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How God’s Love Changes Us Part 4

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GOD’S LOVE LEADS US TO CONTENTMENT God is completely satisfied in Himself. He’s all-sufficient and self-satisfied, not depending on us or our deeds or any external thing to feel fulfilled and satisfied. Hallelujah, what a glorious God! But it’s God’s love that truly satisfies us. You’ve probably noticed that nothing else really does. I’ve seen wealthy people depressed and successful folks taking their own lives. Clearly, something more than wealth, health, or success is needed. It’s God’s love that leads us to contentment. Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. Psalm 90:14 When our hearts are filled with the beauty of God’s love, we find true satisfaction. The cravings of the world fade away. God’s love brings fulfillment and contentment. To enjoy a life of true joy and peace, we need to surround ourselves with the ambiance of God’s love. This creates a sense of contentment within us. Contentment is about accepting what God sends our way because we know He is good, loves us deeply, and wants to give us good gifts. Here’s a quote from Charles Spurgeon: You say, ‘If I had a little more, I should be very satisfied.’ You make a mistake. If you are not content with what you have, you would not be satisfied if it were doubled. This quote highlights that we shouldn’t seek satisfaction in things. We need to recognize that our real issue isn’t stuff; it’s putting too much confidence in the satisfaction that stuff might bring. Stuff is fine when it’s in its proper place, but when we elevate its pleasure-providing potential, we deceive ourselves and lose sight of where true satisfaction is found. It’s the Love of God in Christ Jesus that brings true satisfaction and helps us live a life of contentment. Take your mind’s eyes off what you have and don’t have. Jesus warned that our lives are far beyond that. And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. Luke 12:15 (KJV) He then tells a parable concluding with the warning that we must be rich towards God. This wealth is love  – the Love of the Father towards us and our response by expressing love to others. That’s the true wealth that grounds us in contentment. Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. Hebrews 13:5 (KJV) Knowing His ever-abiding love is a cause for Christ-like contentment.

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How God’s Love Changes Us Part 3

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GOD’S LOVE HELPS US TRUST When my son was about 3 years old he was on the bed jumping and having fun, as I entered into the room he suddenly leaped into the air expecting me to catch him. I was so scared. What if I hadn’t noticed him? What if I had failed to catch him? The little lad gave no thought to those possibilities.  In his mind, I was Daddy and Daddy can’t fail to catch me. I still keep thanking God that I had caught him. That was trust! He believed that I loved him so well I couldn’t let him fall. And indeed, he was right. I threw away whatever it was I was holding and caught my bundle of joy right in the air. Similarly, a vivid picture of God’s love helps us to trust Him more. As we meditate on the Father’s unfailing love, our faith grows and our trust glows. We can leap into the air and be sure He will catch us. We can be confident that He is never weary and He will not let us fall. But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.Psalm 13:5 (ESV) Job was so certain of the love of God that in the midst of his crisis he declared his unflinching trust in Him. Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him. Job 13:15  Like Abraham, David and Daniel, we must develop a strong confidence in the love of God. He loves me so much, He wouldn’t let me fall. Even if I do fall, His arms are strong enough to catch me. Meditate on His love, trust becomes easy.

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How God’s Love Changes Us Part 2

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GOD’S LOVES GIVES US STRENGTH AGAINST SATAN’S ATTACKS Daily we are faced with satanic attacks and challenges in our health, mind and circumstances. It is God’s love that guarantees our victory over his schemes and devices. My God in His mercy and steadfast love will meet me; God will let me look [triumphantly] on my enemies (those who lie in wait for me). Unto You, O my Strength, I will sing praises; for God is my Defense, my Fortress, and High Tower, the God Who shows me mercy and steadfast love. Psalms 59:10,17 (Amp) When God meets you with His love, you are sure of victory over the schemes, wiles and wicked devices of the evil one. Rather than focusing on the challenges and predicaments put all your energy to meditate on the love of God that is in Christ. No power of hell or scheme of men can overwhelm that. Never go into warfare with the consciousness of your human weaponry. Rather fill your mind with the awesome blessings you have received because of God’s love. John 3:16 does not only promise eternal life to all who believe in the son but also an all-round victory. For God so loved us. Hallelujah! For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life. John 3:16 (Amp) We are more than conquerors because of His extravagant love for us. Yet amid all these things we are more than conquerors and gain a surpassing victory through Him Who loved us. Romans 8:37 (Amp)

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How God’s Love Changes Us Part 1

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GOD’S LOVE BANISHES FEAR One of the most difficult things to quit is phobia (fear). The Bible tells us that God is not the source of the fear we feel. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV) So, if God has NOT given us the spirit of fear, why then do we steal it? Why do we choose what the Father didn’t bequest to us? How do we walk out on fear? There is no fear in love [dread does not exist], but full-grown (complete, perfect) love turns fear out of doors and expels every trace of terror! For fear brings with it the thought of punishment, and [so] he who is afraid has not reached the full maturity of love [is not yet grown into love’s complete perfection]. 1 John 4:18 (Amp) When we reach the true maturity in appreciation of God’s love, we are no longer afraid of what men or evil forces could do to us. As we bask in God’s awesome and eternal love, we are made bold from within to come to th Father with access through Jesus the Son. The Love of God frees us from the terror of trying to please people and the worry, anxiety and expectation of evil. In Revelation 21:8, the fearful are classed alongside harlots, idolaters, the unbelieving and murderers. We must banish all forms of fear from our hearts to avoid the calamity awaiting that list – the lake of fire. To defeat fear, we must believe, meditate on and rejoice in the extravagant love of God. Take a moment today to celebrate the Love of God for you. It will change you from the inside out. Say it often, write it on your wall and keep it in your heart. God loves me. Shalom! ______________________________________________ These series on How God’s Love Changes Us has a foundation on the blog posts of Sharla Fritz (used with permission). For counseling and prayers, kindly reach out via calls, sms, WhatsApp and Telegram David Sanda +2347034529339.

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EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE 1

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WHY TALK ABOUT EMOTIONS Banish emotional stress from your mind and put away pain from your body; for youth and the prime of life are fleeting. Ecclesiastes 11:10 (NET) I know a lot of Bible teachers have opined that man is a Spirit, he has a Soul and lives in a Body, however, I beg to differ in thought. This is because a close scrutiny of scriptures projects a little different concept. I believe that the real (primary) part of man that will face the judgement or justification of God is our soul. The soul often synonymous with mind, heart and self, is the embodiment of our thoughts, intellect, will, feelings, and emotions. The soul is the seat of our personality. That’s the real person. When God made man in Genesis the second chapter, God formed man from the dust of the ground, breath His Spirit into man and man became a living soul. God made us living souls with decision-making capacity and feelings. And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. Genesis 2:7 (KJV) The Bible warns that the soul that sins is what dies. Ezekiel 18:4 & 20. It is the soul that sins, not the body or spirit. The Spirit is pure and is regenerated at the new birth in Christ. The body will someday be destroyed in death and be replaced with an immortal one. The actions of the soul determines how we end. Beloved, I am not trying to stir a theological debate. I only want to emphasize the need to give attention to the soul which is propelled by our emotions. Evangelism is called soul winning. It is an effort to stir people’s emotions in the direction of God and His righteousness. The major constituent of our soul is our emotions. That is what aids in our decision making, qualitative reasoning and feelings. Emotion is defined as a strong feeling deriving from one’s circumstances, mood, or relationships with others. Emotions can be instinctive or intuitive feelings as distinguished from reasoning or knowledge. If our soul is so important to us and one of its major contents is our emotions then a course in emotional intelligence is highly essential and commendable. The high rates of divorces, suicides and homicides are all proof that the Church and society at large need to give emotional intelligence a lot of attention. Banish emotional stress from your mind else it can poison your soul and lead you astray. Why do you let your emotions take over, lashing out and spitting fire, Job 15:12 (Msg) A sound mind makes for a robust body, but runaway emotions corrode the bones. Proverbs 14:30 (Msg) Our desire in these series on emotional intelligence is by God’s grace and through His word, to gain mastery over our emotions. Shalom! And God bless you as you come along.

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KNOW THYSELF 10 – You are the Salt of the earth

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Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Matthew 5:13 (KJV) Jesus calls us the salt of the earth. Wow. Awesome! We add taste, flavour, healing and preservation to the earth. In His sermon on the mount, Jesus called us salt meaning that the common people he was addressing – fishermen, shepherds, laborers (men like you and I) – were worthy and virtuous. He was alluding, not to the tang of salt, but to its value. Mama’s cooking will never taste like it used to without that pinch of pure, unadulterated salt. Just the little salt changes everything. Just like the light that we are can become darkness as we saw in some teachings ago, as the salt we could also lose our saltiness therefore we must treasure who we are and be on guard against toxins and impurities. Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another. Mark 9:50 (KJV) Have salt in yourselves! How I love that. In other words, we are not just salt, we must be so saturated that it oozes out into our world. Salt is used in the Holy Scriptures in diverse ways and is symbolic of permanence, loyalty, durability, fidelity, usefulness, value, and purification. Like all sacrifices in the Mosaic law, we must offer ourselves salted on the altar of sacrifice to the Lord. I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. Romans 12:1 (KJV) When we are salted, our sanctification glorifies God. Our speech when salted brings life and healing to our hearts. Let your speech at all times be gracious (pleasant and winsome), seasoned [as it were] with salt, [so that you may never be at a loss] to know how you ought to answer anyone [who puts a question to you]. Colossians 4:6 (Amp) As followers of Christ, we must ensure that our lives, speech and action reflect the salt that we are and not just be blessed but be a huge blessing. In 2 Kings 2, the Prophet Elisha was told of a water which was poisonous and unfit for human consumption and even farming. He took a new bowl with salt in it and prophetically healed the water and the land. Oh, the great power of salt! Beloved, you are salt – that’s who you are. Jesus commanded that we should all go in His name; heal the sick, cleanse the lepers and even raise the dead. Why? Because He had made us the salt of the earth. Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned? Luke 14:34 (KJV) Don’t let people’s attitude, actions or inactions change who you are. You are a preserver, healer and flavour of the earth. Jesus is Lord!

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KNOW THYSELF 9 – But Who Are You?

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Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. Acts 19:13-17 (KJV) The above story was quite an embarrassing moment for the family. Handkerchiefs from the Apostle Paul had just been used to heal the sick and oppressed in verses 11 and 12 and amongst the many which the scriptures called “vagabond news” attempting to cast out demons in the name of a third party Jesus. It’s so shameful to me that in a family seven young men will rise into spiritual battles they had no authority or audacity for. Kindly note that they had great credentials but no essentials. They were Jews (vagabond, yes, but Jews all the same. They were seven in number symbolic of the perfect number. They were sons ofthe Chief Priest They knew of Paul’s processes They used the name of Jesus. All these credentials were not the essentials. They knew Jesus through a third-person’s revelation. To garner spiritual strength and stamina to defeat demonic forces, we must know God for ourselves. Unfortunately, the Church is daily getting filled with folks who are excellent in quoting their pastors and bishops but have little or no depth in God themselves. A bunch of big fat babies. Lord have mercy! It has become imperative that we grasp a personal knowledge of who we are in Christ Jesus so we can always overcome at the battle gates. These boys had no answer to the question posed by the demon spirit; “but who are you?”, so they got beaten, chased out and naked. I am always feeling sick of saints who give little attention to the word of God and just love to chase prophecies and miracles. Check out our congregations today. A prayer meeting or miracle service will be packed full but Bible Study often have scanty attendance. Friends, you are what you know of yourself. It is through the insight of God’s Word that we understand Christ and thereby understand ourselves. That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; Philippians 3:10 (KJV) That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: Ephesians 1:17 (KJV) And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: Colossians 3:10 (KJV) Don’t repeat Paul’s words without his revelation. Don’t use Christ’s name without abiding in Him. Know Him for yourself. The Lord is my Shepherd, like the Psalmist said (not our shepherd). Pursue hard after God’s Word and know who you are in Christ so you could accurately respond when satan comes asking, “but who are you?” Shalom!

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KNOW THYSELF 8 – You are the Light

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You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Matthew 5:14 (KJV) The Message Version puts it more intricately, “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Matthew 5:14-15 (Msg) Jesus said strongly, “we are the light”. Not a little light by the corner. Not a satellite reflecting the light. No, He said we are the light of the world. In other words, without us, there will be no light. Wow! Without light, colors cannot be distinguished, warmth cannot be attained and darkness will thrive. I have asserted several times that there is no darkness anywhere; indeed, only an absence of light. As soon as the switch is put on and the light let to shine, all the darkness that causes fright and terror just disappears. Darkness only has an effect in the absence of light. So as long as we take our place as The Light spiritually all evil and darkness become dispelled. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. John 1:4-5 (KJV) This life that Jesus imparts in and over us is the light of men. The message version says it is the light to live by. What came into existence was Life, and the Life was Light to live by. John 1:4 (Msg) You are the light beloved. You owe humanity this one thing – to rise and shine, to promote righteousness, to dispel every form of evil, and bring God glory. How can a believer in Christ be engaged in scheming and cheating others? How can a follower of Christ be engaged in witchcraft? How can the light now be dancing with darkness? Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 2 Corinthians 6:14 (KJV) Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness. Luke 11:35 (KJV) What? How can light become darkness? This happens only when the light refuses to shine. The instruction in Isaiah’s prophecy commands that we rise and shine. Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. Isaiah 60:1 (KJV) Your light has come! The glory of the Lord has risen upon you. Rise like an edifice and shine. ARISE [from the depression and prostration in which circumstances have kept you–rise to a new life]! Shine (be radiant with the glory of the Lord), for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you! Isaiah 60:1 (Amp) Refuse the depressions. Reject the prostration! Arise and shine. As in the image above, the lion and the lamb shine as lights. Just as Jesus (the Lion) shines, the Church (the Lamb) can shine with similar lumen and intensity.  You are the Light! Shine! Hallelujah!

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KNOW THYSELF 7 – What Spirit are you made of? Part 3

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But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. Luke 9:55 (KJV) Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. For God hath NOT given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV) What manner of Spirit are you of? Beloved, the Bible tells us God has NOT given us the spirit of fear. I make bold to say that when we live in fear, we act like thieves – taking what we aren’t given. God didn’t give us fear. These False Evidences Appearing Real (FEAR) has crippled a lot of believers from achieving their highest potential in God, in life, in marriage, in their careers, and in businesses. You are not of the spirit of fear. On the contrary, you are made of the Spirit of Love, Power, and Sound mind. We have researched in previous teachings how we have been imbibed with God’s Spirit of Love. In addition, we have been blessed with the Spirit of power. We are truly full of power by the Spirit (Micah 3:8). When we received the promise of the Holy Spirit, he impregnated us with His life-giving power. That’s who we are. Timidity, cringing fear, worry, and anxiety aren’t part of the package we received in Christ Jesus. Also 2 Timothy 1:7 tells us we are blessed with the Spirit of a sound mind. Glory! Accept God’s report concerning you. You have a sound mind – a mind loaded with wisdom, counsel, innovation, direction, and self-control. The more you meditate on God’s word, the more alert your mind will be and the more in tune you will be to enjoy a maximized Christian life. Know thyself! You are made of the Spirit of Love, Power, and a Sound Mind. Trust God to guide and direct your mind. For who has known or understood the mind (the counsels and purposes) of the Lord so as to guide and instruct Him and give Him knowledge? But we have the mind of Christ (the Messiah) and do hold the thoughts (feelings and purposes) of His heart.1 Corinthians 2:16 (Amp) You have the Spirit of a sound mind – the mind of Christ. Accept who you are and live it out in your life. Oh, what bliss we often forfeit when we fail to acknowledge the manner of Spirit we are made of. Beloved, look deeper, there is more to you than meets the eye. Shalom! David Sanda (+2347034529339)

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KNOW THYSELF 6 – What Spirit are you made of? Part 2

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And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him. And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem. 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 them, even as Elias did? But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. Luke 9:52-55 (KJV) Believe in the best in people. A person becomes trustworthy only when you trust him or her with some worth. Looking at the incident in the scripture quoted above, we can observe that there was a reason the people didn’t receive Jesus’ messengers. “Because his face was as though He was heading for Jerusalem”. These Samaritans observed that Jesus was set to go to Jerusalem. They had no problem with Jesus’ person but they were displeased with His destination as they were not friends with Jerusalem. But when the Samaritans learned that his destination was Jerusalem, they refused hospitality. Luke 9:53 (Msg). If you look back a few verses earlier, verse 51 said he steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem. Now you see why they weren’t welcoming. The manner of Spirit we are of believes the best in others, gives them the benefit of the doubt, and hopes they turn out good. The story of the woman caught in the very act of adultery in John 8 showcases this truth. Rather than condemn the adultery, Jesus redeemed her. He was the righteous one without sin who should have cast the first stone but He saved her and instructed her to go and sin no more. Genuine love covers a multitude of sins. Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins. Proverbs 10:12 (KJV) And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8 (KJV) In defining love, the Apostle Paul eloquently states, Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughty. It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong]. It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail. Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening]. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (Amp) Kindly give attention to the emphasized phrases. That’s who you are. God is love and as His children, we are love. We must manifest this awesome attribute in our daily lives. Our anger, vengeance and wrath do not give God glory. These do not promote God’s righteousness. The spirit of Christianity is not a spirit of wrath and vengeance but of peace and gentleness and love. – John Wesley Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. James 1:19-20 (KJV) Just imagine such abuse of power which the messengers of Jesus wanted to display by calling down fire on people who simply rejected them because of their enmity with Jerusalem. We must be careful how we utilize our authority in Christ and be well guided in exercising His power working through us. I know that some people are simply difficult but we must respond as influenced by Christ’s Spirit of Love in us. Beloved, I believe in you. Your greatness is sure. Shalom!

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