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VISITATION IN THE LOCAL CHURCH FOR MAXIMUM IMPACT An Adaptation of a Script by Apostle Vincent Anane Denteh Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as He was walking in the garden in the cool of the day ... the Lord God called ..., “Where are you?” (Genesis 3:8-9) You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house.  (Acts 20:20) THE HOUR OF VISITATION – GOD IS A “VISITOR” His is an abiding presence, but He visits to set an example for us finite humans, to visit.  God visited them in the Garden - He came with CARE, INSTRUCTION, REBUKE & HOPE - Makes the visited decisive. The Omniscient God does not rely on hearsay: He visited Adam, Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Israel, etc. “The habitation of God is among Humans” is the “Immanuel” that thrives in the coming of Jesus and the Holy Spirit. (Rev. 21:3, Eze. 37:27, Isa. 7:14, Mat. 28:20) Jesus, in addition, visited Lazarus, Mary, Mart...

 PAUL OUTLINES HIS STRATEGIES FOR MAKING AN IMPACT ON THE LOCAL CHURCH AS A LEADER "For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For you are our glory and joy." (I Thess 2:19‭-‬20 NKJV) Main Reading: Acts 20:17-38 1. HE LED BY EXAMPLE: He himself found being in the church a thing to treasure, so he joyfully sacrificed his all to remain and work in the church.  2. HE LIVED AMONG THEM 3. HE SERVED AS UNTO THE LORD, with humility. 4. HE FACED TRIALS COURAGEOUSLY, and with tears (as in prayer for those persecuting him), not vengeance. 5. HE TAUGHT THEM CONSISTENTLY and carefully, and at places they could be found. He was not always just waiting for them at church. He visited them at home, etc. 6. HE PREACHED TO ALL MANNER OF PEOPLE, focusing the people on the Church's prime business of winning all nations for Christ. 7. HE DEMONSTRATED HARDWORK AND INTEGRITY: He worked to feed himself and other...

 FOR BETTER FOR WORSE FOR GOOD Your spouse isn't in your life simply to give you blissful days. He or she is in also to improve your character by stretching it to limits no one else can.  Just like change of lesson at school, couples regularly give each other bad days without even intending to. Those are all providential too. That is why every marriage looks nicer from the outside, at least soon as the honeymoon is over. Over time, after you've learnt to trust better and let some things go, you'll understand that you've been forged for greater things.  During the 'difficult lesson' periods, consider first which aspects of your own character is being dealt with, and try and make amends, otherwise, you'll have to do remedials several times over.  You focus also on God's overall goodness to you, and make room to thank Him. Don't let your grumbling steal His honor and praise. He is the one refining us, and though He passes us through fire, He is with us ...

MARRIAGE EXPANDS YOUR CAPACITY TO BE GOOD Marriage improves our capacity, and each marriage has its unique way of getting this done.  One of the greatest lessons you learn of marriage is when you learn not to engage for conflict. Your spouse is your own professed number one love and favorite person on Earth. You're not in the marriage for war. You're in it to prove your capacity to carry your spouse and family as on eagles' wings. Your spouse also made a declaration of love and lifelong commitment. Believe it or not, they feel the greatest pressure to prove this even to themselves.  Whoever initiates a conflict is therefore already guilty, and they know it. Feign surprise, and just refuse to engage. The onus to resolve then weighs heavier on them, and just a little beckoning soon brings them back around.  If you engage for conflict, you fuel it, and begin to carry some of the guilt burden.  When you've indicated something don't like that they do, the indication alo...

 BORN GUILTY? What separates one person from another in terms of righteousness is not how they are naturally born, so that is not relevant. What is relevant is what they do. Repent of your sins, believe in Jesus Christ and follow Him to the end: that is what is relevant. Faith in Jesus Christ is proven by our willingness to follow Him to the end. It is not enough to SAY you have repented or believed. "He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him." "He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked." "He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now." I John 2:4‭, ‬6‭, ‬9 NKJV #Luke2447

 Our Truthful (T) vs Speculative (S) Origins MAIN SOURCE T. Bible S. Science AUTHORITY T. Declares with authority from start S. Now investigating into the past REFERENCE T. References historical records S. References supposed prehistoric fossil records and formations VIEW OF ORGANISMS T. Asserts original creation of all S. Assumes evolution  MORALITY T. Orders absolute and universal morality S. Evolving, negotiated and relative morality PROOF T. Proven by faith - the rewards of doing what is morally right in the fear of God S. Relies on radiocarbon dating, astronomy, etc. CLAIM T. Says it is the truth, open to honest inquiry  S. Doubts claims to truth, but doesn't claim truth FINALITY T. Settled and ready for verification S. Findings changing and not yet conclusive OUR FUTURE T. Makes authoritative statements on even how the world will end and life after death S. Extrapolates trends to predict future, and has no answer for life after death #BibleBriefs

 EQUALITY BEFORE THE LAW One law shall be for the native-born and for the STRANGER who dwells among you. Exodus 12:49 NKJV “When a man strikes his slave, male or female, with a rod and the slave dies under his hand, he shall be avenged. Exodus 21:20 ESV An owner who hits a male or female slave in the eye and destroys it must let the slave go free to compensate for the eye. And an owner who knocks out the tooth of a male or female slave must let the slave go free to compensate for the tooth. Exodus 21:26‭-‬27 NIV You shall neither mistreat a STRANGER nor oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. Exodus 22:21 NKJV You shall have the same law for the STRANGER and for one from your own country; for I am the Lord your God. Leviticus 24:22 NKJV And the sabbath produce of the land shall be food for you: for you, your male and female servants, your hired man, and the STRANGER who dwells with you, Leviticus 25:6 NKJV If one of your brethren becomes poor, and falls into pover...

 DYING TO SELF - WILL YOU SURVIVE? All Christians who left good marks in the Bible went through these phases, yet STOOD: 1. Encouraged to do what is right 2. Encouraged to sacrifice your all 3. Commended for doing what is right 4. Rebuked for slipping from the Lord's way 5. Rebuked for accepting lower standards 6. Rebuked wrongly for sacrificial initiatives 7. Condemned for doing what is right #BibleBriefs

 HOW IS IT WISDOM IF It is not from the knowledge and fear of God? GODLESSNESS Makes humans supreme  And what good reason is there for one  To bow down to the other without force? Godlessness does away with hope How meaningful is tomorrow With no God to guarantee it by His purpose? Godlessness mocks all self-restraint  And seeks pleasure at the cost of life,  Why suffer or sacrifice your life for others? THEREFORE In God above us all is The purpose and hope of life The reason for all creation’s kinship The source of our care for one another Knowing God is UNDERSTANDING And fearing Him is  WISDOM #DivineRhymes  #Luke2447

 IS GOD IMAGINED? Because we must ALL live together, there cannot be true human FREEDOM unless it is regulated by a UNIVERSAL law and enforcer above us all - GOD. It is for the above reason that some people guess that the ancients imagined God into existence.  The guess however fails to stand because of the clear interventions of God in what would otherwise have been our life based on chance. Here are three of His interventions: 1. THE BIBLE. God gave His Word and laws to Israel, a nation that has persisted till today. The compilation of his interaction with them up to AD 100 makes up the book called the Bible. It is the only authoritative reference for the mind of God, and it describes origins and how things work in a way that that ultimately refutes all alternative views. 2. JESUS CHRIST. Over 2,000 years ago, He came down as fully human, lived perfectly, died, resurrected, and ascended. Global date refers to His times, and no one exceeds Him in perfection of conduct. All ma...

 THOSE WHO STARTED CHURCHES AND RIGHTEOUSNESS The expected thing is to be sent forth by one local church to start another local church, under their supervision. There are however some who step forth to start churches on their own, usually claiming a special calling or circumstance that makes it imperative that they don't wait for a local church's commission. They therefore usually step forth, in the name of the Lord, asserting a greater righteousness than that of the local church they're leaving. They soon commence building a local church, whether they start as a mere prayer band or whatever. Some, however, soon determine that righteousness with accountability is part of the restrictive' tradition' that they've 'broken away' from.  Then they crash, without exception!! "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you." Matthew 6:33 HCSB "Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Y...

COLOSSIANS IS A RESUME CLASSIC A. Christ is 1. The image and embodiment of the invisible God 2. Firstborn of what is created 3. Therefore the source and owner of thrones, lordships, sovereignties and authorities 4. Before all things  5. The one in whom all things have cohesion 6. Head of the body, the church 7. Sovereign 8. Firstborn from among the dead 9. The reconciler of all through the blood of His cross 10. The repository of all the hidden treasures of wisdom and knowledge  B. In Christ we are: 1. Endued with all power ... for all endurance and patience with joy 2. Competent as saints 3. Rescued from darkness into light 4. Delivered, pardoned for our sins 5. Complete 6. Circumcised by being buried with Him in baptism 7. Raised unaccountable for the offenses of the letter which He nailed to the cross 8. Not entirely accountable to rulers who reject His rule 9. Unanswerable to anyone else for what we eat or drink, or for periods of celebration and days of rest. 10. Are dead...

 PROMISES OF THE NEW COVENANT 1. PROVISION OF LIFE'S ESSENTIALS for seeking first the Kingdom of Heaven and its righteousness: "Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." Matthew 6:31‭, ‬33 ESV 2. FISHERS OF MEN for following in Christ's footsteps: And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:19  "For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps." 1 Peter 2:21 3. ETERNAL LIFE for enduring to the end: "But the one who endures to the end will be saved." Matthew 24:13 "He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life" Romans 2:6‭-‬7 #BibleBriefs #Luke24...

 THE PRIVILEGED TRAP OF A GODLESS LIFE None to thank for goodness you can't explain Gratitude and worship is trimmed or trashed Live to fit only what is otherwise explained Universal vision and brotherhood is untenable Strive, strive strive, live for awhile, that's all Absolutely free from ancient counsel and hope Be ruled by force, negotiation and science  Work hard to believe or please only yourself Get most pleasure out of life, die top of the pile Quench your eternity drive just because of God #DivineRhymes

 HIS CHALLENGE: [The Bible]  is a book designed to oppress: "slave, obey your earthly masters in any condition 😆 😄 😂". RESPONSE: Abuse of the Bible is not the proper use thereof. It is the excellent book. HIS CHALLENGE: I will show you someone who disagrees with you. George Bernard Shaw says that "the Holy Bible is the most dangerous book on the earth. Keep it under lock and key. Keep the Bible out of your children's search " Why is The Bible dangerous in Bernard Shaw's opinion? The only way you can find that out is to read the Bible. Genocide, Rape, Discrimination, Racist, Slavery, Pornography. There's some passages in the Bible you can't read them infront of someone you have respect for. Ezekiel 23:20-30 is one of them. RESPONSE: Where is George Bernard Shaw? Where is the alternative to the Bible? HIS ANSWER: He's dead natural not in a cross (sic). George Bernard Shaw born 26 July 1856 died 2 November 1950. will answer me about the passage n...

 JUDAS THE ELECT (CHOSEN) God can choose and use you like His servant to underline the truth that He is willing to receive whoever turns to Him. When it comes to those who will be saved, however, He is no respecter of persons.  "Jesus answered them, 'Did I not choose you, the twelve? And yet one of you is a devil.' He spoke of Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the twelve, was going to betray him." (John 6:70‭-‬71 ESV) Being chosen therefore doesn't guarantee salvation, so no one should be swollen-headed and complacent, and all must persevere to the end to be saved.  The story of Judas Iscariot shows the need to guard yourself from inordinate indulgence, especially when you find yourself being used of God. God is free to work through any of His creatures to achieve His purposes. That doesn't mean that anyone God ever works through is secure. After all, after the fall, there was no perfect or sinless person God could call and use to declare His wor...

 HE TURNED THE RICH AWAY They watched Jesus do two unthinkable things: (a) tell a potential sponsor of missions to get rid of his wealth and (b) watch the same who professed love of eternal life leave unsaved!  We're talking about the repentance from sins and faith in Christ that leads to salvation.  The disciples of Jesus were shocked. They asked Him two questions in quick succession:  1. If we're supposed to deny ourselves to the extent of giving up our wealth in order to follow you, Jesus, who can be saved? 2. Now that we have left all things to follow You, Jesus, what will we get? In the first question, the disciples realized that the self-denial Jesus asked off the rich young ruler was what they were already living. The hope in which they had done that was however not yet fully clear to them.  Jesus clarified: "You'll get eternal life alright, but also a 100-fold of whatever you've denied yourself in order to be my disciple."  What a claim? Where was t...

 "PEACE WITHIN YOUR WALLS": PRINCIPLES OF NATION BUILDING  Nation building is the responsibility to make a group of people who have decided to live together as an independent entity on Earth become truly independent and positively contribute materially and morally to other nations.  All modern nations virtually follow the Bible model of nation building, some more consciously than others. The Bible's model is the rise of the nation of Israel, which began with a given purpose, land moral guidance.  1. PURPOSE: to be a nation through which all other nations will be blessed. 2. LAND: They were allotted the land from the Jordan to the Mediterranean sea, with set boundaries. They were not to be imperialistic, grabbing lands beyond their boundaries. Canaan alone was given to them both as a gift and a warning. The peoples on those lands had become exceedingly immoral, engaging in practices that included human sacrifice. As a gift, they were to find self-sufficiency in the la...

 HE GIVES SEED TO THE SOWER (Principles of Christian Giving, 2 Co. 9) We will eventually lose whatever God has given us, unless we sow it, i.e.,  return it to Him in sacrificial giving. A. What He Wants Us to Sow (All that we have received from Him) Our Funds/Possessions Our Gifts/Time (1 Co. 4:7) Our Lives (Matt 16: 24-26) B. How He Wants Us to Give Faithfully Cheerfully  Discreetly (Mat. 6:2) Generously C. When He Wants Us to Give Situationally, according to Needs (Ac 4:32) Regularly, according to our Seed (1 Co. 16:2) D. Who He Wants Us to Give to Mission (2 Co. 8: 1-5) Household of God (Gal. 6:10) To our Households  (1Tim 5:8) Whoever Needs Our Help (2 Co. 9:9) E. What to Expect When We Give 1. Seed to the Sower (2 Co. 9:10) 2. Sufficiency in Season (2 Co. 9:11) 2. Enduring Rewards (Gal 6:9-10, Phil. 4:17) In sacrificial giving, we turn our perishable resources into the imperishable. #BibleBriefs

 REPOSITION YOUR FAITH FOR A MAXIMUM IMPACT READINGS Hebrews 11: 1-6 Matthew 9:25-29  (Illustration of Faith that Needs Repositioning): The disciples trusted Jesus for eternal life. However, when they saw Jesus demand the sacrifice of wealth in order to follow Him they were doubtful and asked, "Who them can be saved" and "... we have left all things to follow you: what shall we get?" The Lord 'repositions' their faith by telling them that faithful walk with Him also results in multiple restoration of whatever they sacrificially lose. OBSERVE 1. Faith is defined as CONFIDENCE & EVIDENCE in Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is CONFIDENCE in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."(NIV) "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the EVIDENCE of things not seen." (NKJV) 2. Living by Faith is what defines the Godly since creation: it is the common denominator for salvation pre-Christ and since Christ. "since there is one ...

 THE TOUCHY MATTER OF SLAVERY IN THE BIBLE Slavery in Israel in Bible times has a lot in common with modern day employment, with slaves having equal rights with their masters to rest days and protection against abuse under the law of God, such that if you maimed a slave you set him free. Also, if you had sexual relations with one you set her free. Enslavement like the one the Israelites experienced in their years in Egypt was prohibited in Israel under the law of God. 1. Slavery in Israel was essentially meant to deny non-Israelite inhabitants of Canaan equal rights to worship as they pleased.  “When you approach a city to fight against it, you must offer it peace. And then if they accept your terms of peace and they surrender to you, and then all the people inhabiting it shall be forced labor for you, and they shall serve you. ... so that they may not teach you to do like all their detestable things that they do for their gods and thereby you sin against Yahweh your God." (De...

 TWELVE IN THE BIBLE ANSWER THE EXISTENCE OF GOD QUESTION GENESIS: Humans alone dominate all creation because they alone are in the image of God the Creator. "So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”(Genesis 1:27‭-‬28) HAGAR: Although God cannot be seen, He sees me, and I have seen Him through His angel that He sent to help me in the desert, so "I have seen the God who sees me". (Genesis 16:13) MOSES: "And the Lord spoke to you out of the midst of the fire. You heard the sound of the words, but saw no form; you only heard a voice."(Deuteronomy 4:12) DAVID: It is unwise to conclude in your heart that there is no God, for that is proof that you embark on evil ways, and so want to ...

 IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, THE SON AND THE HOLY SPIRIT - ACCESS TO GOD Until Jesus came, the Jews did not consider God as Father. They considered Him as Creator, Lawgiver, etc. but not Father. When Jesus affirmed that  God is Father, and He Jesus is God's Son, they considered the very idea anathema and plotted His death.  "Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God."(John 5:18) Jesus, however kept insisting, and regularly referred to God as FATHER, Himself as the only begotten Son and those who repent of their sins and follow Him as given "the right to become children of God." (John 1:12) He taught therefore, that the God that has been served from ancient times is the FATHER, and the same now walks among them as the SON, and will remain with them until the end of the world as the HOLY SPIRIT. He is to be acknowledged as the same by whoever believ...