13 Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed [is] the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord. were still the ones who cried out crucify h

John 16:28 I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father. There is still remains the argument of some about the divine nature of Christ. Most Jewish scribes and teachers at that time spent most of their time trying to fault Him. The tried all they could to disabuse His divinity. It enraged them, spurred their envy and eventually led to hate. John 11:47-48  Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles.  If we let him thus alone, all [men] will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation. The desire of man then and even now has been about power to remain relevant, however what Christ commanded was to leave all and follow: Luke 9:23 And he said to [them] all, If any [man] will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. The great desire for self righteousness, a desire to p

John 14:16-20 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you. No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you. Soon the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Since I live, you also will live. When I am raised to life again, you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. The Holy Spirit is not a man or a prophet to be revealed. He is God’s power, a Spirit that is omnipresence that was how the Messiah, Jesus the Christ described Him and that was how He was revealed. Let no man believe the lies of some sects trying so hard to give their religion a form of legibility. Let us look at what Christ said: John 16:5,7,13-15 “But now I am going away to the one who sent me, and not one

Exodus 14:15 And the LORD said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward: As we continue our journey through this world, time and again we face challenges that slow us down. Situations do arise that make us suddenly pause and sometimes it could seem so overwhelming that we feel all would come to an end. For the believer we should understand that we are not on our own, the Lord is with us. Psalm 46:1-3 God [is] our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;  [Though] the waters thereof roar [and] be troubled, [though] the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. The children of Israel faced the red sea, God said move forward! Why? BECAUSE HE IS GOD! We are limited by time, He is limited by nothing: Isaiah 45:22 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I [a

Philippians 2:2  Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, [being] of one accord, of one mind. Like mindedness is one thing missing in most church gatherings. We as a church were made to be in one accord, having one mind, one purpose of one Father, of one Spirit. That was how the church was created: Act 1:14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren. Act 4:32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any [of them] that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. Has this been the case? We live in times where brethren can not fully trust one another, where pastors and leaders have to cajole to get members to give. Where everyone seems to have his or her own mind separate from the purpose of the kingdom. Many carry experiences of how they have trusted and have been betrayed. Th

John 1:5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. The Father revealed His Son, His Word the fullness of the Godhead.   He should be the one to have my attention and not the enemy. Ephesians 1:17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, Matthew 3:17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. John 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. The enemy had no idea what the purpose of Christ was, though the demons knew His glory they had no idea what God's agenda was. Yes he does not know everything. Mark 3:11 And unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God. 1Corinthians 2:8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known [it],

Psalm 48:1 Great [is] the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, [in] the mountain of his holiness. We cannot cease to sing praises and gives thanks to our Heavenly Father. Psalm 95:3&6 For the LORD [is] a great God, and a great King above all gods. O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker. One could feel comfortable worrying over what seems to be, what is not and what is uncertain. However it is wisdom to remember who our God is, the splendour of His majesty and glory of His power. All the earth must honour and fear Him for even he who we call the evil one, fears him and is careful not to cross His path or feel the surge of His power. Psalm 104:1, 96:9 Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty. O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth. We should use our mouth to worship, yes our heart should continually think on His wo

Psalm 8:1 O LORD, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth, You who set Your glory above the heavens! He had all things glorious yet He sought a place beneath Him which He made alive and habitable and formed a creation in His nature to cater for it, an extension of His heaven. Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. He made man become a living being with the power to choose, then gave him dominion and made him know all things, even that which will keep him alive forever and that which could bring him death. Yet even when man took the wrong step and had to be sent out of his comfort zone, you never ceased to care for man, you still sought that man would be redeemed. Ezekiel 18:23  "Do I have any pleasure at all that the wicked should die?" says the Lord God, "and not that he should turn from his ways and live? He sacrificed His joy, His very pleasure, His Son, that man would be redeemed. John 1:1,14 In the beginni

Ephesians 5:15-17 So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Distractions, they are those things that takes a person's mind away from the original goal, the main purpose and keeps them stagnant at a point, regressing or pushes them towards a different direction. Hebrews 12:13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed. One thing we must never forget is that the Lord did not tell us that the way will be broad and easy to journey, no, He actually said the contrary: Luke 13:24 “Work hard to enter the narrow door to God’s Kingdom, for many will try to enter but will fail. Mark 4:18-19 The seed that fell among the thorns represents others who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life, the lure of weal

1Thessalonians 5:23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Proverbs 20:17 Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man, but afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel. Some gatherings of believers have been accused of not preaching against sin. They say that these ones have not been shouting about hell, oh hell, how hot it is, the pain, the despair and the anguish. My answer most times is, "One should know more about His home, and where He is headed". And for sure that is what Christ the Messiah talked about. However let us talk about sin. Sin is every act of lawlessness. 1John 3:4  Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. This is what God told Cain: Genesis 4:7 You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control

Psalms 106:1 Praise the LORD! Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. As an episcopal, one of my best hymn was one written by Matthias Claudius in 1782 and given melody by Johann A. P. Schulz in 1800. The first verse and chorus goes thus: We plough the fields, and scatter the good seed on the land; But it is fed and watered by God's almighty hand: He sends the snow in winter, the warmth to swell the grain, The breezes and the sunshine, and soft refreshing rain.  All good gifts around us Are sent from heaven above, Then thank the Lord, O thank the Lord For all His love. It is truly the Lord that causes man to prosper. Ofcourse we know that the enemy controls the world system and many have fallen under his deceit, however we never forget that: Psalm 24:1 The earth is the Lord's, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein. It was man who actually submitted himself to the enemy's dominion when he acted in

Psalms 42:2 I thirst for God, the living God. When can I go and stand before him? One of the greatest desire of a child is to always be with the parents, however when that child gets to a certain age of demi- adulthood, that feeling of self sufficiency sets in, some even rebel especially if they have been closely guarded from fully expressing themselves. One other reason for the drawing away from parental guidance is the desire to explore. Peer pressure, virtual contacts and even fictions from books, media and hearsay. The same way man full of enthusiasm at the new birth could  begin to withdraw from the first love when other things present itself. "We are not taken away the moment we are saved for we must live the life we are called to, the live of a believer" We must remember that: 1 Corinthians 8:6 yet for us there is only one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we l

Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! This may be difficult when you are too conscious of people's attitude or response. When you look at the problems around, targets unmet, family responsibilities, spiritual inadequacies, disappointments and that which you hoped will be but is yet to happen Take time out and remember 1. You are alive 2. You can eat and drink 3. You have strength enough to worry 4. God still loves you So my friend smile, because it is WELL. You are better than many, you will yet look at your worries and wonder why you even bothered to worry. Rejoice, give God praise. SMILE MY FRIEND, SMILE. Laugh for you have victory. (Remember that in your time of rejoicing, you should be a comfort to one who is down.) Philippians 4:4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Rejoice. For you are blessed. Love @the watcher

Job 21:34 How then can you comfort me with empty words, since falsehood remains in your answers?" Many have allowed themselves get choked just to please people. The heap a lot of people around themselves feeling that the crowd will bring them comfort, a sense of security or power. In the long run they could choke their breath. (Yet we can do without one another) Breathe! Relationship becomes toxic when a party refuses to give breathing space to the other. This leads to choking. We must remember that everyone is dynamic in themselves and do have their own expression. Why should one hold another in bondage? 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. We must know what type of love we feel or offer, if the other is choked or has no expression. Glory to God the love He has for us is not to choke us instead to bring us into

Jeremiah 31:34  "No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, 'Know the LORD,' for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them," says the LORD. "For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more." Hebrews 10:17  then He adds, "Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more." What records do you keep? For it could be good or bad. Well our Heavenly Father keeps record and we do too. We cannot over emphasize the sacrifice of Christ paid to give us a clean record. I teach and say that after the salvation message, what else is left to be taught? The answer is "The Father" we go further to learn of Him that we may be more like Him, day after day. Ephesians 1:17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, Colossians 1:10 that you may have a wal

Ester 6:1 That night the king could not sleep. So one was commanded to bring the book of the records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king. This an example of a good record. We could not be sentimental about it, there are good and bad records. For even with the Heavenly Father both records exists. People will begin to live in wisdom when they understand that they will give account. From our text from the book of Esther the book that recorded Mordecai's good deeds had the record of two of the king's eunuchs, Bigthan and Teresh, ( his  doorkeepers') the had a record of evil deeds. What records do we have with the heavenly? Israel had a bad record thus they were prevented from building the wall in the time of Ezra. Ezra 4:1&15  Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the descendants of the captivity were building the temple of the LORD God of Israel, that search may be made in the book of the records of your fathers. And you w

Proverbs 3:5 (BBE) Put all your hope in God, not looking to your reason for support. When the storms come rushing, know that He is there for you, don't give up, the victory isn't far. That storm will be a story for you tomorrow. Know that there are two things: it either works out how you want, or how you don't want it, but in all . . . we are more than conquerors. Luke 12:22 And he said to his disciples, For this reason I say to you, Take no thought for your life, about what food you will take, or for your body, how it may be clothed. Life and its irony. You search for it so much and get frustrated when it doesn't come. Then it comes! You wonder why you troubled yourself so much for it. Most times when you search too hard for it you don't get it. It may always have been there! Mark 11:24 For this reason I say to you, Whatever you make a request for in prayer, have faith that it has been given to you, and you will have it. Don't let the pre

We should be reminded that we live in a world that could be so noisy.  A lot of sounds coming in from every corner. The noise could even be from within us: 1Samuel 15:16 Then Samuel said to Saul, "Be quiet! And I will tell you what the LORD said to me last night." And he said to him, "Speak on." For us to live in faith we should hear the voice of the Lord above all the noise. Psalms 62:11 God has spoken once, Twice I have heard this: That power belongs to God. Jesus said His own will hear Him and thus they would follow Him, they would not follow another. John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: So many things seek our attention they could seem to be * very important * not that important * a mere distraction However we must let God's Spirit direct us. As we go about our duties and roles,  it is important to listen to the Father and He speaks to us through His Holy Spirit. No wonder the character of the Holy

Psalms 72:18  Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, Who only does wondrous things! We need favours again and again, no one can be by him or her self. We will always need the help and support of one another. Some may take advantage of it, while others will lend the helping hand asking nothing in return understanding that they also would have needs. 1John 3:17 But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? However there are things that others cannot do for us, things that only God Himself can intervene to bring it to pass or to save us from. In those kind of situations, we don't have to worry anymore, yes, the  inconveniences of man's short falls have no play here. The Father asks nothing in return He gives and do not hold back. He is God.  Acts 17:25  "Nor is He worshiped with men's hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, a

Psalm 113:4 The LORD is high above all nations, And His glory above the heavens. This morning let us turn our focus to all the Lord has done for us. There is a need to reflect on all our days to see His mighty hand delivering us again and again. Psalm 77:11 I will remember the works of the LORD; Surely I will remember Your wonders of old. The people of Israel had the bad attitude of forgetting God's deliverance and blessings to focus on an immediate challenge or threat. We cannot err like they did. When you think of it as a human, you get irritated by people who do not know how to appreciate but are complainers. Isaiah 51:13 And you forget the LORD your Maker, Who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth; you have feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor, when he has prepared to destroy. And where is the fury of the oppressor? What is that challenge, situation or difficulty? They are not strong enough to face your God.

John 13:37 Peter said to Him, "Lord, why can I not follow You now? I will lay down my life for Your sake." Especially at the instance of the new birth, many are enthusiastic, filled with so much zeal and willingness to serve, however through a period of time that zeal is not that strong any more. Few are found who are still vibrant, wholly committed and ready to lay down their life. What happened? They faced the reality, the temptations and the test in our present world. * How many can truly leave father, mother, children, friends, family and follow? * How many can do without self esteem and prestige? * How many can say NO to mammon? * How many have truly killed the flesh and all its lust? * How many have studied to show themselves approved, that they would not be easily turned left or right. * How many are humble enough to correct their errors and make amends even if they have erred in their earlier teachings and lifestyle? * How many can submit totally

2 Thessalonians 2:10 He will use every kind of evil deception to fool those on their way to destruction, because they refuse to love and accept the truth that would save them. Matthew 18:14  "Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish. This has been a great stumbling block to most people. They wonder and feel that God selects who He saves and abandon others to perish. However this is not true. We must understand the man God created: Genesis 1:26-27 Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.” So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. This is a being made in God's type! We have the power of CHOICE. Joshua 24:15 "And if it seems evil to

Matthew 27:51 And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, One significance of Christ's death is the torn veil. The cover to the holiest of all (Hebrews 9:7-15) was removed for the price of the blood had been paid once and for all. The liberty that allows us come boldly to the throne of grace to obtain grace. For Christ had paid the full price. Hebrews 9:12  Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. Many still desire to return to the veil, the desire to remain in bondage, yes, for the way they live their lives and the attitude they possess shows that they do not want to be accountable, they say, "oh let us not go through the veil that we may not die". Matthew 16:25 "For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. We account